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6 Jan 2012
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China, Mt Everest base camp, Lhasa, Mohan to Laos 2012
We a small group of riders have organised a trip from the UK leaving the last week in July, entering into China from Kyrgyzstan on 10 September 2012 for a 35 day tour, covering approx 6500km.
We will be taking National Highways 315/219/318/214 leaving China into Laos at Mohan, riding Route 219 in Tibet, described as the most inhospitable and highest ride able route in the world, calling into Mount Everest North Base camp for one night at 5545m.
We have a four wheel drive support vehicle all the way in China, carrying the English speaking Guide and some of our bike gear.
The Chinese part is already pre booked, using an Accredited Chinese tour Company based in Urumqi.
We are keeping the group size small {max4} due to the terrain and lack of facilities on the way.
There are already three confirmed riders, with deposits paid.
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6 Jan 2012
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Hi I can ask out of interest how much the cost is per person? Sounds great! Many thanks
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7 Jan 2012
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Hi
Approx 2500, depending on rider numbers.this will be the route we will be taking, and a few notes.
John O Groats to Mukdahan, the China Leg September 2012
DAYS PLACE TO PLACE DAILY KMS
10th Arrival in China via Turgart to Kashgar. 60km
Meet with your guide, deal with border paper works & ride to Kashgar. The border is on a top of a mountain, it could be snowing in September? There is 20km of very rough road after all check points.
11th Kashgar to Police station to Kashgar 90km
Drive to Police Station for motorbikes' checking of the number tags & driving permits, then get the drive license and number plate.
12th Kashgar sightseeing 90km
To visit Abakh Khoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque, Sunday Bazaar & Old Town.
Kashgar is a very traditional city with a population of 3 million people. It is one of main points on the Silk Road. Marco Polo mentioned its prosperity on his book. It is a chance to view Islamic culture. Suggest you dine in a Muslim restaurant.
13th Kashgar to Yecheng 260km
Yecheng is a very small town with old Islam culture.
From Yecheng to Rutog, you will have 3 hard days, high altitude, few people, no adequate accommodation. Need take good care of yourself and your motorbikes. Suggest prepare in Kashgar or Yecheng. Food, drink, medicine, warm cloths.
14th Yecheng to Mazha 250km
The altitude goes up till Lhasa. The road is being built, could face with stops for few hours and dusty.
15th Maza to Dahongliutan to Tielongtan 360km
Wild place but beautiful and peaceful stunning scenery.
16th Tielongtan to Jieshandaban (5600m) to Songxi to Rutog 370km
Today you will meet the first high peak 5600m.The scenery is wonderful.
17th Rutog to Shiquanhe to Zhada 350km
18th Zhada to Darchen(Mt. Kailash) 220km
Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar lake are the holy mountain and holy lake in Tibet area. It is very worth visiting.
19th Darchen (Mt. Kailash) to Manasarovar Lake 110km
Half day explore the Mt.Kailash, after lunch ride to Lake Manasarova. Beautiful Camping spot.
20th Manasarovar Lake to Zhongba 320km
21st Zhongba to Lhaze 495km
22nd Lhaze to Dingri to Mt Everest 240km
23rd Mt. Everest to Dingri 100km
24th Dingri to Xigaze 240km
Xigaze is a bigger town with Tibet culture, visit Tashlunpo Monastery, where the gliding bronze figure of ninth Panchen Lama exists.
25th Xigaze to Gyantse to Yamdrok Yum Tso Lake 110km
Yamdrok Yum Tso Lake, the peaceful holy lake which is the biggest inland lake of northern Himalaya. Nice camping spot.
26th Yamdrok to Lhasa 160km
27th Lhasa
To visit the Potala Palace in the morning, it is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. In the afternoon, to visit Jokhang Temple, which is the oldest wooden building in Tibet. The first construction is in 647 A.D.
28th Lhasa
A free day for you to explore the beautiful Lhasa.
29th Lhasa to Nyingchi 460km
30th Nyingchi to Bomi to Ranwu 350km
1st Ranwu to Basu 90km
After visiting the far remote beautiful Ranwu Lake, then drive to Basu.
