LHASA TO KATHMANDU RIDE

Situated near the entrance of Yak Hotel and close to Barkhor Street, Dunya restaurant offers everything from pizza, pasta to Indian /Nepalese dishes (you can even try yak steak!!) giving a welcome break from the monotonous Chinese food and packed lunches that you have had or are likely to have once you get out of Lhasa. All staff working here speak good English and is a popular eat out/meeting place amongst the expats and western guides and leaders while in Lhasa. Check out the well stocked bar upstairs and have a chat with Fred (if he is around) with his wonderful stories of life in Tibet he loves to share with travelers.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Andrew Coker, one of our clients, travelled on this trip and you can read his article to get a personal viewpoint of the holiday.

Whilst you could join this trip with limited experience as a cyclist, due to the higher altitudes and longer days of this trip, we would recommend this trip for cyclists who ride regularly and who have perhaps already undertaken some of our other cycling trips.  Your body will soon get used to consecutive days in the saddle, but if you arrive with a higher level of experience, skill and bike-fitness, you will be able to focus more on taking in the amazing sights & sounds of this beautiful country and not worry so much about having tired legs or getting saddle sore!  This trip is vehicle supported for the vast majority of the route, so you can chose to ride as much or as little as you like, but we think you will get more out of the trip if you arrive as well prepared as possible.

Olly Townsend - Operational Quality

My personal favourite is the Pashupatinath temple, to the north east of Kathmandu city centre. You know those photos you’ve seen of the sadhus or holy men, with the long dreadlocks and ash covered bodies? Well this is where most of them hang out!

Regarded as one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva, it’s so old that nobody is certain when it was founded. Like Varanasi in India, cremation pyres line the banks of the Bagmati river and it’s one of the most fascinating places in the Kathmandu valley to people watch.

Joanna Zubr - Customer Operations

Head down to the Everest Steak House in southern Thamel for a mouth watering steak and chips, well earned if you’re just back from trek. Finish it off with a cocktail in the legendary Tom & Jerry bar up the road!

You can also head to Fire and Ice Pizzeria in Thamel, a great place with casual indoor and outdoor eating which is popular amongst travellers, and locals alike. This restaurant is a great place to meet for a morning cup of Italian espresso, or a hearty meal of delicious pizzas, pastas, ice cream and even a Grappa!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

The Dalai Lama has stated that he believes westerners should visit Tibet so that Tibet and the Tibetans do not become isolated, and our belief is that the Tibetans themselves, in general, regard the presence of westerners in Tibet as a positive factor. Our agent in Tibet is Tibetan and as far as possible, we only use Tibetan guides and drivers or Chinese guides sympathetic to Tibetan culture. Wherever possible we use facilities that are Tibetan owned and run. Sometimes this is not possible and travelling in Tibet you must understand this.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Things have improved in recent years but you should be aware that a lot of the roads are still very bumpy and dusty, the altitude can have an effect and some of the facilities are not what you may get elsewhere! You need to travel with an open mind and remember that Tibet has been traditionally quite poor and facilities, especially in some hotels, may not always be up to a western standard, although we will always do our best to ensure clients are as comfortable as possible.

There are some fairly long days of driving on this trip, and due to the rough roads and altitude this can be tiring. The road resurfacing can result in some delays and the border formalities can take time and it is not unusual to have to queue for around an hour or more at passport control. The road after the border to Kathmandu is not in a very good condition and we will be in a bus for this part of the journey. Whilst in Tibet you will spend most of the time above 3500m and altitude must be taken into consideration, but plenty of time is given for acclimatisation. This is quite a tough trip, due to the high altitudes and bad roads, but the stunning scenery, cultural interest and the Tibetan people make any discomforts worthwhile.

Joanna Zubr - Tibet Operations

As nearly all of Tibet lies above 3,500m it has a harsh climate. At the times of year when we visit Tibet (March to October) the weather is generally dry and clear, with brilliant blue skies and daytime temperatures of 10ºC to 25ºC in Lhasa. The days should be pleasantly warm (provided there is sunshine) for most of the trip, although on the trips in October will be much cooler. On the road journeys the tops of the high passes can be cold and windy and it is advisable to keep a warm jacket with you on the bus. As soon as the sun goes down the temperature falls rapidly. The nights will be cooler and will be very cold in Rongbuk in September and October with temperatures well below freezing. Some of the hotels we use can be cold at nights in September and October. There can be wind and dust storms in the afternoons especially at Rongbuk. From June to September it is monsoon season in Nepal and it will be hot and humid in Nepal and you may well get rain.

Joanna Zubr - Tibet Operations

While in Lhasa head out to Barkhor Street in Old Lhasa early in the morning to watch the devout Tibetans perform their daily rituals in front of Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet. Although you are likely to visit this site in your regular sightseeing trip during the day, it has a whole different feeling seeing the same site early in the morning with just the locals doing their prayers and kora (ritual circumambulation) of the temple. I would request the hotel for an early wake up call and do this straight before breakfast as is a great place to people watch before the tourists” invade” the place later in the day.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Most of our clients choose to get their visas at Kathmadu airport. This may mean some time queuing, but the transfer bus won't leave for the hotel until all arriving passengers are through Immigration and have collected their bags. So if you have your visa in advance, you will avoid the visa queue but you wont get to the hotel any earlier. If you'd like to get your visa in advance, please contact Travcour or the Nepalese embassy direct.

Please note if you are staying in Nepal longer than 15 days, you will need to ask for a 30 day visa.

Emma Garrick - Product Manager

‘In-country’ bike hire should be arranged at the time of booking, and the cost will be added to your invoice. Please note that there are a limited number of bikes available locally. We always have to match a person's height to the bike frame size and, as there are a limited amount of each size, we cannot always guarantee availability of the correct frame. Therefore it is recommended you add the local bike hire as early as possible.

Andy Ross - Product Manager

Momos

This Nepalese version of dumplings/ wantons is a traditional delicacy and a must try local dish while you are in Nepal. Momo dumplings are either steamed or  fried with chicken/or buff (water buffalo) as well as stuffed with vegetables for vegetarians and have become the most famous fast food amongst Nepalese and can be found on the menus of most restaurants serving locals and tourists alike.   

Kwanti soup

This mixed bean soup is usually served during festivals and gatherings and now has made its way in many of restaurant menus. Goes well with Naan or roti bread. 

Choela

This is a typical Newari dish smoked meat (chicken; lamb or buffalo meat) tossed with spices and mustard oil. Easily available in most Nepalese and local restaurants in Kathmandu around Hotel Royal Singi and in sightseeing spots.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Yes. All the bikes are adaptable to be fitted with personalised bike parts. The support team accompanying the group will be able help with any bike alterations or damage to the bike along the entire trip.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Nepal where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Staff member Emma Garrick has travelled to Tibet and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the area.

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Tibet where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Yes, our valued Nepal Base Manager, Valerie Parkinson, has compiled a list, you can download the page here

You can view the Grading System for our Cycling programme online.

Please download this PDF document to assist you in your preparation for flying with your bike.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!