Biking Along the Himalayas: A Thrilling Adventure from Lhasa

Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be pick up at the airport or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. En route, enjoy the breathtaking view along the Yarlong Tsangpo River. Tibetan features can be seen along the way, including Big Buddha engravings on the hill near the road, colorful prayer flags and friendly Tibetan people.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.

After breakfast, you will firstly visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.

Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!

The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.

Today is an easy day. After breakfast in the hotel, bike the 71 KM, about 4 hours from Lhasa to Quxu Bridge. In evening, after settling into camp, you can walk to the Yarlung Zangbo River to get a great view of the sunset.

Quxu Hotel or Tent
Riding time: 4 hours (71 KM)
Route: Lhasa (3650M) to Quxu Bridge (3593M)

After breakfast ride from Quxu Bridge to Nagartse County. The first section is 30KM to Kampala pass. The trail meanders through villages of mud-walled houses and pastoral farmlands. Take the opportunity to visit the Yomdrok Lake; a spectacular lake on the roof of the world. After have lunch and a rest, continue riding to our destination. Interact with local villagers with the assistance from your Tibetan guide. Set up camp at Nagartse village.

Riding time: 6 hours (84KM)
Route: Quxu Bridge (3593M)– Kampala pass(4793M)- Nagartse(4450M)

After have breakfast, after leaving Nagartse, the trail heads towards a valley and then to the top of Karo La, the first 5000 meter passes on your trip. Crossing Karo La (5110M) descend to the foot of Simi La at an elevation of 4330m through some beautiful Tibetan villages. After a light lunch and a rest, ride into a wide sandy valley and towards Gyantse. The trail crisscrosses barley fields and beside a flowing river. Visit the Palkor Chorten Monastery. No camping tonight as accommodation is in a comfortable hotel.

Riding time: 6-7 hours (104KM)
Route: Nagartse (4450M) – Karo La (5110M) – Simi La (4345M) – Gyantse (4025M)

Today, ride from Gyantse to Shigatse on a sealed road. This road is more heavily trafficked as are the busy streets of Shigatse. In Shigatse visit the Tashilunpo Monastery which represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. Accommodation is at a comfortable hotel.

Riding time: 6 hours (96KM)
Route: Gyantse (4025M)-Bainang- Shigatse (3836M)

Today is a leisurely with free time. After breakfast, sightseeing in Shigatse by yourself and have lunch. After lunch ride to Giding County and set up camp.

Riding time: 3 hours (61KM)
Route: Gyantse (4025M)-Bainang- Shigatse (3836M)

After a light breakfast, the ride follows the Friendship Highway. The first section is 17km from Giding County to Liuxiang village. The second leg is 40km ride to Tso la which has a clear view of the main Himalayan range. After lunch ride downhill to Lhatse County and stay at local hotel.

Riding time: 6 hours (95KM)
Route: Giding County (3836M)-Rena County- Tso La (4534M) – Lhatse (4023M)

After breakfast, start today’s ride with a gradual climb to the foot of Gyamtso La The Gyamtso La at 5220 meter is located approximately 15 kilometers from the Lhatse and is the highest pass of this biking adventure. The trail to the top of the pass is steep and rough in places. From the pass it is steep downhill ride amidst stunning views of Mt. Everest. Riding past small Tibetan settlements, see nomadic herdsmen en route to the camp at Baiba village.

Riding time: 5 hours (86KM)
Route: Lhatse (4023M) – Gyamtso La (5252M) – Baiba (4393M)

Today the ride detours away from the main road to the Everest Base Camp. The road zigzags across the back wall of the valley overlooking a stunning view of the pass. The view from the top of the pass is breathtaking with the whole Himalaya range gleaming right before you. The tough climb to the pass is followed by a downhill ride to small Tibetan settlement where camp is established for the night.

Riding time: 4 hours (64KM)
Route: Baiba (4393M) – Zhaxizong village (4161M)

Today’s ride is along the broken stone road with the first section from Tashi Zong Village to Cho Zong passing through Basong village. The ride is 1.5 hours and 23KM. After lunch continue to Rongbuk Monastery which lies 3 kilometers below the Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 4987m; then 3 KM on gravel road to the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Stay at a local hostel.

Riding time: 5 hours (49KM)
Route: Zhaxizong (4164M) – Rongbuk Monastery (4987M) – Mt. Everest Base Camp (5020m)

Today is a rest day at Mt. Everest Base Camp. See the sunrise and sunset from Base Camp, Mount Everest: Mt. Everest, called Mount Chomo Langma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers’ eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you –5200 mt (17000ft), but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks – and never-forgotten beautiful memories.

The first 16KM of today’s ride from Mt. Everest Base Camp to Monument Road 79 will take about 2 hours because the trail is extremely rocky and bumpy. Continuing the ride tour to the destination, the view of majestic Everest and Cho Oyu is stunning. The dirt road turns into a paved road on entering the small town of Tingri which is an unsheltered and windy settlement nestled underneath the enchanting Cho Oyu. The overnight camp will be at a small village.

Riding time: 7 hours (74KM)
Route: Mt. Everest Base Camp (5020m) – Longjiang La pass- Tingri (4327M)

Starting with a little uphill climb, the ride makes its way along the edge of the valley following a river before it enters a lake sheltering a variety of Himalayan ducks. The views of Everest and Cho Oyu along the road are spectacular. Riding a further 22 km brings an excellent campsite which has green grass and crystal clear mountain rivulet and is at the foot of La Lung La.

Riding time: 4 hours (62KM)
Route: Gangga County (4327m) – Gucuo village- Menbu County

After breakfast the first leg of 22KM is about 1 hour from Menbu County to La Lung La pass at 5017 meters offers excellent views of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Kyirong was newly opened route for Toursit, after Old port Zhangmu was badly damaged by Earthquake

Pakpa Temple was built for Wadi sambhu statue brought from Nepal by Princess, in addition to Shakyamuni Statue brough at Lhasa. Tonight stay at local hotel.

Riding time: 7 hours (123 KM)
Route: Menbu County (4327m) – La Lung La Pass (5017m) – Kyirong (2414)

Today your tour guide transfer you to the border see you off at Kyirong Bridge.

Tips of today: 1. Please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel.