Via Munich to Tibet with the Motorcycle – Silk Road Tour2024-02-01T10:26:28+01:00
Silk Road Motorcycle Tour Map
w0zza10
w0zza10
2018-10-08
Everest trip The trip was very well organized from the hotels to restaurant's,the staff were only to happy to help with any issues,each day was an adventure that got better every day THANKS to the crew.I will be doing another tour with this company.
mpolini
mpolini
2018-10-07
Motorbike trip through Tibet The most epic and enjoyable holidays ever experienced Everest was awesome,The whole crew was more than helpful very well planned and executed tour.Very highly recommend.
Jeff G
Jeff G
2018-10-06
Everest or bust 2018 We just completed a tour to Everest base camp from Lhasa with Hendrik and his crew. From start to finish was a trip of a lifetime. Everything was organised extremely well from the different types of foods to the monastery tours and of course the riding through breathtaking scenery and long winding roads each day. The backup crew and mechanics were brilliant and a special shout out to Jimmy the tour guide who’s knowledge of everything and helpfulness made the trip. “JIMMY, we love you man”😂😂We also met so lovely people touring with us that will be friends for life.
jolleyhich
jolleyhich
2018-10-06
Excellent guides and knowledge This tour was excellent right from the word go. The knowledge the guides had on all the areas we visited was very well informed and they didn’t hesitate to stop and explain any part if you had a question. The sights are incredible and I have already recommended the Lhasa to base camp tour to people. Thanks Hendrik, tashi, jimmy and all the rest of the crew that made this awesome time possible.
iXas
iXas
2018-09-28
Tibet Tour - Lhasa - Mount Everest - Lake Nam Tso - Lhasa amazing motorcycle tour for any skill level. all important sights were visited, amazing mountain passes, views, great food and cultural experience. With Tibetmoto everything is perfectly organised, all bikes are daily serviced, their is a mechanic and a jeep with the luggage following, so you do not need to worry about a heavy load on your motorcycle. the detailed information prior and during the trip are excellent and allow you to prepare your trip and gear correctly. Tibet and the tibetan culture is a most see on your "bucket list". riding on a motorcycle and experiencing Tibet so close up and real is "the icing". book early as there are limited motorcycles. Best riding time late spring or early autumn go for a life time ride with Tibetmoto
baromona
baromona
2018-09-28
2100 km durch Tibet Trans Tibet Motorrad Reise von Lhasa zum Everest Base Camp. Alles hat hervorragend geklappt und war gut organisiert. Das Wetter hat auch gepaßt, wir waren eine super Truppe. Die Tour führte uns durch wunderschöne Landschaften mit verdammt hohen Pässen, Hochebenen, verschneiten Gipfeln, türkisblauen Seen, Yak-Herden, Tempeln....und, und, und. Niemand hatte Probleme mit der Höhe, die 3 geplanten Akklimatisierungstage in Lhasa waren wichtig und ausreichend. Eine unvergessliche Reise! Danke Hendrik...:-)
Antoine B
Antoine B
2018-09-27
Superbes vues et un tour Visite typique de xizhou, magnifiques vues sur la montagne. Conduite agréable, la moto est de bonne qualité et bien entretenue, et le guide était super sympa et ses explications géniales. Le temps était le seul point négatif, mais n'a pas gêné tant que ça. Très bon rapport qualité
Gehrden
Gehrden
2018-09-24
Trans Tibet Motorbike Tour - Tibet with Everest Base Camp - Perfect Way to experience Tibet! I have had the pleasure to ride with the Tibetmoto team in Sep 2018 during their Trans Tibet Tour and I would recommend fully hearted to join any of their upcoming trips. A choice of Bikes in very good condition, beautiful roads, impressive landscapes, a knowledgable and helpful local guide, authentic accomodations and lunch/dining options and a very likeable, skillfull and supportive Tibetmoto Team (Hendrik, Tashi and the support crew). I trusted them right from the start and they accomodated any questions, concerns or proposals. If you look for a reliable tour operator with relevant local knowledge and the understanding for international guests - don’t look any further. I’ll definitely book another tour with them - just this says everything.
Manon C
Manon C
2018-09-23
Merveilleux moment à la découverte da Dali et du lac Nous avons eu la chance de découvrir Erhai a moto. notre guide à été adorable, il nous a conseillé et donné de bons conseils. Les paysages sont magnifiques et nous y avons bien mangé. Je recommande vivement!
Ard V
Ard V
2018-02-02
Torugart pass to Shanghai On a bright Sunday morning in April 2017, my 1983 Land Rover “Edna” and I started on a trip that would take us from the Netherlands to China, crossing over 5,300 meters high mountain passes. End July 2017 we arrived at the Torugart pass, the border between Kyrgyzstan and China. From here we drove over 9000 Km to Shanghai, thereby travelling through XinJiang province and along the Himalayas through Tibet. The China part of the ‘expedition’ was arranged with strong support from Tibetmoto, which is run by Hendrik Heyne and his team. In short, thanks to Tibetmoto, particularly when it came to handling red-tape in China, this trip has become an unforgettable lifetime experience. Travel through China using your own vehicle without a guide is not possible. (Apparently being accompanied by a guide was already compulsory during the time of the old Silk routes!) This holds particularly true for the more ‘sensitive provinces’. Having said that, the guides that we were provided with (Thubten and Tashe) are probably the best one can get for such a journey: Very knowledgeable, supportive and in plain English just great fun to have on board. On a trip such as this, things are bound to not always go exactly as planned (…). However, also when it came to difficult questions e.g. with regard to the arrangement of visa’s and permits, Tibetmoto proved to be an indispensable partner. I would highly recommend their organization to anyone planning an overland trip to China. Ard Van Gerdijk

