Lhasa Kathmandu Bike Tour

 Arrival at Lhasa(3658m)

Today you will arrive at the Lhasa airport or train station, where our guide and representative will receive you and there will escort you to the hotel in Lhasa. The journey will take about an hour to reach Lhasa from the airport and fifteen minute from train station. On the way to hotel we encourage the group not to cycle for the first day as it not good for you body since it been not properly acclimatize. After checking in to hotel, it is the rest day for proper acclimatization. We will be staying in Lhasa for next three nights.

 Sightseeing in Lhasa; visit to Jhokhang and Potala palace
Today is your first sightseeing day in Lhasa. In the morning we will be visiting the Jhokhang temple and you will be visiting the Potala palace in the afternoon. both the place are located in Lhasa and it near your hotel.

Jokhang Temple was builted in 647 by King Songtsen Gampo (r.617-49),  and his two foreign wives who are credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet. The king’s first wife, Princess Bhrikuti (married in the 630s), was the sister of the Nepalese king, while his second wife, Princess Wencheng (married 641), was the niece or daughter of the Chinese emperor. The temple house a sacred image of the Buddha, the Jowo Rinpoche, which Queen Wencheng brought with her from China as a dowry. This statue is still enshrined within the temple and is the holiest object in Tibet.

Potala palace was built by Tibetan king Songtsan Gampo and later rebuilt by fifth Dalai Lama. It was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until peaceful libiration in year 1959. Its builted on a rocky hill overlooking the city of Lhasa, the Potala Palace has a sturdy fortress-like appearance. It contains more than a thousand rooms spreading over an area of 1,300 feet by 1,000 feet. The stone walls are 16 feet thick at the base, but more finely constructed (without the use of nails) in the upper stories. The Potala Palace is made of two main parts, easily distinguished by their color: the Red Palace and White Palace. The two are joined by a smaller, yellow-painted structure that houses the sacred banners hung on the exterior for the New Year festivals. The rooms inside the palace are identified by numbers as well as names.

 Lhasa sightseeing; Drepung monastery, Norbulingkha and Sera monastery.

Today will probably be the first biking day in Tibet. We visit the Drepung monastery and Norbulingkha in the morning and we will be visiting the Sera monastery in the afternoon. Your entire travel will be within 10 km radius of the hotel and our guide will be cycling with you too.

Drepung monastery was founded in 1416; on the outskirts of Lhasa was once Tibet’s largest and most influential monastery, with over 10,000 monks. Today, Drepung houses about 700 monks and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world. Drepung is especially known as the site of the annual Shoton Festival, with its dramatic unfurling of a giant Thangka painting on the hillside. It was the home of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala palace was built in the 17th century. Resembling a heap of white rice from a distance, it was dubbed “Monastery of the Collecting-Rice” in Tibetan. The first floor of the Assembly Hall holds a striking statue of Dalai Lama XIII, magnificently lit by filtered sunshine and pungent yak butter lamps. Readings of the scriptures are often held here at midday, during which novices race one another to fetch tea from the kitchen for their elders. To the left (west) of the Assembly Hall is the kitchen, where butter tea is prepared and donations are accepted. The most revered image at Drepung is a 15m (49-ft.) tall statue of the 8-year old Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha), designed by Tsongkhapa and housed on the third floor of the main building. Visitors are offered holy water; to receive it, cup your right hand above your left, take a sip, and splash the rest on your head. Several courtyards in the forest around the monastery are used by the monks for debating the sutras (Buddhist scriptures). The winners of the debates can take a test to earn the senior degree of Geshi.

