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Tibet ›› Mountain
Biking |
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Lhasa- Everest Base Camp- Kathmandu Biking
(World’s great mountain bike journeys in
Himalaya ) |
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 Arival
in Kathmandu, and spend a couple of days
organizing Tibet visa and sightseeing around the
Kathmandu Valley. The valley is the site of four ancient
capitals with their attendant palaces, temples and
squares, with intermingled Buddhist and Hindu temples
can keep you occupied for days.
The flight to Lhasa can be a breathtaking one the only
civil aviation flight right across the Himalayas with
views on a whole of 8000m peaks include Mount Everest,
Cho Oyu, Makalu and kanchanjunga.
Tibet a rich and beautiful land with an average altitude
of over 4,000m. Within Tibet there are more then fifty
peaks above 7000m and several at over 8000m. The Tibet
Autonomous Region has a population of 2,000,000, mainly
Tibetans, and an area of 1.2 million sq. km. The
Tibetans have a wonderful culture developed over
centuries of isolation. There are great temples and
monasteries where robed monks still wear their
traditional yellow hats.
Biking in Tibet is non-technical as the route is along
hard-packed roads, but the altitude is always a factor
as we cross six passes at over 5000m. The route is also
remote and the weather often cold, so the journey is not
for the faint-hearted. During the journey you will cross
several 5000 meter passes, visit the world highest Base
camp and you will have great North West view of
Mt.Everest. then you enjoy the world’s longest downhill
ride. You’ll also pass through a breathtaking scenic mix
of alpine plateaus and cross the Trans-Himalaya ranges
and lush jungle. The route does, however, finish with a
long downhill finish to reach Nepal.
More Pictures
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Day to Day Outline Itinerary |
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Day 01:
Pick up from the International Airport, transfer to
hotel and welcome dinner.
Day 02: Sightseeing in the Kathmandu
valley.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
The flight takes about one hour: if the weather is fine
then the view of some of the world's highest mountains
is magnificent. From the airport we have a one hour
drive to Lhasa and our hotel. In the afternoon we familiarize
ourselves with our bikes
Day 04: Breakfast at 7.30, then at
9.30 we visit the Potala Palace. We then have free time.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 05: Breakfast at 7.30 then at 9.00
we visit the Jokhang Temple continuing to the Sera Monastery
by bike. 22.8km, 105m of height gain. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Breakfast at 8.00 then we leave
at around 9.30 to reach Ganden (27km). From there we
return to Lhasa along another route. Total 60 km, 365hm.
Overnight at hotel. |
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Day
07: Today our trip really starts. We use a
jeep to travel the first 9km then bike over the Khamba
La Pass, at 4769m. Overnight in tents close to Yamdruk
Tso Lake.
Day 08: (73.3km, 751m of height gain
to 4465m, 41/2 hours riding time). Today we bike to
Nagarche (30 km) a small town where we can eat and drink.
The road is at first, but then the dirt road starts.
We cross the Karo La Pass (5100m, after 59km) then descend
steeply for 14km to reach our campsite in a fine road-side
meadow.
Day 09: (60km, 520hm, 3900m). Today
starts downhill, then along a flat section beside a
river, passing beautiful Tibetan villages to reach an
artificial lake constructed to provide hydro-electric
power. Now we climb to the Sim La Pass (at 4330m, 27.7
km). We descend from the pass with care as a fall here
would be into very sharp rocks. After a short climb
to another pass we descend around hairpin bends to a
small village and a lunch stop at 43 km. From there
it is a mainly flat road to Gyantse.
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Day 10:
(93km, 104hm, 3970m, 4 hours). The road from Gyantse
to Shigatse, Tibet's second city, is paved and flat,
so this is an easy day. We ride through agricultural
scenery, with many Tibetans working the fields at the
roadside. We stop for lunch just beyond a small town,
at 48km, where there is pleasant meadow besides the
road, a fine place for relaxing after the morning ride.
In the afternoon we continue to Shigatse where we overnight
in a hotel. |
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Day 11: Sightseeing visit
to the Tashilagpo Monastery in the morning, then the afternoon
free. |
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Day 12:
(105km, 810hm, 4340m). We follow the paved road slightly
uphill out of the city, but then across mostly flat
country until we cross a small pass (4010m at 31km)
from where a new landscape can be seen: from here the
terrain is desert-like rather than arable. After lunch
we continue across more flat country to reach our camp
site at the foot of the Tso-La pass. |
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Day 13:
(59km, 553hm, 4215 m). The Tso-La Pass, at 4505m, is
reached after a long (10km) climb. Beyond there is an
amazing 8km downhill run before a flat section reaches
Lhazi. We may stop for lunch before reaching the town
or push on to reach it. Lhazi has shops and excellent
places to eat. From the town it is only a short distance
to where we camp at a beautiful spot beside a river.
We can swim here, though the water is very cold as the
river flows down from the high peaks. |
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Day 14:
(72km, 1324hm, 4350m, 53/4 hours) It's a hard day today,
with a nasty climb of at least 3 hours, rising over
1000m to the Gya Tso-La Pass (at 5220m after 22km),
one of the highest passes on the route. Because of the
height it is usually very cold at the pass so we do
not linger, going fast downhill to a small tea house
where we have lunch. In the afternoon we follow the
road to Shegar. Often this section of road is very dusty,
but the views are good and there is a good hotel for
the night with hot showers to take away the dust and
the weariness of a long hard day. |
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Day
15: (74.5km, 1212hm, 4295m, 5 hours). Today
starts with a downhill, then flat ride along a paved
road to a police checkpoint where we need to show all
our documents. Here the main road continues to Tingri
but we turn off for the Everest North Base Camp, climbing
to the Pang La Pass (at 5200m at 34km) from where, in
clear weather, the view of Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo
is stunning. We can stop for lunch here. Then we now
go downhill to Tasi xo. This downhill ride is long and
has many hairpin bends, but there are teas houses at
the village where we can relax. Our camp site for the
night is about 11km from the village along a flat road.
