How to Plan a Tibet Nepal Bike Tour

Cycling in Tibet and Nepal is really a challenging tour across the high plateau and various mountain paths. This journey will be a gorgeous biking adventure, which can build your physical and mental conditions to a great degree. The exciting process will enable you to view breathtaking beauty of Himalaya ranges and the wonderful culture in Tibet and Nepal. This memorable trip will offer you a sense of accomplishment. If you are not clear of how to plan the Tibet Nepal bike tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you can refer to the contents in this article to get some information, such as the route, the highlights, the best time, travel documents and some basic tips.

Biking Route from Tibet to Nepal

The popular Tibet Nepal cycling route is from Lhasa to Kathmandu, which takes you about 13-16 days to finish the cycling distance of 1,000 km. The main road will be the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway, and you have to climb more than 6 high passes in the whole process before you fully getting through the ranges of the Himalayas. The detailed route is from Lhasa to Gyantse, and then moves to Shigatse, Shegar, Tingri, Gyirong and then gets to Kathmandu.

Enjoy the most popular Tibet Nepal cycling route from Lhasa to Kathmandu

The road conditions of the Friendship Highway are quite good with perfect maintenance by the authority departments. The well-paved road offers great convenience for the cycling tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu. However, you should know that there are also many winding small roads on the way to finish the cycling process, and they are all with high altitudes. Some slopes are really steep, which consumes you much physical power to get through. When you cycle in cities, there is no need for you to worry about bad conditions of the roads, and you can enjoy the city scenes to the full.

The altitude changes while you are cycling through different landscapes and various terrains along the way. The altitude of Lhasa is 3,656m, and Kamba La Pass has an elevation of 4,794m. From Karo La to Lhatse, the altitude changes from 5,010m to 4,025m. Afterwards, you will again get to a high altitude about 5,220m in Gyatsola Pass. From Shegar to Tingri, the altitude varies from 4,050m to Pang Pass (5,150m) and then 4,340m. After that, you need to climb higher to Lalung Pass (4,990 m), and then Thang Pass (5,050m). The altitude of Gyirong is much lower in the cycling route with an elevation of 2,300m, for it is one port between Tibet and Nepal. When you are in Nepal, the altitude will be about 1500m, which will make you feel more comfortable during the biking journey.

Highlights of Tibet Nepal Bike Tour

You can choose to join the 18-Day Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Tour group to finish your cycling dream in high plateau. There are many highlights during this tour, such as the holy lakes, various temples, beautiful natural scenery etc.

1) Yamdrok Lake

After a full sightseeing in Lhasa, you will first meet the Yamdrok Lake, which is quite spectacular with clear water and the set of the blue skies. Located in rolling hills, its water glistens in the sunshine, which is known as one sacred lakes of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year, lots of travelers and pilgrims will come here to have fun or purify their soul.

Yamdrok Lake is an amazing highlight during your bike tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

2) Gyantse Kumbum

The Kumbum is located in Gyantse City, which is a large stupa with 34m tall and owns 100 other inner stupas. Known as one of the hugest stupas on the earth, its magnificent sight will make you feel tiny. The gilded dome roof is amazing in the eyes of people all around the world.

3) The Three Passes

If you cycle along the road to the highest mountain in the world, you will have to get over 3 consecutive passes, namely the Tsola Pass with an altitude of 4,600m, the Gyatsola Pass with an elevation of 5,200m and the Gawula Pass lying 5,250 meters above the sea level. These passes are quite high, offering you one exciting experience and stunning view of the mighty mountains of the Himalayas. Several mountains above 8,000 meters will fall into your eyes while you are cycling to Kathmandu.

4) Everest Base Camp

Mt. Everest is a must-visit attraction in the Tibet Nepal tour. It is quite convenient to cycle along the road to the base camp directly nowadays. The wonderful views of the ranges and the magnificent masterpieces of the nature will add more precious memories to your tour. It is sensible for you to take photos to record the amazing moments. And it is highly recommended to stay overnight at the base camp to enjoy the lifetime sunrise and sunset from the top of the world.

