Kathmandu – Lhasa Kathmandu Overland BMW Motorbike Tour
Experience the ultimate BMW GS adventure in the Himalayas! An opportunity to ride the Himalayan Range as well as explore cities renowned for their culture and the mystical charm they exude. Join us on this rare adventure as we ride from the ancient city of Kathmandu to Tibet. We explore the vast landscape anchoring these two cities, as we ride through one of the most remote roads in the World with the mighty Himalayas by our side. The highlights of this tour are many but to name a few, we will visit many World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, explore age old monasteries in Tibet, ride the highest plateau in the World, make a stop at the Everest Base Camp and marvel at the sight of Mt. Everest standing tall at 8848m. Gear up for an epic journey to celebrate two ancient cultures and spectacular Himalayan landscapes unlike anywhere in the World.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrival: Transfer to Hotel
- Day 2 Sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square – Passport present in Chinese Embassy – Chinese Visa Processing
- Day 3 Sightseeing tour of Patan Durbar Suare and Swyambhunath – Chinese visa processing
- Day 4 Sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square – Chinese Visa processing
- Day 5 Briefing + Test ride – Passport collection from Chinese Embassy
- Day 6 Kathmandu-Syabrubesi: Enjoy a steep winding descent to Trishuli with beautiful scenery to match and ride along rolling hills, deep forests, and flowing streams. (120 km, approx. 5-6 hrs)
- Day 7 Syabrubesi-Kyirong: Head towards the Nepal-Tibet border town of Kyorung(60 km, approx. 1-2 hrs)
- Day Kyorung- Saga: Beautiful Tibetan landscape welcomes you this day as you ride through a number of valleys and ride along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. (250 km, approx. 5-6 hrs)
- Day Saga-Shakya: Scenic ride that crosses over 5 passes, and follow a route towards a sprawling river valley and picturesque traditional villages. (350 km, approx. 7-8 hrs)
- Day Shakya-Gyantse: Opportunity to explore Sakya monastery, the center of Sakya order, and at Gyantse be amazed visiting GyantseKubum, the most unique and magnificent building in Tibet.(244 km, approx. 5-6 hrs)
- Day Gyantse-Lhasa: Head towards Lhasa and on the way ride along picturesque trail of the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok. (265 km, approx. 5-6 hrs)
- Day Lhasa: Ride to the majestic Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery, and observe intricate Tibetan art while listening to ancient Buddhist chantings
- Day Lhasa- Lhatse: Begin the return journey and ride the northern route to Lhatse and prepare ascending to 5248 M, the Gyatso la pass which is the highest section of the journey. (425 km, approx. 7-8hrs)
- Day Lhatse- Rongbyuk: Head towards Rongbuk, and to the site of Everest Base Camp.(186 km, approx. 4-5 hrs)
- Day EBC Rongbyuk-Tingri: Excursion around Everest Base Camp on dirt road by the Dzakar Chu River and board the coach for the ride to view the awe inspiring views of the highest mountain in the World. (102 km, approx. 3-4hrs)
- Day Tingri-Kyirong: Ride the vastness of Tibetan landscape, the highest plateau in the World, with breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan range.(280 km, approx. 6-7hrs)
- Day Kyirong-Trishuli: Cross Nepal-Tibet friendship bridge and ride towards Trishuli/Nuwakot.
- Day Ride towards Kathmandu. Bike handover and rest of the day at leisure, Fare well dinner
- Day Departure - Transfer to airport for international departure
Price: Please contact at sales@explorehimalaya.com
Service Includes
- All arrival and departure transfer to and from the airport accompanied by an English speaking representative.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu & Lhasa (Tibet Part) on twin sharing basis with Breakfast throughout the length of package.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu accompanied by an English speaking local guide and all applicable Entrance fees
- Private transfer during sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
- Use of BMW GS 800/700 bike for the entire trip.
- Cost of fuel for the bikes.
- Services of a support staff, 01 Road captain and 01 Mechanic as well as support of 4WD vehicle to carry spare parts and clients personal baggage from Kathmandu / Kyirong (Pre – Trip) and Kyirong / Kathmandu (Post Trip).
- Poterages at the Kyirong (Tibet border) to transfer the equipment and spare parts from Nepal side to Tibet side and vice versa pre and post Tibet Tour.
- Visa Fee for Tibet
- All Lunch and Dinner throughout the tour in hotel or local restaurant en-route
- Documentation for Tibet travel permit and a special permit for Everest Base Camp.
- Services of a English speaking local Tibetan Guide
- Permit for Motorcycles to enter Tibet and the Everest Base Camp region in Tibet, PRC
- Overnight stay at the mentioned places as per the itinerary
- All monastery entrance fee during sightseeing tours and bus to Everest Base Camp and back from Rongbuk (as per the itinerary).
- Comprehensive medical kit
- Support of Oxygen canisters in Tibet
Price Excludes
- Nepal Visa
- International flight & any airport tax.
- Personal expenses like, communication, laundry, bar bills, internet.
- Tips for guide and drivers and local staffs etc.
- Client's Insurance and Medical Expenses.
- Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/rescue due to any unforeseen causes.
- Any other tours and transfers other than mentioned above.
- Any extra nights at hotel due to any reason.
- Supplement charges for alternate hotels or upgrading hotel.
- Personal clothing & equipment (Jacket, Helmet, Gloves, Trousers, Goggles etc.)
- Any Damage of Motorbike during the tour due to road accident or any causes (to be settled as per the expense bill)
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu - Transfer to Hotel
After arrival at the Airport, our representative welcomes you and transfers to Hotel. You will check in to Hotel which will provide welcome amenities. Rest of the day stroll around the historic town of Kathmandu or explore the fun filled lively streets of Thamel on your own..
- Day 2
Sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square – Passport submission in Chinese Embassy for Visa Processing
Pashupatinath: You will begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Shiva and is regarded as the most sacred Hindu shrine in Nepal. Here you can witness cremation ritual of Hindus at ‘Aryaghat’, the cremation area of the temple. Boudhanath: Bouddhanath, a huge dome shaped stupa, stands as the largest Buddhist shrine of South Asia. The ancient colossal chorten is considered to have built in 6th century A.D. It rests on a series of three terraces and from the bird's eye view it takes the relevant shape of a lotus flower which indeed remains a very holy object for all the devout Buddhists round the world. The chorten is surrounded by a circular market, which forms a part of town. The four pairs of the Buddha's eyes give a vivid flash to the four cardinal directions, meaning to keep a vigilant watch over the people and their commitments all day all night. The chorten embraces the authentic philosophy of Mahayana faith popularly known as Lamaism in Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet. Kathmandu Durbar Square: Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage sites by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to 12th-18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City. The Palace Complex was the Royal residence until the 19th century and was the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepali monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels. It houses King Tribhuvan Memorial Museum and Mahendra Museum. The square has remained as the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu’s most spectacular legacy of traditional architecture. .
- Day 3
Sightseeing tour to Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath – Chinese Visa processing
Swayambhunath: The Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath is situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest religious complexes in Nepal; dating back to 5th century A.D. Swoyambhunath Stupa has a shape of a dome standing on a base which represents the entire World. A pair of big eyes on each side of the dome symbolizes Wisdom and Compassion. They are, in fact, Buddha’s eyes — they give the impression as if he is looking right into you no matter where you stand. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Lichchhavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which lies in the east direction; and the other way to reach the temple is via a road trip around the hill leading to the southwest entrance. Patan Durbar Square: It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. Durbar Square is a marvel of Newa architecture. The Square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace. The Square also holds old Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by Newa People. Patan is one of the oldest known Buddhist cities. It is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Most of these structures are in the vicinity of the Durbar Square. .
- Day 4
Sightseeing tour to Bhaktapur Durbar Square – Chinese Visa Processing
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Spread over an area of 6.88 sq km, 12 km south-east of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon showcases the splendor of the Golden Age of Nepali art and architecture. Built by King Anand Dev Malla in 9th century, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It has remained a model for heritage conservation since then. At Bhaktapur Durbar Square, you will find many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and pagodas dedicated to different gods and goddesses – the Nyatapol & Dattaraya Temples, Golden Gate, Palace of 55 windows etc..
- Day 5
Briefing + Test Ride – Passport Collection from Chinese Embassy
Today you will meet you road captain who will be with you throughout the entire biking tour and he will brief about the safety and proceed during your tour on a motorbike. As you need to ride you motorbikes towards the Syabrubesi which is around 120 km from Kathmandu the next day, there will be a test drive program around Kathmandu after the briefing program..
- Day 6
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
Enjoy a steep winding descent to Trishuli with the beautiful scenery to match and ride along rolling hills, deep forests, and flowing streams. Negotiate traffic out of the Kathmandu city to the Ring Road cross section at Balaju. From here, follow the Nagarjun highway to Kakani with the winding and narrow forested road. From here it is a steep winding descent till Trishuli but the scenery is fantastic. Deep forested areas, with clear flowing streams and waterfalls provide visitors with what Nepal is all about. The beauty of the area is not easily forgotten. The rolling hills, the Trishuli river, ethnic villages, suspension bridges all make it a very interesting ride. Here we stop for the lunch. After lunch head north and continue ride to Dhunche. From here is steep descend on a winding and snaky trail till Syabrubesi. Upon arrival at Syabrubesi, check in to the lodge. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore around the village. Overnight at the Lodge..
- Day 7
Syabrubesi to Kerung
After breakfast ride approx. 20km to Kerung - Nepal /China border, the last border town. Complete Nepali Immigration formalities and cross the friendship bridge. Complete Chinese Immigration and meet your guide and driver from Tibet. Proceed for China Custom clearance for the motorcycles and after completion; load up the gear on the waiting Land cruiser / Mini Truck and ride for another 24km to Kerung town. Kerung, one of the frontier counties of Tibet Autonomous Region, lies in the southwest of Tibet and the southwest of Xigaze prefecture, covering 9126 square km with a population of 10 thousand. Kerung means happy village in Tibetan. It is one of the important towns in Kerung County, with a sea level of 2700m. Pagba Monastery, Chagar Monastery and Qiangzhen Monastery are main monasteries of Kerung .Up to 1960, one of the main trade routes between Nepal and Tibet passed through this region. Easily accessible from Nepal, it was used several times as an entrance gate for military actions from the site of Nepal against Tibet. Upon arrival check in at the Hotel, rest of the day is free to relax or explore around the town to acclimatize. Overnight at the Hotel..