Norbu Lingka (means “The Jeweled Park”) is a palace and surrounding park in Lhasa, built from 1755. It served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai lamas, Norbulingka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique representation of Tibetan architecture. Norbulingka Palace is situated in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance to the southwest of Potala Palace. Norbulingka covers an area of around 36 hectares (89 acres) and considered to be the largest man made garden in Tibet. Norbulingka Park is considered the premier park of all such horticultural parks in similar ethnic settings in Tibet. During the summer and autumn months, the parks in Tibet, including the Norbulingka, become hubs of entertainment with dancing, singing, music and festivities. The park is where the annual Shun ton or ‘Yoghurt Festival’ is held. Norbulingka consists of several palace complexes, such as the Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang, Golden Linka and Takten Migyur Potrang built for different Dalai lamas. Each palace complex is divided into three sections – the palace section, the section in front of the palaces and the woods. Norbulingka both reflects the ethnical, religious features of the Tibetan people and embodies the architecture style. It is of great cultural value and was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001 as an extension of Potala Palace

Sera monastery is one of the great Gelugpa school of learning centre and famous debate session of monks on Buddhist sciences of philosophy, metaphysics, psychology and epistemology .The history of Sera monastery is strongly connected to master lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

 Biking around Lhasa
Today we will have short biking tour in the suburbs of Lhasa. This day is to get our entire team to get proper acclimatization to the high altitude.

 Ride to the foot of Khampa La (4794m, 80 km, 6-7 hrs)
This is the beginning of the our biking our outside Lhasa, we will be biking in the country side through barley fields and gradually we will be riding up to the slopes. The twist and turns through a village of mud house and pastoral farmlands. this gives you an opportunity to glimpse into the life of local villagers. Further ahead, the trail branches into a valley away from Tsangpo river and then we will ascend. You will reach our camp side on the rocky territory encompassing an area of 30 meters width and 100 meters height. After cycling for about 6-7 hours, you will eventually arrive at the foot of Khampa la(Pass) at the elevation of 4794 meter, which we  climb tomorrow..

 Bike across Khampa La (4794m) to Nagartse (4475m, 72km, 6-7 hrs)
Today we will face one pass and a Yamdrok lake. the climb on the Khamppa La pass would be though for you. If you find it hard to endure the hardship we have a stand by car which you can ride till the when you find it ok to continue. On the pass you will have a beautiful view of Yamdrok Lake and the Nanzin Kangsa (7552 km). we will continue to ride down to the Yamdrok Lake, Normadic flocks and grazing yak make it picture perfect view en route. After lunch, you will ride along the shore of the lake for another 40 km and we will camp over night at Nangar tse at the evelation of 4475 Meters.

 Bike to the foot of Simi La (4330m, 67km, 5-6 hrs)
Walking with the baking and howling sound of Tibetan Mastiff, we will begin paddling away from Nagartse and proceed towards a valley to the top of Carola passes at the attitude of 5050 meters and we will continue to decend towards Simi la through series of Tibetan villages.  We will camp for the night at the foot of Simi la.

 Bike across Simi La (4375m) to Gyantse (3950m, 35 km, 3-4 hrs)
Today we will endure a lesser hardship. We will paddling cross Simi la at 4375m and then we will make downhill ride into the bare valley of Gyantse. on our way to Gyantse we will face alot of religious site. In Gyantse we will visit the Gyantse monastery and the fort. For the night we will stay at a local Hotel

Gyantse is a small agricultural town is at 13, 050 ft above sea level and is famous for its wool carpets and palkhor choide chorten. The Palkhor Monastery built in 1427, is notable for its superb Kumbum (10,000 images)stupa, which has nice tiers and, according to the Buddhist tradition, 108 chapels. The lower tiers contain excellent murals.
A Kumbum (“One hundred thousand holy images”, is a multi-storied aggregate of Buddhist chapels in Tibet . It forms part of Palcho monastery. The first Kumbum was founded in the fire-sheep year 1427 by a Gyantse prince. It has nine lhakangs or levels, is 35 metres (115 ft) high surmounted by a golden dome, and contains 77 chapels which line its walls. Many of the statues were damaged during the Cultural revolution but have since been replaced with clay images, though they lack the artistic merit of the originals. The 14th century murals showing Newari and Chinese influences, survived much better.