Silk Road Motorcycle Adventure from Munich to Tibet

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 motorbike 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.

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.

We also organise a China Overland Tour with your own vehicle where you can get a unique insight into the country, its very friendly inhabitants and its breath-taking landscapes, while driving your own vehicle.

Read more

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.

A very nice …

… overland tour. Who doesn’t want to experience a huge adventure with their own motorcycle?

Hermann J.

With the …

… motorcycle through different countries. A very well organized tour. Thank you Tibetmoto!

Peter H.

Our guide …

… was great! Hendrik and his team knew their way around and organized very well. Great.

Thomas I.

Highlights of the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour

  • an unparalleled Overland motorcycle 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

2024
Main Tour: 26.04. – 11.06.
Extension: 10.06. – 17.06.

Main Tour: 07.06. – 23.07.
Extension: 22.07. – 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.

Biker with own motorcycle:
14.980€ (2024)
14.980€ (2025)
Pillion:
7.980€
Single Room:
+1.390€ (2024)
+1.480€ (2024)

Click here for the extension price list

2024
47 days / 46 nights / 38 riding days

With Extension:
53 days / 52 nights / 42 riding days

2025
48 days / 47 nights / 39 riding days

With Extension:
54 days / 53 nights / 44 riding days

Click here to read more about the extension

Overnight stays in middle-class hotels, guest houses and simple accommodations.

Contact us

Via Munich to Tibet

Via Lhasa to Dali

Silk Road Motorcycle Tour – Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting in Munich

Meeting of all tour participants in Munich. Detailed briefing on the Silk Road Motorcycle Tour from Munich to Tibet in the afternoon. Getting acquainted over dinner in Munich.

Silk Route Motorcycle Tour meeting in Munich
First day of the Silk Road overland motorcycle tour, Ljublijana

Day 2: Munich – Ljublijana

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: approx. 400 km, Slowenia

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: approx. 530 km, through Croatia and Serbia

At Belgrade

Day 4: Belgrad – Nis

We have an easy day ahead of us! From Belgrade we continue to Nis, where we can explore the old town.

Distance: approx. 250 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: 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: approx. 410 km

Day 7: Sosopol – 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 motorcycle 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: approx. 410 km

Amasya City river front

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: approx. 390 km

Day 11: Amasya – Bayburt

Riding our motorbikes Further to the east, our tour 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: 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: approx. 350 km

Day 13: Savsat – Gori Uplistisikhe – Gori

Our day starts with a motorcycle ride up to the Georgian border. The route there and then to Gori is a highlight of the Silk road motorcycle 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: approx. 280 km, Georgia

Day 14: Gori – Grosny

From Gori, we’ll head north on our motorcycles 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: approx. 310 km, Russia

Day 15: Grosny – 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: approx. 490 km, Russia

Day 16: Rest Day in 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: approx. 360 km, Kazakhstan

Day 18: Atyrau – Beyneu

Today’s motorbike ride takes us through the Kazakh steppe to Beineu.

Distance: approx. 440 km

Day 19: Beyneu – 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: approx. 440 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: approx. 350 km

Day 21: Khiva – Buchara

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: approx. 460 km

Day 22: Buchara – 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: approx. 400 km

Day 23: Sightseeing in 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 – Dunshabe

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: approx. 300 km, Tadschikistan

Day 25: Dunshabe – Kalaikum

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: approx. 270-380 km

Day 26: Kalaikum – Khorog

All roads lead to Khorog: A wild motorbike 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: 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: 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: 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: approx. 180 km

Day 30: Sary Tash – 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 along the silk road 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: approx. 260 km

yurt camp at Tash Rabat

Day 32: Kazerman – 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: approx. 180 km

Day 33: Tash Rabat – Grenze bei 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: 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: approx. 150 km

Day 30: 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: approx. 620 km

Day 37: Sanshiyi – Dahonglituatian

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: 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: approx. 550 km

Day 39: Ali – Mt. 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: 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: approx. 490 km

Day 41: Saga – EBC Camp

Our motorcycle 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: 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: 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: approx. 360 km

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet

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.)

