14 Days Kathmandu to EBC Lhasa and Namsto Lake Motorcycle Tour

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, our local guide and driver will be greeting you at the exit gate and offer you a smooth transfer to your hotel in downtown Kathmandu.

You may take some time to rest from your flight or stroll around the lively streets filled with colorful shops, temples, and cafés. In the evening, we will meet for a trip briefing about tomorrow’s tour and the following motorbike ride from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

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

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

• Kathmandu Valley
• Kathmandu durbar square at night in Nepal

Today, you will dive into the cultural treasures of the Kathmandu Valley.

In the morning, after breakfast, we will visit Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which is one of the 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 where 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 Kathmandu or Bhaktapur. You may shop around, and finally we will head back to Kathmandu.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

• Patan Durbar Square
• Swayambhunath stupa is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu valley.

After breakfast, we will have a safety briefing, and then you will enjoy a short test ride from downtown Kathmandu to Nagarkot, one of the best and most accessible places to view the Himalayas.

You will pass small villages, terraced fields, and hilltop viewpoints. Though the road will be a little bumpy. This gives you time to get comfortable with your motorcycle before heading toward the Tibet border the next morning.

Then, we will head back to the hotel and get everything ready, and have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

• In clear weather the Himalaya range can be seen in Nagarkot.
• Nagarkot is a very popular tourist destination due to the amazing views of the Himalayan mountains.

It is the day when the adventurous motorbike tour officially begins. Today, after breakfast, 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 the Sino-Nepal border in the valley. So, do be careful with the ride on the winding road in the mountainous region.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Syabrubesi.

After breakfast, we drive from Syabrubesi(2,380m) to the Gyirong border. It covers 20km and takes around 45 minutes. After you go through the customs, we will keep driving to Gyirong county (2,700m) and spend one night there for better acclimatization before moving higher to New Tingri. In the afternoon, you may go to visit the Padmasambhava cave.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

• Ride the motorbike across the Gyirong Port to China's Tibet side
• Immersed in the local way of life here in Gyirong Valley.

After breakfast, we will drive up across the 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 an unbounded vista and takes you past the imposing Kuntanglhamo Pass(5,236m). Another great view along the way would be the striking peak of Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) and tranquil Pekutso Lake. As you get closer to the Old Tingri(4300m), you will surely get amazed at the awe-inspiring vista of Mt. Everest, looming up ahead of the horizon.

Stay overnight in the Old Tingri. 

• Majestic Mt. ShishaPangma
• Catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest in the distance

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 the 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).  After we reach the Zhaxizong Village, you will park your motorcycle at the designated parking lot and transfer to an ecobus to reach the Tibet EBC in around 45 minutes. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the colossal white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands towering before you.

You can spend this afternoon and evening taking photographs of the unobstructed north face of Mount Everest and watching the sunset as it paints the summit of Mt. Everest in a golden hue. At night, you can enjoy the amazing Milky Way stretching above the peak of Mt. Everest. It will definitely be an adventure of a lifetime to remember.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp.

Insider Tips:
1. Travelers need to transfer to the designated eco-bus to Tibet EBC, as it is a mandatory government policy to protect the fragile ecosystem at the heart of the Everest region.
2. Due to the extreme altitude, do walk slowly and do not exert yourself to avoid acute altitude sickness. Our local experts will monitor our guests’ health conditions along the way.
3. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

• Mount Everest is bathed in a golden sunrise, a breathtaking view of nature.
• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp

In the morning, after breakfast, you can enjoy the incredible sunrise over the peak of Mt. Everest if the weather permits at the lodging area, and visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where nuns and monks live together at 5154 meters above sea level.

Then, we are about to head northeast by following the famous Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway to Shigatse. It would be a long drive, peppered with jaw-dropping Himalayan scenery and an enchanting view of Shigatse.

You will pass the famous Gawu La Pass (5198m), where the top 5 highest peaks along the Himalayan Range, namely, Mt. Everest (8848.86m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), and Shishapangma (8,012m), can be seen here.

After you reach Shigatse in the afternoon, you will visit the seat of Panchan Lama, Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most famous Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama (Great Scholar in Tibetan Buddhism). Inside, you can admire the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha and meditate in the assembly hall, and more.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• The View of Rongbuk Monastery
• Stop at Gawu La Pass to admire epic Himalayan Range, including Mt. Everest

After breakfast, keep traveling from Shigatse to Lhasa. You will pass enchanting Gyantse County, one of the most charming counties in Tibet. And the 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 highlight would be following the winding road past the turquoise Yamdrok Lake. After the long ride, we will make it to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Ride through the turquoise Yamdrok Lake
• The Karola Glacier is so close that you will appreciate a spectacular view of the white glacier contrasted with blue sky.

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Awake to a day of brilliant sunshine. After breakfast, let’s head to Drepung Monastery for a 3km leisurely hike/kora. The Drepung Monastery is one of the great three Geluga monasteries founded by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Chöje.

As you follow the pilgrim route towards Loseling College, you will see the iconic huge rock paintings depicting Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Geluga Sect, and Buddhist mantras.

You can gather junipers and burn them as an offering to Buddha, drink refreshing mountain springs, or meditate alongside the local pilgrims beneath the rock face. At the mountaintop, the sweeping view of the enchanting Lhasa Valley will take your breath away.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling a Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

After breakfast, you will ride north from Lhasa to the heavenly Namtso Lake (4,718m). Along the way, you will pass through the vast prairie in Damxung, where you can see the closest nomadic area to Lhasa with herds of yaks and sheep.

While crossing the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Rainges, you’ll pause at the renowned Lagenla Pass (5190m) to marvel at the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake from a distance.

Then, descend the road to reach the Namtso Village, where you need to park your motorcycle and transfer to an eco-bus to arrive at the serene lakeshore of the Namtso Lake, one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet.

Upon reaching the lake, you can enjoy a leisurely trek on the scenic Tashi Dor Island and walk along the lakeshore for a closer look at the expansive lake. You’ll experience the fresh lake breeze, witness the colorful prayer flags fluttering by the shore, and take your time to unwind by the holy lake.

You may also ride on the tamed Tibetan Yaks for souvenir photography or explore the meditation caves around the Tashi Dor Island. If the time and weather permit, we will stay there to enjoy the amazing sunset over the Namtso Lake before heading back to Damxung for lodging.

Tips: Currently, all travelers need to switch to an eco-bus at Namtso Village for the final stretch to Namtso Lake. This measure helps protect the fragile natural environment.  So, you can’t directly ride your motorcycle to the Namtso Lake.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

• Enjoy the heavenly Namtso Lake with all motorcyclists
• Take photo with Tibetan Yak at holy Namtso Lake

After breakfast, you will ride the motorcycle from Damxung back to Lhasa, and on the way back, we will make a small detour to explore two of the off-the-beatan Tibetan Monasteries.

First, you will visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery), the largest nunnery near Lhasa. Roam over the peaceful nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet; you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then, head to Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism and is also the birthplace of the system of reincarnated living Buddhas in Tibet. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats', the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Finally, we will head back to Lhasa, and you can enjoy your last night in Lhasa to do some shopping or wander around the Lhasa streets.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• The nun preparing the butter lamp at Chimelong Nunnery
• Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Today marks the end of your tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.