17 Days Tibet Motorbike Tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Mount Everest and Mount Kailash

Tour Overview

This 17 days Kailash EBC Lhasa Motor Bike Tour is designed for those travelers who are adventurous and want to explore the natural paradise to Tibet on a bike. The tour...

Code of Tour: YCT0000003507

Length of Travel: 17 Day

Destinations of Tour: Kathmandu - Nyalam - Paikutso Lake - Saga - Paryang - Lake Manasarover - Tarboche - Lake Manasarovar - Paryang - Saga - Tingri - Rongbuk - EBC - Rongbuk - Shegar - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa - Kathmandu.

Departure City:

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Nature Minority Landscape Cycling

More Map & Picture

This 17 days Kailash EBC Lhasa Motor Bike Tour is designed for those travelers who are adventurous and want to explore the natural paradise to Tibet on a bike. The tour also includes the once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Mt. Kailash and enjoy Everest Base Camp (EBC) experience. We organize this motorbike tour to Tibet from Kathmandu. Generally it takes 17 to 24 days, if you want to start and conclude the whole tour on a bike ride.  So, this tour is specially designed to conclude the tour in 17 days. You will drive from Kathmandu after your arrival here in Kathmandu and finally return Kathmandu by Lhasa – Kathmandu Himalayan flight. You will cross the Nepal – Tibet border through Kodari road and  follow the route to Kathmandu – Nyalam – Paikutso Lake – Saga – Paryang – Lake Manasarover – Tarboche – Lake Manasarovar – Paryang – Saga – Tingri – Rongbuk – EBC – Rongbuk – Shegar – Shigatse – Gyantse – Lhasa – Kathmandu. Guided sightseeing in Lhasa for the full two days and catch up your return flight to Kathmandu.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Kathmandu-Nyalam
• Day 2: Nyalam-Saga
• Day 3: Saga-Paryang
• Day 4: Paryang-Lake Manasarovar
• Day 5:Lake Manasarovar
• Day 6: Manasarovar-Darchen-Manasarovar
• Day 7: Lake Manasarovar-Paryang
• Day 8: Paryang-Saga
• Day 9: Saga-Tingri
• Day 10: Tingri-Rongbuk
• Day 11: Rongbuk Monastery-E.B.C-Shegar
• Day 12: Shegar-Shigatse
• Day 13: Shigatse-Gyantse
• Day 14: Gyantse-Lhasa
• Day 15: Lhasa
• Day 16: Lhasa
• Day 17: Lhasa-Kathmandu

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kathmandu – Nyalam

Sightseeing and Activities:Ride to Kodari
Accommodation:Nyalam
Meals:Lunch

Early morning ride to Kodari. Complete Immigration and customs and ride to Nyalam (3700m) 156km.

Day 2 Nyalam – Saga

Sightseeing and Activities:Peiku-tso Lake
Accommodation:Saga
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, we begin to drive up to Saga. On the way, you can enjoy the tranquil Peiku-tso in the distance against snow-capped Mt. Shishapangma. At late afternoon, we will make it to Saga County. Stay overnight in the guesthouse of Saga.

Day 3 Saga – Paryang

Sightseeing and Activities:Ride to Paryang
Accommodation:Paryang Guest House
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in the morning, you will ride 240km to Paryang. Check in to the hotel and enjoy your free time then. Stay overnight at local guest house.

Day 4 Paryang – Lake Manasarovar

Sightseeing and Activities:Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash
Accommodation:Chiu Monastery Guest House/Camping beside the lake
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, the whole team travels northwest towards well-known Lake Manasarovar, which is quite close to Mt. Kailash (around 60km). As we leave Paryang and drive closer to Lake Manasarovar, the incredible vista of pyramid-shaped summit of Mt. Kailash and enchanting view of Manasarovar (4,590m) will come into your sight. It’s a great opportunity to take epic pictures of both Manasarovar and Mt.Kailash together. Stay overnight either in the guest house of Chiu Monastery or camp beside Lake Manasarovar 

Day 5 Lake Manasarovar

Sightseeing and Activities:Chiu Monastery, Hot Spring Bath/Gossul Gompa
Accommodation:Chiu Monastery Guest House/Camping beside the lake
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Rest day to visit Chiu Monastery, Hot Spring Bath or ride to Gossul Gompa located at the other side of the lake.