2nd Basu to Mangkang 360km
The road from Basu to Bangda is very steep and many abrupt turns. It is a challenging day.
3rd Mangkang to Deqin 240km
The Mingyong Glacier and Meili Snow Mountains near Deqin, whose main peak Peak Kawa Karpo is very famous among the world.
4th Deqin to Shangri-la 184km
5th Shangri-La to Lijiang
The ancient city of Lijiang, whose architecture is worthy for the blending of several cultures. It is a nice peaceful old city, a good place for you to have a short rest with nice view.
6th Lijiang
7th Lijiang
8th Lijiang to Dali 140km
9th Dali
Dali is a small old city, it is very touristy, but very nice to visit.
10th Dali to Zhenyuan 200km
11th Nanjian to Puer to Jionghong 200km
The road situation is very good, riding through mountains, villages, fields, tea gardens etc, up and down.
12th Jinghong to Mengla 150km
13th Mengla to Mohan 60km
Exit China, ride into Laos.
WARNING
*The risk of the route is high altitude, especially the day5, the altitude jumps from 1000m to 3000, the altitude is above 3000 from the Day5 to Day19, high altitude and low temperature will be the challenge for you and your motorbikes.
*The area between Xinjiang and Tibet is being built, you could face problem when crossing, depending on the road situation, will know nearer the time.
*No garage with right parts for motorbikes and any experienced mechanic. (in small towns/cities). It will be perfect if you have a mechanic in the group.
*From Day8, the road is very good, except for somewhere is just being built..
Last edited by Revenue; 9 Jan 2012 at 03:55.
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7 Jan 2012
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Looks like some very serious planning going on. Well done Revenue! 
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7 Jan 2012
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lands End, Cornwall, UK
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Tibet and China
Wow
Looks like a great plan.
The chinese travel agency are often the ones who issue you with the chinese driving licence and registration plate. We didn't need to go to the police to get ours.
And as for altitude, you are 4500m and above for the first week or more on the Tibetan plateau. Don't underestimate how tough this can be, both riding and sleeping at these sorts of altitudes.
Have fun and enjoy yourselves.
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8 Jan 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vicreuter
Looks like some very serious planning going on. Well done Revenue! |
Hi Vic
Yes we have been planning for over 12 months, this was going to be a private 2 man ride from the UK to Thailand, but sadly my friend/ riding mate died suddenly in Sept 2011.
This is where we are now, been looking at a few options/ rides, but all lacking for me, so this is why i sorted my own China part.
There has very good interest in the ride, but if it ends up with just me riding i am not to worried, just my wallet will be!
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8 Jan 2012
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Hi Tiffany
Been a lurking fan of your 2010 ride/blog, we where oridginally going to take the easy roads through China, but seeing your report and on my WANT TO DO list was visit Mt Everest, so i have got you to blame for the new route!
My XT660z is standard with Metz Tourance, i was going to take a set of Michelin Sirac tyres, looking at your pictures you are using TKC80??? what are your feeling on tyres for the route?
What about fuel?? the tank is standard 23L, and i will be carrying a 7L fuel bladder, i feel i should be able to ride max 600km.
Eric
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8 Jan 2012
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Sorry to hear about your friend........ but if you accept a GS1200 in your Ténéré group, I'll definitely come along.
Maybe I could ask Tiffany to baby-sit me all the way to Lhasa 
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8 Jan 2012
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Just to share a bit of info. 219 is mostly paved these days. Only about 900km dirt road left and almost no more water crossing. If you have a back up vehicle to help carry fuel and luggage, it is very easy to do. The only thing you might want to look out for will be the quick climb from Xinjiang towards Tibet. Must becareful of the drastic altitude change and riders may not be aware of getting hit. Do have plan B readily available. You will enjoy the nature & hospitality 
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8 Jan 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Franki
Just to share a bit of info. 219 is mostly paved these days. Only about 900km dirt road left and almost no more water crossing. If you have a back up vehicle to help carry fuel and luggage, it is very easy to do. The only thing you might want to look out for will be the quick climb from Xinjiang towards Tibet. Must becareful of the drastic altitude change and riders may not be aware of getting hit. Do have plan B readily available. You will enjoy the nature & hospitality |
Hi Franki
I do agree there is a massive change in altitude in such a short time, maybe we will need to spend 1 extra day around here to acclimatise, thanks for the sound advise, also feel more happier with the Michelin Siracs now. Plan B is already sorted, thanks again
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8 Jan 2012
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Hi
What is your plan B out of interest?
