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Lhasa Kathmandu Cycling

DESCRIPTION Cycling Lhasa to Kathmandu is one of the most adventurous rides a mountain biker can do. It is a real classic and if you want to make your trip even more adventurous and even more challenging, we can in-corporate a four day round trip away from the main Lhasa – Kathmandu road, to visit […]

Tibet Region

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Duration
22 Days
Destination
Tibet Region
Group Size
2-12 Persons
Language
English
Arrival City
Kathmandu, Nepal
Grade
Moderate, Hard
Max Altitude
5,555 m/18,225 ft
Accommodation
Hotel/Teahouse
Best Season
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Meal
All inclusive

DESCRIPTION

Cycling Lhasa to Kathmandu is one of the most adventurous rides a mountain biker can do. It is a real classic and if you want to make your trip even more adventurous and even more challenging, we can in-corporate a four day round trip away from the main Lhasa – Kathmandu road, to visit Rongbuk Monastery and the North Base Camp area of Mt. Everest.Throughout the ride your state of the art bicycles will be a source of great interest to the local people. As they will not have seen anything more sophisticated than their basic Chinese-made boneshakers, there are great opportunities to share a laugh with the local people! There are six major passes to be negotiated on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs westwards, parallel to the Great Himalaya Chain, which forms the border with the territories of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Throughout, the road traverses a high and dry plateau-land, which is punctuated by the spectacular monastery towns of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar, as well as several smaller settlements and nomadic Drogpa encampmentsOn the detour away from the main route towards the Rongbuk Monastery, the road climbs through almost fifty hairpin bends to reach the Pang La, which affords splendid views of the Himalaya, and of Mt. Everest itself. Everest Base Camp is a ‘not to be missed’ inclusion to this ride. Standing before the exposed and shear North Face of ChomolungmaEverest Base Camp (5500m /18044ft) is a memorable experience that few ever forget.We will spend a night at Everest Base Camp before riding 60 km back out to the main Kathmandu route. Back on the main road, we reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau as we cross the 5200m high Thang La Pass, and begin a mind-blowing descent of 4600 meters, [15000 ft.] via the border town of Zhangmu, to the valley of the Bhote Kosi River . A final, easy day’s cycling brings us back to civilization in the form of Kathmandu!All along the way we have the support of our Sherpa staff, our 4 WD land cruisers and our support truck. This tour guarantees to be a high point in more ways than one] in any mountain biker’s life.

Important Note

Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Namaste Adventure. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Day By Day

Lhasa Kathmandu Cycling Itinerary

Day 01:

Arrive Kathmandu

  • Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Transfer to your hotel, meet the expedition crew, and attend an initial trip briefing.
Day 02:

Kathmandu Sightseeing and Preparations

  • Explore cultural sights like Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple) or Pashupatinath. Conduct bike assembly, gear checks, and secure Chinese Group Visas/Tibet Travel Permits with the support team.
Day 03:

Flight to Lhasa, Transfer to hotel and free evening

  • Transfer to HotelTake a dramatic mountain flight over the Himalayas to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Transfer to the city and spend the evening resting to adapt to the sudden jump in altitude.

 

Day 04:

Sightseeing in Lhasa

  • Visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, and stroll through the bustling Barkhor Street market while maintaining light physical exertion.
Day 05:

Sightseeing in Lhasa

Tour the grand Potala Palace (former winter residence of the Dalai Lama) and Sera Monastery to watch the monk debates. Final mechanical checks on bikes before hitting the road.

Day 06:

First Day cycling to Dagar - 70 km flat.

  • Terrain: Asphalt valley road.Warm up your legs riding alongside the Lhasa River on mostly flat, paved roads toward the village of Dagar.
Day 07:

Dagar to Nangartse over Kamba La Pass 4800m. 90km. 1200m climb.

Kamba La Pass (4,794m).

A tough switchback climb up Kamba La leads to sweeping views of the turquoise Yamdrok Lake below, followed by a descent along the shoreline to Nangartse.

Day 08:

Nangartse to Gyantse. 100km. 600m climb.

  • Ride past the massive Karo La Glacier (5,045m) hanging right over the highway. Pass traditional farming villages before rolling into the historic town of Gyantse.
Day 09:

Gyantse to Shigatse over Karo La Pass 5045m 90 kms.

  • A relatively easy ride through the wide, fertile Yarlung Tsangpo valley connecting Tibet’s second-largest city, Shigatse, to Gyantse.
Day 10:

Rest day and sight seeing in Shigatse

  • Rest day for muscle recovery. Visit the massive Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and resupply essential snacks and gear.
Day 11:

Shigatse to Sakya Turn off. 120 kms.

  • Cover ground quickly along rolling paved terrain. End the day at the highway junction leading toward the ancient fortified Sakya Monastery.
Day 12:

Sakya to Lhatse. 30km.

  • A short transfer or light riding day designed to save energy ahead of the upcoming high-pass sequence.
Day 13:

Lhatse to Baipa 75 kms. 1200m climb over Gyatso La pass 5220m

  • Key Milestone: Gyatso La Pass (5,220m).Climb to the highest highway pass on the Friendship Highway, marked by thousands of prayer flags, before descending into Baipa (Shegar).
Day 14:

Baipa to Tashi Dzom 60km. 900m climb over Pang La Pass 5200m

  • Key Milestone: Pang La Pass (5,200m).Conquer iconic zigzag switchbacks up Pang La for an unobstructed panorama of five 8,000m peaks (Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma).
Day 15:

Tashi Dzom to Rongbuk 40km. 800m climb.

