OCF TIBET CYCLING CHALLENGE
26 days ex Australia | Cycling Challenge | Tibet
AU$6370 per person and fundraise AU$1500
If you're looking for a challenging adventure that includes mountain biking, Buddhist culture, remote villages and even a visit to Everest Base Camp, then finishes with the longest downhill bike ride anywhere, then look no further. This trip is tailor-made for you and whats more you'll be helping raise much needed and appreciated funds for the Oncology Childrens Foundation. Pay your trip cost of $6370 and fundraise a minimum of $1500 for the Oncology Childrens Foundation. An experience to be very proud of that will touch you in so many different ways.
Book Now... 2010 Sep 18 - 2010 Oct 13
Days 1 - 18 Sep: Meet at airport
Days 2 -19 Sep: Arrive Kathmandu
Days 3 - 20 Sep: In Kathmandu
Day 4 - 21 Sep: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Days 5-7 - 22-24 Sep: In and around Lhasa
Days 8-11 - 25 - 28 Sep: Cycle Lhasa to Gyantse 263km
Days 12 - 29 Sep: Cycle Gyantse to Shigatse 95km
Days 13-15 - 30 Sep - 2 Oct: Cycle to New Tingri 220km
Days 16-18 - 3 - 5 Oct: Cycle to Rombuk / Everest 160km
Day 19 - 6 Oct: Cycle to Hot Springs 68km
Day 20 - 7 Oct: Cycle Tingri to Lalung La 57km
Day 21 - 8 Oct: Lalung la to Nyalam 80km
Day 22 - 9 Oct: Nyalam to the Last resort Nepal 55km
Day 23 - 10 Oct: Optional Cycle to Dhulikhel 55km / Transfer to Kathmandu
Day 24 - 11 Oct: In Kathmandu. Celebrate!
Day 25 - 12 Oct: Depart Kathmandu.
Day 26 - 13 Oct: Arrive Australia.
Click here to see a 'You Tube' video on a Tibet ride, several years old now as the road is paved!
What's It All About
The Tibetan Plateau is a land of unparalleled superlatives: it is the largest and highest plateau on our planet, averaging 15,000 feet (4500m) in altitude. It is buttressed along its southern flank by the world's greatest mountain range, the Himalayas.nly a few brave cyclists have dared to ride along its inhospitable plateau and forge a passage through these mystic lands into Kathmandu via Everest Base camp. The reward being the longest downhill in the world as you enter into Nepal, dropping an unimaginable 4500-m over 156kms. At a breathless average altitude of around 4450-m (14,596ft) this expedition is not for the faint of heart but made for the pioneer in spirit that is fit and feels at home on a bike. With 15days of biking over 1104kms you'd want to be!
Our group will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal, and then take the short flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Four nights will be spent in Lhasa, acclimatizing to the 12,000 feet of altitude, getting us ready for the higher altitudes to come. There is much to see on foot and by bike in and around Lhasa. Since this is the capital of Tibet, many of the most important monasteries are here, including the Potala Palace, which was home to all 13 of the Dalai Lamas until the Chinese invasion.
Once we leave Lhasa, the REAL adventure begins. There are six major passes to be negotiated on the main Lhasa to Kathmandu route as it runs westward (parallel to the impressive Himalayan chain which forms the border with Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal to the south). Throughout our adventure, the road traverses a high and dry plateau dotted by the unforgettable monastery towns of Gyantse, Xigatse, Xegar and many others. Life hasn't changed here for hundreds of years: nomadic yak herders can still be seen moving their yaks to and from summer pastures.
Since one of our objectives is to visit the Tibetan side Everest Base Camp, our group will leave the main route behind and use the dirt jeep tracked road leading to the Rongbuk Monastery. Mallory and Ervin visited this same monastery on their way to challenge Everest, possibly given blessings and prayers by a Lama living in the monastery at that time. We will spend a couple of days exploring the base camp, before retracing our steps back to the main route to Kathmandu.
Back on the main Kathmandu route, we'll reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau as we cross Shung La at 17,000 feet, and begin a freewheeling scenic descent of 2,000 feet, entering Nepal via the border town of Zhangmu.Our final day of cycling plus a bus ride will bring us back to the culinary treats and relative comforts of civilization in Kathmandu.
What's Included
International flights with carbon credit offsets (Sydney / Melbourne)
Flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu
3 nights Kathmandu on B & B
4 nights Lhasa on B & B
Support vehicle for cycling
12 nights camping on full board basis
Camping equipment and crews
Fully Experienced Guides
Tibet Permit
Sightseeing in Kathmandu & Lhasa
Farewell dinner at The Last Resort
Most meals (see itinerary for details)
What's Excluded
International departure taxes & fuel surcharge from Australia (approx.A$374)
Departure taxes ex Kathmandu (NPR1695 / US$27)
Cost of visas (Nepal & China)
Hire of mountain bike US$200
Tipping of crew
Travel insurance
Excess luggage charges by airlines
On the Bikes
There will be early starts on cycling days. We operate a sweep system whereby the truck that carries the equipment, water and snacks will be out front as the lead vehicle. One of the guides will be the front marker – no one can go in front of this guide. We also have a back marker with the private bus in the rear.
It is not a race and every 20Km or so we will pull up off the road to allow the back of the group to catch up, refill our water bottles and eat some snacks before setting off again. Lunch will invariably be a picnic at the side of the road and we expect to reach our night destination late afternoon. Every evening there will be a briefing as to the next day’s logistics’ and timings.
Click here for our guide on preparing for cycling tours
Book Now or Call
Need to know more about this trip? Drop us an email or telephone us on (03) 9597 0799. If you're ready to book just click on the date of your departure and complete our simple 3-step booking form online. You can confirm your booking by credit card online or over the phone.
Book Now... 2010 Sep 18 - 2010 Oct 13
