Kailash Calling Motorcycle Tour

After extensive photo stops and individual breaks, we continue to Nagartse, and from there over the Karo La Pass (5,100 m) – directly below a huge slope glacier. Here we experience the raw power of the Tibetan high mountains up close before we finally reach the city of Gyangze.

Depending on the time of arrival, there will be time for a visit to the imposing fortress of Gyangze, which towers over the city on a rocky plateau and is a reminder of Tibet’s eventful history. In the evening we enjoy a traditional meal in a rustic Tibetan restaurant in the center of the village – an atmospheric end to a scenic and culturally extraordinary day of travel.

Distance covered: approx. 320 km

One of the most spectacular high mountain roads in the world lies ahead of us: With 108 hairpin bends and serpentines, it opens up breathtaking views of five of the highest mountains on earth – Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Shishapangma (8,012 m), Lhotse (8,561 m), Makalu (8,463 m) and, of course, Mount Everest (8,848 m), also known as Qomolangma in Tibet. To get to the base camp, we cross the Qomolangma Pass (5,269 m) – a scenic and emotional highlight of the trip. Then we reach the Rongbuk Monastery at an altitude of around 4,900 meters, which is considered the highest monastery in the world and is located in a direct line in front of the north face of Everest.

Shortly before the monastery, about 10 kilometers before the destination, we have to park our motorcycles, because the last stage to the monastery is by shuttle bus – an environmental requirement that serves to protect this unique region. The newly built hotel right next to Rongbuk Monastery offers simple but cosy rooms – many of them with a direct view of Everest. In the heated parlour with wood stove you can warm up after an impressive day of driving and enjoy the evening atmosphere at the foot of the highest mountain in the world. On a clear night, the Milky Way often shows itself here in all its glory – a magical experience at an altitude of almost 5,000 meters.

Distance covered: approx. 330 km

As the route continues, we slowly approach Lake Manasarovar, one of the most sacred lakes in Tibet. On a clear day, the snow-capped Gurla Mandhata (7,728 m) is reflected in the water – a huge Himalayan peak that towers on the south side of the lake. The sight marks the spiritual prelude to the arrival in the Kailash region. In the late afternoon we reach Bagaxiang (4,675 m), the starting point of the Kailash Kora – the famous hiking circuit of the holy mountain. The small settlement is nestled between sand dunes, scree hills and wide plateaus, the Kailash itself often appears on the horizon like a stone pyramid in the last rays of the sun. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse – the amenities are reduced, but the atmosphere is unique. In the clear night, an impressive starry sky often appears over the roof of the world – a worthy end to a great day of driving.

Distance covered: approx. 510 km

In Tsaparang, the ruined city on a steep rocky spur, we explore the former fortress of the Guge kings. Via paths and stairs carved into the rock, we climb up to the remains of the palace complexes, prayer halls and monasteries. Particularly impressive are the murals and statues that have been preserved to this day, which bear witness to a highly developed Buddhist art – intensely coloured, symbolic and surprisingly well preserved despite centuries of isolation. Another highlight is a visit to the Tholing Monastery, which was once a center of Buddhist scholarship. The atmosphere is quiet and dignified, the surroundings wide and open. It is a place that invites you to contemplate the details of the old murals or simply let your gaze wander over the endless valley. Guge is no longer a living kingdom – and yet you can feel its history everywhere: in the crumbling walls, the bright colours of the frescoes, the wind that blows through the ruins. This day is an invitation to immerse yourself in Tibet’s cultural heritage – profound, moving and full of quiet beauty.

If you want, you can then continue to the Rakshastal, a salt lake only a few kilometers away at a similar altitude (about 4,575 m), which stands in stark contrast to the Manasarovar. Its water is dark, the landscape rough and almost moon-like. In Tibetan tradition, it is considered the Lake of Demons – the place where the demon king Ravana meditated. While the Manasarovar stands for light, life and spiritual purity, the Rakshastal embodies the dark, the wild and the unconscious. Together, they form a powerful, spiritual balance that has profound meaning not only for pilgrims.

In good weather, both lakes offer a majestic view of the over 7,700-meter-high Gurla Mandhata, the highest peak of the western Himalayas, whose snow-capped flanks rise above the horizon. The drive back to Bagaxiang takes you through wide, quiet highland plains again – with a bit of luck you will see yaks, wild donkeys or Tibetan nomads on the way. This day tour is ideal for those who want to experience nature, culture and spiritual depth in a special way – compact, intense and impressive. A great end to this unique motorcycle tour through Tibet.

Optional: If you like, you can walk part of the hiking trail around Mount Kailash in the afternoon. The first few kilometers are easy and without inclines. This is especially important for those who do the hiking cricuit (kora) in the following days.