Munich-Tibet Overland Tour
The Silk Road Motorcycle Tour is a superlative adventure follows ancient trade routes from Munich to Lhasa, through 14 countries, over 12,500 kilometers, and across the continents of Europe and Asia. This spectacular tour traces Eurasian caravan routes to Tibet, the Roof of the World, and links numerous highlights of the historical and modern Silk Road.
The first few days of the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour take us through rarely-visited regions of Eastern Europe, with Ljubljana, the romantic capital of Slovenia, the post-Soviet atmosphere of Belgrade, and Beklemento Pass deep in the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. After reaching the Black Sea, it’s time to enjoy Istanbul, the city that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia, on a day off before taking the ferry to Asia.
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We wind our way into the Anatolian Highlands, following the Silk Road and spending the nights in caravanserais and historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites before tackling the passes and remote country roads of Georgia. From the wooded mountains and the hilly steppe of Georgia, the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues across the Caucasus to Russia. A broad horizon spreads out before us on the shores of the Caspian Sea. We travel through grasslands and past camel herds and explore the unknown expanse of southern Russia, inhabited by a Mongolian steppe people who settled here hundreds of years ago.
Continuing along the Silk Road, we cross the largest desert in Central Asia on our way to Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan – the pearls of the oriental trade routes with their numerous cultural and historical highlights.
From Samarkand, our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues to Tajikistan, where we reach the capital Dushanbe – the gateway to the Pamir Mountains. We travel to Kyrgyzstan via the spectacular Pamir Highway, the mother of all adventure trails in Central Asia, with its dizzying passes and sparsely populated mountains. The beautiful Kyrgyz trails make every single day a highlight, and we’ll spend the nights in homestays with friendly locals and in yurt camps – remnants of the historic caravanserais of the Silk Road. Tackling the quite literally breathtaking, nearly 4,000-meter Torugart Pass, we approach our destination: Tibet. A hot day of riding through the Taklamakan Desert – the “place of no return” – will bring us to the foothills of the Kunlun mountain range before reaching the Tibetan plateau, where 5,000-meter passes are waiting to be mastered. Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues across the Roof of the World eastwards, stopping at Kailash, a mountain holy to Buddhists and Hindus, and improve our karma by hiking a part of the way with Tibetan pilgrims. The vast expanse of Manasarovar, a salt lake not far from Kailash and its monasteries, nomads and hermitages, brings us closer to the Tibetan culture and religion. A special highlight: the ride to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Mount Everest – the highest mountain in the world. At an altitude of 5,200 meters, we enjoy one of the most spectacular views on the planet, with Everest towering over us and some of Asia’s twistiest roads and passes ahead. Riding past turquoise salt lakes, glaciers and historical monasteries and Tibetan cultural sites, we head toward mystical Lhasa, where the main part of our journey ends. There we can roam the old town at Barkhor Market with hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims and visit the former seat of the Dalai Lama, the iconic Potala Palace.
On the optional extension of the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour over the eastern Himalayas and through eastern Tibet, we’ll carry on to the subtropical province of Yunnan, the land “south of the clouds”. The mighty Yangtze, Mekong and Salween rivers, winding routes and spectacular canyon landscapes await us.
This route, which was off-limits to foreigners for many years, offers completely new Himalayan perspectives, historical places of Chinese culture and exhilarating, winding roads descending from the heights of the Himalayas to the tea-growing regions and fertile valleys of China. The journey passes through Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the deepest in the world – and ends in Dali after visiting the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Center.
From either Lhasa or Dali, we fly to Chengdu and return home from there, while our team on the ground takes care of the return shipment of the motorcycles.
