Central Tibet Biking Tour

Welcome to Tibet! Your local guide will meet you at the airport or railway station and drop you off at the hotel. For the first couple of days, take it easy and drink lots of water to help acclimate—you want a healthy body for the epic journey ahead!

Enjoy your first Tibetan breakfast and prepare for a short bike journey around the city. Get your bike fitted and head out for some sightseeing. First, you’ll visit Potala Palace, an ancient site built in 637 by the first king of Tibet, which was later expanded for the Dalai Lamas to stay during the winter. In the afternoon, cycle to Jokhang Monastery thought to be the centre of Tibetan Buddhism and the destination for many pilgrimages. Take time in the evening to check out the open market on Barkhor Street to browse the local handicrafts and delicacies.

Once you’ve filled up on breakfast, ride to the outskirts of the city to explore the Parla Lupu Cave Monastery built on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain. The panoramic views of Lhasa below will be worth the effort. Visit Norbulinka, the Dalai Lamas’ summer residence, then head to the Sera Monastery with fragrant roses planted everywhere. Over 200 monks live here, and this afternoon, you will witness the public “Buddhism scripture debates,” which are integral to monks’ education. Return to Lhasa for a good rest to prepare for a big ride tomorrow.

After breakfast, you begin your cycle tour through central Tibet. Today’s highlight has been listed as one of the coolest places to visit, so get your camera ready! After riding a gentle incline through landscapes of hills, prayer flags, and big skies, you’ll reach Yangbajing Hot Spring. You’ll immediately notice its inviting steaminess and vivid blue hue. Rejuvenate your body with a visit at this natural geothermal wonder, then continue to set up camp for the night.

Get a feel for rural Tibet on today’s route through highland gravel roads, alpine meadows, and agricultural land where you’re sure to see herdsmen completing their daily tasks. Reach the base of Xuegula Pass at 4800 m / 15,748 ft near Xuegula Mountain, the location of one of the world’s highest cycling races a few years ago. You’ll camp under the stars again tonight.

Start the day with an ascent to traverse Xuegula Pass, reaching 5010 m / 16,437 ft. You’ll climb into the mountains here and see many snow-capped peaks surrounding you. A stop next to Xuegula Glacier will mark the highlight of today. Set up camp among the cliffs and sleep under the stars.

Explore some remote Tibetan villages on today’s ride, one with a remarkable fact. After breakfast, bike over Donggu La Pass, the descend into Takster Village. Takster Village is the birthplace of the 14th Dalai Lama. Immerse in the spiritual scenery of rolling green hills, prayer flags, and stupas. Your guide will lead you to the campsite for the night.

After breakfast, the route starts with a descent from Takster Village towards the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Follow your guide turning right onto Highway G318, a stretch of road that begins in Shanghai. Bike through the breathtaking Yarlung Tsangpo Valley with a snowy mountain backdrop against a vivid blue-green river and tall peaks around you. Complete today’s journey visiting the Yongzhong Ling Monastery and witness the monks practicing their rituals. Camp for the night in a beautiful spot among nature.

The route today will feel light and easy compared to some in the past few days. Head from camp towards Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet with 40,000 inhabitants. Once you arrive, meander through the Tashilunpo Monastery, where they practice the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. A remarkable giant Buddha statue guards the premises that contain the tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama (thought to be the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha). In the afternoon, get to know the Shigatse inhabitants by visiting the local market, browsing their handicrafts, and tasting local cuisine. Head back to the hotel for the night.

After breakfast, bike along the Nianchu River on a moderately flat road gaining a little elevation as you get closer to Gyantse. On the way to the hotel for the night, stop at the Pelkhor Monastery, home to Kumbum Stupa, a pagoda representing 100,000 Buddhas. It’s a beautiful complex that has an 8-metre-high copper statue of Buddha inside the centre of the grand temple. Find tranquility here before settling into the hotel for the night.

Start the day with a steady incline from Gyantse and over Simila Pass at 4353 m / 14,255 ft. From this pass, you’ll have an incredible vantage point overlooking Manla Reservoir, an artificial lake with stunning blue water among dry hills, recognized as the first dam in Tibet. From the viewpoint, you’ll descend to Manla Reservoir for an up-close look before continuing along the Niandui River until stopping to camp for the night.

Rise early and have a hot cup of tea as you soak in your surroundings. The views will continue to impress you, even 12 days into your journey. Starting with an ascent after breakfast, you will cross a mountain pass and come upon Karola Glacier, one of Tibet’s three major glaciers and the eastern source of the Nianchu River. You’ll ride among some great peaks, including one of Tibet’s sacred mountains, Naichenkang Sang Peak. The journey heads downhill towards the stunning Yamdrok Lake. You’ll set up camp here and explore the area tomorrow.

Have a hearty breakfast and prepare for an undulating and rewarding ride. After you pass Kampala Pass, stop at an observation deck that overlooks Yamdrok Lake, a pristine vivid blue lake. Don’t be surprised to see black yaks and locals walking its shores. Pedal on a quick downhill towards the Yarlung Tsangpo River, then you’ll cycle through the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley until crossing a bridge to reach Chushur on the other side.

Rise early to get a jump start on the long ride ahead—this will be the longest of the tour, but the scenery will keep you going. The route leads you through the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, which has breathtaking views of snowy mountains in the background, earth-toned hills next to you, and vivid blue river water in the middle. Reach Tsetang and settle into the hotel for the night.

Congrats! You’ve been cycling across central Tibet for over two weeks. Today’s sightseeing tour includes a ride across the Yajiang Bridge to reach the impressive Samye Monastery built on Habori Mountain. This monastery, founded in the 8th century, holds much history as the first temple built in Tibet. It has architectural influences from India and the Han people. When you’ve completed your tour of the monastery, bike back to Tsetang for one more night.

Have breakfast and fuel up for your last full day of riding. Today, you’ll visit two religiously and historically significant places between Tsetang and Gongga. First, stop at the Trandruk Monastery, recognized as one of the oldest temples in Tibet. Then, continue to Yumbulhakang Palace, a gorgeous architectural feat on the peak of Tashi Cishan Mountain. This magnificent palace is the first of its kind in Tibetan history. Cycle to Gongga to spend your last night before departure tomorrow.

Enjoy a final breakfast in Tibet before heading to the airport or railway station for the next leg of your journey. Pack your souvenirs and camera full of epic photographs from this journey.