Lhasa to Kathmandu Mountain Bike Tour

Welcome to Tibet! Your guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. For your first couple of days, take it easy and drink lots of water to help acclimatize—you have an immense journey ahead!

Start your morning with a hearty Tibetan breakfast. When you’re finished eating, you’ll be set up with your bike for the adventure and test it out on a tour of the city. Visit Potala Palace, an ancient site built in 637 by the first king of Tibet, then expanded later to house the Dalai Lamas during the winter. In the afternoon, ride to Jokhang Monastery, recognized as the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, where many pilgrims continue to flock. When you have time in the evening, wander through the open market on Barkhor Street to browse the local handicrafts and delicacies.

After breakfast, you will ride outside of the city and visit the incredible Parla Lupu Cave Monastery perched on the side of Yaowang Mountain. The panoramic views of Lhasa below will be worth the effort. Next, you ride to visit Norbulinka, where the Dalai Lamas live in the summer. Visit another monastery in the afternoon that has roses all over its grounds. Among this fragrant place, 200 monks live, 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.

Prepare to cycle for about 6 hours today on mellow terrain as you climb and descend in a valley heading toward Chushur. Stop en route to visit a Tibetan Buddhist College, then visit the Nyetang Monastery, home to an impressive and colourful Buddha carved in the rock. Finish the day in Chushur and settle into a hotel for the night.

Today’s ride will take you to new heights, so make sure you eat well in the morning. The first leg of the ride is up a gradual incline to reach Gamba Zebo Village to take a break. Continue riding uphill as the slope gets steeper as you near Kampala Pass, where you will want to stop and snap pictures of the panoramic scenery. After you ride along Kampala Pass, come to an observation deck that overlooks Yamdrok Lake, a pristine vivid blue lake, likely with black yaks and locals walking its shores. Pedal on an undulating path the remainder of the way until you reach Baidi to set up camp for the night.

Rise early and have a hot cup of tea, and you soak in your surroundings. As you ride nearer to the Himalayas, the views get more impressive, starting today. You will cycle along Yamdrok Lake to the base of Karola and begin the ascent over Karola Pass. As you gain altitude, the mountain views will take your breath away (and not just from riding uphill!). On today’s ride, you can admire one of Tibet’s three major glaciers, Karola Glacier, the east source of the Nianchu River. You will cover decent ground today and arrive in Longma Village to camp after cycling 90 km.

Today’s ride is full of sightseeing en route. After breakfast, bike along hilly roads for about 10 kilometres until reaching Manla Reservoir, an artificial lake with stunning blue water among dry hills, recognized as the first dam in Tibet. Enjoy some flat terrain as you head towards Gyantse County. On the way to the hotel for the night, pause at the Pelkhor Monastery, home to Kumbum Stupa, which means 100-thousand Buddha pagoda. It’s a remarkable complex with an 8-metre-high copper statue of Buddha inside the grand temple’s centre. Fill your cup of zen before getting some rest for the night.

After breakfast, pack up your things and hop on your bike for a long, wonderful ride across this spiritual area of Tibet. The route will lead you alongside the Nianchu River on a relatively flat road. Pass through several spots dotted with the iconic prayer flags and make your way to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, with a population of 40,000. Take a rest when you arrive; you’ll be here for two nights and can explore the city tomorrow.

Give your biking legs a rest today and depart after breakfast to explore the many sights of Shigatse. Take some time to 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) and riches of jewels and gold. 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, it’s time to get back on the bike. Today’s ride is fairly lowkey, with a few climbs and descents—but absolutely breathtaking scenery. You will not get tired of these mountain views, prayer flags, yaks, and blue waters. Head to Jiding to set up camp for the night.

Once you’ve filled up on your morning meal, continue the ride among incredible Tibetan landscapes on a gently undulating route. You’ll pass by the unique K5000 milestone marking this distance on Highway G318 from Shanghai. Ascending from here, you’ll be awarded unbelievable views over Youlongla Pass as you ride through the Roof of the World. Set up camp in Youlongla.

Begin your day with a pleasant downhill ride to Lhatse, where two main national highways intersect. This long biking day includes traversing the highest pass on Highway G318, Gyastola Pass at 5260 m / 17,257 ft. Once you’re over this, you’re getting closer to Mount Everest as your elevation stays higher than the previous week and a half. Camp tonight once you reach Gyastola.

Today presents a challenging ride as you head into the Himalayas. Nearly two weeks into your tour from Lhasa, you will catch your first glimpse of the majestic Mount Everest—all this pedaling pays off! Continue riding through Tibetan townships until reaching Baiba to check into a simple hotel for the night. Everest tomorrow!