AT A GLANCE
AT A GLANCE
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Main Tour: 26.04. – 11.06.2024 Main Tour: 07.06. – 23.07.2024 Extension: 23.07. – 29.07.2024 |
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With extension:
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47 days / 46 nights / 38 riding days With extension: |
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Overnight stays in hotels of the middle class and in guesthouses |
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Main Tour: 24.04. – 10.06.2025 Extension: 09.06. – 16.06.2025 Main Tour: 05.06. – 22.07.2025 |
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48 days / 47 nights / 39 riding days
With extension: |
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Overnight stays in hotels of the middle class and in guesthouses |
Highlights – Munich-Lhasa Overland Motorcycle Tour
- an unparalleled adventure in 14 countries and over 12,500 kilometers: all the highlights of the Silk Road on the way to Tibet, the Roof of the World
- the central Balkan Mountains with Beklemento Pass
- the Anatolian highlands with the Silk Road towns of Safranbolu and Amasya
- the highlands of Georgia and the steppes of Russia and Kazakhstan
- the largest desert in Central Asia
- plenty of time to see the sights of the Silk Road oases Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara and Dushanbe
- Tajikistan and the legendary Pamir Highway
- the most beautiful tracks and caravanserais of Kyrgyzstan
- crossing Tibet eastwards with all the highlights of the Tibet Motorcycle Tour, including Manasarovar Lake, the holy Mount Kailash, Everest Base Camp, Gyangze, Yamdrok Lake, Xigaze and Lhasa
- the ride to Everest Base Camp, with an overnight stay at 4,900 meters in Rongbuk Monastery with a view to Everest
- one of the most spectacular roads in the world at Everest Base Camp with views of the tallest mountains on the planet
- full days for sightseeing and city tours in Istanbul, Samarkand and Lhasa
- regular rest days for relaxation and sightseeing
- proven and always up-to-date route guidance: our team has successfully completed the tour many times
- support vehicle for passengers and bags / emergency vehicle
- the services of a mechanic for the entire tour
- return shipment of the motorcycle at no additional cost
- local guides in many countries for the best insights into local culture
- Optional extension from Dali to Lhasa
Parts of the route – up to entire day’s rides – are unpaved. In addition to good natural tracks, there are also tracks that were once paved and where the asphalt has crumbled. These are marked by potholes and bumps. Longer passages can be covered with sand or pebbles. The unpaved/paved ratio is around 40/60.
These routes feature the most challenging, winding mountain roads with a variety of surfaces. Narrow, often single-track roads with hairpin bends offer challenges for experienced riders. Focus and stamina are essential.
Visiting a place of interest every few days
With short breaks and photo stops, not counting breaks for lunch, which last about an hour. Average figures: 6-8 hours per day
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From Munich to Tibet
Extension: From Lhasa to Dali
Munich-Tibet Overland Motorcycle Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Meeting in Munich
Meeting of all tour participants in Munich. Detailed briefing on the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour in the afternoon. Getting acquainted over dinner in Munich.
Day 2: Munich – Ljubljana
From Munich, we cross the eastern Alps and make our way to Ljubljana, the picturesque capital of Slovenia. The charming old town, which was built directly on the river Sava, gets our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour off to a relaxed start with a walking tour of the old town and dinner at the foot of Ljubljana Castle.
Distance covered: approx. 400 km, Slovenia
Day 3: Ljubljana – Belgrade
We cross the rugged, arid Croatian hinterland and reach Serbia, our first country outside the EU. Belgrade is a remarkable city that has emerged from the Soviet era and arrived in Europe. It has a lot to offer architecture fans with its eclectic mix of Soviet pomp coexisting with buildings from different eras. The town was built at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, and Belgrade Fortress thrones over the beautiful old town.
Distance covered: approx. 530 km, Croatia – Serbia
Day 4: Belgrade – Nis
We have an easy day ahead of us! From Belgrade we continue to Nis, where we can explore the old town.
Distance covered: approx. 240 km
Day 5: Nis – Koprivshtitsa
Serbia and Bulgaria are the heart of the Balkans. The vastness of the landscape spreading out before us is unlike anything to be found in Central Europe. The rural and wild flavor of the Balkans harks back to a Europe long gone. To savor it fully, we’ll spend the night in Koprivshtitsa, a small town with rustic houses and a relaxed lifestyle.
Distance covered: approx. 270 km, Bulgaria
Day 6: Koprivshtitsa – central Balkan Mountains – Sozopol
Today we’ll explore the central Balkan Mountains, a range that gave the whole region its name. We have a sweeping view over the expansive Bulgarian landscape at an altitude of more than a thousand meters and from Beklemento Pass (1,520 m). Descending on a beautiful winding road, we’ll continue on our way through the Bulgarian hinterland and head east to the Black Sea, to Sozopol. The region was once the Greek colony of Apollonia, and Sozopol is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, dating back more than 3,500 years. We can enjoy the rest of the day on the beach or on the Sozopol peninsula.
