Day
to Day Itinerary |
Day
01
|
ARRIVAL
KATHMANDU
Arrive in Kathmandu. Our staff will
pick you at the airport and transfer
you to Hotel Hotel Manang |
| Day
02: |
SIGHTSEEING
IN KATHMANDU
Our first full day in Nepal will be
spent seeing sights throughout the
wondrous city of Kathmandu. Attractions
range from bustling markets to Kathmandu’s
ancient Durbar Square. This square
is home to many beautiful Temples.
In the afternoon we will visit the
amazing temples in Patan's Durbar
Square. Lastly, we will also experience
Buddhist culture at the large Buddhist
stupa at Swayambhunath. Swayambhunath
is often referred to as the monkey
temple because of the large numbers
of monkeys that now reside there.
|
| Day
03: |
FLIGHT
TO LHASA
After flying a long time to Nepal
I am sure you dread another day of
flying. However, this remarkable flight
last only an hour while crossing the
Himalayan range. As you may expect
the striking mountain views surround
you the entire time. Once you arrive
at Gonggar airport, an easy two hour
drive will take you to your final
destination of the traditional Dhood
Gu Hotel. The remainder of the day
can be spent relaxing and exploring
some of the many sights in Lhasa. |
| Day
04: |
IN
LHASA
Haven't you always dreamed of visiting
the ancient Tibetan monasteries? Our
knowledgeable English speaking guide
will show you everything there is
to see in some of these renowned sights.
First off we will explore the beautifully
preserved Sera Monastery. Many of
the pictures you see of Tibet are
of these buildings with their white
washed walls and golden roofs. To
this day several hundred monks live
and study in this architecture. The
afternoon will be spent exploring
the Jokhang temple and Norbulingka.
The Norbunglinka is another astounding
piece of architecture and was once
the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.
Jokhang Temple will provide you one
of your first sights of devout Tibetans,
as hundreds visit this sacred shrine
each day. The central market of Lhasa,
the Barkor, surrounds the Jokhang
Temple. In these cobbled streets you
can experience more Tibetan culture
and even purchase some amazing crafts. |
| Day
05: |
FURTHER
EXPLORATION OF LHASA
To explore some of the ancient quarters
of the Dalai Lama we will visit Potala
Palace in the morning. Be prepared
for astonishment as this grand palace
has been around since before the 17th
century. It is a vast building with
much to explore. Those who wish to
do so can ride their bikes around
the city for the first time. |
| Day
06: |
LHASA
OUR FIRST DAY ON THE BIKE
Our sixth day will be another easy
one as we cruise around Lhasa on
our bikes. Both the Sera and Drepung
Monastery will be visited for another
taste of Tibetan culture. . To add
even more history and culture we
will also visit Drepung Monastery.
Once home to over 10,000 monks,
the Drepung Monastery is still a
beautiful sight to see. Miraculously
it was one of the few sights to
escape the Cultural revolution without
widespread damage. |
| Day
07: |
LHASA
- CHUTSU
Our life changing journey officially
begins today as we pack up the trucks
and prepare for departure. It is essential
that we take only what we need with
us. Our first stage to Chutsu is fairly
level and easy. We will ease you into
the journey so it is even more enjoyable
for you. |
| Day
08: |
CHUTSU
- NAMDROK TSO
Our first major pass is encountered
today as we cross Khamba La. We will
take the pass slow and even hop in
the trucks if necessary as we are
all not acclimatized yet. The views
form the pass stretch out for miles
and miles. We are able to see numerous
rivers and the turquoise waters of
Namdrok Lake. The night will be spent
at a campsite below the lake after
descending the pass. |
| Day
09: |
NAMDROK
TSO - RALUNG
Our first stop after leaving the campsite
takes us to the small town of Nagartse.
We will visit the highly revered Samding
Monastery. Many Tibetans believe that
this monastery is the home of the
earthly incarnation of the goddess
Dorje Pagmo. After Nagartse we climb
our second major pass, Karo La. It
is an awe-inspiring site the see the
massive glaciers rising nearly straight
up from the road. Our night will be
spent below the pass in the small
village of Ralung. |
| Day
10: |
RALUNG
- GYANTSE
This is another fairly easy day as
we cruise downhill to Gyantse. While
in Gyantse we will visit man historic
sites. The sites range from ancient
military forts to beautiful monasteries.
The Kumbum monastery, a large gold
roofed stupa, has much to explore
in its intricate buildings. Even if
you are not an art connoisseur you
will appreciate the wondrous murals
to be found in this monastery. We
will spend the night in the Gyantse
hotel. Relax and enjoy the hot showers! |
| Day
11: |
GYANTSE
- SHIGATSE
Our destination, shigatse is 94 kilometers
away. If we want to reach it by nightfall
we must r\get in our back up vehicles.
Don’t worry though; all of the
beautiful sections of this stretch
will be viewed on bicycle. After finally
reaching Shigatse we will spend the
night in one of two first rate hotels. |
| Day
12: |
SIGHTSEEING
AND REST IN SHIGATSE
Today will be spent exploring Tibet's
second largest city! There is much
to see in this town, but the highlight
for most is our visit to the Tashi
Lhumpo Monastery. High walls surround
this intricate maze of shrines, prayer
wheels, rock inscriptions, and Tibetan
pilgrims. Excellent views are seen
once again from the top of the Shigatse
fortes. Once again we will spend the
night at one of two first rate hotels
in Shigatse. |
| Day
13: |
SHIGATSE
- TSO LA
Today we head towards our third major
pass, Tso La. We must ride for nearly
115 kilometers before we reach our
final campsite before the pass. |
| Day
14: |
TSO
LA - LHATSE
From this challenging pass we are
rewarded with our first views of Everest
in the distance. The night will be
spent in the small town of Lhatse. |
| Day
15: |
LHATSE
- SHEGAR
On our fifteenth day we cross yet
another pass, Gyamtso La. Our night
will be spent in Shegar, only a few
kilometers away from the main road
and our pat to Rongbuk valley. |
| Day
16: |
SHEGAR
-TINGRI
Our goal today is to bike ten kilometers
off the main road to the Pang La pass
and ascend this pass before nightfall.
We will spend the night is a small
settlement on the south side of the
pass. Along the way, wondrous views
of Makalu, Everest and numerous other
peaks can be seen. |
| Day
17: |
TINGRI
- THANG LA
Today we cycle towards our last and
highest pass of the trip, Thang La.
We must make camp before this daunting
pass. |
| Day
18: |
NEGOTIATING
THANG LA
Today is another challenging day as
cross this amazing pass. We are all
in excellent shape by now. However,
it is still a feat to climb this high
pass. Camp is made in a campsite below
Shishapangma. |
| Day
19: |
THANG
LA - CAMPSITE IN NEPAL
Finally we are able to cruise nearly
4600 meters downhill! What an adrenaline
rush today is as we head towards the
Nepal border. Our easy ride down is
complimented with beautiful scenery
along the way. After going through
the border we set up camp in Nepal. |
| Day
20: |
CAMPSITE
- KATHMANDU
Our last day is a long yet easy ride
as we cycle to Kathmandu. A bittersweet
last night is spent in the Hotel Hotel
Manang in Kathmandu. |
| Day
21: |
FINAL
DEPARTURE |
