18 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Tour

When you arrive in Lhasa by train or flight, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. Then you will be transported to your hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on the way to the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Tips: If this is your first visit to Tibet, you will need to acclimatize to the increased elevation, to prevent altitude sickness. This is best done by resting in the hotel and minimizing any physical exertion.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, Thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, you’ll taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, you will visit two of the three prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, your biking adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu begins. The first day of riding is short and easy, with well-paved and flat road. You will ride along the Tsangpo River to the foot of Kamba La Pass (3700 m).

Camping at the foot of Kamba La Pass.

Today, you will climb through the first mountain pass of this trip. After a sharp uphill climbing along the zigzag tar road, we will reach the summit adorned with colorful prayer flags. Then we will descend and continue towards the road to Yamdrok Lake, where will be our second camping site. The holy Yamdrok Lake is one of the three great lakes in Tibet, alluring thousands of tourists every year for its dazzlingly turquoise water and breathtaking mountain views.

Camping near Yamdrok Lake.

Leaving the beautiful lake behind, we will continue along the Friendship Highway. The road sooner becomes graveled. After through uphill and downhill, we will arrive at the foot of Karo La Pass (4750m), where you will stay overnight in the prepared tent.

Camping at the foot of Karo La Pass.

In the early morning, we will climb over the high Karo La Pass (5010m), from where you can see stretching glaciers and beautiful lakes. Then we will cycle to Gyantse (3980m) and check in a top hotel here.

Stay overnight in Gyantse.

We will first the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, also known as Gyantse Fortress, was constructed in 1390. The Gyantse Kumbum or Gyantse Stupa is the largest chorten in Tibet. It has 75 chapels, containing an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals.

Then we will hit the road towards Shigatse. It is a long way to ride, but the roadway is flat and tarred. Until afternoon, we will arrive in Shigatse (3860m), the second largest city in Tibet. You can take a shower in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will pay a visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the most prestigious Gelugpa monastery in Shigatse. The monastery is built in 1447, by the first Dalai Lama. You can explore the world’s largest future Buddha and do religious circumnavigation around white stupas and stroll in pencil-thin red alleys and visit the monks’ chanting room.

Then leaving Shigatse behind, we will cycle through two small mountain passes and several Tibetan villages, and arrive at Gyachung Monastery for camping.

Camping around Gyachung Monastery.

The route keeps extending along the highway. We will pass through some picturesque valleys, and then reach the Tso-La (4520m). After lunch, we will head towards Lhatse, a small town with only one street and a small square near the center, situated in the valley of Yarlung Tsangpo River. We will pass the hot springs and camp around 10 km outside the town.

Camping near Lhatse.

From Lhaste to Shegar, today’s ride will be filled with stunning views. When climbing over the Gyatso-La (5220m), you will get the first view of Mount Everest, if it is a clear day. After a 40-km ride through prairie towns, we will arrive in Shegar, a popular stopover for tourists heading to Mt. Everest.

Stay overnight in Shegar.

It will be a little bit tough for today’s riding, as the road condition is not as good as that of the past days. You will start going along a different rough road just outside of Shegar, and head to the word’s highest peak, Mount Everest. You will overcome a winding mountain road of up to 20 km, after crossing the border control point. As long as you reach the summit of Pang Pass (5150m), you will be rewarded with some of the most gorgeous views of Mount Everest and surrounding peaks.

At noon, we will enjoy lunch while appreciating the summit views of Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks. Then, we will descend along a 20-km downhill to the Rongbuk Valley (4200m).

Camping around Rongbuk Valley.

Today, we will continue riding along a bumpy road winding up through Rongbuk Valley until we get to Rongbuk Monastery (4980km). As the highest monastery in the world, Rongbuk Monastery is the perfect site of tourists to get the best summit view of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Rongbuk Monastery (Dorm Bed/Tents).

Today is for you to relax and take in the stunning views of Mount Everest. We will get close to the famous Everest Base Camp (5200m), just next to Rongbuk Monastery. You will enjoy the sunset of incredible Holy Mountain here. If you dare to venture out at night, you will be rewarded with heavenly starry night at EBC.

Stay overnight in Rongbuk Monastery (Dorm Bed/Tents).

Leaving Rongbuk, we will head back down to the bumpy road towards Tingri (4340m). On the way, we will pass canyons and then descend to Tingri.

Stay overnight in Tingri.

In the morning, we will ride on a smooth roadway of 40 to 50 km. After lunch, we will face the gradually uphill of Lalung Pass (4990m). When reaching the ridge, you will feel as if you were standing as high as the peaks around you, including Shishapangma (8012m). We will set up tents for accommodation in the valley between two passes.

Camping around Lalung Pass.

Today, we will climb over our last uphill, the Thang Pass (5050m). You will be treated to the breathtaking views of the Himalayans, as you freewheel down all the way to the Nepalese border.

From the town of Nyalam, the scenery starts to present another look of green mountains and lush trees. You will cycle cross several waterfalls and pine trees, until reaching the border town of Gyirong (2330m).

Stay overnight at Gyirong.

In the morning, your guide will assist you to exit China, and will see you off at the border with Nepal. Your biking trip to Kathmandu ends here. Transfers from Gyirong to Kathmandu can be arranged, but are not included in the package, and will require an extra payment if requested.