Overview
This cycling Tour from Tibet to Shangrila Yunnan overflows with stunning scenery, and the route itsef involves part of Sichuan-Tibet highway and part of Yunnan-Tibet highway, with highlights of both highways perfectly combined. Besides, you will start from Lhasa and go downhill all the way, which greatly reduces the difficulty of the ride but with attractive scenery.
The cycling tour from Tibet to Shangrila Yunnan province offers a breathtaking and awe-inspiring journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Starting in Tibet, renowned for its high-altitude plateau and rich cultural heritage, cyclists will pedal through rugged terrains, crossing mountain passes, and traversing vast valleys adorned with prayer flags fluttering in the wind. The route takes riders through remote Tibetan villages, where they can immerse themselves in the unique traditions and spiritual practices of the local communities.
As the Cycling Tour from Tibet to shangrila Yunnan progresses, the scenery gradually transforms as the cyclists enter Yunnan province, revealing lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes. The charm of Shangri-La awaits at the journey’s end, with its picturesque Tibetan-style architecture, vibrant markets, and the mesmerizing Songzanlin Monastery. This epic cycling adventure provides not only a physical challenge but also a spiritual and cultural experience, connecting riders with the extraordinary beauty and mystical allure of the Tibetan plateau and the enchanting landscapes of Yunnan.
Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
Trip Level:
Easy – suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
Season:
Spring春
Summer夏
Autumn秋
Winter冬
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa by Train or by Flight
Transfer to your reserved hotel after arriving in Lhasa airport or railway station. Have a good rest so as to adapt yourself to the high altitude of Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
In the morning, cycle to visit the famous Potala Palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapel. We will appreciate its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to the holist temple in Tibet, the Johkang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo’s reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkor Kora.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Notice: the sequence of sightseeing might be changed basing on the reservation of Potala Palace
Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing – Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
Visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was oncehome of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous as it was the government centre during the fifth dalai lama and later moved to the famous Potala palace during the fifth dalai lama.
After having lunch, we will continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is its Buddhist Scriptures debating held in the courtyard mostly around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa – Meldro Gungkar – Riduo (cycle 70 km, vehicle 55 km)
Start cycling today. It will be easy as we have vehicle support for the uphill climb to Riduo. We will have a chance to view the fabulous scenery of Lhasa River and Meldrom River en route.
Stay overnight in Riduo.
Day 5: Riduo – Mila pass – Songduo (cycle 52 km)
We have to overcome our first high-pass at MiLa (5013m), an ascent of 700 m over 24 km upslope. The road is in good condition, but you need to push your bicycle to the pass.
Stay overnight in Songduo (tents, camping).
Day 6: Songduo – Gongbujiangda (cycle 96 km)
Continue to ride on the bituminous macadam for 96 kilometers to Gongbujiangda, but it is mainly composed of paved road and generally downhill.
Stay overnight in Gongbujiangda.
Day 7: Gongbujiangda – Basum Lake (cycle 98 km)
The paved road is generally flat. Go uphill during the last 50km from Bahe to Basum Lake.
Stay overnight by Basum Lake (tents, camping).
Day 8: Rest Day at Basum Lake
Free and easy to visit the beautiful turquoise Basum Lake.
Stay overnight by Basum Lake (tents, camping).
Day 9: Basum Lake – Bayi (vehicle 50km, cycle 90 km)
Vehicle-support up to Bahe town. Paved road and generally downhill to Bayi.
Stay overnight in Bayi.
Day 10: Bayi – Lulang (vehicle 36 km, cycle 25 km)
Vehicle-support up to Sejila high-pass, following by an easy 25 km downhill to Lulang.
Stay overnight in LuLang (tents, camping).
Day 11: Lulang – Tongmai – Bomi (cycle 62 km, vehicle 90 km)
Cycle to Tongmai. The part of the route near Tongmai can be tricky and dangerous. 90 km vehicle-support to Bome.
Stay overnight in Bome.
Day 12: Bomi – Ranwu Lake (cycle 127 km)
This is probably the toughest day! Be rewarded with the scenic Ranwu Lake.
Stay overnight by Ranwu Lake (tents, camping).
Day 13: Ranwu Lake – Basu (cycle 85 km)
After yesterday’s tough ride, it will be an easy downhill ride of 85 km today!
Stay overnight in Basu.
Day 14: Basu – Yela pass – Bangda (vehicle 66 km, cycle 33 km)
A vehicle-support for 66 km, and start to cycle the last 20 km up the pass all the way to Bangda.
Stay overnight in Bangda.
Day 15: Bangda – Zuogong (cycle 106 km)
It is generally a flat ride.
Stay overnight in ZuoGong.
Day 16: Zuogong – Dongdala pass – Dengba (cycle 55 km)
Tough 34 km up to the Dongdala high-pass! Enjoy the last 21km downhill cruise to Dengba.
Stay overnight in Dengba.
Day 17: Dengba (small-pass) – Zhuka (cycle 58 km)
Easy ride to Zhuka hotspring.
Stay overnight in Zhuka.
Day 18: Zhuka – Mangkang – Tibet border – Yanjing (vehicle 118 km, cycle 58 km)
Vehicle-support up to Hongla pass. Cycle to pass the Tibet-Yunnan border post to Yanjing.
Stay overnight in Yanjing.
Day 19: Yanjing – Feilaisi (vehicle 42 km, cycle 40 km)
It is uphill all the way. You will see Meili Snow Mountain and Lancang River (Upper Mekong). ]
Stay overnight in Feilaisi.
Day 20: Feilaisi – Baima pass – Benzilan (vehicle 50 km, cycle 66 km)
Vehicle-support up to Baima Snow Mountain. Cycle on paved road and go downhill to Benzilan.
Stay overnight in Benzilan.
Day 21: Benzilan – Nixi pass – Shangri-la (cycle 84 km)
Congratulations! This is the last day of cycling.
All the way to Shangri-la is onpaved road!
Included:
- Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
- Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
- Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
- Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
- First aid kit;
Excluded:
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
- Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
- Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.