Distinguished Gentleman’s Route – Tibet
From: $4,390 USD
Tour Months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Duration
15 days
Start Location
India
Difficulty
Intermediate
Dates & Prices
Our Prices
Riders: $USD 4690
Pillions: $USD 4290
Private Tours
Would you like your own private adventure with dates that suit you?
Do you have a group of mates that are interested in an adventure?
Then contact us for more information and we'll make it happen.
We can offer private adventures during May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
2020 - October 10th - 20th
12 places available
2020 - October 27th - November 5th
12 places available
2021 - May 2nd - 12th
15 places available
Select A Date to Book
We only require an initial deposit of USD $500 to confirm your place.
Start by selecting the quantity of rider or pillion. You can only select one. Tour options are available in the checkout.
Quest for Everest – Tibet
We explore Lhasa before heading west over the roof of the world to our goal – Mt Everest base camp. Truly, a once in a lifetime experience.
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Key Information
Duration
11 days
Location
China
Difficulty
Easy / Relaxed
Tour Dates
May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN CHENGDU
CHECK-IN DAY
Upon arrival at Chengdu airport, you’ll be greeted by a member of the Himalayan Heroes team who will transfer you to the hotel to check in. If you arrive in the morning then you’ll have time for an excursion to see the home of the Giant Pandas before returning for a traditional welcome dinner. You will receive your permit for Tibet which you will need to be able to board the flight to Lhasa.
DAY 2: HEAD TO LHASA
TIBET, HERE WE COME
DAY 3: MARKETS AND TEMPLES
SIGHTSEEING
DAY 4: PALACE OF THE FIRST KING
LHASA TO TSEDANG (200 km - 4-5 hours)
DAY 5: 10,000 PAINTINGS
TSEDANG TO GYANGZE (320 km - 7 hours)
From Tsedang we ride along the other side of the Yarlung Tsangpo river to Yamdrok Lake. Winding roads with views of the azure blue lake far below make our first day on the road an unforgettable experience. We make stops along the way to take pictures and to enjoy the panorama. Riding over Nagartse near the first snow-covered foothills of the Himalayas and onward over the 5,100 m Karo La Pass to Gyangtse. Depending on our arrival time, we will visit an old fort in Gyangtse (Gyangtse Dzong) that sits majestically like a throne above the city. The Buddhist Pelkhor Monastery was built in 1427 and is known as the monastery of the ten thousand paintings. With its four storeys, 108 chapels, and over 10,000 wall paintings, this is the biggest stupa (pagoda) in Tibet.
DAY 6: FRIENDSHIP HIGHWAY
GYANGZE TO SAKYA (240 km - 6 hours)
Leaving Gyangze the adventure continues on the Friendship Highway to Sakya Monastery which is located in a green highland valley. The green hills offer a lovely contrast to the Tibetan highlands of the previous day’s journey. The Sakya monastery was once one of the most important in Tibet and its Mongolian architecture gives it an appearance completely different from the other monasteries in Tibet.
DAY 7: EVEREST BASE CAMP
SAKYA TO RONGBUK (250 km - 5-6 hours
From Sakya, the road goes south and snakes its way further up into the Himalaya mountains, where we will have a good view of the world’s 8,000m high mountains and the surrounding valleys. An unbelievable hairpin road with dozens of turns and views on several 8,000m high Himalayan mountains leads you to the Rongbuk Monastery, where we arrive in the afternoon. To get there, you must cross several 5000m (16,000+ft) high passes on a fantastic new road which was build in 2016 – one of the greatest riding roads on earth. Shortly after Rongbuk Monastery, the road permitted for our motorbikes comes to an end. It is possible to walk to the base camp, which takes about 1 hour or to take a public vehicle. At the camp, you can enjoy the view and take breathtaking photos. The earlier we get to the base camp, the better the view normally is. You have enough time to spend several hours here. We’ll stay overnight in the basic inn of the Rongbuk monastery
DAY 8: HIGHEST PASS
RONGBUK TO XIGAZE (330 kms / 7 hours)
We suggest waking early and seeing the sun rise over Everest. It is a sight that you will never forget. We take a different route back to Xigaze as we head over the highest pass of the adventure – Gyatso La at 5,220m. It’s a big day on the bike, so we’ll be sure to stop often and take a break.
DAY 9: LONGEST DAY
XIGAZE TO NAMTSO LAKE (360km / 7-8 hours)
After leaving Xigaze, we leave the main road and ride on backroads (dirt at the moment, but not for long) to Namtso lake. We reach Namtso, one of the biggest salt lakes in Tibet and one of the highest lakes in the world at an altitude of 4718m, in the late afternoon ready for a refreshing ale to quench our thirst. We’ll head off road and ride along the shore which invites us to explore the surrounding hills of grazing yaks, small monasteries, meditation caves and much more. The day ends with a BBQ on the shore of the lake that reflects the setting sun.
DAY 10: BACK TO LHASA
NAMTSO LAKE TO LHASA (200kms / 4-5 hours)
We’ll take the main road back to Lhasa with its unique panoramas. As Lhasa comes into view, you relive your amazing adventure to Everest Base Camp that so few have done before you. Tibet and it’s people have welcomed you into their land and you will take a part of Tibet home with you to share with the outside world.
DAY 11: HOMEWARD BOUND
FLY LHASA TO CHENGDU ( 2.5 hours)
That’s it folks, you’ve immersed yourself in the unique land of Tibet and just completed a motorcycle adventure that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. You’ve crossed Tibet’s highest passes, stayed at ancient monasteries, ridden the best motorcycling roads in Asia, camped at a super high altitude and of course, you’ve seen Mt Everest up close with your own eyes.
Time to board the flight back to Chengdu and onward home. Back on home turf you won’t be able to explain the scale of this journey; photographs and videos will fail to do justice to your adventure. Your memories of this epic adventure however, will stay with your forever.
Optional Extras
INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES such as INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, MONGOLIA, MYANMAR and SRI LANKA
In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. 3rd party insurance will usually not cover foreigners and even if it does, it is generally worthless if one needs to make a claim. In the event of an accident in these countries, the situation is usually settled on the spot without the “assistance” of insurance companies. If insurance companies are involved, it can take days, weeks and even months before there is a resolution.
Damage Cap Option “DCO”
Himalayan Heroes offers its riders the option of capping the cost of your damage bill on the motorcycle you are riding. The cost of this damage cap option “DCO” is US$195, paid as a lump sum before the tour starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the DCO will cap your damage bill at US$200.
3 Scenarios
- If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you is only the cost of the DCO = US$195.
- If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down at slow speed and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say, US$120 then you pay the US$120. The total cost to you is US$315 (US$195 DCO + US$120 damage bill)
- If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then your damage bill is capped at US$200. The total cost to you is US$395 (US$195 DCO + US$200 damage bill).
The DCO is optional, so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of the damage to the bike. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about the DCO.
The DCO is not an insurance policy and therefore any costs related to it cannot be claimed on a travel insurance claim.
Testimonials
Max McLachlan, NSW Australia 2017
The itinerary is all inclusive of the natural wonders of Northern India. No day is the same and the scenery can change with one hair-pin turn. The Enfields handle the unforgiving road considerably well. The support crew operated like a well-oiled machine and were always courteous and charming. An experience I won't soon forget.
Barry Wademan, NSW Australia 2017
Hassle free adventure with a bunch of like minded people, sharing a passion for riding motorcycles. The whole experience was a once in a life time opportunity full of amazing scenery and fond memories. Had an awesome time
Ron VanEs, NSW Australia 2017
I would not change a thing, I was promised an adventure & I got one, not all adventures were on the bike.