LK – Lhasa to Kathmandu
Description
| Trip Name | Lhasa to Kathmandu | Trip Code | MCT |
| Duration | 20 days | Support Vehicle | 100% |
| Max. Altitude | Yangdo La 5326meters on day 19 | Min. Altitude | 1340m Kathmandu day 1 – 4 & 20 |
| Group Size | Minimum: 4 | Maximum: 16 | Bikking Hour: 6 – 7 hours a day |
Trip Grade: D. Tough Long cycling days and tougher terrain high passes, Cold, windy, rain and altitude (requiring specific experience of more demanding and Fiscally fit. You should be very confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills. Well acclimatized is most important.
Food Key: The meal inclusions are marked below each day’s trip note: B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner
Accommodation Key: Please note the accommodation in Tibet is often very basic. This means there will not be hot water and the toilet system may also be erratic. Please bear this in mind whilst on your trip. We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description
CH: Comfortable Hotel, Lodge- twin rooms with en suite facilities, reliable electricity and water supply, good service and some added amenities.
SH Standard Hotel, Lodge or Gite – no-frills hotel, usually with twin rooms and en suite facilities. Service and amenities are generally adequate.
BH Basic Hotel, Lodge or Gite, Mountain Hut, Village House – Can be communal, often consisting of just a bed and shared facilities. Bed linen not normally provided. Running water, toilets and electricity may be inconsistent or non-existent. Cleanliness is not always assured.
C Camping – In Rongbuk the accommodation is a seasonal tented camp. The tents are spacious and well equipped 8 people sized ones, which come with dormitory style single beds, solid flooring and a central heating stove.
Single Accommodation: If you wish to have a single room, a single supplement of US$ 500 is payable at time of booking. Some of the places along the route only provide dormitory rooms, so single rooms cannot be expected every night. Please check day to day itinerary for more information.
Unmatched Accommodation: In case of any unmatched clients, they will straight be categorized to the Single Supplement category and added to the final Invoice.
Local bike rent: Rental charge:US$275 Type: Hardtail Trek Marlin 7 Local bike hire: local bike hire payment should be paid to Dawn till Dusk before arrival. Clients have to take care of bike transportation cost to Lhasa.
Tibet-Shangri-la, the land of snows and the roof of the World. Tibet is the land of ancient Buddhist culture with awesome landscapes, artistic monasteries and century’s old caravan trails; it is an autonomous region of China. It lies on the plateau at an average elevation of 4,000 m. It is bounded by the Kunlun Mountains to the north and the Himalayan to the south. Tibet covers an area of 1.2 million sq. km, and has a population of 2.3 million.
Tibet is a sacred land of myths and mysteries inhabited by the ever smiling people has not only exerted magnetic spell upon travelers for centuries but also spies, missionaries, scholars, geographers, mystics, soldiers and cranks etc. Yet, few intrepid serious and determined have been able to make it. Tibet being extremely remote and isolated by the most formidable Himalayan ranges, a fascinating world of timeless splendor, unique tradition and breathtaking scenery awaits all travelers to the roof of the world.
A fully guided and supported expedition into Tibet from Nepal. For bikers with an adventurous spirit who appreciates to spend a little more time to experience this vast landscape at a closer and more personal level. This expedition visit’s all the monasteries, places of interest in the cities and towns, and gives you the chance to ride the best, most scenic sections of the friendship highway. We drive in the support truck for the most uphill sections to give ourselves a rest. Guided by an experience Nepali Mountain bike guide, who is there to look after you, help your acclimatize and smooth your ride on the bike and communicate with the Chinese officials. Your trip starts and finishes in Kathmandu with the guide so all your worries are taken care of and to ensure a trouble free fantastic trip.
