Name: Tibet & Everest Base Camp
Start: 2024-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-10-03T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Tibet, China

Bret Tkacs, LLC

Email address verified

38 reviews

Sep 16 - Oct 3, 2024

Group size: 6 - 12

Tibet & Everest Base Camp

Tibet, China

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Bret Tkacs, LLC

Email address verified

38 reviews

Sep 16 - Oct 3, 2024

Group size: 6 - 12

Join Bret with a team of like-minded riders for a journey into Tibet. Tibet is one of the most majestic and controversial destinations on our planet with a long, but rich heritage. Become one of the few people fortunate enough to visit Tibet and experience the beauty and spirituality of the Tibetan people which resonates throughout the land.

Starting in the exotic city of Kathmandu you will ride north to China's Tibet region to see awe-inspiring places such as the Potala Palace in Lhasa. You will also experience numerous monasteries dotted on the landscape. This trip will travel along the extremely well maintained roads where you will be able to relax and enjoy the experience to its fullest. For many the highlight will be the to ride to Everest Base Camp sitting at 17,598 ft (5364m).

This is NOT a trip focused on riding motorcycles, this is a trip focused on exploring via motorcycle. Egos must be left at home as we ride as a team, not as individuals. You must come with an expectation that we have an objective but we are traveling in a country where, weather, road conditions and other events are likely to be out of our control. There is no promise or guarantee we will see all the things we have on the itinerary but we can guarantee it will be an experience you will never forget.

To decrease the inherent risk of travel by motorcycle, Bret Tkacs will be traveling with you to help you improve your strategies and skills related to riding (only if requested) and if you are in a situation beyond your skill, either Bret or one of the support crew will porter you and the motorcycle to a safe location where you can resume riding.

We will also be using local restaurants and lodging to ensure you are as rested as possible each day (safety management) and to allow you opportunities to mix with locals and learn about their culture.

Bret is a teacher, not a tour operator so we utilize local professionals to help guide and arrange our lodging, food and rider support. This will be Bret's 6th and final tour through Nepal

Primarily a paved tour with some non paved sections generally ranging from level 1 & 2(visit the ADV Skill Rating System).

This trip will take us to altitudes over 5000m (17,000ft.) Of course we have oxygen and first aid supplies to deal with altitude illness and other foreseeable first aid needs you will need to be in good health. With that in mind altitude sickness can affect even the most experienced mountain climbers so we are not immune as motorcyclist.

Temperatures will likely range from hot in Kathmandu to freezing at Everest Basecamp. We cannot control the weather so you will need to pack to ride in all for 4-seasons. We will likely spend most of our time in a nice balance between the extremes as we are choosing the ideal month to travel.

This is a live tour, which means that we are only as fast as the slowest rider, and emergency medical care is a very long distance away. We have traveled with many groups and have determined these two skills are essential:

1. You must be able to make a left u-turn within 16′ (5m) apart on a Royal Enfield (If you can do 20' or a full steering lock turn on your personal motorcycle you will be fine). The Nepal Rural Road Standards require 8′ (2.5m) lanes and failure to make a very tight left turn will result in you running wide and finding yourself head on with traffic. Tibet, China also has very limited width at times and in traffic it can be very hazardous if you cannot confidently turn around in traffic or turn in tight spaces.

2. You must be able to maintain a minimum speed of 30mph (48kph) on maintained gravel roads. We will be traveling through some very remote regions and failure to keep a minimum speed means we will not reach our hotel… or any hotel… by nightfall.

The rest we can work with. Please keep a humble attitude and recognize that Bret might make decisions for you, based solely on your riding ability, given his 26 years of training motorcyclists as a full time career.

Top of the World - Tibet & Mt Everest

This motorcycle expeditions focuses on culture and regions instead of specific locations.

Our Nepalese team has decades of experience providing support to climbing, trekking and now motorcycle expeditions. Without their support providing food, mechanical support and if needed recovery these expeditions would be risky and in some cases impossible to do as a foreigner.

The changing nature of the area (landslides, road closures, etc.) means mental flexibility is essential and the correct attitude is critical… after all “Attitude Matters”.

$7,200

Deposit:$2,500

Past Trip

Passenger/Pillion (read below)

$5,200

Deposit: $0

This is a very challenging ride for most riders and passengers are not recommended for most. Prior approval from Bret is required.