Day 6 Manasarovar – Darchen – Manasarovar

Sightseeing and Activities: Darchen, Mt. Kaikash
Accommodation:Chiu Monastery Guest House/Camping beside the lake
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in the morning, we will ride to Darchen,a small town at the foothill of Mt. Kailash. It is the starting point of the trek around Mt. Kailash. We will have lunch at Darchen and drive back to Lake Manasarovar in the late afternoon.

Day 7 Manasarocvar – Paryang

Sightseeing and Activities:Lake Manasarovar
Accommodation:Paryang
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Have an early rise and bundle up in warm clothing to enjoy the breath-taking sunrise over Manasarovar; for some travelers, you may enjoy a small ritual or a brief holy bath beside Manasarovar Lake, or simply ride your motorbike along the shore of Manasarovar. In summer, flocks of swans will gather on the lake, bringing grace and life to the area. You can also see so many Tibetans and Hindus praying and circling around the lake shore for the whole day, snow capped mountains on the background and hundreds of swans gathering on the lake. Then, ride to Paryang and overnight at Paryang.

Day 8 Paryang – Saga

Sightseeing and Activities:Ride back to Saga
Accommodation:Saga
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will ride back to Saga and stay overnight in Saga. Enjoy the splendid sceneries along the way.

Day 9 Saga – Tingri

Sightseeing and Activities:Mt. Shishapangma, Lalung-La Pass, Peiku-tso Lake
Accommodation:Tingri
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, ride to Tingri.  On the way, enjoy grand view of Mt.Shishapangma(8021mt High) Gauri Shankar and other high mountains from Lalung –La Pass(5050mt.high),  passing by Lake Peiku-tso again on the way.

Day 10 Tingri – Rongbuk Monastery

Sightseeing and Activities:Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery
Accommodation:Rongbuk Hostel
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will ride to visit Rongbuk Monastery. On the way towards Mt. Everest, you can see 4 of the highest mountains over 8000 meters (Mt. Everest; Mt. Makalu; Mt. Lotse; Mt. Cho Oyu) in the world at the same time on the top of the Gyalpo-la pass, what a great view! Before arriving at the EBC, you will first visit the highest monastery in the world – Rongbuk Monastery, which is also a good position to watch the Everest; continue drive till the tent guesthouse area, check in the guesthouse. The sunset view is fantastic when weather is good. Wish you a good luck to see the sunset.

Day 11 Rongbuk Monastery – E.B.C – Shegar

Sightseeing and Activities:Excursion to Everest Base Camp
Accommodation:Shegar
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in the morning, you will first ride to Dza Rongphu and then excursion to Everest Base Camp. Later return to Rongbuk and  ride continue to Shegar, overnight at Shegar.

Day 12 Shegar – Shigatse

Sightseeing and Activities:Tashilhunpo Monastery
Accommodation:Shigatse
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, ride to Shigatse. After lunch, you will pay a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery which is the seat of Panchen Lama, the equally important religious figure in Tibet as Dalai Lama. The monastery was built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and inside the Monastery placed the highest statue of Buddha in Tibet which is 26.8 meters high. Stay overnight at Shigatse.

Day 13 Shigatse – Gyantse

Sightseeing and Activities:Kumbum Stupa, Palkhor Monastery,Gyantse Fortress
Accommodation:Gyantse
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will ride to Gyantse, one of the most charming counties in Tibet. And Nepali-style Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor 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.  You may also take a stroll in the old street of Gyantse town. Stay overnight in Gyantse.

Day 14 Gyantse – Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Yamdro-tso Lake, Nyangchu Valley, Karo-la Glacier
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will ride to Lhasa, the most important attraction for today is Yamdro-tso Lake. Yamdro-tso Lake is shaped like coiling scorpion with deep blue in colour and Kubum monastery has a 35m-high chorten (stupa) with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome. On the way, passing by the green farmland of Nyangchu Valley and Karo-la Glacier roadside at 4960m. Arrive at Lhasa in the late afternoon and stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 15 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It has been used since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collection are the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.  
After you take lunch and then head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism.
Around the temple Barkhor Street where you can do kora (circling the Barkhor street) with pilgrims and locals and buy the souvenirs. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 16 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Drepung Monastery, Carpet factory, Sera Monastery
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala palace.
Afternoon, Sera Monastery—It was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419 by Jamchen chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 17 Lhasa – Kathmandu

Sightseeing and Activities:Lhasa fly to Kathmandu
Accommodation:None
Meals:Breakfast

Enjoy your free time before be transferred to the airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. Service ends.

