Motorcycle tour · 12 days, 11 nights · Tibet

Lhasa to Everest by Motorcycle: 12 Days in Tibet

Ride from Lhasa past Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Sakya to the north side of Mount Everest, then back by Shigatse, with a final ride to Namtso Lake. Permits, guide and support vehicle included.

5,200 m

Everest base camp area, about

3,650 m

Lhasa

Riding days

Hard

Riding grade

Trip overview

The ride of a lifetime across the Tibetan plateau

This trip crosses the roof of the world on two wheels. After two days in Lhasa to adjust to its 3,650 metres, you ride along the Yarlung Tsangpo, over high passes to the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, through Gyantse and the grey monastery town of Sakya, and up to the north side of Mount Everest. You see the sunrise on the world’s highest mountain, then ride back by Shigatse and Tashilhunpo Monastery to Lhasa, with a final day out to Namtso, one of the highest large lakes on earth.

Tibet has its own rules. Foreign visitors need a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, travel with a licensed Tibetan guide on an organised tour, and need further permits for the Everest region. Riding a motorcycle also needs a temporary Chinese driving licence. These rules change, and permits can be suspended at short notice, so we work with a licensed Tibet agency and confirm the current position when you enquire. A support vehicle follows the group with luggage, spare parts and oxygen.

Highlights

Highlights of the ride

Everest north face

Sunrise over the world's highest mountain from the Rongbuk side.

Potala Palace

The great palace of the Dalai Lamas above Lhasa.

Yamdrok and Namtso

Two sacred high lakes, turquoise and vast.

Sakya and Tashilhunpo

Two of Tibet's great monasteries.

High passes

Several passes above 5,000 metres.

Support vehicle

Luggage, spares and oxygen follow the group.

Itinerary at a glance

Twelve days, eight in the saddle

Distances and times are approximate. Your guide adjusts the plan for weather, road works and permits.

Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu, briefing.

Day 2: Fly to Lhasa

Fly to Lhasa, rest and acclimatise.

Day 3: Lhasa

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, the Barkhor.

Day 4: First ride

Bike handover and a short ride around Lhasa.

Day 5: Along the Yarlung Tsangpo

Ride along the river to Samye and Tsedang.

Day 6: Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse

Over Kamba La to Yamdrok Lake, Karo La glacier, Gyantse.

Day 7: To Sakya

Through Shigatse to Sakya Monastery.

Day 8: To Everest

Over Gyatso La and Pang La to Rongbuk below Everest.

Day 9: Sunrise, to Shigatse

Sunrise on Everest, ride back to Shigatse.

Day 10: Tashilhunpo, to Lhasa

Tashilhunpo Monastery, ride back to Lhasa.

Day 11: Namtso Lake

Day ride over Lhachen La to Namtso and back.

Day 12: Depart

Fly out of Lhasa.

Day 1

Arrive in Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu, the main gateway for flights to Lhasa. Your permits are checked and you meet the group for a briefing on the route, the rules and the motorcycles.

Day 2

Fly to Lhasa

The flight to Lhasa crosses the eastern Himalaya. Lhasa sits at about 3,650 metres, so the rest of the day is for rest, water and a slow walk at most.

Day 3

The Potala and the Jokhang

A gentle day of sightseeing with your Tibetan guide. The Potala Palace, the former winter home of the Dalai Lamas, rises above the city. In the old town, the Jokhang Temple is the most sacred in Tibet, and pilgrims walk the Barkhor circuit around it all day.

Day 4

Getting to know the bikes

After the bike handover and a safety briefing, a short ride around Lhasa and out to a monastery on the edge of the city gets you used to the motorcycles, the traffic and the altitude.

Day 5

Along the Yarlung Tsangpo

The first full riding day follows the Yarlung Tsangpo, the river that becomes the Brahmaputra, through a wide valley. We visit Samye, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, founded in the 8th century, and continue to Tsedang.

Day 6

Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse

A big day over the passes. From Kamba La, at about 4,790 metres, Yamdrok Lake spreads out below in shades of turquoise. The road continues past the Karo La glacier, at about 5,000 metres, to Gyantse, with its fortress and the great Kumbum stupa.

