For
details of costs, or to send an enquiry, click on the e-mail
link below:
Location:
Tibet
Total
Tour Duration: 22 Days
Accommodation:
Hotels, and Tents
Minimum
Group Size: 2
Departures:
April to
October
Maximum
Altitude: 5200m
ProposedFixed
Dates for 2008:
22 May
12 June
26 June
9 July
20 July
31 July
3 August
14 August
28 August
4 September
16 September
25 September
28 September
9 October
14 October
21 October
Bookings have opened
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Difficulty Indicator:
Intermediate Trails
technically exigent for cyclists with good training.
Ratio of 4 hours effective ride Level III Dirt roads. Bridle paths. Single-tracks
Less than 3,500m height
Less than 7 degrees downhill/climbing in short strokes.
Risks of falls.
Expert Trails for expert riders. Technical and challenging rides.
Ratio of more than 4 hours ride Level IV Dirt roads. Bridle paths. Single-tracks, downhill/climbing.
Over 3,900m height. Possible carrying of the bike.
Less than 10 degrees downhill/climbing
Risk of falls. Level V Bridle paths, single-tracks, downhill/climbing
Stairs and trials, very technical and difficult.
More than 10 degrees downhill/climbing
Non-tourist trails.
High risks falls.
Trip
Notes
This
mountain biking tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu offers the world's longest and steepest descent
- an unbelievable 4600m descent!. We will ride more than 1,100 km through Tibet on crushed stone roads and over
mountain passes. The high point of the journey comes when we arrive
at the monastery of Rongbuk and see Mount Everest Base Camp (5200m). This is the
only trip in the world where you can visit Everest Base Camp with a bicycle!
We
stay overnight during this journey in hotels and in tents. The tours are available between the months of April and October and
feature 15 full days of biking with full logistical support.
LHASA
TO KATHMANDU: MOUNTAIN
BIKE ADVENTURE TOUR - 22 DAYS
ITINERARY
- LHASA TO KATHMANDU MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR
Day 01 Arrive
Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel Grand
Day
02: Full day of guided sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley
including visits to Durbar Square and the temples of Swayambhunath,
Bouddhanth, Guheshwari and Pashupatinath. Evening entertainment
with a Nepalese
culture show. Overnight Hotel
Day
03Fly from Kathmandu toLhasa
We take the
09:30 flight to Lhasa across the highest mountains in the world.
Arriving in the Tibetan capital (3,680m
altitude) you will be given plenty of time to adjust to the high
altitude. In the afternoon you can unpack your mountain bike and explore this
legendary city. Overnight Lhasa
Day 04 On
this day we will enjoy a full day of sightseeing, from Jokang
Temple to Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Overnight
Lhasa
Day 05 After
breakfast we'll visit the monastery of Drepung. In the afternoon you will
be free either to explore the remaining attractions or prepare for the
next day's mountain biking. Overnight Lhasa
Day 06 Start
the Mountain Bike Tour!
Finally, your
trans-Himalayan mountain biking adventure begins. We leave Lhasa and cycle along
the Tsangpo River to the foot of the Kamba Pass (3700 m). When you arrive
you will find tents, latrines, shower tent and facilities ready. Overnight
accommodation in tents [Total cycle: 85 km]
Day 07: Kamba
Pass
Our first
mountain pass. A strong uphill climb reaches a summit lavishly adorned
with prayer flags (4794m)
After descending
we continue alongside Lake Yamdruk, at the far side of which we set camp
(4490m) Overnight in tents. [Total cycle: 55 km]
Day
08Karo Pass base
Leaving the
beautiful lake behind, we cycle through a ravine and up to the foot of the
Karo Pass (4750m), where our tented village will be prepared for the
night. Overnight in tents. [Total cycle: 54 km]
Day
09 Karo Pass to Gyantse
A significant
day on the tour, as we have to get up early to climb the high Karo Pass
(5010m). By now you will be feeling in good physical condition. Around us
we can see glaciers of 6000m and beautiful lakes. You are rewarded for
your effort with a night in a top hotel in the city of Gyantse (3980m).
