Kathmandu to Lhasa

From what little I've been able to research, you need to join an organised tour who will do all the permits for you, you can't do this independently (though I could be wrong!). A Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service started in 2005 but folded soon afterwards.

I have put a couple of agency suggestions on www.seat61.com/Nepal.htm</a> but would be very happy to get more info and feedback myself from any nepal-Tibet travellers out there!

Thanks a lot !
A.

Entering the Tibet Autonomous Region from Nepal you are definitely required to be on a group Visa - however two people is adequate to qualify as a "group". You must make your arrangements through an authorized agency in Kathmandu who is required to partner with an agency based in Lhasa. It's expensive to do this as a separate group. Best to join a larger group for the trip into Lhasa overland - making sure that the organizer puts the two of you on a separate Visa and knows what your plans are once you are in Lhasa so that the agent there will get you individual Visas there. Another option would be to fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu - you will still need to obtain the "group visa" and Tibet travel permit through an agency in Kathmandu who will then make arrangements for you to be met by their partner agency at the airport and transferred into Lhasa by car. A lot of red tape but the only way it will happen --and you will still need the individual Chinese Visas to move onward from Lhasa into China. Flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you will not be allowed through Immigration, unless you have the required Lhasa agent at the airport with the necessary documents to welcome you!

"Do we really need to join some tour group in order to be able to get to Lhasa and spend time there or can we do it off our own backs ?"
The short answer is yes - you have to join a group and you are all on the same group visa that requires that you leave the country together.
Its difficult if not impossible to 'do it off your own backs'.

"If we can do it alone, where would be the best place to get a visa ?" You can only do it alone if you find one of the 'rare' tour operators that will organize a group of two for a private overland jeep tour (at a premium price). The visas are arranged through the travel agents for group visas.

BUT if you do get one of the 'group of two' visas, you can certainly explore Lhasa at your leisure.