ABA - Tibetan Highlands

TBT-1 Central Passes /
Lake Yamdrok

TBT-4 Lake Namtso /Pemba Valley

ABA - Tibetan Highlands!

Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai Provinces

13 days/12 nights

Starting from 500m in Chengdu, capitol of  Sichuan Province with its lovely hot and seasoned food we will start cycling along the Min River.  We will coach most of the way with some portions of cycling to the source of the Min River being the  Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou National Parks.  Getting to these two parks will be a slow process not just because of terrain or altitude but because of the numerous photo opportunities at every bend on the road.   Huanglong or "Yellow Dragon" is the "Yellowstone" of  China with its unreal mineral pools shadowed under the 6,000m high Precious Snow Mtn.  Jiuzhaigou Nat'l Park is set in a forested area brimming with myriad's of small lakes and thousands of fish.  Beautiful lake reflections, unreal colors and waterfalls will keep us enthralled as we make our way cycling through the park.  Next it is a climb to the Tibetan Grasslands.  Cycling on average between 3,000 and 3,600m we will be introduced to the Tibetan Nomads and their herds of Yaks.  This is where we will use our tents as up on these grasslands there are seldom settlements of any great size.

Going on into Gansu Province we will get into some rolling hill country with still the ever present abundance and variety of high tundra flowers, eagles and gerbils.  In the midst of our ride through Gansu we will get a taste of Tibetan Buddhism at Xiahe - one of the largest operating monasteries outside of Tibet with it's seven colleges.  Next it's on to Qinghai Province and some major geographical changes!  From the top of the mountain pass separating Gansu and Qinghai we will start with a swift descent into a valley of red rock similar to the state of Arizona in the USA.  We meet up with the beginnings of the Yellow River  and then through hilly country to Xining, the capitol of Qinghai Province.  We end our trip with cycling to and from Qinghai lake - China's largest freshwater lake and two nights on its shores with the many Tibetan herders who summer there.

   Difficult to Challenging

   See Itinerary (grades are indicated in parentheses)

Cycling distance: 700 - 750 Km.

* Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to 0 C ) for this tour.

ABA Itinerary:

Day 1:  Two hour morning flight from Hong Kong to Chengdu, the capitol of Sichuan Province.  From Chengdu airport we coach to the city of Wenchuan where the air is cooler and fresher.  A stop at the Dujiangyan Irrigation works on the way.  This system for flood control and irrigation of the Sichuan basin was the first of its kind known to man - 5,000 years old and still working! 

Day 2:  From Wenchuan we will continue by coach up the Min River through the day to our lunch stop.  From Earthquake Lake - an amazing vista overlooking a city now completely submerged under water - we will start cycling - hopefully at least 40 Km before dark.   Our destination is Song Pan City and the Sunshine Hotel (2).  Today we have climbed from 500 M to 2,500 M. (8,000 ft).

Day3:  From Song Pan we cycle along the Min River Valley with its beautiful terraced fields and numerous villages of the Qiang People. ( A tribe of Tibetan)  This initial distance is only 20 km but so photograph-able that it sometimes takes us three hours to complete!   After lunch we continue cycling over the Gongganglin pass of 3,600 M and down a great downhill into the Jiuzhaigou valley.  Tonight will be another late night. Overnite at the Jiuzhaigou Hotel (3) 100+ Km cycling.

Day 4:  A full day hiking the Jiuzhaigou National Park (no bikes allowed in the Park) with its myriad of waterfalls, turquoise lakes, forests, yak herders and horses.  There are two valleys to explore and what we like to do is coach up one hiking down to the intersection and then hike up and down the next - the scenery and grandeur never ends and film flies fast and furious.  A note for video users - the Park charges RMB 400 for use of Video in the Park.  No Charge for still photography.  Overnite at the Jiuzhaigou Hotel (3).  If it can be arranged we may be able to take part in a Tibetan dance and lamb roast party near the Hotel. 20 Km hiking.

Day 5:  This morning we make our way  on the coach from the Hotel retracing our route over the top of Gongganglin pass toward Song Pan.  From the top of the pass we will begin cycling back toward Song Pan.  Just before the settlement of  Chuan Zhu Si we cut left up, up, up for as long as you wish to challenge yourself!  Now we are cycling to Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) another out of this world National Park.  At the top of our climb (most of you won't make it) is an incredible view of Precious Snow Mountain one of the highest in the Min range.  A ride down an incredible downhill (for those with no fear) is next down to the Park Entrance.  Huanglong Nat'l Park can only be done by foot - 2 hours at least to do it justice.  The same fees are applied for video users as Jiuzhaigou by the way.  Tonight we go back to Song Pan for an overnite by coach. (2).

