Lhasa to Everest Biking Adventure

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3658m)

On arrival you will be met by our local Tibetan guide. You will be presented with a khata (a white scarf which is a symbol of good luck and happiness in Tibetan culture). The drive to our hotel takes about two hours. Later this afternoon you will have time to explore the local area and acclimatize to the high altitude.

• Accommodation: Tibetan style hotel
• Sleeping altitude: 3514m
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 2: Lhasa

A free day with the option to go to the Sera monastery. One of Tibet’s ‘great three’ university monasteries, Sera was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty. It was named Sera, meaning rose, because the hill behind it was covered in wild roses in bloom when it was undergoing construction. This afternoon we see Lhasa’s principal landmark: The Potala Palace, a structure of immense proportions. First built in 641, since them it has been expanded many times. Nothing can compare to your first sight of this ‘wonder of the world’

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Sleeping altitude: 3514m
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Lhasa

In the morning you have the option to visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet. Pilgrims from all over Tibet trek here to worship. To Tibetans the Jokhang is the most important and most sacred temple in Tibet. Along with the Potala Palace it is part of a UNESCO world heritage site and a popular tourist destination in Lhasa. This afternoon we can prepare our bikes in preparation for the next day.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Sleeping altitude: 3514m
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Lhasa to the base of the Khamba pass

The Lhasa to Everest biking tour starts today. We leave our hotel in convoy out of Lhasa, stopping outside the Potala Palace for a group photograph to mark the start of our epic journey. Once outside Lhasa you can take advantage of the flat roads and go at your own pace, with the opportunity to stretch your legs and get warmed up for the climbs to come! The route follows the deep green water of the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River), with hills forming a picturesque backdrop as we head towards Chusul. The road pulls away from the river as we pass a recently constructed bridge and tunnel to the Lhasa airport and gain our first views of snow-capped mountains ahead.

After stopping for lunch, it’s onwards to Daga where we cross over to the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River; the highest major river in the world, with an average elevation of about 4000 meters. The route continues on the south bank some 10 km to our camp at the base of the Khamba pass. Take a short walk to the river to freshen up before dinner is served by our cooks.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3617m
• Sleeping Altitude: 3608m
• Distance: 84.5km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Base of the Khamba pass to Nakartse

Today marks the first of our major climbs – 23 km to the Khamba pass at 4807m. The climb is eased by recent tarmac surfacing of the road, but it will still be a tough day’s cycling as our bodies continue to adapt to the high altitude. You will be rewarded for your exertions on this morning’s challenging climb with the sight of the stunning, turquoise waters of the sacred Yamdrok Lake. You will also be treated to views of the snow-capped Nazin Kang Sa (7252m) in the distance. We now make a fast descent (500 m) to the lake below and onto the Tibetan Plateau. We will stop for lunch after about 5km. This afternoon we complete the last 38 km into camp along flat but tough terrain.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4807m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4296m
• Distance: 73.5km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Nagartse to Lungmar

As we leave our camp today on the tarmac road we head west and climb to cross the Karo La (5032m). The first of the passes above 5000m, it is a challenging but enjoyable ride to the top, from where you will see an imposing glacier. Karo La is where Francis Younghusband fought a battle with Tibetans in 1903 to reach Lhasa.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5032m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4516m
• Distance: 52.1km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Lungmar to Gyantse

Today begins with a gentle climb of 15km to the top of the Simi La followed by an easy ride of 35km, mostly downhill to Gyantse. The town is home to some magnificent military and religious sights dating back to the 15th century. The most famous of its monasteries is Kumbum, a gold-topped pyramid barely touched by the passage of time and one of the most spectacular buildings in Tibet. You will be free this afternoon to enjoy looking around Gyantse.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Maximum Altitude: 4516m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4048m
• Distance: 59km
• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8: Gyantse to Shigatse

A comfortable ride on a nice tarmac road to Shigatse. As we follow the Nyang Chu River, we turn one corner after another along a series of bends in the road. Unlike other segments in this trip, we will be on a flat road all day long.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Maximum Altitude: 4048m
• Sleeping Altitude: 3852m
• Distance: 93.4km
• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9: Rest Day in Shigatse

