This is truly a motorcycle adventure like no other. It has been designed so that every day of the adventure builds upon the previous day. The excitement builds as we ride along rivers fed by melting glaciers, exploring and staying at ancient monasteries, and mixing with the local Tibetan people. As we climb in altitude, the roads get better and better and we finally reach Gyatso La, the highest pass of the trip. You’re thinking that the roads can’t possibly get any better but the snaking bitumen that lies in front of you is like no other on earth. Recently constructed with beautiful smooth tarmac, nearly twice as high as Stelvio pass with far more twists and turns; it’s a road that you won’t forget…which is good as you have to do it again the following day on your return from Everest
We’ve been building up to the adventure’s climax for 7 days and seeing the world’s highest mountain towering above you is an emotional sight. Your sense of achievement is a feeling that you will struggle to explain to others and is only shared by people who have achieved the same goal. You get to watch the sunset on Everest and rise behind it the next morning as you’ll stay at Rongbuk Monastery close by.
With your goal achieved, you relax and enjoy every moment as we head North and find some dirt roads towards a high-altitude lake where we’ll wash the dust down with a cool beer and revel in each other’s stories. Your mind will be swirling, trying to remember everything you’ve seen and experienced in the past 10 days as you head back into Kathmandu. The Quest for Everest in Tibet has weaved its magic and will now be a part of you for the rest of your life.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Kathmandu – Nepal |
| ADVENTURE DATES | 2025 – April, Sunday 13th – April, Monday 28th
Other dates by request |
| PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE | This tour is also available as a private adventure for solo adventurers, a couple, a club, or even just a group of mates. This can be any combination of riders, pillions, sidecar passengers, or even a family in one of our expedition support vehicles. The tour can be shortened or lengthened to suit your desires. Please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.
The best months are from April to October |
| PRICES | Rider: US$5,290 per person Pillion: US$4,490 per person (If there are two or more pillions/passengers then the price drops to US$3990) |
| WHAT’S INCLUDED | Transfers to/from Kathmandu Airport and Hotel Royal Enfield Himalayan Motorcycle All Fuel Quality Accommodation on a twin share basis (Comfort hotels/guest houses/Camping) 3 meals a day for the entire tour English speaking guide A medical kit is available and Oxygen in the support vehicle Mechanics with all the necessary spare parts Support vehicle to carry all luggage (if riders are injured, feeling unwell, or just want a break then they can jump into our backup vehicle to relax) Bottled water throughout the adventure Tea/Chai en-route Permits for restricted areas All entrance fees en-route |
| NOT INCLUDED | International flights VISA (details sent with rider pack) Travel Insurance (compulsory) Personal Expenses Tipping (US$100 suggested) Alcoholic Drinks |
NOTE: The prices above are based on a twin share basis. If you’d like your own room, then there is a US$650 supplement.
Payment terms: A US$500 deposit must be made at the time of booking. Balance payment must be paid 8 weeks before the tour start date. Payment plans are available upon request.
Terms & Conditions What To Bring Price GuaranteeAdditional information
| Rider or Pillion | Rider, Pillion |
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When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, a representative from Himalayan Heroes will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. We will collect your ID to prepare your Visa applications.
We will submit your identification details to the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu for a group visa. (Note: The visa process takes 2-3 working days).
While the visas are being prepared, we take the opportunity to see Kathmandu. You’ll begin a sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu temple, and Budhanilkantha Temple, home to the tallest reclining statue of Vishnu. Enjoy lunch at the hotel, and the rest of the day is free for you to explore Durbar Square and Thamel and prepare for your adventure.
After breakfast, you will ride to SyabruBensi. Upon reaching the village of Ranipauwa, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain range to the west and the Langtang Mountain range to the east.
Proceed to complete the immigration and customs formalities on both the Nepal and Tibet (China) sides. Once you arrive, you’ll check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the town to help with acclimatisation.
You’ll embark on a scenic journey from Gyirong to Shegar, crossing several mountain passes, including the high Kungthang La Pass (5236 meters). As you pass through the Tibetan town of Old Tingri, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range, including Everest and several peaks over 8000 meters. Upon arriving in Shegar, you’ll check in at the hotel and have time to rest.
