With an average elevation of 4,000 meters and above, Tibet is considered as the roof of the world and a hidden Shangrila. Remote, rugged yet beautiful, and sacred to mankind, this undiscovered highest plateaus is often illuminated by numerous Buddhist holy shrines and is protected by the magnificent Himalayan mountain range, including Mount Everest. After centuries of virtual isolation from the rest of the world, Tibet has cautiously opened it’s doors to international visitors. A visit to Tibet is a marvelous once in a lifetime experience. And visiting this magnificent Shangrila on two wheels is an adventure that provides you with unforgettable memories for the rest of your life.
Day 01: Kathmandu – Friendship Bridge Border – Nyalam (157km) 3500m.
Start early from Kathmandu to the border. Approx. 120km. Go through immigration formalities and continue to Nyalam (37km).
Day 02: Ride to Tingri (approx 160km) 4000m
Morning: After breakfast we will start easy ride up, there is the main checkpost to enter further up at Nyalam. We will be visiting Milarepa’s cave enroute. One can ride to Lhatze (300 km) this day but we are treating this trip as a pleasant journey. Spending a night in Tingri makes you feel more comfortable with the altitude rising. There are great views of the Himalayas towards the south including Mt. Everest. Overnight at a guest house.
Day 03: Ride Tingri to Lhatse (approx 150km) 3900m
The ride is pleasant, you will be passing a 5220m pass called “Gyatso La” and continue ride down to the fertile valley of Lhatze for the overnight stay at a local guest house.
Day 04: Ride Lhatze to Shigatse (approx 150km) 4000m
A typical day riding between the villages to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. The ride is across Yulung La (4950m), over fairly unpaved roads in the plateau area. After reaching Shigatse, we will transfer you in a better hotel to relax. If interested, you can visit the “Tashilhumpo Monastery”, a vast monastery with its own streets, housing sectors, plazas, back alleys and complex of temples and halls.
Day 05: Ride Shigatse to Gyantse (90km) 4000m
The ride to Gyantse takes us through intensely agricultural, cultivated areas. Much of the gravel road is lined with poplar trees, which is a distinctly Tibetan feature. The drive on this day is just 90km but, if not tired, we can ride to the small, picturesque village of Kardoi from Gyantse (120 km round trip). This excursion will also take you to an old castle, Kumbum and Palcho Chode Monasteries. The hotel in Gyantse has good facilities, like the one in Shigatse.
Day 06: Gyantse to Lhasa (280km) via the turquoise Yamdrok Tso lake.
You will ride mostly on a paved road, though there is an off-road route from Gyantse to the turquoise lake “Yamdrok Tso”. We will be crossing the high pass of “Karo La” at 5050m then continue ride to Lhasa. Upon arriving you may feel as though we have left Tibet and entered China, for the ever increasing Chinese influence – signs, people on the street, development – is ever more pervasive. Nevertheless we will stay there for two full days to acclimatise and take in the awe-inspiring Potala, lively Tibetan Barkhor Markets and other interesting sections of this world heritage site at an elevation of 3650m.
Day 07: Sightseeing tours in and around Lhasa
Ride around Lhasa visiting the various interesting sites (Potala Palace, Sera monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka (Dalai Lama’s summer palace) palace etc).
Day 08: Lhasa to Shigatse (250Km)
Your riding today will be on paved road. After having breakfast we’ll follow the riverbed of the Kyi Chu river following the same way back until road adjacent to a bridge at the Brahmaputra valley. Then we take the straight highway riding on the riverbed of the “Yarlung Tsangpo” to Shigatse, stay at the hotel.
Day 09: Shigatse – Xegar (250km) 4400m
After a good breakfast, we start riding from Shigatse to Lhatse then ascend to the Gyatso La pass at 5220m, finally descend into Xegar and stay in Everest View Hotel (luxurious accommodation after Shigatse).
Day 10: Xegar – Rongbuk via Everest Base camp (approx. 130Km)
This is the day of the much awaited excitement! Get the taste of the “Top of the World” experience. The remote and ruggedness shows the real beauty of the area that makes you stand proud of your achievement. Riding through the remoteness we will slowly ascend to the Rongbuk valley. Excursion to Everest Base Camp- 5200m and back to Rongbuk and overnight stay at Rongbuk Guest house. Roughly 10km from Rongbuk to EBC.
Day 11: Rongbuk to Nyalam and then to Zhangmu (180Km).
Day 12: Clear customs, exit border to Nepal, arrive in Kathmandu. 112km.
DURATION: 15 Days Delhi – Leh – Delhi, 7 Highest Passes
MAX ALTITUDE GAIN: 18,380Ft @ Khardungla
We will also customize this trip for your group on request.
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