Lhasa to Kathmandu Mountain Biking Tour-Team Australia

Arrive in Kathmandu (~1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel. Settle in, explore Thamel’s markets and cafes, and rest for flights and permits ahead. Enjoy a relaxed day filled with light walking.

• Difficulty: Easy

• Attractions: Kathmandu city life, temples, bazaars

• Notes: Acclimatizing to elevation and travel.

Explore UNESCO sites in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Finalize Tibet permits. Enjoy Nepalese culture and food while bike checks happen. Easy, no riding.
Riding or sightseeing in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu’s heritage sites while finalizing Tibet permits.

• Attractions: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and medieval architecture.

Scenic flight over the Himalayas to Lhasa (~3,650 m). Meet the Tibetan support team and transfer to the hotel. Short walk to acclimatize. Light evening stroll in Lhasa.  Our Tibet and Nepal crew will be present to welcome you.

• Riding: None

• Activities: Flight over the Himalayas from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Meet the local support team on arrival.

• Attractions: Tibetan landscapes from the air, Lhasa city streets.

Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple while your body adjusts to the high altitude. Wander Barkhor Market. No biking. The pace of the cultural exploration is easy.

• Riding: None

• Activities: Explore Lhasa’s important cultural sites.

• Difficulty: Easy

• Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market.

Tour Drepung Monastery, then relax with free time in Lhasa. Last rest before cycling starts. Familiarize yourself with your bike and gear in a calm, high-altitude city.

• Riding: None

• Activities: Visit Drepung Monastery and Norbulingka gardens. Final rest before cycling starts.

• Difficulty: Easy

• Attractions: Buddhist temples and spiritual sites.

Cycle scenic plains along the Tsangpo River toward Kamba La base. Mostly steady pedaling with plateau terrain. Camp near the foot of the hill under wide skies.

Distance: ~85 km
Elevation Start: ~3,650 m → End: ~3,700 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~ +600 m / −550 m (approx.) 
Activities: Cycle along the broad plains beside the Tsangpo River toward the base of Kamba La.
Difficulty: Challenging—long distance at high altitude.
Passes: None today
Attractions: Tibetan plateau views, nomad grasslands, and river valley.

Climb steadily to Kamba La (~4,794 m), then descend to stunning Yamdrok Lake (~4,400 m). Turquoise water and snowy peaks surround you. Challenging but rewarding.

Distance: ~65 km
Pass: Kamba La ~4,794 m (summit)
Altitude End: ~4,440 – 4,490 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~900 m up / ~1,000 m down 
Activities: Climb steadily to Kamba-La with panoramic views. Descend to the sacred Yamdrok Tso Lake's turquoise waters.
Difficulty: Hard (steep climb, cold winds common)
Attractions: Prayer flags, high plateau lakes, snowy peaks.

Ride from Yamdrok shores through rolling highland plains toward the Gyantse region. Quiet countryside, plateau views, and small villages mark the day.

Distance: ~63 km
Start: ~4,440 m → End: ~4,750 m (base)
Pass: (approach to Karo La)
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~500 m up / small descent 
Activities: Cycle from Yamdrok lakeside through fertile valleys toward the Karo La pass basecamp.
Difficulty: Moderate/hard
Attractions: Turquoise lake vista, plateau scenery, small farming villages.

Easy cruising on a paved highway beside the Nyang Chu River to Shigatse (~3,900 m). Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and local markets after the ride.

Distance: ~86–90 km
Pass: Karo La ~5,010 m
Start: ~4,750 m → End: ~3,980 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~600 m up / ~1,000 m 
Activities: Tough morning ascent to Karo La, then a long, sweeping descent to Gyantse.
Difficulty: Hard (high pass climb)
Attractions: Glaciers near the pass, panoramic mountain views, and Palkhor Monastery.

Rest day in Shigatse with monastery visits and walking market tours. Time to recharge before climbing and long rides ahead. A short optional spin is possible.