Itinerary Day 01, Sunday, Arrive Kathmandu: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. It is a popular tourist district offering convenience of food and beverages. Depending on the time of your arrival in Kathmandu, a tour briefing and introduction with your guide will be arranged. Guide will collect your passports, 4 copies of passport (MRP) size photos and a copy of your insurance to secure the group visa for Tibet. Hotel, CH Altitude:1340 meter
Day 2, Monday, Warm-up ride along the roads and trails of the Kathmandu Valley: After breakfast we will issue local hire bikes for anyone who requires them, and then head east into the Kathmandu Valley to explore the fantastic network of country roads and off- road trails that this area has to offer. Today is the ideal opportunity to stretch your legs, also examine the bike for throughout the trip and begin the process of acclimatisation. Ride approximately 25km. 60% off-road. NB: There will be no support vehicle today. Hotel, CH (B) Altitude: 1340 meters
Day 3, Tuesday, Kathmandu – Nagarkot: After an early morning breakfast in Kathmandu, we ride due east to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is an ancient city, full of Newari culture. There are many temples and squares here that we will have time to explore. From here we head northeast to Nagarkot on an excellent and quiet tarmac road. We gradually climb 20km to Nagarkot, on the valley rim, passing steeply terraced farmland and houses that seem to be clinging to the hillside. When we reach the summit we will be able to see the Himalayan mountain range and on a good day, mount Everest too. We stay in a guesthouse on the ridge. Hotel, SH (B) Distance: 38 kilometers Altitude: 1965 meters
Day 4, Wednesday, Nagarkot – Kathmandu: The day starts with an exciting descent on Jeep tracks. We pass through many rustic villages, Himalayas in the right on clear day! We reach the beautiful ancient village of Shanku. From here we are on tarmac road towards Boudhanath Stupa, here we will have lunch and then ride back to Kathmandu or ride towards (Budhanilkantha) Sleeping Vishnu temple and then to Thamel. Hotel, CH (B) Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers Maximum Altitude: 1340 meters
Day 5, Thursday, Fly to Lhasa: After an early rise, we take the morning flight to Tibet. This is one of the world’s most spectacular flights, with a one hour flight over the incomparable Himalayas – keep your eye out for Everest! After landing at Gongkar airport we transfer 70km by bus to our hotel in Lhasa’s beautiful Tibetan Quarter. If there is time after checking into the hotel you can go for a walk around the Barkhor Square, the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Hotel, SH (B) Altitude: 3680 meters
Day 6, Friday, Acclimatization ride around Lhasa: Acclimatization is very important at this considerable altitude (Lhasa is at 3680m), so for the first few days we make exploratory local rides and cultural visits to become accustomed to the thin air. In Lhasa we visit the Potala Palace and the Jhokhang temple, or you can spend the day exploring Lhasa and relaxing the town. Hotel, SH (B) Altitude: 3680 meters
Day 7, Saturday, Rides and cultural visits in and around Lhasa: For the second day of acclimatisation we will drive to the Sera monastery, here we can watch the monks as they pray and light butter lamps. We will then cycle to the Drepung Monastery; these are two of the largest monasteries in Tibet once housing thousands of monks. Hotel, SH (B) Altitude: 3680 meters
Day 8, Sunday, Cycle along the Lhasa River to Khamba La: Now fully acclimatised, we take to our bikes and cycle out of Lhasa past the Drepung Monastery to the outskirts of Lhasa. The Friendship Highway then leads us away from Lhasa following the Yarlung Tsangpo River to our guesthouse below our first pass. Guest House, BH (B) Distance: 85 kilometers Altitude: 3600 meters
Day 9, Monday, Cycle the Khamba La (4794m) and on to Nagartse: After breakfast, those who feel up to it can tackle our first serious climb – 25km winding up to the Khamba La pass. This challenging climb will take 3-4 hours but the views from the prayer-flag-strewn summit at 4794m are spectacular. We then descend to the beautiful turquoise Yamdrok Lake where we have lunch. After lunch we continue on a gentle and scenic road following the lake to the small town of Nagartse. Guest House, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 85 kilometers Altitude: 4410 meters
Day 10, Tuesday, Ascend to Karo La (5045m), descent to Gyantse: After breakfast, there is the opportunity to tackle the first and ‘Lowest’ of the higher passes – the 5045m Karo La. It will take approximately 3 hours to cycle to the summit of the pass. From the top the road undulates for a while before a long 1000m descent to Gyantse in the heart of the Yang Chug Valley. The Karo La and Gyanttse are very historical parts of Tibet as they are where many of Sir Francis Young husband’s battles were fought against the Tibetans in 1904. Hotel, SH (B) Maximum ride distance: 100 kilometers Altitude: 3990 meters
Day 11, Wednesday, Ride down Shigatse: There is plenty to see in Gyantse; after breakfast we usually visit the fort, set high on the hill top the fort offers fantastic views over Gyantse, it is also a very interesting building to explore. Later in the morning we set off for a scenic and fairly level 94km ride across beautiful plains with a dramatic mountain backdrop. We stop for lunch half way and then continue on to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city and home to the Panchen Lama, whose home was traditionally at the Tashilunpo Monastery situated above Shigatse. Hotel, SH (B) Maximum ride distance: 94 kilometers Altitude: 3860 meters
Day 12, Thursday, Rest day in Shigatse: We will have a full day off the bikes to give the legs some time to recover. Whilst in Shigatse we will have time to visit the huge Tashilunpo Monastery. There will also be time to walk with the pilgrims around the monastery and to explore the local market. During our time in Shigatse, our permits will be issued for visiting Everest Base Camp. Hotel, SH (B) Altitude: 3860 meters
