10-Day 4+2 Biking Tour from Lhasa to Shigatse & Namtso Lake

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
ENQUIRE NOW

Trip Overview

The 10-day biking tour from Lhasa to Shigatse & Namtso Lake which starts from the landmark of Tibet - the Potala Palace, will lead you to explore Tibetan Culture with your bicycle. Encountering the devout pilgrims on the way, listening to a monk debating in Sera Monastery, watching the enchanting sunrise and sunset on the banks of Namtso Lake, and observing the nomad's lifestyle will become one of the most cherished memories in your life. Particularly, in you cycling tour, when conquering the physical fatigue on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the highest plateau in the world, you must be quite proud of yourself.

Best Time to Visit

All year round
Physical Demands

Strenuous tour; strong physical condition for the high altitude;

Day by Day Itinerary

Expand All|Close All

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa

Our local guide and driver will warmly welcome you with a white Hada in Tibetan, and transfer you to the hotel. In order to acclimatize on the high elevation, we will not offer any activities on your arrival, so you can have a good relaxation in your room or do a very small walking nearby the hotel to adjust.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa

Jokhang Temple

Barkhor Street

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

Day 3: Sightseeing 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.)

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 4: Lhasa to Gyangtse via the Southern Friendship Highway 250km

Karola Glacier

Yamdrok-tso Lake

Highlights: Yamdrok lake, Karola Glacier, and part of Himalayan Range(if the climate permits).

Your 4+2 adventurous tour starts, there are two sections of biking today:
1. From the top of Kampala Pass(4800m) to Nagarze County along the beautiful Yamdrok Lake(48km).
2. Nagarze Town to Simik La Pass(4500m)(10km) via Karo La Pass(5050m)(65km).

Starting from Lhasa with a vehicle to the top of Kampa La Pass, about 100km, you will be accompanied by beautiful scenery of countryside and junction of Lhasa river and the Brahmaputra from Chushur County. Then, ascending 1200m through zigzag road to the summit of Kampala from where you can see a panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake with mount Nyenchen Kangsang (7,200m). After stopping for photography, start with your mountain bike descending 400m to the lakeside and continuously ride along the lake with gorgeous scenery surrounding, enjoy a picnicking lunch nearby Kungmotso a small branch lake of Yamdrok close to Nagarze. Taking 20km by a vehicle after lunch, start biking again towards Karola Pass, 600m slide ascending. It will be one of the nicest rides during your trip, only 400m distance from the glacier, Mount Nyenchen Kangsang at the right side and branch of Himalayan Range to the left side, flocks of mountain sheep, nomad's tents, and yaks. After riding 60km via the beautiful valley, you will meet your guide and driver at Simik La side or before it. A short stop at the pass where you will see a special geographic feature as in the Mars and Manak Dam in the valley down, even though it’s an artificial lake, many tourists are attracted by its beautiful color, then drive to Gyangtse 30km.

Overnight in Gyantse

Day 5: Gyantse to Shigatse (90km)

Gyantse Fort

Tashilunpo Monastery

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

It is not interesting to make a cycling from Gyantse to Shigatse and the road is also very dangerous with big lorries and too many local tractors. Therefore, make a small riding in the morning to Palchoe Monastery, cross the famous ancient town of Gyantse, visit Palchoe Monastery, and Kubum Stupa with its unique architectural design and old murals, then we will drive to Shigatse via beautiful valley of Nyangchu, the largest agricultural area in Tibet. After lunch in Shigatse, visit Tashi Lhunpo, the largest monastery in the western part of Tibet and home of the successive Panchen Lama.

Overnight in Shigatse

Day 6: Shigatse to Yangpachen (260km)

Friendship Highway

Yangpachen Hot Spring

Highlights: Nyanchen Thangla Range, Mt. Qomogangkar, Yangpajan Geothermal Hot spring.

In the morning, drive along the Friendship Highway till Thakduka(90km), then we turn left to Northern route via a beautiful valley of Wuyuk, ascending 1,300m to cross Markyang Pass(5,100m). After crossing Markyang Pass, you start your cycling on off-road(25km), it’s a very interesting nomadic valley where you can experience the real lifestyle of Tibetan nomads. Rare traffic jam, very peaceful environment and the stunning view of Mt Chomogankar from Thanglha range won’t make you feel tired through the rough road. After passing Mt Chomogangkar, the road ascends 600m to cross another pass called Shigella (5,350m). The climate is very harsh in that section it snows even during the summertime, so you won’t be able to ride at this section, you can come back to ride the vehicle and cross the pass, then ride again 30km all the way down the Yangpachen valley(1,000m) descend to your destination the Hot Spring(4,300m). Another interesting riding on off-road with beautiful scenery surrounding can be viewed. You can enjoy a nice shower and swim in the hot spring after a long day off-road cycling.

