13 Days Central Tibet Cycling Tour

13 Days Central Tibet Cycling Tour

Tour Overview

This 13-day central Tibet Cycling Tour is tailor-made for tourists who love cycling and want to experience the unique Tibetan culture at the same time. The tour involves the...

Code of Tour: YCT0000000237

Length of Travel: 13 Day

Destinations of Tour: Lhasa - Ganden - Namtso - Yarlong Valley - Lhasa

Departure City: Lhasa

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Nature Culture Landscape Cycling

More Map & Picture

This 13-day central Tibet Cycling Tour is tailor-made for tourists who love cycling and want to experience the unique Tibetan culture at the same time. The tour involves the major cultural attractions and scenery sites around Lhasa, with excellent road conditions along the route. You will first enjoy the city highlights of Lhasa including the Potala Palace. And then start your cycling tour, first ride to Ganden Monastery, one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet; then to explore the holy Namsto Lake, the Heavenly Lake with amazing views; and finally cycle along the Yarlong River to the source of Tibetan culture – Samye Monastery.

Highlights:

  • Visit the top attractions of Lhasa including the Potala Palace .
  • Cycling along the well-paved and smooth road along the route.
  • Experience Tibetan Buddhism in significant monasteries on your way.
  • Meet the tranquil lakes, white snow mounatians, shimmering rivers and rare animals when cycling.
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Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
  • Day 2: Lhasa
  • Day 3: Lhasa
  • Day 4: Lhasa-Ganden Monastery
  • Day 5: Ganden-Lhasa
  • Day 6: Lhasa-Damxung
  • Day 7: Damxung-Namtso
  • Day 8: Namtso to Yangpachen
  • Day 9: Yangpachen-Lhasa
  • Day 10: Lhasa-Samye
  • Day 11: Samye-Tsedang
  • Day 12: Tsedang-Lhasa
  • Day 13: Lhasa Departure

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa&Acclimation

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

Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide and escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. From airport to Lhasa city, it only takes half an hour of driving along the Lhasa-airport highway. Driving along the Brahmaputra River, you will not only get amazed by the spectacular plateau scenery. If you take train to Lhasa, normally you will arrive in the late afternoon or evening, 20 minutes drive will take you to your hotel in Lhasa city. Check into hotel, have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and 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 is 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 3 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Drepung Monastery and 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 Most attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4 Bike to Ganden Monastery (53km)

Sightseeing and Activities:Ganden Monastery
Accommodation:Gandan Monastery Hostel
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Ride about 53 kilometers eastwards to visit the Ganden Monastery, which ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of Gelugpa. If you are not tired, you can walk the circuit round the monastery. Walking the kora takes about one and a half or two hours, and on a clear day there are stunning views of the peak of Nyenchen Thangla and the Kyi-chu valley below. Stay overnight at Ganden Monastery.

Day 5 Ride back to Lhasa

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

Cycle back to Lhasa. The rest time of the day is for you to have a good rest, preparing the next destination – Namtso Lake. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6 Bike from Lhasa to Damxung (155km)

Sightseeing and Activities: Damxung
Accommodation:Damxung
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Cycle about 155km to Damxung along Qinghai-Tibet highway, the road is pretty good and smooth, You can first ride to Yangpachen to have a little rest.

After lunch, moving on to Damxung. Stay overnight at Damxung.

Day 7 Bike from Damxung to Namtso (75km)

Sightseeing and Activities:Namtso Lake, Nyenchen Thanglha
Accommodation:Lake Shore
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Tashi Dor Island of Namtso Lake in Tibet

Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain ranges appear in front of you all the way, Today’ most difficult ride is to climb to Mt. Nagenla Pass at.5190m high, the 4WD could take you and your bike to over the mountain pass if you need help. After going through the mountain pass, you can see the sheepherders’ tents. You could see green grassland, groups of sheep and yaks, nomad tents by the road.

Namtso Lake is the Heavenly lake which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt lake. To spend a night at lake shore is fantastic. Situated at about 5000m high, Namtso lake is actually the lake in the sky, lying on the highest plateau in the world. Stay overnight by the lake.

Day 8 Bike from Namtso to Yangpachen (123km)

Sightseeing and Activities:Namtso Lake, Nyenchen Thanglha
Accommodation:Yangpachen
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

While enjoying the clear morning at the lake shore, you can trek along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves.

Then ride to Yangpachen to enjoy the hotspring. The road condition is the same as the day before. Stay overnight at Yangpachen.

Day 9 Bike from Yangpachen to Lhasa (75km)

Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today ride back to Lhasa from Yangpachen. You could see green grassland, groups of sheep and yaks, nomad tents by the road. The road condition is the same as the day before. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 10 Bike to Samye

Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
Accommodation:Samye Camping
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Then bike towards the Samye Monastery located around 200km far away from Lhasa and it is one of the most popular Holy places where the tradition of the Tibetan people and Kings emerges. Also you can visit some of very ancient monasteries and palace. Camping tonight.

Day 11 Bike to Tsedang, Visit Trandruk and Yumbulakang

Sightseeing and Activities:Trundruk Monastery, Yumbulagang Palace
Accommodation:Camping
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Bike to Tsetang along the amazing Brahmaputra river, then to visit Trandruk Monastery and Yumbulagkang Palace. Trundruk is one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibetan history. Yumbulagang was built for the first Tibetan King, Nyatri Tsanpo, in the 2nd Century BC and became the Tibetan Kings’ palace since then. Camping tonight.

Day 12 Bike to Lhasa from Tsedang

Sightseeing and Activities: Bike to Lhasa from Tsedang
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

The following two days, you will bike back to Lhasa from Tsedang. The road condition is quite good. After arriving in Lhasa, take a good rest at your Hotel. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 13 Depart from Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Depart from Lhasa
Accommodation:None
Meals:Breakfast

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.

Recommended Hotels

Destination 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star
Lhasa Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel Lhasa Xiongbala Hotel
Damxung / / Dangxiong Jianglong Hotel
Yangpachen / / Yangbajing Lantian Hot Spring Hotel

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:

  • 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.

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.)

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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).

  1. 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.

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