12 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa via EBC Motorcycle Tour

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and get transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, our guide will collect your original passport and use it to apply for China Group Visa (at least 3 days to be processed). You may have a good rest, or stroll around the hotel.

Later, our guide will a short briefing about the tomorrow’s tour and following motorbike ride from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Tip: Whether you come with your own motorbike or need motorbike rental service, we can offer the tailor-made motorbike tour accordingly. 

In the morning, we will the Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and when important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, still take place today.

Then, we will tour Swayambhunath. It is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the source of the Valley’s mythical beginning.

In the afternoon, the tour group will head to Patan City, which is 15 minutes driving from Kathmandu. Patan's central -Durbar Square, is absolutely packed with temples: It’s an architectural center point with a far greater concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathamandu or Bhaktapur. You may shop around and finally we will head back to Kathmandu.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Our first stop will be Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. The old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images.

Later, we head to Bouddhanath, one of the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.

Our staff will get your China group visa and help you get everything ready for tomorrow’s motorbike tour.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

It is the day when the adventurous motorbike tour officially begins. Today, we drive north by following the zigzag mountain road to Syabrubesi (2,380m), a peaceful village inside Langtang National Park. The road gets bumpier as you get closer to Sino-Nepal border in the valley. So, do be careful with the ride on winding road in the mountainous region.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Syabrubesi. 

After breakfast, we drive from Syabrubesi(2,380m) to Gyirong border. It covers 20km and takes around 45min. After you go through the customs, we will keep driving to Gyirong country (2700m) and spend one night there for a better acclimatization before moving higher to Old Tingri. In the afternoon, you may go to visit Padmasambava cave.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

As we drive up across mighty Himalayas, the real drama unfolds. After passing the snowline, the lush forest and vegetation gradually give way to lofty mountain passes and awe-inspiring Himalayan peaks, blanketed by dreamy snow. The tarmac road stretches into unbounded vista and takes you past imposing Kuntanglhamo Pass(5236m). Another great view along the way would be striking peak of Mt. Shishapangma (8012m) and tranquil Pekutso Lake. As you get closer to the Old Tingri(4300m), you will surly get amazed at the awestruck vista of Mt. Everest, looming up ahead of the horizon.

Stay overnight in the hotel in Old Tingri 

After breakfast, we hit the road to Everest Base Camp (5200m). The entire travel route overlaps the classic trekking route from Old Tingri to EBC. Though the graveled and dusty road offers a small challenge to you, the entire scenery along the way, dominated by soaring peaks along great Himalayas, will leave you in awe. You will enjoy the incredible view of Mt. Cho Oyu in the distance, and pass high passes like Lamna-La (5150m) and Pang-La (5350m). Your travel culminates as you ride to the Rongbuk Monastery, which is within 10min’s walk to the camping site of EBC.

Then you can visit the legendary Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) and take engaging photos of Mt. Everest by using Rongbuk as the foreground. Don’t forget to do meditation inside the cave of Tsongkhapa. At night, you will sleep in the tented camp at the foot Mt. Everest.

Tips: Due to the extreme altitude, do walk slowly and do not exert yourself to avoid acute altitude sickness. EBC can get extremely cold at night and daybreak, do wear enough clothes when enjoying the twilight of Everest. Our well-trained guide will monitor each tourists’ health condition along the way.

Stay overnight in the tented camp or Rongbuk guesthouse

In the morning, you can enjoy the incredible sunrise over the peak of Mt. Everest if weather permits at the lodging area. After breakfast, we are about to head northeast by following famous Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway to Shigatse. It would be a long drive, peppered with jaw-dropping Himalayan scenery and enchanting view of Shigatse.

You will pass the famous Gawu La Pass (5198m), where the top 4 highest peaks such as Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Cho Oyo (8201m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m), can be seen here. After you reach Shigatse in the afternoon, you will visit the seat of Panchan Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Stay overnight in the hotel in Shigatse

Keep traveling from Shigatse to Lhasa. You will pass Gyantse, one of the most charming counties in Tibet. And Nepali-style Kunbum stupa inside Palkhor Monastery will be the focus of your visit. Besides, the magnificent Gyantse Fortress overlooking the entire Gyantse town on Zongshan Hill will certainly take your breath away. With time permitting, you may take a brief stroll in the old street of Gyantse town.

Then, we will hit the road again. You can hang colorful prayer flags over the Simila Mountain pass and later closely observe the massive Karola Glacier right beside the highway. Another big highlights would be following the winding road past the turquoise Yamdrok Lake. After the long ride, we will make it to Lhasa, capital of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa 

Our first stop is to visit the Potala Palace, the UNESCO world heritage site and the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Walking slowly along the long stone steps to the White and Red Palaces, you can explore the former residence of Dalai Lama and his meeting room and religious chamber. You can see the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. A bird's-eye view of Lhasa city and Lhasa valley from the top of Potala Palace will take your breath away.

After we have lunch and then we will head to holy Jokhang Temple. It’s the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet. Outside the temple, you will witness pious Tibetan pilgrims, young and old, prostrating themselves in front of Jokhang and long lines of Tibetans following the Barkhor circuit. Inside, travelling in dim butter light, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism. You may reach the top of Jokhang Temple to enjoy the panorama of old Lhasa city and great vista of Potala Palace.

Then we may do the kora by circling the Barkhor Street with pilgrims and locals and buy the some souvenirs. Never miss the chance to enjoy the tasty sweet tea in local tea house and visit Tromzikhang , the famous farm produce market.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station. Entire tour service ends.