Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycling Trip

Trip Facts
Trip Type:	Cycling Trip
Accommodation:	Hotels/Lodges/Tented Camp
Altitude:	5,150 m/ 16,896 ft
Grade:	Challenging
Transportation:	Support Vehicle
Meals:	As Mentioned In The Itinerary
Group Size :	2 to 15 Pax
Duration :	20 Nights/21 Days

Highlights

16 Days Epic Cycling Trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu visiting North Everest Base Camp
Ride to World's Highest Rongbuk Monastery at 5,009 m and Step into North Everest Base Camp at 5,150 m
Visit Potala Palace, former Winter Palace of Dalai Lama since 7th Century and Norbulinka Palace, Summer Palace
Visit Sacred Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Tashi Lunpho Monastery
Witness Monk's Debate in Sera Monastery and walk around Barkhor Street
Ride into High Passes of Tibetan Platuae, Tibetan Villages and Valleys
Visit turquoise Yamdrok Lake and See Tibetan Mastiff
Enjoy Tibetan Authentic Foods, Culture and local markets in Tibet

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (3,656 m/ 11,995 ft)

Day 02: Visit Potala Palace, Norbulinkha Palace and Tibetan Traditional Hospital in Lhasa

Day 03: Visit Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery in Lhasa

Day 04: Bike from Lhasa City to the foot of Kamba-La Pass (3,700 m/12,140 ft)-85 km

Day 05: Bike Ride to Yamdrok Lake via Kamba-La Pass- (4,794 m/ 15,728 ft)-55 km

Day 06: Bike Ride to Karola Pass Base (4,750 m/15,584 ft)- 54 km

Day 07: Bike Ride to Gyantse (3,980 m/13,058 ft) via Karola Pass (5,010 m/ 16,437 ft)- 86 km

Day 08: Bike Ride to Shigatse (3,860 m/ 12,664 ft)-94 km

Day 09: Bike Ride to Gyachung Monastery (4,100 m/13,451 ft) - 75 km

Day 10: Bike Ride to Lhatse (3,860 m/12,664 ft) via Tso La Pass (4,520 m/14,829 ft) - 95 km

Day 11: Bike Ride to Shegar via Gyatso Pass (5,220 km/17,126 ft) - 75 km

Day 12: Bike Ride to Rongbuk Valley (4,200 m /13,780 ft) via Pang Pass (5,150 m/16,896 ft)- 67 km

Day 13: Bike Ride to Rongbuk Monastery (5,009 m/16,434 ft) – 35 km

Day 14: Bike Ride to Everest Base Camp (5,150 m/ 16,896 ft)- 8 km

Day 15: Bike Ride to Old Tingri (4,340 m/12,239 ft)- 86 km

Day 16: Bike Ride to Valley via Lalung Pass (4,990 m/16,371 ft) - 77 km

Day 17: Bike Ride to Kyirung County via Thang Pass (5,050 m/16,568 ft) -117 km

Day 18: Bike Ride to Keirung Town (2,700 m/8,900 ft)- 67 km

Day 19: Bike Ride to Tibet Nepal Border- 25 km and to Kathmandu (1,350 km/4,430 ft)-130 km

Day 20: Free Day in Kathmandu

Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycling Trip is one of the epic trips for the Cycle Enthusiasts. Riding to the high Tibetan Plateau and crossing high passes with amazing views of mountains, landscapes and witnessing vibrant Tibetan Culture covers around 1,100 km. This overland biking trip starts at Lhasa, capital city of Tibet and crosses Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake and to Shigatse, Lhatse, Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp and cross Kyirung Border to Kathmandu.

Our trip starts from flight to Lhasa. We can fly to Lhasa from Chengdu or by Train from Chengdu and other major seven Chinese Cities. If you want to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, we need extra 4 days to get Chinese Visa for Tibet. We spend couple of nights in Lhasa for acclimatization and visit Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka Palace, and Jokhang Temple.

We can do this Cycling trip either from Lhasa to Kathmandu or Kathmandu to Lhasa but the recommended one is from Lhasa from Kathmandu as we have proper time for acclimatization in Lhasa before we hit the road to high passes and to Everest Base Camp. If we do Kathmandu to Lhasa Cycling Trip, we need extra days from Kyirong to Everest Base Camp for acclimatization as the elevation changes dramatically and high chances of Altitude Sickness.

