Highlights of Tibet Motorcycle Tour2024-01-06T10:42:29+01:00

I give 5 stars …

… for a successful tour in Tibet. I actually wanted to travel to Tibet with my own car, but riding a motorcycle made it a unique experience.

Dieter S.

Highlights of Tibet –
Ride to Everest Base Camp & Beyond

Discover the highlights of the Roof of the World, Tibet’s ancient culture and mystical religion on this spectacular experience in the saddle! Our Everest base camp Tibet motorcycle tour will take you along bendy mountain roads to the vast open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau, icy Himalayan peaks, the steppes of the Tibetan nomads, the sacred azure-blue Namtso and Yamdrok salt lakes, and to hermitages, meditation caves and other spiritual sites deep in the Himalayas. On this Tibet motorbike tour, we tackle dizzying 5,000-meter passes, visit the most important of all Tibetan monasteries and monuments, and explore remote, half-forgotten places. The veritable king of mountains – 8,848-meter Everest – and spending the night at Rongbuk Monastery are highlights of a bucket-list adventure you’ll never forget.

We’ll meet up for our motorcycle ride to Everest Base Camp in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet province. We’ll visit the iconic Potala Palace in Lhasa, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, as well as the bustling Barkhor Market in the old town, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and other highlights of the capital of Tibet.

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Once we’re acclimatized, we’ll ride south along Yarlung Tsangpo River and to the shore of the holy Yamdrok salt lake. The 5,100-meter Karo La glacier pass await us next. Winding our way along the Friendship Highway and tiny side roads and valleys, we’ll reach Tingri, starting point of every trip to Everest. A 5,000-meter pass leads us to the “road of 108 bends” – one of the world’s most spectacular roads, with panoramic views of Everest and four other mighty 8,000-meter peaks. We’ll spend the night at Rongbuk Monastery and enjoy the magic of sunset and sunrise at Everest in the crisp mountain air at 4,900 meters. The next day, an off-road interlude takes us up to the highest pass of the journey, Gyatso La at 5,220 meters, and through remote hinterlands on our way back to Tingri and Xigatze. There we’ll see the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and enjoy Tibet’s second-largest town before riding through alpine countryside, past wheat fields and through tiny villages to the turquoise Namtso Lake, one of Tibet’s largest salt lakes. Our Tibet motorcycle ride ends in Lhasa the next day.

The Mt. Everest …

… was incredible! Also the way there with its endless curves was great. Exploring Tibet on a motorcycle is one of my most beautiful adventures that I have experienced so far.

Inge W.

Lhasa is …

… an incredible city. The Dalai Lama’s residence is impressive. But the roads are great too. The bikes run flawlessly and we were able to embark on a new adventure every day. Thank you Tibetmoto Tours for the good organization.

Adrian V.

Our guides …

… showed us the most beautiful places in Tibet. The ride to Mt. Everest with its many winding roads was one of my highlights on the tour. I can only warmly recommend the tour to everyone who would like to get to know a country on a motorcycle!

Peter K.

Highlights of the Tibet Motorcycle Tour:

All of the scenic and cultural must-sees of Tibet:

  • Sightseeing in Lhasa, including Barkhor Market, Potala Palace – the former residence of the Dalai Lama – and Jokhang, the holiest temple of the Tibetans, as well as the Drepung Monastery
  • Samye Monastery and the oldest fortress of Tibet, Yumbulakhang
  • The highest mountains on the planet: spectacular views of Cho Oyo (8,201 m), Shisha Pangma (8,012 m), Lhotse (8,561 m), Makalu (8,463 m) and of course Everest (8,848 m).
  • The 108 curves and serpentines of the ride to Everest Base Camp
  • A night at Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Mount Everest at an altitude of 4,900 meters, close to Everest Base Camp
  • Yamdrok Lake and the 4,900-meter panoramic pass overlooking it
  • The 5,220-meter Gyatso La pass, 5,100-meter Karo La pass and its imposing glacier
  • Palcho Monastery with the largest pagoda in Tibet, Gyangze Fortress and the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery near Xigaze
  • Namtso Lake, one of the largest Himalayan salt lakes of Tibet, at 4,718 meters
  • The beautiful countryside between Xigaze and Natmso Lake, with pastures and farms at over 4,000 meters

