Duration: 11 Days

Best Season: January-May, September-December

Altitude Range: 2250m

Difficulty: Strenuous

Group Size: Min. 4

Average Daily Distance: 40km

Support: Support vehicle, Guide-cum-Mechanic

The Kathmandu valley offers some of Nepal’s best mountain biking. We stay at five out of the six best outlooks for viewing the mighty Himalaya, from Dhaulagiri in the west to Everest in the east, so you will not miss what is arguably the world’s finest mountain scenery. In addition, the valley is also the historic center of Nepal, the place where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt and Nepalese art and culture were developed and refined. A combination of superb dirt trails and some single track connect the abundance of temples, monasteries and palaces making this both an exhilarating and fascinating place to cycle. This is a fun but challenging trip, suitable for those with off-road biking experience, as some trails are technical and there are some long climbs rewarded by even bigger descents.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 01: Kathmandu to Kakani

Day 02: Kakani to Budanilkantha

Day 03: Budanilkantha to Nagarkot

Day 04: Nagarkot rest day

Day 05: Nagarkot to Palanchowk

Day 06: Palanchowk to Dhulikhel

Day 07: Dhulikhel to Bhaktapur, Suryavinayak

Day 08: Bhaktapur, Suryavinayak – Godawari

Day 09: Godawari to Kathmandu

Day 10: Sightseeing in Kathmandu

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Kathmandu to Kakani We leave Kathmandu after breakfast through the bustling back streets of Thamel and on to good wide undulating jeep tracks into jungle. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular mountain views. We travel downhill and then on upwards for the seriously fit ride (22km) up to Kakani. We camp in a reserve at 2,000m to enjoy the stunning views of Ganesh and Langtang Himals and the valley of Likhu Khola 1,000m below.

Altitude: 1600 mts

Off Road: 25km

Paved road: 5 km

Total distance: 30km

Day 2: Kakani to Budanilkantha Resort – 30 KM Head off on one of the best single tracks trails in the valley (which was used as the Mountain Bike Championship course) down towards Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu) on wide undulating jeep track and single track and pass through the Shivapuri forest to the Buddhanilkantha, a remarkable 5th century statue of the Lord Vishnu, reclining on the coil of the snake king in the middle of small pond. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular panoramic mountain views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal on the way and moreover by a night at a true resort established in a rural setting with culturally rich and naturally pristine environment whose garden harbors nearly 75 species of birds and 2000 flowering trees and shrubs. 53 km.

Day 3: Budanilkantha to Nagarkot Today we head off along some of the single-tracks in the valley down towards Boudha Nath. Following the valley rim, we take-in views of Kathmandu. We continue on ride to the Sankhu village and we stop here for lunch and explore this ancient town. From here we cycle along a jeep track road to wind our way up with two-hour climb to Nagarkot on the valley rim. The views of the Himalayan mountain range more than compensate this arduous ascent. On a clear Day, even Mount Everest can be seen! We stay in Nagarkot at a guesthouse from where we can enjoy the sunset.

Day 4: Nagarkot – Rest day Today we take time to explore the numerous single-tracks and trails around Nagarkot. You can do two-half-Day rides returning to the guesthouse for lunch or use toDay as a rest Day. Changu Narayan, a culturally rich temple complex not far from Nagarkot is an easy ride. This complex includes one of the oldest Hindu temples in the valley and has intricate statues and stone tablets depicting ancient Hindu folklore. From here you can also enjoy good views over the valley.

Day 5: Nagarkot to Palanchowk We leave Nagarkot along an epic single track, which was used in the bike movie ‘Retread’. We descend through terraced paddy fields and small farming villages to the Indrawati River. We will stop at the local temples to pray for good trails ahead! After 1,000m downhill, a jeep track leads us on to the Freedom Highway, the main road to Tibet. We turn off to Phalanchowk and ascend 9km (there is always support vehicle) on a paved road. Our lodging for the night at ‘Sunkoshi Adventure Retreat’ is superbly located so that you can enjoy 360-degree view of the valley.

Day 6: Palanchowk to Dhulikhel What goes up must come down! We start the Day with an exceptional off-road descent, this is technical but there is an easier option further west, which merges with the same trail. We cross the main road and continue 20km uphill to Dhulikhel and our lodge for the night. We have lunch here and for those who haven’t had enough rides, there is time in the afternoon to explore the local trails or the well-preserved town.

Day 7: Dhulikhel to Bhaktapur, Suryavinayak An early morning climb to the temple of Namo Buddha is rewarded by superb views of Ganesh Himal. The stupa here is an important pilgrimage site. Folklore says that Buddha in a previous incarnation gave himself as an offering to a hungry tigress! Lunch! Here you have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Nepali food Dhal Bhat. We leave the stupa along undulating tracks passing through picturesque villages. We continue our way uphill to the rim (Lakhure Banjyang) where we can enjoy views across the Kathmandu Valley. Then a steep descent single track takes us to Surya Vinayak and Bhaktapur Guest House.

Altitude: 1500 mts

Bike off Rd.: 40km

Bike paved road: 8 km

Total distance: 48km

Day 8: Bhaktapur, Suryavinayak – Godawari Village Resort Leaving Lubhu behind we head toward West on a jeep track passing paddy fields along the foot hill of the highest hill Phulchowki in the valley on our way to Vajra Varahi home of the the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ancient woodland surrounds the temple, protected by the local belief that to cut even one tree would greatly anger the deity. We shall stop in this forest for lunch on a small clearing ideal for a rest and to enjoy the tranquil sanctuary of the ancient forest. The villagers still appease the wrathful Vishnu by weekly sacrifices of chicken, goat, and buffaloes. We over night at the Godawari Resort and if we still have enough energy, we can always visit the Botanical Garden of Godawari.

Day 9: Godawari to Kathmandu We spend time exploring some exciting trails to Bhimdhunga then onto excellent off-road trails close to Kathmandu, a fitting end to an exhilarating 7-Day ride! We return to the hustle and bustle of Thamel on tarmac roads and celebrate our completion of this rewarding trip.

Day 10: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Points of particular interest include; Durbar Square, location of the former Royal Palace and the Kumari (living goddess), Pashupatinath, which is one of the ten most important Hindu temples in the world and Nepal’s most important Shiva temple. Alternatively there is opportunity for shopping. Two hours prior to departure, you will be transported to Kathmandu International Airport.

Prices FROM in £:

  • groups of 1 to 5, from £599*/person
  • groups of 6 to 10, from £499*/person
  • groups of 11 to 15, from £399*/person
  • groups of 16 to 20, from £299*/person
  • groups of 21+, from £250*/person

Price Includes:

  • All the entrance fees
  • Biking Guide with mechanical backup
  • Support vehicle
  • Food & Accommodation on twin sharing with full board basis

Price Excludes:

  • Soft/hard drinks
  • Emergency evacuation fee
  • Insurance
  • Other items of personal interest

* All prices are Sunshine World International’s own prices and we reserve the right to change them at any time