Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu.
Transfer to Annapurna Hotel.
Day 2: Full day of
guided sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley including visits to Durbar
Square and the temples of Swayambhunath, Bouddhanth, Guheshwari and
Pashupatinath.
In the evening we will all get together for a welcome
dinner with an entertaining Nepalese culture show. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Morning transfer to the airport for the hour-long flight
to Tibet. This spectacular flight, on a China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757,
takes us right across the main Himalayan range and provides us with
magnificent mountain views. After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting our
Tibetan guide, it is a further 2-hour drive by Landcruiser jeep to Lhasa
where we will check into the Hotel. It's advisable to rest and take it easy
for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude. Overnight Dhud Ghoo or
Lhasa Hotel or similar.
Day 4-5 We will spend
two full days visiting the major temples and monasteries in Tibet, to
include the beautiful Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace,
former residence of the Dalai Lamas, which dominates the city, as well as
the Jokhang Temple with scores of pilgrims prostrating themselves in worship
outside. We will also spend time wandering through the local markets and
shopping for goodies to take home or to just take in the atmosphere of the
square. Later you will have time to prepare your bike for the trip.
Overnight accommodation at Hotel.
Day 6: Start the Bike Tour!
Finally, your trans-Himalayan biking adventure begins. Our journey towards
Everest starts with the Friendship Highway as it heads out across the
plateau. We leave Lhasa and cycle along the Tsangpo River to foot of the
Kamba Pass (3700 m).
When you arrive at the camp you will find tents,
latrines, shower tent and facilities ready. Overnight accommodation in tents
[Total cycle: 85 km].
Day 7: Kamba Pass
Our first mountain pass. A strong uphill climb along a
tar road of several switchbacks, 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 accommodation in
tents. [Total cycle: 55 km]
Day 8: Karo Pass base
Leaving the beautiful lake behind, we cycle along the
Friendship highway which soon becomes a gravel roadway, through a ravine and
up to the foot of the Karo Pass (4750m), where our tented village will be
prepared for the night. Overnight accommodation in tents. [Total cycle: 54
km]
Day 9 : Karo Pass to Gyantse
A significant day on the tour, as we have to get up early
to climb the high Karo Pass (5010m). Around us we can see glaciers
stretching down to 6000m and beautiful lakes. You are rewarded for your
effort with a night in a top hotel in the city of Gyantse (3980m). Overnight
accommodation at Gyantse Hotel.
Day 10: Shigatse
First we will visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum.
The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century and the Kumbum, a large
gold-domed stupa with several small chapels, containing an impressive
collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We then head out on the highway
towards Shigatse. Although today involves a longer distance, the highway is
tarred and flat. In the afternoon we will arrive in Tibet's second largest
city, Shigatse (3860m). Overnight accommodation at Shigatse Hotel. [Total
cycle: 94 km]
Day 11: Gyachung 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 accommodation in tents at around
4100m. [Total cycle: 75 km]
Day 12 : Lhatse
The route lead us through picturesque valleys before the
long route begins which leads over the Tso-La (4520m). After lunch we head
towards Lhatse past the hot springs and camp about 10km outside of town.
Accommodation in tents. [Total cycle: 95 km]
Day 13 : Shegar
Today we view the stunning canyon of the 5220m Gyatso-La.
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. Shegar, is a
popular stopover for anyone heading to the Everest region. Today will be a
long and gruelling ride through the canyon. Overnight accommodation
in Hotel Quomolongma. [Total cycle: 75 km]
Day 14 : Pang Pass
Just outside of Shegar, we will divert off the main Lhasa-Kathmandu
highway and head towards the world's highest peak, Everest. After passing
through the border control point, you will be faced with 20km’sof uphill
switchbacks (42 hairpin bends in total!) before you reach the summit of the
Pang Pass (5150m). Your reward will be some of the most magnificent views of
Everest and her surrounding peaks. Enjoy lunch as you gaze over Makalu
(8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest
(8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks. Then a 20-kilometer downhill
follows to the Rongbuk Valley (4200m), where we camp. Overnight
accommodation in tents. [Total cycle: 67 km]
Day 15 -16 :Rongbuk Monastery
Now you should be at peak fitness and 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 with the unforgettable sight of the 8848m peak in front
of your eyes. We will stay here for two days. One your second day, you can
either read a book or get even closer to Everest by taking a walk, cycling
or hopping on a donkey and cart ride to Everest base camp, which is 8km from
the campsite. Overnight accommodation in tents (5150m). [Total cycle: 35 km]
Day 17: Tingri
Leaving Rongbuk, we head back down the bumpy road and
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: 86 km]
Day 18 : Lalung Pass
This day begins with a 40 to 50km flat ride before lunch.
Then we tackle the gradual incline of the Lalung Pass (4990m). From here you
will feel like you are as high as the peaks around you, including
Shishapangma (8012m). Overnight accommodation in tents in the valley between
two passes. [Total cycle: 77 km]
Day 19: Cross Thang Pass the ultimate downhill
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 freewheel the most incredible non stop downhill,
all the way to the Nepalese border. You will be treated to breathtaking
views of the Himalayan chain as you freewheel down.
From 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: 117 km]
Day 20: Back to Nepal
From Zhangmu we have to pass through customs and into
Nepal.
Once you are in the Nepali town of Kodari the downhill
continues for the next 50 km along some very bumpy and rocky roads. Suddenly
it is tropical and humid and green again as you cycle alongside rice
paddies. After you reach the town of Dolalghat you must climb up to
Dhulikhel (1600m). Accommodation in Dhulikhel Lodge Resort. [Total cycle:
97km]
Day 21: Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Free day for
shopping, etc
What a wonderful way to end this trip – a big breakfast
at sunrise and the spectacular panorama of the Himalayas. You will freewheel
down through Bhaktapur where you can stop and see some of the town's famous
temples if you wish, before we ride into busy Kathmandu again. In the
afternoon you can relax, shop or go sightseeing. We will all get together in
the evening for a last dinner to celebrate the successful completion of this
amazing adventure. [Total cycle: 35 km].
Day 22: Final Departure
from Nepal.
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