The magic and mystery of Tibet have lured travelers for years. Its geographic isolation on the highest plateau in the world and unique culture and religious beliefs and values have for centuries moulded the live of a very special people. Mountain Biking in Tibet is the ultimate off the beaten track adventure. Its one and only Tibet where mountain bikers are able to cycle alongside 8000m plus peaks and comquer 5000m plus mountain passes. We can even bike to the base of Mount Everest-the highest mountain on earth. The journey from 5, 124m of Lablungla to below 800m in Nepal, just 160 miles is the longest downhill ride. Mountain Biking in Tibet is physically and mentally demanding challenge but the rewards are unlimited and all extra ordinary.

Qinghai-Tibet section of the railway is the world's highest railway, and some 960 kilometers ( 600 miles) of the tracks are laid at 4,000 meters (13, 100 feet) , with the highest parts reaching 5,072 meters ( 16, 636 ft) above sea level. The railway is still the world's longest plateau railroad which extends 1,972 kilometers (1233 miles) from Qinghai's provincial capital Xining to Lhasa in Tibet. The Golmud-Lhasa section zigzags 1,142 kilometers (714 miles) across the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges. The trains running in to the Tibet are the most advanced ones in China. All the carriages of the trains are installed with oxygen-supplying equipments and every passenger will be provided with an oxygen mask. Passengers are very less likely to feel the symptoms altitude sickness. The train runs takes 26 hours from to complete the distance of 1, 972 km (1233 miles) from Xining-the capital city of Qinghai Province, to Lhasa-the heart of Tibet. While Xining-Lhasa is the most scenic section of the train journeys, you can begin your journeys as far as from Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

There are 45 stations along the 1972 km long Qinghai-Tibet railway from Xining to Lhasa and every station offers spectacular views of the mountains and the plateau. To provide travelers better opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery along the way, view points have been set up in each station. These include: Yuzhu Peak Station, Chumaer River. Tuotuo River, Buqiangge, Tanggula Mountain, Lake Namtso, Nagqu, Damshung, Yambachen.

Traditionally, Tibet is comprised of the three provinces of Amdo (now split by China into the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu & Sichuan), Kham (largely incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai), and U-Tsang.

Today, what Tibet or Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) officially refers is the area that comprises U-Tsang and Western Kham which is less than half of historic Tibet. But for many of the Tibetans, Tibet still means the three provinces of Amdo, Kham and U-Tsang. Despite majority of the Amdo and Kham regions today are mainland Chinese part, but Tibetan culture and traditions are still dominant and in fact, looks better preserve than in Tibet proper.

Kham is the Tibetan name for the eastern third of the Tibetan plateau. Kham comprises a total of 50 contemporary counties, distributed between the Chinese provinces of Sichuan (16 counties), Yunnan (3 counties), and Qinghai (6 counties) as well as the eastern portion of the Tibet Autonomous Region (25 counties). While the culture and history of Kham are closely connected to those of central Tibet, the region has many special features. Kham has a rugged terrain characterized by mountain ridges and gorges running from northwest to southeast. Numerous rivers, including the Mekong, Yangtze, Yalong Jiang, and the Salween flow through Kham. The people of Kham, known as Khampas are known for their warlike spirit and rich culture.

The Tibetan cultural sphere of Amdo is one of the most important and varied within the Tibetan Plateau. The region of Amdo is distributed mainly in the Chinese province of Qinghai, with smaller, but relevant parts in Gansu and Sichuan. Amdo is roughly the northeastern part of ethnic Tibet; it encompasses the section from the Yellow River northeastward to Gansu province in China. Amdo was and is the home of many important Tibetan Buddhist monk teachers or lamas) who had a major influence on both politics and religious development of Tibet, like the great reformer Tsongkhapa, the 14th Dalai Lama as well as the 10th Panchen Lama.It is, therefore, a region spotted with many Buddhist monasteries - with Kumbum Jampa Ling (Chin. Ta'er Si) near Xining, Qutan Si and Labrang Tashi Khyil south of Lanzhou being among the most famous and important within the Tibetan cultural realm.

Kham and Amdo are new frontiers for adventure travelers, a place where one can find unclimbed summits, galloping horsemen, old-growth forest, and villages and monasteries where no foreigner has set foot in fifty years.

Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, 6,740 m., the abode of Lord Shiva, is the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage site, located in the west Tibet. Mount Kailash, which is believed to have been formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas were in their early stage of formation, is one of the most revered places in the Himalayas. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, the Jain and the pre-Buddhist -Bon. For the Hindus, Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic 'world pillar' 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top reside their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. Four of the great rivers of Indian Subcontinent originate here and flow in the four cardinal directions: the Karnali (South), Indus (North), Sutlej (West) and Bramhaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo, East) Mount Kailash Circumambulation, know as kora by Tibetan Buddhists and Parikrama by Hindu pilgrims, is a 3 days circuit trek. A single kora is believed to clean the sins of a lifetime where as 108 koras will give you complete nirvana

Lake Manasarovara
Spread out on the Tibetan plateau beside Mount Kailash is the giant lake of shifting colors - Lake Mansarovar. The lake is believed to have formed in the mind of Lord Bramha. A pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and a dip in the holy waters of in the Mansarovar brings you about salvation (Moksha) and wash away all the sins of life. In both the religion, Hindu and Buddhism, the sanctity of the lake and its power of spiritual healing have been held high for ages. Making a round of the lake and taking a dip in it is believed to be purging one’s soul from sins and the body from sickness. In either of the religious interpretations, be it of the Buddhist or Hindus, the site is revered as dwelling of the divine which promises eternity to earthly creatures.

