Day 1
| Kathmandu
We pick up the motorcycles at the airport and explore the city. We stay in the Thamel area, which is a great base for exploring the capital of Nepal.
Day 2
| Katmandu - China border
Only 140 km, but these will be kilometers to remember. The road itself will be a challenge, plus there’s left-hand traffic, the Himalayas, and some cliffs.
Day 3
| Chinese border - Gyiroing
Nepal and Tibet are like night and day, in every way. Crossing the border will take us some time, as all luggage must be scanned, and the formalities take longer than anywhere in Europe. Welcome to China. Overnight stay in the city of Gyirong.
Day 4
| Gyirong-Tingri
First, we will ride to the shore of Peku Tso Lake, where, if the weather is good, we will see the peak of Shishapangma (8027m), the only eight-thousand-meter peak entirely within China. Later, we’ll head towards Tingri, the Chinese gateway to Mount Everest. The panorama of the Great Himalayas will make us ride slowly, often stopping for photos.
The drive to the Everest Base Camp from the gates of the national park is almost 100 kilometers. Along the way, we will pass many Tibetan villages and cover dozens of kilometers of Himalayan roads. The riding experience will be truly unique.
Day 5
| Tingri - EBC - Shigatse
Since the end of 2018, local authorities have decided to close the Everest Base Camp to tourists in order to protect the environment. Now, tourists can only admire Mount Everest from Rongbuk Monastery, which is about 8 km away from the base. Additionally, all tourists must use a local bus service running from the tourist center to Rongbuk Monastery. This means we will have to leave our vehicles at the parking lot in the tourist center and transfer to the local bus.
Day 6
| Shigatse-Nagarze-Lhasa
It’s time to obtain temporary Chinese driving licenses and license plates at the Traffic Administration Bureau in Shigatse. On this day, we will also visit the Tashilunpo Monastery. This is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and is traditionally the residence of the Panchen Lama. The monastery is famous for its impressive architecture, beautiful paintings, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Along the route, we will encounter a magnificent glacier descending from a seven-thousand-meter mountain straight down to the road. We will also pass by the sacred Yamdrok Lake. It will be a day full of breathtaking views… And in the evening, we will arrive in Lhasa.
Day 7
| Lhasa
A day without riding motorcycles. A tour of the Tibetan capital – Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Bazaar, and more.
Day 8
| Lhasa - Nyingchi
We will reach Nyingchi via the highway along the Nyang River. We will be accompanied by the unique landscape of the High Tibet. Nyingchi, located in the southwest of Tibet in China, lies in the Great Yarlung Zangbo Canyon.
Day 9
| Nyingchi - Ranwu
Another day on Highway 318. This is the most famous route in China, a dream for local bikers and globetrotters. The road begins in Shanghai and ends at the border with Nepal.
Day 10
| Ranwu - Zogang
Today, another iconic Chinese section: we will tackle the famous 72 bends of the Nujiang River on the G318. This is a mountain road section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. It crosses the Nu River and is known for its steep slopes, sharp turns, and dangerous conditions. Starting at an altitude of only 3100 meters, the road rises to its highest point at 4651 meters, before descending to 4100 meters. And all of this happens over just 12 kilometers.
Day 11
| Zogang - Deqin
On this day, we will head to Deqin, a town located at the foot of the famous Meili Snow Mountain, where the borders of Tibet and Yunnan meet. We will turn onto the G214 Yunnan-Tibet road, crossing the Dongda, Jueba, Lao, and Hongla mountains. During the journey, we will also travel through the Lancang River Gorge (the Chinese name for the Mekong River).
Day 12
| Deqen - Diqing-Lijiang
Lijiang is located in Yunnan Province and is one of the most famous historical and cultural cities in China, known for its unique Naxi culture, historic streets, and beautiful landscapes. The city is home to many historical sites and well-known attractions, such as Black Dragon Pool, Mu’s Residence, and the Great Waterwheel. Especially in the evening, the winding streets and squares of the ancient town create a unique romantic atmosphere. The Old Town is a true labyrinth, with cobblestone streets and stone bridges spanning over canals. It is also famous for its excellent food and handicrafts. We will try…
Day 13
| Linjiang
It is one of the most beautiful cities in China, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for years. There will be enough time to take a closer look at it.
Day 14
| Lijiang-Shaxi-Dali
We will head to Dali, visiting the historic town of Shaxi along the way. This town is located in Yunnan Province and is famous for its tea. There is no commercial atmosphere here, but it is rich in the distinctive features of the Bai ethnic minority and beautiful rural landscapes.
Day 15
| Dali - Jinggu
You probably haven’t heard of Jinggu, but you’ve likely heard of Puerh tea. It grows right here, making it one of the best tea regions in all of China. We will visit one of the plantations and take a closer look at the tea production process.
Day 16
| Jinggu - Jinghong
We will travel to Jinghong via the expressway. We will visit the Gaozhuang Night Market along the Lancang River (Mekong in Laos), which is the largest night market in Southeast Asia.
Day 17
| Jinghong-Mohan- Laos
This is the last stretch in China, with the journey to the border, lots of paperwork, and then, welcome to Laos.
Day 18
| Luang Nam - Chiang Rai
This country was simply on our way. After another 3 hours of driving, we will arrive in Thailand. And once again, we’ll switch to left-hand traffic.
Day 19
| Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
Easy kilometers on excellent roads to the largest city in northern Thailand.
Day 20
| Chiang Mai - Bangkok
These won’t be charming kilometers, but the destination is getting closer. Bangkok and the next days on the beach will make up for it. This is the best time to visit Thailand…
Day 21
| Bangkok
Handover motorcycles and preparation for shipping.
Day 22
|
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