Years of research have gone into the designing of this new for 2025 adventure.
Up until now, if you wanted to ride to Everest Base Camp, you had two choices. Like our Quest for Everest adventure, the first option was to fly into Kathmandu and spend 3 days exploring the city while waiting for Chinese and Tibetan entry approvals. You’d then make your way North and spend a day at the border while border bureaucrats tick some boxes. Once completed, you’d make your way East to Lhasa, have a free day to explore the city and then head back the way you came, stopping at Everest Base Camp.
The second option is to fly into Lhasa, explore the city for a couple of days while bureaucrats do their thing and then head west to EBC and return. It’s 100% sealed roads and reasonably easy riding. A few days and a few hundred kms shorter but not much different in price. Both trips see you backtrack over the same roads with only a couple of minor alternate routes. Tibet has never been a cheap place to visit but the USD$5990 that others charge for these trips always seemed excessive to me.
I knew I could provide a better experience for a more affordable price. The goal was to provide better riding on better motorcycles for a better price.
Better Riding
Landing in Kunming, China, we catch a very fast train to our start point. We then climb through the gorges and valleys into the snow-covered mountains of Eastern Tibet before emerging onto the Tibetan Plateau where Lhasa is situated. By this stage, you’ve already done more kilometres than the other trips and you haven’t backtracked once! A free day to Explore Lhasa and then we head for Everest and return to Lhasa and flying back to Kunming. The second part of the adventure is essentially the same as others charge 5k for!
Better Motorcycles
Our base bike is the Kove 525X. A parallel twin with 20% more power and torque than the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and 50% more power and torque than the BMW 310GS that others use. It has a lower seat height than both and is a similar weight. If you want a bit more, then the Kove 800 is available for a $50 per day surcharge. It has double the power and torque of the 525X.
You might not have heard of Kove but you will soon. They are available in over 30 countries and have competed successfully in the WorldSSP300, the European Motorally championship and the Dakar.
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| Kove 525X | Kove 800X |
Better Price
When designing this adventure, it not only needed to have a more adventurous route, using better motorcycles but it also needed to be ultra-competitive in price. Not only is our adventure much better value but it is cheaper overall. Cheaper per day, much cheaper per kilometre, single rooms and pillions are nearly half the price of some competitors!
Everest called and you answered.
This motorcycle adventure through Tibet is an unforgettable journey, meticulously designed to build excitement with each passing day. Riders traverse glacier-fed rivers, visit ancient monasteries, and connect with the local Tibetan culture. The journey ascends to Gyatso La, a breathtakingly high mountain pass with smooth, twist-filled roads like no other. The experience peaks with an emotional visit to Everest, where riders witness awe-inspiring sunsets and sunrises from Rongbuk Monastery.
After achieving the goal of reaching Everest, the group unwinds on snaking tarmac with a reflective ride back to Lhasa, leaving participants with lifelong memories of this magical 10-day adventure.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Kunming – China |
| ADVENTURE DATES | 2025 – September, Monday 15th – September, Sunday 28th
2026 – May, Sunday 16th – May, Monday 29th Other dates by request |
| PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE | This tour is also available as a private adventure for solo adventurers, a couple, a club, or even just a group of mates. This can be any combination of riders, pillions or even a family in one of our expedition support vehicles. The tour can be shortened or lengthened to suit your desires. Please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.
The best months are from April to October |
| PRICES | Rider: US$4,990 per person Pillion: US$2,990 per person |
| WHAT’S INCLUDED | Transfers from Kunming Airport to Hotel Very Fast Train ride to the start point Domestic flight from Lhasa to Kunming Kove Motorcycle All Fuel Quality Accommodation on a twin share basis (Comfort hotels/guest houses/Camping) 3 meals a day for the entire tour English speaking guide A medical kit is available and Oxygen in the support vehicle Mechanic with all the necessary spare parts Support vehicle to carry all luggage (if riders are injured, feeling unwell, or just want a break then they can jump into our backup vehicle to relax) Bottled water throughout the adventure Tea/Chai en-route Permits for restricted areas All entrance fees en-route |
| NOT INCLUDED | International flights VISA (details sent with rider pack) Travel Insurance (compulsory) Personal Expenses Tipping (US$100 suggested) Alcoholic Drinks |
NOTE: The prices above are based on twin sharing. There is a US$650 supplement if you’d like your own room.
Payment terms: A US$500 deposit must be made when booking. The balance must be paid 8 weeks before the tour start date. Payment plans are available upon request.
Terms & Conditions What To Bring Price GuaranteeAdditional information
| Rider or Pillion | Rider, Pillion |
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When you arrive at Kunming International Airport (KMG), a representative from Himalayan Heroes will greet you and transfer you to your hotel and have a welcome dinner.
We’ll apply for your Chinese Driving Licence in the morning before jumping on a Very Fast Train to Dali. A great way to see the country or even grab a few zzz’s
Ride to Lijiang, en route stop at Shaxi tea horse trading village, opera stage, and visit a stone bridge before arriving in Lijiang. In the evening, we’ll visit a UNESCO site.
