Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Tour
- Duration:
- 17 Days
- Price:
- From USD4185
- Route:
- Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
Lhasa to Kathmandu Biking Tour is one of the most popular and preferred tours by riders from Tibet. It offers the longest and steepest downhill in the world， from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the fertile rice fields of Kathmandu, dropping a total of 4,500m! At first, You would need to stay in Lhasa for 2 days to get accustomed to its high altitude. Here you can visit the world's famed Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, etc. Then, you can ride towards Shigatse via the serene Yamdrok Lake and age-old Gyantse. After you have seen the Tashilhunpo monastery, the seat to Panchen Lama, move southwards along the Friendship Highway, and reach the world’s highest mountain peak - Mt.Everest, via Lhatse and Tingri. There you will have the opportunity to witness the majestic sunset and gaze at the spectacular starry sky. After that, continue your journey to the south. You will see Mt.Shisha Pangma, at 8,012m. Finally, you will arrive at the Gyirong Port to cross over the Border bridge. And there's only last 160km away from Kathmandu.
This cycling tour covers an array of spectacular sceneries, turquoise lakes, mighty glaciers, snow-covered mountains, lush green forests, ancient cities and monasteries, small villages, grand canyons, and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. With so much to experience, this is definitely going to be an amazing bike tour!
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 4 | Lhasa - Khangbala Village, Ride 85km, Approx. 7.5hrs | Yarlung Tsangpo Valley |
| 5 | Khangbala Village - Nangartse, Ride 75km, Approx. 9hrs | Yamdroktso Lake |
| 6 | Nangartse - Gyantse, Ride 102km, Approx. 10hrs | Karola Glacier, Manla Dam, Simila Mountain Pass |
| 7 | Gyantse - Shigatse, Ride 93km, Approx. 8hrs | Pelkor Chode Monastery |
| 8 | Shigatse - Thongmon County, Ride 86km, Approx. 8hrs | Tashi Gyeppe Monastery |
| 9 | Thongmon County - Lhatse, Ride 96km, Approx. 8.5hrs | Phuntsoling Monastery |
| 10 | Lhatse - Shegar, Ride 88km, Approx. 10hrs | Gyatso La Pass |
| 11 | Shegar - Tashizong Village, Ride 70km, Approx. 8hrs | Gawula Pass |
| 12 | Tashizong Village - EBC, Ride 50km, Approx. 5hrs | Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp |
| 13 | EBC - Old Tingri, Ride 89km, Approx. 10hrs | Enjoy the scenery along the way |
| 14 | Old Tingri - Borong Village, Ride 114km, Approx. 11hrs | Pengqu River, Far view of Mt. Shishapangma |
| 15 | Borong Village - Gyirong Town, Ride 80km, Approx. 8hrs | Peikutso Lake, Kongtang Lamu Mountain Pass |
| 16 | Gyirong Town - Gyirong Village, Ride 70km, Approx. 7hrs | Chaka Monastery, Gyirong Valley |
| 17 | Gyirong to Nepal border | Send off to Gyirong border |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseWhen 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
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
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
You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at Everest Base Camp if the weather is good. After that, you will head to Old Tingri (4,340m) via Mt. Everest Road and rural road. The route is undulating, with wasteland, meadows, villages, and pastures constantly alternating. You can see the Himalayan mountains always by your side. After a tough ride in the afternoon, you will arrive in Old Tingri for accommodation.
Stay overnight in Old Tingri
Today's ride is generally smooth, with occasional small undulations. One challenge you may encounter is headwinds along the way. You will cycle along the Pengqu River, passing ancient fortress ruins, sand dunes, beautiful grasslands, and local villages. As Mt. Shishapangma becomes clearer in your view, it means you are approaching your destination — Borong village.
Stay overnight in Borong Village
Today's ride offers stunning scenery, with Mt. Shishapangma accompanying you all the way to Peikutso Lake. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains on three sides, Peikutso Lake features vast open landscapes. It's home to unique Tibetan plateau wildlife, such as Tibetan wild donkeys and black-necked cranes. After riding 10 kilometers past Peikutso Lake, you will ascend to Kongtang Lamu Mountain (5,236m). From there, it's a downhill ride to Gyirong Town.
Stay overnight in Gyirong Town
This section of the journey is mostly downhill, with an elevation drop of 2,000 meters over 70 km. The landscape gradually shifts from barren highlands to lush, green scenery. Along the way, you can visit Chaka Monastery, a stunning cliffside monastery, as well as Kaire Waterfall and the picturesque Gyirong Valley. Ride past countless waterfalls and pine-shaded roads as you descend toward the border town of Gyirong at 2,300 meters. This will be your last night in Tibet.
Stay overnight in Gyirong Village
Your tour guide will assist you in exiting China and see you off at the Gyirong Port. We can organize a jeep for transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu, but it's not included in the package. Or you can take a bus to Kathmandu, which costs about 40 US$, depending on your negotiation with the driver. The road condition is not good, and it takes 8-10 hours from the border to Kathmandu. Thus, taking a bus is not recommended.
Tour Price and Service
From US$4185 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Tents and sleeping bags;
- Bicycles;
- Breakfast provided by hotels;
- A professional cook and all meals during your biking;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Vija***
Hello
We are 4 bikers planning for a bike trip to Laos via Nepal Tibet Lhasa. Kindly help us with the visa and permit process.
Thank you
Dear Vija****,
We can arrange the Tibet Bike tour for you. I suggest you ride a bike from Lhasa to Nepal because the altitude in Tibet is higher than in Nepal. According to the authorities, all foreign tourists in Tibet need the company of a local guide. We will arrange a guide and a tourist vehicle.
Asked by Nich***
Good day. I have spent about a year in Nepal total over the past few years, and my eyes turn towards Tibet. I would like to take a motorcycle trip from Kathmandu, up the H03, crossing the border at the Koshi River, continuing along the G318, detouring south to ride as close to the base of Mt. Everest as the road will take us. Then onto Lhasa. Would like to stop at/see local architectural and heritage sites. Looking for an itinerary between 8-10 days. Group is 1-2 Nepalis and 2-3 Americans. Please let me know if this is something you can accomodate. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dear Nichol****,
We can arrange this motorcycle tour for you. There're three concerns:
#1. Tibet will be closed during March. So most probably, you can't come on 1 March 2024.
#2. It requires 5 people to get an invitation letter from Tibet for your China group visa. So if anyone quits, you can't get the visa.
#3. The cost is relatively higher. Unlike cycling tours in other places, your motorcycle tour in Tibet should be escorted by a tour guide and a vehicle.
Please let me know without hesitation if you have any further questions or doubts. It is my pleasure to work with you at any time.
Asked by stro***
19 days Lhasa to Kathmandu Biker Tour
Here is the brief itinerary for your interested 19 days Lhasa to Kathmandu Biker Tour,