Today is a rest day, with the option of a tour of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery led by our Tibetan guide. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lamas, the second most important spiritual lineage in Tibet. It was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447 and is one of the four great monasteries of Central Tibet.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Maximum Altitude: 3852m
• Sleeping Altitude: 3852m
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Shigatse to the base of the Tso pass

We leave Shigatse in convoy, climbing steadily up 125m in the first 8km at the start of a long day’s cycling. After some 35km we cross the barely discernable Tso La pass (4050m). The undulating terrain takes us through a landscape of fields where children will shout “Hello!” and run to greet you if you stop to take a break. The surrounding mountains close in on us as we enter into a river valley before reaching our camp a short distance before the Tso pass.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4160m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4160m
• Distance: 95.5km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Base of Tso Pass to base of Gyatso Pass

A steady 8km climb takes us to the Tso pass (4580m), followed by a fast downhill descent of 425m over 29km, and a flat stretch into Lhatse. Lhatse is reminiscent of a Wild West frontier town; children here are both friendly and inquisitive and not afraid to interact with us strangely dressed cyclists! We head out of Lhatse and into the Chusar Chu valley, where we camp at a very picturesque spot along the riverside.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4533m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4145m
• Distance: 64.5km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Base of Gyatso La to Shegar

The day starts with a 24km climb on sealed roads to the highest pass of the trip – the Gyatso La (5220m). You will be rewarded with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains on either side of the pass and the offer of a cup of Yak milk tea from the solitary tent alongside the fluttering prayer flags. We will then drop down 10km out of the wind to our lunch stop. The gradual descent takes us through small villages and past stupas down to the Lolo River. You may be greeted by excited children from a roadside school at the foot of the descent before you reach camp at a picturesque site next to the river.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5253m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4408m
• Distance: 65.7km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: Shegar to Tashi Dzong

A fast descent from camp takes us through a checkpoint and to the turn-off for the highlight of the tour: Everest! The early morning sun softens the rugged appearance of the landscape, bathing the snow-dusted mountains around us in light. The terrain changes abruptly as we leave the main road towards Everest. The switchback-climb to the top of the Pang La (5200m) is slow going. On a clear day you will enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas at the top of the pass, with Everest directly in front of you. Another fast descent of endless hairpin bends takes us through settlements where local people group together in the fields drinking Yak milk tea and making bricks. We drop further onto an almost desert-like valley floor surrounded by rugged mountains cycling on to our campsite for the night.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5205m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4213m
• Distance: 80.km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Tashi Dzong to Rongbuk

We climb gradually through villages where children rush to greet us. They may even be keen to take a test-ride on your bike! Jagged snow-capped peaks confront us as we start our climb to Rongbuk. Your anticipation will increase at every turn as the prospect of seeing Everest draws ever closer. We reach our camp just beyond the monastery at Rongbuk, the awe-inspiring backdrop of Everest is a just reward for the challenges of the last few days

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5009m
• Sleeping Altitude: 5009m
• Distance: 33.1km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp – to the bottom of the pass

We embark on the final leg of our journey and reach our closest point to Everest Base Camp. A steady 8km ride takes us to the base of the North Face for a truly spiritual experience – simply unforgettable.

We return to Rongbuk for lunch and then cycle back down the valley, retracing our tracks from the previous day. For the more technically minded riders there are some excellent sections of stony single track, with Everest as your backdrop! Faster smoother tracks wait at the bottom of the descent with the option to cross a couple of streams as we turn left from our original path towards our camp by the river’s edge. Our Lhasa to Everest biking tour ends here.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5168m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4350m
• Distance: 32km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16: Drive to Shigatse

Return to Shigatse by car.

• Accommodation: Gesar Hotel
• Maximum Altitude: 5101m
• Sleeping Altitude: 4355m
• Distance: 390km
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17: Drive to Lhasa

Follow the Yarlung Tsangpo River back to Lhasa.

• Distance: 280km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 18: Transfer to airport or train station

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