 Tour Gyantse & bike to Shigatse (3900m, 90km 4-5 hrs)
Today we will visit the Gyantse monastery and the fort if we have missed it out yesterday and we will continue our ride to Shigatse. we will meet the Nyang Chu river on our way. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. It has been traditional seat of Panchen Lama and Tashi lhunpo monastery.

Tashilhunpo Monastery literary means Heap of glory, founded in 1447 by Gedun Drup the First Dalai lama is a historic and culturally important monastery next to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lmas, the second highest ranking Tulku (reincarnation) lineage in the Gelungpa tradition. Panchen Lama had temporal power over three small districts, though not over the town of Shigatse itself, which was administered by a dzongpön (prefect) appointed from Lhasa.

 Tour & rest day in Shigatse
This is the rest day in Shigatse. we will be visiting the Tashi Lhunpo monastery and the summer palace of the Panchen Lama. After visiting these two places we will have a rest day to prepare our self for more adventure ahead. Our entire team are encourage to explore the city on your own for more fun and adventure.

 Bike to the foot of Tso La (4290m, 106 km, 8-9 hrs)
Today we will depart from Shigatse and head towards the Tsola pass. The road are little bumpy, loose and dirty, you may find the ride strenuous. Following the friendship Highway we will start to ascend towards the Tsola pass. For the night we will camp at the foot to the Tsola pass.

Bike across Tso La (4500m) to the foot of Gyamtso La (4630m, 70 km, 5-6 hrs)
Today after a enduring the uphill ride for 8km brings us to the top of Tso-la pass. At the pass you will have clear view of the main Himalaya range. After the stop at the pass we will continue our tour downhill towards the town of Lhatse. after a lunch at the river side, we will continue pursuing towards Gyamtsola pass at the 4630m and we will camp for the night at about 15 km from the pass.

 Bike across Gyamtso La (5220m) to Shegar (4050m, 65 km, 7-8 hrs)
Day begins with 15 km paddling up to the Gyamtso la. From the pass it a steep ride downhill with stunning view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. paddling across the Tibetan settlement, Normadic herdmen make our journey more adventurous. After paddling the small town of Sheger, we will paddle few more kilometers to reach our campsite. 

 Bike across Pang La (5150m,) to Choesang (4455m, 60 km, 6-7 hrs)
Today our path will derive from the main road towards Everest base camp. The biggest hurdle of the day will be the ride to Pangla pass at 5150 meters above sea level. Approximately 2-3 hours peddling along the dirt road into the north side of Everest base camp brings you to top of Pang la.  The view from the top of the pass gives you a stunning view of  Himalaya range surrounding the pass. From the pass we will ride downhill towards the small Tibetan settlement, where we will be camping for the night. Its advisable to keep in mind that the road from Shegar town to Everest base camp is little bumpy.

 Bike to Rongbuk (5000m, 24 km 3-4 hrs)
Today we will trail along the river of few kilometers and we will head Rongbuk valley. The trail along the river for first few kilometers is fairly easy as you head toward Rongbuk valley. This ride gets quite pleasurable as your eyes savor the breath-taking view of glaciated valley. Yak-skin tents and grazing yaks can be viewed on the other side of the valley. Within few hours along Rongbuk Glacier, North Face of Everest becomes visible flaunting its unparalleled beauty. Rongbuk Monastery lies ahead 8 kilometers below Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 5000m, at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier.

 Bike or hike to Everest North Base camp (5200m, 8 km both ways)
After taking a well-deserved rest, you can now exploring mystiques of Rongbuk glaciers. It is an 8 km both way walk along dirt road to the base of Mt. Everest. You ascend to the moraine and shortly encounter a ruins of a nunnery. A small hermitage is nestled in the neighborhood. A few hours of ascent eventually brings you to the Everest Northern Base Camp. No matter how much difficulties and challenges you may face along the trail, once you see the mighty Mount Everest your tiredness instantly elopes and you feel so much blessed as you savor this blissful sight. After photographic moments and exploration, you retreat back to your camp.

