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Roof of the World Adventure

Our 'Roof of the World' adventure, from Kathmandu to Lhasa, or Lhasa to Kathmandu, is a true adventure into Tibet, forbidden to Westerners for so many years. If you thirst after firsts, here's just the ride! Between 2003 and 2008 we have been thwarted by the unstable political climate in either Nepal or Tibet, but we are hopeful that the future is brighter. And we include a visit to Everest Base Camp, accommodation in hotels and guesthouses (NO camping!), and all meals and snacks.

Highlights

• Mount Everest
• Potala Palace
• Kathmandu streetlife
• Yamdrok Tso lake
• Village markets

Itinerary

DAY 1 DEPART UK.

DAY 2 ARRIVE KATHMANDU. We will greet you personally upon your arrival in Kathmandu and transfer you to our luxury hotel, the Shangri-La, where you can unwind after the long flight and enjoy some R&R by the pool. If there’s time you can go out and explore this great city. This evening we have an introductory meeting to get to know each other and our bikes.

DAY 3 KATHMANDU (50 km). Today we’ll take you on a sightseeing tour of the city to give you a chance to recover from your flight, and prepare for the high altitude riding to come. We’ll take in sights such as the Syambanath (monkey temple), ancient Hindu and Buddhist temple complexes, Bodnath stupa (one of the holiest Buddhist sites), Pashupatinath (an ancient Hindu temple complex), and burning ghats on the Bagamati River. After lunch we’ll pick up the bikes and head off for an afternoon ride into the countryside. And then there are the markets, and the nightlife ....Yak & Yeti Hotel.

DAY 4 KATHMANDU – KODARI (85 km). After a leisurely breakfast we ride out of Kathmandu for the short journey towards the border and to the Last Resort, a luxury tented camp across one of the deepest gorges in the Himalaya (and home to the world’s highest bungee jump!) with views of the high peaks. In the afternoon we have a detailed briefing for the days ahead. Last Resort.

DAY 5 KODARI - NYALAM (125 km). We ride along what can best be described as a bad road (fortunately very short!) to the Tibet border, cross the Friendship Bridge into Tibet and ride the famous "Friendship Highway" as we climb to Nyalam at over 4000 m (12,500 ft) and our guest house, where we take an acclimatization stop to get ready for the next 4 days of high passes. Nyalam Hotel.

DAY 6 NYALAM - OLD TINGRE (140 km). We continue heading north over the first high pass, Lalung-La, at 5000 m (16,500 ft), with views of Everest before turning east to our guest house at Tingre. Snow Leopard.

DAY 7 OLD TINGRE - RONGBUK BASE CAMP (160 km). Leaving Tingre, we head north again over two more high passes, Maphu-La and Gyatso-La, both around 5100 m (16,700 ft). Our aim today is to ride to Everest Base Camp, probably one of the most famous sites in Tibet outside Lhasa. Base Camp is 9 km south of Rongbuk Monastery, at just under 6,000 m (18,200 ft). The highest mountain on Earth looms majestically just over our shoulders. Base Camp Hotel.

DAY 8 RONGBUK – XIGAR. We ride early to visit Everest Base before getting back on the bikes to ride the main dirt road down to Pesong for lunch. From Pesong it is a leisurely ride to XIgar (also known as New Tingre). Xigar Hotel.

DAY 9 XIGAR - SHIGATSE (80 km). A lovely ride today as we ride up sweeping and starkly beautiful valley to crest Lhakpa La (5200 m!) and drop down to Lhatse for lunch. This afternoon’ ride is a long and fast (-ish, this is Tibet, and we are on Enfields!) ride through iron rich hills and bizarre groves of saplings stretching as far as the eye can see. Shigatse is by far the largest town on the ride and after freshening up we’ll hit town for a good meal. Monosorava Hotel.

DAY 10 SHIGATSE - GYANGTSE (90 km). After breakfast we visit the famous Tashi Lumpo monastery, home of the Gelupka sect’s spiritual leader the Panchen Lama. Tashi Lumpo is quite extensive and the sights are marvellous. We then head off in a south-easterly direction down the increasingly fertile and busy valley to Gyangtse, where we’ll visit the famous Buddhist Monastery complexes housing some of the rarest Tibetan Buddhist art in the world. Gyangtse Hotel.

DAY 11 GYANGTSE - LHASA (255 km). Heading north-east, today is a day of good roads and exceptional scenery as we pass Yamdrok Tso lake on the scenic back roads to Lhasa. We ride on over two more 5000 m passes, Karo-La and Kamba-La before arriving at the Forbidden City, Lhasa, and our central Hotel Tibet. Kangyen Hotel.

DAY 12 LHASA. Our final day in Tibet, and a day for sightseeing, with a guided tour of the Potala Palace, the icon of Tibet, home of 14 Dalai Lamas, the Jhokang monastery and time after lunch to explore the shops and markets of Bharkor. We then return to our hotel hopefully giving you time for a last look around. This evening is our farewell dinner, with dancing yaks! Kangyen Hotel.

DAY 13 LHASA - KATHMANDU. Our early morning 2-hour return flight to Kathmandu takes us over Mt Everest for an unforgettable final memory of this unique holiday. After lunch your time is your own to explore the city by mountain bike or rickshaw. In the evening we have our farewell dinner party. Yak & Yeti.

DAY 14 DEPART KATHMANDU. We will take you to the airport for your international flight home. Or you can extend your stay in Nepal and take advantage of the trekking and rafting available.

DAY 15 ARRIVE UK.

Total distance c. 1300 km

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Lhasa - Kathmandu Tour

Is the reverse itinerary, flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa on Day 2.

Price includes:10 days Royal Enfield 500 Bullet hire, including motorcycle insurance; jeep support vehicle, trailer and spares; tour leader with medical kit/training; Enfield mechanic and local guides; tours/guides listed; local airport transfers; border procedures; entrance fees to monuments / parks / reserves; 13 nights twinshare hotel accommodation; all meals; soft drinks/bottled mineral water on tour; road maps/information packets

Price excludes:US$500 refundable security/damage deposit and US$125 petrol/maintenance fee, both to pay locally in cash; visas (Nepal to pay locally c. US$50, Tibet/China to be advised); alcoholic beverages; laundry service; tips/gratuities; return flights from the UK and travel insurance, both available from H-C Travel.
 

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Tibet Roof of the World Adventure   Dates Rider Passenger Sgl rm suppl. 09 May - 23 May 2012 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00 14 Sep - 28 Sep 2012 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00 28 Sep - 12 Oct 2012 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00 15 May - 29 May 2013 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00 13 Sep - 27 Sep 2013 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00 27 Sep - 12 Oct 2013 £3,245.00 £2,945.00 £495.00

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