8 Days Lhasa to Namtso Lake Bike Tour

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa [3658m]

You will be greeted by your Tibetan guide once you arrive in Lhasa Gonggar airport or train station. From airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around one hour and half drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa; from the train station it is only 15km and takes 20 minutes by drive. Afternoon, have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark-Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels. In the afternoon, we will drop a visit of the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then we will visit Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 3 Lhasa Sightseeing

About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung Monastery, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera Monastery. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous.

Day 4 Cycle from Lhasa to Damxung (155km)

Today’s schedule features a long cycle ride with about 155km to Damxung along Qinghai-Tibet highway. The road is well paved and smooth, and you can have a rest in Yangpachen to have lunch and rest, then continue cycling forward to Damxung-a small Tibetan town usually as the stopover spot for tourists heading to Namtso Lake. Overnight at Damxung.

Day 5 Cycle from Damxung to Namtso (75km)

Nyenchen Thanglha snow mountain ranges appear in front of you all the way, and today’s most difficult ride is to climb to Mt. Nagenla Pass at the elevation of 5190m. The support vehicle is standing-by and could take you and your bike to cross over the mountain pass if you need help. After going through the mountain pass, you’ll have a stunning view of vast green grasslands, group of sheep and yaks, nomad tents by the road. Namtso Lake is the sky lake which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and also the highest salt lake. The sunset and starry night at the lake in good weather is fabulous. Overnight at the guesthouse by the lake.

Day 6 Cycle from Namtso to Yangpachen (123km)

Get up early in the morning to view the stunning sunrise, and a hike along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves is also a good option. Afterwards, cycle back to Yangpachen, well-known for its rich geothermal resource in Tibet, and you could enjoy the famous hot-spring (optional, entrance fee self-paid). The road condition is the same as the day before. Overnight at Yangpachen.

Day 7 Cycle from Yangpachen to Lhasa (75km)

Today cycle back to Lhasa from Yangpachen. The road condition is the same as the day before. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 8 Departure from Lhasa

Today, Lhasa airport or train station dropping off, the time to say your farewells to your guide and driver, end the trip.