15-Day 4+2 Biking Tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu via EBC

Potala Palace

Jokhang Temple

After your delicious breakfast, you will start your Tibetan Buddhist journey today. Certainly, the Potala Palace, reputed as the landmark of Tibet, must be the first site. It is enclosed with the White Palace and the Red Palace ancillary buildings of the Potala Palace which rise from Red Mountain in the center of Lhasa Valley (3700m). The most valuable burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet are housed inside.

Having a lunch, you will continue to visit the "spiritual heart of the city" and the most sacred monastery in Tibet - the holy Jokhang Monastery. The monastery is located at Barkhor Square in Lhasa, in general, considered as the most important and sacred monastery by Tibetan. In fact, it is packed with pilgrims from four corners to pray. Therefore, not only will you see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, also the pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple.

After visiting the monastery, you can stroll along the Barkhor Street surrounding the monastery where you can take part in the pilgrimage to do kora, a religious circle around a building or mountains, or wandering to buy some Tibetan handicrafts and so on.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Drepung Monastery

Sera Monastery

Today, you will go on basking in Tibetan Buddhism. Drepung Monastery, as the beginning site of today’s journey, is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. It is founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples, also the biggest monastery among Tibetan Buddhist buildings. Here, we will offer you an opportunity to visit the biggest monastery kitchen, and enjoy the rock paintings, then, the tour guide will lead you to see Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung Monastery.

In addition, after your meal, continue to visit another Gelug monastery in Tibet - Sera Monastery. As we all know, the highlight of touring Sera Monastery is to watch an excellent Monks Debate lasting from 3 pm to 5 pm. Then, you can explore the Choding Khang which is the hermitage located just behind the Great Assembly Hall (on the hill slope of Sera Utse).

(Notes; due to the ticket reservation of Potala during the peak season, the Sightseeings on “Day2 and Day3” need to be switched sometimes.)

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Lhasa River

Qushui

You will cycle west along the Lhasa River in the direction of Shigatse. On both sides of the road to Shigatse, you will see beautiful Tibetan farmhouses and farmland. The broad Lhasa River Valley will warm you up for the coming trips that are much more intensive.

Stay overnight in Qushui

Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley

Yamdro-tso Lake

You will cycle through the Qushui Bridge and then climb the Bamba La Pass (4900 m). Totally, you will cycle an ascending altitude of 1300m, an intensive challenge. As you go up, you will have a full view of the broad Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley. When you get to the Bamba La Pass, you will have the full view of Yamdrok Lake, and Nojin Kangsang Snow Mountain(7191m) will be clearly seen in the distance. Then, you will descend 70km down the lake road. The turquoise lake water is calm and peaceful, like coral blue sapphire.

Stay overnight in Langkazi

Karola Glacier

Simila Mountain Pass

Highlights: Palchoe Monastery, Gyantse Ancient Town and Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

You will cycle up from Nagarze and climb over Karola Mountain Pass(5039 m). Then, the majestic Karola Glacier will stand before your eyes. You break a while and cycle on through a bumpy road to reach Simila Mountain Pass(4352 m). It is not as tough as Bamba La Pass. From Simila, you can have a bird's eye view of Manla Reservoir. Then you cycle down the slope and reach Gyantse.

Stay overnight in Gyantse

Palchoe Monastery

Tashilunpo Monastery

Highlights: Palchoe Monastery, Gyantse Ancient Town and Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

The road between Gyantse and Shigatse lies to the north of Himalayas in the agro-pastoral area of Tsang. It is straight, smooth and flat, with green trees lining on both sides, along with vast farmland. You will see the peaceful rural Tibet. Chances are you will come across very hospitable Tibetan men and women, who will be happily greeting you. When reaching Shigatse and take a break, you may have a short visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery. Afterward, you continue to cycle along G318 National Highway until the trip ends at Geding Town. 

Stay overnight in Geding Town

Sakya Monastery

Sakya County

The landscape turns a little desolate as the altitude increases when cycle from Geding. You will cycle through red-brown mountains, pass a boundary tablet on the G318 National Highway reading '5000m', climb over Youlongla Pass(4500m), and then, if not exhausted, you may drive to Sakya Ancient Town, known as "the Small Dunhuang". The day ends as you return from Sakya to Lhatse. 

Stay Overnight in Lhatse

You cycle to Tingri County, the gate to Mount Himalaya. You will need to climb over Mount Gyatso La. When you reach the peak, you have a distant view of the Himalayas. As you approach the Viewing Platform in Tingri County, you can see Qomolangma(Mount Everest) in the distance. 

Stay overnight at Tingri

Qomolangma Nature Preserve

Gawula Pass

You are entering the Qomolangma Nature Preserve (QNP) today. First, you need to climb over Gawula Mountain Pass(5205m), worldwide recognized as the highest point of the Himalayas. There is no great altitude increase when you cycle, but it is quite exhausting as you basically cycle at very high altitudes. When you start to go down from Gawula Pass, you will reach Tashizong village soon. It is quite a famous village at the foot of Qomolangma. You will stay at a farmhouse hotel overnight. 

Stay overnight at Tashizong Village

Rongbuk Monastery

Everest Base Camp

Highlights: Himalaya Scenic Area

You will experience the vastly desolate region with sacred snow-covered mountains, peacefully and lonely. It feels alien and yet very exciting. You can even hear your own breath and heartbeats. You have to get early for the sunrise. After breakfast, you will drive to the Old Tingri. You have already cycled through the road the previous day. Therefore, we suggest you drive back to Tingri.

Stay overnight at the Everest Base Camp

You will leave Old Tingri for Mainpu Township by bicycle, and further on to Pelkhu Tso Lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. To its northwest erupts the Gosainthān Peak (8012 m). You will see the shadow of Gosainthān Peak in the lake and hear the sound of Yarlung Tsangpo River. From time to time, many wild birds flutter by. It is a tranquil, sacred world, in which you feel detached and peaceful. 

Stay overnight at Pelkhu Tso Lake

After Pelkhu Tso lake, you cycle up a sharp slope of 50 km to Kungtang Lamu Mountain(5100 m), from which you can see Gyirong County(2600 m). As the altitude keeps decreasing when you cycle down, you will see a dramatic change of plantation. You will pass a lot of prairies and green forests. It is the right time to breathe oxygen-rich air, which is like an extravagant enjoyment after having cycled on highlands.

Stay overnight at Gyirong Town

In the morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station and say goodbye to Tibet. Your trip is successfully end.