Tour Overview

The 10-Day Best of Tibet Motorcycle Tour offers a thrilling ride through one of the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring regions. This adventure combines challenging motorcycling, cultural exploration, and...

Code of Tour: YCT0000003506

Length of Travel: 10 Day

Destinations of Tour: Kathmandu - Zhangmu – Tingri – Ronbuk – Xegar – Shigatse – Gyantse – Lhasa.

Departure City: Lhasa

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Nature Culture Minority Landscape Cycling

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The 10-Day Best of Tibet Motorcycle Tour offers a thrilling ride through one of the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring regions. This adventure combines challenging motorcycling, cultural exploration, and breathtaking natural beauty as you navigate Tibet’s rugged terrain. From the mystical city of Lhasa to the towering heights of Mount Everest, the tour offers a perfect blend of spiritual heritage and adrenaline-pumping landscapes.

Designed for experienced riders, this tour takes you across the Tibetan Plateau, through high-altitude passes, and to the foot of the Himalayas, offering some of the most stunning views in the world. You’ll visit iconic landmarks like the Potala Palace, Everest Base Camp, and Namtso Lake, while immersing yourself in the rich Tibetan culture and visiting monasteries that have stood for centuries. The thrill of riding through sacred lakes, past snow-capped peaks, and alongside ancient monasteries makes this journey truly unforgettable.

Whether you’re a motorcycle enthusiast seeking a new adventure or a traveler looking to experience the heart of Tibet, this tour promises an unparalleled experience of Tibet’s spiritual and natural wonders.

Tour Highlights

Breathtaking Landscapes

• Ride through Tibet’s rugged mountain passes, vast grasslands, and alongside snow-capped peaks.

• Visit iconic locations such as Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Everest Base Camp.

Tibetan Culture and Spirituality

• Explore the sacred Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lama.

• Experience traditional Tibetan monk debates at Jokhang Temple, offering insight into Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.

Everest Region Adventure

• Ascend to the Gyawu-La Pass for panoramic views of Mount Everest and surrounding Himalayan peaks.

• Visit the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, and journey to Everest Base Camp for a once-in-a-lifetime view of the world’s tallest mountain.

Unique Tibetan Experiences

• Soak in the Yangpachen Hot Springs, known for their healing properties and stunning surroundings.

• Explore Namtso Lake, one of Tibet’s most beautiful and sacred lakes, surrounded by the vast Tibetan Plateau.

High-altitude Riding Challenge

• Ride through some of the world’s highest motorable roads, reaching altitudes of over 4300 meters.

• Experience the challenge of high-altitude riding, while adapting to the thinner air and changing weather conditions.

This Best of Tibet Motorcycle Tour offers an exciting opportunity to explore Tibet’s spiritual richness, natural grandeur, and unique landscapes, all from the saddle of a motorcycle. Whether navigating remote roads or exploring ancient monasteries, this tour ensures a truly unforgettable adventure through one of the world’s most captivating regions.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
• Day 2: Lhasa
• Day 3: Lhasa
• Day 4: Lhasa-Shigatse
• Day 5: Shigatse-Tingri
• Day 6: Tingri-EBC-Old Tingri
• Day 7: Old Tingri-Shigatse
• Day 8: Shigatse-Namtso Lake
• Day 9: Namtso Lake-Lhasa
• Day 10: Lhasa Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa （3650m）

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Lhasa
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:None

Welcome to Tibet, the Roof of the World! Your journey begins at Lhasa where you will be met by your tour guide at the airport and escorted to the hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own and acclimatize to the high altitude.
Tips of the day:
As part of the acclimatization, we recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise and even bathing. It is best to take it easy, drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible. 

Day 2 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Obtain the driver’s license
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

On this day, your guide will assist with the paperwork to obtain your local motorcycle driver’s license. The rest of the day is set aside for you to acclimatize and explore the city on your own. 

