25 days Lhasa to Kathmandu Mountain Biking and Camping

25 days Lhasa to Kathmandu Mountain Biking and Camping

Flying to Lhasa gives you time to get acclimatized at the world's highest capital at 3,600-meter altitude. There is much to see in Lhasa such as Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and the largest of the Tibetan markets at Barkor. A couple of short easy bike rides around Lhasa will help the group's acclimatization. It will also allow visiting some of the many interesting temples and religious sites.

There are six major passes to be negotiated on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs southwards, parallel to the Great Himalayan chain which forms the border with the territories of Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal. On the entire trip, the road traverses a high and dry plateau - punctuated by the unforgettable monastery towns of Gyantse, Shigatse, and Shegar, and also by several smaller settlements and nomadic Drogpa encampments.

Itinerary

Day 1: Lhasa to Kathmandu Mountain Biking

Pass By: Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the Hotel, where one of our leader or a local biking guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, and Biking / Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal & in Tibet. Our Tour Officer will ask for your Interantional flight ticket and your passport for safe keeping and for reconfiramtion of your out bound flight. Do not hesitate to do this, this is one of our routine service and it will be in the safe hand while you are on the biking trip, and after the trip you will get it back.



No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Kathmandu


Day 2: Exploration to Kathmandu UNESCO Heritage Sites

Stop At: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if its late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a nice sleep and rest before you venture out of the Hotel for our interesting tour.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (World Heritage Site)
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. There are also three museums inside the palace building.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Swayambhunath Maha Chaitya, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Swoyambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple (World Heritage Site)
You can watch over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. Swoyambhu is also known as Samhengu and the Monkey temple because of the countless monkeys living in the premises.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Pashupatinath Temple, Pashupati Nath Road, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
Pashupatinath Temple (World Heritage Site)
Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world and lies 5 kms east of the city center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Boudhanath Stupa, Boudh, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
It is 2500 years old Buddhist stupa in the Valley built in 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Asan, Between Durbar Square and Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
Asan is a very popular and crowded local market in Kathmandu. It is inhabited by mainly Newar people (indigenous people of Kathmandu).Meanwhile, people from all over the nation and even foreigners are regular customers and visitors there.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Kathmandu


Day 3: Kathmandu (1400m) to Lhasa (3660m) 1hr scenic flight

Pass By: Lhasa Gongga Airport Parking Lot, Gonggar, Shannan, Tibet, China
Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and if the weather is clear enough you can have the spectalur view of World’s highest peaks including Mount Everest. Will be received at the Airport by the Chinese Agents and will drive to our Hotel for about 2 Hours.



Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Lhasa


Day 4: Sightseeing in Lhasa

Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the morning, the overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street where you can buy Tibetan traditional or religious things as souvenir.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Lhasa


Day 5: Visit Buddhist Monastery in Lhasa

Stop At: Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), Southern Slope of Genpeiwuzi Mountain, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel. Then drive about 30 minutes to visit the Drepung Monastery. This Gelug monastery has a history of more than 500 years. It used to be the largest monastery in the world with totally 10,000 monks there. Many precious stupas, sculptures, paintings, Thangka...are displayed in the hundreds of chapels. And the annual Shoton Festival is organized here.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sera Monastery, Wuze Hill , Sera Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the afternoon, you will visit another famous Gelug monastery around Lhasa city - Sera Monastery, which is famous for its “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. It is only 3km away from Lhasa city. Enjoy debating.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Lhasa


Day 6: Bike to the bottom of Khamb-la

Stop At: Highway Juhaihong Machinery Company, Qingzang Rd, Duilongdeqing Qu, Lasa Shi, Xizang Zizhiqu, China
After the good acclimatization at Lhasa, adventure begins with a relatively level and gradual stage, towards the bottom of the Khamba-la. Just before this great ride we pack our excess gear onto our support vehicle. Taking with us only the things that are necessary for the day biking that's water bottles, camera, wind jacket.

Near to Lhasa the road is fairly good, but one should be careful, as this area is covered in a particular thorn bush that might get into the tyres.

The ride continues through the good road passing through the rural farm villages and fields and the traffic on the road coming to and from Lhasa, Gonggar airport, Tsedang or from Shigatse.

This beautiful day ride carries on to have lunch after a good 40 kilometers run finding a suitable spot away from the crowd of villagers and from the wind.

After lunch ride takes to another 45 k.m. distance to camp further up the town of Quxu beneath the Khamba-la. Overnight camp on the grassy field where possible. After the great first day cycling retire in the camp for refreshment, where our nepali camping crew have already set, riding before us on supporting truck with all the camping gear.

