tibet

The Journey - sacred peaks of kailash ​

This is our longer ultimate motorcycle journey across the high plateaus of Tibet with high passes, Everest Basecamp, the ruins of the Guge Dynasty and the sacred Mount Kailash. Covering approximately 3,800 kilometers, the ride begins in the Holy City of Lhasa. As we ride this humbling and exhilerating route past sacred lakes, glaciers, Zanda earth forest, and a cluster of 8,000-meter snow-capped peaks, we gain an immersive experience of Tibet’s hinterland through high altitude riding.

DAY 01: CHENGDU arrival day

Airport pick up and a welcome dinner. Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province, founded in the 4th century, famous for its teahouse culture, delish fragrant, spicy foods and laid back vibe. Surrounded by fertile farmlands and a stepping off to the foothills of the Himalayas, this city makes the perfect arrival location for our journey to begin.

DAY 02: CHENGDU and departure by train

After breakfast we head to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where these iconic animals are protected and studied. We then visit Wenshu Temple, one of Chengdu’s oldest Buddhist temples, before exploring historic Kuan Zhai Alleyway

In the evening we board the train - travelling in comfortable sleeper carriages on one of the world’s highest rail journeys across the Tibetan Plateau. This journey gives us extra acclimatisation time so that we are ready for the motorcycle journey.

DAY 03: TRAIN

Today is spent onboard the train travelling across the vast landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. Large windows reveal sweeping grasslands, distant snow-covered peaks and remote settlements scattered across the high plains. The train joins the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, the world’s highest railway line, equipped with oxygen supply systems to assist passengers travelling at altitude. The gradual ascent offers a spectacular introduction to the landscapes of Tibet. Accommodation: Sleeper train (four berth cabin)

DAY 04: Arrive LHASA (Hotel Altitude 3,650m)

Welcome to the Roof of the World – Tibet! This Everest Pilgrimage Motorcycle tour with Karakoram Bikers officially begins in the Holy City of Lhasa. The name Lhasa translates to “place of gods” - it was once home to the Dalai Lama.

(for those who opted out of the train journey this is your arrival day - Private airport pickup and check-in at hotel. It is very important to relax this day and avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water upon arrival to gradually acclimatize to the altitude.

Welcome - Check-in, meet the team and support crew, plateau riding safety briefing. Free time to explore Lhasa or rest at hotel. Oxygen is on stand by for added relief in the acclimatisation process.

DAY 05: LHASA

On this day we continue arrangements of the travel permits for foreigner riders, temporary plateau motorcycle riding licence and the Ngari entry registration.

Further time allocated for acclimatisation to atltiude. An afternoon visit to Norbulingka - once the summer residence of the Dalai Lama with vast beautiful gardens.

DAY 06: LHASA (Potala Palace and Barkhor)

In the morning we take time to visit Potala Palace, UNESCO listed, once the winter palace of the Dalai Lama followed by Jokhang Temple the spiritual centre of Tibetan buddhism and stroll along Barkhor Street. In the afternoon we visit Sera Monastery to watch the debating monks. We experience an in-depth journey into Tibetan history, religion, culture, and folklore by our trilingual guide. We have a short ride today to get a feel for the bikes.

DAY 07: LHASA to SHIGATSE (Hotel Altitude 3,800m, ride distance 360km)

After a hearty breakfast we set of for the first full day of riding towards the main city of southern Tibet - Shigatse. We carry oxygen to ensure a smooth transtion into the experience of riding at altitude. Our route takes us across the Gangbala Mountain at an altitude of 4990 metres wit ha stop at Yambrok lake - 4400 metres.Yambrok Lake is one of the three great sacred lakes. We then visit the Karola Glacier surrounded by towering mountains before riding on past the Manla reservoir and the hero city of Gyangze. Arrive at the city of Shigatse.

DAY 08: SHIGATSE to LHATSE to SAGA (Hotel Altitude 4,600m, ride distance 450km)

Today we enter the Ali South Route officially, traverse vast plateau grasslands, wetlands, and Gobi deserts until we arrive at Saga County, a key supply hub on the Ali South Route. We continue deeper into western Tibet with a remoteness of landscape dotted with small scattered settlements that is a humbling experience.

