22 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Tour

Transfer to your hotel after arriving in Kathmandu airport.

After a little rest, visit the Durbar Square. The Durbar Square lies in the heart of Kathmandu. It also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square locally -an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th to 18th century.

Some of the important monuments to be seen here are: Taleju temple, Jagannath temple, Kal Bhairav, Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap - built from the timber of a single tree.

In the morning, first drive to Pashupatinath Temple which is situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu City and is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then drive to Boudhanath Stupa, 8 kilometers east of Kathmandu City. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest in the world of its kind.

After lunch, drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, located approximately 4 kilometers west of Kathmandu city. This Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old.

Take the morning flight to Lhasa. In a little over one hour, the Kathmandu - Lhasa air journey covers rugged terrain that once took trade caravans months to cross. The views are spectacular, and on a clear day, as many as eight of the world's 14 highest peaks - including Everest - lie before you.

At the Lhasa airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lhasa for a relaxing adjustment to the altitude!

This is your 2rd day in Tibet, so you should be physically ready for Potala Palace—the palace with a lot of steps.

Climb up to Potala Palace, Tibet’s iconic landmark. You’ll see a lot of precious decorated statues, Buddhist scriptures and murals inside. Your guide will reveal to you the interesting history of the palace.

Visit Jokhang Temple (elevation 3,700 m), said to be the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. You will see many pilgrims prostrating themselves near the temple. Take part with locals in the 20-minute walk with prayer wheels, clockwise around Jokhang Temple. Take a stroll round Barkhor Street and see some Tibetan handicrafts.

Tip:
There are 1,080 steps up to Potala Palace and climbing steps on the plateau is not easy. If it’s too demanding physically, you don’t have to climb all the steps, and your tour guide will adjust your route accordingly.

Enjoy a hotel breakfast, and visit Norbulingka in the morning; formerly the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. Nowadays, Norbulingka is a beautiful public park and a good place to see locals camping and picnicking in summer.

Watch a monks’ daily debate in Sera Monastery (elevation 4,000 m), the second most important monastery in Tibet. The debate not to be missed is held at 15:30 every day, except Sundays. Monks are happy to live in the monastery and study Buddhist scriptures there.

Later you will visit Drepung Monastery, renowned as the site for the annual Shoton Festival. If you visit in early August, you will have a chance to see for yourself this largest of Tibetan festivals.

General rules for visiting temples in Tibet: Cameras are not allowed in the temples or in the debate field, but taking photos with a cell phone is ok. When visiting a temple, your shoulders should be covered, and you should not wear shorts. Walk clockwise when visiting Barkhor Street.

The first riding day is very short and easy. Your journey towards Everest starts with the Friendship Highway as it heads out across the plateau. The road is in good condition and quite flat.

Leave Lhasa and cycle along the beautiful Tsangpo River to the foot of the Kamba La Pass (3700 m).

You will overcome the first mountain pass of this trip. A strong uphill climbing along a tar road of several switchbacks, we will reach a summit lavishly adorned with prayer flags (4794m).

After descending we continue togo along Lake Yamdrok Tso, at the far side of which set up camp (4490m). The dazzlingly turquoise green Yamdrok-Tso Lake is one of the three great holy lakes in Tibet.

Leave the beautiful lake behind, we will cycle along the Friendship highway which soon becomes a gravel roadway. Through a ravine and up to the foot of the Karo La Pass (4750m), your tented village will be prepared for the night.

Today is a significant day on the tour. Get up early to climb the high Karo La Pass (5010m). You can see glaciers stretching down to 6000m and beautiful lakes. You are rewarded with a night in a top hotel in the city of Gyantse (3980m).

First visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century and the Kumbum, a large gold-domed stupa with several small chapels, contains an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals.

Then head out on the highway towards Shigatse. Although today is a long cycling day, the highway is tarred and flat. In the afternoon, arrive in Tibet's second largest city, Shigatse (3860m). Enjoy a shower in your hotel.

Get up early to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. The monastery itself is anabiding place for the successive Penchen Lamas.

Then leave Shigatse and ride over two small passes and several small Tibetan villages, we will pass the isolated Gyachung Monastery and camp.

Keep riding along the highway. The route leads you through picturesque valleys before the long route which leads over the Tso-La (4520m).

After lunch, head towards Lhatse, pass the hot springs and camp about 10km outside of town.

Ride over the 5220m Gyatso-La with stunning view. You will be rewarded with first view of Mount Everest on a clear day.

After a 40 km ride through flat prairie towns, you will arrive in the town of Pelbar, often referred to as Shegar. Shegar is a popular stopover for anyone heading to the Everest region. Today will be a long and gruelling ride through the canyon.

Today's riding is a little tough as the road condition is not as good as that of the past days. You will divert off the flat highway just outside of Shegar, then head towards the world's highest peak, Everest.

After passing through the border control point, you will face 20km's of uphill switchbacks (42 hairpin bends in total) before reachingf the summit of the Pang Pass (5150m). Your reward will be some of the most magnificent views of Everest and surrounding peaks.

Enjoy lunch as you gaze over Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks.

Then a 20-kilometer downhill follows to the Rongbuk Valley (4200m), where we camp.

You should be at maximum fitness and excited about the approach of your highest destination, Everest Base Camp. A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic Mount Everest appears before you. Camp beside the monastery with the unforgettable sight of the world's highest peak in front of you. We will stay here for two days.

On your second day, you can either read a book or get even closer to Everest by taking a walk, cycling or hopping on a donkey and cart ride to Everest base camp, which is 8km from the campsite.

You should be at maximum fitness and excited about the approach of your highest destination, Everest Base Camp. A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic Mount Everest appears before you. Camp beside the monastery with the unforgettable sight of the world's highest peak in front of you. We will stay here for two days.

On your second day, you can either read a book or get even closer to Everest by taking a walk, cycling or hopping on a donkey and cart ride to Everest base camp, which is 8km from the campsite.

Leave Rongbuk, head back down the bumpy road and then take a shortcut into the mountains. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into Tingri (4340m).

Today begins with a 40 to 50km flat ride before lunch. Then we tackle the gradual incline of the Lalung Pass (4990m). From here, you will feel like you are as high as the peaks around you, including Shishapangma (8012m).

Set up tents in the valley between two passes.

Today, we tackle our last up hill, as we cycle up the incredible Thang Pass to 5050m. You will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayan chain as you freewheel the most incredible nonstop downhill.

From the town of Nyalam, you will notice that the scenery starts to turn green again. Cycle down past countless waterfalls and pine trees line roads, with waterfalls practically crashing over you, to the border town of Zhangmu (2300m). This will be our last day in Tibet.

From Zhangmu, we have to pass through customs and into Nepal.

Once you are in the Nepali town of Kodari, the downhill continues for the next 50 km along some very bumpy and rocky roads. Suddenly it is tropical and humid and green again as you cycle alongside rice paddies.

After reaching the town of Dolalghat, you must climb up to the town Dhulikhel (1600m).

The last day will take you from Dhulikhel to Kathmandu. You will freewheel down through Bhaktapur, where you can stop and see some of the town's famous temples if you wish, before riding into bustling Kathmandu.

In the afternoon, you can relax, shop or go sightseeing.

After a long exciting trip, it's time to say goodbye to Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.