On Request

Shineray X5:
US$ 3,380 / CNY 21,700
BMW 310 GS:
US$ 3,600 / CNY 23,150
BMW 800 GS:
US$ 3,990 / CNY 25,600
Pillion:
US$ 2,860 / CNY 18,400
Single Room:
US$ 350 / CNY 2,250

on request (BMW 1200 GS)

9 days / 8 nights / 6.5 riding days

Accommodation in mid-range hotels and guest houses.

Contact us

Everest Motorbike Tour – Media Library

Tibetmoto …

… has once again surpassed itself with the tour. The ride over high passes with wide views and along fast rivers to azure blue salt lakes was AWESOME. Tibet is a beautiful country that is made for motorcycle tours. Thank you Tibetmoto for the great tour.

Toni A.

The tour …

… was great. We had one great day after another and enjoyed every single minute. Tibetmoto Tours knows what they are doing!

Eberhardt S.

Nice Tour

The organization in advance ran smoothly. The tour was well planned and the guides were very experienced.

Rainer E.

 Highlights of Tibet – Ride to Everest Base Camp & Beyond – Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

We’ll pick you up at Lhasa Gonggar airport and bring you to the hotel. Get acclimatised to the altitude of 3,600 meters. In the evening, we’ll get acquainted over a Tibetan dinner in the old town of Lhasa featuring local specialties – the delights of Tibetan cuisine. Short walk in the historic quarter of Lhasa which is beautifully illuminated at night, where pilgrims walk clockwise around their holiest temple – the Jokhang.

Day 2: Sightseeing and acclimatization in Lhasa

In the morning, our guide will show us Potala Palace, the majestic former residence of the Dalai Lama. The palace in the historic center of Lhasa was the seat of the Dalai Lama’s government from 1642 to 1959. From there, the famous Barkhor Market in the old town of Lhasa is within walking distance. We will visit the Barkhor Market, as well as Tibet’s most sacred temple, the Jokhang. In the afternoon warm-up riding day to Ganden Monastery. The perfect time to get to know your bike and the road condition in Tibet. A traditional restaurant in the old town with Tibetan specialties, butter tea and Lhasa beer awaits us for dinner.

Distance: approx. 100 km

Day 3: Lhasa – Gyangze: Yamdrok Lake & Karo La Glacier (5,100m)

Time to set out! As we leave Lhasa behind, the first riding day of our Tibet motorcycle tour takes us through tiny villages along the lush banks of the Yarlung Tsanpo River, heading southwest. We continue along the Yarlung Tsanpo River to the sacred Yamdrok Lake (4,440 meters). It is said that bathing in the lake will wash away bad karma – so don’t forget your swimming trunks! The twisty road and stunning views from the 4,900-meter panoramic pass to the deep-blue lake far below is bound to leave a lasting impression. We’ll put in the occasional short stop for photos and to enjoy the scenery.

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Our ride continues to Nagartse, then on to Gyangtse via Karo La pass, which takes us right up to the foot of a mighty glacier at 5,100 meters. Time permitting, we can visit Gyangze Dzong, an old fortress that towers majestically over the town.
The Buddhist Pelkhor Monastery, built in 1427 and also known as the “Monastery of Ten Thousand Paintings”, is a further highlight. With its four floors, 108 chapels and over 10,000 murals, it is the largest pagoda in Tibet. Dinner will be at a restaurant in the center of town serving traditional Tibetan fare.

Distance: approx. 130 km

Day 4: Gyangze – Sakya

Our Tibet bike tour heads out of Gyangze and ascends toward Sakya on the “Friendship Highway” – a grandly-named country road. Sakya monastery, which dates back to 1073, is located in the green mountain valley and was once one of the key spiritual sites in Tibet. Its unique Mongolian architecture sets it apart from other Tibetan monasteries. Stroll through the placid village to decompress from the ride and experience the small shops and restaurants, or hike the mountain slopes opposite the valley to explore numerous temples and hermitages.