  • Steady climb up the Dzakar Valley toward Rongbuk Monastery (4,980m), the highest monastery in the world, positioned right in front of Everest’s North Face.
Day 16:

Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp 5200m 40km

  • Key Milestone: Everest Base Camp (North).Ride the final stretch to the North Base Camp area for views of Everest’s summit wall. Return to Rongbuk for the night.
Day 17:

Rongbuk to Tingri. 70km. 500m climb and off road down till Tingri.

  • Ride off-road dirt tracks through rugged mountain valleys and ancient ruins before rejoining the main road at Old Tingri.
Day 18:

Tingri to Ritz Gh 70km

  • Traverse the barren, wind-swept Himalayan plateau parallel to the main Himalayan range with views of Cho Oyu.
Day 19:

Ritz Gh to Nylam 90km. 700m climb over Lalung-Leh Pass 4850m.

  • Key Milestone: Lalung La / Tong La Pass (4,850m–5,124m).Clear the final major Tibetan pass before descending into the dramatic gorge near Nyalam as vegetation begins to reappear.
Day 20:

Nylam to Last Resort. 4000m downhill!!! 70 km

  • Key Milestone: The World’s Longest Descent.Cross the border (Rasuwagadhi/Kyirong or Tatopani/Zhangmu depending on open border status) and plunge down through tropical Himalayan gorges to Nepal’s Last Resort.
Day 21:

The Last Resort - Kathmandu

  • The Last Resort to KathmanduOptional morning adventure activities (bungee jumping, canyoning) at The Last Resort before a drive or final ride back into Kathmandu Valley. Celebratory dinner.
Day 22:

Departure to final destination.

  • Final shopping in Thamel and airport transfer for international flight home.
Trip Inclusions

Include & Exclude

A clear overview of what is handled by Namaste Adventure and what remains personal to your journey.

Included

  • All ground transfers as per our given itinerary.
  • Hotel in Kathmandu (including breakfast and all taxes).
  • Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu (including all entrance fees).
  • Welcome Dinner with live Nepalese culture show at one evening.
  • Guided sightseeing in Lhasa with all entrance fees included.
  • Hotels in Tibet (including breakfast and all taxes) as per our mentioned Itinerary.
  • All Camping Equipment (such as Two-Man Tent, Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Shower tent, Toilet Tent, Tables, Chairs, Mattresses, etc.
  • Three hot, fresh meals per day while camping, prepared by our very professional kitchen crew.,
  • Daily wages and insurance for staff and guides.
  • Support Truck to carry your luggage and a Land Cruiser for assistance. (while in Tibet).

Excluded

  • Mountain Bike hire cost if you don't have.
  • Airfare: Kathmandu-Lhasa.
  • Tibet travel permit, Visa fee, All monastery entrance fees wherever applicable.
  • Expenses of a personal nature, Lunch/dinner in the Hotel; Bar bills; Laundry bills; Telephone bills; Tips, etc.
  • Personal Medical & Travel insurance.
  • Rescue & Evacuation cost - If necessary.
  • Nepal re-entry visa fee.
  • Excess baggage charges
Guest Reviews

Reviews

Guest stories and detailed expedition feedback can be shared during your private consultation.

Questions

FAQS

Expand the questions below for practical notes about the journey, logistics, and preparation.

Independent travelers

Independent travel has been prohibited in Tibet since 2008, so all the travelers should come part of an organized tour group or a private tour from a local Tibet based agency, because all foriegn travelers should have the Tibet travel permit to travel into Tibet, so only the local Tibet based travel agencies has the authority to obtain the related permits that issues from the Tibet Tourism Bureau and other corresponding departments.

How to book a Tibet Tour

In order to make it ease, we have categorized three way to book a tour based on your requirements. 1. Those who don’t enough knowledge of Tibet or not very sure what to do in Tibet, then we have Tailor-made Form that require to fill some basic information and we will customize a tour that meet your interest. 2. Those who know little about Tibet and having a rough travel plan, we have Design Your Own Tour Forms, from where you can choose different destinations and activities, then we will emend it in the best way to achieve your requirement. 3. Those who have clear Tibet travel plan can choose one of our well designed Tibet Private Package Tours and summit it to get a quote.

What should I concern during my stay in Tibet

Tibetan people are very kind and friendly, but there are some things that you should be aware of:· Do not take photos of anyone without their permission; always ask permission first! Do not discuss sensitive topics like political matters! Do not wear hats or caps when you enter a chapel!· Do not touch Buddha statues or ritual offerings inside of a monastery!· Do not kiss or hug in public places, especially in monasteries!· Do not step across someone’s feet, cups or cooking gears!

How to get to Tibet

There is only one international flight to Tibet, which is from Nepal (Kathmandu), but China domestic flights are available from most of the major cities in mainland China like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Zhongdian(Shangrila), Xian and so on. If you like to take the Qinghai - Tibet train, then trains are available from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xian, Lanzhou, Chongqing and Xining, but trains from Xian are comparatively harder to get because it is not an originating station and all trains passing through are in transition, so from Xining is comparatively the easiest and shortest train ride. If you are interested in Overland Tours in Tibet, you will only be able to travel from Chengdu, Qinghai and Yunan from within China or from Kathmandu in Nepal. The overland drive takes longer but can add an element of adventure. When you decided your traveling dates, please check with us regarding the availability since parts of the Chengdu-Tibet and Yunnan-Tibet routes are frequently closed due to political sensitivity and landslides during the monsoon season.

What should I bring for the Plateau weather

Tibet's high altitude and clear atmosphere allow solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intense radiation. It's very easy to get sunburnt here so bring sunscreen with a high SPF, a good quality pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Calamine lotion is great for a mild sunburn. Having a good moisturizer is also helpful as the dry air may cause your lips and the tissue in your nostrils to crack. A detailed Packing List can be found in the logistic guideline that we will send you before your trip.

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