Tibet Explore Cycling Tour

- Potala Palace (1 hour): Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for the long stairways.
- Jokhang Temple (2 hours): Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.
- Barkhor Street (2 hours): Built about 1,300 years ago, The Barkhor (pilgrims’ circuit) is found in the heart of Lhasa encircling the Jokhang Temple. In the past, it was a designated circumambulation circuit, "a saint’s road" in the eyes of Tibetans. Many people call the Barkhor “the window of Tibet” as it exhibits typical Tibetan life. Watch the pilgrims, wearing their local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate them near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.
- Kechu Hotel: Located near Jokhang Temple,The Kechu hotel and restaurant has a beautiful garden and provides Tibetan and Nepal food.

- Biking from Lhasa to Quxu Bridge : Route: Lhasa (3650M) to Quxu Bridge (3593M)

Riding Time: about 4 hours (71 KM)

Today is an easy day. After breakfast in the hotel, bike the 71 KM, about 4 hours from Lhasa to Quxu Bridge. In evening, after settling into camp, you can walk to the Yarlung Zangbo River to get a great view of the sunset.
- Lhasa Kitchen: Lhasa Kitchen is near the Jokhang Temple. It is decorated by merging Tibetan style with Indian, Nepalese, Chinese and Italian architecture. It serves a variety of styles of food.

- Biking from Quxu Bridge (3593M)– Kampala pass(4793M)- Nagartse(4450M): Route: Quxu Bridge (3593M)– Kampala pass(4793M)- Nagartse(4450M)

Riding Time: about 6 hours (84KM)

After breakfast ride from Quxu Bridge to Nagartse County. The first section is 30KM to Kampala pass. The trail meanders through villages of mud-walled houses and pastoral farmlands. Take the opportunity to visit the Yomdrok Lake; a spectacular lake on the roof of the world. After have lunch and a rest, continue riding to our destination. Interact with local villagers with the assistance from your Tibetan guide. Set up camp at Nagartse village.
- Land of River Restaurant: Land of River Restaurant specializes in Sichuan and Southern Chinese food.

- Biking from Quxu Bridge - Nagartse: Route: Nagartse (4450M) – Karo La (5110M) - Simi La (4345M) - Gyantse (4025M)

Riding Time: 6-7 hours (104KM)

After have breakfast, after leaving Nagartse, the trail heads towards a valley and then to the top of Karo La, the first 5000 meter passes on your trip. Crossing Karo La (5110M) descend to the foot of Simi La at an elevation of 4330m through some beautiful Tibetan villages. After a light lunch and a rest, ride into a wide sandy valley and towards Gyantse. The trail crisscrosses barley fields and beside a flowing river. Visit the Palgor Chorten Monastery. No camping tonight as accommodation is in a comfortable hotel.
- The Palgor Chorten (1.5 hours): Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.
- Yomdrok Lake (2 hours): Dotted with a dozen islands and abundant in natural resources, Lake Yamdrok has the highest power station in the world, and is also the largest habitat for water birds in Tibet, attracting countless swans and gulls every summer.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

- Biking from Gyantse - Shigatse: Route: Gyantse (4025M)-Bainang- Shigatse (3836M)

Riding Time: 6 hours (96KM)

Today, ride from Gyantse to Shigatse on a sealed road. This road is more heavily trafficked as are the busy streets of Shigatse.

In Shigatse visit the Tashilunpo Monastery which represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. Accommodation is at a comfortable hotel.
- Tashilunpo Monastery (2 hours): Tashilhunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 by Gyalwa Gendun Drup (1st Dalai Lama) and is a historically and culturally important monastery. Its name means “heap of glory” or “all fortune and happiness gathered here”. Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit.5 story temple which contains a 26 meters (86ft) sitting statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Jamba Chyenmu) id inside the grounds of the monastery. The statue was cast from 6,700 ounces of gold and over 115,000 kg of copper, making it the biggest copper Buddhist statue in the world.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.
- Biking from Shigatse to Jiding County: Route: Shigatse (3836M) to Jiding County (3836M)

Riding time: 3 hours (61KM)

Today is a leisurely with free time. After breakfast, sightseeing in Shigatse by yourself and have lunch. After lunch ride to Jiding County and set up camp.

