China 🇨🇳 – Tibet Bike Tour

Experience Tibet through a unique cycling adventure to the Everest Base Camp.

Day 01: LHASA. Arrival at Lhasa airport. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Visit to Barkhor market and the old part of the city. This city walk also serves as acclimatization, as Lhasa is located at 3,600 meters above sea level. Overnight stay.

Day 02: LHASA. Breakfast. Continuation of acclimatization. Today’s walk takes us to the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and one of the holiest symbols of Tibet. In the afternoon, visit to Jokhang Temple, founded in the 7th century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. Inside the temple, there is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni from the period when he was twelve years old. Outside, pilgrims can be seen prostrating in front of the temple, while Barkhor Street surrounding it offers an authentic experience of Tibetan culture. Walk among the pilgrims and locals. Overnight stay.

Day 03: LHASA. Breakfast. Bike preparation and packing of personal items. A short test ride to ensure everything is ready for the start of the tour. In the afternoon, visit to Sera Monastery, famous for the dynamic debates of the monks held between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Also, visit to the Tibetan religious printing house, where traditional methods of printing sacred texts can be observed. Inside the monastery, there are three sand mandalas and a colorful painting of Buddha on the rocks. Overnight stay.

Day 04: LHASA – KHANGBALA / 85km. The start of the Himalayan cycling adventure! After breakfast, we leave Lhasa and ride along the Tsangpo River all the way to the base of the Khangbala Pass (3,700m). The route is flat and easy, passing by the Lhasa River lake, allowing us to enjoy the landscapes of Tibet. Arrival at the village of Khangbala and accommodation in a guesthouse. Overnight stay.

Day 05: KHANGBALA – KHANGBALA PASS – YAMDROK LAKE / 80km. After breakfast, we begin the ascent to the Khangbala Pass (4,900m), offering a spectacular view of the vast valleys and the beautiful Yamdrok Lake. The climb lasts about 25 km, and after reaching the summit, we descend and ride along the lake’s shore to the village of Yamdrotso. This section of the route requires good preparation – be sure to carry enough water, electrolytes, and energy snacks. Accommodation in a guesthouse. Overnight stay.

Day 06: YAMDROTSO – GYANTSE / 95km. After breakfast, we continue riding through spectacular landscapes, passing the Karola Glacier and the Smila Pass (4,335m). The route includes several short ascents and descents, while on the left side of the road, we enjoy an impressive view of the glacier and the emerald green waters of the Manla Dam. The last part of the route takes us on a flat road to the city of Gyantse, where we check into a hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 08: GYANTSE – SHIGATSE / 90km. After breakfast, we begin a leisurely and relaxed ride towards Shigatse, without ascents to any passes. The route passes through picturesque villages with lush vegetation and expansive fields, providing opportunities for short breaks and rest in nature. If desired, we can divert from the main road and visit the Shalu Monastery. Arrival in Shigatse and check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 09: SHIGATSE – PHUNTSOLING MONASTERY / 100km. After breakfast, we continue the cycling adventure, riding along local roads through authentic Tibetan villages and scenic viewpoints, avoiding the main China-Nepal highway. The route follows the Brahmaputra River valley, alternating between vast fields and traditional settlements. Today’s journey ends at the Phuntsoling Monastery, known for its long history and beautiful murals. Accommodation at the monastery. Overnight stay.

Day 10: PHUNTSOLING MONASTERY – LHATSE / 65km. Breakfast. We continue riding along the Brahmaputra River, passing through Tibetan villages and meeting the friendly local farmers. The route is easy, giving us the opportunity to relax and enjoy the nature along the river. Upon arrival in Lhatse, check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 11: LHATSE – PELBA / 80km. Breakfast. Today we face the toughest section of this adventure. We ride over the Gyatso La mountain pass (5,248m). The weather on the pass is often unpredictable, but if we have a clear day, Mount Everest will be visible for the first time from the pass. After crossing the pass, we descend for a long stretch to the village of Pelba. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Day 12: PELBA – TASHIDZONG / 60km. Breakfast. Today we enter the Mt. Everest National Park. We cross the final pass, Gawula Pass (5,200m), to reach Everest Base Camp. From Gawula Pass, there is a view of five peaks over 8,000 meters: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. Gawula Pass is the most spectacular viewpoint on the entire cycling route from Lhasa to Everest BC. Afterward, we descend and ride to the village of Tashidzong. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Day 13: TASHIDZONG – RONGPUK MONASTERY – EVEREST BC / 50km. Breakfast. Today is the final stage and the most exciting day, as we reach Everest BC (5,200m). The ride from Tashidzong to base camp is relatively easy, without mountain passes. On this route, it is possible to encounter wildlife such as Tibetan antelope and wildebeests. At one of the rest stops in the village of Basom, we enjoy a cup of butter tea. Accommodation at the Rongpuk Monastery guesthouse. Overnight stay.

Day 14: EVEREST BC – SHIGATSE. Breakfast. Instead of returning by bike the same way we came to Everest BC, we will take a van or jeep back. Arrival in Shigatse. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 15: SHIGATSE – LHASA. Breakfast. Transfer to Lhasa. Before the drive back to Lhasa, we will visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama and the largest holistic monastery in Tibet. Arrival in Lhasa. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 16: LHASA Transfer to the airport where you will catch your flight home. 🙂

Applicants must submit climbing resume, insurance and passport scan. Anyone who is capable of cycling 50-60 km with 1,000m of ascent, and repeating it the next day without muscle soreness on the third day, can apply for this adventure 🙂