Epic Tibet

12 Days 11 Nights
  • €4,799.00/guest
  • 12 days
  • 7 days (+1 optional day)
  • 70-92 km average
  • 5/5
  • 21 Sep 2026

Information

This is no ordinary ride. For 12 days, you will traverse routes lesser-travelled, see untouched scenery, and interact with wonderful locals in Tibet. You will be riding on the highest paved roads in the world, visit the highest monastery with Everest in the background, and earn bragging rights for a lifetime.

From day two, you will be constantly above 2800m, eventually reaching the summit of Gyatso La Pass at 5240m. This 8th revision of the route is designed to reduce bus time and maximize road exploration, taking you from dense forests to the desert.

What's Included:
  • Tibet entry permit
  • Double occupancy hotel accommodation
  • All standard meals as per itinerary (B, L, D)
  • Cycling guide and Team Leader Lucien Kirch
  • Senior local Tibetan guide
  • Passenger minibus and bicycle transport vehicle
  • Limited edition #EpicTibet jersey
  • Sightseeing entry tickets including Potala Palace and Sera Monastery
  • Insurance coverage of up to RMB300,000 under local policy


Elevation

Total Elevation: 5700m ++
Highest Elevation: 5240m

Additional Requirements

A number of required items are not included for this trip. Please refer to the Not Included section below for the full list.

Bike rental / bike type:

Bike Recommendations: 

  • A high-quality, well-maintained road bike suitable for significant climbing and varied conditions is essential. 
  • Due to the specialized nature of this trip and logistical complexities, bringing your own bike is standard. Please ensure it's in excellent condition. 

Arrival airport:

Chengdu airport

Departure airport:

Chengdu airport

Brochure
Tour-Information-Tibet-Cycle-Tour-EnglishDownload

Itinerary

Day 01 :
Chengdu Arrival

Arrive at Chengdu airport, China. Your bikes will be checked in at oversized storage. The afternoon is for some sightseeing and trying Sichuan Hotpot as you get to know the crew.

Highlights

Arrival in Chengdu, China
Sightseeing & Sichuan Hotpot Dinner
Meet & Greet with the Team

Tour Details

Dinner
Hotel: Zen or similar
Day 02 :
Arrival in Nyingchi, Tibet

Catch an early 7 AM flight from Chengdu to Nyingchi, Tibet. After permits are checked, our Tibetan journey begins. Meet our local partners, settle into the hotel, set up bikes, and explore the local area.

Highlights

Flight to Nyingchi, Tibet (approx. 2800m altitude)
Permit Checks & Welcome Ceremony
Bike Setup & Local Exploration

Tour Details

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Botai or Puncuo Khangsang
Day 03 :
Milin - Gyaca County (100 km, 827m ascent)

Our first riding day takes us on a rolling stage towards Gyaca county, passing through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the journey. The remaining 150km to Gyaca county will be by bus, where a Tibetan dinner awaits.

Highlights

First Ride in Tibet
Beautiful Rolling Landscapes
Arrival in Gyaca County & Tibetan Dinner

Tour Details

Dinner
Hotel: Vienna
Day 04 :
Gyaca County - Tsetang (78 km, 562m ascent)

After breakfast, a 35km bus transfer takes us to better road conditions. Today is an easier recovery ride as we explore a cluster of micro villages. The landscape becomes very dry and dusty, with ongoing construction, so the route may change.

Highlights

Recovery Ride Exploring Micro Villages
Dry and Dusty High-Altitude Scenery

Tour Details

Hotel: Hilton by Hampton
Day 05 :
Tsetang - Yamdrok Lake - Gyangze (50 km, 1257m ascent)

A 135km bus ride takes us to the start of our first major climb, the queen stage, with various Hors Categorie sections and potentially challenging winds. The reward at the top is the magnificent view of Yamdrok Lake. After lunch at the base, a recovery spin comes before a bus transfer to Gyangze.

Highlights

Challenging Queen Stage Climb
Magnificent Views of Yamdrok Lake

Day 06 :
Gyangtse - Shigatse (93 km, 110m ascent)

After yesterday massive climb, today is a recovery ride on flat roads, descending gradually into Shigatse, Tibet second-largest city. You will be greeted by farmers, children, sheep, and yaks. Arrive early with time for a much-needed massage.

