Rooftop of the World

Nepal & Tibet - Rooftop of the World!
High Altitude Motorcycle Expedition

Guarded for centuries by mountains and men, Lhasa will always be an alluring goal for the adventurer! From the mediaeval back streets of Kathmandu, Patan & Bhaktapur , crowded with temples, palaces, and colorful market bazaars, the Friendship Highway climbs for ever upward along the Sun Kosi (River of Gold) toward the foot of Mount Everest, like the mythical Stairway to Heaven. At the end is the Potala, home to the exile Dalai Lama, wonder of the world, and the jewel in the crown of the Tibetan people!

Day 1 - Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal Himalayan Roadrunners will meet you at the airport. Transfer to our hotel followed by a quick briefing and collection of passports for Tibet Permit & Visa applications. Motorcycle assignment & orientation followed by a short test ride & stop at Patan's old Durbar Square for late afternoon sightseeing and a beer. Day 2 - Ride to Dhulikhel After breakfast check of motorcycles & personal equipment then ride out of Ktm city through Thimi with a stop at the old city of Bhaktapur for a look around and lunch. Short late afternoon ride to our comfortable overnight accommodations near Dhulikhel on the road to Tibet. Day 3 - Nepal-Tibet Border-Zangmu Early morning departure for the Nepal -Tibet Border at Kodari where after immigration & customs formalities, we will say goodbye to paved roads and cross the Friendship Bridge into Tibet where we will meet our Tibetan crew who are waiting with support vehicles, fuel & supplies. A short ride about 6 kms (usually very rough) will bring us to Khasa Gate where we will begin our China Immigration & Customs process. Accommodations at the adequate Zamgmu Hotel meters away. Day 4 - Zangmu-Nylam Depending on current road construction and travel timings, departure ASAP (possibly late afternoon/evening 1 May) following the road high above the town into the upper valleys of the Himalaya , and on into Nylam for overnight. BASIC but somewhat charming accommodations tonight at a local Guest House. Welcome to Tibet! Top dead center! Day 5 - Nylam-Tingri All gravel road riding today up over Lalung La (5050m) with amazing mountain views of the High Himalaya back towards Nepal and Shishapangma (8012m) Roadside packed lunch near Khozo followed by direct views of Mount Everest via moving motorcycles with arrival into Old Tingri late afternoon. Improved accommodations at the simple motel in Tibetan style Guest House with absolutely STUNNING views of Cho Oyu and Mount Everest to the South! Day 6 - Old Tingri - Sakya (Or Everest Base Camp) Possible overnight trip into Qomolangma Nature Preserve/Everest Base Camp with commanding views of Sagarmatha once on top of Pang La Pass. This road is currently under renovation and improved but our route out is quite rough. Overnight either at Rongbuk Monastery Guest House or Sakya Monastery. Day 7 - Ride to Shigatse Early start for our morning ride over Lhakpa La (5220m) to our restaurant lunch stop in the interesting junction town of Lhatse. Long afternoon’s ride over another high pass Tsho La (4500m) and through small rural Tibetan agricultural villages. Late afternoon arrival into Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. Evening free to relax at our fancy hotel or wander into town and sample the Chinese -Tibetan Disco scene. Dinner in town at Tashi's. Day 8 - Shigatse - Gyantse Morning tour of the impressive gold topped Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The largest working monastery currently in Tibet, Tashi Lhunpo is most famous as the site of enshrinement of the first Dalai Lama and is also the seat of the controversial Panchan Lama. After lunch its back in the saddle for our ride east to the outskirts of Gyantse for tremendous views of the Kumbum & Gyantse Dzong (fort). Accommodations at the excellent older hotel, a Roadrunners favorite. Late afternoon free to explore the town and sample some of the best momo’s in Tibet! Dinner with group at a new excellent restaurant nearby! Day 9 - Gyantse - Yamdruk Tso Lake Morning tour of the Kumbum, probably the most intersting structure in the entire region! After early lunch departure for our long afternoon's ride to Yamdruk Tso Lake. As of September 2007 this road is now all newly paved. Spectacular riding past an amazing (man made) emerald lake and up over Karo La Pass, followed by stunning up close views of the always snow covered Mt. Nojin Kangstan. Late afternoon arrival at our pre-set camp on the shores of sacred and crystal clear Yamdruk Tso Lake. Day 10 - Ride to Lhasa Following the shoreline on the new paved road, we will make the steep sudden ascent and follow the road up over Kambla Pass and then endlessly down (spectacular newly paved decent!) into the Brahmaputra Valley, where we will meet the main road and follow it into Lhasa. Our route will take us right past the stunning Potala Palace , the old home of the now exiled 14th Dalai Lama. Accommodations at what we think is the best place in town, just minutes walk from the old quarter and the Barkhor. Old Tibet found here! Day 11 - Lhasa Must see morning organized guided tour inside the Potala Palace, wear your walking shoes! Short after lunch motorcycle ride to one of Lhasa's outlying monasteries! Farewell group drinks & dinner tonight in town! Day 12 - Fly Tibet to Nepal - Tour End Early morning transfer to Gongkar Airport through the new tunnel for our flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to the Summit Hotel or Nepal's International Terminal for flights onward. TOUR SCHEDULE

