Little Cat Travel Around The World

Motorcycle Tour--

Tibet -- The Roof of the World

Less than half of the world's Tibetans reside in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), whose boundaries were established in 1965. Tibetans form the majority in large regions of neighboring Nepal, India, Sikkim, and Bhutan, as well as in the adjacent provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Disagreement over where Tibet begins and ends is an ongoing stumbling block in negotiations between the Tibetan government-in-exile, based in Dharamsala (in India), and the Chinese government.

Itinerary:
D1: Arrive at Chengdu
Arrival at Chengdu airport, guide will meet clients at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. Then have a city tour, visit the old style street – Jinli, taste the Sichuan snacks and watch Sichuan Opera – Changing Face.

D2-3: Chengdu / Lhasa
In the morning pay a visit to Dufu Thatched Cottage and The shrine of Marquis Wu, after lunch, go to visit Wenshufang. Then go to take the train to Lhasa after supper.
Travel on the railway—ride across the Tibet plateau to Lhasa.

D4: Lhasa
We explore Lhasa, heart and soul of Tibet. Take it easy so you can get accustomed to the altitude. In the afternoon we do our drivers license test to get the Chinese drivers license, required to ride a bike in China.

D5: Lhasa / Ganden Monastery / Drepung Monastery / Sera Monastery / Lhasa
Again we board our motorcycles this time to visit Ganden Monastery located high above Lhasa valley some 60km from the capitol. The Gelugpa(yellow hat) of Tibetan Buddhism has its origin here. Almost devastated by the infamous red guards during the Cultural Revolution, it is being rebuilt now. We although visit Sera and Drepung monasteries on the outskirts of Lhasa.

D6: Lhasa / Tsetang
Today’s excursion takes us into Yarlung valley, the cradle of the Tibetan people. Yumbulakang castle is considered the oldest buildingin Tibet. Perched on a crag like a fortress it offers great views of the valley. Our first leisurely ride for around 40km to a ferry-crossing at Tsangpo-river. We cross the river and ride again a few kilometers before reaching Samye monastery. We visit Tibet’s oldest monastery and the seat of the red hat school of Buddhism, founded by Guru Padmasahmbava. Afterwards back to the hotel. Besides getting first glimpses of Tibet and its culture the first day, it can also help us to acclimatize to the altitude before moving even higher up.

D7: Lhasa / Gyantse
Today will be the first long haul on the bikes. After crossing the Brahmaputra river we cross Kamba La (4794m) and the Karo La(5010m) which is flanked by mountains that reach up above 7000m. We follow the shoreline of holy Yamdrok-Tso Lake before we reach Gyantse, in the 15th centure capital of a small kingdom.

D8: Gyantse / Shigatse
Before heading for Shigatse today we visit. Pelkor Chode Monastery, it was the trade center of British and India, and the Kumbum Chorten, the only walk able Stupa in Tibet. Later on a short ride, arrive at Shigatse. Have a look around Thashilunpo Monastery and the old city but there will be more time to explore it on our way back.

D9: Shigatse / Shegar
Moving closer to the Himalayas and cross the Gyatso-la, with its 5220m the highest point on our tour. In Shegar, spend the night in a very basic hotel before reaching the Everest Base Camp.

D10: Shegar / Rongphu Monastery / Everest Base Camp / Rongphu
In many ways a highlight on this tour. After leaving Shegar, riding to Pang La (5120m) and weather condition permitted have enjoy a great panoramic view of the Himalayas. Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Lhotse can be admired from here. After moving down to Tashigang we have trade our bike for an “ecological” bus, and drive up to Rongbuk monastery, at around 4980m the highest located monastery in the world, and we will spend the night there and today or tomorrow morning, we will visit the Everest Base Camp.

D11: Rongphu Monastery / Tingri
Get up early in the morning dress up warm, board a horse cart and off, go to the foot of the world highest mountain. Enjoy the sunrise and a small breakfast up there. After taking a few pictures, go on moving back down to the hotel, and further on to Tahigang. Here we start our bikes again and move on back to Shegar again.

D12: Shegar / Shigatse
Ride back to Shigatse via Lhatse. Relaxed cruising for most of the part.

D13: Shigatse
Beautiful Thashilunpo monastery founded 1447 and covered by golden roofs, the biggest Buddha stature in Tibet, built by using 11 tons of copper and plated with 230kg of gold is on our itinerary today. One of the few monasteries that remained untouched during the Cultural Revolution is the home of the Panchen Lama, 2nd in the hierarchy of religious leaders after the Dalai Lama. A walk along the “kora” the pilgrim path around the monastery takes us to the old town and the colorful market and provides a good view of old castle hill.

D14: Shigatse / Lhasa
Take the northern route back to Lhasa. A first long day on the road before we say goodbye to our bikes.

D15-17: Lhasa
Since we are acclimatized now, we climb up the stairs leading into and trough the Potala Palace. Abandoned home of the Dalai Lama and UNESCO world heritage by now. Bakhor circuit, the fascinating pilgrim circuit around the Jorkhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, makes you stand in awe. Just watch the pilgrims and get a feel for thire deep rooted spirituality.
And then a farewell dinner with Tibetan music and dance in the restraunt.

D18: Leave Lhasa
Happy trip ends.