Distance covered: approx. 410 km
Day 7: Sozopol – Istanbul
Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour follows the coast southward and crosses the Strandzha Mountains of Thrace. A curvaceous road through the forested mountains takes us to the Turkish border. The hills flatten out toward the dry steppe of Thrace, and soon we reach Istanbul. We have a fantastic hotel located directly in the historic old town. All of the major sights, such as the Hagia Sophia, are within walking distance.
Distance covered: approx. 320 km, Turkey
Day 8: Istanbul
Our full day in Istanbul starts with a three-hour guided tour in the morning. We’ll explore the modern metropolis on the Bosporus and enjoy the vibe of this unique city. The Hagia Sophia is definitely on the program, as is the spectacular old town and the bazaar.
Day 9: Istanbul – Safranbolu
The Mediterranean charm of the Bosporus slowly gives way to an alpine mountain world as our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour forges ahead into the North Anatolian highlands.
With its beautiful townscape of half-timbered houses, Safranbolu was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Here we can get to know the authentic Turkey, exploring the narrow streets lined with small restaurants and craftsmen offering their goods for sale. A Turkish steam bath in a traditional hamam is a good opportunity for some serious decompression.
Distance covered: approx. 410 km
Day 10: Safranbolu – Amasya
Winding roads lead us to Amasya. The village in the back country of the Black Sea coast is situated directly on a riverbank in a narrow valley of the Pontic Mountains.
The main part of this charming town is located on the eastern side of the river, with only a few rows of houses at the foot of the steep castle hill on the other bank. Five bridges link the two parts of the city.
The royal tombs of Pontus were cut into the rock of the hillside above the town during the Hellenistic period. Today they are open to the public. With its beautiful illuminations, Amasya has a charm all of its own in the evenings.
Distance covered: approx. 390 km
Day 11: Amasya – Bayburt
Further to the east, our route takes us along the North Anatolian Fault. Riding through the bucolic steppe, we’ll make our way to Bayburt, a town situated in the Anatolian highlands.
Distance covered: approx. 450 km
Day 12: Bayburt – Savsat
A gorgeous winding mountain road leads to Savsat, a town in the very easternmost reaches of Turkey, close to the Georgian border. We’ll spend the night in bungalows beautifully situated in the wooded hill country.
Distance covered: approx. 350 km
Day 13: Savsat – Gori Uplistisikhe – Gori
Our day starts with a ride up to the Georgian border. The route there and then to Gori is a highlight of the tour as it winds its way up into the green Georgian mountains.
Gori is the site of a historical cave town, Uplistisikhe, and the famous castle of Gori, from where we can enjoy the sunset with a cool beer.
Distance covered: approx. 280 km, Georgia
Day 14: Gori – Grozny
From Gori, we’ll head north to the Russian border. Expect time-consuming formalities. From there we’ll continue to Grozny, capital of the republic of Chechnya. Today, not many signs remain of the civil war that racked the region until the late 2000s. Grozny is a modern and peaceful place, and we’ll stay in the best hotel in town, from where we have a great view over the valley.
Distance covered: approx. 310 km
Day 15: Grozny – Astrakhan
Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues through the steppe of southern Russia.
Astrakhan is situated on the Volga and features architecture dates from a range of periods, including Renaissance, Classicist and Orthodox influences. The sights include the Astrakhan Kremlin and Trinity Church.
Distance covered: approx. 490 km
Day 16: Day off Astrakhan
Today will be a rest day for doing laundry, relaxing and catching up on all the things that world travelers need to deal with. Restaurants, exchange offices, supermarkets and the riverbank for walking are all in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
Day 17: Astrakhan – Atyrau
Today, we cross the border to Kazakhstan. With a little luck, we’ll encounter camels along the way. Atyrau is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and its economy revolves around Caspian oil and gas deposits.
Distance covered: approx. 360 km, Kazakhstan
Day 18: Atyrau – Beyneu
Today’s ride takes us through the Kazakh steppe to Beineu.
Distance covered: approx. 440 km
Day 19: Beineu – Elabad
After crossing the border into Uzbekistan, the road conditions become decidedly rougher, and we have a challenging track ahead in the largest desert of Central Asia. We skirt what remains of the Aral Sea and have a view across the Aralkum Desert, the former seabed.
We’ll spend the night in a basic motel, which due to its location in the middle of the desert and its patrons could be straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. The deep red sunset that lights up the desert is often spectacular.