Highlights

Flat Recovery Ride
Interactions with Local Life
Arrival in Shigatse

Tour Details

Hotel: Gesar or similar
Day 07 :
Shigatse - Lhatse (145 km, 1051m ascent)

An endurance day as we ride towards Lhatse to prepare for the big climb to Gyatso La Pass. You will have the option of riding the full distance or taking it easier at the halfway point.

Highlights

Long Endurance Ride
Option for Shorter Distance
Acclimatization for Gyatso La Pass

Day 08 :
Gyatso La Pass (70 km, 936m ascent)

The toughest stage. The 20km climb to Gyatso La Pass at 5240m is incredibly challenging, fighting elements like hail, drizzle, snow, and strong winds. You will be riding on the highest paved road in the world through barren landscapes. An easy descent with fantastic views follows to our hotel in Tingri.

Highlights

Conquering Gyatso La Pass (5240m)
Riding the World's Highest Paved Road
Extreme Weather & Landscape Experience

Tour Details

Hotel: Shekar New Tingri Zhufeng International
Day 09 :
Gyawula Sunrise - Rongbuk Monastery (70 km, 1000m ascent)

An early start with 6 AM breakfast to reach the top of Gyawula Pass for sunrise and a peek at Mount Everest at first light. There is ample time for photos before a long descent. We may also visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

Highlights

Sunrise Views of Mount Everest from Gyawula Pass
Visit to Rongbuk Monastery (Highest in the World)

Tour Details

Hotel: Shekar New Tingri Zhufeng International
Day 10 :
Bus Transfer to Lhasa

A long day on the road, approximately 500km or 12 hours, as we take the bus back to civilization in Lhasa. Sit back and relax.

Highlights

Scenic Bus Journey Back to Lhasa

Tour Details

Hotel: Intercontinental or Similar
Day 11 :
Potala Palace + Sera Monastery (Optional 40km ride)

A sightseeing day visiting the iconic Potala Palace and witnessing the monks debate at Sera Monastery. In the afternoon, an optional 40km ride with a local bicycle club and BBQ in the nearby mountains is available.

Highlights

Visit to Potala Palace
Monks Debate at Sera Monastery
Optional Ride with Local Cycling Club & BBQ

Tour Details

Hotel: Intercontinental or Similar

Hotel: Intercontinental or Similar
Day 12 :
Homebound from Lhasa to Chengdu

The adventure concludes. We fly from Lhasa back to Chengdu for your onward international flights. Bon Voyage!

Highlights

Departure from Lhasa
Flight to Chengdu

Additional Information

Not Included (Important):
  • International flight tickets to/from Chengdu
  • Local flight tickets: Chengdu to Nyingchi and Lhasa to Chengdu
  • Tips for the team
  • Alcohol and personal expenses
  • Altitude medication
  • Airport transfers in Chengdu if your flight timings differ from the group suggested timings

Packing:
  • Be prepared for extreme temperature swings with summer to winter gear. Layers are crucial.
  • The air is very dry, so washed clothes dry quickly.
  • A detailed packing list will be provided.

Bike Recommendations:
  • A high-quality, well-maintained road bike suitable for significant climbing and varied conditions is essential.
  • Due to the specialized nature of this trip and logistical complexity, bringing your own bike is standard.
  • Please ensure your bike is in excellent condition.

FAQs

How serious is the altitude on this tour?

Very serious. From Day 2 onwards, we are constantly above 2800m, reaching over 5240m. Proper acclimatization is built into the itinerary, but all participants must be aware of the risks and symptoms of altitude sickness and consult their doctor beforehand.

What if I can't complete a day's ride?

Our support vehicle is always with the group. If you are struggling with the altitude, fatigue, or any other issue, you can rest in the vehicle. Your health and safety are paramount.

What is Sichuan Hotpot?

Sichuan Hotpot is a famous and flavorful Chinese communal dining experience where various raw ingredients such as meats, vegetables, and noodles are cooked at the table in a simmering pot of spicy broth.

What are the HC sections mentioned for Day 5?

HC stands for Hors Categorie, a term used in professional cycling for climbs that are so difficult they are beyond the usual categories. This indicates very steep and challenging climbing sections.

