Lhasa-Mt Everest-Kathmandu (biking) 16 days
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This is a classic mountain-biking route. There are six major passes to be negotiated on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu highway running southward.
On the entire trip the road travels a high and dry plateau, punctuated by Tibet’s signature monasteries, several smaller settlements and nomadic encampments.
Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa.
Altitude: 3,658m
Get transferred to Lhasa city and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 02: Lhasa sightseeing.
Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhore Streets. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 03: Lhasa sightseeing.
Bike tour in Lhasa, warm up and prepare for the long ride. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 04: Lhasa-near Kambala.
Altitude:3,658m-4,000m
Est. Distance: 100km
Road Conditions: mostly tar road
Bike towards Kambala Pass, about 6-7 hours. Camping.
Day 05: Kambala-Yamdroktso-Pede Dzong.
Altitude: 4,000m-4,488m-4,500m
Est. Distance: 250km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road
Bike over Khambala Pass and descent towards Yamdroktso, about 6-7 hours. Camping
Day 06: Pede Dzong-Karola-Simila.
Altitude: 4,500m-5,045m-4,200m
Est. Distance: 80km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road
Bike over Karola Pass, followed by Simila Pass, about 6 hours. Camping
Day 07: Simila-Gyantse.
Altitude: 4,200m-3,950m
Est. Distance: 75km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road, tar road to Gyantse
Bike to Gyantse town, about 4-5 hours. In the afternoon, visit Gyantse Kumbum. Overnight in Gyantse.
Day 08: Gyantse-Shigatse.
Altitude: 3,950-3,900m
Est. Distance: 98km
Road Conditions: tar road
Bike to Shigatse, about 6 hours. Overnight in Shigatse
Day 09: Shigatse.
Altitude: 3,900m
A whole day rest and sightseeing in Shigatse. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery and stroll around in the local market. Overnight in Shigatse
Day 10: Shigatse-Lhatse.
Altitude: 3,900-4,050m
Est. Distance: 145km
Road Conditions: gravel road
Bike to Lhatse, about 7 hours. Camping
Day 11: Lhatse-Tingri.
Altitude: 4,050m-4,390m
Est. Distance: 105km
Road Conditions: gravel road
Bike over the highest pass of this trip at Gyatsola 5,220m and descent towards Tingri, about 6 hours. Overnight in Tingri
Day 12: Tingri-Base Camp.
Altitude: 4,390m-5,200m
Est. Distance: 100km
Road Conditions: bumpy and broken mountain road
Bike to Base Camp, about 7 hours. Overnight at Base Camp
Day 13: Base Camp-Tingri.
Back to Tingri and overnight.
Day 14: Tingri-Lalungla.
Altitude: 4,390m-5,120m
Est. Distance: 100km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road
Bike over Lalungla Pass, about 6-7 hours. Camping
Day 15: Lalungla-Nyalam
Altitude: 5,120m-3,750m
Est. Distance: 100km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road
Bike to the moist green town Nyalam, about 6 hours. Camping.
Day 16: Nyalam-Zhangmu-Kodari-Kathmandu.
Altitude: 3,750m-2,300m-1,300m
Est. Distance: 40km
Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road
Bike downwards the border town Zhangmu, about 2 hours. Cross the border, get picked up at Kodari, Nepal’s border town, drive to Kathmandu.