A 20 DAY MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURE IN THE WORLD'S HIGHEST DESTINATION
Duration : 20 Days (14 days cycling)
Start & Finish : Kathmandu
Skill Level : Experienced
Support : support jeep, guide, bike & mechanics
Group Size : min 4 / max 10
Best Time : July to early October
This is an epic ride - one of the most adventurous a mountain biker can do. 80-90% of this ride is over 4000m above sea level. In 1100km you traverse 5 passes over 5000m, a handful of small passes over 4000m and you will ride the longest downhill on the planet, dropping from 5050m in Tibet to 540m in Nepal over a little more than 150km! It is a real classic and to make your trip even more adventurous, and even more challenging, we have decided to in-corporate a trip away from the main Lhasa - Kathmandu road, to visit the remote Rongbuk Monastery and base camp for the North face of Mt. Everest.
You’ll experience ancient Tibetan lifestyles with their deeply entrenched spirituality as well as Nepal with it’s colourful village culture and warm hospitality.
We follow the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs westwards, parallel to the great Himalayan chain, which forms the border with Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Throughout, the road traverses a high and dry plateau-land, which is punctuated by the spectacular monastery towns of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar, as well as several smaller settlements and nomadic Drogpa encampments.
On the detour away from the main route towards the Rongbuk Monastery, the road climbs through almost fifty hairpin bends to reach the Pang La, which affords splendid views of the Himalayas, and of Mt. Everest itself. Everest Base Camp is a ‘not to be missed’ inclusion to this ride. Standing before the exposed and shear North Face of Chomolungma [Mt. Everest] at Everest Base Camp (5500m) is an unbelievable experience that few will ever forget. We will spend a night at Everest Base Camp before riding 70 km back out to the main Kathmandu route.
We cross the 5200 meter high Thang La, and begin a mind-blowing descent of 4500 meters, via the border town of Zhangmu, to the valley of the Sun Kosi River in Nepal. A final, easy day’s cycling brings us back to Kathmandu.
Our guides, know this route better than anyone, they have cycled Lhasa to Kathmandu many times and are honestly the most experienced guides you will ever have for this journey. Our all-inclusive tour includes: all supplies, camping, food, support jeep, truck, cook. All will be ready for you in a deluxe style; you just bike and be there.
BRIEF ITINERARY
| Day 01: | Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. |
| Day 02: | Kathmandu. |
| Day 03: | Flight to Lhasa. |
| Day 04: | Exploring Lhasa. |
| Day 05: | Exploring Lhasa. |
| Day 06: | Lhasa to Khamba La Pass, (83km and 4794m) |
| Day 07: | Khamba La pass to Nagartze, 69km |
| Day 08: | Nagartze to Ralung Monastery, 59 km. (Karo la Pass 5120m) |
| Day 09: | Gyantse, 62 km, sightseeing and drive to Shigatse |
| Day 10: | Shigatse to Tso la pass (Resha), 95km |
| Day 11: | Up Tso La pass to beyond Lhatse, 64km |
| Day 12: | On to Xegar, 58km (Gyatso Pass 5220m) |
| Day 13: | Xegar to Tashi Dzong, 76km (Pang La Pass 5200m) |
| Day 14: | Bike Tashi Dzong to Rombuk Monastery, 43 km |
| Day 15: | Everest to Dingri 75km (Namla Pass 5000m) |
| Day 16: | Dingri to Sumo, 68km |
| Day 17: | Sumo to Nyalam, 85km Lalung la Pass & Thong La pass |
| Day 18: | Nyalam to Nepalese border and to relaxing resort |
| Day 19: | Bike to Kathmandu |
| Day 20: | Depart Kathmandu |
| TOUR COST | |
| 2 Pax | R35700 per person |
| 3 Pax | R30855 per person |
| 4 Pax | R25925 per person |
| 5 Pax | R24225 per person |
| 6-8 pax | R20570 per person |
| 9-12 pax | R17850 per person |
NOTE: We reserve the right to change these prices should the Rand exchange rate change.
*PLEASE NOTE :
This price EXCLUDES the cost of airfare between Johannesburg and Kathmandu.
The approximate cost is between R8500 and R13500 return depending on the season, availability and airline.
This price may change depending on exchange rates, fuel increases and airport taxes.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
- 2 hrs flight across the Himalayas to Lhasa
- Explore mystical Lhasa and the Potala Palace
- Ride six awesome Passes above 4000m
- The lunar landscape of Tibet
- North face of Mt Everest
- The monasteries, Tibetan nomads and yaks
BEST SEASON
The tour can be done anytime from April to mid-October.
SERVICE
A leader and a bike mechanic will be with you all the time. Nepali camp-staff who drive ahead every day to cook us lunch, set up camp and prepare dinner. 4WD Land Cruiser to follow on the road as backup.
THE ABOVE COST INCLUDES
- English, Nepali speaking MTB guide/mechanics & Tibetan guide
- Local driver for the support truck or land cruisers
- Airport transfers (Tibet & Nepal)
- Bike tools, not spare parts
- Accommodation in Kathmandu/Lhasa (twin BB sharing)
- All meals as per itinerary, boiled and purified water on camping days
- Full camping support
- Tents-twin share, mess/cooks tent, toilet tent, shower tent
- Non alcoholic beverages with meals, cook and cooking equipment
- Sightseeing and entry fees in Tibet as in the itinerary
- Chinese permit and Kathmandu to Lhasa flight
THE ABOVE COST EXCLUDES
- Bikes/helmets/Water bottles
- Accommodation in Kathmandu other then mention above
- Medical treatments and medical insurance
- Emergency and Evacuation costs
- Travel insurance
- Nepal visa US$30 and Tibet visa US$45 per person
- Excess luggage while flying Kathmandu to Lhasa
- Costs associated with cancellations, delays & porters due to road works, unavoidable by the tour company
- Changes to existing ticketing (flight) and itinerary
- Sleeping bags & roll up mattress
- Airport taxes while flying Kathmandu to Lhasa Rs.1700 per person
Please email us to book this trip.