New Delhi, India to Kathmandu, Nepal by KTM's

[KTMphil]

With some India assembled KTM's sitting in New Delhi, India, we're planning to test them out on a loop ride to Kathmandu, Nepal. When we were in Jammu and Kashmir last year, there were a few KTM 200 Duke's touring around, the KTM 390 Duke had not been released then, so this might be one of the first India assembled KTM 390 Duke's to ride into Nepal.

 

[KTMphil]

I think almost everyone we've talked to about this ride has visions that Kathmandu is straight north of New Delhi, India. What surprises everyone is that Kathmandu, Nepal is actually south of New Delhi and just over 1,000 km to the east.









So just over 1,000 km, will allow 3-4 days of moving time one way & currently looking for an interesting, different return route to New Dehli.

 

[KTMphil]

Immigration Visa's are a little "involved" to obtain for India, Nepal has Visa on arrival, so easy. So you ride 1,000 km east to Nepal, you would think visiting Mount Everest Base Camp would be easy? No.




Mount Everest is situated on the Nepal/ Tibet border. From the Nepal side there is no road access to the Everest Base Camp, only trekking trails.

The red circled area below shows the area with no roads and is popular with trekkers headed towards Mount Everest.








There are two main Everest Base Camps, one on the Nepal side and another on the Tibet side. EBC on the Tibet side is accessible by road.



"Everest Base Camp" is a term that is used to describe two base camps, each on opposite sides of Mount Everest. South Base Camp is in Nepal at an altitude of 5,364 metres (17,598 ft) (28°0′26″N 86°51′34″E), and North Base Camp is in Tibet at 5,150 metres (16,900 ft)[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP][2][/SUP][SUP][3][/SUP] (28°8′29″N 86°51′5″E). These camps are rudimentary campsites on Mount Everest that are used by mountain climbers during their ascent and descent. South Base Camp is used when climbing via thesoutheast ridge, while North Base Camp is used when climbing via the northeast ridge.[SUP][4][/SUP]
Supplies are carried to the South Base Camp by sherpas or porters, and with help of animals, usually yaks. The North Base Camp has vehicle access (at least in the summer months). Climbers typically rest at base camp for several days for acclimatization to reduce the risks and severity of altitude sickness.





South Base Camp in Nepal[edit]

The Everest Base Camp trek on the south side is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and is visited by thousands of trekkers each year. Trekkers usually fly from Kathmandu to Lukla to save time and energy before beginning the morning trek to this base camp. However, one can even trek to Lukla.
From Lukla, climbers trek upward to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, 3,440 metres (11,290 ft), following the valley of the Dudh Kosi river. The village is a central hub of the area,
This takes about two days. Typically at this point, climbers allow a day of rest for acclimatization. They then trek another two days to Dingboche, 4,260 metres (13,980 ft) before resting for another day for further acclimatization. Another two days takes them to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep, the flat field below Kala Patthar, 5,545 metres (18,192 ft) and Mt. Pumori.

A temporary tent platform on the Khumbu glacier at South EBC, Nepal. Note the ice layer under the unstable rock surface. The Khumbu Icefall is seen in the background.​

​

North Base Camp in Tibet[edit]

As of 2010, a visit to the North (China-side) Base Camp required a permit from the Chinese government, on top of the permit required to visit Tibet itself. At this time such permits must be arranged via travel companies in Lhasa as part of a package tour that include hiring a vehicle, driver and guide. The North Base Camp is accessed by vehicle through a 100 km road branching to the South from the Friendship Highway near Shelkar. The "tourist Base Camp" is located about half-way between Rongbuk Monastery; the actual climbers' Base Camp is at the foot of Rongbuk glacier.





Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everest_Base_Camp








..

 

[KTMphil]

If you're really set on visiting Everest Base camp on your own bike, you'll need a Chinese Visa, Chinese permits for your motorcycle, Tibet permit & a Chinese licensed guide. From Kathmandu, Nepal, it's about a 5 hour ride to Kodari at the Nepal/ Tibet border. Here you will need to meet your Chinese guide who can process your entry into Tibet.


The most traveled route to Mount Everest Base Camp is from Lhasa, Tibet. From Lhasa, the Sino - Nepal Highway takes you SW to Tingri. Here you turn off the main highway and head south towards Rongphuk (monastery), which is a bumpy, corrugated "graded" dirt road, about 70km. See the road in green below:




View attachment 31103




So as you can see expensive and complicated to ride to the Everest Base Camp.





...more to come

 

[prince666]

Hi Phil
Here is a link from a RR called "The Great ride of China" and this part is about the visit to
Mt Everest base camp (China side) Buck and Amy done over 34,000 km in one trip all over China

Maybe you and other members will find some interesting reading about riding in China

Link to Mt Everest page Days 63-64: The Road To (And From) Everest - The Great Ride of China

Link to home page : The Great Ride of China

By the way the bike Buck and Amy rode on is one of the bike I have in China

 

[TB-Racing]

The most traveled route to Mount Everest Base Camp is from Lhasa, Tibet. From Lhasa, the Sino - Nepal Highway takes you SW to Tingri. Here you turn off the main highway and head south towards Rongphuk (monastery), which is a bumpy, corrugated "graded" dirt road, about 70km....

Mt.Everest base camp (China) was interesting in the 90's and early 00's, the whole area was tourist free and no permits were needed to get to the base camp (China) and Mt.Kailash, Lhasa, Shigatse, etc... those were the days of real ADVriding and living rough for weeks on the Tibet Plateau and no permits / guide needed back in the ol' days.
Have not been in the Lhasa / Base Camp / Mt.Kailash region for 10+ years but can imagine the full on tourist zoo the region has become since they started the train service up to Lhasa. Some long time riding mates living in China before went last year again by 4x4's from Kashgar to Lhasa / Mt.Everest Base Camp (4 weeks road trip) and they told me to stay away from Lhasa now and keep the old memories and pictures from days gone by....