Cycle Tibet Overland From Lhasa To Kathmandu

What you will need

Is there an ‘ideal’ overland bike?

The answer is ‘no’ – but there are degrees of ‘appropriateness’. Look at the terrain – most of the roads are just dirt. For that you will need a mountain bike. The ride goes from Lhasa to Kathmandu and for that you’ll need rear panniers, front handle bag and front shocks.

Essentials:

All along the way we have the support of our Sherpa staff, our 4 WD land cruisers and our support truck. Our support team will carry a standard essential tool kit, including adjustable spanners, spoke wrench, allen keys & chain breakers, (for those who don’t have split links) WE MUST STRESS HOWEVER THAT YOU WILL STILL NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING INCLUDING ANY SPANNERS FOR SPECIALIST SIZED NUTS, BOLTS AND COMPONENTS.

• Spare chain links
• Extra spokes – for front and back
• 15mm adjustable crescent
• Possibly a spare derailleur
• Spare gear and brake cables
• Puncture patches – with adhesive
• Spare tyre
• Two spare tubes
• Lock
• Cyclometer/altimeter
• Think safety – take a helmet!

What you must know

Everything about your bike. If there is a change in sound you must be aware of this, know where it is coming from and probably know what is wrong.

How to repair punctures – even in your sleep!

How to change cables, chain links and spokes

Where you will go

This tour guarantees to be a high point [in more ways than one] in any mountain biker’s life. It is one of the most adventurous rides a mountain biker can do, a real classic.

You may want to make your trip even more adventurous and even more challenging, we can incorporate a four day round trip away from the main Lhasa – Kathmandu road, visiting Rongbuk Monastery and the North Base Camp area of Mt. Everest.

There are six major passes to be negotiated on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs westwards, parallel to the Great Himalaya chain, which forms the border with the territories of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Throughout, the road traverses a high and dry plateau-land, which is punctuated by the spectacular monastery towns of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar, as well as several smaller settlements and nomadic Drogpa encampments

On the detour away from the main route towards the Rongbuk Monastery, the road climbs through almost fifty hairpin bends to reach the Pang La, which affords splendid views of the Himalaya, and of Mt. Everest itself. Everest Base Camp is a ‘not to be missed’ inclusion to this ride. Standing before the exposed and sheer North Face of Chomolungma [Mt. Everest] at Everest Base Camp (5500m/18044ft) is a memorable experience that few ever forget. We will spend a night at Everest Base Camp before riding 60 km back out to the main Kathmandu route.

Back on the main road, we reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau as we cross the 5200m high Thang La Pass, and begin a mind-blowing descent of 4600 meters, [15000 ft.] via the border town of Zhangmu, to the valley of the Bhote Kosi River . A final, easy day’s cycling brings us back to civilization in the form of Kathmandu!

All along the way we have the support of our Sherpa staff, our 4 WD land cruisers and our support truck. This tour guarantees to be a high point [in more ways than one] in any mountain biker’s life.

Review

Product Description

Whether traveling by 4WD, bus, mountain bike, or even yak, this guide provides invaluable advice and the most detailed maps for independent travelers crossing the world’s highest and largest plateau.

Tibet is a mountain-biker’s paradise. Where else in the world can they cycle alongside 8000m peaks and cross 5000m passes almost daily? The Lhasa-Kathmandu route includes the world’s longest downhill run–a drop of 4200m in just over 160kms of heart-stopping descent! Tibet is still one of the most remote regions in the world and any visit will be an adventure.

Detailed information on over 9000kms of overland routes with a km-by-km breakdown of these classic journeys:
*Lhasa to Kathmandu
*Everest Base Camp (possible even by bicycle)
*Lhasa to Nam Tso
*Lhasa to Yarlung Valley
*Xining and Golmud to Lhasa
*Chengdu to Lhasa
*Kunming and Dali to Lhasa
*Lhasa to Mt Kailash and Kashgar

Special Bonus

Everyone who books this holiday with Retreat Travel Ltd. will be sent – prior to departure – a copy of ‘Tibet Overland’ – if this doesn’t whet your appetite…..

The purpose of the book is to provide overland travellers with the most accurate maps and route descriptions so they can explore Tibet in a new way and, where possible, avoid the commercial trappings of ‘bottled tourism’ that have become commonplace in the region.

With the book, a bit of independence and a decent measure of determination and good humour, you can have a unique overland journey on the Roof of the World. For more on the book, view selected key pages and sample content.