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a 150-kilometer flat stretch to Shigatse. The route offers scenic views, with just a small pass at 4300 meters. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at the hotel. After lunch, you’ll undergo a health check and then take your bikes to the Shigatse vehicle maintenance centre for inspection. Once you pass all checks, you’ll receive a temporary bike driving license and license plates.
Shigatse to Gyantse (approximately 90 km, 1 – 2 hours, altitude: 3900 meters)
In the morning, you’ll visit the Shigatse City traffic police station to apply for your temporary driving license, which may take one to two hours depending on the group size. The traffic police will also provide a brief overview of the rules and regulations.
After lunch, you’ll continue to Gyantse. In the late evening, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Gyantse, including the Kumbum and Pelkhor Chode Monastery, which will transport you back to the 15th century.
*Note: All motorcycles must be sent for inspection to the Police Headquarters in Shigatse. They will verify all permits from the Lhasa Police Headquarters, customs clearance, and other documentation. Once confirmed, they will issue a pass for the motorcycles to travel through the Shigatse prefecture and provide a temporary local driving license to all motorcycle riders based on the provided list and details.
Gyantse to Lhasa (approximately 350 kilometres, 9-10 hours, altitude: 3650 meters)
Today, you’ll depart from Gyantse and head to Nagartse (100 kilometres), located near Lake Yamdrok and Namtso Lake. Along the way, you’ll cross the Simi La Pass (4200 meters) and Karo La Pass (5010 meters). Nagartse, a small village near Yamdrok Lake, is a perfect spot for a lunch break. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet at an altitude of 3650 meters, lies on the north bank of the Kyichu River in Central Tibet.
Sightseeing
After breakfast, meet your representative and set off for a tour of Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Your sightseeing will begin with a visit to this majestic structure. Next, you’ll visit Jokhang Temple, home to the most revered Buddha image in Tibet. Surrounding the temple is the vibrant Barkhor marketplace, a hub of religious and social activity in Lhasa.
Lhasa to Sakya (approximately 410 kilometres, 8-9 hours, altitude: 4025 meters)
After breakfast, you’ll head to Shigatse via the northern route. The journey is relatively straightforward but offers scenic views, especially as you ride alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore the city at your leisure.
Sakya to Rongbuk (approximately 255 kilometres, 6 hours, elevation: 5100 meters)
From Sakya, you’ll ascend to Gyatso La Pass at 5248 meters, the highest pass on this leg of the journey, marked by a gate adorned with prayer flags. Afterwards, you’ll descend to Shegar. As you approach Tingri, you’ll merge onto the main road and navigate through traffic to the signpost for Qomolangma (Everest) National Park. Travelling along the dusty road, you’ll reach Rongbuk Monastery and its lodges, with the majestic Mount Everest towering above at 8848 meters, often referred to as the mother of the earth. The road is now fully paved up to Rongbuk. You’ll check in at the basic guesthouse within the monastery.
Rongbuk to Tingri to Gyirong (approximately 286 kilometres, 7 hours)
After breakfast, if you missed it the day before, you’ll visit Everest Base Camp, situated at 5200 meters. Follow the dirt road south along the Dzakar Chu River to the new settlement at Dza Rongphu, just beyond some moraine hills. From Tingri, you’ll ride across the highest plateau in the world, surrounded by the stunning Tibetan landscape that gives you the exhilarating sensation of being on the roof of the world.
Gyirong to Kathmandu (approximately 161 kilometres, 5 hours)
After breakfast, you’ll ride 24 kilometres to the border and the Nepal-Tibet Friendship Bridge. At this point, porters will transfer your luggage to the Nepal side, and you’ll say farewell to your guide and fellow riders from Tibet. Complete the Chinese immigration process before crossing the Friendship Bridge. Representatives from Nepal will meet you on the other side to assist with Nepali customs and immigration. After that, you’ll ride on to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, and enjoy the rest of the day to relax.
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 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 you forever.
INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, TIBET, 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.
