Tibet bike tour

Ride across the sacred planes of Tibet across this 1100 km long once in a lifetime MTB journey.

The adventure begins in Kathmandu, the capital of the Republic of Nepal, from where we fly to Lhasa – the capital of the Chinese province of Tibet. We will fly over the highest peaks of the world and enjoy the extraordinary view. During our acclimatization, we will visit the historical, cultural, and religious heritage of this city. We then embark on a 1,100-kilometer journey along the Tibetan Plateau and, to a lesser extent, across Nepal. During the ride, a truck and a minibus will accompany us and help us carry our equipment.
The route takes us across the Gyamtso La Pass (5220m) and the town of Shigatse, through a grand view of the northern cliff of Mt. Everest. And at the end of our journey to Tibet, we will see the sacred mountain of four religions: Kailash. Daily biking distances will range from 70km to 100km. Every afternoon, after settling in our accommodation, we will visit the cultural and religious monuments of the people of Tibet.
This is a tour for true nature lovers and bike explorers. Be aware; this is not a tour for those who want to prove themselves, measure their crossing time, or watch their pulse monitor every hour. We are here not to test the limits of our physical capabilities but to learn and experience another world that can help us see the difference in ourselves.

Itinerary

Day 1

Meeting Kathmandu

Meeting in Kathmandu. Getting a special license for Tibet and then renting bicycles and other equipment. You can bring your bike, but it needs to be adequately packed for air travel. Free time to pack your gear. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Kathmandu - Lhasa

Breakfast. Air transportation from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Guide from the Ministry of Tourism in Lhasa – will greet us at the airport. Transfer to our hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Lecture and tips on behavior during our stay in Tibet. A short tour of the city with a guide. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Lhasa

After breakfast touring the city by bike. Tour of Potala Palace, Jo Khang Temple and Barkhor Market. We’ll use this day in the city of Lhasa as an acclimatization before taking our trip through Tibet. Free time for individual city sightseeing. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 4

Lhasa - Kamba La Pass

Breakfast. Getting ready for our first trip into Tibet. Lhasa – Campsite Kama La (86 km). Biking at an altitude of 3600mnv can be a challenge. Walking past green fields and lush vegetation, specific to this region. Lunch. Rest in the afternoon. Accommodation in a camp. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 5

Kampa La - Yamdrok Lake

Breakfast. Drive from Camp Kampa La for 56km. Our destination – Yamdrok Tso camp. A little more challenging climb on the Kampa La pass. From this pass, the view reaches endless valleys full of various crops. Lunch. Rest in the afternoon. Accommodation in the camp. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 6

Yamdrok Lake - Karo La

Breakfast. Cycling, Yamdrok Tso – camp before Karo La Pass. Accommodation in the camp. Dinner. Free time to hang out or rest. Overnight stay.

Day 7

Karo La - Gyangtse

After breakfast, a bike ride from Karo La Pass to Gyangtse (86km). Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch. Tour of the city with a guide. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 8

Gyangtse - Shigatse

Breakfast. Continuation of or cycling tour from Gyantse to Shigatse, 90km. Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch. Tour of the city with a guide. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 9

Shigatse - Nang Pa

Breakfast. Drive from Shigatse to Nang Pa Camp, 75km drive. Lunch. Campsite accommodation. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 10

Nang Pa - Lhat Se

Breakfast. Continued drive to Lhatse camp (85 km). Lunch break and then continuing our cycle to the camp. Getting to the camp. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 11

Lhat Se - Shigar

Breakfast. Cycling from Lhatse to Shigar (85 km). Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch. Tour of the city accompanied by a guide. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 12

Shigar - Tingri

Breakfast. Continued route from Shigar to Tingri (82km). Accommodation at the hotel. Tour of the city with a local guide. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 13

Tingri - Peiku

Breakfast. Cycling from Tingri and driving (75 km) towards Tingri Valley. Rich in water with the main activity of the locals is crop cultivation. During our break, we’ll stop to take pictures of the Himalayan peaks, faintly showing in the distance. Campsite accommodation near Peiku lake. Lunch, and afternoon rest. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 14

Peiku - Dzongkha

Breakfast. Cycling from Peiku lake to Dzongkha. Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch. Well-deserved rest after cycling. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 15

Dzongkha - Kyirong

Breakfast. Cycling from Dzongha to Kyirong. Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch. Touring the city and resting after our ride. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 16

Kyirong - Kathmandu

Breakfast. Transfer to the border crossing point for Nepal. After entering Nepal, transfer to Kathmandu, where we’ll have lunch. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner with a special program. The Navari people will present their tradition through song and play. Overnight stay.

Day 17

Kathmandu

Breakfast. A day for souvenir shopping and celebrating our successfully completed bike tour. Overnight stay.

Day 18

Kathmandu

Breakfast. Transfer to Kathmandu airport, for your flight home.