- Biking from Jiding to Lhatse: Route: Jiding County (3836M)-Rena County- Tso La (4534M) - Lhatse (4023M)

Riding Time: 6 hours (95KM)

After a light breakfast, the ride follows the Friendship Highway. The first section is 17km from Jiding County to Liuxiang village. The second leg is 40km ride to Tso la which has a clear view of the main Himalayan range. After lunch ride downhill to Lhatse County and stay at local hotel.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.
- Biking from Lhatse to Baiba: Route: Lhatse (4023M) - Gyamtso La (5252M) – Baiba (4393M)

Riding Time: 5 hours (86KM)

After breakfast, start today’s ride with a gradual climb to the foot of Gyamtso La

The Gyamtso La at 5220 meter is located approximately 15 kilometers from the Lhatse and is the highest pass of this biking adventure. The trail to the top of the pass is steep and rough in places. From the pass it is steep downhill ride amidst stunning views of Mt. Everest. Riding past small Tibetan settlements, see nomadic herdsmen en route to the camp at Baiba village.

- Biking from Baiba to Zhaxizong Village: Route: Baiba (4393M) - Zhaxizong village (4161M)

Riding Time: 4 hours (64KM)

Today the ride de Tours away from the main road to the Everest Base Camp. The road zigzags across the back wall of the valley overlooking a stunning view of the pass. The view from the top of the pass is breathtaking with the whole Himalaya range gleaming right before you. The tough climb to the pass is followed by a downhill ride to small Tibetan settlement where camp is established for the night.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.
- Biking from Zhaxizong to Mt.Everest Base Camp: Route: Zhaxizong (4164M) - Rongbuk Monastery (4987M) - Mt. Everest Base Camp (5020m)

Riding Time: 5 hours (49KM)

Today’s ride is along the broken stone road with the first section from Zhaxizong Village to Quzong passing through Basong village. The ride is 1.5 hours and 23KM. After lunch continue to Rongbuk Monastery which lies 3 kilometers below the Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 4987m; then 3 KM on gravel road to the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Stay at a local hostel.

- Rongbuk Monastery(with Mt.Everest) (1.5 hours): Rongbuk Monastery is the highest on earth at an altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet),. Visitors will get a great view of Mt Everest depending on the weather.

Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in the Tibetan Language, is the highest peak on the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers' eyes. A journey to the Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to visitors, but it will definitely reward them with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories. On May 8, 2008, the Olympic Torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was taken to the peak and lit by a group of Chinese mountaineers, making it the first time ever for the Olympic torch to be lit on the "top of the world".
- Everest Base Camp: Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers’ eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you --5200mt (17000ft), but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.
- Mt.Everest Base Camp: Today is a rest day at Mt. Everest Base Camp. See the sunrise and sunset from Base Camp. Stay at a local hostel.

- Biking from Mt.Everest Base Camp to Tingri: Route: Mt. Everest Base Camp (5020m) – Longjiang La pass- Tingri (4327M)

Riding Time: 7 hours (74KM)

The first 16KM of today’s ride from Mt. Everest Base Camp to Monument Road 79 will take about 2 hours because the trail is extremely rocky and bumpy. Continuing the ride tour to the destination, the view of majestic Everest and Cho Oyu is stunning. The dirt road turns into a paved road on entering the small town of Tingri which is an unsheltered and windy settlement nestled underneath the enchanting Cho Oyu. The overnight camp will be at a small village.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.
- Biking from Gangga County to Menbu County: Route: Gangga County (4327m) – Gucuo village- Menbu County

Riding Time: 4 hours (62KM)

Starting with a little uphill climb, the ride makes its way along the edge of the valley following a river before it enters a lake sheltering a variety of Himalayan ducks. The views of Everest and Cho Oyu along the road are spectacular. Riding a further 22 km brings an excellent campsite which has green grass and crystal clear mountain rivulet and is at the foot of La Lung La.

- Biking from Menbu County to Zhangmu: Route: Menbu County (4327m) – La Lung La Pass (5017m) - Thang La Pass (5126m) – Nylam (3800m) – Zhangmu (2414)

Riding Time: 7 hours (123 KM)

After breakfast the first leg of 22KM is about 1 hour from Menbu County to La Lung La pass at 5017 meters offers excellent views of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. A six kilometer downhill ride and a further seven kilometer uphill climb brings the top of the second pass - Thang La at 5126 meters. After spending some heavenly moments at the top of the pass begin ‘the world’s longest downhill’ biking adventure. A long pleasant downhill ride amidst superb mountain scenery brings finishes at Nylam. Then ride along the steep road dropping down through the gorge a further 15 kilometers amidst the verdant vegetation to the Chinese border town of Zhangmu at 2300 meters. Tonight stay at local hotel.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.