12-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary: Explore Tibet-Southern Ali Route

Route Map about the Journey

Detailed 12-Day Cycling Itinerary Along the Tibet-Southern Ali Route

Day 1: Riders Assemble (60km Test Ride)

• Settle in, sign the bike rental agreement, and check the condition of your bike before a short test ride.
• Join the welcome lunch, followed by an evening meeting with all team members and staff.
• The cycling guide will provide safety instructions and a detailed itinerary briefing.

Helpful Tips

• It’s recommended to arrive early to acclimate to the high-altitude environment and prepare for the journey.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water upon arrival.
• Tibet’s temperature varies significantly between day and night, so keep warm to avoid catching a cold.

Day 2: Lhasa – Langkazi – Gyantse – Shigatse (365km)

• Paved roads/S307, G318
• Depart from Lhasa, traveling along National Highway 318, crossing the 4,990-meter-high Kamba La Pass to reach one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes, Yamdrok Yumtso, often referred to as the “Turquoise Lake.” Continue past the Manla Reservoir and the Karola Glacier before arriving in Shigatse, where you can view the Gyantse Fortress nightscape. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 3: Shigatse – Lhatse – Saga (450km)

• Paved roads/G318, G219
• After breakfast, head to Saga, the starting point of the Southern Ali Route. The route offers vast landscapes of high-altitude desert and grasslands, with expansive views of mountains, lakes, and skies. Pass the clear waters of Langtso and Angren Jin Tso before reaching Saga for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Saga – Zhongba – Darchen (490km)

• Paved roads/G219
• After breakfast, enter the Ali region, known as the “Dwelling of the Gods.” Visit Lake Manasarovar, the mythical Lake of the West in “Journey to the West,” and the source of four major Asian rivers. Along the way, you may encounter wildlife such as Tibetan wild donkeys and antelopes. Cross the 5,200-meter-high Mayum La Pass and be awed by the majestic views of Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and Lake Rakshastal. Overnight in Darchen.

Day 5: Darchen – Zanda (270km)

• Paved roads/G219, Y705
• After breakfast, head west along National Highway 219 to Zanda, home to the ancient Guge Kingdom ruins. Ride through the expansive Zanda Clay Forest, where the golden landscape creates a mythical atmosphere. Arrive at the Guge Kingdom ruins to watch the sunrise and experience the ancient civilization of Ali. Overnight in Zanda.

Day 6: Zanda – Burang (330km)

• Paved roads/S207, G219After breakfast, return to G219 and head towards Lake Rakshastal, with Naimona’nyi Peak close by and Mount Kailash reflecting in the waters. Capture stunning photos of Mount Kailash before arriving in Burang for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Burang – Zhongba – Saga (560km)

• Paved roads/S207, G219
• Wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over the Duoyou Snow Mountain near Burang. Bid farewell to the sacred mountain and lake, and retrace your route back to Saga. Pass through Paryang Town and Zhongba County, taking in the beauty of the Ali region one last time before arriving in Saga for the night.

Day 8: Saga – Gangga – Tingri (300km)

• Paved roads/G318, X214
• After breakfast, head to Tingri, located within the Everest Nature Reserve. Pass by Peikutso Lake and Shishapangma Peak. Legend has it that those who photograph Shishapangma Peak at Peikutso Lake will be blessed with good fortune. Overnight in Tingri, preparing for the thrilling ride on the 99 bends of the Everest Road.

Day 9: Tingri – Rongbuk Monastery – Tingri (240km)

• Paved roads/G318, Everest Road
• After breakfast, depart from the hotel and head to Rongbuk Monastery, the best viewpoint for Mount Everest. On the way, pass through the 5,198-meter-high Gyawu La Pass. If the weather is clear, you can see four of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks from here. Visit Rongbuk Monastery and take in the awe-inspiring view of the world’s highest peak. Return to Tingri for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Tingri – Lhatse – Shigatse (240km)

• Paved roads/G318, X214
• After breakfast, set out along G318, returning to Shigatse. Pass through Lhatse County before reaching Shigatse, where you’ll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 11: Shigatse – Nyemo – Lhasa (280km)

• Paved roads/G318
• After breakfast, depart from Shigatse and ride along National Highway 318. Pass through Nyemo, where you’ll stop for lunch. Here, you can purchase souvenirs such as Nyemo’s famous handmade paper, incense, and carvings, known as the “Three Treasures of Nyemo.” Return the bikes at the Lhasa service point and spend the night in Lhasa.

Day 12: Departure

• Wake up to the final morning of your unforgettable motorcycle journey along the Southern Ali Route. Arrange your day as you wish—explore more of Lhasa or prepare for your return home, carrying with you the memories of this incredible adventure.

Main Attractions During the Cycling Journey

Western Heavenly Lake

During the Tang Dynasty, the famous monk Xuanzang referred to Lake Manasarovar as the “Western Heavenly Lake.” In Buddhist scriptures, it is known as the “Mother of All Rivers.” Pilgrims throughout history have considered it the greatest blessing of their lives to circumambulate and bathe in this sacred lake. Even the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned leader of India, were scattered into Lake Manasarovar.

Changtang

Changtang, meaning “northern plains” in Tibetan, refers broadly to the Changtang Plateau, which covers more than 600,000 square kilometers with an average altitude exceeding 4,600 meters. The plateau is bounded by long mountain ranges including the Kunlun Mountains, Karakoram Mountains, and the Gangdise-Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. As a vital part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Changtang represents the highest step of China’s terrain. In its narrower sense, “Changtang” refers to the Changtang National Nature Reserve, which spans 247,120 square kilometers, making it the second-largest nature reserve in the world after Greenland National Park and the highest-altitude nature reserve globally.

Ngari

Ngari, a region in the Tibet Autonomous Region, was historically known as “Yarlung,” “Nari,” and “Orlis.” Ngari boasts the clearest night skies in China, with the best stargazing conditions, unique flora and fauna, and some of the most unspoiled local culture. Known as the “ancestor of all mountains,” Ngari is the meeting point of several mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and Gangdise Mountains. It is also the source of major rivers such as the Yarlung Tsangpo, Indus, and Ganges, earning it the title “The Origin of a Hundred Rivers.”

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.)