Bike from Lhasa to Kathmandu
This classic mountain biking holiday from Lhasa to Kathmandu originally pioneered by KE, is a long and demanding cycle ride on sometimes rough and ever changing roads across Tibet to Nepal. To make this cycling trip extra special, we have incorporated a trip away from the main highway, to bike to Everest Basecamp and the Rongbuk Monastery. Flying to Lhasa via a brief stay in Kathmandu, 3 essential nights are then spent getting used to the 3660m/12000ft altitude.
There is much to see in the days spent in and around the capital of Tibet, including the stunning Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the colourful Tibetan markets. We can also accompany devout pilgrims on the circuit known as the Barkor, which circles the Jokhang. A couple of short, easy bike rides around Lhasa assists with the group’s acclimatisation and allows us to visit some of the many interesting temples and religious sites, such as the Sera Monastery which lies just a short distance outside the city.
Setting off on our epic journey, there are 6 major passes to be cycled on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs westwards, parallel to the Great Himalaya Chain which forms the border with the territories of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal to the South. Throughout this trip, the biking group will have full vehicle support and there may be times when all but the super fit need their bikes to be transported to the top of the next pass to enable us to keep to our ambitious schedule.
The road traverses a high and dry plateau-land, which is punctuated by the unforgettable monastery towns of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar, as well as by several smaller settlements and nomadic Drogpa encampments. On the detour away from the main route towards the Rongbuk Monastery, the biking involves climbs through many hairpin bends to reach the Pang La, which affords breathtaking first views of all the Himalayan peaks including the awesome Mount Everest.
We will spend 2 nights at Rongbuk Monastery close to Everest Basecamp before biking an alternative route, via the Lamma La, back to the Kathmandu highway. Back on the main route, we reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau as we cycle across the double pass of the Lalung La and then Thang La. Now begins a mind-blowing bike descent of 4600 metres (almost 15,000ft) via the border town of Zangmu to the verdant valley of the Bhote Kosi River in Nepal.
We spend a relaxing evening at the wonderful Borderlands on the banks of the Bhote Kosi and another in the superbly situated town of Dhulikel on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, before a short final day’s cycling brings us back to civilisation in the form of the trekkers’ Mecca, Kathmandu. 2008 will be our 17th year of running bike tours from Lhasa to Kathmandu, giving us an unmatched wealth of experience that ensures a smooth ride for this, one of our most ambitious mountain bike programmes. KE has led more cycle tours along this challenging route than any other company in the world.
Ride Guide
SEMI-SLICK ADVENTURE. The Lhasa to Kathmandu ride can fairly claim to be the highest mountain biking route in the world. This trip is best suited to Mountain Bikes fitted with semi-slick tyres. The importance of 3 days, spent gently sightseeing around Lhasa cannot be over emphasised, as proper acclimatisation is vital to anyone hoping to complete this route. We start from the Tibetan capital, and cross 6 high passes, before eventually descending from the Tibetan Plateau into Nepal.
80% of the trip is spent on the Tibetan Plateau at heights above 4000m/12,500ft. The main road has been well built by the Chinese. The rest is on well-worn dirt roads, although the Chinese continue to work on these sections and lay more tarmac. Like many of our bike trips, there will be a chance to get off road using the small herders’ paths which short-cut many of the switchback descents.
Biking on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu road will be fairly straightforward, apart from the altitude. Daily distances cycled will range from 17km/11 miles to 106 km/66 miles. This may not sound particularly great, especially to road-orientated cyclists, but the high altitude, difficult terrain, headwinds and tough ascents will make biking in this region a challenge for everyone.
This is one of our most demanding biking trips and to get the most from it you will need to be fairly fit and put in some training. Throughout the route we will have the support of a back-up vehicle, and anyone who is not feeling up to biking a particular stage has the option to get on the bus. On the main route the biking is straightforward with no technical difficulties, but for those of you who want more of a thrill off road, the footpath options which short-cut the hundreds of switchbacks offer as much of a challenge as you could wish for.