 Bike or drive across Pang La (5150m) to Tingri or Hot Springs (4350m, 75 km, 6-7 hrs)
Since it takes lot of time on a bicycle to reach to the top of Pang La, it is best to drive up to this pass and bike down to Tingri. The trail leading to Pang La is extremely rocky and bumpy. Soon after arriving at Pang La, you collect your cycling gears and start peddling down the steep trail. Shortly, boulders come en route and the trail gets rougher as it follows rock-strewn path. The trail descends to a series of sandy ridges which cut along the edge of a river gorge. After coming close to Tingri, if you look back you can catch a stunning sight of majestic Everest and Cho Oyu. The dirt road turns into a paved road as you will enter a small town of Tingri which is an unsheltered and windy settlement nestled underneath the enchanting Cho Oyu. Your overnight camp will be at a small village where you can take bath in a natural hot spring.

 Bike to the base of La Lung La (4555m, 55 km, 4-5 hrs)
The ride to Lalung La base offers unbeatable pleasures and adventures. Starting with a little uphill climb you make your way along the edge of the valley following a river and at some point you will see the river branching into a lake sheltering a variety of Himalayan ducks. Meandering past the valley floor of grazing yaks, mud bricks, small traditional villages and ruined monasteries, the trail narrows to a gorge making you ride into the headwind for another five kilometers. Views of Everest and Cho Oyu from your lunch stop is simply amazing! Riding a further 15 km brings you an excellent campsite at the foot of La Lung La with green grass and crystal clear mountain rivulet.

Bike or drive across Lalung La (5124m) & Thang La (5200m) to Nyalam (3750m, 87km, 7-8 hrs by bike.
Climbing double pass today calls for real hard work. It is approximately 15 km uphill peddling from the campsite to the top of the first pass, La Lung La at 5124 meters which offers excellent views of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. A six kilometers downhill ride and a further seven kilometers uphill climb brings you to the top of the second pass, Thang La at 5200 meters. If you find it too much to peddle uphill you have an option of getting on the support 4WD Land cruiser. After spending some heavenly moments at the top of the pass you begin what we call ‘the world’s longest downhill’ biking adventure. A long pleasant downhill ride amidst superb mountain scenery brings you to a village near Nylam where you camp for the night at 3750 meter.

 Bike to the last Resort in Nepal (900m, 60 km 3-4 hrs)
Heading away from Nyalam, you ride along the steep road dropping down through the gorge. The trail meets a glacial stream and turns back crossing the river. A further 15 kilometers of cycling brings you amidst the verdant vegetation and a little further ride brings you to the Chinese border town of Zhangmu at 2300 meter. Making your way through traffic and modern concrete block buildings perched on the slopes, you will head towards Chinese customs where you are required to handle re-entry formalities to return to Kathmandu. Once you are done with this official procedure, you advance towards 12 km descent to the river and the bridge to Nepal. The trail that follows at this point onwards is muddy, steep and rocky. You may encounter several jeeps on the way. After bidding your Tibetan guide and driver farewell, you will descend to the river valley. Initially, the trail gets rocky but later eases when it enters paved road after 20 kilometers of descent. Utmost careful safety measures should be adopted as there are chances of washouts occurring at any time while riding along this steep muddy trail. Further down, a village springs into picture. As you make your way to the entrance of the town, you will experience many speed breakers. The trail then opens into rich verdant valley with rice terraces surrounded by green hills. After a sumptuous lunch at tranquil ‘the Last Resort’ you can stroll down the river or spend the day relaxing by the river admiring surrounding views of lush green hills with a bottle of beers or two.

Bike or drive to Dhulikhel (1450m, 75 km, 5-6 hrs by bike), drive to Kathmandu (30 km, 1 hr)
Today you have an option of driving all the way to Kathmandu or bike up to Dhulikhel and drive to Kathmandu. Ride is on tarmac with occasional steep climb, the large section of the road follows Bhote Koshi river through lush green beautiful Nepalese countryside. Evening in Kathmandu is a time for the celebration in a traditional Nepalese restaurant.