Day6:  From Song Pan  we will coach the morning to the Tibetan Grassland at 3,200m.  We will start cycling from the nomadic settlement of Galitai for a 60 km stretch around a picnic lunch to our campsite.  We should add due to Tibetan mastiffs being released at sundown our cycling will be 60 km. or 5:30 PM whichever comes first!  Camping (0)   Get ready for the Nomadic welcoming party tonight as they puzzle over our strange ways and the lengths to which we try to make ourselves comfortable!

Day 7:  We have 70-80 km of cycling this morning all along the grasslands with tundra flowers in bloom - mostly level so you may surprise yourself by making the whole distance.  As we near the next major town of Roergai there is a climb and you may choose to sit it out on the coach.  After a lunch in Roergai and some time to digest well we are in for some more climbs in the next 20 km. to our campsite for the evening.  The first climb out of town is 5 km long!  Camping (0)

Day 8:  Another day of even keeled cycling 40+ km. along the high plateau with an even greater variety of color in flowers.  You will also notice thousands of gerbils with hungry eagles watching them from the telephone poles.  Towards the end of our morning we may come across some Hui Muslim Nomads - light years beyond the Tibetans in living comfortably.  Who knows they may even offer some of their delicious bread and goat butter (it beats Yak butter any day!).  There is a pass again before lunch and you may take one look and decide to ride the coach over.  If you are a downhill rider, however, you don't want to sit it out. After lunch we will coach or ride, depending on time to the Lang Mu Monastery situated in a "mystical" looking valley - befitting this mystical religion of Tibetan Buddhism.  A quick look at monastery life and then a coach ride crossing into Gansu Province and its rolling hills.  80 km later we will arrive at our campsite for the evening - we call it "richman's camp" and we will leave it to your imagination as to what we mean.  Camping (0)

Day 9:  76 km of cycling this day around our lunch destination of He Zhuo.  After lunch and time for digestion it is another one of those 3 km climbs and then  15km downhill to the road junction to Xia He Monastery our evening destination.  This downhill valley will allow you to never move your pedals - one long coast with river and quaint villages on both sides.  It's a 20 km coach ride up the valley to our destination of Xia He and we will have a late afternoon tour of this very large monastery designed much like a University with seven schools of thought.  Two hours will be enough with the overwhelming smell of Yak butter burning everywhere!  Overnite at the LaBrang Hotel (3).

Day 10:  We start the morning with a coach ride the first 80 km. until the top of the pass separating Gansu and Qinghai Provinces or mile marker 40.  From the top we can cycle downhill into Qinghai Province with its major change in geography.  Red Sandstone Mountains glowing in the high altitude sunshine.  It's 46 km of downhill to lunch.  After lunch we can ride along  the Yellow river valley for another  30 km and then the "canyon climbing" begins!  This gorge is magnificent with its "road runner-Arizona like" landscape.  Most will want to sit this climb out and coach all the way to Xining - another  100 km.  Overnite at the huge Russian built Xining Hotel. (3)

Day 11:  We will cycle out of Xining 70 km. on our 200+ km journey to Qinghai Lake coaching the last bit.  This road is beautifully paved and fairly flat grassland riding.  Overnight at the Zhang Peng Hotel on the lakes edge (2).

Day 12:  We have the morning to ride at leisure, unaccompanied by our support vehicles wandering the lakes edge by bike or foot.  After lunch we will ride the first 40 km back toward Xining and then coach the rest.  This will be our last cycling distance for a very memorable trip.  Overnite at the Xining Hotel (3)

Day 13:  Some time to look around Xining before our afternoon flight to Guangzhou CZ9317 16:15 - 19:05. From Guangzhou we will get a direct bus back to Hong Kong.  Arrival in Hong Kong around 11 PM.

* Itinerary subject to change

TBT-1
Central Passes / Lake Yamdrok

13 days/12 nights

This tour will start with our usual acclimatizing, culturally and physically, in Lhasa and then gradually take in the spectacular passes and glaciers of Central Tibet.  From a relatively lush Lhasa valley we will go over the Kampala (4,800M),  Karola (5,100M) and Simla (4,330M) passes and enjoy cycling along Lake Yamdrok  in between.  Yamdrok Lake is one of Tibet's largest and highest at 4,200M and is over 50 Km in length.  The Karola Glacier will leave us awe struck as it literally seems to be falling on us when we go down Karola pass entering southern Tibet.  Cycling to Xigatse we will have a geographic change of  high canyon walls and very dry country with plenty of climbs left.  The end of this tour takes in some of Tibet's history present and past with the Gyantse Fort and the Tashilinpo Monastery - seat of the Panchen Lama.    This trip we only offer in the summer and fall months of every year because of snow and weather conditions on the passes.

  Challenging

  See Itinerary (grades are indicated in parentheses)

Cycling distance: 350 - 450 Km.

* Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to -20 C ) for this tour.