Day 47: Chengdu

Individual departure from Chengdu.

Check out the optional extension from Lhasa to Dali here!

Silk Road Motorcycle Tour 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.

2024
Extension: 10.06. – 17.06.

Extension: 22.07. – 29.07.

2025
Extension: 09.06. – 16.06.

Extension: 21.07. – 28.07.

Biker with own motorcycle:
+2.490€
Pillion:
+1.600€ (2024)
+1.590€ (2025)
Single Room:
+350€

2024
With Extension:

53 days / 52 nights / 42 riding days

2025
With Extension:

54 days / 53 nights / 44 riding days

Overnight stays in middle-class hotels, guest houses and simple accommodations.

Via Tibet to Dali (Extension) – 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: approx. 400 km

Day 47: Nyingtri – Bome- Ranwu

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: approx. 360 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: approx. 290 km

Day 49: Zogang – Deqin

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: approx. 380 km

Day 50: Deqin – 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: approx. 210 km

Day 51: Shangri-La – Tiger Leaping Gorge – 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: approx. 150 km

Day 52: Lijiang – Dali

Our last short riding day along farm land to Dali. Goodbye dinner and party.

Distance: approx. 200 km

Day 53: Dali

End of the tour in Dali.

Your Most Unforgettable Motorcycle Adventure is just a Click away!

Book your Silk Road Motorcycle Tour NOW!

Book NOW your Via Munich to Tibet Silk Road Motorcycle Adventure !
Due to the high number of tour requests, you should decide quickly!

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.

Book now

Included Services

  • All overnight stays in hotels, including breakfast; middle class accommodations typical of the country, upscale hotels in some cities, if available.
  • In Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and western Tibet, accommodation is often quite basic.
  • English-speaking tour guide on their own motorcycle
  • Mechanic to accompany the tour, universal tools, tire repair kit, etc.
  • For numerous countries, local country guides who speak the local language and know the culture; these countries include Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tibet/China.
  • Support vehicle for baggage and pillion passengers, with capacity to accommodate a motorcycle in an emergency for a limited period of time
  • Motorcycle shipping from Lhasa to the Chinese east coast and from there to Hamburg, Germany (further transportation within the EU possible for an extra charge)
  • All official permits for Tibet and the temporary import of a vehicle registered abroad into China:
    – provisional Chinese driving license
    – provisional Chinese license plate
    – deposit for the vehicle at Chinese customs
    – legally mandated vehicle insurance
    – customs clearance on entry and exit
    – all permits for China and Tibet
    – all official translations
  • State-approved and prescribed (English-speaking) Tibet guide from the Chinese border and for all of Tibet
  • All entrance fees as outlined in the program
  • City tours in Istanbul, Safranbolu, Amasya, Astrakhan, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Dushanbe and Lhasa
  • Flight from Lhasa (or Dali after the extension) to Chengdu at the end of the trip
  • Hotel parking fees
  • Support for entry into Turkey, Russia, the Central Asian states and China

Questions & Answers

Will every tour take place exactly as described in the tour itinerary?2021-01-08T23:13:47+01:00

All our itineraries give you a good overview what you will experience and discover when booking with tibetmoto. The itineraries are nevertheless best understood if they are seen as a suggestion rather than as a 100% planned and a thousand times done way of traveling. We like to keep every tour, every adventure, every trip unique and special. We are proud to say that we have never done a trip two times exactly the same way. Our team does not like to offer mainstream tourism tours, and we believe that people enjoy their time best when they have freedom and possibilities to choose from. Freedom and flexibility are very good ingredients to cook an exceptional discovery or adventure, to meet unusual people and visit off-the-beaten-track places.

How does camp life look like on expeditions?2020-11-12T18:02:03+01:00

After arriving at the camp ground we pitch up the tents, our team will set up the mobile kitchen, the electricity generator is being started and we can think of having a cold beer. All supplies and the luggage is carried by our supply truck. We do not have always pre-chosen camp grounds which are always frequented by us, since every expedition is different. Depending on the time in the afternoon we start looking for “the perfect spot”. Perfect spots have a water source such as a river or a lake and a flat piece of land for the tents. Some spots we use more frequently since they are so perfect that the location is hard to beat. Camping together with nomads offers an opportunity to experience their way of live, culture and habits. Sitting in the evening together in a nomad tent somewhere on the Tibetan grassland and listening to Tibetan nomads` songs is a truly genuine experience.

