22-Day Kunming to Everest Motorcycle Journey

Meet the team and review the journey, documents and luggage. Keep the day light after travelling. This is the start of a multi-week expedition rather than a riding day, and any outstanding questions about the motorcycle or support arrangement should be raised before handover.

Overnight: Kunming.

Complete the confirmed appointments and inspect the motorcycle with the team. Review fuel, communication, recovery and delay arrangements together. Riding begins only when the vehicle and rider documents are valid for the proposed trip; the itinerary shifts if preparation requires additional time.

Overnight: Kunming.

Start with a shorter positioning stage out of Kunming on motorcycle-permitted roads. Use it to check riding pace, luggage and comfort before the mountain stages. Arrive early enough to address practical adjustments rather than carrying a small equipment problem into the longer route.

Overnight: Chuxiong.

Continue west to Dali with planned pauses and a daylight arrival. Walk in the old town after parking at the hotel. The day remains focused on reaching the lake basin comfortably; any additional sightseeing is fitted around the actual riding time.

Overnight: Dali.

Ride north towards Lijiang on the approved road, with a lunch stop and time to stretch away from the bike. Park outside the old-town lanes and explore on foot. Hotel access for motorcycles and luggage is agreed in advance.

Overnight: Lijiang.

Follow the Jinsha corridor towards the highlands. A managed gorge viewpoint is optional when access and timing allow, but a long hike is not part of this transfer stage. Reach Shangri-La with time to rest and assess how you feel at the higher elevation.

Overnight: Shangri-La.

Keep the morning flexible, with a cultural visit only if you feel comfortable. The team reviews road conditions for the approach to Deqin and Tibet. Additional rest can change the schedule; completing a nominal day count takes second place to a workable journey.

Overnight: Shangri-La.

Ride towards Deqin on the confirmed road and settle in Feilaisi. Look towards the Meili range if weather permits. This is a viewpoint stay, with no mountain climb or Yubeng trek included, and departure timing remains independent of a hoped-for sunrise photograph.

Overnight: Feilaisi.

Enter the approved Tibet corridor with the required group arrangements and documents. Allow time for checks and road controls. The final overnight base, which may differ within the Markam area, is confirmed with the dated route rather than chosen from a generic distance estimate.

Overnight: Markam area.

Continue through eastern Tibet on the approved road. The day involves sustained mountain travel, so stops are spaced around fuel, food and safe parking. The team checks the next stage before arrival and keeps the evening simple for rest and motorcycle inspection.

Overnight: Zogang.

Travel towards Basu through the mountain corridor, following the guide’s directions at controlled sections. Leave margin for weather and traffic delays. Optional photography stops are shortened if necessary to maintain a sensible arrival time rather than extending the stage after dark.

Overnight: Basu.

Continue towards Ranwu, where a permitted lakeside viewpoint may fit the day’s timing. Follow the road onward to Bomi, with forest and valley scenery along the approach. Lake colour and mountain visibility change with weather; no specific photographic conditions are guaranteed.

Overnight: Bomi.

Ride west towards Nyingchi through the eastern Tibet corridor. The route and stops depend on current road operation and the approved plan. After arrival, allow time for a motorcycle check and an easy evening before the final approach to Lhasa.

Overnight: Nyingchi.

Continue to Lhasa on roads confirmed to admit the group’s motorcycles. Do not assume an expressway shown by a navigation app is the agreed route. This is a full transfer stage, with city sightseeing left for the following day.

Overnight: Lhasa.

Visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang according to confirmed tickets, keeping the pace measured. The order may change with appointment times and how the group feels. This second night in Lhasa also creates time for maintenance before the southern extension.

Overnight: Lhasa.

Ride towards the established Yamdrok viewpoints, stopping only where parking is permitted. Continue along the agreed corridor to Gyantse. Splitting the southern approach here gives the lake and mountain-road sections more time than treating everything as one long dash to Shigatse.

Overnight: Gyantse.

Make a confirmed cultural visit in Gyantse if timing allows, then continue to Shigatse. Prepare for the Everest-area extension with the team, including access checks, fuel and the approved overnight plan. Additional sightseeing should leave room for these practical arrangements.

Overnight: Shigatse.

Travel towards the Everest region on the authorised route. The overnight is arranged according to eligibility, facilities and the group’s condition. The purpose of this stage is to avoid tying the entire approach, viewpoint visit and return into one overloaded day.

Overnight: Tingri or confirmed alternative.

Visit the permitted north-side Everest area if access, weather and the group’s condition allow. Motorcycles may have to remain at designated parking while a required local shuttle or transfer completes the visit. Return to the agreed overnight base; clear summit views are never guaranteed.

Overnight: Tingri or confirmed alternative.

Return east towards Shigatse on the approved road, with fuel and rest stops agreed at the briefing. This overnight breaks the return to Lhasa into two riding days. Leave room for delays and a comfortable arrival rather than tying the entire return to a single long stage.

Overnight: Shigatse.

Continue to Lhasa on the agreed motorcycle-permitted road. After arrival, complete the return inspection and settle any outstanding rental administration under the signed terms. The final night is in Lhasa, with onward transport left until the following day.

Overnight: Lhasa.

Transfer to Lhasa airport or railway station with the necessary travel documents. The final departure time is set only after the operational route has been agreed. Additional hotel nights and any extended return stage are included in the revised quotation where needed.

Overnight: Tour ends.