Tibet/Nepal - Lhasa to Kathmandu

One cannot capture the Dali Lama's majestic homeland via the world’s highest elevated highway with words. But here goes.

The tour starts in mystical and magical Lhasa (3500m above sea level), the ancient city and former home to past Dali Lama's. We acclimatize here (yes, it’s mandatory) for 3 days before heading across the Tibetan Plateau. The terrain is stunning and peaceful, and the road has recently been paved. We will head through several high mountain passes with the highest being 5200m. Except for a few blips, the whole trip ranges from 4000m to 5200m with no shortage of stunning peaks and well-earned downhills.

Each incredible mountain pass promises a majestic view of the Himalayas where all you will hear is the sound of prayer flags talking in the wind to these great mountains. A Yak or two might chirp in as well.

Stopping off at local monasteries, crossing span bridges, passing by icy green plateau lakes, the road leads us to Rongbuk. This is home to the world’s highest monastery and our base to ride to Mount Everest Base camp.

Peaking here we eventually get back on the paved highway and a few days later roll down the world’s longest downhill of over 4,200 meters as we let go of the plateau and head to the warmer, lush jungle confines of Nepal and Kathmandu.

ITINERARY
Riding days--16
Acclimatizing days in Lhasa--3
Kathmandu--1+ whatever you want