TBT-1 Itinerary:

Day 1:  Hong Kong International airport for our charter flight to Lhasa. :   Transferred to our hotel for our three nights in Lhasa (2) –  a 1 hr. journey from the airport.  Resting and getting oriented - you will find yourselves very dizzy and confused due to the sudden changes not to mention tingling and tinkling in your extremities!  From 500M to 3,600M in less than two hours - not bad!

Day 2:  Short acclimatizing bike trip to the Potala Palace and tour of this the former residence of the Dalai Lama as well as the Barkhor Bazaar.   Afternoon walking around the Jokhang temple - Lhasa's most holy site..

Day3:  An acclimatizing biking day with a trip to Norbulingka Park - the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and then the Tibetan Medical Centre in the afternoon for a look at some "interesting" medical methods!

Day 4:  Biking to Drepung monastery and then back to Lhasa for a boat ride in a boat made of Yak hide!  This evening we pay a visit to a Tibetan family for some, uh, lovely Yak butter tea!

Day 5:  We're off!  Cycling along the Lhasa River Valley to our first camp night at Dagar (0) 76 Km of the last pavement we will see for this tour.  This is the same road as what we came in on Day 2 from the airport.  We will have a lunch half way at the Nedong Monastery.

Day6:  KAMPALA PASS!  From 3,600M we will climb to 4798M in  a span of  20 Km.  Mile marker 100.8 is the top in case you start wondering.  If it is too much our patient lorry driver will pick you up and carry you to the top for some exciting downhill!  Another 10 Km down to the lake after some thrilling sights of  Turquoise Blue Yamdrok lake and the coming Karola Pass in the distance. Camp near Baidi village on the Lake. (0)  38 Km.

Day 7:  Cycling fairly level along the Lake today with wonderful views of water fowl, horses, yaks and goat herds along the lake's edge.   Our evening destination will be the town of Nakartse and a simple hostel with warm Tibetan curiosity.  44 Km. cycling (0 or 1)

Day 8:  KAROLA PASS!  Its a deceptive first 29 Km. climbing from 4,200 M to 5,100 M to the pass at  mile marker  181.7.  Deceptive because it seems to not really be much of a climb.  The views of  needle point peaks and glaciers as well as the rushing glacier rivers and waterfalls really keep you going.  Breathing is difficult today but we are ready, right!  Lunch and rejuvenation 10 km before the top and then GLORY!   Karola Glacier will overwhelm us with its sheer size and how it seems to hang over our heads.  This Karola Pass is the site of the highest battle in world history.  The battle between the British and Tibetan armies in 1904.  It's cold up here so we won't stick around too long - it's DOWNHILL  TIME!   15 Km of downhill later we come to our camp site of Ralung Village.  At mile marker 196 turn off to Ralung for another 5 Km. (0)  69 Km. cycling

Day 9:  From Ralung to Gyantse today we will start the dry side of Tibet.  Stark Canyon walls with green Oasis' in the valleys.  24 Km. of downhill to our lunch stop at mile marker 220.  From 220 on  it can be not so nice with some very steep climbs with Simla Pass at 4,330M cresting at mile marker 253.     Recommended to sit it out and then do the last 20 Km. into Gyantse.  Overnite Gyantse Guest house (1/2) 57 Km. cycling  

Day 10: A morning  quick look around Gyantse to see the Gyantse Fort and Kumbum /Palgo Chorten and town .  Overnight Gyantse Guesthouse(1/2). 

Day 11:  Our last cycling stretch is a fairly flat cycle of 64 Km. to Shalu Village and Monastery and then we coach the last 25 Km. into  Xigatse the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Gyantse sits at an altitude of 3,060M whereas Xigatse sits at 2,800M.  Overnite Xigatse. (2)

Day 12:  Visit the Tashilunpo Monastery seat of the Panchen Lamas and then an afternoon trip by coach back to Lhasa.   A nice bed tonight in Lhasa - celebrate!  Free  for shopping and relaxing in Lhasa City.

Day 13: Early morning transfer to airport - flight to Hong Kong. 

* Itinerary subject to change

TBT-4
Lake Namtso via Pemba Valley and Reting

13 days/12 nights

This tour is a must for the nature lover. We take in Lake Namtso, which is the second largest salt water lake in Tibet and a stopover for several bird migratories. Getting there is half of the fun with a ride up the Pemba Valley and three challenging climbs up and down passes ranging in height from 4800-4900m. The last pass of 5180 will be done by landcruiser (perhaps cycling for the hardier ones). From this pass we will have our first view of Lake Namtso. Around cycling and bird watching we will also see sights of cultural/religious interest such as the Sili Goetsang and Tashi Do Hermitage Caves, Tibetan Nomads and all of the Lhasa sights to boot.

  Challenging

  See Itinerary (grades are indicated in parentheses)

TBT-4 Itinerary:

All Photos Copyright Tim Obendorf

All Photos Copyright Tim Obendorf

All Photos Copyright Tim Obendorf