DAY 09: SAGA to LAKE MANASAROVAR to MOUNT KAILASH to DARCHEN (Hotel Altitude 4,560m, ride distance 490km)

Riding onwards across the Tibeten Plateau to Darchen we visit Lake Manasarovar sitting gloriously beneath the beauty of Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is revered across multiple spiritual traditions and the serenity of the location is easy to feel why, Surrounded by expansive views of the Himalayan mountains, the lake is a profoundly grounding place of truth and connection. We then ride to Darchen the starting point of the kora, the spiritual trek to the foot of Mt. Kailash.

DAY 10: DARCHEN to ZANDA EARTH FOREST to ZANDA (Hotel Altitude 3,700m, ride distance 230km)

Today we ride along the foot of Mount Kailash, spotting wildlife such as Tibetan antelopes and black-necked cranes before we enter into the Zanda Earth Forest National Geopark and experience world-class yardang landforms. The deep valley or “Terrane Physiognomy” has been formed by the movement of Himalayas and the thousands of years of water corrosion creating a stone forest composed of red Ordovician carbonate rocks, as well as karst canyons, caves, lakes, springs and waterfalls. A truly mesmerising sight.

DAY 11: ZANDA to GUGE DYNASTY RUINS to LAKE RAKSHASTAL to PURANG (Hotel Altitude 3,900m, ride distance 330km)

Exploring the thousand-year-old Guge Dynasty Ruins; pass Lake Rakshastal (Ghost Lake) with views of Mount Kailash and Mount Namnanani; arrive in the border town of Purang.

We spend time to explore the expansive Ruins of Guge Kingdom some 600 meters wide from east to west, 1200 meters long from south to north, totalling an area of 720 thousands square meters perched on the side of the mountain. Featuring a vast network of houses, pagodas and caves dated back a thousand years. Our second stop, the Ghost Lake of Rakshastal translated as “poisonous black lake” is in stark contrast to Lake Manasarovar. While Manasarovar is clear and sweet with abundant life, referred to as the “Lake of the Gods”, Rakshastal is a saline lake with little egetation or wildlife and is often referred to as the “Lake of Demons”. Finally we arive at he historic town of Purang which shares borders with both Nepal and India.

​DAY 12: PURANG to PAYANG to ZHONGBA to SAGA (Hotel Altitude 4,600m, ride distance 540km)

After watching the magnificent sunrise over Lake Manasarovar in the early morning, we then return to Saga along the original route, bid farewell to the core Ngari area with a final distant view of Mount Kailash.

DAY 13: SAGA to LAKE PAIKU to MOUNT SHISHAPANGMA to OLD TINGRI to EVEREST BASE CAMP (Camp Altitude 5,200m, ride distance 320km)

Leaving Saga we pass by Lake Paiku a sepctularly stunning high altitude lake at 4591 mtrs with it s vivid blue colour and with views of Mount Shishapangma, just making it into the above 8000 mtr list at 8,012-mtrs. There are sepcatualr views of the mountains massif rising above the grassy plains. It is the only mountian above 8000 mtrs located fully in Tibet. We ride across Gyawu La Pass at an elevation of 5210 metres, taking the 108 hairpin bends with a panoramic view of five 8,000-meter snow peaks. Finally arriving at Everest Base Camp for a close-up view of the world’s highest peak.

DAY 14: EVEREST BASE CAMP to TINGRI to LHATSE to SHIGATSE (Hotel Altitude 3,800m, ride distance 400km)

We wake early and watch the golden sunrise on Everest. A serene way to begin the day before our return along Everest Road to Tingri and Lhatse. With a rewarding rest in Shigatse at teh end of the day.

DAY 15: SHIGATSE to TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY to DAMXUNG (Hotel Altitude 4,200m, ride distance 330km)

Depart Shigatse for the last time after a morning to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery built in 1447 by Gedun Drupa, the first Dalai Lama and now the seat of the Panchen Lama. Then we continue our ride along the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley the birthplace of ancient Tibetan civilisation arriving in Damxung County for our night stay.

DAY 16: DAMXUNG to NAMTSO LAKE to LHASA (Hotel Altitude 3,650m, ride distance 280km)

Today we return to Lhasa to conclude the riding journey. Enroute we cross the high altitude Nagen La Pass (5,190 m) and visit Namtso Lake (one of the three great sacred lakes).

DAY 17: DEPARTURE Flight

Airport transfer included.