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I started with googling Tibet motorbike tours to Everest base camp and contacted a few companies. Holly from Tibet Vista got back to me promptly and it took 3 months of asking questions and requesting changes to itinerary when the final trip took shape.
We were three good friends. Our fourth companion had to cancel at the last minute, but the Tibet Vista team helped the three of us continue the trip. We’re all in our early fifties.
The motorbikes that carried the three of us through the Lhasa-EBC-Mount Kailash journey.
Join our 13-day Lhasa to Kathmandu Motorcycle Tour with Western Tibet Adventure and ride across the Roof of the World.
Well-Organized Mt. Kailash Journey with Outstanding Support from Our Guide Tenzin
Holly was super patient and helpful and provided all necessary info and resources. We customised our trip to include ride to Mt Kailash and trek around the mountain, and drop off to Kathmandu. Bikes hire, insurance and organisation of permits, passes and local license was all sorted by them.
I should say accommodation was far above what I expected - clean and comfy. The trip went super smoothly, much above our expectations. Our Tibetan tour guide - Tenzin aka Salmaan Khan was a veteran at this and organised us every day and ensured smooth passage, travel, meals and safe fun. He also trekked with us around Mt. Kailash - he is a star.
Our Tibetan tour guide Tenzin.
Essential Tips for a Smooth Tibet Trip: Permits, Altitude Prep, and Payments
You need an original physical Tibet travel Permit when you land a Lhasa, and it cannot be posted internationally so we received it in Chengdu and Beijing (during transit) to be able to present it at Lhasa.
Get a prescription of Diamox (diuretic) and start taking 125mg twice a day from before 24 hours of arrival to Lhasa to help with acclimatization (prevents altitude sickness in Tibet), need to take it for 48-72 hrs after reaching there.
All hotels and local stores sell oxygen if needed so don't stress. I would encourage taking a small portable finger pulse oximeter with you to keep an eye on oxygen sats if you start finding yourself struggling to breathe or exert. Also suggest taking some antacids (food is spicy) and lots of neurofen for aches and pains.
Set up Alipay and WeChat wallet as they are the most widely accepted mobile payment in China. Good to carry at least couple of hundred USD and change to local Yuan - some places on Mt. Kailash and Everest base camp tour requested cash payments.
eSim from Trip.com did the job and would recommend getting yourself a suitable data plan as the local firewalls that kick in when you connect to hotel Wifi block most of the sites (google, yahoo, etc). I used my data plan and hotspot to use my laptop. The connectivity is excellent in China. Also download and use A-Maps whilst in China.
Pass through Yamdrok lake on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse.
Close-up view of Mount Everest at Everest base camp.
Our Detailed Motorbike Journey from Lhasa to Mount Kailash
Day 1 (May 30): Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to arrange driving licenses
Day 2 (May 31): Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Day 3 (June 1): Lhasa sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
Day 4 (June 2): Lhasa to Shigatse (360 KM): Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, old town of Gyantse
Day 5 (June 3): Shigatse to Tingri (260 KM): Tashilunpo Monastery, Gyatso la Pass
Day 6 (June 4): Tingri - Tashizong - EBC - Old Tingri (200 KM): Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery
Day 7 (June 5): Old Tingri to Saga (230 KM): Peikutso Lake, Mt. Shishapangma in the distance
Day 8 (June 6): Saga to Paryang (230 KM): traditional villages, beautiful view on the way
Day 9 (June 7): Paryang to Darchen (260 KM): Gongzhucuo Lake
Day 10 (June 8): Darchen to Dirapuk (5210m) (Trek Day 1: 13KM)
Day 11 (June 9): Dirapuk to Zutulpuk (4835m) across Dolma-la Pass (Trek Day 2: 24KM)
Day 12 (June 10):Zutulpuk to Darchen (Trek Day 3: 12KM) and ride to Lake Manasarovar (40 KM)
Day 13 (June 11): Lake Manasarovar to Paryang (220 KM)
Day 14 (June 12): Paryang to Saga (230 KM)
Day 15 (June 13): Saga to Gyirong and return the motorcycle (180 KM) - Peikutso Lake, Gyirong Valley
Day 16 (June 14): Gyirong to Kathmandu via Gyirong Border by vehicle (175 KM)
Our memorable moment during the trek in Tibet.
Conclusion
We had the trip of lifetime and probably the most well organised and supported one. Highly recommend this for any serious bike/ adventure enthusiast. The staff and guides at Tibet Vista seem very experienced and are super reliable and efficient to make the journey a super pleasant memory.
"Epic Tibet Motorcycle Adventure: Expertly Organized, Fully Supported, and Unforgettable"