Day 3 Lhasa

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

Start today’s Lhasa exploration with an exciting visit to iconic Potala Palace, regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.In addition,you will also visit Jokhang Temple which is considered the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism.Our visit will not be completed without walking Barkhor Street, the ancient route to circumambulate Jokhang Temple.The last site of the day will be the famous Sera Monastery,where you will have the opportunity to observe monks debating in a courtyard as they have done for hundreds of years. 

•There are 1080 steps up to the top of Potala Palace.We recommend that you take it easy due to the high altitude;
•Taking photos is not allowed inside the palace;
•Today you will be mostly outdoors,please bring some water,a hat,sun screen and sun glasses. 

Day 4 Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Shigatse

Sightseeing and Activities:Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier
Accommodation:Shigatse
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

A thrilling motorcycle ride is about to begin today!
We will leave the hotel after breakfast and ride to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Along the way we will admire the sacred Yamdrok Lake located at an altitude of 4,400m. The deep turquoise water of this natural treasure creates a breathtaking panorama against its mountainous backdrop. Covering over 360 square kilometers, Yamdrok is the largest freshwater lake in the northern Himalayan Range surrounding area. As we continue our ride through the Tibetan plateau, prayer flags announce our arrival at Karola Glacier (5,045m.), a stunning white mass that can be seen up close due to its proximity to the road. From there we ride to the historical city of Gyantse prior to arriving at our hotel in Shigatse. 

Day 5 Shigatse – Lhatse – Tingri

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

Our day begins with a visit to the official seat of the Panchen Lama: Tashilhunpo Monastery, is the largest and most influential Gelug monastery in the Shigatse Prefecture. We will have the opportunity to walk the cobblestone alleys and visit halls and chapels in this culturally important site. Later in the day we head to Tingri. Overnight hotel accommodations in Tingri.  

Day 6 Tingri – EBC – Old Tingri

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

We start our morning ascent passing through villages where locals cheerfully greet us. We continue to the Gyawu-La pass (5,198m) from where we can admire magnificent views of Mt. Makalu (8463m), Mt. Lhotse (8561m), Mt. Everest (8844m) and Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) in a breathtaking composition of jagged mighty peaks. Our ride then continues to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, on our way to Everest Base Camp. Arriving at this site is sure to be an unforgettable experience! We then head out on an exciting off-road ride to Old Tingri. Overnight hotel accommodations on Old Tingri.

Day 7 Old Tingri-Lhatse-Shigatse(300KM)

Sightseeing and Activities:Back to Shigatse
Accommodation:Shigatse
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

We leave Old Tingri to retrace our previous route to Shigatse. Stunning views of pristine
landscapes will accompany us throughout the day. Overnight hotel accommodations in Shigatse. 

Day 8 Shigatse-Yangpachen-Damxung-Namtso Lake（400KM）

Sightseeing and Activities:Yangpachen Hot Springs, Namtso Lake
Accommodation:Namtso 
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we ride through the Tibetan Plateau on our way to visit the famous Yangpachen Hot Springs on our way to Damxung. We will arrive the land is full of colorful prayer flags—Tanggula view poin and then pass the Nagenla Mountain pass( 5190M). Our next destination is Namtso Lake which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso Lake seems like melting into the sky and with star-studded islands. We are going to stay in Tashi Dor tonight. We are going to stay in a hostel with no private bathroom due to the limited conditions of this area. Please be aware about this when you receive this. 

Day 9 Namtso Lake-Damxung- Yangpachen-Lhasa(240KM)

Sightseeing and Activities:Namtso Lake
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

We will ride in the dawn and leave from Namtso Lake after breakfast. We are back to the motorcycle rental company after we crossed Damxung County and Yangpachen. Our stuff will drive you to the hotel in Lhasa after the motorcycles are be returned.

Day 10 Lhasa Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:Lhasa Departure
Accommodation:None
Meals:BreakfastThis morning we will say farewell to Tibet, our guides and driver as this amazing journey comes to close. Transfer to Lhasa airport will be arranged for your flight home.

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
• All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
• Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
• Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
• All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
• Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
• All meals listed in the above itinerary;
• Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
• First aid kit;

Service Excluded:

• International flight to and out of China;
• Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
• Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
• Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
• Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
• Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, 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.