Distance covered: approx. 380 km, Uzbekistan
Day 20: Elabad – Khiva
We follow the historic Silk Road through the desert and reach Khiva (sometimes written Xiva), the former capital of the Khanate Khiva in Khorezmia, a town with a flourishing textile industry. The local products include carpets. The historic town center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 thanks to its authenticity and careful maintenance.
We’ll follow a hot day in the saddle with a memorable walk through the old town in the afternoon, through centuries-old alleys with their oriental-decorated facades and markets, and top it off with a cool beer.
Distance covered: approx. 350 km
Day 21: Khiva – Bukhara
Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues through the Kyzylkum desert to Bukhara, which is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan. Like Samarkand, it was a marketplace and rest stop on the old Silk Road. With over 140 architectural monuments, Bukhara is an impressive open-air museum.
We’ll see the mosques and madrasas of Bukhara on a walk through the old town. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
Distance covered: approx. 460 km
Day 22: Bukhara – Samarkand
The Islamic architecture of this pearl of the Silk Road, which awaits us at the end of a hot riding day, is a feast for the eyes. It’s not surprising that Samarkand is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, it’s a modern city that offers quite a few amenities.
Distance covered: approx. 280 km
Day 23: Samarkand
Today will be a rest day in Samarkand.
We’ll visit Registan Square, the nearby madrasas and other sights. There will be plenty of time to visit the night market and for errands.
Day 24: Samarkand – Dushanbe
After crossing the border, our next destination is the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues across the desert, and soon starts ascending into more fertile countryside. We’re rapidly approaching the Pamir Mountains.
Dushanbe, which is located in Hissar Valley at an altitude of about 800 meters, is the cultural and economic center of Tajikistan. The beautiful, prosperous town features tree-lined avenues, international restaurants, and even nightlife.
Distance covered: approx. 300 km, Tajikistan
Day 25: Dushanbe – Kalaikhum
Only about half of our day’s mileage on the Pamir Highway today will be on paved roads. There are two routes to Kalaikhum from Dushanbe – a northern and a (longer) southern one. We’ll choose depending on which of the two routes is better at the time.
Kalaikhum, with a rushing river flowing through its center, is one of the most attractive towns in the Pamir Mountains.
Distance covered: 270/380 km
Day 26: Kalaikum – Khorog
All roads lead to Khorog: A wild ride on one of the most beautiful and spectacular routes of Central Asia – on mostly good gravel – awaits us. Khorog, with its numerous bazaars and tea houses, is the administrative center of the Pamir region.
Distance covered: approx. 240 km
Day 27: Khorog – Murghab
Murghab is located at the center of the Pamir plateau – a frontier town in the middle of nowhere on the roads to China and Kyrgyzstan. The last few kilometers into Murghab are demanding – it’s not an easy track.
Distance covererd: approx. 320 km
Day 28: Murghab – Sary Tash
Sary Tash is a small town in the Kyrgyz grassland. Before we get there, we need to handle border formalities before our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour can leave the beautiful Pamir Mountains behind for adventures in Kyrgyzstan.
Distance covered: approx. 230 km, Kyrgyzstan
Day 29: Sary Tash – Osh
About 150 kilometers east of Kokand, we’ll cross the border to Kyrgyzstan, where we’ll spend the night in Osh.
Distance covered: approx. 180
Day 30: Osh
Osh is one of the largest cities in the country and features an airport and a comfortable tour hotel. We’ll take a rest day there.
Day 31: Osh – Kazarman
Our journey continues to Kazarman – and we’re finally riding through mountains again. The first part of the route takes us toward Jalalabad. The road is paved, but traffic is heavy. We then continue on a gravel track that’s quite rough in places and cross four often-deserted passes through the beautiful and unforgettable mountain landscape of Kyrgyzstan. We’ll spend the night in the small town of Kazarman, where several local families will welcome us into their homes and cook for us in the evening.
Distance covered: approx. 260 km
Day 32: Kazarman – Tash Rabat
Tash Rabat is a well-preserved caravanserai from the 15th century, where we’ll stay in a yurt camp. Once again, fantastic trails lead the way to the historical settlement, the “Stone Hostel”. Tash Rabat is located in the At-Bashy Range (part of the Chinese Tian Shan mountains) on the ancient Silk Road.
