This 21-day extreme challenge bicycle tour begins in Golmud, Qinghai and crosses the Tibetan Plateau over eight passes, the highest of which is 5,231 m or 17,158 ft.
Rooftop of the World Bike Ride Challenge to Lhasa 21-Day Tour
Day
Location
Cycling KM/Miles
Notes
QINGHAI
1
Golmud
20/32
Trip start location. Elevation 2,807 m, 9,207 ft
2
Nachitai Road House
90/56
3
Xidatan
45/27
Elevation 4,500 m 14,800 ft
4
Budongquan
72/44
Kunlun Pass Elevation 4,700 m 15,400 ft
5
Wudaoliang
89/54
Elevation 4,500 m 14,800 ft
6
Erdaogoubingzhan Preservation Station
86/42
Elevation 5,010 m 16,430 ft
7
Tuotuohe
0/0
Rest day, elevation 5,010 m 16,430 ft
8
Tuotuohe
77/47
9
Yanshiping
91/56
10
Tanggulabingzhan
50/30
11
Toudaoban
58/36
Highest point of the tour, elevation 5,231 m, 17,158 ft
TIBET
12
Amdo
70/43
Big town, elevation 4,700 m 15,400 ft
13
Amdo
0/0
Rest day, Elevation 4,700 m 15,400 ft
14
Road House
70/43
15
Nagqu
73/45
Big town, elevation 4,718 m 15,500 ft
16
Gulei Road House
93/57
Hot springs
17
Dangxiong
0/0
Big town
18
Dangxiong
71/43
Rest day in hot springs or visit Namucuo
19
Yangbajing
75/46
20
Lhasa
72/44
Arrived! Elevation 3,650 m 12,000 ft
21
Lhasa
0/0
Rest day exploring Lhasa, Potala Palace, End of tour
Total Cycling Distance
1143 km 608 mi
Tour Details
Dates: Tuesday, July 20 to Monday, August 9, 2010
Start location: Golmud, Qinghai
Finish location: Lhasa, Tibet
Tour type: Each cyclist will carry their own gear in panniers, no support vehicle in Qinghai but there will be a support vehicle in Tibet and cycling will be supplemented with motor vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination..
Geographical location: Highest road in the world on the Tibetian plateau in Qinghai and Tibet in western China
Elevation range: 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) to 5,231 m (17,200 ft)
Climate: The best weather for touring is July, August and September.
Terrain: Extremely mountainous crossing eight minor and major passes, the highest being the Tanggula Pass at 5,231 m, 17,200 ft
Cycling tour level: Extremely challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 1,140 km (600 miles).
Cycling will be supplemented with motor vehicle transport when necessary to
reach the next destination.
Days: 21
Nights: 22
Group size: 1 - 8
Accommodations are not included in the tour Participants will have the option to camp or stay in very basic guesthouses or road worker quarters except in Golmud, Amdo, Naqu, Dangxiong and Lhasa where there will be hotels.
This tour is limited to no more than eight people. This will permit more flexibility in the program and allow more spontaneity for taking photos and exploring.
Prices include the following:
1. Bilingual bicycle tour guide
2. Tibet Travel Permit
Not included:
1. Accommodations
2. Meals, snacks, and alcoholic beverages
3. Transportation costs during the tour
4. Admission fees
Additional Notes
1. In order to keep the costs as low as possible and allow individual flexibility, this is a cost-plus tour, which means that the tour cost only covers the guide wages and permit. All other costs including the guide's food and accommodation will be paid along the way equally divided by the participants.
2. There will be no support vehicle in Qinghai during this tour. This means that each person will carry own gear in panniers while cycling in Qinghai. A support vehicle will be provided in Tibet.
3. If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those costs.
Cost: Prices depend on the total number of people going on the tour and the time of year. Below are
the price per person (pp) and quoted in US dollars (US$) for non-holiday periods*:
Group size:
1 person US$4,560 pp
2 people US$2,490 pp
3 people US$1,770 pp
4-8 people US$1,690 pp
An announcement of the cost of the tour to the group 45-days prior to the start based
on the number of registered members.
A deposit of $500 per person is required. This is
fully refundable up to 45 days prior to the start of the tour. Submission of a deposit
will guarantee your place on the tour. Balance is due at least 45 days prior to the beginning of the tour and payable by credit card, wire transfer, or personal check.
