Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you at either Lhasa Airport or Railway Station. The airport is located about 1.5 hours away from the city center, while the railway station is only 20 minutes away. Our staff will transfer you to your hotel. Have good rest today, and get ready to begin your adventure the following day. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Today, we'll begin at the Potala Palace, an enormous structure that dominates the skyline of Lhasa. As you approach the palace, you'll be struck by its sheer size and grandeur. Inside, you'll spend 1-2 hours exploring its rooms, halls, and chapels. Then we'll visit the Jokhang Temple, which is considered the spiritual heart of Tibet. This is where pilgrims from all over Tibet come to pay their respects and offer prayers. The temple is a fascinating blend of Han, Tibetan, and Nepalese architecture, and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Finally, we'll take a stroll through Barkhor, the oldest street in Lhasa and a hub of traditional Tibetan life. You'll have the chance to soak up the unique atmosphere of this incredible city. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Today, we'll explore two of the most exquisite and significant monasteries in Lhasa, starting with Drepung Monastery. The name Drepung is derived from the Tibetan language and means "piles of rice," which is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Drepung Monastery once housed over 10,000 monks, making it the world's largest monastery. After lunch, we’ll pay a visit to Sera Monastery. Sera is renowned for its stunning architecture and breathtaking views. One of the most fascinating activities to experience at Sera Monastery is the Buddhist scriptures debating session that takes place in the afternoon from 3 to 5 PM. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
On the fourth day, we embark on our cycling journey towards west. The road will be flanked by breathtaking vistas on either side, providing us with stunning views of the rural landscapes of Tibet. As we approach the Kangba La Pass, which stands at an altitude of 4,990 meters, we will witness the majestic Yarlung Tsangpo River winding its way along the foot of the mountain pass. As we reach the foot of the Kang La Pass, we will set up camp for the night.
Today’s route starts with a challenging climb up the Kangba La Pass, the main mountain pass, which involves navigating steep uphill slopes on a winding tar road with numerous hairpin bends. Reaching the summit of this pass is akin to overcoming a significant obstacle, and the reward is a breathtaking panoramic view of the Yamdrok Valley that will leave you in awe. As you descend from the summit, you'll arrive at the shore of the Yamdrok Tso Lake - one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. The beauty of the lake is awe-inspiring, and it's the perfect spot for a peaceful overnight camping experience.
As we bid farewell to the picturesque lake, we will embark on a cycling adventure along the Friendship Highway. The smooth asphalt road will eventually give way to a gravel path as we make our way through a rugged ravine and ascend towards the majestic Karo La Pass, towering at an altitude of 5010 meters. Today, camp at the foot of the pass, where you can rest and rejuvenate amidst the scenic beauty of the great outdoors.
Morning, we will set off on our journey towards Gyantse. Our path will take us around the pristine lake, following the winding Friendship Highway. While the initial stretch of the road will be smooth and flat, we will eventually encounter a gravel path as we make our way towards Gyantse. Along the way, we will witness the breathtaking beauty of ravines and quaint villages. Upon arrival in Gyantse, we will rest and recharge at a comfortable hotel, ready for the next leg of our adventure.
Morning, visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse, a significant site in Tibetan culture, before continuing on to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. A cycling tour from Gyantse to Shigatse is a journey through the heart of Tibet, taking you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes and historic sites. The route covers a distance of approximately 94 kilometers and is relatively flat and tarred, making it a comfortable ride for cyclists of all levels. After arrival in Shigatse, you can explore the bustling markets, sample local cuisine, and relax in a comfortable hotel.
After breakfast and an enlightening tour of the Tashilhunpo Monastery, we will resume our cycling adventure towards the Gyachung Monastery. Our path will lead us through two small yet scenic passes, as we traverse through the charming Tibetan villages dotting the landscape. With every pedal, we will be immersed in the idyllic beauty of our surroundings, soaking in the sights and sounds of the serene countryside. As we reach our destination, the Gyachung Monastery, we will camp here and spend the night in peaceful tranquility, surrounded by the spiritual aura of this ancient place.