Distance covered: approx. 180 km
Day 33: Tash Rabat – border station near Kashgar – Kashgar
We’ll reach the Kyrgyz-Chinese border area around noon. We pass an archaeological site and ride along a lake to the 3,752-meter Torugart Pass – the border between Kyrgyzstan and China – and descend into China. We need to park our vehicles 120 km away, at the Chinese customs station. We have a transfer to Kashgar in the afternoon, and the next morning another transfer back to the customs station to pick up our bikes.
Distance covered: approx. 220 km, China
Day 34: Kashgar
Today we’ll visit the Kashgar motor vehicle authority to collect our provisional Chinese driving licenses and license plates. There will also be a quick health check for riders and technical inspection for the vehicles. Our local team will take care of everything – all we need is patience.
Distance covered: approx. 150 km
Day 35: Kashgar
Today is a further day of rest and organization in Kashgar intended as a buffer for the Chinese authorities, as formalities sometimes take a bit longer in China. We’ll visit the beautiful old town of Kashgar and watch the hustle and bustle of the market. The grilled lamb and beef in the numerous restaurants is some of the best in China.
Day 36: Kashgar – Sanshiyi
A very early departure for Sanshiyi.
On the way to Sanshiyi, we’ll encounter numerous checkpoints and have to register with the police several times – this will require quite a bit of patience. Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour is taking us through one of the most tightly restricted regions in the world today. The climate here, very close to the Taklamakan Desert, is hot and dry.
Today we’ll start from the depths of the Tarim Basin and arid regions along the Silk Road, ascending to the Tibetan mountain world, tackling our first pass with an altitude of more than 5,000 meters.
Distance covered: approx. 620 km
Day 37: Sanshiyi – Dahongliutian
Another 5,000-meter pass awaits us after breakfast. We’ll then set out across the vast Tibetan plateau, passing mountains and rivers, on our way to Dahongliutian, a tiny place in the middle of nowhere.
The plateau is deserted, and with a little luck we can see wild horses, which the locals call kiang, eagles, migratory birds or the Himalayan wolf in the distance.
Distance covered: approx. 120 km
Day 38: Dahongliutian – Ali
Our route to Ali takes us past Pangong Lake, which is 134 kilometers long and straddles the border of China and India at an altitude of 4,250 meters. One side of the lake is filled with salt water, while the other side is fresh water. The area is inhabited in summer by nomads who let their yak herds graze on the grassland.
Our day’s destination, Ali, is the administrative center of western Tibet and the first real city since Kashgar.
Distance covered: approx. 550 km
Day 39: Ali – Mount Kailash
A short day’s ride to Kailash, a mountain that is holy to Tibetans. In Tibetan mythology, the mountain is the center of the universe and birthplace of the mightiest rivers in Asia.
The snow-covered peak, 6,638 meters high, rises majestically above the Tibetan plateau. Numerous pilgrims travel to Mount Kailash from all corners of Tibet, India and Nepal. According to numerous writings, all devout Buddhists should walk around this mountain at least once in their lives on a three-day trek. To attain complete enlightenment, however, they should do so no less than 51 times. After arriving in Darchen – the starting point for the mountain treks – we can either walk to Tarpoche Pagoda or ride the track to Tarpoche. We can also visit the shore of Manasarovar Lake, one of three holy lakes for Hindus and Buddhists. From Chiu Monastery, there’s a great view of the lake.
Distance covered: approx. 250 km
Day 40: Mt. Kailash – Saga
We’ll make our way to Saga along the deep blue Manasarovar Lake (“divine lotus lake”, at 4,586 meters altitude), a freshwater lake that’s 77 meters deep, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
Today we’ll once again experience the endless expanse of Tibet on our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour and wrap things up with a beautiful mountain pass.
Distance covered: approx. 490 km
Day 41: Saga – Everest Base Camp (EBC)
Our ride to Everest Base Camp today takes us past Peiku Lake (4,591 meters), skirts the Nepalese border, and passes over a number of winding passes at altitudes of nearly 5,000 meters. Sections of the road are in a somewhat rough state today, at least up to Paiku Lake.
From there we’ll take an incredible road with hundreds of twists and turns and views of the numerous 8,000-meter peaks – truly one of the most memorable moments of our tour. The road will first take us to Tingri and wind its way over two passes. From there we have a stunning view of the tallest and most legendary mountains on the planet: Shisha Pangma (8,012 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Lhotse (8,561 m) Makalu (8,463 m) and of course Everest (8,848 m).
