Pontala palace 31 may

Spend the day visiting temples, amazing the lengths the tibetians went to seeing the detail in the golden buddas

Hard day sightseeing 30 May

Didn't sleep well and all 11 people in our group didn't sleep well accept Carine who slept very well. The thin very dry air give us headache and sinus. We then visited temples with our guide witch speaks very difficult English. Intresting but would have been better if he was better spoken. Got headache but hope to feel better tomorrow. The day after that we start cycling.

On Top of the World 29 May

After a mission and a half we got through customs at kathmandu airport, they confescated my prossik ropes and almost took my egg beater pedals.

 

To takeoff from the kathmandu valley 1300m the pilot needs to climb steep to get us out of the valley and make a few turns, a few minutes later we were high above the clowds and there she was the mother of all mountains piercing through the clowds staring down at us, Mnt Everest! What a sight! Got some nice everest photos.

 

Then later when the cluds made way we saw we were on the tibetian platau. It is not flat and an amazing type of dessert, it reminds me of namibia's mountainous desert. We are at 3690m here in lhasa and you can feel the altitude, it is very hot and the uv very potent, so we are aclimatizing for a few days before we start our trans hemalyan bike ride back to kathmandu. I just had some fried jak and sweet tea, We are drinking alot of water to help with the altitude aclimatization. 

Peacefullness 28 May

GeoTagged, [N27.70686, W85.34465]

We visited Kathmandu's Durbar Square where the city's kings were once crowned and legitimised, and from where they ruled (durbar means ‘palace'). Here I saw cows treated like gods, pigeons fed to make holy wind with their wings and a 3 year old goddess child with makeup and painted nails quickly making her apearance from a balcony inside a temple. No photos allowed. Then we went up to a hilltop to the monkey temple overlooking the valley with prayer flags everwhere and tibetian meditation music playing, this was a very peacefull place indeed! After seeing more intresting backstreets where dogs pop out their heads from the second floor and bark to say hello we went to where they cremate all people in Kathmandu in a river. I am not kidding! You see the fire stacks next to the river, then they burn people and throw the remains in the river, this was very siff! There were moneys jumping and swimming inbetween them! We are at 1300m here and very close to everest 8800m, tomorrow we fly over the hemalyas past everest to Lhasa Tibet's capital.

JakYetiJakJak 27 may

Not getting enough sleep on the crowded plane from Doha to katmandu we strugled to keep awake as we came in for landing through the clouds, but then we saw it! A perfect singletrack running on top of this hills leading into the green Kathmandu valley. The vegetation dense green and then this perfect singletrack going through it, in the valleys misterious Nepalese houses and all. We booked into our hotel, locked bikes, rested and explored some backstreets and saw pink hemalyan salt crystals ,vegi semoesas and jak yeti jak yeti jak jak shirts. All over the city is budda flags, as it is this one budda oke's birthday.

32dC on Doha airport Qatar

We are in the desert on Qatar Doha airport waiting to connect to katmandu
00:20. Defnitely a different breed of people here. Attached is nice rivers I saw in mozambique. Carine took a photo of killi.

Itinerary

Day 01
Start the Bike Tour![C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 85km]
Finally, your trans-Himalayan biking adventure begins. We leave Lhasa and cycle along the Tsangpo River to the foot of the Kamba Pass (3700 m). When you arrive you will find tents,latrines, shower tent and facilities ready. Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 02
Kamba Pass [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 55km] Your first mountain pass. A strong uphill climb reaches a summit lavishly adorned with prayer flags (4794m). After descending we continue alongside Lake Yamdruk, at the far side of which we set camp (4490m). Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 03
Karo Pass [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 54km]
Leaving the beautiful lake behind, we cycle through a ravine and up to the foot of the Karo Pass (4750m), where our tented village will be prepared for the night. Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 04
Gyantse [H, B, L / Total Cycle: 79km] A significant day on the tour, as we have to get up early to climb the high Karo Pass (5010m). By now you will be feeling in good physical condition. Around us we can see glaciers of 6000m and beautiful lakes. You are rewarded for your effort with a night in a top hotel in the city of Gyantse (3980m). Overnight accommodation at Hotel Gyantse.