Day 7

To the grey town of Sakya

We ride through farmland to Shigatse and on to Sakya, a town of grey-painted houses around Sakya Monastery, founded in 1073 and famous for its huge library of old texts.

Day 8

To the foot of Everest

The road climbs over Gyatso La and Pang La, both above 5,000 metres. From Pang La, on a clear day, the view takes in Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. We descend to Rongbuk, at about 5,000 metres, where visitors stay below the north face of Everest. Visitors can reach the base camp area open to tourists, but not beyond.

Day 9

Sunrise on Everest

Get up before dawn to watch the first light reach the north face of Everest. After breakfast, the long ride back down to Shigatse, Tibet’s second city.

Day 10

Tashilhunpo and back to Lhasa

In the morning we visit Tashilhunpo, founded in 1447 and the seat of the Panchen Lamas, with its giant statue of the future Buddha. Then the ride back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo.

Day 11

A last ride to Namtso

A long final day out over Lhachen La, at about 5,190 metres, to Namtso, a vast lake at about 4,718 metres, ringed by snow peaks and grazing yaks. We ride back to Lhasa for a farewell dinner.

Day 12

Farewell

Transfer to Lhasa airport for your flight onward, usually via Chengdu. Flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu also operate in some seasons, which links well with a trip to Bhutan.

Where you stay

Comfortable hotels in towns, simple guesthouses near Everest.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1	Chengdu	4-star hotel	Gateway city
2 to 4, 10 to 11	Lhasa	Comfortable hotel in the old town	Close to the Barkhor
5 to 7	Tsedang, Gyantse, Sakya	Best available hotels	Simple but clean
8	Rongbuk	Guesthouse or tent camp	Basic, below Everest
9	Shigatse	Comfortable hotel	Tibet's second city

Rooms near Everest are basic and cold. We provide sleeping bags if needed.

What the price covers

Included and not included

Included

Tibet Travel Permit and other permits needed for the route, arranged through a licensed Tibet agency
Flight from Chengdu to Lhasa
Hotels and guesthouses as listed
Breakfast daily and most main meals
A licensed Tibetan guide, as Chinese rules require
Touring motorcycle, fuel and a support vehicle
Entry fees to monasteries and sites on the plan

Not included

International flights to Chengdu and out of Lhasa
Chinese visa
Temporary Chinese driving licence fees
Travel insurance covering motorcycling at altitude
Drinks and personal costs
Tips for guide and crew

Price on request

Tell us your budget and we will send our best price

This tour depends on Tibet permits, group size and motorcycle choice, so we don’t publish one fixed price. Tell us your dates, riding experience and budget. We will check the current permit situation and reply with our best price.

How we price

What decides the cost of this trip

Government fees

The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.

Hotels you choose

The motorcycle, support vehicle and guide are shared by the group, so larger groups get better value.

Season and dates

Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.

Group size

Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.

We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.

Good to know

Planning notes for Tibet

Permits and rules

Foreign visitors need a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, and must travel on an organised tour with a licensed Tibetan guide. The Everest region needs further permits. Rules change and permits are sometimes suspended at short notice, often around February and March. We confirm the current position before you pay.

Riding and altitude

You need solid riding experience on mountain roads, a valid motorcycle licence and a temporary Chinese driving licence, which is arranged locally. Most of the route is above 3,600 metres, and several passes are above 5,000 metres. The two days in Lhasa before riding are essential. Tell us about any heart or lung conditions when you book.

Best season

April to October is the riding season. May, June, September and October usually have the best balance of weather and visibility for Everest.

Two days in Lhasa

Lhasa’s old town is built around the Jokhang Temple. From dawn, the Barkhor circuit around it is full of pilgrims turning prayer wheels and prostrating on the stones. The Potala Palace, once the winter home of the Dalai Lamas, rises above the city. Potala visits are timed and numbers are limited, so your Tibetan guide books the slot in advance. Lhasa is about 3,650 metres high, which is why the trip spends two easy days in the city before the riding starts.