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Next up: Rongbuk Monastery at an altitude of almost 4,900 meters. The road is closed for motorcycles around 10 kilometers before the monastery – we’ll take local transportation for the final stretch. While the Base Camp, which is 2.5 km further up the road, has been closed since January 2019, we still have a spectacular, equally good view of Everest from the monastery. The unobstructed view of the 8,848 meter high summit of Everest is a rich reward for the exertions of the journey.
We’ll spend the night in Rongbuk Monastery’s very basic guest house and enjoy the mountain vistas.
Distance covered: approx. 400 km
Day 42: EBC – Xigaze
Today, we carry on to Xigaze. We’ll cross Gyatso-La Pass, the highest of the tour at 5,222 meters.
In Xigaze, a comfortable hotel in the center of the town awaits us. There are markets nearby, as well as Tashilhunpo Monastery, which we can visit in the late afternoon. Tashilhunpo is the second largest monastery in Tibet and was founded in 1791. From the temples of the monastery complex, we have beautiful views of the valley and the town of Xigaze.
Distance covered: approx. 340 km
Day 43: Xigaze – Gyangze – Lhasa
Our Silk Road Motorcycle Tour continues over the vast expanse of the central Tibetan Plateau to Gyangze. The barren high plateau of Tibet is giving way to vast wheat fields and small villages and farms. In Gyangze, we’ll stop at the largest stupa (Tibetan pagoda) in all of Tibet, which is located in Palcho Monastery, overlooked by Gyangze Dzong, a majestic fortress.
From Gyangze, we’ll ride the 5,100-meter Karo La Pass that takes us right up to the foot of a mighty glacier. At an altitude of 4,900 meters, we’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the azure-blue Yamdrok Lake and ride the winding roads along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. This may be our last encounter with shaggy yaks. Cresting the last mountain pass, we’ll descend into a fertile river valley and reach our ultimate destination – Lhasa. We met the challenge – riding from Munich along the Silk Road, all the way to the Roof of the World. Time for high fives all around!
Distance covered: approx. 360 km
Day 44: Lhasa
The bikes will be readied for shipping today. This is a buffer day in case of delays.
Day 45: Lhasa
We’ll enjoy the day at Bharkor Market in the old town of Lhasa, visit Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang, the holiest temple in Tibet. And, of course, there will be plenty of time for souvenir shopping.
Day 46: Lhasa – Chengdu
Today we depart Lhasa on a flight to Chengdu, followed by a transfer to the hotel. You can either extend your stay in Chengdu on your own – or join the journey from Lhasa to Dali.
(The onward journey to Dali over the eastern Himalayas is a seamless continuation of the tour from Lhasa on day 46. Please contact us for the separate short info.)
Airport transfer 1 hour
Day 47: Chengdu
Individual departure from Chengdu.
Check out the optional extension from Lhasa to Dali here!
Extension Lhasa – Dali: From Tibet to the land “South of the Clouds”
– The Eastern Himalayas and the Subtropics of China –
Until recently, the roads descending from the Tibetan plateau to the province of Yunnan via the Eastern Himalayas were off limits to foreigners. You can look forward to the finest views, remote mountain roads, undiscovered wilderness on the banks of the Mekong, snow-covered Himalayan peaks, deep evergreen forests, and of course endless winding roads and beautiful mountain passes.
The extension starts with a ride through primeval forests, the “Switzerland of the Orient” in Lulang, grasslands with grazing yaks and the the beauty of Ranwu Lake surrounded by 5.000 meter high snow-capped peaks. We’ll ride along the majestic Mekong, Salween and Yangtze – the longest river in Asia – and enjoy the views of rugged sandstone landscapes and deep gorges. We stay overnight at the farm house home of a Tibetan family and visit the colorful old town of Shangri-La before we take another winding road through the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges on earth.
Visiting the Chinese minority old towns of Lijiang and Dali and riding along tea plantations and banana trees let us realize that we have left the Himalayas and are in the subtropics, not far away at all from South East Asia.