- Day
Kerung to Saga
Beautiful Tibetan landscape welcomes you this day as you ride through a number of valleys and ride along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. After breakfast, ride through the beautiful Tibetan landscape, we enter a valley and the climb a pass and then again descend into another valley one after another and each one more scenic than the other. Finally after about 3 ½ hours, we get a glimpse of the mighty Brahmaputra river or locally known as “Tsang Po” and ride along its banks for a while and take the bridge (newly constructed). In the earlier years, all passengers and vehicles had to be ferried across to arrive at the hustle and bustle of the Saga town. Upon arrival check in at the guest house. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore around the town. Overnight at the Saga..
- Day
Saga-Shakya
Scenic ride that crosses over 5 passes, and follow a route towards a sprawling river valley and picturesque traditional villages. Overnight at the Shakya..
- Day
Shakya-Gyantse
Opportunity to explore Shakya monastery, the center of Shakya order, and at Gyantse be amazed visiting Gyantse Kubum, the most unique and magnificent building in Tibet. Overnight at the Gyantse..
- Day
Gyantse-Lhasa
Head towards Lhasa and on the way ride along picturesque trail of the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok. Overnight at Lhasa..
- Day
Sightseeing in Lhasa
Ride to the majestic Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery, and observe intricate Tibetan art while listening to ancient Buddhist chanting. Overnight at Lhasa..
- Day
Lhasa-Lhatse
Begin the return journey and ride the northern route to Lhatse and prepare ascending to 5248m, the Gyatso la pass which is the highest section of the journey. Overnight at the Lhatse..
- Day
Lhatse-Rongbyuk
Head towards Rongbuk, and to the site of Everest Base Camp. Overnight at the Hotel..
- Day
EBC Rongbyuk-Tingri
Excursion around Everest Base Camp on dirt road by the Dzakar Chu river and board the coach for the ride to view the awe inspiring views of the highest mountain in the World. Overnight at the Tingri..
- Day
Tingri-Kyirong
Ride the vastness of Tibetan landscape, the highest plateau in the World with breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan range. Overnight at the Kerung..
- Day
Kyirong-Trishuli/ Nuwakot:
Cross Nepal-China Friendship Bridge and ride towards Trishuli/Nuwakot. Overnight at the Hotel in Trishuli/Nuwakot..
- Day
Trishuli/Nuwakot to Kathmandu
After breakfast, ride towards Kathmandu which takes around 3 hrs and check in to the hotel. Later on, handover the bikes, at the end of the day farewell dinner as a celebration of the event success. .
- Day
Departure- Transfer
Free till departure. Our representative will escort you to the International Airport for onward destination..
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Itinerary Changes
One should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip that takes you into one of the remotest corners of the Tibetan plateau, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in the itinerary. Depending on the prevailing situation, the itinerary can be modified to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of tour completion should always coincide with the original itinerary.
Guide & Crews
The team has 1 Road Captain/Chief Technician and 1 mechanic. An experienced English speaking Tibetan guide will guide you to the sightseeing places in the Tibetan cities.
Communication
The hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Kathmandu have international IDD phone and fax services. These days, mobile phones work fine up to the Everest Base Camp. You can also have a roaming facility added to your mobile phone. If you buy a Chinese SIM card at the border, you could stay in touch with your family and friends most of the time. Please ask us for the latest facilities and schemes on Chinese mobile phones.
Clothing & Equipment
We recommend touring-friendly clothing set for this tour.
Insurance
Before joining this tour, we recommend you to take a travel insurance, which should cover cancellation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation.
Currency
Besides Chinese Yuan, USD & Euros are also accepted in Tibet. But shops that accept American currency are very limited and you might not be able to get a good deal for an exchange rate. Credit cards are accepted at some hotels. The Bank of China also accepts credit cards. ATM is not widely available. Exchanging your money to Chinese currency will be the best option for you, which can be done at the Bank of China. While changing money at the local money exchange centers, please take your guide along with you.
Tips
Tips are appreciated by your support team after completion of the trip. The amount you give depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.
Health
Vaccination requirements change frequently. So we suggest you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to your trip. The main health consideration in high altitude is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty while sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor. As a precautionary measure, we carry a supply of bottled oxygen and portable altitude chamber in our vehicle at all times. Chinese doctors will also be available at places like Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, and Shegar. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and to handle the low oxygen rate.
Rescue & Evacuation
In case of an accident or injury you shall be transferred to the nearest hospital. You are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation. So please make sure that it is covered by your insurance or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
Happy Explorers
Although we had to deal with some landslides on the route, we felt safe in their presence all the time.
Community Service
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.
