Lhasa Kathmandu Motorbike Tour
The greatest two wheeler expedition that traverses through the road on Everest shadow between Tibet and Nepal
The greatest two wheeler expedition that traverses through the road on Everest shadow between Tibet and Nepal
It is the ride on the top of the world- an adventure of a lifetime! Explore Himalaya fulfills your dream to ride on Royal Enfield 500cc on the celebrated route of the Tibetan plateaus along newly opened Nepal-Tibet connecting border Kerung. The initial four days’ stay in Lhasa provides an opportunity to acclimatize you with the high altitude. The sightseeing on the Royal Enfield around majestic Potala Palace, wondering around typical Tibetan locality Barkhor square and the visits to tranquil Norbulingka, Deprung and Sera Monasteries keeps you absolute busy in Lhasa. After some unforgettable days in Lhasa, you will explore Everest Base Camp passing through the iconic towns of Tibet and finally continue to Kathmandu via Kerung.
This is an opportunity to ride the Himalayan Range as well as explore cities renowned for their culture and the mystical charm they exude. As you ride from the ancient city of Tibet to Kathmandu, you will explore the vast landscape anchoring these two cities through one of the most remote roads in the World with the mighty Himalayas by your side. The highlights of this tour are many but to name a few,you 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!
Check our trip reports to motorbike tours in Tibet
Explore Himalaya Motorbike Tour Lhasa Kathmandu
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa (3650 m); Transfer to hotel
- Day 2 Sightseeing tour in Lhasa on Motorbike
- Day 3 Sightseeing tour in Lhasa on Motorbike
- Day 4 Free day at Lhasa; 2 hours bike riding practice and sightseeing tour
- Day 5 Ride to Gyantse via Yamdrok So Lake (3950 m) 261 km
- Day 6 Ride to Shigatse (3900 m) 90 km
- Day 7 Ride to Shegar (4050 m) 244 km
- Day 8 Ride to Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk (5000 m)
- Day 9 Ride to Tingri (4348m ) 102 km
- Day 10 Ride to Kerung (4200 m) 280 km
- Day 11 Cross the border and ride to Trishuli / Nuwakot
- Day 12 Ride to Kathmandu
- Day 13 Departure Kathmandu
USD 6995 per person on twin sharing on AP
Single Supplement: USD 560 per person per single (if no one to share room with)
Minimum pax Required 4
COST 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
- Use Classic Royal Enfield (500 CC) 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 Kyirong / Kathmandu (Post Trip).
- Poterages at the Kyirong (Tibet border) to transfer the equipment and spare parts from Tibet side to Nepal side.
- 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.
COST EXCLUDES:
- Nepal Visa and Tibet 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
Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650m) which is about 62km away from the airport. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude. Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today. .
- Day 2
Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. With a road captain you will have bike riding practice in Lhasa for 2 hours along with road Captain. Later after lunch you will have sightseeing tour in Lhasa with English speaking local Tibetan guide on motorbike. You will visit to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel..
- Day 3
Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will start sightseeing tour on motorbike with your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you will be escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest. Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, your guide will decide upon the order of sightseeing places. .
- Day 4
In Lhasa
This day is for you to spend as per your wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit your favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a café and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang. There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost..
- Day 5
Ride to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
You will ride motorbike along the Friendship Highway; you will ride past Khamba La, at 4794m, with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa, standing at 7252m. On turning westwards, you will come across another pass, Karo La at 5045m. If you look at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down. After riding 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse..
- Day 6
Sightseeing in Gyantse & ride to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort, overlooks the entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, taking a 90 km ride, you will arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet that lies at an altitude of 3900m. Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is the major attraction of Shigatse..
- Day 7
Sightseeing & ride to Shegar (4050m) 244km
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gymasto La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. Along the ride, you can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma etc..
- Day 8
Ride to Everest Base Camp (5200m) via Rongbuk (5000m)
After breakfast you will ride towards Rongbuk. This morning you have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5200m.) After riding for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. You will continue your ride to the Base Camp, which is just 9km away from Rongbuk. The Base Camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensates for it. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. Overnight in Rongbuk..
- Day 9
Ride to Tingri (4348m) 102km
Enjoy the early morning views of Mt. Everest and after breakfast, set out retracing the route from Everest Base camp for about 40 kilometers to arrive at Tashi Dzom. From here you will continue a bit further to arrive at a marker showing the direction to Tingri. At this point, you will leave the main trail and set off for Tingri through small scattered ethnic villages and farm lands which take about 3 hours..
- Day 10
Ride to Kerung (4200 m) 280 km
Today you will ride to Kerung, which is a newly opened border after the massive earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the original border was affected by earthquake and had to close. On the way you will ride through the Himalayan range and see snow capped mountains, as well as Mt.shishakpangma, which is the only mountain over 8000m on China side. You will continue to Kerung via Gongtangla pass over 5000m. Stay overnight at Kerung hotel..
- Day 11
Cross Nepal-China border, ride to Nuwakot (1022m)
In the morning, you will cross the Nepal-China border and continue riding to Trishuli/Nuwakot. It takes around 4 hrs to reach Nuwakot from Kerung border..
- Day 12
Ride to Kathmandu (1400m) 75km
Today you will head towards Nepal’s capital city “Kathmandu”. It takes around 3-4 hrs to reach Kathmandu. One you reach Kathmandu, you will hand over the bike and relax rest of the day. In the evening, there will be farewell dinner with cultural dance show..
- Day 13
Depart Kathmandu
According to your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for you international departure. .
General Information
MOTORBIKE ROUTE ALTERNATIVES TO REACH LHASA
If you planning to travel Tibet, it can be reached from various parts of China i.e. Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai & Xining by flight and by train from Beijing:
- Flight: There are various airlines those flies to Lhasa from different major cities of China.
- Train: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is world’s highest railway. The train journey from Beijing to Lhasa takes 48 hours. The journey begins from Beijing via Xian, Lanzhou, Xining & Golmud. Owing to Tibet's high altitude, the train has been equipped with oxygen-supplying equipments. Oxygen masks are available for those who are prone to altitude sickness.
If you are planning to go Lhasa, Tibet from Nepal there are two different ways:
- Flight: Air China and Sichuan Airlines have regular flights for Lhasa. An hour’s flight takes you to Gonggar airport from where you have to drive to Lhasa.
- Road: From Kathmandu, you will drive to Nepal –China border at Kerung. After immigration formalities, your Tibet Guide will escort you towards Lhasa on 4WD Land Cruiser along the Tibetan plateau. There will be several overnight stopovers until you reach Lhasa.
Happy Explorers
We find it very important that our travelling contributes to the preservation of Nepal’s fragile and beautiful nature. We encourage Kipling Travels and Explore Himalaya to start working with different tea-houses / lodges and hotels on sustainability initiatives- like waste recycling, solar heating etc.
Community Service
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.