Day 16: (31.7km, 719hm, 5030 m, 3 hours).
We reach the Rongbuck Base Camp, starting off beside
the Rong chu river with views of Everest ahead. The
going is bumpy and with the altitude can be hard work,
particularly on the last, uphill section, so we take
it very slowly. We take lunch at Rongbuck, then continue
to Everest Base Camp, another 7km. We have to cover
those last kilometers on horseback as the rules changed
in 2004 and no vehicles or bikes are allowed to Base
Camp. |
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Day 17:
(70.5km, 426hm, 4571m, 5 hours). We ride towards Tingri,
crossing the Lamna La Pass. This is a delightful ride
as the road is not in good enough condition for motor
traffic so bikers have it to themselves and can enjoy
the scenery. There are remote villages and meadows with
yaks and sheep. We stop for lunch at after about 30km,
having climbed 553m to reach an altitude of 5030m. From
the pass we go downhill to reach a river across which
there is no bridge - time to take off our shoes and
wade through the cold, knee-deep water. We now follow
the river gently downhill to Tingri, a beautiful town
with fine views of Everest and Cho Oyo. We overnight
in a guesthouse. |
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Day 18:
(70.5km, 426hm, 4570m, 5 hours). An easy day on paved,
then dirt roads, but with no high passes. The views
along the way, of villages with Tibetans in typical
dress and beautiful landscapes, are excellent. We stop
for lunch stop at 42.5km (185hm, 21/2 hours) close to
a river. Then we descend to our campsite, close to a
river where we can swim. |
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Day 19:
(82km, 1200hm, 3818 m, 61/2 hours). Today we cross the
Lalung La and Yakri Shong La passes. From our camp we
climb straight up to the Lalung La (14.4 km, 447hm,
4910 m, about 11/2 hours), then after a short descent
we climb again to the Yakri Shong La (26.4 km, 705hm,
5050 m 3 hours). To compensate for the climbs there
are tremendous views of Shishapangma (Xixabangma), to
the right, and other great Himalayan peaks. The Yakri
Shong La is the last pass of the route. Beyond it there
is a long descent to Nepal, probably the longest downhill
road in the world. We stop for lunch after 36km, at
4534 m, where there is a tea house at the bottom of
a steep downhill section. This is a good tea house with
a strong mud wall which protects us if there is a wind
blowing, as there often is. After lunch we continue
down (though not now as steeply as before). It sounds
easy, but the wind and dust can make this section hard
work and we will be tired when we reach Nyalam, a town
with opportunities for a drink and a rest. Our camp
will be 3km from the town on a fine meadow site. |
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Day
20: (55km, 187hm, 1411m, 21/2 hours). Downhill
again, this time concentrating hard as the road is rocky
in places and a fall would be dangerous. Finally we
reach the Chinese customs at Xhangmu (at 31km). The
town is the last in China and there are often a lot
of jeeps and trucks which add to the hazard of the descent.
It can take some time to get through customs and is
much easier if we stay together as a single group. Then
it is downhill again for another 9km to Friendship Bridge
and the Nepalese customs at Kadari. Here we stop for
lunch at a restaurant which serves both Nepalese and
western food. After lunch we continue along the valley
of the Bhote Kosi River, crossing a suspension bridge
from where people make the second longest bungy jump
in the world.
Day 21: (67.7km, 1205hm, 1470m 4 hours).
You will probably feel a difference in temperature today
- after the cold of the Tibetan plateau it can be 30°C
as we ride beside the Bhotkosi River, with rice paddies
on the slope either side of the valley. The road is
90% paved and mostly downhill for 37km, before turning
uphill for 4 km. We then descend to Dolal Ghat Bridge
where we can have lunch in the only local restaurant.
Across the bridge the road is flat at first, then rises
to Lamidanda. Beyond we reach a Nepalese Army Control
Post before a final uphill section to Dhulikhel Resort
where we spend the night.
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Day 22:
(39.5 km, 538hm, 1330m, 21/2 hours) Today there is a
choice - bus transfer to Kathmandu or bike all the way
to Thamel if those who want to make the whole tour by
bike. In Kathmandu we chose a route which takes us away
from most of the city traffic.
Day 23: Free day in Kathmandu, perhaps shopping
for souvenirs for yourself, family and friends.
Day 24: Transfer to the International Airport
for flights home. |
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| Cost Includes |
Cost Excludes |
- Airport Pick up and drop.
- sightseeing in kathmandu with Guide.
- Accommodation Kathmandu and Lhasa twin one
sharing room on B/B basis.
- Flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu.
- Flight for Nepali Guide.
- Transportation to Lhasa City from Airport.
- Chines Visa fee.
- All the necessary permit and entrance fees
in Tibet.
- Support truck and eep
- Transportation to Kathmandu from Border.
- Tent two person sharing and Mattress.
- Dining tent,Kichen Tent and all kichen Equipments.
- Drinking water.
- Breakfast Lunch and Dinner in Camp.
- One English speaking Tibetan Guide.
- Bike Guide and Nepali sherpas and cook.
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- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Lhasa.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Bike.
- Bike Helmet.
- Necessary equipments for bike and cold.
- Sleeping bag.
- Shoe for both hike and bike.
- Gloves for both bike and cold.
- Bike glasses.
- Requirement parts and tools if you have disc
and Magura brake in your bike.
- Service other then mentioned.
- Cost due to nature.
- Tips for Nepali & Tibet staffs.
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