This is the ultimate motorbike adventure across Tibet - 'The Roof of the World'. You ride across the Tibetan highlands - a stark landscape dotted with nomadic settlements, emerald lakes and snowy peaks. This biking adventure begins from Lhasa (3650 m), Tibet and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal riding via Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk (5000 m) along the friendship highway. En route you pass some stunning Himalayan mountains, monasteries, and small Tibetan settlements, with nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (3650 m); Transfer to hotel
Day 02: Free day at Lhasa; 2 hours bike riding practice and sightseeing tour
Day 03: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa on Motorbike
Day 04: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa on Motorbike
Day 05: Ride to Gyantse via Yamdrok So Lake (3950 m) 261 km
Day 06: Ride to Shigatse (3900 m) 90 km
Day 07: Ride to Shegar (4050 m) 244 km
Day 08: Ride to Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk (5000 m); Return back to Shegar
Day 09: Ride to Zhangmu (2300 m) 181 km
Day 10: Ride to Kathmandu (1400 m) 123 km
TRIP FACTS
Trip Length: 10 Days
Grade: Adventure
Activity: Motorbike Overland Tour
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Group Size: Maximum 8-20 Persons
Accommodation: Hotel & Lodge
Transportation: Royal Enfield motorbike with support truck
Maximum Altitude: 5220m
MOTORBIKE ROUTE ALTERNATIVES TO REACH LHASA
If you planning to travel Tibet, it can be reached from various parts of China i.e. Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai & Xining by flight and by train from Beijing:
Flight: There are various airlines those flies to Lhasa from different major cities of China.
Train: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is world's highest railway. The train journey from Beijing to Lhasa takes 48 hours. The journey begins from Beijing via Xian, Lanzhou, Xining & Golmud. Owing to Tibet's high altitude, the train has been equipped with oxygen-supplying equipments. Oxygen masks are available for those who are prone to altitude sickness.
If you are planning to go Lhasa, Tibet from Nepal there are two different ways as under:
Flight: Usually Air China has Four flights in a week (Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday & Thursday) for Lhasa with its Boeing 319 flight number. From Kathmandu around 1045 hours, you will fly for Lhasa after approximately 1 hour flight you will land on Gonggar airport around 14:05 hours local time.
Road: From Kathmandu, you will drive to Kodari highway for approximately 4 hours and reach to Nepal China border along with our operation staffs'. After immigration formalities, your Tibet Guide will escort you towards Lhasa on 4WD Land Cruiser along the friendship highway. There will be several overnight stopovers until you reach Lhasa.
COST
13-20 Persons: USD 3500 per person on twin sharing
Single Room Supplement: USD 250 (compulsory if no one to share room with)
Cost Includes:
4 nights accommodation in Lhasa at Hotel Kailash or similar on full board (Food only, no beverages)
Guided sightseeing tour in Lhasa on motorbike with English speaking local Tibetan guide and entry fees
1 night accommodation in Gyantse at Hotel Zing Zang on full board (Food only, no beverages)
1 night accommodation in Shigatse at Hotel Gyange Orchid on full board (Food only no beverages)
2 nights accommodation in Shegar at Hotel Snow land on full board (Food only, no beverages)
1 night accommodation in Zhangmu at Hotel Zhangmu on full board (Food only, no beverages)
1 night accommodation in Kathmandu at Hotel Marshyangdi on BB plan
One road captain and two mechanics for the group along with one support vehicles, fuel & spare parts
Tibet travel permit and all entry fees
Cost Excludes:
International flight & departure tax
Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Tips, any expenses of personal nature,
Any expenses incurred during emergency evacuation due to any reason
Client's insurance & Chinese Visa fee
Personal Gear (like jacket, gloves, helmet, glasses, keen pad etc)
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
Our Tibetan guide will meet you at Gonggar Airport. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa's high altitude. Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today.
Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day's program. With a road captain you will have bike riding practice in Lhasa for 2 hours along with road Captain. Later after lunch you will have sightseeing tour in Lhasa with English speaking local Tibetan guide on motorbike. You will visit to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings.
Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day's tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be start sightseeing tour on motorbike with your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues.
You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day's tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.
Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala Palace every day, your guide will decide upon the order of sightseeing places.
Day 4 In Lhasa
This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a caf and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang.
There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost.
Day 5 Ride to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
You will ride motorbike along the Friendship Highway; you drive past Khamba La, at 4794 meter, with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa, standing at 7252m. Your lunch will be served at Naghaste. On turning westwards, you come across another pass, Karo La at 5045m. If you look at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down. After driving 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.
Day 6 Sightseeing in Gyantse & ride to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort, overlooks the entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, taking a 90 km drive, you will arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet that lies at an altitude of 3900 meter. Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is the major attraction of Shigatse.
Day 7 Sightseeing & ride to Shegar (4050m) 244km
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gymasto La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. Along the ride, you can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma etc.
Day 8 Ride to Rongbuk (5000m )and back to Shegar 68km
After breakfast you will ride towards Rongbuk. This morning you have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5150m.) After riding for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensates for it. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. Later you ride back to Shegar.
Day 09 Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shug La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.
Day 10 Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km
After a few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi river brings you to the Immigration Control in Kodari. Here, you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu. After driving 5 hours for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.