On the way to Deqen, we’ll stop to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, the third deepest gorge in the world and we ride over White Pass (4296m) to Deqen which is on the
border of Tibet.
We’ll rise early and watch the sun rise over Mt. Kawa Karpo (6740m), which is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Ride into Tibet, visiting Yanjing Salt Flats, arriving at Rumei Town by the upper Mekong River. Riding over Dongdala Pass (5010m) we shall arrive in Zuogong in the late afternoon.
The whole day is spent riding through the snow-capped mountains on the way to Ranwu. We descend onto the banks of the Ranwu Lake and see beautiful glaciers.
Ranwu to Nyingchi (approximately 365km, 7-8 hours, altitude: 3100 meters)
After breakfast, we ride the stunning road to Bomi, with some soaring peaks on each side of the road. After lunch, we ride over the Sejila Pass 4700m to see Namchabawa Mountain (7280m).
Nyingchi to Lhasa (400 kilometres, 6-7 hours, altitude: 3650 meters)
We ride to Lhasa on the north bank of the Kyichu River in Central Tibet. Its a long day but on the way, we ride over the 5000m Mila Mountain Pass.
Sightseeing (3650m)
After breakfast, meet your representative and set off for a tour of Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Your sightseeing will begin with a visit to this majestic structure. Next, you’ll visit Jokhang Temple, home to the most revered Buddha image in Tibet. Surrounding the temple is the vibrant Barkhor marketplace, a hub of religious and social activity in Lhasa.
Lhasa to Gyantse (approximately 270 kilometres, 5-6 hours, altitude: 3900 meters)
We’ll ride to the most beautiful lake in Tibet – Yumdrok Lake. It has a stunning view of Nynjing Kansar Mountain (7111m). Arriving in Gyantse, we’ll visit the Gyantse Dzong Fortress.
Gyantse to Tingri (approximately 320 kilometres, 6 hours, elevation: 4200 meters)
We pass through Shigatse and visit Sakya Monastery before making our way to Tingri. On the way, you’ll ascend Gyatso La Pass at 5248 meters, the highest pass on this leg of the journey, marked by a gate adorned with prayer flags. This will be our first view of Mt Everest.
Afterwards, you’ll descend to Shegar. As you approach Tingri, you’ll merge onto the main road and navigate through traffic to the signpost for Qomolangma (Everest) National Park. Travelling along the dusty road, you’ll reach Rongbuk Monastery and its lodges, with the majestic Mount Everest towering above at 8848 meters, often referred to as the mother of the earth. The road is now fully paved up to Rongbuk. You’ll check in at the basic guesthouse within the monastery.
Tingri to Rongbuk to Shigatse (approximately 380 kilometres, 8+ hours, 3900m)
Today is the day we’ll visit Everest Base Camp, situated at 5200 meters. We ride the most amazing switchbacks to Tashi Zong Village where we have to jump off the bikes and get on an eco bus which travels along a sealed road to Rongbuk Monastery with the majestic Mount Everest towering above at 8848 meters, often referred to as the mother of the earth.
Shigatse to Lhasa (approximately 275 kilometres, 5 hours)
It’s time to head back to Lhasa. We take the Friendship Highway back to our hotel. Have the afternoon to relax before our celebration dinner.
That’s it, folks, you’ve immersed yourself in the unique land of Tibet and just completed a motorcycle adventure that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. You’ve caught a very fast train, explored the Yunnan province, seen the Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, crossed Tibet’s highest passes, visited ancient monasteries, ridden the best motorcycling roads in Asia, and of course, you’ve seen Mt Everest up close with your own eyes.
Time to board the flight back to Kunming. Back on home turf, you won’t be able to explain the scale of this journey; photographs and videos will fail to do justice to your adventure. Your memories of this epic adventure, however, will stay with you forever.
INSURANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, TIBET, MONGOLIA, PAKISTAN and SRI LANKA)
In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. 3rd party insurance will usually not cover foreigners and even if it does, it is generally worthless if one needs to make a claim. In the event of an accident in these countries, the situation is usually settled on the spot without the “assistance” of insurance companies. If insurance companies are involved, it can take days, weeks and even months before there is a resolution.
Damage Cap Option “DCO”
Himalayan Heroes offers its riders the option of capping the cost of your damage bill on the motorcycle you are riding. The cost of this damage cap option “DCO” is US$195, paid as a lump sum before the tour starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the DCO will cap your damage bill at US$200.
3 Scenarios
- If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you is only the cost of the DCO = US$195.
- If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down at slow speed and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say, US$120 then you pay the US$120. The total cost to you is US$315 (US$195 DCO + US$120 damage bill)
- If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then your damage bill is capped at US$200. The total cost to you is US$395 (US$195 DCO + US$200 damage bill).
The DCO is optional, so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of the damage to the bike. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about the DCO.
The DCO is not an insurance policy and therefore any costs related to it cannot be claimed on a travel insurance claim.