What's Included Airport transfers as necessary. Tibet to Nepal Airfare, depending on particular itinerary. All hotel accommodations in Nepal & Tibet from tour start date. All breakfasts. Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc Motorcycle including petrol , spares & staff mechanics. Support vehicles with adequate space for luggage & seating for passengers & tired riders. Full medical kit including emergency high altitude medications, oxygen, and a “Gamow” Bag portable altitude illness emergency chamber. Pre-departure information pack including tour route map & Roadrunners T-Shirt. What's Not Included International Airfare to Kathmandu. Nepal Visa Fee. Tibet Visa fee. Cold Drinks & Alcoholic Beverages. Bottled Water. Laundry Services . Staff Tips & Gratuities. Intl. Airport tax upon departure from Lhasa & Kathmandu. Any excessive overweight baggage charges. Immunizations Immunizations are absolutely necessary for travel to Nepal & Tibet. Please consult your GP/MD or local travel clinic for the latest recommendations. Motorcycle Damage Deposit A security deposit of USD $500. is required prior to motorcycle assignment (usually already included in your tour balance invoice) and will be refunded at the end of tour upon return of undamaged motorcycle. Please allow up to 60 days from tour end date to receive this refund. Repairs of small accidental damage from bikes falling over and light spills are normally covered in the tour cost, but HRR reserves the right to appraise all damages/repair costs and charge accordingly. A Word of Caution Motorcycling the mountainous areas of Nepal & Tibet is surely one of the best ways to experience the regions rich cultures, friendly people, and unequaled scenery. At the same time, motorcycling has its dangers, especially on narrow mountain roads with steep dropoff’s, unpredictable traffic, and quick changing weather conditions. The route from Nepal to Tibet also crosses numerous high mountain passes in excess of 16,000 ft, and some health symptoms from high altitude are common in most participants. This tour operated by Himalayan Roadrunners Ltd. is better termed a “Motorcycle Expedition”, and should be undertaken by fit, experienced riders, with an open mind for travel in impoverished areas, quick changing conditions, and different rules of the road. Visa Requirements Nepal 30 Day Tourist Visa available upon arrival at Ktm Airport or in advance from your nearest Nepal Consulate. Tibet group visas & permits are arranged in advance & upon arrival in Nepal by Himalayan Roadrunners at a cost of USD$150. Please note that China Visa's are useless for entry into Tibet from Nepal and all clearance most go thru the Chinese Embassy in Ktm. Please also be aware that delays (unlikely) can occur during the China permit & visa application process in Ktm and every effort will be made by Himalayan Roadrunners to keep the day to day itinerary on track and tour on schedule! Depending on how many days staying in Nepal before & after the Tibet trip, a regular Double Entry Tourist Visa is available for extended stays, or a 3 day (72 Hour) Transit Visa is available upon arrival at Ktm Airport free of charge. Please have a few passport size photographs and exact USD notes for Visa purchases at KTM Airport as getting change can be on par with pulling teeth! Namaste and welcome to the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal!

TOUR SCHEDULE