Single room occupancy

$1,070

Hotel in Kathmandu

$90

Single room in Kathmandu

Hotel in Pokhara

$60

Single room in Pokhara

Hotel in Kathmandu

$75

Shared room in Kathmandu

Pro-rated single room

$900

Natural Disaster Evacuation -Airfare

$1,296

Includes airfare and service fees

Day 1 - Welcome to Nepal
Day 1 - Welcome to Nepal
Arrive in Kathmandu
September 16: It's arrival day. It's time to stretch your legs from the long flight and meet your crew. A driver will meet you at the airport to take you to our hotel.
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Day 2- Kathmandu
Day 2- Kathmandu
Explore Kathmandu
September 17: We will hand off our passports to start the process to get our Tibet Visa's for us. We will reunite with our passports in a few days just before we cross the border into China. With that admin out of the way you will have the opportunity to join the group for a guided day around Kathmandu.

If you are still feeling exhausted and would prefer explore by foot closer to the hotel and take a mid-day nap you can do that too. What matters most is that you are rested and ready to ride the next day.

It is critical to your safety and the group that you are as rested as possible and are making good decisions while riding.
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Day 3 - Daman
Day 3 - Daman
It's time to ride...
September 18: Once we finish with breakfast we will load up our motorcycles and toss our gear in the support truck. All loaded up and anxious to ride we will work our way through the busy Kathmandu traffic and head north along the Trisuli River.

It can take awhile to get out of town and be very taxing on riders who have never ridden in this type of traffic so we will stop once we clear the city and put a few more kilometers (there are no miles in Nepal) on the bikes to enjoy the rest of the day in Daman
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Day 4 - "Famous Farm"
Day 4 - "Famous Farm"
Staging for Tibet border crossing
September 19: Today reach the "Famous Farm" where we will enjoy the local views and celebrate our escape from the city. We need to stage here so our passports can be delivered to us so we can cross the border tomorrow.

Land borders can be challenging and time consuming so we will want to get an early start to arrive at the border with enough time for all of us to get through. With us being a group we want to allow as much time as possible so we can make it to Kyirong in daylight.

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Day 5 - New Tingri
Day 5 - New Tingri
Into Tibet and time to climb
September 20: This morning we will navigate the process of crossing into Tibet with the help of our Tibetan travel partner.

Today we have a lot of KM's to cover to reach New Tingri. The climb in altitude and thinning air will keep both you and the the bike gasping for air as we climb to 4300m (14265').
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Day 6 - Tibet Border
Day 6 - Tibet Border
Tibet border crossing to Kyirong
September 21: Today is the day we cross into China's Tibet region. We will have a local helper work to help each of us get through the border crossing process.

After we all get through customs and immigration we will head to Kyirong at 2700m (8,900ft), for the night. This is the beginning of climbing in altitude. As we work towards our goal of riding over 5000m (17,000ft) passes towards the city of Tibet and Mt Everest Base Camp we need to allow our bodies to acclimate as often as possible.

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Day 7 - Shigatse
Day 7 - Shigatse
5200m (17,600ft) Gyatso pass
September 22: Today you will ingest the magnificence of the Himalayan ranges and a view of Mt Everest from the village of Kori as we work our way over the 5200m (17,600ft) Gyatso pass on our way to Shigatse.
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Day 8 - Lahasa
Day 8 - Lahasa
Kumbum Monastery & Kampa la pass
September 23: Marvel at the high altitude landscape like something you could imagine if you visited another planet. Riding well above the tree line we visit the high altitude monastery of Kumbum before continuing over Kampa la pass to Lahasa.

Lahasa - 3656m (11,995ft)
Kampa la pass - 4700m (15,420)
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Day 9 - Lhasa (rest day)
Day 9 - Lhasa (rest day)
Sightseeing & altitude adaptation
September 24: Today we give our body's a break and let them adapt to the altitude changes we have been pushing though. Everest Base camp is only a few days ahead of us and we need to to all we can to avoid altitude sickness.

In the morning we will have a tour of the awe inspiring Potala palace if you choose to go. But today is a rest and recovery day so we will encourage you to do what helps you rest the best.

