Tibet. What comes to your mind when you first hear the word? In most of us the word alone conjures images of monks, meditations, mountain peaks with ice rolling over, blue skies, red robes and may be, the divine Shangri-La. But in reality, Tibet is much more than that. This paradise, known as the Roof of the World, is the highest place to heaven, with an average elevation of 4900 m. This enigmatic, yet striking abode in a plateau north of the Himalayas, is a longed spot for many outsiders. Ever since the start of the 20th century, this massive, serene land has attracted numerous tourists with its royal scenery and unique religious culture. The authenticity in the air of Tibet has proven to provide peace and fulfilment to visitors from different parts of the world. And cycling in these gorgeous Tibetan Plateaus, starting from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp can certainly prove to be one of the best experiences you will ever have.
Cycling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
Why Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Cycling
If you are someone who wants to avoid high altitudes, the best option for you can be the Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, whereby you get to visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and the renowned monasteries upon arrival to Lhasa, experiencing old markets and tasting the famous Tibetan teas. You can cycle from Lhasa to Shigatse and enjoy the Korola Glacier, Manak Dam Lake and the far view of the Gyangtse Fortress. And the next day, you can travel to the Everest Base Camp where you can embrace the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass and the sunset of golden Everest peak, provided that the nature concedes. The distance between Lhasa and Everest Best Camp is not more than 459 kilometres.
Cycling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
Highlights & Itinerary
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp biking tour is quite popular amongst cyclists and explorers in Tibet. In the first three days, you can get acclimated to the high altitude in Lhasa City while visiting Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and other celebrated attractions. You can ride from Lhasa to Yamdrok Tso Lake via Kamba La Pass. Along the Friendship Highway, you will climb the high Karo La Pass and visit the Gyantse Dzong, Gyantse Kumbum and Tashilhunpo Monastery. Riding over Gyatso-La, you will be thrilled with the first view of Mount Everest. Afterwards the cycling becomes a little bit harsher, but it is worth your effort. You’ll view the world’s magnificent peaks at Gawula Pass, including Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m), etc. Passing through Rongbuk Valley, you can finally reach the destination - Everest Base Camp.
Cycling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
To your ultimate advantage, Lhasa to EBC cycling tour covers major attractions in Tibet, like religious monasteries, local villages, sacred lakes, ancient cities, grand glaciers, world’s highest mountains and other natural and cultural landscapes. One of such sacred lakes is the Yamdrok lake, nestled among the flanks of the dull grey and green mountains, 170 km southwest of Lhasa. The stunning scenery of the lake will leave you spellbound. You can take pictures with local animals, watch beautiful birds and even go hiking.
Cycling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
The trip starts from Lhasa, where you can rest sometime and acclimatize to the altitude. During the trip you will be able to go sightseeing in Lhasa, Shigatse and the Everest Base Camp. These surely mesmerizes every cycle on their way. The bike tour last around 17 days, but in all honesty, the days are worth it.
Altitude Change
The change of altitude can result in some sort of altitude sickness but since the tour from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is not must of a long height travel, you do not have to worry much. As long as you are using the first 3 days in Lhasa well enough to rest and eat to acclimatise with the high altitude, you are safe. The altitude changes from 3656 m in Lhasa to 3800 m in Shigatse to 17, 600 feet in the Everest Base Camp.
Best time for the cycling tour
The best time to cycle from Lhasa to EBC would be from June to October. Due to the heavy snows, it is dangerous to go to Tibet in November. It would be extremely hazardous to go on cycling Tibet tour from outside. The cyclists must never cycle to Tibet in winters. Lhasa is a small city of Tibet, and it will be frivolous to have a bicycle tour around Lhasa in the sunny evenings. It would be fun for a foreigner to go on a cycling tour in Tibet in the ideal weather. From October to April, Tibet is dry and breezy. The rainfalls during this period in Lhasa represents just 3% of its year's aggregate. Hence it is known as the dry season or the windy season. From June to August, it is a warm weather with clear skies. It is the best time for cycling in Lhasa and in other surrounding areas. If you come to Tibet for cycling during these months, it will definitely be a memorable experience. After August, the rainy season starts in Tibet and so this time is dangerous for cyclists as it will bring troubles along the long cycling tours in Tibet.
