| Lhasa to Kathmandu by Mountain Bike (23 Days) |
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Book this trip!  For the keen cyclist, this is perhaps one of the most exciting bike trips in the world, not to mention one of the most challenging. This epic route takes you overland from the lush valley of Lhasa all the way to Nepal, crossing six 5000metre plus passes on the way and ending with the worlds longest down hill off the Tibetan plateau to the border. The spectacular scenery and fascinating culture experienced along the route make this a truly incredible experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival
in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. A trip briefing and official meeting will be held. Forms and disclaimers need to be filled out and signed, so participants must attend. You will be introduced to your group leader and given an overview of the trip. In the afternoon we will take you to the bike workshop where you will be fitted with your bike. If you have brought your own bike, leave it here for secure packing and shipment to the airport. You have the evening free or you can join for a group meal. Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing A cycle rickshaw is an environmentally friendly and fun way to see Kathmandu. After breakfast, we will take one of these man powered machines through the back streets to Kathmandu Durba Square. Durba means Palace, and this collection of Temples and Palaces was at one time the home to past King’s of Kathmandu and their families. It’s quite a large complex which now days forms a thriving market hub and meeting place in the center of Old Kathmandu. The architecture in the Square dates back to the early 14th Century. The main temples and finest architecture was built by the Shah and Malla kings who where the most powerful rulers in Nepal. We will enjoy lunch in one of the many wonderful roof top restaurants which command panoramic views of the square and Swayambhunath Temple on the hill beyond. Pashupatinath temple and cremation complex is about a 30min drive from Durba Square. Set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. The main feature here is the temple devoted to Shiva, the patron Deity of Nepal. The temples inside is closed to tourists, but can be viewed from the outside, and you will quite clearly see a rather large and spectacular pair of golden “bollocks” which belong to Lord Shiva’s animal vehicle Nandi the white bull. The main interest for tourists at Pashupatinath, is the colorful display of Sadhus, or holy men who reside here and the chance to witness Hindu Culture in action whilst viewing the open preparation and cremation of bodies on the Ghats behind the Shiva Temple. Bouldanath Stupa is a short drive form Pashupatinath and we move from Hindu culture in to Buddhist when we enter this predominantly Tibetan Buddhist area. The Stupa is the largest of its kind in Asia and this beautiful white structure is certainly one of the more visually impressive buildings in the valley. Note the change of atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of Pashupati’s Hindu - Indo customs to the quite chanting and ordered circumnavigation of the Buddhist - Mongol style. All three sites visited today are World Heritage Listed by UNESCO. The evening is free for you to enjoy. Day 03: Kathmandu to Lhasa 3650 meters Leaving Kathmandu mid morning, we head to the airport for the two and a half hour flight to Lhasa Tibet. Look out the window on the flight and be awe inspired by the spectacular scenery as you cross over the Himalaya range. On landing, you will be met by our Tibetan team and guide and taken into the vibrant city of Lhasa, approximately a two hour drive along an arid river basin. Once in the city, take some time to rest at the Hotel and allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitude, though we bet you will be busting to get out and explore this surreal city on top of the world! In the afternoon feel free to give your guide a hand assembling the bikes and making sure everything's in good working order. Day 04: Lhasa – Sightseeing and acclimatization. Today we get to know Lhasa city on our roving tour of the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Square. Jostle with pilgrims and bargain for Tibetan carpets and other treasures in this bustling market place. In the afternoon we take the short bus ride to the Derpung Monastery, at one time home to 10,000 monks making it the biggest of its kind in the world. Day 05: Lhasa - Sightseeing and acclimatization. So you have spent two days looking at it, now its time to head up to the mighty Potala Palace. We follow the path and climb slowly up towards the entrance, taking in the impressive views of Lhasa along the way. Spend a few hours wandering around these ancient halls, rooms and temples, loosing yourself in the heady scent of butter candles and the sound of monks softly chanting. We re-emerge back into the bright sunlight. In the afternoon we can visit Sera Monastery. If we are there at the right time we get to see the infamous colorful spectacle of debating monks in the shady court yard. Day 06 to 10: Biking to Gyantse Your biking experience in Tibet begins with long but scenic days cycling across the formidable Khamba La (4794 meters) and Kora La (5010 meters) and along the shores of the turquoise waters of Yamdroktsos' Lake before arriving at the ancient trading town of Gyantse. These three days are mostly climbing, you gain a lot of altitude and its important to allow