I am so physically unfit that I daren't choose this route, I know altitude sickness can affect both the fit and unfit, and it is quite random with severity, however changing routes and covering epic distances as a result is something that I cannot cope with physically, I have to pace myself.
If one of your party suffered, would the chinese guide be able to arrange alternative plans for that person?
Sorry to hear about your travel partner :-\ i'm sure they will be there in spirit, especially when you are near everest!
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9 Jan 2012
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Hi Fern,
Consider this one:
There are 2 couples crossing from Mongolia to Laos ( opened recently) with two 4x4 in October 2012.
troopytracks
They are working with the same travel agent as Eric does. (Spring from Desert Roses)
Maybe you can join them? Good luck! 
vic
Chinese tour operators
To cross from Mongolia to China one must make arrangements with a Chinese tour operator. Following are a few which operate in west China.
Qinghe Kanas International Travel Service Ltd.
Xinjiang Overseas International Travel Service.
Spring from Desert Roses desert_roses@sina.com +86 135 7981 0241
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9 Jan 2012
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Sorry Fern, I got the dates wrong. They did this trip in 2011! 
Promise: next time i put my glasses on before publishing! 
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9 Jan 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fern
Hi
What is your plan B out of interest?
I am so physically unfit that I daren't choose this route, I know altitude sickness can affect both the fit and unfit, and it is quite random with severity, however changing routes and covering epic distances as a result is something that I cannot cope with physically, I have to pace myself.
If one of your party suffered, would the chinese guide be able to arrange alternative plans for that person?
Sorry to hear about your travel partner :-\ i'm sure they will be there in spirit, especially when you are near everest!
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Hi Fern
The ride is not a trip in the park, and I do feel a lot of people under estimate the route, look on the map and think, Oh I will ride there! I have mentioned before this is one if not the most inhospitable drivable route on planet earth.
I am also unfit, but ride now every day, and swim 1 hour each morning, cut back on the  and after 2 weeks now I feel better mentally and physically.
Altitude sickness as you say can effect anyone and no one knows until it happens, the support vehicle we use is a pickup so a bike could be put in the back if needed, I have asked the Tour Company to make sure we have Oxygen bottles in the vehicle, but the rider would need to wait until Lhasa the nearest airport, there are Military Outpost all the way and the occasional vehicle using the roads.
If there was a major problem with one of the bikes/ riders in China, they would be transported in the support vehicle to the Laos border, where my wife would be there to transport the bike/ rider back to Thailand, abviously any cost would be the riders/ owner. This is another backup plan so plan A works.
I sailed to Antarctica on the Marco Polo and on the boat was Sir Edmund Hilary, what an inspirational man he was I sat with him many times, the words I remember he said are; “life is between your ears if you want it that bad you can achieve anything” and even today I remember this, so all I can say Fern is set your goals a bit higher and achieve something that not many people have done, as we are only passing this way once.
So basically plan B is to make sure plan A works by digging deep, and overcome anything that come in our way and being prepared.
Eric
Last edited by Revenue; 9 Jan 2012 at 03:53.
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9 Jan 2012
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Hi Eric,
FYI:
1. all military postings do offer emergency oxygen supply and sometimes temporary accomodation.
2. There are airports every 500km along 219 but some may not be opened to public. There is one in Pulan (near Zichuanhe) which has a regular flight to Lhasa once every Tuesday.
3. I always carry Dymox with me when I travel through high altitude area. I have not used it myself but have given to many who has suffered or wants to prevent from high altitude sickness. It helps.
Franki
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