This evening we will head into the town of Tibet to explore the beautiful laneways and do some shopping.
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Day 10 - Gyantse
Day 10 - Gyantse
Travel day
September 25: After a full day of rest off the bikes today will be a push day of riding. We will ride the friendship highway to arrive at Gyantse by late afternoon.

Gyantse - 3977m (13,050)
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Day 11 - New Tingri
Day 11 - New Tingri
Passes and more passes
September 26: Our destination for the day is New Tingri at 4200m (13,780ft). We will ride through several passes along the way but at 5400m (17,717ft) on Gyatso la pass we will get a distant view of our destination... Mt Everest

After Gyatso la pass we will drop down to the town of New Tingri. This will stage us in a location where we can ride up to, and back from Everest Base Camp.

Rest up... tomorrow you head to Base Camp!

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Day 12 - Mt Everest
Day 12 - Mt Everest
Ride to Everest Base Camp
September 27: This will be a day you will never forget, pure motorcycle bliss. Ride on perfect roads along endless switchbacks as you ascend to Everest Base Camp.

Today you become one of the few motorcyclist in the world to be able to say you have ridden to Everest Base Camp on a motorcycle through China's Tibet.

The day will end in Old Tengri

EBC - 5200m (17,060ft)
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Day 13 - Nepal
Day 13 - Nepal
Border crossing to Nepal
September 28: Today we begin our trek back to Nepal, dropping in altitude towards the town of Kyirong at 2700m (8,900ft). As we say good by to the Tibetan landscape we will get an impressive view of Mt Shishapama.

We ride to the Friendship bridge to cross the border. Here our guides will help you clear China Customs. Once we all clear the border we had to Syaprubesi to reflect and celebrate our accomplishments.

After crossing the border back into Nepal with the help of our guides we will end the day at Syaprubesi , Nepal
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Day 14 - Bandipur
Day 14 - Bandipur
Explore a traditional town in Nepal
September 29: Before we riding into Pokhara which is the prime vacation destination for foreigners coming to Nepal we will stop in the quieter, less commercialized city of Bandipur.

Tomorrow is a short day on the motorcycles so get out and explore
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Day 15 - Pokhara
Day 15 - Pokhara
The gem of Nepal
September 30: Today we arrive in Pokhara and say "good bye" to our trusted steeds. You will strip the bike of all your mounts and gear and take a final picture with your travel partner (no you can't keep the bike as a souvenir).

Now you get to check into your rooms, freshen up, put on your cleanest clothes and head out to enjoy some of the wonderful local eateries, bars and stores.
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Day 16 - Explore Pokhara
Day 16 - Explore Pokhara
Play tourist for a day
October 1: Take a full day in Pokhara to visit the local temples, go on the lake, eat and shop. This is the perfect place to find any souvenir you could want to share your memories with your friends and family.

If you can't find what you want here we fly back to Kathmandu in the morning and you will have some hours in the evening to look around Kathmandu before your flight home.
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Day 17 - Kathmandu
Day 17 - Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu
October 2: We will head to the airport as a group to fly back to Kathmandu - once again, enjoy the delays and uncertainty of transportation but now you will be well-versed in hurry up and wait. Settle into your hotel and we will have one final dinner together as we say our goodbyes. Christina and I will have a special thank you that you won't forget.
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Day 18 - Departure day
Day 18 - Departure day
Namaste
October 3: We will ensure you have a ride to the airport well in time for your departure flight. The airport is easy to negotiate although lines can be long at certain times of the day. Say goodbye to your new friends, have one final Nepali coffee and set your sights back home.
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Day 1 - Welcome to Nepal

Arrive in Kathmandu

September 16: It's arrival day. It's time to stretch your legs from the long flight and meet your crew. A driver will meet you at the airport to take you to our hotel.

Riding to Tibet is not for the faint of heart. There can be surprises from the Chinese government-- and their were. There can be surprises from the weather-- and there were. From terrible roads in Nepal, snow riding down from the Everest Base Camp, monsoon rains in the Himalayas causing landslides and road closures, Chinese border shut-downs, unexpected evacuations dictated by the government, ATMs that would not produce local currency, etc. etc. Through it all, Bret kept everyone informed and was up front with the options and the recommended choices. He kept charge of everything and worked well with our Tibetan guide and the "minder" who was in charge of our group. The route was varied and intere4sting and the opportunity to visit Lhasa and the Potala Palace unique. I would readily travel with Bret again...and I did! Thanks!