From Lhasa to Dali (Extension) Tour Itinerary
Day 46: Lhasa – Nyingtri
Our last riding day on the Tibet high plateau. We’ll say “tashi delek” on the next day – goodbye – to the Tibetan plateau, cross our last 5,000-meter pass, then descend on a winding road through fragrant spruce forests into the “Switzerland of the Orient”, with its wooded mountains and rolling grasslands with grazing yaks.
Distance covered: approx. 400 km
Day 47: Nyintri – Ranwu Lake
Today is going to be another day for spectacular views on the Tibet Motorcycle Tour. We’ll take the various passes on the road to Ranwu and enjoy the fascinating landscapes rolling by. We’ll spend the night directly at the shore of Ranwu, a mountain lake framed by snow-covered peaks, at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters – in the most beautiful resort of the region, of course.
Distance covered: approx. 270 km
Day 48: Ranwu – Zogang
The day begins with a ride along the Salween River, which originates on the Tibetan plateau and descends to Shan State in Myanmar. On the way, we can enjoy spectacular vistas in the gorges through the expansive sandstone landscapes.
But the treat of the day is yet to come: an iconic road, known by the locals only as “the road of 72 curves”. At the end of the serpentines, we reach a 4,300-meter pass with a view many miles into the valley below. The quiet mountain roads descend through gorges and evergreen forests to Zogang – a true highlight of ourTibet Motorcycle Tour.
Distance covered: approx. 290 km
Day 49: Zogang – Jiabe
Two more passes with altitudes of 4,300 and 3,900 meters await us.
We’ll ride along the rugged banks and gorges of the Upper Mekong – which is quite unlike the placid river downstream in Thailand – to Feilaisi, the “Flying Temple”, and say farewell to Tibet. Yunnan awaits. The temple is dedicated to the deity enthroned on the peak of Kawa Karpo, the last snow-covered peak of our journey, and at the same time the highest mountain of the eastern Himalayas and final highlight with its majestic 6,700 meters.
We’ll spend the night there, at the foot of the mountain, at the home of a local Tibetan family where we enjoy homemade red wine, “arak” liquor and home cooked food in a beautiful farm house.
Distance covered: approx. 410 km
Day 50: Jiabe – Shangri-La
From our Tibetan host family, our journey will take us over the 4,300-meter Pass of the White Horse and down into the gorges of the Yangtze, the longest river in Asia and third-longest in the world. Here, at “only” 1,900 meters above sea level, we’re at the lowest altitude of the tour. It’s quite warm and cacti grow on the river banks – an incredible contrast.
Our final riding stage takes us to the romantic old town of Shangri-La. Its small two-story houses are built entirely of wood and are richly decorated with carvings. In Shangri-La, we’ll visit the 22-meter prayer wheel – the largest in the world – and we should turn it at least three times for good karma.
Distance covered: approx. 180 km
Day 51: Shangri-La – Lijiang
Today´s ride will bring us from the Shangri-la on a small countryside road into one of the deepest gorges on earth – the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Cliffs of 3.2 kilometers height are above us, forming the peaks of the 5,500 meter high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range. On to Lijiang, a UNESCO world heritage site featuring an old town, many shops, restaurants and bars. Civilization is back and we surely enjoy it.
Distance covered: approx. 340 km
Day 52: Lijiang – Dali
Our last short riding day along farm land to Dali. Goodbye dinner and party.
Distance covered: approx. 180 km
Day 53: Dali
End of the tour in Dali.
Don’t Miss Out On a Wonderful Experience
Book your Tour Now – Munich-Tibet Overland Tour
We can accommodate only 14 motorbikes on this tour.
Since our tours get filled up fast, please book our Munich-Tibet Overland Tour now to avoid disappointment.
Our Next available tours are as follows:
2024
Main Tour: 26.04. – 11.06.
Extension: 10.06. – 17.06.
Main Tour: 07.06. – 23.07.
Extension: 23.07. – 29.07.
2025
Main Tour: 24.04. – 10.06.
Extension: 09.06. – 16.06.
Main Tour: 05.06. – 22.07.
Extension: 21.07. – 28.07.
Included Services
- All accommodation in hotels with breakfast. Typical middle class hotels and in some cities upscale hotels if available. In Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and in the west of Tibet, accommodation is often quite basic.
- German-speaking motorbike tour guide on own motorbike
- Mechanic to accompany the tour, universal tools, tyre repair kit etc.
- Alternating local country guides for numerous countries who speak the local language and know the culture. These countries include Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tibet/China.
