mountain biking in nepal: kathmandu valley mountain biking tour

This Kathmandu valley Mountain Bike tour is an exotic mountain biking covering all the corners of the Kathmandu valley. The trip starts with the biking tour right from the capital city of Kathmandu, the popular historic center and adobe of the gods. Our biking trip takes you to Nagarkot, one of the most beautiful "hill station like" place famous for the 270 degrees views of the mighty Himalayas, where you can retreat yourself with some biking funs in and around the hill. Visit one of the world's heritage sites, where one can see the stone tablet, said to be the earliest known inscription in Kathmandu Valley. The biking continues to Dhulikhel - the main gateway draining Nepal to Tibet, and then the scenic biking ride takes us through the hidden roads of the surrounding old city of Kathmandu. Finally your biking trip will end at Naubise from where you will be transferred to Kathmandu.

kathmandu valley mountain biking tour

DAY 01: Kathmandu
Arriving in Kathmandu & transfer to the Guest House in Thamel, touristy city offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the afternoon we will sort out our bikes and over dinner there will be a tour briefing.

DAY 02: Kathmandu
Today we explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. It is possible to take the highly recommend mountain flight to see the towering massive of Everest and the whole Himalayan chain (this costs $120 and is subject to local availability). Points of particular interest in Kathmandu include Durbar Square, location of the former Royal Palace with its intricate wood carving and four fine towers and Pashupatinath, Nepal 's most important Shiva temple. Alternatively there is no lack of markets, craft stalls and shops to occupy you for the day. The evening is free to explore the city's many restaurants.

DAY 03: Kathmandu to Buddhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu)
We leave Kathmandu after breakfast through the bustling back streets of Thamel and on to good wide undulating jeep track and single track and pass through the Queen forest to the Buddhanilkantha, a remarkable 5 th 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 Himals 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.

DAY 04: Buddhanilkantha to Chisopani (Cold Water)
We start with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on paved and off road through the Shivapuri Reserve. Part of the route is on the popular Helambu trekking trail. Today, our destination is up to Chisopani (which means cold water in Nepali), which rounds off a challenging day. Again today's lodge enjoys outstanding and closest views of the panoramic mountain ranges- this is one of the best outlooks within the valley region.

DAY 05: Chisopani to Nagarkot
For approximately 9 kms, we ride the same way back and then ride down into the northeast corner of the Kathmandu valley or not following the same way back we can take the optional long jeep route to reach the same destination. It is on to a mix of single and jeep track to wind our way to Nagarkot, our route will depend on the condition of the trails. A short steep climb up to Nagarkot will be rewarded by the comfort and peaceful surrounding of the hotel where we spend our night. This is where part of the biking movie 'Retread' was filmed.

DAY 06: Nagarkot to Nagarkot via Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan
Early morning enjoy the spectacular sunrise views from the terrace. Today we explore the trails around Nagarkot or you can take a rest day. There are numerous off-road routes possible today either road, or wide jeep track. We have a choice of day rides ending at the medieval town of Bhaktapur for lunch then time to look around before we drive or ride back up the hill to Nagarkot Bhaktapur is an old restored city full of temples and courtyards. Also it's possible to visit Changu Narayan, a must for those interested in culture - the ancient temple complex here, which includes the oldest Hindu temple in the valley where in the sixth & seventh centuries, Newari stone masons made cravings of Lord Vishnu. The stone tablet standing on the west side of the temple is said to be the earliest known inscription in Kathmandu Valley. It depicts King Mandev's military conquests in the fifth century. It's on the way and enjoys commanding views over the valley and its fine statues are the best outside the National Museum.

DAY 07: Nagarkot to Dhulikhel
The 'Retread' trails. This is an epic single track descent through terraced paddy fields and small villages that lead us to the Indrawati River. We will stop to take photos as the Himalayas are right behind us all the way down and also make offerings at the local temples to help ensure that we remember those technical skills when we need them. After 1000m of downhill a jeep road leads us to the Friendship Highway, the main road to Tibet. We have lunch in a secret spot by the river before the long climb back up to the valley rim, Dhulikhel. We have the choice to continue the ride on the paved road of Friendship highway or off road. For most this is best done in the support vehicle.

DAY 08: Dhulikhel to Lakhure Bhanjyang vie Namo Buddha and Panauti
We start with an early morning climb on wide jeep trail to the temple of Namo Buddha, rewarded with superb views of Ganesh Himal. The Stupa here is an important Tibetan Pilgrimage site, where the Buddha reputedly fed himself to a hungry tigress! From the temple there's a choice of wide tracks through picturesque villages and forests. From here, we ride on dirt road down through the orange farm to the ancient city of Panauti where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior to his offering to the hungry tigress. This city is truly lost in time and is rarely visited by tourists. The Indresara Mahadev Temple is the oldest surviving dated temple in Nepal, believed to be built in 1294 AD. Climbing west, we follow a jeep track along the meandering Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhuban we enter a narrow pristine valley, ascending 300m on a superb dirt trail to reach the summit of a hill on Kathmandu valley, known as Lakhure Bhanjyang. What a grunt, but the views of the Himalayas are more than compensate! We spend night at a spot that is ideal to watch sunrise and sunset scenes and gives the view of sparkling lights of cities after dusk.

DAY 09: Lhakhure Bhanjyang to Godawari Resort via Lubhu, Vajra Varahi
After breakfast, and hopefully if the weather is favorable we will have a clear view of the Ganesh and Langtang Himals and also Kathmandu Valley, we descend down to the village of Lubhu, known for its handmade cloth. 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 10: Godawari to Dakchhinkali via Bungamati
From the resort we continue on the jeep track into Chapagaon village which offers excellent views of Kathmandu Valley and also is the home of the Vajra Varahi. As we leave Chapagaon, we head South Crossing Over Lele River and head up on a short steep climb up on a jeep track and down toward Bungamati. We stop at the height of Bungamati for lunch. Get ready to enter the fourteenth century! In the many temples in these villages, ancient rituals are still practiced. The Shekali Mai, nature valley goddess temple in Khokana is one of the temples we will visit. In the main square of Bungamati, there is temple of Machhendranath, the compassionate god of agricultural prosperity, who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. We approach to the Ganesh Temple (Elephant God Temple) after crossing the suspension bridge over Bagmati River. We follow the narrow paved road along the beautiful village farm land scenery to our village Inn. in Dakchhinkali A Hindu live sacrifice spot is just near the Village Inn.

DAY 11: Dakchhinkali to Daman via Palung
We spend the morning sampling some exciting trails that lead up and across the valley rim to the south and on to the Kulekhani Dam Site. We ride along the picturesque lake for approximately 7 hours. Leaving Kulekhani Lake behind we ride on wide dusty dirt trail to Palung village, popular for vegetabe farming. We then, take a broken tarmac road uphill to Daman. This road is a Prithivi Highway which links Nepal and India.

DAY 12: Daman to Kathmandu
We descend down to Palung valley on the same way and continue up to Palung height then we follow a long broken tarmac road to Naubise. From this small town we ride back to kathmandu. We stop at Swoyambhunath Stupa for lunch and a look around on the way into the city. From here we ride back to the hotel through the bustling streets of Kathmandu. 91km.

DAY 13: Departure or start optional program.

mountain biking in nepal

• Kathmandu Valley Mountain Biking
• Annapurn Biking Tour
• Telicho Lake Mountain Biking