You should never miss the glorious Everest Base Camp on the way of your Tibet Nepal bike tour.

5) Rongbuk Monastery

As the highest monastery on the earth, this monastery is famous for the living of monks and nuns. The design of it is simple and the structure of this monastery is plain. This great monastery attracts numerous tourists and mountaineers to stay to have a rest to continue to head for the Mt. Everest. You are able to catch stunning view of sunrise on the hillside.

6) Gyirong Port

Gyirong Port lies in the valley, which enables you to view the lush grasslands and stunning wildlife to the utmost. The climate here is cozy, which becomes a wonderful place to have a good rest in the tour. After that you can head to Kathmandu to end your journey. The temple ruins in this place are amazing and the natural reserve area there is large enough to protect the natural environment and wild lives.

Best Time for Tibet Nepal Bike Tour

When it comes to the best time for the Tibet Nepal bike tour, we recommend you set out the journey during the period from April to mid-June or from September to October. It is not advisable to cycle in Tibet and Nepal in the monsoon seasons, for the roads may become slippery, which may cause horrible accidents in some cases. Winter is the least choice for you to begin the Tibet Nepal bike tour, for most of the roads will be hindered from heavy snow. The hospitable weather during the months from April to mid-June and from September to October is quite good and clear. The utmost visibility will make your cycling more convenient and secure.

Travel Documents Required for Tibet Nepal Bike Tour

As for the documents needed for the Tibet Nepal tour, here we would like to list some of them. Actually, the documents needed from Lhasa to Kathmandu and Kathmandu to Lhasa do not differ too much.

From Lhasa to Kathmandu

The Chinese Visa is the first document that is required when you enter China. The Tibet Travel Permit is needed for all foreign tourists to enter Tibet smoothly. Since your Lhasa to Kathmandu biking tour will pass through Shigatse and Mount Everest area, you need to apply the Aliens’ Travel Permit at Lhasa or Shigatse. Before entering Nepal from Gyirong Port, you need to apply for the Nepal Visa. To save your time, we can help you arrange the required travel permits If book your trip with us.

From Kathmandu to Lhasa

Besides the important Tibet Travel Permit, also known as the Entry permit, the Chinese Group Visa is also required when you cycle from Kathmandu to Lhasa. It can be applied through the Chinese Embassy at Kathmandu. Please make sure you arrive in Kathmandu at least 5 days before you depart. Other required travel documents for your Tibet tour, such as the Aliens’ Travel Permit, are the same as what you need to prepare for the Lhasa to Kathmandu cycling tour.

Should I Bring My Own Bike?

If you are not confident with the bike rented or bought in Tibet or Nepal for long-way cycling, you can bring your own bike to the starting destination whether by train or by flight. However, you should know that it will take you some money to take your own bike, which may also be a bit troublesome. If you need to bring your bike back to your own country after the tour, the charge is also high.

If you do not want to bother to prepare to bring your own bike, you can just choose one proper bike in Lhasa or Kathmandu to rent or to buy. This is more convenient for your bike tour. Remember to check out the conditions of your bike during the tour to ensure safety and avoid dangers.

Travel Tips

The travel tips that you need to pay attention are various. Among them, altitude sickness should be one important aspect, for this common issue may affect your whole journey to a great degree. Remember to take some necessary medicines to cope with this problem and prepare yourself well both in physical and mental conditions before your bike tour.

You also need to pack some daily necessities with you for the riding, such as the first-aid kits, repair kits and tools, high-calorie food and water etc. Warm clothes and sun block are also needed to take while you are cycling.

Although the contents mentioned above are detailed, there are also some other aspects you need to pay attention to or know a bit. If you have any other issue, you can contact with us to get more professional information and reasonable plans for your bike tour in Tibet and Nepal.