21 Days The ultimate Mountain Biking expedition across the roof of the world

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After a little rest, go to visit the Durbar Square. The Durbar Square lies in the heart of Kathmandu. Locally also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square-an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty.

Most of the buildings seen here date from 15th to 18th century. Some of the important monuments to be seen here are: Taleju temple, Jagannath temple, Kal Bhairav, Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap - built from the timber of a single tree.

In the morning, first drive to Pashupatinath temple which is situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu City and one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then continue driving to Boudhanath Stupa, 8 kilometers east of Kathmandu City. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest in the world of its kind.

After lunch, drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, located approximately 4 kilometers west of Kathmandu city. This Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old.

Take the morning flight to Lhasa. In a little over one hour, the Kathmandu - Lhasa air journey covers rugged terrain that once took trade caravans months to cross. The views are spectacular, and on a clear day, as many as eight of the world's 14 highest peaks - including Everest - lie before you.

At the Lhasa airport, you will be met and taken to your hotel in Lhasa by your Tibetan guide, for a relaxing afternoon adjustment to the altitude! You can have a comfort stop near Nietang Buddha where a giant statue of Buddha has been carved out of a stone cliff-face centuries ago.

In morning, go to visit the famous Potala palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapels, you will experience its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and a tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the holist temple in Tibet, the Johkang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkor Kora. (Notice: the sequence of sightseeing might be changed based on the reservation of Potala Palace).

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera.

Situated at the foothill of a mountain, Drepung monastery was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous for it was the government centre during the fifth dalai lama and later moved to the famous potala palace.

After having lunch, continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is its Buddhist Scriptures debating held in the courtyard mostly around 6:00 - 7:30 in the afternoon.

The first riding day is very short and easy. You journey towards Everest starts with the Friendship Highway as it heads out across the plateau. The road in good condition is quite flat. Leave Lhasa and cycle along the beautiful Tsangpo River to the foot of the Kamba La Pass (3700 m).

Today, you will overcome the first mountain pass of this trip. A strong uphill climb along a tar road of several switchbacks, reaches a summit lavishly adorned with prayer flags (4794m).

After descending we continue alongside Lake Yamdrok Tso, at the far side of which set camp (4490m). The dazzlingly turquoise green Yamdrok-Tso Lake is one of the three great holy lakes in Tibet.

Leave the beautiful lake behind, cycle along the Friendship highway which soon becomes a gravel roadway, through a ravine and up to the foot of the Karo La Pass (4750m), where your tented village will be prepared for the night.

A significant day on the tour, as you have to get up early to climb the high Karo La Pass (5010m). You can see glaciers stretching down to 6000m and beautiful lakes. You are rewarded for your effort with a night in a top hotel in the city of Gyantse (3980m).

First visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century and the Kumbum, a large gold-domed stupa with several small chapels, containing an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals.

Then head out on the highway towards Shigatse. Although today is a long cycling day, the highway is tarred and flat. In the afternoon, arrive in Tibet's second largest city, Shigatse (3860m). You can enjoy a shower in your hotel.

Get up early to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. The monastery itself is abiding place for the successive Penchen Lamas.

Then leave Shigatse and ride over two small passes and through several small Tibetan villages, past the isolated Gyachung Monastery and camp.

Keep riding along the highway. The route leads you through picturesque valleys before the long route begins which leads over the Tso-La (4520m). After lunch, head towards Lhatse past the hot springs and camp about 10km outside of town.

Today, you will ride over the 5220m Gyatso-La with stunning view. On a clear day you will be rewarded for your effort with your first view of Mount Everest.

After a 40 km ride through flat prairie towns, you will arrive in the town of Pelbar, often referred to as Shegar. Shegar, is a popular stopover for anyone heading to the Everest region. Today will be a long and gruelling ride through the canyon.

Today's riding is a little tough for the road condition is not so good as that of the past days.

You will divert off the flat highway just outside of Shegar, then head towards the world's highest peak, Everest. After passing through the border control point, you will be faced with 20km's uphill switchbacks (42 hairpin bends in total) before you reach the summit of the Pang Pass (5150m). Your reward will be some of the most magnificent views of Everest and her surrounding peaks.

Enjoy lunch as you gaze over Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks. Then a 20-kilometer downhill follows to the Rongbuk Valley (4200m), where we camp.

Now you should be at peak fitness and excited about the approach of your highest destination, Everest Base Camp.

A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic Mount Everest appears before you. We will camp beside the monastery with the unforgettable sight of the world's highest peak in front of you. We will stay here for two days.

On your second day, you can either read a book or get even closer to Everest by taking a walk, cycling or hopping on a donkey and cart ride to Everest base camp, which is 8km from the campsite. Overnight at Rongbuk Monastery (Dormbed/Tents)

Leaving Rongbuk, head back down the bumpy road and then take a shortcut into the mountains. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into Tingri (4340m).

This day begins with a 40 to 50km flat ride before lunch. Then we tackle the gradual incline of the Lalung Pass (4990m). From here you will feel like you are as high as the peaks around you, including Shishapangma (8012m). We will set up tents in the valley between two passes.

Today, we tackle our last up hill, as we cycle up the incredible Thang Pass to 5050m. You will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayan chain as you freewheel the most incredible non stop downhill.

From the town of Nyalam you will notice that the scenery starts to turn green again. You will cycle down past countless waterfalls and pine trees line roads, with waterfalls practically crashing over you, to the border town of Gyirong. This will be our last day in Tibet. 

From Gyirong we have to pass through customs and into Nepal. Once you are in the Nepali town of Kodari the downhill continues for the next 50 km along some very bumpy and rocky roads. Suddenly it is tropical and humid and green again as you cycle alongside rice paddies. After you reach the town of Dolalghat you must climb up to the town Dhulikhel (1600m).

Today will take you from Dhulikhel to Kathmandu. You will freewheel down through Bhaktapur where you can stop and see some of the town's famous temples if you wish, before we ride into bustling Kathmandu. In the afternoon you can relax, shop or go sightseeing.

After a long exciting trip, today it's time to say goodbye to Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.