Day 05
Shigatse [H, B, L / Total Cycle: 85km]
First we will take an hour to visit the Palkhor Monastery and the old part of Gyantse town.Although today involves a longer distance, the highway is paved and flat. In the afternoon we will arrive in Tibet's second largest city, Shigatse (3860m). Overnight accommodation at Hotel Shigatse.

Day 06
Gyachung Monastery [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 75km]
We leave Shigatse and ride over two small passes and through several small Tibetan villages. We will cycle past the isolated Gyachung Monastery and camp. Overnight accommodation in tents at around 4100m.

Day 07
Lhatse [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 95km] The route lead us through picturesque valleys. Then the long ramp begins which leads over the Yulong pass (4520m). After lunch we head towards Lhatse (3860m). Just before this town there is a hot springs. We will camp approx. 10 km after Lhatse. Accommodation in tents.

Day 08
Shegar [H, B, L / Total Cycle: 75km]
Today we have to contemplate the stunning canyon of the 5220m Lakpa Pass. On a clear day you will be rewarded for your effort with your first view of Mount Everest. After a 40 km ride through flat prairie towns you will arrive in the town of Pelbar, often refered to as Shegar. This town is a popular stopover for anyone heading to the Everest region. Overnight accommodation in a hotel Quomolongma.

Day 09
Pang Pass [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 67km]
It's now time to divert from the Lhasa-Kathmandu highway and head towards the world's highest peak. First you are faced with 20km of uphill switchbacks (42 hairpin bends in total!) before you reach the summit of the Pang Pass (5150m). Enjoy lunch as you gaze over Makalu (8463m), Shishapangma (8012m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8850m) and several other breathtaking peaks. Then a 20-kilometer downhill follows to the Rongbuk Valley (4200m), where we camp. Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 10
Rongbuk Monastery [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 35km]
Now you should be at peak fitness and very excited about the approach of Everest Base Camp. A bumpy road winds up through the Rongbuk valley until the majestic Mount Everest appears before you. We will camp beside the monastery with the unforgettable sight of the 8850m peak in front of your eyes.. We will stay here for two days. Overnight accommodation in tents (5150m).

Day 11
Everest Base Camp [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 8km]
A day to relax. However, you will definitely want to get as close as you can to Everest. You can walk, cycle or even take a donkey and cart ride to the base camp which is 8km from the campsite. Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 12
Tingri [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 76km] Leaving Rongbuk, we head back down the bumpy road then take a "short-cut" into the mountains. Another bumpy trail takes us over a canyon and down into Tingri (4340m). Overnight accommodation in tents.

Day 13
Lalung Pass [C, B, L, D / Total Cycle: 75km]
This day begins with a 40 to 50km flat ride before lunch. Then we tackle the gradual incline of the Lalung Pass (4990m). From here you will feel like you are as high as the peaks around you, including Shishapangma (8012m). Overnight accommodation in tents in the valley between two passes.

Day 14
Cross Thang Pass and The Ultimate Downhill [H, B, L / Total Cycle: 117km]
Now get ready for one last kick uphill. You will climb Thang Pass (5050m). You will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayan chain as you freewheel down.
Stop and pat yourselves on the back because from here on down to the Nepalese border it's all downhill.. From the town of Nyalam you will notice that the scenery is starting to turn green again. Spiral on down past countless waterfalls to the border town of Zhangmu (2300m). This will be our last day in Tibet. Overnight accommodation in a hotel Zhangmu.

Day 15
Back to Nepal [H, B, L / Total Cycle: 97km]
From Zhangmu we have to pass through customs and into Nepal. Once you are in the Nepali town of Kodari the downhill continues for the next 50 km. Suddenly it is tropical and humid and green again. After you reach the town of Dolalghat you must climb up to Dhulikhel (1600m). Accommodation in Dhulikhel Lodge Resort.

Day 16
Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Free day for shopping, etc [H, B, D / Total Cycle: 35km]
What a wonderful way to end this trip – a big breakfast at sunrise and the spectacular panorama of the Himalayas. You will certainly enjoy the last few kilometers as we freewheel down to Bhaktapur. Here you will stop to see some of the town's several century old famous temples before riding into busy Kathmandu again.
On the remaining time you can relax, shop or go sightseeing. Evening we invite you on a farewell dinner at Rum Doodle Bar.Stay overnight at Hotel De L' Annapurna.

20 days before i leave for my epic journey to everest base camp !!!!