Map

  • Fully Booked Available Packages
    Monday
    Sep 21, 2026
    Friday
    Oct 2, 2026
    €4,799
    10
    Available

Epic Tibet

From €4,799
/ Guest
Check Availability

Need help with booking? Send Us A Message

Andrea Ehrl
★★★★★
We absolutely loved every moment of our road cycling tour through Southern Thailand. From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. Just like on our Bangkok–Phuket tour a few years ago, this trip was full of fun, fascinating moments, and authentic insights into the country and its people. Special highlight was our German guide Franz, who led the group with great professionalism, confidence, and true cycling expertise – we always felt safe and in excellent hands. Our Thai guide Tick and his team were fantastic. Tick shared so much interesting knowledge about Thailand and made sure we enjoyed amazing local food every day. The support team was always immediately there when needed – whether for a flat tire or any other issue. It often felt like even the smallest request was taken care of before you could even finish mentioning it. The level of service was simply incredible. We return home with unforgettable memories and are already thinking about booking our next tour. A big thank you 🙏🏻 to the entire Thailand Cycle Tours team – highly recommended!
Andrea Ehrl
stephane dastot
★★★★★
Trés bonne organisation pour découvrir la Thailande autrement tout au long de la côte. Le rythme est adapté en fonction des participants. Merci à toute l'équipe TCT toujours disponible.
stephane dastot
Rob Duxbury
★★★★★
A wonderful trip. Route, support, food all excellent. Happy to recommend and I hope to be back on another tour someday.
Rob Duxbury
Irmgard Gimpl
★★★★★
Sehr empfehlenswert wenn man gerne rennrad fährt, man braucht sonst nichts zu tun, alles - verpflegung hotels ...- Ist bestens organisiert.
Irmgard Gimpl
jeanine schenker
★★★★★
Ich bin mittlerweile schon 3 Touren mit Lucien und seinem großartigem Team gefahren (Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Hanoi, Phuket-LAngkawi). Alle Touren waren großartig in der Organisation von Anfang bis Ende. Die Strecken sind sehr gut und liebevoll geplant, die Räder und Service super, die Hotels fast immer sehr schön, das Essen sowohl Mittags als auch Abends wird sehr liebevoll ausgewählt und auf Extrawünsche wie vegane Ernährung sehr gut eingegangen. Alles in allem hatte ich bisher 3 absolut perfekt organisierte Wochen mit tollen Menschen sowohl das Team als auch die Reisegruppe und freue mich auf meine weiteren Reisen mit Thailand Cycle Tours in den nächsten JAhren. Ich kann die Touren und den Veranstalter nur jedem Rennradler wärmstens empfehlen :)
jeanine schenker
Simon Wächter
★★★★★
I booked the Hua Hin Explorer Tour for my parents. It was their first time cycling in Thailand and all I heard from them was how amazing everything was. The guides, the bikes, the accommodations and the tour itself was all planned perfectly and they will for sure come back for more trips! Thanks for taking good care of them!
Simon Wächter
Suthara Lang
★★★★★
We love sharing the beauty of Thailand, great cycling routes, and a few hidden gems along the way. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our riders smiling and enjoying the journey. ❤️
Suthara Lang
Pepi Mortimer
★★★★★
We took the 6 day Self Guided Tour from Hua Hin in Thailand. Lucien and Suthara took care of all the planning, providing us with good quality bikes (one hybrid, one e-bike), a full set of gpx files for navigation, and some excellent resorts to stay in each night. We also had him organise daily forwarding of our luggage (this was part of a bigger trip). All the arrangements worked seamlessly. The cycling is not of itself particularly demanding for anyone accustomed to the distances involved but we did find the heat draining. Road surfaces range from decent tarmac roads to gravel tracks and everything in between as you are out in open countryside most of the time. A great way to see Thailand beyond the tourist traps.
Pepi Mortimer
Julian Meier
★★★★★
Nicht ohne Grund zum 4. ten Mal 😊
Julian Meier
Cheryl Dunford
★★★★★
The southern Thailand tour exceeded every expectation! A fantastic trip by a very professional company. Everything is carefully planned, the on road support is excellent and the accommodation and food is of a very high standard. Don’t hesitate to book - I will be back on another tour next year. Cheryl Frome, UK
Cheryl Dunford

Related