Use the day to wrap up your visa to Tibet and get ready with your mountain bike. Additionally, check bike stores to buy last-minute equipment or repairs. Visit cultural places like Pashupatinath Temple or Boudhanath Stupa and absorb the religious vibes. Meanwhile, make sure to eat and drink well to help acclimate. Meet other cyclists at the briefing session to get excited about the journey ahead. It is a day of logistics and preparation in order to ride smoothly through Tibet and Nepal.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa through one of the highest mountains in the world. Upon landing, arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, which is located about 100 kilometers Northwest of Lhasa, and transfer to your hotel, located in the historic city center. Then, make some time to rest and acclimate yourself to the higher altitude. In addition, the city of Lhasa and its distinct Tibetan culture, vibrant temples, and welcoming local people offer an intriguing setting. Later, have a relaxing stroll in the city, perhaps go to town markets, and get ready to cycle tomorrow.

Overnight: Hotel in Lhasa

Spend the day adjusting to adjust in light exercise. To begin with, visit the most famous Potala Palace, which served as the home of the Dalai Lama and the spiritual Jokhang Temple. After that, stroll through the colorful Barkhor Street, where pilgrims go around the temples singing prayers. Furthermore, savor Tibetan food and experience the elevated atmosphere. Limit physical activity, concentrate on drinking, and sleep. This day allows your body to acclimate and prepares you ready about the challenging ride experience in the high mountains of Tibet.

Overnight: Hotel in Lhasa

Go on with acclimatization, visiting the two largest and oldest Buddhist monasteries of Tibet, Drepung and Sera. Here, you can watch monks debate and attend prayers with the locals. Get to know traditional Tibetan architecture and quiet courtyards. Throughout the day, take slow steps with little walks and rests. Your guides will give tips on altitude acclimatization as well as riding strategies. Such cultural immersion enhances your knowledge about Tibetan culture and spirituality, which prepares your mind for the adventure as you are about to start this cycling venture.

Overnight: Hotel in Lhasa

Start with a relatively easy 65 km ride following Kyi Chu River towards Chusul village. The road is flat with some ascents and wide vistas of the Himalayan range. As you go through small Tibetan villages and fields, you will get a feel of true rural life in Tibet. This first ride, therefore, provides a good initiation into biking at high altitude to give your body time to acclimatize as you make a ride through beautiful scenery. By evening, check into a simple guesthouse and get a good night's sleep in preparation for the days ahead of greater passes and longer runs.

Ride Distance: ~65 km | Overnight: Guesthouse in Chusul

The ride today is even higher up, as you go to Khamba La Pass at 4,794 meters. Although the climb is challenging, in return, you are rewarded with magnificent views of Yamdrok Lake, Tibet’s sacred turquoise lake. Then, follow down to the edge of the lake with its snow-capped mountains and its flapping prayer flags. Since the route varies between tarmac and gravel, it also challenges your strength and technical abilities. Finally, camp around Yamdrok Lake with unobstructed skies presenting amazing nights of stars in the elevated Himalayas.

Ride Distance: ~63 km | Overnight: Camp near Yamdrok Lake

Ride around the lake, enjoy the calmness of water reflections, and the mountain view. Soon after, climb through a difficult pass, Karo La Pass of 5,010 meters. Because of the high altitude, this ascent demands stamina, pacing, and careful breathing. After the pass, enjoy a varied descent toward Nagartse through rugged landscapes and wide plateaus. On the way, you will encounter nomads and see yaks eating. Reach Nagartse village, where you will relax in a comfortable guesthouse and reflect on your movement through this amazing high-altitude trek.

Ride Distance: ~55 km | Overnight: Guesthouse in Nagartse

The ride today is approximately 80km on rolling countryside, on route to the town of Gyantse has many historic monasteries and a fortress. The road is both paved with dirt and travels through small villages and large open plains. Upon arrival, you can visit the famous Gyantse Dzong castle and Pelkor Chode Monastery, which is known to have magnificent murals and structures. Sleep in a nearby hotel and get ready to go on a long ride with crossing the landscapes of the Tibetan plateau.

Ride Distance: ~80 km | Overnight: Hotel in Gyantse

Set out for a 94 km ride toward Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city. Throughout the day, follow the Friendship Highway with gradual inclines and declines across rugged terrain and Tibetan farms. Once you arrive, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, an ancient seat of the Panchen Lama. Later, experience the lively town, taste local foods, and have a rest after a long day touring at the altitude.

