7-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary – Tibet Encounter

Route Map about the Journey

Detailed 7-Day Cycling Itinerary Along the Tibet

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa, Suburban Test Ride (60km)

Settle your luggage, sign the bike rental agreement, and inspect your bike. Participate in a short test ride. Join the welcome lunch, and after dinner, gather with the group and staff for a cycling briefing. The cycling officer will provide a safety overview and explain the itinerary.

Helpful Tips:

• It’s recommended to arrive early to acclimate to the high-altitude environment and prepare for the ride.
• Upon arrival, avoid strenuous activities and drink plenty of water.
• Tibet has a large temperature difference between day and night; please dress warmly to avoid catching a cold.

Day 2: Lhasa – Gyantse (280km)

• Paved roads/G318 to S307
• After breakfast, depart and ascend the 4,990-meter Gambala Pass to reach Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. En route, you’ll see the Karola Glacier, shimmering blue and awe-inspiring. Pass by the Manla Reservoir before arriving in Gyantse.

Day 3: Gyantse – Tingri (330km)

• Paved roads/G307 to G318
•  After breakfast, depart from Gyantse. Pass through Shigatse and Lhatse, heading towards Tingri, located at the heart of the Everest National Nature Reserve. The region boasts the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. After dinner, check into the hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s ride on the 99 Bends of Everest Road.

Day 4: Tingri – Everest National Nature Reserve (Rongbuk Monastery) – Tingri (220km)

• Paved roads/Everest Road
• After breakfast, depart and pass through the 5,198-meter-high Gyawu La Pass. Weather permitting, you can view four 8,000-meter-plus peaks (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu) from here. Conquer the 99 Bends of Everest Road and visit Rongbuk Monastery to witness the grandeur of the world’s highest peak up close.

Day 5: Tingri – Shigatse (240km)

• Paved roads/G318
• After breakfast, depart and pass through Lhatse County, which is situated at an elevation of 4,012 meters in the broad valley of the upper Yarlung Tsangpo River. Historically, it’s been known as the grain warehouse of the rear Tibet region. Arrive in Shigatse and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.

Day 6: Shigatse – Nimu – Lhasa (240km)

• Paved roads/G318
• After breakfast, depart from Shigatse and ride along G318, passing through Nimu. Stop for lunch in Nimu, where you can purchase souvenirs such as Nimu’s “Three Unique” crafts: Tibetan paper, incense, and Pusong carvings. Return to Lhasa and return your bike at the service point. Spend the night at the Yunshang Hemei Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 7: Departure

• Board your return flight, reminiscing about the unforgettable Everest pilgrimage, which will feel like a dream lingering in your memory.

Main Attractions During the Cycling Journey

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake, located in Langkazi County of the Shannan region in Tibet, lies less than 100 kilometers from Lhasa. Together with Namtso and Manasarovar, it is one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. Nestled south of the mountains, Yamdrok Lake is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, considered the most stunning in southern Tibet.

99 Bends of Everest Road

To reach Everest Base Camp, you must traverse this winding mountain road. Stretching over a hundred kilometers, the road twists and turns sharply along the mountainside, earning its name “99 Bends” for its numerous hairpin turns. It is known as one of the most treacherous roads. Those who have navigated it often find the “72 Bends” much easier by comparison.

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Commonly referred to as “Tashi Monastery,” its full name is “Tashi Lhunpo Palgyi Dechen Chok Thupten Jampa Ling,” which means “Auspicious Mount Meru, Heap of Glory, and All-Joyful Victory,” or simply “Auspicious Meritorious Mountain.” Located at the base of Niseri Mountain in Shigatse, Tibet, it is the largest monastery in the region and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Tashilhunpo Monastery is comparable to the Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace and, together with the “Three Great Monasteries” of Lhasa—Ganden, Sera, and Drepung—is one of the “Four Great Monasteries” of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Along with Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai and Labrang Monastery in Gansu, it is one of China’s six most famous Yellow Hat sect monasteries and is now a national 5A-rated tourist attraction.

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.)