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2026: 11-Day lhasa-kathmandu cycling challenge
Trip introduction
Explore the roof of the world on two wheels!
Tibet is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tibet's average elevation is over 6,000 metres, yet it also has several holy lakes and mountains, pious people, and a beautiful environment. The Lhasa - Kathmandu Cycling Challenge will be a fantastic cross-section of the Tibet Plateau.
Our riding challenge will begin in Lhasa, at a height of 3660 metres. We recommend you use the road bike. We'll pedal as many kilometres as posssible through the Tibet Plateau in 10 days, arriving at the Base Camp at approximately 5200 metres above sea level. We will pedal along Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and pass the glacier. We will be amazed at the Potala Palace and challenged by our arrival at Base Camp. The road connecting Lhasa and the border town of Zhangmu has been repaved.
Our lodging along the way is comfortable and the most suitable in the area. We'll be accompanied by at least two experienced ride leaders with technical abilities, as well as a licensed local Tibetan guide who will introduce you about the history and culture of the area. A local doctor will also be present to safeguard everyone's health at such a high sea level.
Trip code: SGT260906
Itinerary
🥢 Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
To ensure the best possible experience, all itinerary details will be finalized and communicated closer to the departure date.
Day 1: sun, 6 sep – Arrival in lhasa (3,660m) (D)
Arrival in Lhasa 3660m., meet and greet, airport or railway station-hotel transfer, check in, stay in Lhasa*we will assist if you wish to arrive 1-2 days earlier.Highlights: evening tour Barkhor Street
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel 4*, standard room
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel 4*, standard room
Day 2: mon, 7 sep – lhasa Bike Preparation (B,D)
Hotel breakfast.
Bike assembly and test ride 15 km passing Potala Palace and Sera Monastery
stay in Lhasa.Highlights: Potala Palace, Sera MonasteryAccommodation: Lhasa Hotel 4*, standard room
Day 3: tue, 8 sep – lhasa (30km | 3,660m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast.30-40 km easy ride if physical condition allows. Stay in Lhasa.Highlights: Tibetan countryside scenery Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel 4*, standard room
Day 4: wed, 9 sep – lhasa - konggar zong (95km | 3,700m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Lhasa-Qushui-Konggar Zong 3700m. Stay in Konggar Zong.90 km easy-medium, flat, along the National Road G 318Highlights: enjoy the serenity and scenery along the Lhasa RiverAccommodation: Long Gang Hotel 3*, Konggar Zong
Day 5: thur, 10 Sep – konggar zong to gyantze via langkazi (250km | 4,040m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Gyantze (4,040m) via Langkazi (4,500m)
Drive distance 227 km, Climb distance 23 km.
The day is highlighted by a strenuous 23-kilometer bicycle climb, ascending from 3,800 meters to the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake viewpoint at 4,900 meters. Following this achievement and a lakeside lunch, we will switch to our support vehicles for the approximately 130-kilometer drive to Gyantze. This afternoon's journey through the spectacular highland landscape features a notable stop at the Kampala Pass, offering an opportunity to view the majestic Karuola Glacier, which towers at 7,191 meters.
Upon arrival in Gyantze, if time permits, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Peljor Monastery (also known as Palcho Monastery), renowned for its unique architecture and stunning Kumbum Stupa—a masterpiece of Tibetan Buddhist art.
Highlights: KampaLa Pass 5030m., Karuola Glacier (7,191 m), Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Palcho MonasteryAccommodation: Nyangchu Manor House Hotel 4*, Gyantze
Day 6: fri, 11 Sep – gyantze to shigatse (90km | 3,845m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Today’s ride is a relaxed 90-kilometer journey from Gyantze to Shigatse, mostly over flat terrain, offering a smooth and scenic cycling experience.
Upon arrival in Shigatse, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Tashilumpo Monastery —one of Tibet’s most significant monastic institutions and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Explore its stunning chapels, sacred halls, and the towering Maitreya Buddha while learning about its profound religious and cultural heritage. Stay in Shigatse.Highlights: Tibetan barley fields and countryside scenery, Tashilumpo MonasteryAccommodation: UrCove by HYATT 4*, Shigatse
Upon arrival in Shigatse, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Tashilumpo Monastery —one of Tibet’s most significant monastic institutions and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Explore its stunning chapels, sacred halls, and the towering Maitreya Buddha while learning about its profound religious and cultural heritage. Stay in Shigatse.Highlights: Tibetan barley fields and countryside scenery, Tashilumpo MonasteryAccommodation: UrCove by HYATT 4*, Shigatse
Day 7: sat, 12 Sep – shigatse to baiba town via latze (230km | 4,300m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Shigatse 3845m.-Baiba town 4300m. Stay in Baiba town
Drive distance 230 km, climb distance 25 km, with an average gradient 5.1%
Gyatso La Pass - Baiba: downhill distance 50 km
Highlights: Gyatso La Pass 5248m. Tibetan nomadsAccommodation: BaiBa Hotel, BaiBa town
Day 8: sun, 13 Sep – baiba town - Basong Village - EBC (105km | 4,200m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Baiba twon-Basong village 4200m. Stay in Basong Village.