Ride Distance: ~94 km | Overnight: Hotel in Shigatse

Ride to a higher and high-altitude area out of Shigatse, toward the Tso-La Pass base camp. The ride is about 75 km of hilly roads and tracks across Tibetan grasslands and nomadic camps. Because the region is remote, expect fewer settlements and more dramatic landscapes. Upon reaching the base camp, settle into your campsite and prepare for tomorrow’s ascent.

Ride Distance: ~75 km | Overnight: Camp at Tso-La Base Camp

Conquer the expedition to Tso-La Pass, which is 4,500 meters high. Although the ascent is steep and strenuous, after reaching the top, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating descent into the Lhatse valley. During the descent, the scenery shifts from barren mountainside to greener farmlands. Finally, check into a guesthouse for a well-earned rest.

Ride Distance: ~65 km | Overnight: Guesthouse in Lhatse

Cycle 75 km on the Friendship Highway in Lhatse to Shegar. The route features open plateau views and occasional climbs and descents. Shegar is a small village and a significant rest point before the largest pass on the tour. Spend the afternoon resting, as well as making mental and physical preparations to meet the difficult days ahead.

Ride Distance: ~75 km | Overnight: Guesthouse in Shegar

Have a deserved rest day, acclimatize at Shegar. Short rides/walks are optional to stay fit without feeling tired. Spend this day sightseeing in the village and getting to know people. Check your equipment and prepare up best passes to come. To increase the amount of energy, eat well and hydrate. This day leaves you prepared for the most difficult rises of the trip.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Shegar

The ride today also puts you to the test on the friendliest highway in the form of the most common pass, Gyatso la, which stands at 5,220 meters. The ascent is very steep, yet it is fascinating as the views are panoramic and spectacular; it overlooks the Himalayan Peaks and valleys. Once you pass the pass, get down to the Pang La Base Camp and relax. It also requires excellent stamina and attention, but the return is incomparable enjoyment of riding at high altitude.

Ride Distance: ~60 km | Overnight: Camp near Pang La

Ascend Pang La Base to the highest monastery in the world, the Rongbuk Monastery. The ride is a combination of gravel and dirt roads that zigzag across barren terrains whose marginal lands are inhabited by prayer flags and isolated villages. Arrive in time to visit the monastery and enjoy a panoramic view of the north face of Everest. Rest well in the guesthouse and reflect on proximity to the highest point in the world.

Ride Distance: ~50 km | Overnight: Guesthouse at Rongbuk Monastery

Ride the last 8 km to Everest Base Camp, in the spectacular Himalayan Mountains. It is a rocky mountain with gravel and rocky trails. Take time to absorb the scenery of the north face of Everest and other glaciers that lie around the top of your trip. After the memorable visit, ride back to Rongbuk Monastery for rest. The journey of biking so near the highest mountain in the world is memorable.

Ride Distance: ~16 km round trip | Overnight: Guesthouse in Rongbuk

Go down to the windswept plains of Old Tingri. This 72km journey takes itself through a bare, high-altitude territory with nomadic tents and rocky mountains. The landscape is a combination of dirt track and gravel track, whereby bike handling skills are essential. There is a small settlement, Old Tingri, which provides guesthouse accommodation. Sleep during the night, and get ready to deal with the next mountain passes and border crossings.

Ride Distance: ~72 km | Overnight: Guesthouse in Old Tingri

Go about 60 km along the Lalung La Base Camp. The track features high mountainous landscapes with incredible views of the Himalaya. The route to Lalung La Pass is slow yet challenging. Spend the night by the base camp and revel in the peace, fresh air, and starlight. This day provides strength and endurance for the final mountain passes before descending into Nepal.

Ride Distance: ~60 km | Overnight: Camp at Lalung La Base

You crossed two important passes today, Lalung La and Thang La, both more than 5,000 meters. The hikes are physically challenging and steep yet rewarding, as the place is amazing with panoramic views. Once you cross the border, go down the green valleys of Nepal. The landscape transforms sharply, providing a cool contrast to the dry plateaus of Tibet. Sleep in the village of Nyalam and rejoice over the crossing to Nepal.

Ride Distance: ~86 km

Overnight: Guesthouse in Nyalam

Ride Distance: ~38 km

Overnight: Hotel in Dhulikhel