Katmandu to Llasa - individual "group" visa?

It is possible to get a group visa for just one person but usually they do not give it for a long time (eg 25 days maximum stay for Tibet and China). Also you have to pay a hefty premium to get a visa for just one person. Basically, you would go in an organised group from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and upon reaching Lhasa split from the rest of the group.

Have read Post #2 twice and am still confused!
From Nepal all groups must be organized by an agency approved by Chinese government and Tibetan authorities. All Nepali agencies must deal through these two or three approved agents. Individuals cannot apply for a group visa. Prior to obtaining the Chinese Group Visa, the organizing company must apply through an agency in Lhasa for a Tibet travel permit, filing the application with a copy of the proposed itinerary so that permits are issued for each zone through which the group will travel. The definition of a "group" for this purpose is a minimum of 2 foreign visitors. Once the documents are obtained from Lhasa and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, the Nepal based agency transports the clients to Kodari where you are required to walk across the Friendship Bridge crossing into Tibet, pass through security and are met by a vehicle provided by the government transportation agency complete with Chinese/Tibetan driver and a Tibetan Guide who will accompany you for the remainder of the journey. You cannot deviate from the itinerary filed and the areas approved on your travel documents.
You cannot act as your own tour organizer without the assistance of a licensed agency.

Yes, number #2 seems to make little sense to me, either.
Perhaps I was unclear in my question. i am quite aware that the trip has to be done with a group and organized through an agency. I am not planning to do it by myself. The question, however, is if I can get my own individual group visa - that is, travel with the group from the agency by have my own papers so that when the rest of my group flies back to katmandu or whatever I can continue on in my own direction. I understand time on the visa is only 21-28 days.
One person told me on the thorn tree that each individual person in their group got the own "group" visa - a group visa with only their name on it. Has anyone else had luck with this? Or, as #3 says, if a "group" visa is a minimum of 2 people, I may have difficulty in arranging it in this way.
Any further information?
Thanks,
hal fischer

Hi Hal, Sorry, I did misunderstand what you were asking. There are two ways that I have seen this done. Sometimes a a group travelling together into Tibet from Nepal will have certain individuals on a separate group visa because their ultimate plans differ from the main group. However, that separate group visa and Tibet travel permit (two different documents) must have a minimum of two persons, I am told. In the case of an individual traveller wanting to separate from the group in Lhasa, I know personally there have been instances where the organizing agent in Lhasa has been successful in obtaining a separate Chinese Visa for them and having their name cancelled from the original group documents. There is apparently no guarantee, however, that they will be able to do this despite assurances received in advance. The fee charged is usually $50 US or more and seems that you might be subject to the whatever direction the "winds of bureauocracy" are blowing that day. Make sure that the agent in Kathmandu knows well in advance what your plans are and ask for written confirmation from their partner agency in Lhasa, how this request will be handled. Arrangements that you have thought were agreed to sometimes have a way of changing when you cross the border into Tibet.

Thanks for your help. Sounds like sound advice. I have done more research and it does sound like people have been issued individual "group" permits/visas lately. Furthermore some travel agents have reassured me that this is possible via email, but I suppose one never really knows. I think I will go and gamble that it will work out.
Thanks.
Hal

Also tour operators/trekking companies will say anything to you to get you to book with them. Once you are in Tibet and out of their responsibility they don't care about you. Again, sorry if I'm stating the obvious here! I was told by a company that you can get a Chinese visa for one person here in Kathmandu which is simply not true...