Nepal offers a great diversity of terrain with a varied climate. From the flatlands of the Terai to the terraced hillside farms, the vertical landscape soaring towards the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas, the country is also a popular destination for mountain biking adventure. There are plenty of dirt roads and trails in Nepal to meet the expectations of the casual mountain bikers. You can ride through heart- stopping downhill with kilometres of hairpin, lush green rice fields, through hamlets, along the river band gorges, around religion sites past the streets and along the highways. While peddling at your own pace along some
of the hidden trails you will visit the rural villages where you will meet different ethnic people, observe their culture and traditional lifestyle.
Trip Profile
- Duration: 19 days
- Grade: Challenging
- Daily ride: 5-6hrs
- Max. Altitude: 2800 m
- Best Seasons: Spring/ Autumn
- Tour Style: Hotel/ lodge based
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m) & transfer to hotel
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by Abha Travel & Tours representative and transferred to hotel. After check in, you can either take a rest or hang around in the city depending on your interest and time constraint. In the evening, there will be a pre-trip discussion, introducing with your biking guide. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions related to the biking program. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu on mountain bike
Today you will make a half day guided sightseeing tour on the mountain bike visiting Pashupatinath, the biggest Hindu shrine, Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa and Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. Your guide will help you organize everything. Overnight in hotel.
Day 03: Sightseeing in Bhaktapur & Nagarkot on mountain bike
After an early morning breakfast you will ride west to the medieval town of Bhaktapur where you will visit World Heritage Site and many lovely temples. After exploring Bhaktapur you will head northeast to Nagarkot on pitch road. We slowly climb 20km to Nagarkot passing steeply terraced rice fields and houses. When we reach the top, if weather permits, we will be able to see the Himalayan range of Langtang and Khumbu region. Overnight in hotel.
Day 04: Mountain biking from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel
We observe sunrise views over the Himalayas and have breakfast in Nagarkot. Then, we ride downhill leaving Nagarkot top to Nala, a small Newari Village. On the way we pass some interesting some ethnic villages. Then we head for Dhulikhel on a dirt trail climbing and descending small hill before reaching our ultimate destination. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Mountain biking from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha
After breakfast we ride to the holy Buddhist site of Namo Buddha. According to legend it was here that Buddha, in a previous incarnation, fed his flesh to a hungry tigress as an offering. A stone statue marks the site; there is an active monastery on top of the hill. We follow the picturesque view along the dirt roads back to Dhulikhel. We spend a night at Dhulikhel. Enjoy sunrise in the morning.
Day 06: Back to Dhulikhel & continue ride to Panauti
After breakfast you will ride back to Dhulikhel and continue your journey to Panauti, a quaint and historical town southwest of Dhulikhel. You will stop at Panauti and visit 800 years old Indreshwor Hindu temple and walk through the narrow streets. From Panauti to Kathmandu it is just a distance of 32 km south-east. Overnight at guest house in Panauti.
Day 07: Mountain biking to Lakhuri Bhanjyang & Patan
Leaving Panauti, we follow small track along the Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhuban, we enter into a narrow pristine valley ascending 300m on superb trail to reach the summit of Lakhuri Bhanjyang. This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu Valley, connecting the ancient cities of the valley with Panauti. We then cycle the last part of our journey from Sisneri to Kathmandu city with short visit to Patan Durbar Square. Overnight at guesthouse in Patan.
Day 08: Sightseeing around Patan
After breakfast we ride to Patan Durbar Square and other popular Hindu and Buddhist shrines. It will be a memorable experience to ride the cycle through narrow and winding streets in Patan. This city is historically and culturally very popular. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 09: Fly to Pokhara & mountain biking to Phewa Lake
After breakfast we take the short flight to Pokhara to avoid traffic. Here in the warmth of this idyllic location we assemble our bikes and take an afternoon ride to Phewa Lake. Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Mountain biking to Sarangkot Hill
Today we make a circuit ride up around Sarangkot Hill which provides a magnificent panorama of the Annapurna range. A long descent return to Pokhara and relax with chilled beer !In Pokhara we ride to Mahendrapul and turn right on off-road after crossing the British Gorkha's Camp, which is mostly mixed trail about 10min. in between Ghachok and Lhachok after crossing Bhurjung Khola and back to Hemja (Tibetan Refugee Camp). You will witness awesome Mountain views of Annapurna South and Fishtail on this trail. Overnight in hotel.
Day 11: Pokhara sightseeing on mountain bike
After breakfast we start sightseeing of Pokhara city on the mountain bike that includes, Bat Cave and Gupteshwor Cave, Mountaineering museum, Gorkha soldier museum, Vindabasini Temple, Jal Baharahi, World Peace Stupa. There is plenty of time to enjoy this lake city and make some last minute preparations for our next day ride to Gorkha. Overnight in hotel.
Day 12: Mountain biking to Bijayapur Khola via Begnas Lake
Today we bike 10km to the Prithivi Highway and then turn left to Begnas Lake. After lunch steep climbing about 6km off-road up to Kalikasthan (15-20minute carry up) then 7 km wide Jeep track down to Bijayapur Khola and continue on biking on highway and back to the hotel.
Day 13: Mountain biking to Damauli
Today we drive from hotel to Damauli via main road. This small rural town is historically and culturally popular. The confluence of Madi and Seti river is worth visiting. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14: Mountain biking from Damauli to Bandipur
Leaving Damauli you will pedal through terraced farmland and villages that seem to cling to the hillside. When you reach Bandipur at an elevation of 1030m you will be rewarded with the first glimpses of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. This is the best place to observe natural beauty of mountainous view, Marshyandi River, Sunrise and Sunset as well as wide panorama of mountains. Overnight in hotel.
Day 15: Mountain biking from Bandipur to Gorkha via Abukhaireni
Today we ride downhill to Dumre and turn to the left following Prithivi Highway until Abukhaireni. From Abukhaireni we turn to the left and keep following the road up to Gorkha.
This is a beautiful hill town and has been popular for being the ancestral place of Nepal's Shah dynasty. It is regarded as one of the major pilgrimage destinations in Nepal. Various places of interest here in Gorkha are - Gorkha bazaar, Gorkha Durbar and Gorakhnath caves. The view of the Himalayan range and the deep valleys from here, especially the Durbar are quite majestic and spectacular. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Mountain biking from Gorkha to Arughat
Starting from Gorkha, our route climbs hilltop overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya and gently descends through terraced fields , rhododendron forest and high pastures towards the Soti Khola on the Manaslu circuit trekking route before ending at Arughat. Overnight at lodge
Day 17: Mountain biking from Arughat to Dhadingbesi
From Arughat we follow off- road with challenging ascents and descents. You will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Himalayas and it will be certainly one of the most scenic ride you have ever experienced. Overnight at lodge.
Day 18: Drive Dhadingbesi to Gulchi by bus and then Mountain biking to Trishuli
Today you will catch a bus from Dhadingbesi to Gulchi and ride again to Trishuli following unspoiled trails.
Day 19: Drive Trishuli to Kathmandu by Bus ( Mountain biking tour ends)