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Necessary Supporting Vehicle Throughout The Tour. 
•  All Necessary Tibet Travel Permit And Bike Permit.
•  English speaking tibetan guide.
•  Accommodation on twin sharing room basis.
•  Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary.
•  Meals as listed in the itinerary.
•  Chinese Driving license.
•  Motor Bike Drop Back to Kathmandu.
•  Accommodation with full board for nepali mechanic.
•  All Applicable Taxes and Service Charge. 
•  Border clearance charge.

Service Excluded:

•  Meals not listed in the itinerary.
•  Fuel, Maintenance and Parts Replacement Charge.
•  Insurance of Any KindTravel and Personal Expenses.
•  Rescue and Evacuation Service.
•  Any Additional Cost Due To Nature Calamity and Unforeseen Circumstances, tips for supporting staff and etc.

Travel Tips:

1. Tibet Permits

There are several permits required to visit Tibet. Tibet Entry Permit, issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, is the most important one which has to be obtained before your trip because you must have it to take your flight/train to Tibet. To get the permit, you have to book a Tibet tour with us, and send us your passport and Chinese visa about 20 days in advance, and then let us apply for the permit (all Tibet permits can only be applied by travel agency). If you travel to other prefectures like Shigatse, Nyingchi, Shannan, etc, you also have to obtain an Alien Travel Permit. If you travel to Mount Everest, you have to obtain a Border Permit. (Tibet Discovery, with office in Lhasa, has always kept up with the latest news on Tibet Permits. Traveling with us, all your permits are guaranteed as long as you are qualified to the requirements.)

2. Available Months to Visit Tibet

Generally speaking, May to early October is the best time to for a Mount Kailash trip. July and August are the peak season and rainy season. It may be too cold to travel in Kailash area from November to March. There is usually heavy snow. The conditions in Namtso Lake and Mount Everest area are quite similar with Kailash. While other places like Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse are suitable for travel all year around.

3. High Altitude Sickness

The average altitude of Tibet is about 4000 meters above the sea level (Lhasa: 3700m; EBC: 5200m; Namtso: 4718m). You may suffer a bit from High Altitude Sickness in the beginning days of your Tibet trip if you haven’t had rich high plateau travel experience. But don’t worry too much, the high altitude can be acclimatized usually in 2~3 days. Our suggestion is to take a physical examination and get suggestions from your doctor, and also bring some medicines to prevent from High Altitude Sickness before your trip. While in Tibet, you should keep warm all the time, avoid strenuous activities, drink more water and eat more vegetables and carbohydrates. You’d better not take showers during the first two days after your arrival at Tibet. If you don’t feel well, get help from your tour guide or go to the hospital without any delay.

4. How to Go to Tibet

Basically you have two options – flight and train. Currently, you can take a flight to Lhasa from Beijing(4.5hrs), Xian(3.7hrs), Chengdu(2.5hrs), Chongqing(3hrs), Kuming(3hrs), etc. Among all these cities, Chengdu and Xian have more frequent flights to Lhasa. Kathmandu also has several flights to Lhasa each week.

If you a train travel, you can take a train to from Beijing(40.5hrs), Xian(32hrs), Chengdu(43hrs), Shanghai(47hrs), Chongqing(42hrs), Lanzhou(25hrs), Xining(22hrs), Guangzhou(54hrs).

5. Packing and Wearing Ideas

Firstly you can’t forget your passport and Chinese Visa. A large backpack and a smaller one are recommended (the smaller one can be used for daily activities). Also bring the necessary medicine you need. Other stuffs like sunglasses, snow glasses, hats, lip balm, sun block are recommended. As for wearing, you are suggested to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets). Down jacket is necessary in Spring and Autumn. A pair of durable and comfortable shoes is necessary.