During our Tibet Nepal Cycling Trip, we have options of luxury hotels to standard hotels/lodges in Lhasa and comfortable guest houses in other towns. We stay at guest houses and tented camps for few nights during the ride. We will have support vehicle with spare parts and to carry your luggage.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (3,656 m/ 11,995 ft)

There are three ways to get into Lhasa. Either you may fly into Lhasa from Kathmandu or Chengdu, or overland drive from Kathmandu via Kyirung Border or direct trains from major seven cites of China. If you fly from Kathmandu, we need extra 4 days to get Chinese Visa for Tibet. From Gangor Airport, we drive to Lhasa town along with Yarlung Tsangpo River / Brahmaputra River, the longest and largest river in Tibet and Lhasa River. In Lhasa, we suggest you to take complete rest and drink hot water and soups for better acclimatization. In the evening, we may walk to Potala Square to see fountains with different colors.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Visit Potala Palace, Norbulinkha Palace and Tibetan Traditional Hospital in Lhasa

Today we will visit Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, is a treasure of Tibetan culture. It was till 1965, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet and quite possibly, the singularly most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later renovated by the Fifth Dalai Lama in the Seventeenth Century to its present specifications. Later, we will visit Norbulingkha Palace, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama which was built in the Eighteenth Century and is considered the biggest man made Garden in Tibet. In the evening, we be visiting Tibetan Traditional Hospital which is the center place for Tibetan Medicinal practices.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Visit Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery in Lhasa

After breakfast, we visit Drepung Monastery which is the largest monastery of Tibet and once housed 10,000 monks. It was built in 1419 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed. Drepung Monastery which was one of the ‘Three Great’ Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala Palace. Then we continue to Jokhang Temple, is the holiest shrine of Tibet and houses a Golden Statue of the Buddha which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese Princess “Wen Chen”. Outside Jokhang monastery, there is a Barkhor Bazaar, is a bustling flea market. This is generally the place to buy souvenirs and meet other tourists. After Barkhor Street, we drive to Sera Monastery which is one of the ‘Three Great’ Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The major highlight is Monks debate around 3 - 5 in the late afternoon.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Bike from Lhasa City to the foot of Kamba-La Pass (3,700 m/12,140 ft)-85 km

This is the short and easy day of cycling as we only ride for 85 km on good and flat road. We bike along the Tsangpo River to the base of Kamba-La Pass.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in the Foot of Kamba- La Pass.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Bike Ride to Yamdrok Lake via Kamba-La Pass- (4,794 m/ 15,728 ft)-55 km

Today we ride bike from the base of Kamba-La Pass to Yamdrok Lake. The turquoise Yamdrok Lake is one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet. We ride uphill with several switchbacks to the top of the pass at 4,794 m which is marked by several prayers flag. Then we descend down to the Lake.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp near Yamdrok Lake.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Bike Ride to Karola Pass Base (4,750 m/15,584 ft)- 54 km

We leave the lake and ride along the highway to the Base of Karola Pass.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp at Karola Pass Base.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Bike Ride to Gyantse (3,980 m/13,058 ft) via Karola Pass (5,010 m/ 16,437 ft)- 86 km

We start early in the morning to the Karola Pass from where you can see Karola Glacier stretching down to 6,000 m and beautiful lakes. Then we continue to Gyantse Town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Gyantse Town.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Bike Ride to Shigatse (3,860 m/ 12,664 ft)-94 km

In the morning, we visit Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort from the 14th century and the Kumbum, a large gold-domed Stupa with several small chapels containing impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist Murals. Then we will hit road to Shigatse which is the second largest city in Tibet.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Shigatse.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Bike Ride to Gyachung Monastery (4,100 m/13,451 ft) - 75 km

Shigatse is the capital of the Tsang Province and the ruler of this province had power all over Tibet prior to 1642 AD. In Shigatse, we will visit Tashi Lunpho Monastery which is founded by Gendun Drup, first Dalai Lama in 1,447 AD. It is a historic and culturally important monastery and once housed more than 3400 monks. It is a seat of Panchem Lama who is second in spiritual importance after Dalai Lama. The interesting highlight at Tashilunpho Monastery is the Nine Story Gilded Statue of Maitreya - the “Future Buddha”. After visiting Shigatse, we ride over two small passes and cross several Tibetan villages to Gyachung Monastery.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp near Gyachung Monastery.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Bike Ride to Lhatse (3,860 m/12,664 ft) via Tso La Pass (4,520 m/14,829 ft) - 95 km

After leaving Lhatse, we ride on a beautiful valley and climb to the top of Tso La Pass. Then we ride to Lhatse. We can camp at 10 km away from town which has Hot Spring.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Lhatse.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Bike Ride to Shegar via Gyatso Pass (5,220 km/17,126 ft) - 75 km

On our first leg, we ride to Gyatse Pass which offers the magnificent view of Mt. Everest for the first time in our trip. Then we continue ride through the Canyon for 40 km to Pelbar town commonly known as Shegar.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Shegar.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Bike Ride to Rongbuk Valley (4,200 m /13,780 ft) via Pang Pass (5,150 m/16,896 ft)- 67 km

We leave the Friendship highway and ride just outside of Shegar and head towards the Mt. Everest. We ride 20 km uphill with exactly 42 Hairpin Bends to the top of Pang Pass which offers stunning views of Makalu (8,463 m) , Shishapangma (8,012 m) , Cho Oyu (8,210 m) , Lhotse (8,516 m) , Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and several peaks. After spending some time at the pass, we ride down hill around 20 km to Rongbuk Valley.

Accomodation:

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Bike Ride to Rongbuk Monastery (5,009 m/16,434 ft) – 35 km

This is the toughest day of the entire trip as we are approaching the Everest Base Camp .We ride on Rongbuk Valley with the view of Mt. Everest just in the front until we arrive at Rongbuk Monastery which is the highest elevated Monastery in the world.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp or Guest House in Monastery.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 14: Bike Ride to Everest Base Camp (5,150 m/ 16,896 ft)- 8 km

Early morning we ride or walk to the North Base Camp of Mt. Everest and spend the rest of the day at Rongbuk Monastery admiring the views of Mt. Everest.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp or Guest House in Monastery.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 15: Bike Ride to Old Tingri (4,340 m/12,239 ft)- 86 km

We leave Rongbuk and ride to Old Tingri and might consider shortcut trails in the mountains to reduce the distance. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into Tingri.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Old Tingri.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 16: Bike Ride to Valley via Lalung Pass (4,990 m/16,371 ft) - 77 km

Our ride before lunch is around 50 km on flat land and we continue riding uphill to Lalung Pass which offers great view of mountains including Mt. Shishapangma. Then we ride downhill to the valley for overnight.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Valley between Lalung Pass and Thang Pass.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 17: Bike Ride to Kyirung County via Thang Pass (5,050 m/16,568 ft) -117 km

Today, we ride the last uphill of our trip to Thang Pass which offers the beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. Then we ride free wheel downhill to the Kyirung County.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Keirung County.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 18: Bike Ride to Keirung Town (2,700 m/8,900 ft)- 67 km

Today we bike ride to Keirung town which is the Border town of Tibet- Nepal and Border is 25 km away from the town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Keirung Town.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 19: Bike Ride to Tibet Nepal Border- 25 km and to Kathmandu (1,350 km/4,430 ft)-130 km

We ride to the Tibet Nepal Border and clear the Immigration Formalities. Now we have options of either continue with Bike Ride or in Jeep. The road from Border to Kathmandu is very Bumpy, narrow and dusty. So, we recommend Jeep drive to Kathmandu. In the evening, we host grand dinner to celebrate your success of Lhasa- Kathmandu Ride.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 20: Free Day in Kathmandu

This day, you can entirely rest and visit Thamel in the evening or you can do sightseeing of monuments in Kathmandu with us.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast, we will drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Arrival and departure transfers in Lhasa with Guide.
3 Nights in Lhasa with breakfast and Accommodation outside Lhasa as mentioned in the program with breakfast, Lunch, dinner, tea/coffee.
Tibet Visa Fees, all paperwork for Tibet tour, Tibet Travel permit.
Tibet Permits for Cycle, First Aid Kit and Oxygen.
Lhasa/Everest Base Camp/Keyrung Cycle Trip with Tibetan Guide, Support 4WD with Spare Parts.
2 Nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
Kyirung Border to Kathmandu drive by Private 4 WD.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
Kathmandu sightseeing with English Speaking Tour Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 Hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

Flight or Train Ticket to Lhasa.
Donation to the Monasteries in Tibet.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 30/- for 15 Days) at Keyring Border.
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu except farewell dinner.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Other than in our include section.