time for rest, take things slowly and let your body acclimatize. Stopping a the top of the passes allows you mesmerizing all encompassing views of the Tibetan Plateau as well as the lakes and snow capped peaks all around you. Soon realizing that you are a very long way from home. Overnight stops - 1. Before Khamba La (camp) 3530 meters 105 biking kilometers 2. Before Nagartze (camp) 4310 meters 75 biking kilometers 3. Ralung Monastery (camp) 4550 meters 52 biking kilometers 4. Gaynste (Hotel) 3950 meters 58 biking kilometers Day 11: Gyantse to Shighatse 3780 meters We have time for plenty of sightseeing in Gyantse. This morning we venture out to the famous Kumbum Monastery situated within the grounds of the Pelkor Choede. This amazing monastery is decorated with 10,000 murals spread over its four floors, hence giving it the name of 'The Temple of a Thousand Images". Time permitting, we will then explore the Dzong or fort nestled on the ridge overlooking the valley. The ride to Shighatse follows the valley and is quite an easy one. The road is good and quite flat. Shighatse is home to Tibet's best preserved monastery, the Tashilihunpo which is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the Dali Lama's right hand man. Inside you can see jeweled choterns and an impressive statue of the Future Buddha. Overnight stop- 1.Shighaste (Hotel) 3780 meters 100 biking kilometres Day 12 to 13: Yulung La and Gyatso La to Xegar. Two strenuous days of biking see us cross two more passes, Yulung La at 4950 meters and Gyatso La at a staggering 5220 meters the highest pass of the trip. We ride slowly to acclimatize to the altitude and take in the superb views that mark our trail. For those who become a bit tired, don't hesitate to flag down the support vehicle for a ride and a chin wag with our friendly support team of Tibetans. Though don't wait too long to flag down that ride, as towards the ends of the day they will whiz off ahead to set camp and prepare you a delicious hearty meal, to refuel those peddling legs. Overnight Stops – 1. Below Gyatso La (Camp) 4065 meters 93 biking kilometers 2. Before Lhatse (Camp) 3955 meters 65 biking kilometers Day 14 to 16: Everest Base Camp Journey We turn of from the friendship highway and enter the stunning Quomolangma National Park which encompasses Mount Everest. We climb to the top of a 5200 meter pass - Pandu La from where we can get dramatic views of Shishapangma (not only is Shishapangma a lovely word, it is also an exceptionaly beautiful mountain) and Manaklu, two of Tibet's most popular climbing peaks. We enjoy a down hill stretch before we again climb up to 5000 meters to reach the tiny Rongpuk Monastery which marks the entry to Everest base camp, a further 7km up the road. The road deteriorates and can be at times very bum numbing ride, but as you arrive at the base of the tallest mountain in the world, I am positive you will forget your aches and pains. Overnight Stops – 1. New Tingri (Camp) 4200 meters 57 biking kilometers 2. Rongbuk Region (Camp) 4500 meters 75 biking kilometers 3. Monastery (Camp) 5100 meters 43 biking kilometers Day 17 to 18: Lao Tingri We make an excursion to the actual base camp before a combination of driving and biking takes us back to the tiny settlement of Lao Tingri where we re join the friendship highway. Lao Tingri is a tiny Tibetan settlement strung with colorful prayer flags and commands impressive views of Everest. The road is fair; we drive from EBC to the top of Pang La and cycle down to Tingri. Overnight Stops – 1.Dzong Camp (Camp) 4500 meters 59 biking kilometers 2.Tingri (Camp) 4200 meters 84 biking kilometers Day 19 to 20: Zhangmu In these days, we cross our two final high passes Lalung La at 5050 meters and Yarle Sung La at 4895 meters, affording us our last spectacular views of the Himalaya before we head for our descent to Zhangum, the border town between Tibet and Nepal. It's a thrilling and rewarding 128km down hill section which brings us to the steep sided Bhote Kosihe valley with its raging river. Overnight stops – 1. Sumo (camp) 4400 meters 68 biking kilometers 2. Nyalam (camp) 3750 meters 85 biking kilometers Day 21: Zhangmu to Last Resort We cycle down through Zhangmu town to the border of Nepal. After completing formalities, we head down hill along the river and across the friendship bridge for our return to Nepal. We cycle about 16km along the river valley before arriving at the Last Resort. The afternoon is yours to relax and rest weary legs. Overnight stop – 1. Last Resort (camp) 1050 meters 55 biking kilometers Day 22: Last Resort to Kathmandu by Vehicle Leaving the bikes behind today, we enjoy breakfast before heading back to Kathmandu. It’s around a five hour drive and with the bikes on the roof, grab a window seat, sit back and enjoy the ride. (If you really want to you can ride the 120km, be warned it’s mostly up hill!). On arrive in town we will check you into your hotel. If you have time, let us take you around the shops bargaining for exquisite hand painted Thangka's, Pashmina's or other handicrafts. We join in the evening for a farewell dinner experiencing Nepal's finest traditional cuisine. Day 23: Wrap it Up Well, we have loved having you along on this amazing journey, but now its time for us to say good bye, and take you to meet your onward flight or perhaps welcome you again on one of our Add on packages. We hope to see you again on another fabulous D’Tours adventure. What's included
in the Price?
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