Looking for an ultimate destination to push your cycling career to a whole new level? Just look no further than Tibet. With lofty Himalayan peaks, turquoise alpine lakes and mysterious cliff-side Buddhist monasteries, Tibet promises an unparalleled riding experience for the world’s toughest mountain bikers.
Of all the classic cycling routes in Tibet, the following three Tibet tours for cyclists are widely believed to be the best of the best ride you can enjoy in Tibet. Let’s find out together.
Travel Tips: Due to the high altitude in Tibet (with an average altitude of above 4000m), for the newcomers in Lhasa, normally it takes around 2 days for your acclimatization to the life on soaring Tibetan Plateau. Then you can have a test ride around Lhasa. Then, you are ready to venture out and experience the exciting ride on the roof of the world.
Cycling from Lhasa to EBC
The first cycling route we highly recommended to you is the 19-Day Tibet Biking Tour from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, which has been chosen by numerous cyclists during these years and is a safe plan that has been proved for years. Although it is quite hard to enjoy all the beauty and culture of Tibet with one cycling trip, this path can add to your understanding of Tibet to a great degree.
This biking tour is full of adventures and we recommend cyclists stay in Lhasa for 2 or 3 days to adapt to the high altitude of Tibet. In the first 3 days, you can arrange your time to visit some famous places in Lhasa, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery. These cultural sites will help you to understand the worship of Tibet.
Lake Yamdrok Tso is one of the holy lakes in Tibet with turquoise lake and stunning view, which is the next destination on this cycling trip. You need to go through the Kamba La Pass to get there and you can view the wonderful scenery along the Tsangpo River on the way there. This may take you 2 days to get to Lake Yamdrok Tso.
During the 6-7 days, you can cycle toward Gyantse along the Friendship Highway. The altitude becomes high and you need more energy to continue cycling from Kamba La Pass to Gyantse. The glaciers and amazing lakes will be the best rewards to you, and you can have a good night in the hotel of Gyantse.
After you get to Shigatse, you can arrange one day to visit this city and then move to Tashilhunpo Monastery to feel the religion of Tibet quietly. Remember to walk clockwise when you are in the monastery and do not take pictures without asking.
From Gyachung Monastery to Lhatse, you can have the chance to record the picturesque valleys and hot springs by taking pictures or videos on the road. This is the itinerary for the 11th day of this trip.
During the 12-14 days, you can cycle along Lhatse – Shegar – Pang Pass and reach Rongbuk Monastery in the 14th day. The majestic mountain views will meet your demands of cycling in Tibet. You can get the opportunity to see Mount Everest when you endeavor to cycle uphill through the Rongbuk valley. After that, you can begin to arrange your time to leave for Shigatse and then Lhasa by car.
This touring plan can lead you to visit the main Tibetan attractions, including religious places, local houses, holy lakes and etc. Both cultural and natural sceneries can be grasped during this trip. If you are lucky, you can view running animals on the plateau while you are cycling towards the highest mountain in China.
For more information about EBC tour, just click the link.
Cycling from Lhasa to Kathmandu via EBC
The 22-days Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Tour is actually the extension from the EBC to Kathmandu. For travelers who intend to enter Tibet from Kathmandu, You can enjoy a brief tour in Kathmandu and then fly to Lhasa on the third day. Lhasa is full of religious places and you can pay a visit to famous monasteries one by one. It is really a good time enjoying the old streets and local culture in Lhasa as well.
After you get acclimated to the environment of Lhasa by staying around 2 days, you can begin to cycle to Yamdrok Tso via Kamba La Pass and then ride to Karo La Pass Base during the 7th and 8th days in this trip. The lake beauty and the mountainous roads will offer you a feeling of secluding from the world.
From Karo La Pass Base to Shigatse, you need to pass Gyantse. After you ride to Gyachung Monastery, you can have a good rest and adjust your own physical and mental conditions, for riding is a physically-demanding sports.
During the 13th day to 17th day, you can ride according to the path of Lhatse – Shegar – Pang Pass – Rongbuk Monastery – Tingri. The unforgettable sceneries will make you feel everything is worthwhile, no matter how hard it is.
Afterwards, Lalung Pass will be your next destination, and you can camp in the valley between Lalung Pass and Lalung Pass. The high mountain peaks around will leave you awestruck and it’s the place where you can pitch camp and spend the night there.
When you get to Gyirong, you can pass through customs and then enter into Nepal to begin your Nepal tour. It is a great experience to cycle along the rice paddies and visit several temples on the road from Gyirong – Dhulikhel – Bhaktapur to Kathmandu.
The snowy mountains, ancient monasteries, and other beauties along the way make this bike tour to be significant and great.
For more information to customize your cycling tour in Tibet, please feel free to reach our professional travel consultants.
Cycling from Lhasa to Namtso Lake
Known as the world’s highest saline lake, the heavenly Namtso Lake (4718m) offers a challenging yet much rewarding ride to one of the top 3 sacred lakes in Tibet. However, never take the 8-day Lhasa to Namtso Lake bike tour a pushover. Due to the numerous up-and-down steep slopes and high altitude, the scenic ride actually calls for much effort. You need to prepare to accept the extreme tests on willpower, strength, and endurance.
First, you can spend 3 days in Lhasa to visit well-known monasteries and taste local food in Tibet. When you finish the Lhasa tour, you can start out riding to Damxung along Qinghai-Tibet highway. The smooth and flat road will help you to get to your destination quickly. It is also sensible for you to have a small rest in Yangpachen along the way.
Namtso Lake is the final destination of this trip and this holy lake is really attractive to travelers around the world. Its altitude is high and its water is pure. Walking along this lake will be one fantastic experience at night. After you finish the visiting of Namtso Lake, you can get out to ride back to Yangpachen and then Lhasa to complete this short but meaningful tour.
4+2 Cycling Mode Guarantees Your Safe and Pleasant Travel
Biking tours in Tibet are fascinating, but it is dangerous if you happen to get high altitude sickness. However, with the tourist-oriented service of our agency, we will take care of you on the way.
We run the cycling tour with “4+2” mode and an extra van and other staff will accompany the cycling tourists. When the roads are too hard for cycling or the sceneries on the way are not so satisfying, cyclists can stay comfortably in our extra tour vehicle to save physical power.
Meanwhile, as you enjoy the ride, an extra van with our staff and technical and medical support will follow behind, making sure everything goes well and offering timely support.
Cycling Tips: Because of powerful UV light, do apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration; we suggest you bringing your own bike and spare parts though mountain bikes can be rented in Lhasa. For more information to customize your cycling tour in Tibet, please feel free to reach our professional travel consultants.
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