Overnight in Yangpajan Hot-spring Hotel

Day 7: Yangpachen to Namtso (140km)

Biking Tour to Namtso

Lake Namtso

Highlights: Northern Grassland, Mt Nyanchen Thanglha and Namtso lake.

In the morning, drive along the Friendship Highway till Thakduka(90km), today you can cycle from the beginning about 40km to Nyanchen Thanglha Pass(4,800m), ascending 500m by cycling along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway with the beautiful view of northern grassland and Nyanchen Thanglha Range. However, there is a big traffic jam in this section, so you must ride carefully. Then, we will drive to Damxiong County, and have a lunch there. After lunch, drive 30km to Lagen La Pass(5,190m), from here, you can start riding until you reach Tashi Dor Island(30km). This will be a very nice riding through the nomads' tents with the stunning view of Namtso Lake and the north face of Mt Nyanchen Thanglha.

Overnight in Tashi Dor guesthouse

Day 8: One Day Exploration at Lake Namtso

Lake Namtso

The Sunrise of Namtso

Around Tashi Dor Island ride bicycle and pay a visit to the holy caves and temples around the island, appreciating the ancient rock paintings, sunrise, and sunset of Namtso Lake are the main highlights of the day.

Overnight in Tashi Dor guesthouse

Day 9: Namtse to Lhasa (250km)

Drive all the way back to Lhasa by the same route and Tholung Valley.

Free sightseeing in Lhasa in the afternoon and enjoy your last day in Lhasa, you can have a rest in a local Tibetan tea house to enjoy a lazy afternoon, or stroll along the local street or go shopping at the market for some souvenirs.

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 10: Lhasa Departure

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

Service Guide

Price Inclusions

Tibet Travel Permit and all the other travel documents needed in Tibet;
Personal transportation to the destinations and sites listed in the itinerary; ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on the group size;
Lodging: Comfortable Hotel Accommodations (not include single room supplement. If you are a solo traveler, you need to share one room with another tourist (same sex in most cases); if you prefer to stay in one room by yourself, you will have to pay the single room supplement. And the exact price depends on market fluctuation in high and off season of Tibet tour. For the exact price, please refer to your travel consultant.)
Experienced English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
Welcome Dinner in local restaurant when group members meet in Lhasa. Meals as specified in the itinerary;
First aid kit;
Service Charge & Government Taxes;
Arrangements include planning, handling, operational and communication charges;
A coverage of 300,000RMB Chartis travel insurance

Price Exclusions

International and domestic flight/train to Lhasa (Note: we accept the domestic flight/train tickets booking to Lhasa from other cities in advance, check the updated ticket availability and cost with your travel consultant);
Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in the 3rdpole region cost 3~15USD per person in Tibet Autonomous Region);
Tips and gratuities for the trip leader and driver;
The expense of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc;
Optional activities and excursions not specified in the itinerary;
China Entry visa fees;
Tips to tour guide and driver, you are suggested to tip them 7 USD/day in total;

Itinerary Alteration

Once we receive your tour deposit, which is followed by signing the contract, your reservation is secured with legitimacy. Our staff will reserve the accommodation, vehicle, site tickets, meals and more, and pay the deposit for our suppliers. So if you want to alter to another itinerary, you need to cover the deposit we've paid, while no service charge is needed if you make some changes on the itinerary you booked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you cancel the tour beacuse of your personal issues, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges that are bounded by 3rdpoletour.com cancellation policy as follows:

1.) If you cancel the tour more than 30 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 10% of the total land cost per person;
2.) If you cancel the tour 15-30 days prior to your trip start date, 20% of your total land tour cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
3.) If you cancel the tour 7-15 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 30% of land cost.
4.) If you cancel the tour 7 days prior to your tour start date, you will forfeit 50% of land cost.
5.) If you fail to show up or cancel at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice or later than that, you will forfeit 100% of the land cost.

If the tour has to be cancelled because of the natural disaster or the government restrictions that is beyond both parties control, we will charge only USD50 per person, this is just the service fee and larbor fee during the preparation. This is a rare occurrence!

The cancellation fee charged by 3rdpoletour.com will be kept under your name (person who contacted us) for a usable period of 2 years. Within the applicable period you can use it for next time or you can kindly pass your authority to any of your family, friends or colleagues to use by booking a tour with 3rdpoletour.com. A certifying email from you is necessary to pass the cancellation fee to others, but it is only applicable for private group.