Once we have finished our breakfast and taken a brief rest, we will embark on a 95-kilometer journey to Lhatse. We will snake along the meandering roads like miniature pilgrims, as we traverse the magnificent valleys leading up to Tso-La, which sits at a lofty altitude of 4520 meters above sea level. We shall take a break at Tso-La, where we will refuel with lunch before continuing our journey. Along the way, we will pass by the hot springs before finally setting up camp in a location situated 10 kilometers away from Lhatse town.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey as we ride over the magnificent 5220m Gyatso-La pass, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you'll be blessed with the first glimpse of Mount Everest, a sight that will leave you in awe. Following a 40-kilometer cycling through flat prairie towns, we'll reach the charming town Shegar, a well-known resting spot for adventurers heading towards the Everest. Today's ride will be a challenging one as we navigate through the rugged canyon, pushing our limits. Stay overnight at hotel in Shegar.
Today, we navigate through rough and winding roads outside Shegar in our quest towards the Everest Base Camp. Leaving the flat highways behind, we'll pass through the Border Check Point and begin a rigorous 20-kilometer uphill cycling, complete with 42 hairpin bends to reach the summit of Pang Pass [5150m]. Although strenuous, it offers a highly rewarding experience, with stunning views of Mount Everest and neighboring peaks such as Shishapangma [8012m], Makalu [8463m], and Lhotse [8516m]. Following the uphill challenge, we'll brace ourselves for a 20-kilometer downhill ride to the Rongbuk Valley [4200m]. Once we reach the valley, we'll pitch our campsite, rest for the night before continuing our journey towards the Everest Base Camp.
Today’s destination is Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp. The road ahead is bumpy and winding, but soon, the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Everest will be within our reach. Take in the serenity of the surroundings, and bask in the glory of the magnificent mountain that stands tall in front of us. We'll spend the rest of the day here, allowing ample time to explore the area, acclimate to the altitude, and fully take in the grandeur of the Everest Base Camp. This will be a momentous occasion that will stay with us forever. Stay overnight at the tent hostel near the Rongbuk Monastery.
This morning, we set off on our bikes and cycle down the valley with the magnificent Mount Everest looming in the background. Today, we’ll cross the Lama La Pass [5101m], where we'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. The descent from the pass is exhilarating, with a mix of rough sections of road and free-flowing dirt tracks that will take us through some stunning landscapes. After a challenging 44 kilometers of riding, we'll finally reach the barren plains leading to Tingri. We'll rejoin the Friendship Highway and make our way to our campsite just outside the town. Camping in Tingri.
Our journey today starts with a pleasant 40 to 50km ride across flat terrain before we pause for lunch. Afterwards, we take on the gradual ascent of the Lalung Pass, which stands tall at 4990m. As you climb higher, you'll begin to feel like you're on top of the world, surrounded by towering peaks like Shishapangma [8012m]. Our day's adventure will culminate as we pitch our tents in the serene valley nestled between two magnificent passes. Get ready for an unforgettable camping experience under the starry night sky.
On this day, we will be embarking on our final uphill journey towards the magnificent Thang Pass, reaching an altitude of 5050m. From there, you can begin your descent while taking in the breathtaking vistas of the vibrant Himalayan mountain range. As you approach the town of Nyalam, you'll start to notice the return of lush greenery. Riding down past numerous waterfalls and roads lined with pine trees, you'll make your way towards the border town of Gyirong, located at an altitude of 2300m. Stay overnight in Gyirong.
Once you reach the Gyirong border, your tour guide will assist you in exiting Tibet (China) and bid you farewell. Our services will end here. To reach Kathmandu, you can either hire a jeep or take a bus. However, please note that the road condition from Gyirong to Kathmandu is not favorable, and the journey can take up to 10 hours. Hence, we do not recommend taking a bus.
Potala Palace
Mt. Everest
Yamdrok Lake
Sera Monastery
Namtso Lake
Mt. Kailash
From Mr. Gerard AdrienHi Daniel. We are already on our way back to Shanghai. We would like to thank you for the great trip we had. Our guide Jampa and our driver did an excellent job. They are both very recommendable! We enjoyed the trip despite the altitude discomfort we experienced during the first 3 days. Thank you!
From Ms. Elena Maria ValisiI highly recommend this agency. I travelled with other 2 couples who booked through different agencies and they paid a lot more to have less assistance, same hotels/tour/guide/car, less flexibility and no travel insurance included.
