01
Dali Old Town
Ancient lanes beneath the Cangshan Mountains.
Private supported expedition · 8–22 September 2027
The road to
Lhasa
Old towns. Deep gorges. High passes. One remarkable road from Kunming to Lhasa.
KUNMINGLHASA
13expedition days
2,270kilometres
4,000 mhighest pass
Kunming → Lhasaone-way route
Planning update
What’s changed
01
Pricing Provisional figures have been removed while the operator’s rider and passenger costing is reviewed.
02
Passenger van Final vehicle size, toll treatment and the per-person breakdown remain to be clarified.
03
Route tools Interactive elevation and hotel explorers are now available for the full Kunming-to-Lhasa route.
04
Hotels Named properties remain planning selections; Zogang and Basu accommodation is still to be confirmed.
Review open decisions →Explore route & hotels →This public page intentionally trails private planning until operator arrangements are confirmed. Participant names, deposits and private commercial details are not published.
The journey
From subtropical Yunnan to the roof of the world.
The Yunnan–Tibet Highway links the old towns, river gorges and snowbound passes of southwest China with the cultural heart of Lhasa.
This is a private-group supported ride, with motorcycles, guide, support vehicle, permits and accommodation organised as one package. A separate passenger van lets non-riding partners share the route and hotels.
Route highlights
Five places that define the journey.
02
Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Jinsha River forced between towering cliffs.
03
Shangri-La
A vital acclimatisation stop and gateway to the high country.
04
Nujiang Valley
A remote river corridor threading through deep mountain country.
05
Lhasa
The Potala Palace and the expedition’s extraordinary finish.
Destination imagery: Wikimedia Commons, iGoTravel and CGTN. Planning imagery only.
Before you go
The arrival sequence matters.
Riders must be in Kunming before the licence office closes for the weekend. Do not plan a Friday-morning arrival.
Arrive Kunming
Recommended group arrival day. Recover from international travel and allow a full buffer before licensing.
Temporary licence
Applications while the office is open. Riders over 60 complete the short English-language test.
Handover & briefing
Bike setup, equipment check, route briefing and final preparation in Kunming.
Wheels rolling
The expedition leaves Kunming for Dali and the road to Lhasa begins.
Age conditionsRiders over 70 cannot obtain the required temporary licence. Riders over 60 must pass the short test.
One expedition · two ways to travel
Ride the road—or share it from the van.
RIDERS
Motorcycle expedition
CFMoto 450MT, Kove 525X or similar, supported by a guide-driven vehicle carrying luggage and operational equipment.
Bikes & support →PARTNERS
Passenger tour van
A separate chauffeured van follows the same overall route, sharing hotels, sightseeing and the group experience.
Passenger details →Costing status
Operator pricing is under review.
We are seeking a transparent revised breakdown for riders and passengers before anyone commits. The final amount will depend on the confirmed group mix, vehicle size, rooming, written inclusions and payment terms.
Pricing information reviewed 26 August 2026
PRICING STATUSCOSTING PHASENo binding group price has been accepted.
- Rider package
- Under review
- Passenger & van package
- Under review
- Rooming & deposits
- To be confirmed
Permits & documents
The essential checklist.
Permit information reviewed 26 August 2026
01
Passport + Chinese visa
02
Tibet Travel Permit
03
Australian motorcycle licence + IDP
04
Temporary Chinese motorcycle licence
05
High-altitude motorcycle travel insurance
06
Clear colour document scans
Permit and visa rules can change. Confirm every requirement against the operator’s final written checklist before booking non-refundable travel.
Open dates & document plan →Stay informed
Planning, communication and the story from the road.
The website is the group’s shared reference. Confirmed changes will be added here so riders and partners are working from the same information.
01
Frequently asked questions
Licensing, visas, rooms, payments, insurance and the questions that keep coming up.
Open FAQ →02Communications
WhatsApp, eSIM setup, offline tools, daily updates and emergency contact planning.
Open comms plan →03Gallery & trip journal
A home for photographs and short progress updates during and after the expedition.
Visit journal →