- Accompanying vehicle for luggage and pillion rider, accommodation capacity for one motorbike in case of emergency for a manageable period of time.
- Shipping of the motorbikes Lhasa
– Chinese East Coast and Chinese East Coast
– Hamburg (further transport within the E.U. possible for an extra charge) - All official permits for Tibet/Temporary importation of a foreign registered vehicle into China:
– Temporary Chinese Driving Permit
– Temporary Chinese number plate
– Deposit for the vehicle with Chinese customs
– Legally required vehicle insurance
– Customs clearance on entry and exit
– All permits for China and Tibet
– All official translations - State-approved and compulsory Tibet guide (English-speaking) from the Chinese border and for the whole of Tibet
- All entrance fees as per programme
- City tours in Istanbul, Safranbolu, Amasya, Astrakhan, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Dushanbe, Lhasa
- Flight Lhasa (or Dali after extension) – Chengdu at the end of the tour
- Hotel parking costs
- Support for entry into Turkey, Russia, the Central Asian states and China
Questions & Answers
Please contact a physician who can prescribe Diamox, a medication that can be taken in advance to prevent altitude sickness in Tibet.
Groups taking Diamox experience little or no symptoms of altitude sickness. For the smooth operation of the tour, your personal health and wellbeing, and for a pleasant travel experience in Tibet, we strongly recommend that you consult your physician regarding Diamox.
We can supply medical oxygen for emergencies from Kashgar onwards.
The journey is suitable for pillion passengers. Our support vehicle offers a limited number of seats for passengers to use as they please in bad weather or other situations.
The support vehicle can accommodate one carry-on size item weighing up to 10 kg per person. Other items, especially things that you may need during the riding day such as additional clothing, snacks, drinks, etc., are better stored in your cases or waterproof bags on your bike.
The tour will be accompanied by a support vehicle that can carry a motorcycle for a limited time in case of emergencies such as technical failures or illness of the rider. It also offers seats for pillion passengers.
In the course of your travel preparations, we’ll send you detailed information on obtaining visas and recommend agencies that will take care of the applications for you.
During the tour, we will be staying in typical middle class accommodations with breakfast. In larger cities, and especially in places where we will be spending two nights, you can look forward to a higher standard. We’re proud of our tour hotels and think that there’s practically no better way to spend the nights on an adventure trip.
In some regions, middle class accommodations are not available. In such cases, we’ll take the best option we can get. There are also some overnight stays in caravanserais. These are settlements in which simple yurts and beds are available to travelers. On some days, we will not have en-suite bathrooms. On a few days, single rooms will be subject to availability. In exceptional cases, we may need to stay in dorm rooms.
Breakfast is included in the tour price, while lunch and dinner are to be paid by the traveler. The prices for meals vary greatly in different countries and regions. EUR 3-10 per main meal with one drink is a realistic average.
The journey ends in Lhasa or after the extension in Dali. The motorcycles will be crated and sent to a seaport on China’s east coast, where they will be shipped to Hamburg, Germany, via FCL container freight. Collecting your bike in Hamburg is your responsibility.
The return shipment to Hamburg from the Chinese east coast usually takes 6-8 weeks.
The cost of shipping the bike from Lhasa or Dali to Hamburg is included in the tour price.
You can also ship panniers, top boxes and bags together with your bike.
In addition to your riding suit, a proper helmet is a must – skull caps and half-shells do not comply with the regulations of the countries we will be traveling through.
Be ready for anything. Packing list for all situations:
- winter liners, long underwear
- rain gear
- winter gloves, summer gloves
- motorcycle boots, winter socks
- comfortable shoes for sightseeing
- balaclava, scarf
- thin down or fleece jacket to wear under your riding suit
- SPF 30+ sunscreen, lip balm
- sleeping bag liner (thin silk sleeping bag)
- first-aid kit and meds
- special tools specific to your bike
- GPS or smartphone cradle on your bike
- waterproof panniers
You won’t need some of these items in the Uzbek desert heat, but you’ll be grateful for them on the Tibetan plateau at over 5,000 meters altitude on a cloudy day.
Documents to carry (checklist):
- passport with visas
- national driving license
- international driving license
- vehicle documents
- national vehicle registration
- international vehicle registration
- passport photos
- green insurance card
- copies of all documents
Tour Concept by RC Hendrik
