Lhasa - Kathmandu Mountain Bike - 21 days

Day 01 Arrive in Chengdu (1740 ft.)

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you will be met and transferred to hotel. You will get your Tibet Travel Permit from our representative here in Chengdu. If you arrive early, take an optional tour of Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center which is located just 10 KM (6 miles) from the city. These pandas are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Ghansu provinces. Besides the Pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks and other more than 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred in this center throughout the year.

Day 02 Chengdu - Lhasa (11450 ft.) -

Transfer to airport, a mid - morning flight from Chengdu will take you to Lhasa, the exciting capital of Tibet. You will be met at the airport by your local Tibetan guide and transferred to hotel, where rooms have been booked for you. Afternoon at leisure for acclimatization & rest or just take a walk around the Barkhor Bazar.

Day 03 Lhasa -

Today will be spent exploring palaces. First on your list will be the Potala Palace. The palace of the Dalai Lama a treasure of Tibetan culture was, till 1965, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet and quite possibly, the singularly most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later renovated by the fifth Dalai Lama in the seventeenth century to its present specifications. Your next stop will be Norbulingkha. the winter palace of the Dalai Lama which was built in the eighteenth century.

Day 04 Lhasa -

Today you will visit the Drepung monastery. This is the largest monastery in the world and once housed 10,000 monks and nuns. It was built in 1419, and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. You may have a chance to see the monks mixing the butter tea in a washing machine when there is a special ceremony and large numbers of monks are present. Your next stop will be the Jokhang Temple. This is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses a golden statue of the Buddha which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese princess “Wen Chen”. You then stop off at Barkhor Bazaar outside the Jokhang monastery. This is a bustling flea market and is, generally, the place to buy souvenirs and meet other tourists.

Day 05 Lhasa 11450 ft. – Qüxü (11785 ft.) – Yamdrok Tso 14432 ft.

From Lhasa, follow the first road leading to the Bramaputra River (or Tsangpo). Cross the river and follow south route which stretches up to almost Kambala Pass ( 15724 ft). From the pass bike down to gigantic Yamdrok lake, which is known for its intense color, also known as turquoise lake. Overnight Camping.

Day 06 Yamdrok Tso 14432 ft. - Karo La 16432 ft. – 14660 ft. camp (before Ralung) 55 miles.

Bike around the village and Nagarze Langla and continue to the Karo La Pass, then down towards Ralung and Lungma. Camp.

Day 07 Bike Camp 14660 ft. – Ralung – Gyangtse – Camp 13480 ft. 46 miles

The ride goes up and down slightly at the beginning by one of the fertile valleys of Tibet. After a short climb you reach the pass Simi La. After a short descent, it is flat and you will reach e. Gyantse is located in the eastern part of the province of Tsang and 165 miles southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of the Nyang River. In earlier times, Gyantse was a major trade center between Tibet and India. Above the town is a large fortress, surrounded by one of the great Chinese wall. In Gyantse, you will have the opportunity visit the monastery Kumbum (Pelkar Chode). Camp near the village.

Day 08 Gyangtse 13480 ft. – Shigatse 12956 ft. Distance 57 miles

A relatively flat stage over some 57 miles to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Overnight at hotel..

Day 09 Rest day in Shigatse 12956 ft.

Free day in Shigatse. Visit the monastery Tashilunpo, the "blessing mountain", is the seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the largest monasteries. It houses a valuable statue - made of bronze, gold and many precious and semi-precious stones - the Maitreya Buddha, the coming Savior. Very interesting are the paintings and frescoes in the various temples. The Sakya citadel from the 13th Century houses valuable art treasures. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Shigatse 12956 ft - Chemo - Camp 14432 m (at the foot of Tsuo La Pass) 68 miles

Enjoy highland scenery and fertile river valley during the next few days. From Shigatse , bike through the city Nathang to a 13284 ft. high pass The camp is situated at the foot of the next pass of Tsuo La. Camping.

Day 11 Camp 14432 m - Tsuo La pass 15153 ft - Lhaze - Camp 13776 ft. (before Gyatso La Pass) Distance 38 miles

After 6 miles, the pass of La Tsuo is reached. Continua via Renda, where a separate road goes off to the Sakya. Lhaze is the road leading to Mount Kailash, the other on the Gyatso La into Nepal. Shortly before Lhaze there are hot springs. Camping.

Day 12 Camp 13776- Gyatso La 17120 – 14956 ft. Camp (before Lulu) 40 miles

Bike to the highest point of this route, the 17120 ft. high Gyatso La. From the pass, enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains of the Himalayas. From the camp is 25 miles to the pass. Overnight Camp.

Day 13 Camp 14956 ft. - Lulu - Shekar - Old Tingri - 14760 ft. Camp Distance 60 miles

Biking from Lulu to Old Tingri is always easy and downhill. Just before Old Tingri, you can see Mount Everest in distance. Overnight camping.

Day 14 Camp 14760 ft. – 17056 ft. Pang La - Rongbuk River

Start a three-day detour from the main route. The Other side of the the 17056 ft high Pang La Pass, approach the Everest more and more. The closer you get, the higher the top of the world rises against the sky. From the pass you have a magnificent view. Arrive at Rongbuk River. Overnight camping.

Day 15 Rongbuk River - Rongbuk Monastery 16564 ft.

Drive to Rongbuk Monastery. Overnight camping.

Day 16 Rongbuk - Everest Base Camp 16977 ft. - Tingri / Camp 14760 ft.

Hike to Everest base camp, along the banks of the Rongbuk. Along the way discover the ruins of ancient monasteries. The base camp is located in the middle of the river valley between Rongbuk Glacier river and a stream. The view of Everest 29028 ft. and the surrounding mountains are spectacular. The summit of Everest is still more than 11800 ft. "above" the base camp. But the top of the world to looks so close, impressive experice. Return to the Rongbuk Monastery and drive back to camp at Tingri. Camping.

Day 17 Camp 14760 ft. - Gutsuo - Camp 15416 ft (Camp before Lalung La) Distance 31 miles

Almost at the end of the trip is a five-thousand 16500 ft. high Lalung Leh Pass, the whole of the eastern Himalayan chain, in front of you: in the west Langtang, Dorje Lakpa and Shisha Pangma , East Makalu, Lhotse , Cho Oyu and Gaurishankar. Overnight camping.

Day 18 Camp 15416 –Lalung Le 16565 ft. –Nylam 12300 Distance 60 miles

Bike to the last pass of this route, the 16565 ft. high Lalung Leh and descend to Nylam. Nylam is the starting point for expeditions to Shishapangma. Then the road drops off rapidly in the fertile, lush valleys of the Himalayas, leading to Nepal. Camping.

Day 19 Nyalam 12300 ft. - Zhangmu - Dhulikhel 4723 ft. Distance 20 miles biking – rest driving

Bike down to Zhangmu, trading town between Nepal and Tibet, go through the immigration. Cross the border to Nepal side and Nepal immigration. You will be met by Nepali guide and drive to Dhulikhel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 20 Kathmandu

At leisure in Kathmandu or optional sightseeing tour.

Day 21 Kathmandu – Departure

Transfer to airport and fly out.

***End of the tour***

Minimum 4 persons required in the group.