Wake up to fresh mountain air and hop on the bikes heading south to Mount Everest. After breakfast, you will ride for about 12 kilometres before turning to ascend Jawula Pass that reaches 5205 m / 17,077 ft. From here, you’ll gain magnificent views of the giant peaks comprising the most notable section of the Roof of the World: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, and Cho Oyu. The second half of the ride leads you downhill towards Tashi Dzong, where you’ll stay in a cozy guesthouse for the night.

After two weeks on your bike, you’re getting used to this lifestyle! Mount your bike after breakfast for an easy road ride towards Chhoe Dzong, then turn to head uphill to Everest’s second check-in point on the Tibetan side. In the afternoon, discover Rongbuk Monastery, the largest in the region. You’ll feel the mystical vibes as you explore this religious site among some of the tallest peaks in the world. Find a viewpoint in the evening to witness an unforgettable sunset over Mount Everest. Talk about once-in-a-lifetime! Stay in a nearby guesthouse for the night.

Wake up with enthusiasm knowing that you’ll be cycling next to Mount Everest for today’s path—almost unbelievable! The route is a gravel road and can be challenging on the bike, so take your time and make sure you get enough food and water at breakfast. Along the route, you’ll ride next to great snow-capped peaks, some of which are the tallest in the world. Despite feeling infinitesimal here, know that you’re partaking in this huge memorable journey for yourself. Be proud that you’ve made it this far! Sleep in a comfortable guesthouse tonight.

After eating in the morning, you’ll continue riding through the Roof of the World on a relatively flat road for most of the day. Cycle past the great Cho Oyu and Everest, admiring in awe of their imposing sizes and snowy slopes against beautiful blue skies. You will set up camp tonight and sleep under the stars.

It’s no surprise that the Roof of the World is a vast area. Today’s route will lead you further alongside the Himalayas on a relatively easy road. With no shortage of snow-capped peaks to stare at, you’ll feel as though you’re riding through a desktop screensaver of beautiful mountains! Spend another night in your tent, camping among protected nature.

After fuelling up on breakfast, prepare for a long but fulfilling day of riding. You’ll take an extended break at a stunning location today: Lake Paiku, the largest lake in Shigatse. Admire the reflections of enormous mountains around the lake, and keep your eyes out for wildlife like fish, wild horses and donkeys, and yellow ducks. Ride around the lake for a solid portion of today’s route, then head up Kongtanglamu Pass. Get some rest in a hotel tonight in Kyirong County City.

The Tibetan portion of the itinerary is nearing its end. After breakfast, you’ll have a wonderful break from challenging uphill riding with a descent of about 1500 m, allowing you to experience four seasons in a day. Starting from high alpine tundra, make your way through dense forests and end up in subtropical temperatures. Sleep in a quaint guesthouse for your last night in Tibet.

Bid farewell to your Tibetan guides and cross the border to meet your Nepalese guides. Once you’ve passed through customs, continue riding towards Kathmandu. You’ve left Everest behind, and with that, your route heads steadily downhill into the Kathmandu Valley. Make a well-earned stopover at Tatopani natural hot springs to soak your weary muscles after three weeks of riding. Settle into a local lodge in Dhunche for the night.

After three weeks of riding, your bike probably needs a tune-up. Your guides will help you fix your bike after breakfast to make sure it’s well-maintained for the last leg of the journey to Kathmandu. Today’s route is shorter than many of the previous days, and with the soak in the hot springs yesterday, you should be feeling refreshed. Stop at a hydroelectric dam on today’s route for an exciting look at Trishuli’s power source. Stay at a lodge in Trishuli for the night.

Rise early for breakfast and prepare to re-enter civilization at the end of the day. Today you’ll have to opportunity to note the differences between Tibet and Nepal as you ride into Kathmandu Valley, stopping at small villages along the way to say hello to the locals. This is your last full day on your bike, so enjoy it! Settle into a hotel in Kathmandu that might feel luxurious after so long on the road.

Good morning, Kathmandu! You have a full day of sightseeing in this hectic yet mystical city. Visit attractions like the Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu complex, and the Boudhnath Stupa, a beacon of Buddhist worship. Take some time to wander through Bhaktapur City, a well-preserved ancient city in the eastern part of the Kathmandu Valley. It’s known as the “City of Temples,” and you will see why when you visit. Indulge in some local cuisine for your final night in Kathmandu and celebrate all that you’ve accomplished over the last 24 days.

Enjoy your final breakfast and reminisce on the last 25 days—what a trip! You’ll have a transfer to the airport in time to check-in for your flight home, or wherever you’re heading next on your journey.