Distance: approx. 240 km

Day 5: Motorcycle Ride to Mount Everest Base Camp from Sakya

From Sakya, we head south along salt flats before winding our way further up into the Himalayas, where the fabled 8,000-meter peaks and their surrounding valleys come into view. An incredible road with 108 bends and hairpins offers views of Cho Oyo (8,201 m), Shisha Pangma (8,012 m), Lhotse (8,561 m), Makalu (8,463 m) and of course Everest (8,848 m). Some of the tallest mountains on the planet are towering before us – all visible from one of the most thrilling roads in the world on our ride to Everest Base Camp. To reach the monastery, we have to tackle several 5,000-meter passes that have only recently been paved.

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It’s the end of the line for motorcycles a few kilometers before Rongbuk, and we’ll take a bus for the last leg to the monastery, with its fantastic view of Everest. A modest guest house awaits, and many of the rooms open out to the highest mountain in the world. The simple accommodation has a tea room with a wood-fired stove – a cozy spot in a forbidding wilderness at 4,900 meters.

Distance: approx. 230 km

Day 6: Motorbike Tour from Mount Everest Base Camp to Shigatse

Look forward to a beautiful sunrise at Mount Everest. We’ll let the sun drive away the chill before we head out. A busy day of riding will take us back to Shigatse. From Rongbuk Monastery, we’ll take a new route – a challenging track – back to the Friendship Highway. On the road to Shigatse, we’ll cross Gyatso La pass, the highest of our trip at 5,220 meters, and once again take in the stunning panorama of Tibet. In Shigatse, the second largest town of Tibet, a comfortable hotel awaits. A fortress towers over the alleyways of the old town, and a small market for devotional objects is worth exploring.

Distance: approx. 330 km

Day 7: Shigatse – Damxung

We’ll start our day with a visit to the renowned Tashi Lhunpo Monastic University, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery’s three central halls feature imposing Buddha statues. Leaving Shigatse, we’ll take side roads that wind their way through villages and the beautiful Tibetan countryside. We’ll have lunch with a family of nomads who graze their cattle along a small alpine lake, and stop for the night in Damxung.

Distance: approx. 330 km

Day 8: Damxung – Namtso See – Lhasa

In the morning, we’ll cross a 5,100-meter pass and reach the shore of one of the largest lakes in Tibet at an altitude of 4,718 meters. The winding road down from the pass and the views of the azure Namtso Lake will quicken the pulse of even the most jaded riders. Riding along the shore on a gravel road, we’ll enjoy views of the lake and the often snow-covered mountain ranges that surround the lake, the grazing yaks, small monasteries, meditation caves and hills. Taking side roads back to Lhasa, we’ll cross one last 4,900-meter pass and say farewell to the vast, otherworldly landscapes as our Everest base camp motorcycle tour draws to a close.
Our farewell dinner will be in Lhasa’s old town.

Distance: approx. 260 km

Day 9: Lhasa

Transfer to the airport and departure from Lhasa.

Your Most Unforgettable Motorcycle Adventure is just a Click away!

Book your Tour now! Highlights of Tibet

Since our tours get filled up fast, please book the Trans Tibet Everest Base Camp Motorcycle Tour now to avoid disappointment.