Schedule

Day: 
1
Arrival Kathmandu OPTION 1 --- Fly out same day to Lhasa and save your Kathmandu time for after the tour. This can only be done with morning arrivals as flights to Lhasa usually depart at 10:30am. You must also have visa paperwork done ahead of time (see end of itinerary). OPTION 2 --- Stay one to 2 nights in Kathmandu and with your guide’s help, get group visa at Chinese Embassy. Fly out to Lhasa with group using option 1. OPTION 3 --- Fly through China as they have direct flights from China to Lhasa.
Day: 
2/3
Acclimatizing in Lhasa and sightseeing. Great sites to see like the Jokhang Monastery (Tibet’s most sacred temple) and the Potala Palace, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site. Other monasteries like Sera can be visited or just relax and wander the streets and enjoy the vibe and ancient culture/architecture. Does beer help acclimatize? There is no scientific evidence to say it does or doesn't. A short ride to a local nunnery outside Lhasa is there to let your mind and body be aware of riding altitude on the last day here.
Day: 
4
Here we go. On the way out of Lhasa stopping for a group photo at the Palace that marks the beginning of this epic journey. Flat road to get the sea legs going along the cold green waters of the Kyi Chu river and up to world’s highest major river, the Yarlung Tsang. Finish the day base of Kamba Pass and camp (3700m)
Distance: 
85km.
Day: 
5
Our first test of legs and altitude adjustment is the Kamba Pass (now paved) but you are rewarded with your first of many stunning views, lake Yamdrok Tso with a backdrop of the snow capped peak of Nazin Kang Sa. We descend to the lake and the Tibetan Plateau. Camping with the Himalayas and the friendship with them begins. Max. altitude 4807m, camp (4400m)
Distance: 
55km.
Day: 
6
Riding today to the base of Karo Pass (4750m). Steady ride today on the plateaus barrens. Camp.
Day: 
7
Karo Pass is our first pass that will take us over 5000m. And again there is always a reward at the top (think Pavlov’s theory when climbing). An imposing glacier awaits your vision. Today we finish in Gyantse but along the way is a gentle sloping 15km climb rewarded with a view and a mostly 35km downhill to the town. Our first hotel on the route (4050m). Gyantse holds some magnificent, historical religious and military sites. The Kumbum monastary is one of Tibet’s most stunning buildings. A great place to enjoy the afternoon.
Distance: 
79km.
Day: 
8
Gyantse to Shigatse (3850m) A nice steady riding day along the Nyang Chu River awaits between these two historical towns. No climbing so enjoy this day. A gift from the Himalayas. Hotel again. Here you will find the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery founded in 1447 by the first Dali Lama. Maximum altitude (4050m)
Distance: 
93km.
Day: 
9
Today’s ride is to Gyachung Monestary. (4100m) A short climb to start the day that is filled with undulating terrain and lots of children full of smiles and hello’s. The mountains start to close in on us as the river valley narrows. Enjoy, as this is what it is all about. Camp
Distance: 
75km.
Day: 
10
A longer day awaits and the Yulong Pass (4520m) on our way to Lhatse (3860m) but a nice 29km downhill is part of the reward and is basically flat into Lhatse. Lhatse will remind you of the Wild West frontier as you ride into town and tie your bike up at a local saloon. Children and people are extremely friendly here. Once again, enjoy the smiles. Very picturesque camping tonight.
Distance: 
95km.
Day: 
11
After breakfast we ride along the river in the picturesque Chusar Chu valley. However, the Lakpa/Gyatso pass (5220m) will soon introduce you to the Himalayas with a 24km climb. The views on either side help you all the way up. The sound of prayer flags clapping and a cup of warm Yak milk/tea after a gradual descent takes us through some small villages to the Lolo River. There is a school at the bottom of the descent so be prepared for some excited children Today we hit 5252m, congratulations. Hotel in Shregar – an extremely picturesque location (4400m).
Distance: 
75km.
Day: 
12
Today we start turning our sights on Mount Everest. A nice descent to start the day but the terrain abruptly turns very rugged with our first day of unpaved roads. Yes, the Pang La pass (5200m) awaits and its infamous 42 switchbacks to get to the top. This is the great reward day. At the top is the most spectacular view of the Himalayas with most of its highest peaks surrounding Everest, now right in front of you. Pray for a clear day. A nice fast descent through more switchbacks (construction workers got paid by switchback) takes us through traditional small villages and scenes of their hearty inhabitants. Stop for Yak tea with them if you desire. We camp at the bottom in Rongbuk Valley (4200m) surrounded by nothing but beauty. Camp.
Distance: 
67km.
Day: 
13
Short day today. From the confines of Rongbuk ValLey we head to Rongbuk Monastery, the worlds highest. A gradual climb through little villages and jagged snow capped mountains. Everest is closer at every turn. We camp at Rongbuk Monastery (5010m) with Everest upon you. Restaurant and warmth in the monastery.
Distance: 
35km.
Day: 
14
It is only a 17km day but what a day. Today you enjoy the ride to Mount Everest base camp where the king sits on his throne. A day most tourists drive to get there. This day you earned, and it's all yours. Enjoy it, grasp it, savour it. A bottle of high altitude bubbly, well chilled, courtesy of OBR awaits. Cheers. Stay as long as you want as we have a rest day at the Monastery over warm cups of Yak tea (you can add what ever you want to spirit up the moment). Camp Rongbuk Monastery.
Distance: 
17km.
Day: 
15
Today’s destination is Tingri (4340m). There is no let-down from Everest as you are still surrounded by the Himalayas and we have or wildest days riding ahead. There’s the option of doing some excellent rocky single track to start the day with faster smoother tracks at the bottom and a couple of river crossings. This leads to our most off-piste day as we cross the Himalyas on some superb off road tracks. Vehicles have it a little rougher. We reach a max of 5100m and then descend onto sections of flowing dirt tracks and stream crossings as you watch the barren plains near Tingri approach. We rejoin our paved friend, the Friendship Highway and ride into town. A great day’s riding. There is an option most people take and that’s the local hot springs.
Distance: 
76km.
Day: 
16
Surprise, another pass today but the Lalung Pass is only 4340m so your La-lungs will be fine. The ride to it is flat (possible headwinds though) and a coasting downhill to camp. We camp in the valley half way between Lalung pass and Cross Thang pass. Another majestic campsite.
Distance: 
75km.
Day: 
17
Crossing Thang Pass (5150m). It is our last Tibetan pass and, ho hum, another mind-blowing view of the Himalayas. Enjoy your last view from so high up. We descend a switchback (mountain bikers can take the shortcut trails between them) as the terrain becomes undulating with possible headwinds. You can even cross a span bridge over a gorge just for kicks. But after this tough start you get the greatest reward a biker can get. The world’s longest downhill of over a 4,200m drop. Pure, pure downhill. Pure rush. Pull the rip-cord and enjoy. We leave the Tibetan Plateau and descend over bridges, through stream crossings, past waterfalls. As we cross into Nepal the surroundings change to dense jungle, mountains covered in trees, Nepalese countryside and warm air. Stay in Zhangmu. Hotel.
Distance: 
117km.
Day: 
18
Ride to Dhulikel on undulating, jungle-laden roads and signs of Nepalese life and culture. There is just one climb left to get to town and the party. It is 25km (1535m). Short sleeve shirts are back on. Beautiful riding. Hotel and party.
Distance: 
97km.
Day: 
19
A meandering 35km ride through rolling countryside takes us to the finish and transport into Kathmandu. Savour these last 35kms and remember what you did to get there. Hotel and a huge dinner at a local restaurant.
Day: 
20+
Fly out or remain as long as you want to enjoy this incredible city and Nepal.

The tour starts in mystical and magical Lhasa (3500m above sea level), the ancient city and former home to past Dali Lama's. We acclimatize here (yes, it’s mandatory) for 3 days before heading across the Tibetan Plateau. The terrain is stunning and peaceful, and the road has recently been paved. We will head through several high mountain passes with the highest being 5200m. Except for a few blips, the whole trip ranges from 4000m to 5200m with no shortage of stunning peaks and well-earned downhills.

Each incredible mountain pass promises a majestic view of the Himalayas where all you will hear is the sound of prayer flags talking in the wind to these great mountains. A Yak or two might chirp in as well.

Stopping off at local monasteries, crossing span bridges, passing by icy green plateau lakes, the road leads us to Rongbuk. This is home to the world’s highest monastery and our base to ride to Mount Everest Base camp.

Peaking here we eventually get back on the paved highway and a few days later roll down the world’s longest downhill of over 4,200 meters as we let go of the plateau and head to the warmer, lush jungle confines of Nepal and Kathmandu.

ITINERARY
Riding days--16
Acclimatizing days in Lhasa--3
Kathmandu--1+ whatever you want