After driving approximately 10 km to the entrance of Qomlangma National Park, the journey continues for about 50 km through the legendary 108 Bends and over the high Urla Pass (5,198 m). The vehicle will then cover the final 20 km to Quzhong Cun, where your cycling climb begins.
20 km climb to Everest Base Camp from 4500m. to 5200m., Visit the world's highest monastery Rongbuk Monastery.and 20 km. downhill
Highlights: 108-bends, the Rongbuk Monastery, Urla Mountain Pass 5198m., Everest Base Camp 5200m.Accommodation: Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Base Camp Oxygen Rich Hotel, Basong Village
Highlights: 108-bends, the Rongbuk Monastery, Urla Mountain Pass 5198m., Everest Base Camp 5200m.Accommodation: Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Base Camp Oxygen Rich Hotel, Basong Village
Day 9: mon, 14 Sep – basong village to gyirong or zhangmu via Old Tingri (337km | 2,300m) (B,D)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Basong village-Nyalam Zong 2300m. Stay in Nyalam Zong
Drive distance 337 km, downhill distance from Gyirong county to Gyirong border town 70 km.
We depart from Basong Village for a scenic 215 km drive. The journey features a climb over the Kongtanglam Pass (5,236 m), offering spectacular high-altitude views, followed by a long and rewarding easy to medium downhill descent.
Afternoon: We begin our bike ride from Gyirong County. The route covers 76 km of predominantly downhill cycling to our destination, Nyalam Zong (2,300 m). Please be prepared for potentially strong and unpredictable valley winds as we ride through the canyon, which can add an element of challenge.
Highlights: the Sino-Nepal Highway, the Gobi landform and snow-capped mountains in the distanceAccommodation: QoMuLangZong Hotel Kayrung, Gyirong 4*
We depart from Basong Village for a scenic 215 km drive. The journey features a climb over the Kongtanglam Pass (5,236 m), offering spectacular high-altitude views, followed by a long and rewarding easy to medium downhill descent.
Afternoon: We begin our bike ride from Gyirong County. The route covers 76 km of predominantly downhill cycling to our destination, Nyalam Zong (2,300 m). Please be prepared for potentially strong and unpredictable valley winds as we ride through the canyon, which can add an element of challenge.
Highlights: the Sino-Nepal Highway, the Gobi landform and snow-capped mountains in the distanceAccommodation: QoMuLangZong Hotel Kayrung, Gyirong 4*
Day 10: tue, 15 Sep – to kathmandu (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Nyalam Zong-Zhangmu 1400m. Stay in KathmanduDrive 25 km to the border. Cross the China-Nepal border before noon.Drive 160 km to Kathmandu. *Itinerary adjustments will depend on road conditions and border openings.
Highlights: cross the border, Kathmandu valleyAccommodation: Ambassador by Ace Hotels, Kathmandu 4*
Highlights: cross the border, Kathmandu valleyAccommodation: Ambassador by Ace Hotels, Kathmandu 4*
day 11: wed, 16 sep - kathmandu departure (b)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Kathmandu departure.Transfer to airport, trip ends. Contact us if extension tour needed!
Tour details
tour duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
size of group
Min. 8, Max 16 people
accommodation
- 10 nights with breakfast
- All lodgings are selected for their safety, comfort, and proximity to our route to ensure optimal recovery.
Meals
- 10 breakfasts, 10 dinners, and daily cycling snacks/hydration.
- Lunches are not included to allow for flexibility; your guides will recommend local options en route.
Support & Safety
- Expertly designed cycling route with gradual acclimatization
- Full private transportation & dedicated luggage/support vehicle
- Experienced ride leader (mechanical skills)
- Local Tibetan guide
- Tibet Travel Permit application and fees included
- Travel insurance (personal accident & medical; does not cover personal bikes
- All entrance fees for sights and national parks
Professional Guide & Flexible Itinerary
This high-altitude route (3,000–5,300 meters) requires 2–3 days for acclimatization. We recommend arriving in Lhasa 1–2 days early if needed.
Your safety is our priority. Our professional ride leader monitors all conditions and adjusts pacing, distance, or route based on weather, terrain, and group energy. The support vehicle is always available for assistance or evacuation.
While the cycling route is generally well-maintained, high-altitude cycling remains unpredictable. Itinerary distances are flexible; the leader may modify plans for safety and comfort, with full support throughout.
Your safety is our priority. Our professional ride leader monitors all conditions and adjusts pacing, distance, or route based on weather, terrain, and group energy. The support vehicle is always available for assistance or evacuation.
While the cycling route is generally well-maintained, high-altitude cycling remains unpredictable. Itinerary distances are flexible; the leader may modify plans for safety and comfort, with full support throughout.
TRAVEL MOMENTS
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Travel Moments in Motion
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