Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu
| country: | Nepal, Tibet |
| trip type: | Challenging / hard core mountain biking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 29 Sep |
| price: | From €1550 (24 days) excluding flights. Price depends on number of travellers. Includes transfer, sightseeing and entry fees in Lhasa, transport, accommodation, guide. Flight costs: Kathmandu-Lhasa €255 or Chengdu-Lhasa €195. Tibet visa cost: €35 |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
check out similar holiday ideas...
introduction to Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu
One of the most strenuous bike trips in the world with six 5000 meter plus passes.
Spectacular scenery, challenging riding and encounters with one of the world's most fascinating cultures make this a truly incredible experience.
Spectacular scenery, challenging riding and encounters with one of the world's most fascinating cultures make this a truly incredible experience.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. On day 2 a full day tour introduces to some of the wonders of Kathmandu.ORChengdu, the bustling capital of Sichuan Province is home to some of the best (and spiciest!) food in the world. It is also a city of temples, gardens and teahouses. An early morning visit to the Breeding and Research Center sees the magnificent Giant Pandas and Red Pandas at their most active. In the evening discover a little of Sichuan's rich cultural heritage at a tea-house performance of opera, acrobatics, puppetry and 'changing faces'. |
| Day 3: | The flight to Lhasa is spectacular. From Gongkar airport it is about 1½ hours' drive to Lhasa, first along the Yarlung Tsangpo then into the Kyi Chu Valley. |
| Day 4-6: | With a relaxed pace to allow for the effects of altitude, explore this fantastic city on the roof of the world. The spiritual heart of Tibet is the Jokhang Temple and every morning is full of life as pilgrims bring offerings of butter and barley flour. The Potala Palace rises above the city and, more than any other sight, symbolizes the history and culture of Tibet. Nearby are the huge monastic universities of Drepung and Sera – still active institutions. |
| Day 7-10: | Long, tough yet scenic days lead across the Khamba La and Kora La (passes), along the shores of Lake Yamdrok Tso to Gyantse. Once an important trading town, Gyantse retains a feel of 'old' Tibet. |
| Day 11-12: | In the morning visit Gyantse's monastery – Pelkor Choede – and the justifiably famous Kumbum, within the same complex. There may also be time to visit the dzong (fort) that towers above the town. In the afternoon we ride along the valley to Shigatse. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Its numerous halls contain a 21.6-meter wooden statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten. The afternoon is free to explore the old market, or perhaps visit the carpet factory where hand-woven carpets are made to traditional designs. |
| Day 13-14: | Two days take you across the Yulung La (4950m) and the highest pass of the trip, the 5220-meter Gyatso-La to Xegar. |
| Day 15-17: | Turn off the Friendship Highway for a stunning ride through Qomolangma Nature Preserve to the top of the 5200m Pang-La (pass) for a superb panoramic view from Manaklu to Shishapangma. Then it's a downhill stretch to Tashidzom. As we climb barley fields give way to barren valleys of glacial debris. Finally reach the tiny Rhongphu Gompa at 5000m. The view from here is utterly spectacular! It is then 7 kilometers to Base Camp at 5200m. |
| Day 18-19: | Heading back to the Friendship Highway and on to Lao Tingri for a last glimpse of the great mountain. |
| Day 20-21: | Another two high passes give a last, spectacular view of the Himalaya before we leave the Tibetan Plateau, descending to Zhangmu – on the China-Nepal border. |
| Day 22-23: | Completing border formalities the ride back to Kathmandu continues down the Bote Koshi valley. |
| Day 24 | Depart |
traveller reviews for Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu
The bicycle riding was wonderful. We covered 45-60 miles every day and I enjoyed the physical exercise very much. The Nepalese camp crew and cook were awesome -- they worked hard to make our trip so enjoyable. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
Project for the Blind commenced in 1998 in Lhasa with the opening of the first rehabilitation and training center for the blind in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Groups are encouraged to visit and make contributions both through interaction and financial. The main goal is the integration and acceptation of the blind in the Tibetan society, through the four major projects:
Whilst remote schools are financially supported by the government access to learning materials is often restricted by access to cities to purchase supplies. In some villages, eg Samye, leaders have developed relations with schools and purchase materials (exercise books, pencils etc) in Lhasa for delivery to the school. This is administered on an order taken on one visit, materials delivered next visit basis to ensure schools receive exactly what they need (learning to write in 3 very different scripts means differently ruled exercise books for each). Groups are offered the option to contribute to or cover the cost of such purchases. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
check out similar holiday ideas...