Mountain Bike Lhasa to Kathmandu

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Duration: 21 Days

Trip Grade:

Mountain Biking trip Lhasa to Kathmandu tour will test the endurance and stamina of any biker though with a great deal of accomplishment to the participant at the end. Starting from Lhasa city "Roof of the World" this is great biking destination with its accompanying challenges and tremendous gratification. 

Day 1 Flight to Tibet & Acclimatization 3650m.  If joining from Kathmandu, morning flight to Lhasa. 

The Kathmandu - Lhasa flight 1.15hr covers rugged terrain that once took trade caravans weeks to cross. The views are spectacular on a clear day include world's 14 highest peaks and Mt Everest. At the Lhasa airport, transfer by your Tibet guide, relax or take a short walk to slowly adjust to the altitude! Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung Monastery/ Jokhang Temple/Barkhor Street

Tour Drepung monastery situated at the foothill of a mountain founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and the government centre during the fifth Dalai Lama. After lunch, continue to visit Jokhang temple holiest in Tibet built during Songtsen Gonpo's reign 647 A.D. and its famous Barkor Kora. Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 3 Lhasa sightseeing - Potala Palace, Sera Monastery

Visit Potala palace and explore its myriad prayer and assembly halls, audience halls, the bejeweled Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, numerous Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala. In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting is its Buddhist Scriptures debate held in the courtyard.  Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 4 Ride out of Lhasa (75 km)

The first riding day is very easy. Journey towards Everest starts with the Friendship Highway heading out across the plateau. This is a flat section of the road in good condition. Bike out of Lhasa along the beautiful Tsangpo River to the foot of the Kamba La Pass 3700m.   Overnight Camping.

Day 5 Ride to Yamdrok Tso via Kamba La Pass (55 km)

Today, overcome the first mountain pass of this trip. A strong uphill climb along a tarred road with several switchbacks reaches a summit colorfully adorned with prayer flags 4794m at Kamba La. Descend along switchback road and then alongside Lake Yamdrok Tso, at the far side of which set camp 4490m. The turquoise green Yamdrok-Tso Lake is one of the three great holy lakes in Tibet. Overnight Camping.

Day 6 RideYamdrok Tso to Karo La Pass base (55 km)

Leaving the beautiful lake behind, cycle along the Friendship highway through a ravine and up to the foot of the Karo La Pass 4750m, camp for the night closeby.  Overnight Camping.

Day 7 Ride Karo La Pass to Gyantse (80km)

A significant day on the tour, get up early to climb the high Karo La Pass 5010m. See glaciers stretching down to 6000m and beautiful lakes. Night in the city of Gyantse 3980m. Enjoy a shower in your hotel in Gyantse hotel.

Day 8 Ride Gyantse to Shigatse (90km)

Visit the Kumbum monastery. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century and the Kumbum, a large gold-domed stupa with several prayer halls containing an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Nepalese artisans decorated this beautiful stupa. Head out on the highway towards Shigatse. Although today is a long cycling day, the highway is tarred and flat. Arrive in the afternoon toTibet's second largest city, Shigatse 3850m. Enjoy a shower in your hotel in Shigatse.

Day 9 Ride Gyachung Monastery (75 km)

Early visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, see the well preserved largest statue of "Jampa" future Buddha in the world. The monastery was the residence of Panchen Lamas the Teachers of the Dalai Lamas. Leave Shigatse and ride over two small passes and through several small Tibetan villages, past the isolated Gyachung Monastery and camp. Overnight Camping.

Day 10 Ride Gyachung Monastery to Lhatse (95 km)

Ride along the highway. The route is through picturesque valleys before the long route begins leading over the Tso-La 4500m. After lunch, head towards Lhatse past the hot springs and camp about 10km outside of town.  Overnight Camping.

Day 11 Ride Lhatse - Shegar (75 km)

Cross over the 5220m Gyatso-La pass with stunning views. On a clear day first views of Mount Everest. After a 40km ride through flat prairie towns arrive in the town of Pelbar, often referred to as Shegar. The town is a popular stopover for anyone heading to the Everest region. Today will be a long and gruelling ride through the canyon. Enjoy a shower in your hotel. Hotel in Shegar.

Day 12 Ride Pang Pass (67 km)

The day's ride is a challenging as the road condition is not as good as that of previous days. Go off the flat highway just outside of Shegar then head towards the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. After passing through border control point, there is a stretch of 20kms uphill switchbacks with 42 hairpin bends in total before reaching the summit of Pang Pass 5150m. From this point one gets the most magnificent views of Everest "Chomolongma" and surrounding peaks. Enjoy lunch with views of Makalu 8463m, Shishapangma 8012m, Cho Oyu 8210m, Lhotse 8516m, Everest 8848m and panorama of himalayan peaks. Then a 20-kilometer downhill to the Rongbuk Valley 4200m to camp for the night.  Overnight Camping.

Day 13 / 14 Ride Rongbuk Monastery (35 km)

After the previous days' biking, one should be at peak fitness and excited about the approach of the highest destination, Everest Base Camp. A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic Mount Everest appears in front. Camp beside the monastery with the unforgettable sight of the world's highest peak. Stay here for two days. One the second day, either relax and take in the awesome views or get closer to Everest by taking a walk, biking or taking the Environmental bus to EBC 8km from the campsite. Overnight at Rongbuk Monastery with Dormitory bed/Tents.

Day 15 Ride Rongbuk - Tingri (86 km)

Leaving Rongbuk, head back down the bumpy road and then take a shortcut into the mountains. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into Tingri 4340m. Enjoy a hot shower in your hotel in Tingri.

Day 16 Ride to LaLung Pass (75km)

This day begins with a 40km to 50km flat ride before lunch. Then tackle the gradual incline of the Lalung Pass 5000m. From here you would feel as high as the peaks around including Shishapangma 8012m.  Set up tents in the valley between two passes.  Overnight Camping.

Day 17 Ride across Thang Pass to Nyelamu to Zhangmu (2300m)

Tackle the last ride uphill upto the incredible Thang Pass at 5050m.  From here breathtaking views of the Himalayan range freewheeling the most incredible non stop downhill to the town of Nyalam 3740m. Notice that the scenery starts to turn green again. Cycle down past countless waterfalls and pine trees line roads, with waterfalls practically crashing over, to the border town of Zhangmu 2300m.  Overnight hotel.

Day 18 Ride Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge and cross the border (6km + 66km) to Balephi / Sun Kosi beach.

From the town of Zhangmu ride down a switchback to arrive at the Friendship Bridge on the Tibet China - Nepal border, pass through customs and into Nepal.  Ride to Camp a night in Balephi or Bhote Kosi river beach.

Day 19 Balephi – Kathmandu 60km

Ride through rural countryside first along the river and slow winding ascent to the town of Dhulikhel and flat out to Kathmandu.  Overnight hotel.

Day 20 Kathmandu

In Kathmandu for rest and recuperation, enjoy cultural tours to historic palace squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.  Overnight hotel.

Day 21 Departure

Transfer to airport for departure.

Book the Mountain Bike Lhasa to Kathmandu tour and challenge yourself to complete the highest course in this sportive adventure!