Lhasa to the Everest Base Camp Biking Tour

When you arrive in Lhasa, our staff will pick you up at Lhasa Airport/ Railway Station and transfer you to the hotel. From the airport, it takes about 1 hour. From the train station, it only takes 20 minutes. Afterward, it's better to relax and take it easy on the first day to get acclimatized to high altitude and alleviate the jet lag. You might go to the local market and wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it is a museum and world heritage site. 

In the afternoon, you will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

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Today’s first attraction is Drepung Monastery. Drepung means "piles of rice" in Tibetan, which symbolizes prosperity. It's the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Also, It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect. After lunch, you will continue to visit Sera Monastery, the most beautiful Tibetan monastery in Lhasa. The Buddhist scripture debating is the highlight of Sera Monastery.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

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The fourth day commences our journey towards the Everest Base Camp. The first leg of the tour will be between Lhasa and Mt. Kangba La. On both sides of the road, you will witness the stunning landscapes of Tibet’s rural areas. You will cross the Chushur Brahmaputra River Bridge and likewise enjoy picturesque views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River flowing at the base of Mt.Kangba La (4,990m).

Stay overnight in Khangbala Village (3,890m)

This ride offers an awesome view of the idyllic countryside of Tibet. The first section of the route involves conquering the main mountain pass - Kangbala Pass (4,990m), featuring a steep uphill climb along National Highway 349 with numerous twists and hairpin bends. After approximately 5 hours of challenging ascent, reaching the top of the pass feels like overcoming a significant obstacle, and the reward is a fantastic view of the Yamdrok Valley. Afterward, you will descend to the banks of the Yamdrok Tso Lake, the largest freshwater lake along the Tibetan Plateau. This lake is considered one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and shows an azure color. You can bike along the lakeshore to arrive in Nangartse County (4,500m).

Stay overnight in Nangartse County

After breakfast, you will set out early for Gyantse (4,050m). On this day, you need to climb over the Karola Glacier (5,039m) and the Smila Mountain Pass (4,330m). As you ride along Yamdrok Lake’s shore, you will encounter several steep ascents and descents spanning multiple kilometers. The breathtaking Karola Glacier will appear along the roadside. Upon reaching the Simila Mountain Pass, you may hang prayer flags for blessings. Also, you will find a hidden treasure on the bank - serene & emerald Manla Dam. The final stretch of today’s riding is the relatively flat road to Gyantse.

Stay overnight in Gyantse

After reinvigorating yourselves with a goodnight's sleep in a hotel, you can visit the significant site of Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery in the morning. Soon after, you will be moving to Shigatse (3,850m) — the second-largest city in Tibet. The road to Shigatse is 93km long, tarred and flat, with lush farmlands around. You will be reaching Shigatse by the afternoon. At Shigatse, you will be billeted to a hotel to relax and freshen up after today's biking trip.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Today's ride starts from Shigatse and ends at Thongmon County. You will bike along the Brahmaputra River, which has farmland and villages dotted on the wide plain ground beside the river. If you have time and energy, you can visit the Tashi Gyeppe Monastery. This important Tibetan Buddhist monastery, located on a hilltop, is about 8km away from Thongmon and offers panoramic views of Thongmon County (3,990m) and the surrounding area.

Stay overnight in Thongmon County

Today's itinerary continues along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, showcasing even more breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages. As you pass through tranquil Tibetan villages, you'll have the opportunity to interact with friendly local farmers. The ride is relatively smooth, allowing you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery at a relaxed pace. Along the way, you can visit Phuntsoling Monastery, a revered site among locals, known for its rich history and exquisite murals.

Stay overnight in Lhatse (4,050m)

Today's ride is both challenging and rewarding, with the main goal of conquering the Gyatso La Pass. The journey winds through numerous villages, with the road snaking through the mountains while lush pastures flourish along the riverbanks below.

Moreover, along the way, you'll be treated to your first breathtaking view of Mount Everest. You'll ride across Gyatso La Pass, the highest point on National Highway 318 at 5,248 meters. The route concludes in Shegar (4,320m), also known as Pelbar, a popular stopover for travelers en route to Everest Base Camp.

Stay overnight in Shegar

You are going to leave National Highway 219, turn south, and ride to Mount Everest. Today you need to cross the last mountain pass to reach Mount Everest - Gawula Pass at 5,200m. The uphill road to the Gawula Pass is winding and steep, requiring great determination. At the Gawula, you can see 5 eight-thousanders, namely, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. It's the most spectacular viewing platform on the entire cycling route from Lhasa to Mount Everest. Down to villages called Tashizong (4,200) to end today's journey.

Stay overnight in Tashizong Village

Today, you will reach your final destination—Everest Base Camp (5,200m)—completing the last leg of your ride! Departing from Tashigang Village, you will cycle the final 50km, ascending approximately 1,000 meters to reach the base camp. Here, you can visit Rongbuk Monastery (5,154m), the highest monastery in the world. You can have a cup of butter tea at the Nomad Tent to celebrate the successful completion of your journey! If the weather is good, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking sunset over Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in EBC

After breakfast, you can take your final look at Mt. Everest, for soon after, you will be leaving Rongbuk Monastery and will return to Shigatse. You will not be pedaling back to Shigatse but taking a car. Returning to Shigatse usually takes about 7 to 8 hours to drive. Hence, it will almost be a whole daytime trip. Upon arrival in Shigatse, you will be billeted to a hotel for a much-needed rest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

After breakfast, you can visit the Panchen Lama's Palace and the resplendent Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was built in 1447. You can use the rest of the day to explore the culture and way of life of the local villagers of Shigatse.

Then, you will once again hit the road back to Lhasa. By now you may still be raring to see the countryside of Tibet and behold the roadside views you missed when you first passed this road. Shigatse to Lhasa is a 4-hour drive along Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley.

Stay overnight in Lhasa