Dinner is soon followed after the late afternoon tea, with time for chat in the evening of the day's event.


Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 7: Bike to Ngartse

Stop At: Highway Juhaihong Machinery Company, Qingzang Rd, Duilongdeqing Qu, Lasa Shi, Xizang Zizhiqu, China
Today's great biking journey starts with a 909 metre climb to the top of Khamba-la pass at (4794m). We begin the ride with a slow start, not tiring oneself the ride continues crossing bend after bend with few traffic enroute till the top of the Khamba-la is reached after few hours of strenuous climb. At the top of this pass which offers stunning scenery of the surrounding landscapes and the snow capped peaks in the distance and as well of the deep turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso Lake down below, where our route follows.

After a great moment here, an easy descent on the dirt track leads near to the shore of the lake, passing through farm fields and villagers on horse cart, the ride after reaching the lake shore is quite gradual most of the way towards our lovely campsite just before the town of Ngartse by the lake. Reaching to the campsite after a 6-7 hours of good scenic ride. Total ride of 70 km.


Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 8: Bike towards below Simi-la

Stop At: Lhasa Shuntong Highway Maintenance Company, China, Xizang Zizhiqu, Lasa Shi, Chengguan Qu, Niangre N Rd, 娘热路50号
Morning view from the camp we can see the distance mountains to the south of the lake, these are in the border of Bhutan. On leaving this nice campsite, our route turns west and eventually climbs towards the scenic pass of Karo-la at (5050m). On reaching the top of the pass it can be cold being in the gorge between the massif snow capped peaks, amazing views of the glacier and ice fall of Mt.Dzongkhags. (7206m). Time for short break or for possible lunch break at this lovely sight, at this place Drok-pa or the nomads dwells, but at present they have made a permanent house and tents on the nice grassy meadow herding yaks and sheeps and selling some semi precious crude stones and quartz to the tourist. From here it is almost downhill ride passing the village of Ralung. Then continue for another 2-3 hours almost 19 k.m. down a wonderful valley, riding through a series of colourful Tibetan villages, to our camp beneath a pass of Simi-la. (4375m). after a great 6-7 hours of good biking. Total 58 / 60 km.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 9: Bike to Gyantse (3950m) - approx 4 hours journey

Stop At: Lhasa Shuntong Highway Maintenance Company, China, Xizang Zizhiqu, Lasa Shi, Chengguan Qu, Niangre N Rd, 娘热路50号
Continuing our biking journey towards the City of Gyantse, we will travel for about four hours. Starting with a 15 kilometre, easy-angled climb to the top of Simi-la and then gradual and mostly downhill stage of another 35 kms, taking almost four hours to Gyantse.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 10: Bike to Shigatse (3900m) - approx 7 hours ride

Stop At: Lhasa Shuntong Highway Maintenance Company, China, Xizang Zizhiqu, Lasa Shi, Chengguan Qu, Niangre N Rd, 娘热路50号
Our biking continues towards Shigatse the second largest city in Tibet after Lhasa.
Today's ride covers 95 k.m. The road has recently been improved from the bumpy and rutted portion. After leaving the Gyantse biking begins on the 15 k.m of long straight sections, with no hills to climb, just vanishing points. The road follows the Nyang Chu River passing through many scattered farm villages and fields and finally approaching towards Shigatse, riding on the good wide road. On arrival after a good 6-7 hrs of ride, here again we take the overnight accommodation in the Hotel.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 11: Rest Day at Shigatse for local sightseeing

Stop At: Lhasa Shuntong Highway Maintenance Company, China, Xizang Zizhiqu, Lasa Shi, Chengguan Qu, Niangre N Rd, 娘热路50号
In Shigatse we visit the very large complex of Tashilumpo monastery. This is the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama and contains a 27m high gold plated Buddha known as Matria (the future Buddha). Afternoon visit the local market.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse


Day 12: Bike to Tsho-La

Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
After a wonderful break at Shigatse, journey continues on the dirt road once leaving the city
suburb of Shigatse, the trail climbs gradually as it makes its way to the distant Tsho-La covering 106 kms. We will be having late lunch today to gain more miles before afternoon,
lunch at a pleasant side besides the Ra Chu River beyond the village of Chemo, after 60-61 kms. Much of the section of the road has recently been tarmac, however there are more dirt section still under process of metaling. After a long vigorous 8 hours ride finally reaching to our campsite below the Tsho-La pass at 4290m.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 13: Bike to Gyamtsho-la

Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
An easy gradual climb of about two hours over 8 kms to the Tsho-La at 4,500 metres, at the top which offers a distant view of the main Himalaya range. From the top of this pass a quick sharp descent and then coming to a 1-2 hour ride across the plains to the town of Larze. 
Larze a growing town which lies at the junction of Lhasa-Kathmandu highway and to the west leading to western Tibet and to Mt.Kailash region. From here our journey continues on the main Lhasa-Kathmandu higheway, biking continues for another three hours on the dirt road with interesting views of the rural life along the way, and then finally arriving at our overnight camp halfway up to the top of Gyamtsho-la. Overnight camp is placed at about 4760m.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 14: Bike beneath Pang-La

Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
Today's ride takes us to the highest point of this trip at the top of Gyamthso-la at
5,220 metres. Starting the morning biking on the gradual portion, with some steep and rough section, the trail winds up for tough 2-3 hours and is around ten kilometres from the camp to the summit. After reaching the top, the descent is at first a gradual gradient but finally steepens into a freewheel downhill, with superb views of Mt.Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. Passing through more wild Tibetan settlements, isolated monastries and coming across nomadic herders and then finally reaching to the town of Shegar for a nice short break, from here we continue our ride on the main highway for an hour and then our route diverts north east from the main road towards Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp via Pang-la. After few hours of gradual ascend coming to a small farm settlement and to the entrance of the Qumolungma (Everest) region. Depending upon the time, we might ride a little further to camp beneath the pass or just on the soutskirt of this village.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 15: Bike to Tshusum near Phandchuri

Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
Morning ride climbs on the winding dirt road for more than an hour to the top of the Pang-La Pass at 5,150 metres, and this is encountered less than ten kilometres after we have turned off the main Lhasa / Kathmandu highway. On reaching the top stunning views of unparalleled chain of great Himalayan peaks can be seen including Mt.Makalu, Everest, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. After a great moment here, our route descends to a steep slope of 1010 metres downhill, with lots of switchbacks and wild cut offs, over 19 kms to the village of Phadu. From this village another 12 km ride distance reaches us at Tshusum village area for our overnight camp.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 16: Bike to Rongbuk

Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
Today's biking leads us to the world's highest monastery at Rongbuk, from the camp the ride is gradual most of the way with slow undulating climbs following the Rongbuk river upstream.

Since last year the road to Everest Base Camp and to Old Tingri has been completed, the ride on this gravel road is smooth and takes less hours to reach towards our destination.

After 3-4 hours of constant ride with few breaks in between brings us to Rongbuk Monastery with great views of Mt.Everest.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 17: Rest day at Rongbuk for optional ride to the Everest Base Camp

Stop At: Mt. Everest Base Camp, kathmandu, Thamel, Tingri County 858200 China
A well worth rest day to appreciate the stunning views. Today we have an option to hike, bike or a ride on the vehicle to the Base Camp. What ever the option you take, it will take about less than two hours to reach Base Camp, the ride takes on the good road following the Rongbuk river over the glacial moraine with few steep climbs as we reach just before the Base Camp. On reaching Base Camp complete view of Mt.Everest to the east. At Base Camp there are 4-5 small tented tea shops and a Government run guest house at the top of the moraine hill. After a wonderful time here, we retrace the journey back to Rongbuk.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 18: Drive / Bike to Old Tingri

Stop At: Rongbuk Monastery, near North Everest Base Camp, Tingri County China
Depending upon one's fitness an option for a ride on the vehicle or a long bike ride towards Old Tingri, the road leads on the same route for an hour and then coming to a newly built bridge, from the bridge the road climbs all the way to the top of Lamna-la at 5,150 metres passing through isolated herders settlement, with good clear view of Mt.Cho Oyu enroute to Old Tingri. After a hard climb to the top of Lamna-la, an easy descend leads to the well define path to the village of Lungja, from this village a gradual ride on the plain field brings us to the overnight camp at Old Tingri.

From Tingri, you can have great views of Mt.Everest (8,848m) & Cho-Oyu (8,201m). 
Tingri, a wind blown village with more than hundred of houses grouped along the base of an isolated hill. Its orginal name used to be Ganggar. Most of the good lodge and restaurant available are on the roadside, where it's a must stop for all the Trucks and other vehicle drivers and passengers for lunch and overnight halt. 
Overnight camp on the grassy field near the barley and buckwheat field where there is a clean flowing stream.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 19: Bike to Lalung-La

Stop At: Rongbuk Monastery, near North Everest Base Camp, Tingri County China
After being on the highest spot on earth our journey leads towards the Tibet / Nepal border. Morning ride begins with the stunning view of Everest and Cho Oyu on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu road, after leaving Tingri, back on the dirt road passing through several villages and finally reaching to our camp below the Laylung-la pass, after a good 4-5 hours ride covering about 55 kms distance with lunch break enroute.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 20: Bike to Nyalam

Stop At: Rongbuk Monastery, near North Everest Base Camp, Tingri County China
Morning ride heads uphill towards the double pass of Laylung-la and Thang-la, although being well acclamatised, it is still hard work climbing. From the camp it is about 14 kms to the first top, the Laylung at 5,124m, then dropping down 200 metres, over 6 kms and then climbing back again to further 7 kms to the summit of the main pass, the Thang-la, 5,050m.

From this top stunning views of the snow capped peaks of the central himalayan range can be seen from Number, Gauri Shankar, Shisapangma to Langtang. After a great moment here, an hour steep descend reaches to the bottom of the pass, journey continues on the good level road passing through numerous farm villages and cultivated fields till Nyalam town is reached. From Nylam a short bike downhill brings us to our overnight camp just by the roadside.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at camp


Day 21: Bike to Tatopani

Stop At: Bhote Koshi Power Pvt, ताहाचल, Red Cross Rd, Kathmandu 44614, Nepal
Our last day in Tibet, cycling continues after breakfast on the downhill slope to meet the Bhote Koshi river just by the bridge, we finally leave the cold, arid Tibetan Palteau and enter the warm jungles of Nepal. The road is at first quite steep and rocky with lots of hairpin bends. Brakes takes a bit of a hammering on this section. The road enters a steep narrow gorge with many waterfalls, after 40 minutes of downhill rush, the path is gradual on this winding road, following the river downstream through the lush green forest of pines, hemlocks, oaks and rhododendrons, with beautiful waterfalls cascading just by the roadside.

The journey continues going downhills and eventually coming to the border busy town of Zhangmu with a mixture of Chinese, Tibetan and Nepali people. After going through the passport fomalities, biking continues towards the Friendship Bridge where the red line divides China and Nepal. Here again on the Nepal side of the border going through the visa formalities, we continue for another 15-16 kilometres to the Last Resort beside the Bhote Koshi River. Great place to relax after the great biking adventure. Today's total biking hour approx. 4-5 hrs on the 60 km road stretch.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 22: Bike to Dhulikhel

Stop At: Thrangu Tashi Monastery, Dhulikhel Nepal
Our biking journey continues on the long winding road following the Bhote Koshi with number of hairpin bends around, but compared to Tibet the day will be warm cycling through the villages and paddy fields and eventually coming down towards the town of Dolalghat, where Bhote Koshi river joins with the great Sun Koshi River. After this place, the road climbs slowly and then coming to 17 kilometres drag up to Dhulikhel perched on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. On reaching the ridge top, we take our overnight accommodation in Dhulikhel and from this high vantage the main Himalayan chain is spread before us. Dhulikhel is famous for its outstanding view of the snow capped peak range.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse


Day 23: Bike to Kathmandu

Stop At: Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
Today is our last day of this great biking adventure, we follow a partially off road 'back way' to Kathmandu passing through Nama Bhudda and Panauti village before rejoining the Friendship Highway for the final kilometres into the Kathmandu city.
This ride is also an optional and anyone wishing to be earlier and to spend more time in Kathmandu will drive there directly in our supporting vehicle. Biking will reach Kathmandu in time for a late lunch. Rest of the afternoon free to rest and recuperate, and of course to clean and pack up the bikes.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Kathmandu

Day 24: Free day in Kathmandu

Stop At: Mount Everest, Sagarmatha National Park 00977 Nepal
Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, including many other snow-capped mountains and the Tibetan Plateau.

The rest of your time in Kathmandu will be free.
All the flights leave Kathmandu between 7.00 and 9.30 a.m. You can enjoy a seemingly endless chain of snow capped peaks as you fly above the clouds, over glaciers and lakes, rivers and gorges from your private individual window. The clear, non tinted window offers a great opportunity to experience and photograph the aerial view of the Kathmandu valley and the landscapes of Nepa
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel in Kathmandu

Day 25: Transfer to Airport for the International departure

Pass By: Airport Parking, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Tour Officer will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.