Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa
When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on their way to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B)
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 Ganpo'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 parts of Tibet.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 3 Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)
Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10,000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving Workshop 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 most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 pm in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan Handicraft Art Center or Tibetan Traditional Medicine Center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).
Day 4 Lhasa - Meldro Gungkar - Riduo (cycle 70km, vehicle 55 km)
Start this legendary cycling trip today. You can get vehicle support for the uphill climb to Riduo, and enjoy the fabulous scenery of Lhasa River and Meldrom River en route.
Stay overnight in Riduo.
Day 5 Riduo - Mila Pass - Songduo (cycle 52km)
Today you will climb over the first high-pass at Mila Pass (5013m). The road is in good condition, but you may need to push the bicycle to the pass.
Stay overnight in Songduo (tents, camping).
Day 6 Songduo - Gongbujiangda (cycle 96km)
Ride along the asphalt-paved downhill road from Songduo to Gongbujiangda, enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery along the way.
Stay overnight in Gongbujiangda.
Day 7 Gongbujiangda - Basum Lake (cycle 98km)
Today you will cycle to Bahe Town first, and then go uphill during the last 50km from Bahe to Basum Lake.
Stay overnight by Basum Lake (tents, camping).
Day 8 Free Day at Basum Lake
You can visit the beautiful turquoise Basum Lake and have a good rest to prepare yourself for the following days.
Stay overnight by Basum Lake (tents, camping).
Day 9 Basum Lake - Bayi (vehicle 50km, cycle 90km)
You will get vehicle-support from Basum Lake to Bahe Town, and then ride along the paved road to Bayi.
Stay overnight in Bayi.
Day 10 Bayi - Lulang (vehicle 36km, cycle 25km)
You can get vehicle-support to Sejila Pass, where you can have great view of Lulang Forest. Then cycle 25km downhill to Lulang.
Stay overnight in Lulang (tents, camping).
Day 11 Lulang - Tongmai - Bomi (cycle 62km, vehicle 90km)
At first, you will cycle to Tongmai. Be cautious when getting close to Tongmai because the road may be a little dangerous there. Then get 90km vehicle-support to Bomi.
Stay overnight in Bomi.
Day 12 Bomi - Ranwu Lake (cycle 127km)
Today is probably the most arduous day! You need to cycle 127km, however, you will be rewarded with the scenic view around Ranwu Lake.
Stay overnight by Ranwu Lake (tents, camping).
Day 13 Ranwu Lake - Basu (cycle 85km)
Today you will ride downhill for 85km to Basu.
Stay overnight in Basu.
Day 14 Basu - Yela Pass - Bangda (vehicle 66km, cycle 33km)
You will get vehicle-support for 66 km, and then start to cycle up the pass all the way to Bangda.
Stay overnight in Bangda.
Day 15 Bangda - Zuogong (cycle 106km)
Ride along the flat road from Bangda to Zuogong and be greeted by the scenic view along the way.
Stay overnight in ZuoGong.
Day 16 Zuogong - Dongdala Pass - Dengba (cycle 55km)
Today you need to climb over Dongdala Pass. Ride strenuous to climb up to the pass and then enjoy the downhill cruise to Dengba.
Stay overnight in Dengba.
Day 17 Dengba (small-pass) - Zhuka (cycle 58km)
Enjoy your easy ride to Zhuka hotspring.
Stay overnight in Zhuka.
Day 18 Zhuka - Mangkang - Tibet border - Yanjing (vehicle 118km, cycle 58km)
You will get vehicle-support up to Hongla Pass. Then cycle to pass the Tibet-Yunnan border post to Yanjing.
Stay overnight in Yanjing.
Day 19 Yanjing - Feilaisi (vehicle 42km, cycle 40km)
Today you need to move uphill all the way. You will see Meili Snow Mountain and Lancang River (Upper Mekong) along the way.
Stay overnight in Feilaisi.
Day 20 Feilaisi - Baima Pass - Benzilan (vehicle 50km, cycle 66km)
Get vehicle-support up to Baima Snow Mountain. Then cycle on paved road and go downhill to Benzilan.
Stay overnight in Benzilan.
Day 21 Benzilan - Nixi Pass - Shangri-la (cycle 84 km)
Today is the last day of cycling. After biking 84 kilometers, you arrive at the destination – Shangri-la.
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