This 16 days tour will take you from Lhasa in the heart of Tibet to Mount Everest. On the way you will see some of the most important highlights of Tibet: Brahmaputra River, Yamdrok Lake, Phelku Tso lake, Karola Glaciers, and mountains of the Himalayan Range. You will also explore Tibetan Buddhist places: Gyantse Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, and Rongbuk – the highest monastery in the world.
KEY FACTS
Main Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Barkhor Street, Yamdrok Lake, Pelkor Chode Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Tashi Lumpo Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery.
Duration: 16 days
Maximum Elevation: Gyatso La Pass 5,248 m/ 17,200 ft
Best Time to Travel: April through November
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival in Lhasa
You arrive at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the train station. The airport is 62 km/ 39 miles away from the city, and it takes approximately one hour to get to the hotel from there. On the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy beautiful views of the mountains. The train station is located in Lhasa, and you will only need a short transfer to the hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have some free time to spend in Lhasa. Our guides will be happy to advise you on what you can do with your time in Lhasa. Remember, that Lhasa is located at 3,650 meters/ 12,000 ft above sea level and you will need some time to acclimatize.
After you check in the hotel, you are welcome to explore the city, visit nearby temples, do some shopping, try delicious Tibetan food in one of the local restaurants, or just take a rest.
Walking around Barkhor Street can be an excellent choice for your first day in Lhasa. You will join crowds of pilgrims, local Tibetans, and monks circumambulating the Jokhang Temple.
Most importantly, on your first day in Tibet, be sure to relax, enjoy your day and allow some time for acclimatizing.
Day 2. Lhasa City Tour: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
This tour visits the two most important religious sites in Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 17th century. First, the guide will take you to the Chak Pori Hill to take photos of the majestic Palace. We will then go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours there. While there, you will see many of its most famous artifacts.
There will be free time for lunch after visiting the Potala Palace.
Time permitting, you can walk around the Potala Palace and join many of the local Tibetans.
Next, we will walk towards the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue – the statue of the 12-year-old Buddha before his enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when the historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.
After visiting the temple, we recommend taking a walk around Barkhor Street.
Day 3. Lhasa City Tour: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
We are visiting the two most important monasteries in the capital.
We will first visit Drepung Monastery, which once was the largest monastery in the world with over 10,000 monks living there. It was the residence of Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built.
There will be free time for lunch after the Drepung Monastery.
In the afternoon we are visiting Sera Monastery. It was founded by Tsongkhapa’s disciple in the 15th century. Nowadays it is famous for monks’ debate that you can witness. Debates are a very important part of learning and understanding Buddhism. Monks gather in the courtyard in the shade of the trees to refine their knowledge.
Day 4. Lhasa City to the foot of Kambala pass
Distance: 85 km
Accommodation: camping
Today we start our cycling tour. The first day will be short to warm up before the long journey. We will head towards the Friendship Highway that runs across the Tibetan plateau. The road we take is smooth and the elevation is approximately consistent.
Once we leave Lhasa, you will cycle by the impressive Buddha Rock Carving, and along the beautiful Lhasa River ( Lhasa Kyichu) and Brahmaputra River to the foot of the Kamba La Pass (3700 m).
Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) is one of the longest rivers in Tibet. It is also a holy river. It originates in Mount Kailash region, the holiest mountain for Buddhists and Hindu. That’s why Tibetans and Hindus believe that the Brahmaputra is a holy river.
We will set us our camping tent at the foot of Kamba La pass.
Day 5. Cycling towards Yamdrok Lake via Kamba La Pass
Distance: 55 km
Accommodation: camping
In the morning we have to cross the first high pass on our way. Power up for the steep climb uphill to reach the Kamba La Pass (4794 meters). The zigzagging road overlooks beautiful valley and mountains and is decorated with thousands of prayer flags. Before we reach the top of the hill, prepare to take photos of the breathtaking views.
After taking a short break at the top, enjoying the view, we start descending. First, we will get a sweeping view of the Yamdrok lake (4490m). It is one of the holy lakes in Tibet, and it is famous for its turquoise-colored water. We will continue cycling along the lake until we reach its shore. We will camp there overnight.
Day 6. From Yamdrok Lake to Karo La Pass
Distance: 54 km
Accommodation: camping
In the morning, you can walk around the Yamdrok lake and enjoy the sunrise.
After that, we will continue our cycling journey along the Friendship highway through mountain ranges towards the foot of the Karo La Pass (4750m). The road goes slowly up the hill towards the pass.
We will camp there for a night.
Day 7. From Karo La Pass to Gyantse
Distance: 80 km
Accommodation: hotel in Gyantse
Today we have to start early in the morning to cross our second high pass – Karo La Pass (5010 m). You will get a wonderful view of thousands of years old glaciers over 6000 meters high. If we reach the glaciers early, you will explore it before other tourists reach this area.
After that, we will head towards Gyantse (3980m), an old town with a rich history.
