10-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary – Central and Northern Tibet Route

Route Map about the Journey

Detailed 10-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary Along the Central and Northern Tibet Route

Day 1: Rider Assembly

• Check-in and Lhasa Test Ride
• Welcome to Lhasa! We’ll hold a briefing where our staff will go over the itinerary and essential cycling tips. After signing the bike rental agreement, you’ll check into your hotel, followed by a short test ride in the afternoon.

Day 2: Lhasa to Shigatse (285 km)

• Route: G318
• After breakfast, embark on your Tibetan cycling adventure! Ride along the G318 highway, following the broad valley of the upper Yarlung Tsangpo River. Upon arrival in Shigatse, we’ll visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic seat of the Panchen Lamas.

Day 3: Shigatse to Saga (460 km)

• Route: G318, G219
• Depart after breakfast, heading towards Saga, meaning “lovely place” in Tibetan. Along the way, we’ll pass through Lhatse, known as the “land of thangkas,” and stop for a photo at the 5000 km marker on the G318 Highway. Saga offers vast grasslands surrounded by mountains, with the Gangdise Range to the north and the Himalayas to the south. The ride offers breathtakingly expansive scenery.

Day 4: Saga to Tsochen (295 km)

• Route: S219, S206
• Today’s journey is even more spectacular than the last! Ride through the vast Northern Tibetan Plateau, encountering wildlife and high-altitude lakes. Highlights include the world’s highest geyser at 5,086 meters, the Dagjia Geyser, and the beautiful Tsochen Lake.

Day 5: Tsochen to Nyima (430 km)

• Route: S206, S301
• After breakfast, travel along S206 to Dongtso Lake, then continue on S301 into the heart of the Qiangtang Nature Reserve, where wildlife and pristine lakes abound. “Nyima” means “sun” in Tibetan. We’ll stay in Nyima County for two nights, with ample time to enjoy the sacred lake Tashi Dorje (Tangra Yumco).

Day 6: Nyima to Wumbunam Village and Back (245 km)

• Route: S205
• After breakfast, ride along the S205 to Wumbunam Village, located on the shores of Tashi Dorje Lake, the ancient heartland of the Zhangzhung Kingdom and the Bon religion. Relax by the azure lake, gaze at the snow-capped mountains, and interact with the friendly locals. Return to Nyima County at an appropriate time.

Day 7: Nyima to Shenzha (420 km)

• Route: S301, S203
• After breakfast, ride into the most stunning section of the Northern Ali route. This area is dotted with numerous lakes spread across the vast plateau. As you travel along the G317 highway, you’ll encounter the dreamlike blue beauty of lakes such as Dazze Co, Wuru Co, Qiagui Co, Cuoe Co, and Tibet’s largest lake, Serling Co—each one more breathtaking than the last.

Day 8: Shenzha to Gyantse (360 km)

• Route: S203, G307
• After breakfast, ride along S203, passing through Shenzha Nature Reserve in Namtso County. This reserve is home to China’s largest and highest black-necked crane breeding ground. You might even spot these rare birds, the only crane species that inhabits the high plateau. Upon arrival in Gyantse, enjoy a view of the ancient Gyantse Fortress bathed in the evening light.

Day 9: Gyantse to Lhasa (280 km)

• Route: G307, G318
• After breakfast, cross the 4,990-meter Gampa La Pass to reach Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. Along the way, marvel at the Karola Glacier, with its dazzling blue ice and majestic presence. Capture the beauty of these unparalleled landscapes before returning the bikes at the service point.

Day 10: Departure

• Board your return flight, savoring the memories of your journey through this dreamlike land of lakes, where one breathtaking scene followed another.

Main Attractions During the Cycling Journey

Northern Tibetan Plateau Grasslands

On these vast, boundless grasslands, yaks and sheep—vital to the livelihoods of the local nomads—are scattered everywhere. The nomads’ dwellings, traditional tents, dot the landscape, creating a vibrant and dreamlike nomadic culture. Here, you can find ancient rock carvings and numerous relics of the ancient Zhangzhung Kingdom. The footprints and legends of the hero Gesar are spread across the Northern Plateau. Mani stones, prayer flags, and ancient stupas are commonly seen, adding an air of mystery to the expansive grasslands.

Tashi Dorje Lake

• Tashi Dorje Lake, the largest sacred lake of Tibet’s ancient Bon religion and the third largest lake in Tibet, covers an area of 1,400 square kilometers, stretching 70 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide. The lake sits at an altitude of over 4,600 meters, near the ancient Zhangzhung Kingdom. It is a high-altitude lake, surrounded by natural beauty, blending conservation with breathtaking scenery.
• Shaped like the sole of a shoe, Tashi Dorje Lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one gap on its southern shore at the eastern side of Mount Dar’go. This mountain range has seven peaks, dark and imposing, with snow-capped tops that resemble seven neatly arranged pyramids. Both Mount Dar’go and Tashi Dorje Lake are revered as sacred sites by Bon devotees.

Selin Co Lake

• Selin Co, the largest lake in Tibet and the second-largest saltwater lake in China, spans a vast area with its deep and pristine waters. The color of Selin Co’s waters changes with the light and angle, sometimes shining a brilliant sapphire blue, while at other times presenting a deep, mesmerizing hue that captivates all who behold it.
• The area surrounding Selin Co is rich in ecological resources, serving as the largest habitat for Tibetan antelope. It’s also home to a variety of rare animals such as Tibetan gazelles, Tibetan wild donkeys, black-necked cranes, brown bears, wolves, Pallas’s cats, and Tibetan foxes, making it the largest haven for wildlife on the Northern Tibetan Plateau.
• A mysterious legend adds an element of folklore to Selin Co. It is said that Selin was once a demon capable of devouring countless lives, but after being pursued by a great master, it was trapped in this lake, which was then named Selin Co.

Gyantse Dzong

• Gyantse County is located in the southern part of Shigatse Prefecture in Tibet. The Gyantse Dzong (fortress) stands prominently in the center of the county. In 1904, when British forces invaded Gyantse, the people of Gyantse, relying on the fortress, bravely resisted, leaving a glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese people’s resistance against imperialist aggression. For this reason, Gyantse earned the title of the “Heroic City.”
• In the early morning, Gyantse County is shrouded in mist, with Gyantse Dzong towering above, embodying the spirit of the “Heroic City.” This year marks the 120th anniversary of Gyantse’s resistance against the British invasion, and the Gyantse Dzong continues to tell the story of history and bear witness to the future.

Inclusions

• Accommodation Booking
• High-standard local hotels for 10 nights in standard twin rooms (2 people per room, with the option to choose your roommate or be assigned by the trip leader; a single room requires an additional fee).
• Meal Arrangements  
• Alternating between regular meals and specialty local cuisine along the route.
• Support Services
• Deluxe group: Accompanied by a support vehicle with food and beverage supplies.
• Luxury group: No support vehicle, but equipped with emergency supplies.

Exclusions

• Personal Expenses
• All drinks, entertainment, and other personal expenses during the trip.
• Vehicle Expenses
• Fuel, tolls, and other expenses for personal or rented vehicles.
• Additional Costs
• Extra entrance fees and other services not included in the main itinerary.
• Vehicle Transport Fees
• Shipping and packing fees for picking up or returning vehicles in different locations.
• Optional Services
• Any additional optional services during the trip.
• (Note: All costs are subject to the terms and conditions of the contract.)