Our Next available tours are as follows:

On Request

Book now

Included Services

  • Motorcycle tourguide on own motorcycle
  • English speaking Tibet guide
  • Mechanic service during the trip
  • Escort vehicle for luggage and passengers
  • 8 nights in typical middle-class hotels, one simple accommodation at Rongbuk monastery
  • Motorcycle of your choice, insurance with partial coverage
  • Breakfast, lunch snack (days 2-8), dinner (days 1-8), mineral water during the tour, soft drinks with meals
  • All entrance fees for attractions mentioned in the itinerary
  • Airport transfers
  • Domestic flight Chengdu – Lhasa on day 2

Excluded Services

  • Gasoline for your motorcycle
  • Domestic flights

Questions & Answers

Will every tour take place exactly as described in the tour itinerary?2021-01-08T23:13:47+01:00

All our itineraries give you a good overview what you will experience and discover when booking with tibetmoto. The itineraries are nevertheless best understood if they are seen as a suggestion rather than as a 100% planned and a thousand times done way of traveling. We like to keep every tour, every adventure, every trip unique and special. We are proud to say that we have never done a trip two times exactly the same way. Our team does not like to offer mainstream tourism tours, and we believe that people enjoy their time best when they have freedom and possibilities to choose from. Freedom and flexibility are very good ingredients to cook an exceptional discovery or adventure, to meet unusual people and visit off-the-beaten-track places.

How does camp life look like on expeditions?2020-11-12T18:02:03+01:00

After arriving at the camp ground we pitch up the tents, our team will set up the mobile kitchen, the electricity generator is being started and we can think of having a cold beer. All supplies and the luggage is carried by our supply truck. We do not have always pre-chosen camp grounds which are always frequented by us, since every expedition is different. Depending on the time in the afternoon we start looking for “the perfect spot”. Perfect spots have a water source such as a river or a lake and a flat piece of land for the tents. Some spots we use more frequently since they are so perfect that the location is hard to beat. Camping together with nomads offers an opportunity to experience their way of live, culture and habits. Sitting in the evening together in a nomad tent somewhere on the Tibetan grassland and listening to Tibetan nomads` songs is a truly genuine experience.

Dinner is being served in a large dining tent where we have tables and chairs to comfortably sit together, eat and drink. The separate, smaller, sleeping tents are designed to accommodate each two people, but if you choose the “single room” option (you will find that option below each expedition itinerary) you will have your own tent. Our tents are army tents where you can almost stand upright. The sleeping “hard wear” is a foldable army field bed, which puts your body about knee height away from the ground. We provide you with the entire hard wear, plus blankets and insulation mats. The only item you should bring along is your personal sleeping bag. If you don´t want to bring your sleeping bag all the way to China we can provide you with a new sleeping bag for a reasonable price.

How is the climate in Tibet?2020-11-11T22:27:20+01:00

The temperature differences between day and night are around 10 degrees or more. Especially in the Himalayan areas it can often get very cool, especially when the sun is not shining. During the travel times of the Tibet motorcycle tour, rain can only occur in exceptional cases. However, you should be prepared for everything and have warm and water-repellent clothing in your luggage.

How are the hotel in Tibet?2020-11-11T22:25:06+01:00

The hotels in which you stay have a decent, but typical three to four star standard. All rooms have a private bathroom, with the exception of the Rongbuk Monastery.

Do I need vaccinations?2020-11-11T22:24:05+01:00

Vaccinations are not required for the Tibet Motorcycle Tour.

Altitude Sickness and Oxygen Supply2020-11-11T22:22:16+01:00

Oxygen:
Starting from Lhasa we will provide medical oxygen. This can support a person with oxygen for up to 24 hours. Before starting the Tibet Motorcycle Tour, you should also contact a doctor who will prescribe a Diamox. Diamox is a drug that can be taken prophylactically against altitude problems. As a result, groups that take Diamox hardly or not at all experience altitude-related symptoms. For a smooth running of the Tibet Motorcycle Tour, the personal health and well-being of each participant is important. We therefore strongly recommend that you consider taking Diamox.

Which documents do I need?2020-11-11T22:35:03+01:00

You will need your passport, a pass picture, national driving license, international driving license and flight ticket. Please be sure to make photocopies of all of your important travel documents and carry them separately. They can be invaluable in an emergency.

We also need a scan of the Chinese visa six weeks before the tour starts.