Dinner is being served in a large dining tent where we have tables and chairs to comfortably sit together, eat and drink. The separate, smaller, sleeping tents are designed to accommodate each two people, but if you choose the “single room” option (you will find that option below each expedition itinerary) you will have your own tent. Our tents are army tents where you can almost stand upright. The sleeping “hard wear” is a foldable army field bed, which puts your body about knee height away from the ground. We provide you with the entire hard wear, plus blankets and insulation mats. The only item you should bring along is your personal sleeping bag. If you don´t want to bring your sleeping bag all the way to China we can provide you with a new sleeping bag for a reasonable price.

Which documents do I need?2020-11-11T22:35:03+01:00

You will need your passport, a pass picture, national driving license, international driving license and flight ticket. Please be sure to make photocopies of all of your important travel documents and carry them separately. They can be invaluable in an emergency.

We also need a scan of the Chinese visa six weeks before the tour starts.

All scanned documents should be sent to us on an A4 sheet of original size

What can I expect from an overnight stay with a tibetan host family?2020-11-12T18:01:15+01:00

A home stay is an opportunity to get access into another culture by joining the host family for dinner and breakfast and sleep under their roof, as their guest. Most families live together in a several generation house, from children to old grandparents. A lot of home stays are semi-farms with at least a few cattle such as chicken and cows around the house. Often are fields attached where family member go to work after breakfast. Here, local family and work life can be experienced as it is instead of “only” observing it from the outside.
We believe that joining a home stay is on of the best ways to get in touch which what surrounds you in a foreign country.

How well do I have to be able to ride a motorcycle?2020-11-11T21:59:51+01:00

You should be able to ride a motorcycle safely, especially on winding mountain roads. An uncertainty is common, but you quickly get used to the local traffic. Our tour guide will give the group useful and good tips on riding in China. Before the start of the Tibet and China Motorcycle Tour, there will be an introduction to road traffic behavior.


Do I need a driving license?2020-11-11T21:57:31+01:00

For the Tibet and China motorcycle tour you need a valid national and international driver’s license.

What is the currency in China?2020-11-11T21:56:01+01:00

In China, the currency is the CNY (Chinese Renminbi). The exchange rate is around 1€ to 7.56 CNY (as of 05/2020). The CNY is not a freely convertible currency, so you cannot get it at every bank in Europe. The exchange rate, which is determined by the Bank of China, can be observed under the following link: http://www.boc.cn/sourcedb/whpj/enindex.html

However, we recommend withdrawing a larger amount of CNY from an ATM with all major credit cards or debit cards after arriving in China. Our on-site tour guide is happy to help. Due to the often very poor exchange rate for the CNY in Europe, it is not worthwhile to exchange significant amounts of CNY in Europe. There are also many ATMs in Lhasa where you can withdraw money. Our experience shows that the majority of our participants spend around 20€ a day.

What about my luggage? Where can I transport it?2020-11-11T21:51:45+01:00

The luggage will be transported in the support vehicle. Don’t forget that on domestic flights, the pastries usually cannot exceed 20 kg!

What clothes should I pack?2020-11-11T22:26:29+01:00

For a motorcycle tour you should bring motorcycle clothing including a helmet. Of course you also should pack warm clothing (as layers or as undersuit). It can get cold! You should also bring gloves and a rain suit.

How is the Road Condition?2020-11-11T21:45:13+01:00

The roads on the motorcycle tour are mostly paved (with a few exceptions). Due to the new asphalting of road sections, it can temporarily lead to a poor condition of the road. The paved roads are mostly in good condition. However, there may be isolated potholes or gravel lying on the ground. The route on the motorcycle tour also includes sections with new asphalt, on which you can enjoy European standards or even better. These routes are wonderful to ride! Due to moisture and the difficult to see oil or diesel traces, however, extreme caution is always required!

What is the deposit for renting a motorcycle?2020-11-11T21:42:45+01:00

Deposit for a rental motorcycle (partial cover):

The following cash deposits are required:

Shineray X5 400: EUR 500
BMW G 310 GS: EUR 1,000
BMW F 800 GS: EUR 1,500

If the participant/motorcyclist causes damage during the Tibet motorcycle tour, the deposit is the maximum amount.

Do I need a chinese visa?2020-11-11T21:39:18+01:00

Entry/Visa:

All participants in the Tibet and China motorcycle tours require a visa to enter China. The passport must be valid for another six months. You have to apply for the visa yourself at a service center, the Chinese embassy or on behalf of an agency. Due to frequent changes in the application procedure, we recommend that you use an agency. This is slightly more expensive than filing your own application, but it saves you a lot of work and time.

We will apply for all of the necessary Tibet permits for the motorcycle tour.

Tour Concept by RC Hendrik

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