Day 13, Friday, Shigatse to Lhatse over two 4500m passes: We have a gentle start to the day as we cycle across the rolling Shigatse Plains. A long but gradual climb then takes us to the double passes of Tra La (4050m) and Yulung La (4520m). There is then a fantastic descent which flattens out before we arrive at our guesthouse at Lhatse. Guest House, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 150 kilometers Altitude: 4050m (Tra La 4050m & Yulung La 4520m)
Day 14, Saturday, Gyatso La (5248m) challenge, Shegar: A day to test the legs! We leave Lhatze and ride to the foot of the Gyatso La, before climbing to the summit of the pass at 5248m! This is the highest pass on the Friendship Highway and a steady effort will be needed for 4 to 5 hours to conquer it. The sight of Everest looming into view is the reward for attaining the summit, as we gradually approach the Himalayan chain. We then have a good undulating descent that brings us to our hotel in Shegar. Guest House, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 85 kilometers Altitude: 4300 meters
Day 15, Sunday, Follow the Friendship Highway to Tashi Dzom: From Shegar we leave the main road (friendship high way) and head off to the Pang La. It’s a long hard climb to the top at 5200m, but well worth the effort. On a clear day from the top we can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and other Himalayan giants. A wonderful descent brings us to the small junction town of Tashi Dzom where we stay tonight. Guest House, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 70 kilometers Altitude: 4340 meters
Day 16, Monday, Cycle to the Rongbuk Monastery: The road surface deteriorates today as we head to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp. Just before we reach the monastery at Rongbuk we should get wonderful views of Everest. We stay for the next two nights at Rongbuk Guest House opposite the monastery. It is a wild and windswept place; however there is the most wonderful sunrise and sunsets on the magnificent north face of Everest. Or further up In Jarongbuk the accommodation is a seasonal tented camp. The tents are spacious and well equipped 8 people sized ones, which come with dormitory style single beds, solid flooring and a central heating stove. Guest House/Tented camp, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 70 – 72 kilometers Altitude: 4920 metes
Day 17: Tuesday, Cycle to Everest Base Camp (5200m): After breakfast, we cycle approx. 7km slowly up the gravel jeep trail to Everest Base Camp. The thin air means it will be slow going and will take us about 2 hours – however the views ahead as Everest gets closer will spur us on! We are allowed to go up to a view point covered in prayer flags which overlooks Base Camp and from here we get superb views of the whole of the north face of Everest. We can trace the route Mallory and Irvine took on their ill-fated climb in 1924. We then return to for lunch and in the afternoon there is time to visit the Rongbuk Monastery. Tented Camp, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 16 kilometers. 100% off-road Altitude: 4900 meters
Day 18, Wednesday, Cycle over the Lamla pass to Old Tingri: We return to the Friendship Highway via a different route. The road surface is rough and it’s a hard ride but the scenery is magnificent as we cycle through the barren Tibetan plateau. The track takes us over the Lamla (5010m) and down to the main road at Old Tingri, a windswept town bordered by the mighty Himalayas and from where we have distant views of Everest and Cho Oyu. Guest House, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 70 kilometers. 100% off-road Altitude: 4340 meters
Day 19, Thursday, Tingri to Kyirong, Ride and Drive: After early breakfast we ride and drive Lalung La pass at 5050m, we take left turn from Gutso. We drive along Peku Tso (Lake) and arrived Dzonkha (Kyirong Xian), then drive further 70km cross high pass Yangdo La 5326m/17470ft to Nepal border town of Kyirong. Guest house, BH (B) Maximum ride distance: 200 kilometers. Altitude: 2300 meters
Day 20, Friday, Drive to Kathmandu: After breakfast, Cycle 25 km to the border and the immigration point. After Chinese Immigration formalities we cross into Nepal by foot and meet Nepali representative and vehicle at the Nepal side called Timure, Rasuwa Ghadi. After Nepali immigration formalities, you drive to Kathmandu. It is an interesting combination drive of dirt and paved road along the Langtang national park through smaller town of Syabrubensi and Dunche (ideal place for lunch) and finally reaches the main national highway at Galchi. You will experience more traffic along the road. Tour Concludes. Hotel, CH (B) Maximum ride distance: 170 kilometers. Altitude: 1340 meters Note: Drive approx. 8hrs or more usually traffic jam after Galchi.
Day 21, Saturday, End Kathmandu: Our tour finishes after breakfast. (B)
Cost per person in US$
| No. of people | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| US$ per person | 4180 | 4095 | 3895 | 3675 | 3595 | 3565 | 3245 | 3175 | 3145 | 3030 | 3005 | 2990 |
Cost Includes: Air ticket Kathmandu to Lhasa Bed and Breakfast basis in Nepal and Tibet Overland transportation (1 Truck up to 4pax with cabin for passengers and more than 4 pax mini bus/bus and truck) Tibetan Guide and Nepali Cycling Guide cum Mechanic Tibet map Shirt All Tibet permits and Entry fees in Tibet Arrival and Departure transfer for group traveling only
Cost Excludes: Double entry visa for Nepal Bhaktapur & Bouddhanath Stupa entrance fee (US$15+5 per person) Tibet group visa fee Excess baggage charges including bike transfer charges to Lhasa Bicycle, Equipment and spare parts Single supplement and unmatched charge Travel insurance and items of Personal Nature (Including emergency evacuation fee) Expenses during any rescue operation Any Lunch and Dinner Alcoholic beverages & bar bills All expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc. Gratuity to staff Services of Porterage and other vehicles in between in case of landslides and other natural calamities beyond our control and expenses incurred during rescue services. Additional portable oxygen cylinder (US$ 20 per bottle) Services not mentioned herein
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