Distance: Approximately 10 km, based on our sightseeing plan for the day and walking around. 
Start: ~3,980 m → End: ~3,900 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: mostly flat
Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Nyang Chu valley, rural Tibetan villages, morning markets.

Cycle quiet valleys toward Lhatse, climbing gently onto the wide plateau. Views of distant snowcaps and rural villages. Camp at high-altitude grasslands.

Distance: ~ 98 to 120 km 
Riding: None or light optional spin
Altitude: ~4,000 m
Activities: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama. Rest in the hotel, and explore the town.
Difficulty: moderate
Attractions: Buddhist monastery, local markets.

Challenge day crossing high ridges with sharp views of Everest region peaks. Descend into Shegar (~4,700 m). Long day with high elevation but gradual terrain.

Distance: ~75 km
Start: ~3,900 m → End: ~4,520 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~500 m gain / ~180 m 
Activities: Climb to scenic valleys and ridges. Ride toward the Tibetan frontier region.
Difficulty: Hard (high plateau climb)
Attractions: Rugged plateau, pastoral lands.

Climb toward the Pang Pass area (~5,150 m) with Everest views, then descend to the fertile Tashizong Valley. Panoramic high-Himalayan scenery all day.

Distance: ~76 km
Start: ~4,520 m → End: ~4,700 m
Pass: Gyatso La (Nyalam Tong La) ~5,126 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~500 m up / ~500 m 
Activities: Long day crossing significant high passes (e.g., Gyatso La / Nyalam Tong La) with windy plateau views.
Difficulty: Hard
Attractions: Everest region peaks on the horizon, glacial valleys.

Short but memorable ride/drive to Rongbuk Valley near Everest Base Camp. Everest and Cho Oyu loom overhead. Camp near Rongbuk Monastery at high altitude.

Distance: ~60 km
Start: ~4,700 m → End: ~4,300 m
Pass: Pang La ~5,150 m (main challenge earlier)
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~800 m up / ~8,000 m down
Activities: Up to Pang La with unforgettable views of Everest, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, then descend to the Rongbuk Valley area.
Difficulty: Challenging
Attractions: Himalayan giants, high valley pastures.

Descend from the Everest region through rugged terrain to Old Tingri (~4,300 m). Rolling landscape, glaciers in the distance. Day is still demanding but descending.

Distance: ~86 km
Start: ~4,200 m → End: ~4,300 m
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~400 m up / ~300 m
Activities: Descend from the Everest Base Camp area and ride rugged terrain toward Old Tingri.
Difficulty: Challenging
Attractions: Everest views, deep valleys, remote villages.

Ride the higher plateau toward Paiko Tsho Lake (~4,590 m). Views of peaks like Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. Sparse plateau terrain with wide horizons.

Distance: ~96 km
Start: ~4,300 m → End: ~4,591 m
Attractions: Paiko Tsho (Peiku Tso) Lake, a high alpine lake with panoramas of the Cho Oyu & Everest region.
Difficulty: Hard
Notes: Large riding day with plateau winds.

High plateau riding across gentle terrain with mountain panoramas. Camp near Paiko Tsho, a scenic glacial lake reflecting towering peaks around.

Distance: ~73 km
Start: ~4,591 m → End: ~4,591 m
Activities: Mostly rolling high plateau with lake views and mountain panoramas all day.
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Attractions: Peiko Tsho lakeshore scenery.

Long downhill ride from high plateau to Nepal border (~2,700 m). Deep valleys, forests, and rivers mark descent. Drive transfer to Kathmandu after the border.

Distance: ~117 km
Start: ~4,591 m → End: ~2,700 m (Kyirong border)
Elevation Gain/Loss: –1,900 m descent Need to confirm exact figures
Activities: Thrilling downhill ride from the plateau into the Nepalese hills.
Difficulty: Hard (long descent, altitude change)
Attractions: Gorges, forests, waterfalls, and Nepali-Tibetan border towns.

Relax in Kathmandu before flying home or extending. Reflect on your trans-Himalayan biking adventure with vivid mountain memories. Easy farewell day.