Lhasa - Mt. Everest - Asia Bike Tours

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12 Days

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Chengdu

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Southwest

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Lhasa

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Tibet

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2,100 km

Overview

Your Tibet Adventure – Culture, High-Altitude Thrill & Himalayan Magic

Get ready for an unforgettable motorcycle journey through the heart of Tibet – where ancient spirituality meets breathtaking natural beauty. This carefully curated route takes you from the colorful buzz of Chengdu straight into the spiritual highlands of the Himalayas.

Along the way, you'll encounter unique cultural highlights: the sacred Jokhang Temple in Lhasa’s old town, the imposing Potala Palace, once the residence of the Dalai Lama, the historic Ganden Monastery, and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. Each day is designed to immerse you deeper into Tibetan culture, religion, and daily life – with enough time to acclimatize and truly take it all in.

Whether you're riding along the turquoise shores of Yamdrok Lake, visiting the Yumbulakhang Palace, or navigating the Karo-La Glacier Pass, this tour brings the magic of Tibet to life on two wheels. The grand finale: a spectacular visit to Mount Everest Base Camp. With clear skies, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the world's highest peak – a moment you’ll never forget. (Note: the final stretch to Base Camp is done via eco-shuttle for environmental reasons.)

You'll ride remote high-altitude roads, explore vibrant local markets, and cruise at elevations of over 4,500 m (14,700 ft) – reaching passes above 5,400 m (17,700 ft). This tour is adventurous, spiritual, and visually stunning. Get ready for a journey that will challenge, inspire, and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

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At A Glance

Category	Details
Best Travel Time	May to September – ideal climate for high-altitude motorcycle tours with clear visibility and stable conditions.
Start/End	Lhasa (Tibet) / Lhasa (Tibet) – perfect route into the heart of the Tibetan Plateau.
Duration	12 days \| 11 nights \| 10 riding days – a well-balanced mix of riding, exploration, and acclimatization.
Total Distance	Approx. 2,100 km / 1,300 mi through the Himalayas and Tibetan highlands.
Daily Rides	110 to 350 km (70–215 mi) per day – varying by altitude, scenery, and cultural stops.
Roads	Mainly asphalt, with occasional short gravel sections during mountain pass crossings.
Motorcycles	Yamaha Fazer 250cc, CFMoto 450MT (pillion-friendly). Larger bikes available upon request and extra fee.
Rider Requirements	Solid riding experience on paved roads. No off-road skills necessary. Perfect for solo riders and pillion teams.
Group Size	Typically 6–10 riders. Passenger space always available in the support vehicle.
Accommodation	Hotels, guesthouses, and monastery lodgings (3–4 star standard).
What's Included	All meals, water at meals and en route 11 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses German-speaking tour guide throughout Local English-/Tibetan-speaking guide Support vehicle with driver & mechanic Flight Chengdu – Lhasa Assistance with international flight and visa arrangements Temporary Chinese driving license All required Tibet permits and local entrance fees Fuel, spare parts, all transfers
Highlights	Lhasa, Mount Everest Base Camp, Yamdrok Lake, Ganden Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Tibetan culture & Himalayan panoramas.
Important	Chinese visa required (Tibet permit arranged by us). As of 2024: EU citizens may be eligible for 14-day visa-free entry to China. International Driving Permit (IDP) per 1968 Vienna Convention required to obtain a temporary Chinese motorcycle license (valid up to age 70). When applying, specify it's for China, not the 1949 Geneva version.
Tour Guides	Experienced crew: One foreign guide (German/English/Tibetan) and one local guide (English/Tibetan/Chinese).

ITinerary

Your Day-by-Day Itinerary – Tibet Everest Motorcycle Tour

Day	Description
Day 1	Your adventure kicks off in the vibrant city of Chengdu. After a short domestic flight, we land in mystical Lhasa. From the airport, a scenic 90 km ride takes you to the hotel. In the afternoon, ease into the altitude (3,600 m) with a relaxed stroll through the old town and around the Jokhang Temple – a deep dive into Tibetan culture from the very beginning.
Day 2	Today you’ll receive your temporary Chinese driving license – now you're ready for two-wheeled adventures! Afterward, take in Lhasa’s sacred core with laid-back sightseeing around the Jokhang Temple and the lively Barkhor Kora pilgrimage circuit.
Day 3	We continue acclimatizing with a gentle warm-up ride to the dramatically located Ganden Monastery (around 4,000 m). A great chance to get used to your bike and the Tibetan road rhythm. Fun fact: Ganden is the mother monastery of the Dalai Lama’s Gelugpa school – the famous “Yellow Hats.”
Day 4	We cruise along the Lhasa River and later the mighty Brahmaputra into the legendary Yarlung Valley, home of Tibetan civilization. Our destination is Tsetang, and along the way, we visit the spectacular Yumbulakhang Palace perched on a ridge.
Day 5	Get ready for your first true mountain pass: Kamba-La (4,794 m). After a lunch stop, we climb to Karo-La (5,010 m), where a glacier nearly touches the road. We then ride along the shimmering turquoise Yamdrok Lake to Gyantse.
Day 6	Before leaving Gyantse, we explore Pelkor Chöde Monastery and the walkable Kumbum Chorten – one of a kind in Tibet! After lunch in Shigatse (Tibet’s second-largest city), we continue our ride to Sakya.
Day 7	Back on the legendary Friendship Highway (G318), we conquer the Gyatso-La Pass (5,220 m) – pure Tibet! Then we roll down into Shegar for the night.
Day 8	Mount Everest awaits! We start early and ride to the official park boundary – the final stretch to the base camp is completed by eco-shuttle. Get your cameras ready – the views are breathtaking. We return via Shegar and overnight in Lao Tingri.
Day 9	We cross the Gyatso-La once more and ride back to Shigatse. There, we visit the majestic Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama – its golden roofs and giant Buddha statue glisten beneath the deep-blue Tibetan sky.
Day 10	We follow the Brahmaputra River on an 80 km ride along the northern section of the Friendship Highway. Then we take a rarely traveled backroad, climbing a wild 5,400 m pass to reach Damxung.
Day 11	From Damxung, we ride to legendary Namtso Lake – the highest saltwater lake in the world. Later, we return to Lhasa for our final night in Tibet.
Day 12	Farewell, Tibet – or maybe you’re up for an extended stay?
Extension	How about a few extra days in magical Lhasa? Or take the world’s highest train back to Chengdu! In Sichuan, pandas, temples, and epic street food await.