Cycling in Tibet?
 

Hi All,

So we are currently on a journey from London to China by bicycle and are in Baku in Azerbaijan. We are taking a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Aktau in Kazakhstan and then cycling around to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (Pamir Highway) before crossing over in to China (maybe heading East at Sary Tash towards Kashgar, or up to Bishkek and then south again crossing at Chatyr Kol). From here we want to head South East through Tibet towards Nepal and India. We have 90 day visas for China already and understand we need a permit for Tibet and may well need a guide with us at all times. We would like to get some info on our options. We are thinking our best option may be to have a guide in a support car with us as we cycle through. We are guessing this may be expensive as it will take us some time to cycle all the way through. Does anyone have any advice on this topic please? Is there another option? Does it have to be a professional guide company that drives with us? Is it as strict as we read? Do we actually need a guide with us or is a permit enough? Info on routes, logistics, costs etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ross and Hannah

I think you would do better asking in a cycle forum or backpacker forum (e.g. Tripadvisor / Thorntree).

Here people (with their own vehicles) are forced to be guided at all times, no flexibility. A few people over the years have made it through without guides, but they are exceptional, and none took the Xinjiang - Tibet road as far as I know.

EO

To travel in Tibet as a foreigner, you need a special permit as well as a military permit and have to be accompanied by a local guide all the time, which is exorbitant. Don't know the exact cost, but last time I heard it was many thousands of dollars. I alsi heard that you cannot cross from Tibet into Nepal anymore. Friend of mine is in Xinjiang at the moment and they have also made it difficult for foreigners. Foreigners are only allowed in certain hotels, and that is the case for all of China, in Xinjiang it is the expensive ones. Just not worth the trouble IMHO.

HHmmmmm that's interesting to know. Thank you. Think we may try to skirt round north, or head through Pakistan...another headache maybe.

Thanks for the info!!