By John D for Tibet & Everest Base Camp on Oct 28, 2024

This was a truly amazing motorcycle adventure-- from the roads to the sights to the varied places to stay to the yak-burgers in Kagebeni! This was not an easy ride but could be handled by anyone with a bit of off-road experience. And, it was rarely "off-road." It was just on very bad roads that at times present a true challenge. Bret did an outstanding job of keeping everyone informed and making sure everyone was having their expectations met. The equipment he rented from Hearts & Tears in Pochara was up to the task and the H&T crew were knowledgeable and skilled. I would readily recommend traveling with Bret.

By John D for Nepal Upper Mustang Adventure on Oct 28, 2024

Absolutely unforgettable trip of a lifetime! For me, it's about 3 things: The meeting and talking with the local people to get an understanding of how others live and how we all, basically crave the same things; meeting new friends in the adventure motorcycling community; and experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and geography of a new country. This trip provided the best of all three. The Nepali people are wonderful...gentle, kind, friendly and open. I've never felt more safe on an international trip. The fellow riders were terrific. We came from all corners of the country, aged between 32 and 76, vocations as varied as a commercial cabinet builder, to restaurant owner, hospital executive, retired social worker just to name four. We all had the moto-affliction and had an incredible time with no shortage of conversation. And Nepal...my goodness. From the crazy traffic in Kathmandu, to the incredible peace, serenity, and sheer spirituality (with occasional craziness thrown in) of riding through the Upper Mustang region, it was an experience like no other. And throughout it all, Brett maintains control, even in the situations beyond all of our control, to provide an experience you'll just want to repeat for as long as you're physically able. I can't recommend any more highly.

By Jon K for Nepal Upper Mustang Adventure on Oct 20, 2024

We had a great time. One of the best trips I ever made!

By Wolfgang S for Nepal Upper Mustang Adventure on Oct 19, 2024

Bret and the team he had did a great job on this trip. What really made the difference was when everything went wrong, outside of the control of anyone on the trip. Let me explain. While we were in Tibet, an out of season monsoon hit, primarily in Nepal but it also washed away the only road that we could use to re-enter Nepal from Tibet. Bret and his team did an outstanding job keeping us up to date on the situation. Eventually the Chinese government instructed us that we had to leave but the only way to do so was to fly from Lhasa to Chengdu and then to Nepal. Bret and the team organized a bus to drive us the two days to Lhasa and prioritized those of us that needed to be back by specific dates so that we could get out of Tibet and hopefully make it back in time. I was in the first group of 7 and while it was a very difficlut process, navigating the Chinese visa requirements, passport control and the bureaucracy for us to leave the country, we eventually made it back to Nepal in time so that I was able to return to the US with no issues. I'm sure Bret and those working hard behind the scenes were very stressed by all this, their professionalism and positive attibute kept all of us free from the worry of how we were going to get home. I personally want to thank Bret, Christina, Matt, Samdup and Namgyl for dealing with all these issues behind the scenes in order to get us out of Tibet and back to Nepal. As Bret says, Attibute Matters and when everything is going well, that's easy to say but this situation shows that Bret lives by those words. In the end, we accomplished 90% of the trip as planned. That 90% was full of great riding, interesting experiences and amazing sights. So much of what I experienced was a first for me and challenged my expectations. This trip wasn't what I expected and that's a good thing because it expanded my world, which I guess was what I had hoped but it was unlike what I had imagined.

By Steven W for Tibet & Everest Base Camp on Oct 14, 2024

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I searched a long time to find the right course for me. I was following Brett on YouTube but didn’t know he was doing Adventure training so close to my location. What a wonderful experience! Of course the training was of a great quality but I didn’t expect less, it is everything around it which made this experience so enjoyable and profitable. As we all already know, Brett is really knowledgeable but he is also easy to follow in his training and really relation oriented. He makes you feel confident, provide the right advises and he is funny. Like he says “Attitude Matters” and he always has the right one. The second instructor was Paul. What to say about him…. He is as knowledgeable as Brett, always here to help you in any ways and this Paratrooper veteran probably landed once or twice on his head to be that funny. Great Team, Great Training and a wonderful group of student (We may do some ride together in the future). ….. I’ll be back.

By Yves L on 08 May, 2024

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