Dates & Prices

May 5th, 2024
Spots available: 6 2480 €, Per Person
BOOK NOW

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F.A.Q.

What’s included in the price?
To maximize convenience, we include as much as possible, so you can just relax and think about hiking. Here’s what’s included:

  • Flight, taxes and all fees from Kathmandu to Lhasa
  • Airport – hotel – airport minibus transfers
  • Three-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu; double rooms, BB
  • Three-star hotel accommodation in Lhasa; double rooms, BB
  • Hotel accommodation in Tibet during the MTB tour; double and triple rooms, BB
  • Camp accommodation in Tibet during the MTB tour; tent for two, full board
  • Guided tours of Kathmandu and Lhasa
  • Tibetan visa
  • Tibetan traveling permit
  • Entry tickets to all monasteries, museums & national parks visited in Tibet
  • Minibus transfer during the tour (in case of bad weather)
  • Equipment transfer via truck during the tour
  • Professional MTB guide
  • Tibetan local guide, cook & support stuff

What does not included in the price?

  • Flights to/from Kathmandu
  • Nepalese visa  (40 USD)
  • Renting a bike for the duration of the tour / GIANT or TREK bikes
  • Travel & Health insurance
  • Personal expenses

You will need to cover flights; insurance and extra spend. You’ll need to book your flights to and from Kathmandu, travel insurance and cover other personal expenses (etc. drinks, souvenirs…).

What’s the MTB tour like?
The MTB tour is strenuous to very strenuous. Every day we will ride a bike, that lasts 5 to 6 hours, with an easy pace. You will ride on a quality local road. It is safe and solid. It can be windy and cold because it is more than 4.000 above sea level. After two days of acclimatization in Lhasa, we will start our bike ride to Kathmandu. Every day we will ride a bike from 45 to 90 km, and the altitude is from 3600 to 5200 above sea level.

What’s the city tour like?
All-day city tour is organized with our guide and transportation. We will see the most important cultural and historical monuments in Kathmandu and Lhasa.

What skills/experience/fitness do I need?
You need high-levels of fitness. Previous biking experience at longer distances (75 – 100 km) is mandatory. Your guide will give you full instructions and a safety briefing at the start.

What do I need to bring with me?

  1. Bicycle transport bag
  2. Sleeping bag & mattress
  3. Gore-Tex jacket
  4. Gore-Tex pants
  5. Socks; fleece and regular
  6. Cotton T-shirts
  7. MTB Helmet
  8. Polar of woolen cap
  9. Hat (sun protection)
  10. Polar fleece
  11. Gloves
  12. Towel, toiletries
  13. Sunglasses x 2
  14. Headlamp
  15. Thermos x 2
  16. Medicine, vitamins, etc.
  17. Sunscreen SPF 30 or more, lip balm
  18. Raincoat

The transport bag carrying your belongings will be stored in the truck throughout the tour; part of your belongings can be stored at our hotel in Kathmandu. In the event that the participant is not fit to ride can simply skip a day and be transported by a minibus following the group.

What are the guides like?
All the activities on this trip will be led in English by qualified and professional guide.

What’s the food like?
All food is local and is freshly cooked, hearty mountain meals. These include domestic cheese and other local milk products, dry meat specialties, fish, local fruit, fresh fruit and vegetable. We can organize your meal in the way you like. The drinks are not included.

Can my dietary requirements be catered to?
Absolutely. Just let us know when you fill in your travel documents.

When can I go on this trip?
Book on to our pre-set dates above. If you are considering alternative dates, the perfect time for this adventure is between June and  September.

What’s the weather like?
Spring and early autumn are the best periods to visit this region. In summer the average temperature in Tibet can be around is 20 degrees, but on the mountain passes is colder and temperature is between minus 5 degrees Celsius during night and 10 degrees Celsius during a day. Autumn is slightly chillier but still really pleasant and colors are stunning.

Which flights should I book?
You should book flights to Kathmandu airport (Nepal capital).

How do I meet the transfer?
At your arrival, the transfer will be holding a sign with the name of the tour. We’ll give you all extra details before travelling.

How big will the group be?
This trip will run with a minimum of 6 people, and a maximum of 15. Please note, if there are not 6 people booked the trip may be rearranged or cancelled. Please contact us for confirmation before booking your flights, or book with a credit card.

Can I customize the trip?
Of course! For private groups of six or more the trip can run on any days you wish, be extended or changed to suit your needs. Enquire now for a private trip.

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TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS

“Where sky is from some other colors of blue. I don’t know if the impressions from this place and the whole travel can ever really be settled in my mind. Although I naively believed that I would have everything to say about Tibet, days and months after, everything is reduced to one. That is, what we as people remember are only moments, which mostly fade away, and the only thing that reminds us of them, and keeps them alive are vivid pictures. ”

Katarina B.