Kathmandu Valley Rim Tour

Duration : 9 Days (7 days cycling)
Start & Finish : Kathmandu
Skill Level : Moderate 
Support : support vehicle, guide, bike & mechanic
Group Size : min 3 / max 10
Best Time : September to March

You will ride through forests, villages, across suspension bridges, through rice paddies and on single track made smooth by the decades of water buffalo and farmers going about their daily tasks.

Kathmandu lies in the shadow of the mighty Himalayas and offers some of Nepal’s best mountain biking. The majestic Himalayan range provides the backdrop for fascinating little villages where time has stood still, magnificent Buddhist temples, Hindu shrines and the friendly people of Nepal.

There are superb panoramic views of Dhaulagiri in the west round to Everest in the east. You will see the Himalayas in their entire splendor. The valley is also the historic centre of Nepal, the place where kingdoms rose and fell.

You can have an option, a 2-day of Canyoning or bungy jumping or rafting at the end of your bike trip.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 01:  Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel Manang.
Day 02:  Bike Kathmandu to Mulkharka.
Day 03:  Bike Mulkharka to Chisopani.
Day 04:  Bike Chisopani to Nagarkot.
Day 05:  Day tour in Nagarkot.
Day 06:  Bike downhill Nagarkot to Dhulikhel.
Day 07:  Bike Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Loop.
Day 08:  Dhulikhel to Kathmandu.
Day 09:  Everest flight and free day. Transfer to airport for departure, or one more day.

PLEASE NOTE:

• This price EXCLUDES the cost of airfare to and from Kathmandu.

THE ABOVE COST INCLUDES

• 8 nights 9 days tour.
• Local guide/expert mechanic.
• Bike & helmet, water bottle.
• All lodgings and meals (except meals in Kathmandu), twin share basis.
• Shivapuri National park entry fees.
• Luggage drops every night

THE ABOVE COST EXCLUDES

• Confirmation or changes to flights.
• Drinks and other food consumed other than that set out within the itinerary.
• Evacuations, and medical expenses and related transfers including travel insurance.
• Single supplement accommodation (twin share basis).
• Bike clothing, mineral water.
• Entry fee into Bhaktapur.
• Support transportation.

Please email us to book this trip.

Optional add on to your package: Himalayas and Mt Everest flight US$198

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel, evening tour briefing, 1350m.

Day 02: Kathmandu to Mulkharka - We start the ride approx. 8:30 AM out of Kathmandu from our hotel, though the back streets. Leaving the city behind we arrive at the Tokha village from where we head off-road, starting with good wide undulating track towards Budhanilkanth and from here ascending to Nagi Gompa, a Buddhist Tibetan Nunnery, from where a excellent view of Kathmandu can be observed. Continuing on our way we ride on a mixture of jeep trail through the Shivapuri National park. Our final destination is Mulkharka and the day ends with great downhill. Ride 32km, Guest House at Mulkharka, 1600m.

Day 03: Mulkharka to Chisapani - We are still in Shivapuri National Park, Continuing on our way we ride on a mixture of jeep trail through the National Park. Part of the route is on the Helambu trekking trail. Our final destination is Chisapani (which means cold water in Nepali), which rounds off a challenging day. Again today’s lodge enjoys outstanding views of the Annapurna Himal- this is one of the best outlooks within the valley region. The ride is 30km, with 4x4 vehicle support and a picnic lunch on the way. Ride 35km, Guest House at Chisapani, 2195 m.

Day 04: Chisapani to Nagarkot - We ride down from Chisapani into the northeast corner of the KTM valley, then it’s 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. The comfort and peaceful surrounding of hotel on the valley rim reward a short steep climb into Nagarkot. This is part of the biking movie ‘Retread’ was filmed and Everest can be seen from here on a clear day. Ride 25km or 35km. Overnight in Hotel in Nagarkot, 2000m.

Day 05: Day tour in Nagarkot - Today is a rest day or we ride a long great downhill down to Sankhu village, Sankhu was once an important post on the trading route between Kathmandu and Lhasa (Tibet), and many traditional aspects of Newari life continue here, the other reason to visit is the beautiful Bajrayogini Temple complex, 2 km north from the Sankhu village. From Sankhu ride on a road towards southwest and ascent to Changunarayan temple, the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley came in existence in 4th century. The temple is adorned by some of the best specimen of stone, wood, and metal craft in the valley. The temple stands as the epitome of culture, religion, history and faith of the Kathmandu valley. After visiting all these wonderful site we loop back climbing to Nagarkot via Telkot, 35 km.

Day 06: Nagarkot to Dhulikhel - This is a jeep 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 makes 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 Freedom Highway, the main road to Tibet. But we don’t go towards Tibet; instead climb back up to the valley rim. Ride 65km. Overnight in Hotel in Dhulikhel. We can also have another option with shorter ride to get to Dhulikhel 32 km.

Day 07: Dhulikhel to Namobuddha Loop - 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! Lunch here is the traditional Dal Bhat or the packed lunch, fortunately not the tigers left-over! From the temple there’s a choice of wide tracks through pictures villages and forests, or some newly discovered single track. We rejoin the wide trails and then a road for the last 8km back to our hotel. Ride 32km. Overnight in Hotel in Dhulikhel

Day 08: Dhulikhel to Kathmandu - We descend on jeep track to the ancient city of Panauti where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior to his offerings 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 and believed that it was built in 1294 AD. Climbing towards west, we follow a jeep track along the meandering Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhoban we enter a narrow pristine valley, ascending 300m on a superb trail to reach the summit of a hill on Kathmandu Valley’s rim. This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu Valley, known as Lakhure Bhanjung. What a grunt! But the views of the Himalayas more than compensate! From here we descend 500m via switch back jeep track to Sinseri, a quiet village. The ethnicity of the people change as we descend from Tamangs in the hills to Thakuris, Chhetris to valley bottom Newari farmers. A short distance beyond Sisneri is our pickup point for the drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 09: Departure for onward destination, we will escort you till airport.

Accommodation