All scanned documents should be sent to us on an A4 sheet of original size

What can I expect from an overnight stay with a tibetan host family?2020-11-12T18:01:15+01:00

A home stay is an opportunity to get access into another culture by joining the host family for dinner and breakfast and sleep under their roof, as their guest. Most families live together in a several generation house, from children to old grandparents. A lot of home stays are semi-farms with at least a few cattle such as chicken and cows around the house. Often are fields attached where family member go to work after breakfast. Here, local family and work life can be experienced as it is instead of “only” observing it from the outside.
We believe that joining a home stay is on of the best ways to get in touch which what surrounds you in a foreign country.

How well do I have to be able to ride a motorcycle?2020-11-11T21:59:51+01:00

You should be able to ride a motorcycle safely, especially on winding mountain roads. An uncertainty is common, but you quickly get used to the local traffic. Our tour guide will give the group useful and good tips on riding in China. Before the start of the Tibet and China Motorcycle Tour, there will be an introduction to road traffic behavior.















Do I need a driving license?2020-11-11T21:57:31+01:00
For the Tibet and China motorcycle tour you need a valid national and international driver’s license.


What is the currency in China?2020-11-11T21:56:01+01:00
In China, the currency is the CNY (Chinese Renminbi). The exchange rate is around 1€ to 7.56 CNY (as of 05/2020). The CNY is not a freely convertible currency, so you cannot get it at every bank in Europe. The exchange rate, which is determined by the Bank of China, can be observed under the following link: http://www.boc.cn/sourcedb/whpj/enindex.html


However, we recommend withdrawing a larger amount of CNY from an ATM with all major credit cards or debit cards after arriving in China. Our on-site tour guide is happy to help. Due to the often very poor exchange rate for the CNY in Europe, it is not worthwhile to exchange significant amounts of CNY in Europe. There are also many ATMs in Lhasa where you can withdraw money. Our experience shows that the majority of our participants spend around 20€ a day.


What about my luggage? Where can I transport it?2020-11-11T21:51:45+01:00
The luggage will be transported in the support vehicle. Don’t forget that on domestic flights, the pastries usually cannot exceed 20 kg!


What clothes should I pack?2020-11-11T22:26:29+01:00
For a motorcycle tour you should bring motorcycle clothing including a helmet. Of course you also should pack warm clothing (as layers or as undersuit). It can get cold! You should also bring gloves and a rain suit.


How is the Road Condition?2020-11-11T21:45:13+01:00
The roads on the motorcycle tour are mostly paved (with a few exceptions). Due to the new asphalting of road sections, it can temporarily lead to a poor condition of the road. The paved roads are mostly in good condition. However, there may be isolated potholes or gravel lying on the ground. The route on the motorcycle tour also includes sections with new asphalt, on which you can enjoy European standards or even better. These routes are wonderful to ride! Due to moisture and the difficult to see oil or diesel traces, however, extreme caution is always required!


What is the deposit for renting a motorcycle?2020-11-11T21:42:45+01:00
Deposit for a rental motorcycle (partial cover):


The following cash deposits are required: 


Shineray X5 400: EUR 500

BMW G 310 GS: EUR 1,000

BMW F 800 GS: EUR 1,500


If the participant/motorcyclist causes damage during the Tibet motorcycle tour, the deposit is the maximum amount.


Do I need a chinese visa?2020-11-11T21:39:18+01:00
Entry/Visa:


All participants in the Tibet and China motorcycle tours require a visa to enter China. The passport must be valid for another six months. You have to apply for the visa yourself at a service center, the Chinese embassy or on behalf of an agency. Due to frequent changes in the application procedure, we recommend that you use an agency. This is slightly more expensive than filing your own application, but it saves you a lot of work and time.


We will apply for all of the necessary Tibet permits for the motorcycle tour.


Tour Concept by RC Hendrik


About RC Hendrik

							

												

	

						
					
  
				
  
				
				
								
					
		

					
	 

	
	 
		
 

		
					

											


												
 
		
 
		

		

		

		

		

			








































































































































				
						


			

		
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