Qinghai to Tibet Highway Cycling Tour

Sleeping Elevation: 2212m

Our guide will welcome you at the Xining Airport and transfer you to the hotel. At the hotel he will go through the day to day plan for Qinghai to Tibet Highway Cycling Tour.

Distance: 296kms, Sleeping Elevation: 3100m

For this first day, we will drive to Chaka Country. Along the way, we will visit one of the most famous Tibetan Buddhism Monastery in Qinghai.

The Monastery of Kumbum is built where the Tsongkapa was born. Je Tsongkhapa is the founder of Tibetan Yellow Hat sect or Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is located at about 28 kilometres from the Xining City.

After visiting the monastery, we will continue to Chakazhen.

Distance: 514kms, Sleeping Elevation: 2817m

In the morning after breakfast in the local restaurant, we will visit the Chaka Lake. This salt lake is located in Qaidam Basin. The meaning of word Chaka means Sea of Salt in the Mongolian language.

At the lake, we will take the tourist train to the Salt Mine. You will find the salt in different size and shapes.

The surface of the salt lake so reflective that you can see the reflection of the cloud above, and the entire horizon, including Nomads camps, herds, and mountains.

We will Ride to the Golmud town after the visit.

This is the beginning of actual cycling tour. We will start our south on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway along the Kunlun river. Little further we will disappear in the desert. After a few hours, we’ll reach a gate. The right pillar on the gate announces the Kunlun Range. The range we will conquer in the next coming days, ascending from 2,800 meters to the 4,767-meter of the Kunlun Mountain Pass, before we will descend into the Tibetan Plateau. It is almost gently uphill terrain all the way. After reaching Nachitai, we may go to visit the famous Kunlun Holy Spring and feel refreshed with its cold water.

Distance: 38kms Sleeping Elevation: 4409m

In the morning we will get up earlier to see the beautiful sunshine over the Yuzhu Peak 6178m. This is the highest peak in the eastern Kunlun range. We will ride along gentle uphill towards the first pass on Qinghai-Tibet Highway, The Kunlun Mountain Pass. As we ride, we may see some rare wild animals of the plateau.

After crossing the mountains pass, we will ride along the eastern border of Changtang Nature reserve where we might see some Tibetan Antelopes and Other wild animals. We will camp for a night at the Protection Station.

Today we will ride freely on the pristine pasturage plain of Changtang Nature reserve. We were galloping in the clear blue sky.  If the journey is from June to September, you might have a chance to see thousands of Tibetan antelopes migrating through a Chumaér River Bridge. After Pedaling up the hill, we will reach Wudaoliang. In this small town, we can find shops, restaurants, and guesthouses.

The most challenging task is to cycle about 70kms, Over Fenghuo Mountain Pass (5010m) as the name means Wind and Fire. The entire mountain region looks red as raging fire under the bright sun, and the wind is powerful. After the pass, it is a long easy descent to Tanggulazhen. This town is the biggest in Qinghai-Tibet highway, and it is good to stock before heading.

Today is an easy day. We don’t have much ascending and Descending in today’s 90km. We will reach Yanshipingzhen. We will take a good rest for we will have to cross over with Tanggula Mountain. The line was dividing Qinghai and Tibet Autonomous Region.

Distance: 122kms Sleeping Elevation: 5100m

Today we will conquer the highest point of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, The Tanggula Mountain Pass at 5231m. We will tackle 47km uphill to the top of the pass. After the pass we will see dramatic changes in the scenery, we are now in Tibet. We will reach our today’s destination, Toudaoban. Stay overnight at the service station. This service station is the world highest highway keeper’s house.

After a small descent, we will have to ascent for  28km to reach a Small Tanggula pass (5010m). After the mountain pass, we will padel along a very long downhill pass into the valley with many villages. Our destination for the night is Amdo County.

Today we will undertake the laborious, and steepest climb in this Adventure. The Challenge is 7km cycling along the steep and winding mountain road to Shengeligong Mountain Pass (4881m). After the mountain pass, we will start the downhill journey to Nagqu. It is a prefecture-level city and biggest along the route after Golmud.

Today we will have a little gentle uphill and road condition is good. Our stop for the night in Gulu Town or Guluzhen. Overnight in a guesthouse at Gulu Town.

Distance: 72km Sleeping Elevation: 4290m

Today we will continue to Damxung. After a rest in Damxung, Tenzin Travel support vehicle will transfer the group to visit the Namtso Lake. Vast grassland spreads around the lake and makes the Namtso Lake looks more charming together with the blue sky and white clouds. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Namtso Lake and the snow-mantled mount radiate with each other. All the breath-taking sights will drive our fatigue out and make us relaxed and joyful. The day’s incredible ending is the glory of the sunset over the lake. Stay in a guesthouse or resort tents by the lake. Overnight stay at Namtso Lake.

Distance: 74km, Sleeping Elevation:4295m

Enjoy the clear morning by the lake and the stunning view of the sunrise. If time permits, we also can hike along the lakeshore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves. After the sightseeing, we’ll be transferred back to Damxung and continue riding to Yangpachen. Out of Damxung, the distant snow-capped Nyainqêntanglha will come into our site and drive us to go forward. We ride up the trail dotted with green grass and clean current until reaching the Nyainqêntanglha Pass (4,620m) with panoramic views of our dramatic surroundings. Another big climb is waiting for us, Duonala Mountain Pass, leading us to the altitude of 4,629m. By now, we should cheer for conquering all challenging climbs along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Then, a long descent leads us to reach Yangpachen, unique for geothermic hot spring. We can go to enjoy a comfortable bath in a hot spring. Stay overnight in a guesthouse or tents.

Distance: 93kms, Sleeping Elevation: 3663m

Today we will embark a full day descending to Lhasa, Our final destination.  We will check into a hotel for a well deserve the shower and huge meals.

First, in the morning, you will visit the Jokhang temple. The temple is considered as the holiest of all the Buddhist temples and Monasteries in the Inner Himalaya, founded in 7th Century by Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo to house the Holiest statue of Lord Buddha. He brought this statue for Dowry of Marrying Chinese Princess wenchen.  There will be thousands of pilgrims Circumambulating, prostrating and visiting the Holy Temple.

In the afternoon, You will visit the Sera Monastery. The monastery is one of the three largest in Lhasa and central Tibet. The Main disciple of Je Tsongkhapa founds it. It is about 600 years old. The main highlight of the monastery visit is the Monks debating of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy. The debating courtyard is open for the visitor to observe from 3 pm every weekday. It is fun watch and photography, but inside the courtyard, only Mobile Phone Photography is allowed.

First, in the morning, the group will visit Potala Palace. It is the most iconic building in Tibet. It has more than 1000 rooms and towering above the Lhasa city. The palace is first to build in the seventh century by the King Songtsen Gampo. Later in the 17th century, the fifth Dalai Lama has rebuilt his resident over the ruins of the old palace ever since the palace has served as the winter resident for successive Dalai Lama and Administrative centre for the local Tibetan Government.

In the afternoon, the group will visit the to Drepung Monastery. It is one of the three most significant monasteries in Lhasa and central Tibet. In the early 20th century, it is the world biggest monastic complex. The circuit around the monastery takes about an hour of spectacular views.