Overnight at Gyantse Hotel
Day
10Shigatse
First we will
take an hour to visit the Palkhor Monastery and the old part of Gyantse
town. Although today involves a longer distance, the highway is paved and
flat. In the afternoon we will arrive in Tibet's second largest city,
Shigatse (3860m). Overnight at Hotel Shigatse. [Total cycle:
94 km]
Day
11Gyachung Monastery
We leave
Shigatse and ride over two small passes and through several small Tibetan
villages. We will cycle past the isolated Gyachung Monastery and camp.
Overnight in tents at around 4100m. [Total cycle: 75 km]
Day
12Lhatse
The route lead
us through picturesque valleys. Then the long ramp begins which leads over
the Yulong pass (4520m). After lunch we head towards Lhatse (3860m). Just
before this town there is a hot springs. We will camp approx. 10 km after
Lhatse. Accommodation in tents. [Total cycle: 95 km]
Day
13Shegar
Today we view
the stunning canyon of the 5220m Lakpa Pass. On a clear day you will be
rewarded for your effort with your first view of Mount Everest. After a 40
km ride through flat prairie towns you will arrive in the town of Pelbar,
often referred to as Shegar. This town is a popular stopover for anyone
heading to the Everest region. Overnight hotel. [Total
cycle: 75 km]
Day
14Pang Pass
It's now time to
divert from the Lhasa-Kathmandu highway and head towards the world's
highest peak. First you are faced with 20km of uphill switchbacks (42
hairpin bends in total!) before you reach the summit of the Pang Pass
(5150m). Then a 20-kilometer downhill follows to the Rongbuk Valley
(4200m), where we camp. [Total cycle: 67 km]
Day
15: Rongbuk Monastery
Now you should
be at peak fitness and very excited about the approach of Everest Base
Camp. A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic
Mount Everest appears before you. We will camp beside the monastery. We
will stay here for two days. Overnight in tents (5150m).
[Total cycle: 35 km]
Day
16Everest Base Camp
A day to relax.
However, you will definitely want to get as close as you can to Everest.
You can walk, cycle or even take a donkey and cart ride to the base camp
which is 8km from the campsite. Overnight in tents
Day
17Tingri
Leaving Rongbuk,
we head back down the bumpy road then take a "short-cut" into
the mountains. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into
Tingri (4340m). Overnight accommodation in tents. [Total cycle: 76 km]
Day
18Lalung Pass
We
head off on a pre-lunch, 40 to 50km flat ride and then tackle the gradual
incline of the Lalung Pass (4990m).Overnight
in tents [Total cycle: 75 km.]
Day
19: Cross Thang Pass and head to Zhangmu
Today, we tackle our last up hill, as we cycle up
the incredible Thang Pass to 5050m. You will be treated to breathtaking
views of the Himalayan chain as you head over your last high pass. You
then head out on the most incredible non stop downhill, to the town of
Nyalam you will notice that the scenery starts to turn green again. You
will cycle down down past countless waterfalls and pine tree lines roads,
with waterfalls practically crashing over you, to the border town of
Zhangmu (2300m). This will be our last day in Tibet. Overnight
accommodation in Zhangmu hotel. [Total cycle: 137 km]
Day 21:
Back to Nepal
We clear
customs and head 50km towards Dolalghat, followed by a climb up to
Dhulikhel (1600m). Accommodation hotel/resort. [Total cycle: 97km]
Day 22:
Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Free day for shopping, etc
After a
sunrise breakfast with views of the Himalayas, we freewheel down through
Bhaktapur and then head into Kathmandu. [Total cycle: 35 km]. Afternoon at
leisure followed by a celebratory dinner of our mountain biking tour from
Lhasa to Kathmandu.
Day 23: Departure
from Nepal at the end of your incredible mountain biking tour from Lhasa
to Kathmandu.
For
details of costs, or to send an enquiry, click on the e-mail
link below:
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