Day 8. Cycling from Gyantse to Shigatse
Distance: 94 km
Accommodation: hotel in Shigatse
In the morning we will visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, the largest stupa in Tibet. The Kumbum stupa was built in the 14th century. The stupa has nine levels, 108 cells, and 75 chapels. You can visit the inside of the stupa and go up as you can get a nice view of the town, monastery complex, mountains and surrounding fort from one of the higher levels. The statues inside the Pelkor Chode Monastery are special for this region. You can also see an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
From the monastery area you can get a great view on the Gyantse Dzong. The fort is topping the mountain.
After that, we will cycle to Shigatse. It is Tibet’s second-largest city. The distance is a little longer than in the previous days, however, the road is nice and flat.
Day 9. From Shigatse to Gyachung Town
Distance: 75 km
Accommodation: camping
In the morning we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lamas. The monastery complex is large, and it houses the largest statue of the Future Buddha in the world.
After that we will continue our journey through two mountain passes and several Tibetan villages towards Gyachung Town.
We will camp near the Gyachung Town.
Day 10. Gyachung Town to Lhatse
Distance: 95 km
Accommodation: camping
Today we will cycle along the highway through gorgeous valleys. Prepare to cross the Tso-La pass (4350m) on the way. It is a relatively easy road uphill. After crossing the pass, we will continue riding along the highway.
In the afternoon, we will cycle towards Lhatse, We will pass hot springs, police checkpoint. After we pass Lhatse, we will drive about 10km further, and camp outside of the town near the foot of Gyatso-la pass .
Day 11. From Lhatse to Shegar
Distance: 75 km
Accommodation: hotel in Shegar
We start our day cycling from the foot of the pass (3,900 m) over the Gyatso-La Pass (5248m). It is a strenuous uphill ride. Gyatso-la pass is one of the highest points of our trip.
From the pass we can sometimes see nomad families with yaks and wild Tibetan Antelopes.
On the way down from the pass, you can see Mount Everest when the weather is clear.
After that we will cycle for another 40 km before reaching Shegar. This town is a popular stopover place for visitors heading to the Everest region.
Day 12. Shegar to Everest valley via Pang-la Pass
Distance: 67 km
Accommodation: camping
Today’s ride will be a little tough as the road condition is not as good as that of the past days. You will divert off the flat highway just outside of Shegar, then head towards the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
After passing through the border control point, you will face 20 kms of uphill zigzagging road with 42 bends before reaching the Pang-La Pass (5150m). Your reward will be some of the most magnificent views of Everest and surrounding peaks. If the wind is not too strong we will have our lunch break here. Enjoy lunch looking over Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks.
After lunch we will finish the day by cycling 20 km downhill towards Everest Rongpuk Valley (4300m), where we camp overnight.
Day 13. Everest valley to Rongbuk Monastery
Distance: 35 km
Accommodation: tent guesthouse or Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse
Today we are approaching one of the highlights of the tour- Everest Base Camp. It is also the highest point on our way at 5,200 meters above the sea level.
Stay overnight in the tent camp or in the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse (dorm beds). Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world and a highlight on its own.
Day 14. Return from Rongbuk to Shigatse by car
Depending on the weather conditions from the previous day, we might finish some of the activities that we were not able to do yesterday. After breakfast, we will head back to Shigatse.
Day 15. Driving from Shigatse to Lhasa
We will take the Friendship Highway on the way back to Lhasa. It is the most direct route and usually takes around six hours to reach the capital. We will make several stops on the way in order to enjoy the views of the Brahmaputra River. In the afternoon, you might have some free time to prepare for your departure the next day.
Day 16. Lhasa to Airport/Train station
Please prepare in advance for your departure. It takes approximately one hour to drive to the airport and around thirty minutes to reach the train station. We will arrive at the airport three hours before your departure flight if you are traveling to Nepal and two hours before any domestic flight.
TOUR INQUIRY
ALTITUDE ON THE TOUR
This cycling tour from Lhasa to Everest takes you on the roads of Tibetan Plateau, the highest plateau in the world. Even visiting Tibet as a tourist becomes difficult for some people because of the high altitude. For those, who want to cycle through Tibet, it becomes especially important to properly acclimatize for the altitude to enjoy their time in Tibet.
On the way from Lhasa to Nepal border you will cross several points above 5,000 meters: Gyatso la pass, Gyawu la Pass, and Gongthang la Pass. In addition, you will stay overnight near Rongbuk monastery at 5,050 meters above sea level. In addition, Tibetan mountain roads are often going up and down hills making many bends.
To acclimatize to the high altitude we spend the first 3 days of your tour in Lhasa at an elevation of 3,650 meters. After that we start cycling adventure slowly, increasing altitude only slightly on the fourth day of the tour. On the following days we will be following the classic “saw” principle, when we increase altitude during the daytime and descent for the night to rest and recover. Itinerary is designed to let you go up the highest passes early in the morning when you are full of energy, and cycle downhill or on flat roads in the afternoon.
PREPARE FOR THE TOUR
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