Cycling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
What we will take care of
By booking with us, it's easy to apply for Tibet travel permit, other required permits and other necessary visa - you just need to send us your passport copy and we'll take care of the rest. Apply your Tibet travel permit online today. We will also arrange for the best possible guides and hotels for you to let you make out the most out of this beautiful trip.
Tibet Travel Permit
Things that you need to pack Cycling Tour
Going on the cycling tour in Tibet can be an exciting experience, but at the same time, you need to take the necessary equipment with you so that you don’t have to face any difficulty. Remember, the less the better. Taking excessive stuff will make the cycling difficult because of the extra stuff can be heavier. Your main focus is to carry less weight so that you can have more fun to ride. Try to keep the total load between 20 to 50 pounds. Also, keep the balance in putting the weight, 60% weight in the front and 40% on the back to ensure a balanced ride. We will discuss some of the important things that you must take with you while you go for the cycling tour.
Documents- Passports and Visas
Obviously, if you are a foreigner, you need to have the documentation required to visit Tibet. You must have a valid passport so that you have the legal right to start the cycling tour in Tibet.
Tibet Permit of Documents
Bicycle
You can either purchase a bicycle for cycling or you can get the one on the rental. If you are intending to go for the long distance cycling, then it is best to use your own bike. Mostly, Tibet witnesses long distance cyclists and foreigners pack their cycles to Lhasa along Sichuan-Tibet highway and send them back to their home after cycling. You should purchase the bicycle with spectacular features as it is a major cycling challenge to cycle to the Everest Camp. The bicycle will bring physical challenges as well because of the energy required in Extreme Mountain biking as you cycle through the roof of the world.
Bicycle
Clothes
As the temperature in Tibet varies greatly between day and night, it is essential to take care of the clothes you carry while you are going on a cycling tour. For instance, if you are planning the cycling tour in Lhasa in July, you should keep in mind that the temperature reaches up to 30 Celsius degrees at the day time. But in the night, it falls to -10 Celsius degrees. In the mountain areas, the temperature falls even lower. You should better take woollen sweaters, warm gloves, socks and other warm clothes with you. If you are travelling beyond Lhasa and Shigatse in some mountainous cold areas such as Everest base camp, a down coat, warm shoes and sweater are necessary.
Clothes
Repair Kit
You may need the repair tools while you are on your cycling tour to Tibet. The cycle tools and equipment are critical components to take with you. The repair tool kit can save the day, but you must know how to utilize it. If you carry it without knowing how to use it, it will just add to the weight. So first learn how to use it so that you can use them as emergency repairs. If you are going for the longer trip, you should take the bigger kit. The repair tools that you may require more frequently include flat tire, bolts, gears, repair broken chains and others.
Repair Kit
Sleeping Bags
The need of the sleeping bags depends on the area where you are going on cycling in Tibet. Most areas of the Tibet that cyclists go to, including Lhasa, are genuinely modern and offer hotels and guestrooms. However, in some exceptionally remote areas, you may not find any hotel. In these zones, taking a sleeping bag with you is a good idea so if you are ycling or trekking in Tibet, you should bring a sleeping bag.
Sleeping Bags
Camping
The camping requires sleeping bags that are light weighted and pack smaller. If you are going on the long distance cycling tour, you need camping on your way. Do not take synthetic bags as they are heavier and bulkier. You need to take the accessories that have low weight. Sleeping pads are light, comfortable and packable.
Camping
Apart from that, there are various other important things that you should take with you while going on the long distance cycling tour in Tibet. These include shoes, medicine, trekking equipment, food and drinks, oxygen bags, clothing, a waist bag for keeping important things and other skin care products. Medicine is particularly important as you may need medicine for cold, headache, stomach ache and other common problems. In case, you use medicines on a regular basic, take the prescribed medicine with you.
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
So, what are you waiting for? Saved enough for a much needed vacation whereby you can pamper yourself biking through the stunning nature and getting a treasurable experience? Then buckle up and set off for Tibet. Happy Traveling!
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