Ruins of Guge Kingdom
Located in the Ngari Region, Tibet Autonomous Region Ruins of Guge Kingdom are the Old Summer Palace of Tibet. While these ruins were once an imperial estate which fell into disrepair after the civil revolt and the invasion of the allied armies of eight foreign countries, the Guge kingdom also encountered civil strife and foreign attacks which fragmented the once prosperous state. However, the legendary kingdom hasn't been totally lost as much can be learned about it from its remains. Guge Kingdom played an important part in the economic and cultural development of Tibet. The kingdom advocated Buddhism, and many versions of this religion were created here and their teachings were spread from here into the heart of Tibet. The kingdom also served as a major center for Tibet's foreign trade. The Ruins of Guge Kingdom now extend around the sides of a mountain more than 300 m. (984 ft.) high. Explorers have found over 400 rooms and 800 caves here, as well as some fortresses, secret paths, pagodas, arm storerooms, granaries and all kinds of burial places. Except for some temples, all the roofs of the rooms have collapsed, leaving only the walls. The ruins are surrounded by a city wall and a fortress marks each of the corners. Palaces, temples and local residences are distributed from the top to the bottom and only secret roads lead to the top, a layout designed to indicate the supremacy of the king and to ensure the safety of the palaces. Due to its great research value, the Ruins of Guge Kingdom have been listed under the first group of Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State.

Everest Base Camp has become most popular destination in Tibet, offering the chance to gaze on the stunning north face of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest ( 8, 848m/29, 021ft) and not necessarily you have to be a hiker. While you can drive straight up to Rongbuk Monastery and take an easy one hour hike to the Base Camp, there are trekking approaches as well. You can trek from Xegar or Tingri to the Base Camp in 3-4 days with a well supplied team of Sherpas. The Tibetan approach provides un-obstructed views of Mount Everest, from the base to the top and access is a lot easier than in the Nepal side. Besides Mount Everest, you will see a huge sweep of the Himalayas range including Makalu, Lhotse, Gyachung, Cho Oyu and Mount Pumori. Every traveler seeking the North Face of mighty Mount Everest must pass Rongbuk Monastery, which is the main Buddhist Center in the valley. It is the sacred threshold to Mount Everest, with the most dramatic views in the world. Situated at an altitude of 4, 980m, Rongbuk Monastery, has great view of Mount Everest.

Classic circuits are short and medium length tour of Lhasa, Ü and Tsang region which constitute the Central Tibet-the most visited by tourists as Tibet destination.

Ü is the centerpiece of Tibet that includes Lhasa and the Yarlung Valley and the arear bordering with Nyingchi prefecture in the east, Nagchu prefecture in the north and Shigatse or Tsang region in the west. Ü, the historic heartland of Tibet has the ancient retreats such as Drak Yerpa and the monkey cave at Tsedang, the oldest and most important monasteries like Ganden, Tsurpu and Samye and Yambulakhang-the oldest building of Tibet. Namsto Lake, an immense saltwater lake with gorgeous hue, is the regions most popular natural attraction. The traditional Tibetan province of Tsang lies to the west of Ü and has two major urban centers of Gyantse and Shigatse, both containing historical sights and are popular tourist destinations.

Tsang is traveled along Tibet-Nepal Friendship Highway that passes by the gorgeous turquoise green water lake of Yamdrok. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum, Tashilunbo and Shalu Monasteries of Shigatse, Sakya Monastery etc are the cultural highlights of Tsang. The journey along the Friendship Highway offers you spectacular views of the Bhutanese, Nepalese and Tibetan Himalayas, including Mount Everest.

Tibet, the land of rich culture and ecological contrasts, offers unlimited potential for hiking and trekking adventures. Trekking in Tibet is challenging because of its remoteness, climatic extremes and high altitude. You can walk for days, witnessing an ancient and sophisticated culture and enjoy the unobstructed views of the Himalayas, which in fact look dwarfed by high Tibetan plateau.

The best months for trekking in Tibet are May, June, September and October. People do trek in July and August as well, but they are the hottest months of the year and tend to be rainy.

Most trekking routes are concentrated in Central Tibet and trailheads are connected with the road. While we take 4WD jeep ride to the trailhead, the camping and kitchen gears and supplies will be transported by an additional vehicle. We will have pack animals to transport the gears and supplies and your baggage from the trailhead.

A team of Nepali Sherpa or Tibetans will take care of camping and kitchen arrangements.

Tibet has beautiful landscape, wonderful people, rich religion and culture and also fascinatingly colorful festivals and religious events. Adding a special touch to Tibet's unconventional beauty are the numerous festivals of Tibet. If we go on to have a look at Tibet's festival and events calendar, we will be shocked to see how choc-a-bloc the whole calendar is with a variety of events.

If you thought that all the festivals of Tibet have religious undertones, you are mistaken. It is true that most of the events are held along those lines. But there are events that are purely dedicated to merriment, art or sports. This speaks volumes about the people of Tibet who know to celebrate and enjoy in spite of the harsh geographical conditions and labor they are exposed to. So it can safely be said that the festivals of Tibet have something for everyone to look forward to.

Since a long list of festivals adorn Tibet's festival calendar, it is not possible to list all of them together. However, the greatest event in Tibet is the Tibetan New Year, a colorful affair along with religious rituals involved. Besides, there are other festivals and events in Tibet like the Saga Dawa Festival, Shoton Festival, Ganden Festival, Litang, Nagchu and Gyantse Horse Racing and Archery event, Harvest Festival and so on.

Tibet truly has a lot to offer to its visitors who will remember this unique vacation for the rest of their lives. You can also be a part of this magic and the festivals of Tibet.