Kathmandu Valley Rim

8 days of adventure on this Kathmandu mountain biking tour, cycle through stunning villages, see incredible mountain views and meet the great people of Nepal.

From $1095
  • Intro
  • Itinerary
  • Dates
  • Price and What's Included

The magical kingdom of Nepal has got to be a mountain biker’s paradise. Whilst many of the more popular trekking areas may prove to be too extreme for really enjoyable mountain-biking, this tour may just be the answer.

Kathmandu, at 1350 metres in altitude, lies in a valley surrounded by hills that rise to 2780 meters. These are part of the middle hills of the Himalayas, the ‘foothills’ of the 8,000 metre white peaks.

On this Kathmandu mountain biking tour from the city, you set off on a 5-day tour of these ridge-top trails which encircle the valley rim. A short bike ride away from down-town Kathmandu lies a delightful world of wooded slopes, small villages and hidden temples. You ride jeep trails and ancient single-tracks against the most spectacular backdrop of Himalayan peaks where no fewer than 8 of the world’s top 10 peaks can be seen!

Kathmandu Valley Rim itinerary








View Detailed itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
We will meet you at the international airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.   Tonight we’ll treat you to a traditional Newari dinner (Newars are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley) at one of the capital’s tastiest restaurants and prepare you for the adventure ahead.   Option: if you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, then we can take you on a bazaar walk exploring the secret alleys and courtyards that most visitors don’t get to experience. Add to this a visit to the ancient Kathmandu Durbar (palace) Square and it’s a great introduction to Kathmandu! Note: this is a walking tour from the hotel.

Day 2 Kathmandu – Temples, Temples, Temples!
There are many ways of seeing Kathmandu. Well, how’s this for a great theme? Temples, Temples, Temples! It was once said that in Kathmandu, “There are more Temples than Houses and more Gods than People.” This is still true today; they’re all out there, it’s just that you haven’t seen them all. We will show you the Temples and Gods of the cities of Kathmandu and Patan for the entire day which makes a great start to your week.

This is your first day with your mountain-bike guide. You will visit at a leisurely pace the famous temples and monuments of Kathmandu and Patan city in the Kathmandu valley. Designed to capture the imagery of Kathmandu since the 15th century till the present, this tour gives you a sense of being in a ‘living museum’. The juxtaposition of old and new architectures, the fascinating ethnic & cast groups, the colourful market places and the temples; you’ll visit it all on two wheels and, in Nepal, there is no better way.

Want to make this day even more fun? Why not take an old-school Indian bike and you can get around town the way the locals do it; single speed. You’re sure to get a renewed appreciation for biking as we know it and some great comments while riding around town too!

Day 3 Ride to Danda Gaun
Our first real riding and what a day! It has it all…great riding and stunning nature. You start the day by winding your way out of Kathmandu on small lanes, again seeing the Kathmandu that few visitors ever do. Leaving the city behind you ride through small villages and rice fields as you climb up to the valley rim. Here you join the small black-topped road that winds its way up to Kakani, a hill top village at about 2075m with stunning views to the Himalayan Range.

From Kakani you ride into the Shivapuri National Park, which lies in the transition zone between subtropical and temperate zone. The vegetation consists of a variety of natural forest types including pine, oak and rhododendron, depending on altitude and aspect. Recorded wildlife in the park includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, deer and rhesus monkey. This little park is also home to an amazing 177 species of birds, including 9 threatened species. Once inside the National Park, you will ride one of Nepal’s most famous single trails, the Scar Route! It is an awesome trail which winds its way through the forest around the northern perimeter of the park and it takes us almost all the way to your Hotel for the night. Set in a small Tamang Village overlooking the Kathmandu valley this is a great place to learn about the people living around the valley rim.

Day 4 Ride to Mul Kharka
Setting out from this charming little guest house, you start the day with a short climb but after only 1 km you are onto another great single trail, known as “Heaven”. After a great ride on the single trail you start climbing for a few kilometers on jeep trail and, along the way, you pass and have the chance to enter a famous Buddhist Ani-Gompa (nunnery), called Nagi Gompa. Staying high on the ridge you maintain your altitude for the day but with plenty of ups & downs on offer. For the riders who like good single trail, the “Helipad ride” is a great optional extra but it does mean you have to climb at the end of the day to reach your guest house for the evening.

Day 5 Ride to Chisapani
You ride to Chisapani on small jeep trails, circling the Shivapuri Peak (2400m). This is a great ride on forested trails with the added appeal of Rhododendrons blooming in the Spring making it a magical ride, culminating in great views of the Himalayan Range as we enter Chisapani. This is a little, modern village on the way to the famous Helambu trekking area and you stop for the night here at a local lodge.

Day 6 Ride to Nagarkot
Your long off-road downhill ride to Jarsing Pauwa is an exhilarating start to the morning. You stop for a picnic lunch to fuel the legs before hitting the winding uphill trail to the hilltop village of Nagarkot. Nagarkot is situated at the height of 2170m and is a popular view point on the Kathmandu Valley rim. From the balcony of your hotel you have great views of the terraced paddy fields, deep river valleys and of course the high Himalayan Peaks. The perfect spot to enjoy sunset with a drink.

Day 7 Ride to Kathmandu via Panauti
Set a date with some of the tallest and most beautiful mountains on earth for a hearty breakfast on the terrace. A good mix of ‘on & off-road’ rides lead you through villages and rice fields to Panauti at the confluence of two rivers and bountiful in stories of when the Buddha visited this region. From there you ride up through a beautiful valley for 15km to Lakuri Banjyang, yet another viewpoint which offers the same mountain views but from a different perspective. It is amazing to see how the same mountains look so different when viewed from a different angle. From here you have a great downhill on jeep trail and then take small back roads back into Kathmandu. You will arrive in time for a quick shower before heading out and celebrate your last week’s adventure.  

Day 8 Depart Kathmandu
Prepare and pack your bikes this morning. Exchange ‘tall’ stories of awesome climbs and heart-stopping descents. If your flight is later in the day, there is time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping before your flight back home. Just ask us for directions or any suggestions we can give for this day.

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Seasons

This ride can be done most of the year, however in the monsoon month from late May to beginning of October it gets very hot and humid in the valley. This however shouldn’t keep you from coming if this is the only time of year you can get over here, because at the same time everything gets very lush and green and there is probably no more beautiful time to be in the Kathmandu valley. Just don’t be afraid of rain and some mud.

Current departure dates

Best time to go

January

February

March

April

May

October

November

December

Base price per person $1095

Price based on a minimum of 4 people.
Single Supplement US$150
Please note: We can run this trip for solo travelers and smaller groups, so please get in touch.

Services

One of our super local guides will show you around town and take you on the best trails in the Kathmandu Valley as well as be your bike mechanic. You will be staying in hotels, little guest houses and local tea houses during this trip. Please see the inclusions/exclusions on the trip price tab for more details.

What is included

  • Airport transfers
  • Kathmandu accommodation at very good 3 star hotel
  • Tea house and guest house accommodation when outside Kathmandu
  • