Whether you arrive in Lhasa by train or by flight, your tour guide will be there to meet you to escort you to your hotel and check in. On the way from the airport to your hotel in Lhasa, you will be able to see the Yarlung Tsangpo/Bhamaputra River (the world's highest altitude river and the (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and the Lhasa River. You will have the rest of the day free to become acclimatized to the high elevation, or if you feel up to going out, you can go to Potala Square to enjoy the many-colored fountain and take some amazing photos of the Potala Palace from the square.
Accommodation:Overnight at Lhasa 4-Star hotel
Today we will start off with the fantastic Potala Palace, which historically served as the winter home of the Dalai Lama. It was first used in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet. The most valuable collections in the Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of the former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. After lunch, we will move on to the Jokhang Temple, which was also founded in the 7th century by the 33rd great king of Tibet to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni as he was at the age of twelve - this is perhaps the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Around the temple is Barkhor Street where you can perform the "Kora" (a religious circuit around a sacred building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals. The Barkhor market is also a great place to pick up locally made handicrafts and souvenirs.
Accommodation:Overnight at Lhasa 4-Star hotel
This morning we will visit the Drepung Monastery - one of the great three Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, on Tosngkhapa's main disciples, the Drepung Monastery is home of Ganden Palace, which formerly served as the Dalai Lama's palace before later moving on to the Potala Palace. In the afternoon we will move on to see another of the great three of the Gelug monasteries in Tibet - the Sera Monastery. Founded in 1419 by another main disciple of Tsongkhapa, Jamchen Chojey, the main attraction of this monastery is the lively scene of the monks debating Buddhist scriptures in the courtyard behind the monastery in the afternoon.
Accommodation:Overnight at Lhasa 4-Star hotel
Your bike tour begins today! Today's journey will begin in Lhasa and end at the base (3,700m) of Khamba La Pass (85km). Stay overnight in tents.
Tips: Most visitors should be acclimatized by now, but if you feel faintness or shortness of breath, stop immediately and tell your guide. Make sure to bring snacks and plenty of water.
Accommodation:Overnight at local Guest House
Total Cycle: 55 km
Bike across Kamba Pass (4794m) to Ngartse Village (4450m), a 55km journey. Camp for the night near Ngartse Village.
Tips: Bring plenty of water and snacks.
Accommodation:Overnight at local Guest House
Total Cycle: 54 km
Go on a 54km bike trip to the base (4750m) of Karo Pass (5010m). Stay overnight in tents.
Tips: Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.
Accommodation:Overnight at local Guest House
Bike across Karo Pass (5010m) to Gyantse (3980m) which is a 79km journey. Stay overnight in a hotel.
Tips: Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.
Accommodation:Overnight in Gyantse
Early tour of the Palkhor Monastery and the old part of Gyantse town Gyantse (almost 4,000m above sealevel). Gyantse is sometimes referred to as "Hero City" because it was the site of a battle against the British during their 1904 expedition. Palkhor monastery is a typical Buddhist monastery combining stupa and temple. The three sects of Tibetan Buddhism (Sakys, Gedang and Gelugpa) exist harmoniously within this monastery. Then ride (94km) on a good stretch of road to Shigatse (3,860m).
Accommodation:Overnight in Shigatse
Today we will cycle over two small passes, past the isolated Gyachung Monastery (4,100m). The day's journey will be roughly 75km. Camp for the night.
Tips: Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.
Accommodation:Overnight at local guest house
Bike across Yulong Pass (4,520m) to Lhatse (3860m). Today's jouney will be about 95km.
Accommodation:Overnight in local guest house
Total cycle: 75 km
Today we will get our first view of Mount Everest as we bike across the highest pass of this biking adventure, Gyamtso La Pass (5,220m), and head toward Tingri (Shegar) (4,050m). Tingri used to be an important trading outpost where Nepalese Sherpas would trade rice, grain, and iron for Tibetan wool, livestock, and salt. The surrounding grassland's fast flowing rivers of melted snow provide an ideal grazing ground for livestock. Stay overnight in a hotel.
Tips: Keep your eyes open for wildlife in the area. The surroundings provide a great opportunity for beautiful pictures.
Accommodation:Overnight in local guest house
We head along the main road towards Everest Base, facing 20km of uphill switchbacks with a total of 42 hairpin bends to the summit of the Pang Pass (5,150m). We then take a 20-kilometer downhill ride to the Rongbuk Valley (4,200m). The trip is a total of 67km. Stay overnight in tents.
Tips: Be very careful of the winding road. Take your time and tell your guide if you are uncomfortable. Obviously, it can be quite cold there, so pack warm clothes.At night, visitors can get up to take photos of Mt. Everest surrounded by the moon and stars. Be sure to get up early to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest.
Accommodation:Overnight at local guest house
Exploration of the highest monastery Rongbuk Monastery (4,200m). Then bike 8km to the Mount Everest Base Camp (5,150m). Stay overnight in tents.
Tips: If you stay overnight near Rongbuk Monastery either in a tent or guesthouse, it takes about a 2 hour trek from the monastery to the first base camp. Obviously, it can be quite cold there, so pack warm clothes. If you take a shuttle bus from Rongphu monastery to the Everest base camp (8km) it should take about 15mins. At night, visitors can get up to take photos of Mt. Everest surrounded by the moon and stars. Be sure to get up early to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest.
Accommodation:Overnight at local tent
Sunrise at EBC, winding roads, beautiful scenery on the way. If you did not go to see the sun set at EBC the day before, rise early on the morning of day 6 to catch the magnificent sunrise. Afterwards, the drive will go all the way to Shigatse.
Accommodation:Overnight in Shigatse
Early morning head to visit Tashilunpo Monastery. Then head to the train station to take the train from Shigatse back to Lhasa. (Z8804 12:05-14:40)
Accommodation:Overnight in Lhasa
Today you will be free until you are escorted to the airport/train station. Service ends.
Accommodation: