Nepal24 days
Kathmandu to Kailash by Motorbike: Tibet's High Passes and Sacred Circuit — 24 Days
A 24-day motorbike journey from Nepal across the Friendship Highway through Tibet, culminating in a circumambulation of Mount Kailash.
This 24-day motorbike tour connects Kathmandu with Mount Kailash, traveling Nepal's high border crossing at Rasuwagadhi and following the Friendship Highway through the Tibetan plateau. The route crosses major passes including Kongtang Lhamo (5,236 m), approaches Everest Base Camp on the north face, and reaches the pilgrimage circuit around Kailash itself. Participants ride on motorbikes for approximately half the journey and trek around the sacred mountain for two days. The itinerary includes stops at major monasteries—Sera and Tashilhunpo—and views of peaks including Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma from various vantage points along the route. Accommodations range from hotels in Kathmandu and Lhasa to local guesthouses across the Tibetan plateau.
Highlights
- Border crossing and immigration at Rasuwagadhi (1,800 m), transitioning from Nepal to Tibet
- Motorbike ascent across Kongtang Lhamo Pass (5,236 m) with views of Shishapangma (8,012 m)
- Everest Base Camp approach (5,150 m) on Tibet's north side with views of the mountain's north face
- Yamdrok Lake and Khamba La Pass (4,794 m) on the ride toward Lhasa
- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Market in Lhasa
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, one of Tibet's largest functioning monasteries
- Lake Manasarovar (4,560 m) and sacred views of Mount Kailash from the shoreline
- Two-day circumambulation trek around Mount Kailash (Kora)
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduKathmandu airport · your hotel
Your guide will meet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in for the night and rest after your journey.
2Motorbike Ride to the Nepal-Tibet Border and Kyirung ThilKyirung Thil · Kathmandu · Rasuwagadhi
After breakfast, the motorbike journey begins from Kathmandu toward Rasuwagadhi, the Nepal-China border crossing at 1,800 meters. A 10-minute walk across a bridge precedes immigration and customs formalities on both the Nepal and Tibet sides. Upon meeting the Tibet guide and vehicle, the group continues 24 kilometers by motorbike to Kyirung Thil at 2,900 meters, arriving for overnight accommodation.
3Acclimatization and Hike to Malaria Enlightenment Cave from Kyirung ThilMalaria Enlightenment Cave · Kyirung Thil
A day devoted to acclimatization includes a light hiking excursion from Kyirung Thil to Malaria Enlightenment Cave at 3,700 meters. The route passes a waterfall and forest terrain before reaching the cave. The group returns to Kyirung Thil for overnight rest and adjustment to altitude.
4High-Pass Ride: Kongtang Lhamo Pass and OldtingriKongtang Lhamo Pass · Oldtingri · Kyirung County · Peaku Tso Lake
The day's motorbike ride crosses three significant elevations. After breakfast, the route passes through Kyirung County toward Kongtang Lhamo Pass at 5,236 meters. Views of Shishapangma (8,012 m) appear at Peaku Tso Lake. The descent continues to Oldtingri at 4,200 meters, where the evening brings sightlines to Cho Oyu, Everest, Makalu, and Lhutse. Overnight in Oldtingri.
5Motorbike to Rongbuk and Everest Base CampRongbuk · Everest Base Camp · Rongbuk area
The ride proceeds to Rongbuk at 5,100 meters, then to Everest Base Camp at 5,150 meters. The base camp itself is sparse and barren, but offers direct views of Everest's north face rising from the surrounding plateau. Overnight in the Rongbuk area.
6Gyatso La Pass Descent to LhatseGyatso La Pass · Rongbuk to Lhatse
A 6-hour motorbike drive covers the distance from Rongbuk to Lhatse, crossing Gyatso La Pass at 5,220 meters en route.
7Motorbike Ride to Gyantse via Tso La PassGyantse · Tso La Pass · Shigatse
After breakfast, the route heads south through Shigatse before continuing east by motorbike to Gyantse. The pass of Tso La at 4,500 meters marks the highest point of the day's ride.
8Friendship Highway to Lhasa via Karo La and Khamba LaLhasa · Karo La · Yamdrok Lake · Khamba La Pass
The day follows the Friendship Highway toward Lhasa at 3,650 meters. The route crosses Karo La at 5,050 meters, where a large glacier cascades from Nyichen Kangsang Mountain into view. Yamdrok Lake appears along the southern approach before the group ascends Khamba La Pass at 4,794 meters. Colored Tibetan villages and valleys punctuate the descent into Lhasa, where overnight accommodation is arranged.
9Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera MonasterySera Monastery
A morning rest in Lhasa is followed by a visit to Sera Monastery in the afternoon.
10Lhasa Sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor MarketPotala Palace · Jokhang Temple · Barkhor Market district
A full day encompasses sightseeing at Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the surrounding Barkhor Market district.
11Motorbike to Shigatse and Tashilhunpo MonasteryShigatse · Tashilhunpo Monastery · local market
After breakfast, the motorbike journey proceeds west by the northern road to Shigatse at 3,850 meters, Tibet's second-largest city. Following lunch, a guided exploration covers the local market and Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the region's largest functioning monasteries with extensive grounds and religious buildings to visit. Overnight in Shigatse.
12Motorbike South Along Friendship Highway to NamringNamring · Friendship Highway to Lhatse · Brahmaputra River toward Namring
The day's 150-kilometer ride follows the Friendship Highway to Lhatse, then continues eastward as the trail brushes past the Brahmaputra River toward Namring at 4,600 meters. Overnight accommodation is arranged at Namring.
13Remote Ride Through River Valleys to Sagariver valleys · Saga · traditional villages
A 260-kilometer ride covers varied terrain as river valleys open into view, followed by traditional villages scattered across the landscape. The route shifts northward as it approaches Saga at 4,500 meters. The combination of open terrain and settlement pattern provides photography opportunities throughout. Overnight in Saga.
14Zhongba to Paryang Across High PlateauParyang · Saga to Zhongba
A 6-hour ride from Saga passes through panoramic plateaus toward Zhongba and Paryang at 4,500 meters, traversing landscape marked by elevation and sparse settlement. Overnight in Paryang.
15Motorbike Ride to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash ViewsLake Manasarovar · Mayumla Pass · Chiu Gompa guesthouse · Lake Manasarovar eastern shore
This day marks the approach to the holiest sites of the journey. After breakfast and a 7-hour ride, the group passes Mayumla Pass at 4,900 meters before reaching Lake Manasarovar at 4,560 meters. The route traces the Kora (circumambulation path) of Manasarovar, where Mount Kailash becomes visible from the lake's eastern shore. The snowy massif of Gurla Mandata rises to 7,694 meters directly across the water. The day concludes at Chiu Gompa guesthouse on the lake's perimeter.
16Lake Manasarovar, Chiu Monastery, and Hot SpringLake Manasarovar · Chiu Monastery · natural hot springs in the area · Darchen · Lake Manasarovar to Darchen
The morning includes exploration of Lake Manasarovar, Chiu Monastery on its shore, and natural hot springs in the area. After lunch, a motorbike ride continues to Darchen at the base of Mount Kailash, where overnight accommodation is arranged.
17Kailash Kora Trek: Day OneMount Kailash
The two-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash begins.
18Kailash Kora Trek: Day TwoMount Kailash
The circumambulation of Mount Kailash continues to completion.
19Motorbike Descent from Kailash to Zhongba via TarpocheKailash to Zhongba · Zhongba · Tarpoche
After breakfast, the return journey begins by motorbike. The route passes Tarpoche, where an optimal view of Kailash appears, before descending toward Zhongba at 4,500 meters. Overnight in Zhongba.
20Motorbike Ride to Kyirung ThilKyirung Thil
After breakfast, ride by motorbike westward to Kyirung Thil at 2,900 meters.
21Motorbike to Rasuwagadhi Border CrossingRasuwagadhi
A 1-hour motorbike ride delivers the group to Rasuwagadhi at 1,800 meters, the Nepal-Tibet border, where the formal return crossing takes place.
22Motorbike Ride to KathmanduKathmandu
After breakfast, the final motorbike leg returns the group to Kathmandu.
23Rest Day in Kathmandu
A free day in Kathmandu allows for rest, shopping, or independent activity as the traveler prefers.
24Departure from Kathmanduyour hotel · Kathmandu airport
Your Adventure Asia representative will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu airport for your departure.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Old Tingri
- 3Everest Base Camp
- 4Shigatse
- 5Lhasa
- 6Sera Monastery
- 7Potala Palace
- 8Jokhang Temple
- 9Barkhor Street
- 10Shigatse
- 11Tashilhunpo Monastery
- 12Saga
- 13Lake Manasarovar
- 14Darchen
- 15Mount Kailash
- 16Kathmandu
Included
- Included
- Arrival and departure arrangements
- Accommodation in Kathmandu in twin-sharing rooms as per the itinerary
- Accommodation in Langtang National Park for a night in a local guest house
- Accommodation in Tibet/ Kailash in local guest houses
- Breakfast every morning during the entire trip
- Langtang National Park entrance fees
- Tibet entry permits and visa
- Entrance fees for Manasarovar and Kailash
- Back-up transportation for the entire trip, a Jeep on the Nepal side, and a small truck in Tibet
- An English-speaking guide for the entire trip
- Custom formalities
- Custom deposit of Motorbikes
- Motorbike Mechanic
- Emergency evacuation management
- Warm jacket and sleeping bag on a returnable basis, if you need
Not included
- Excluded
- Lunch and Dinner for the entire trip
- Personal equipment, personal insurance, medical expenses, and emergency rescue expenses
- Motorbike and its fuel, Motorbike parts
- Personal equipment, personal insurance, medical expenses, and emergency rescue expenses
- Extra cost due to natural calamities, or a sudden change of rules from Tibet, and any other reason that is out of our hands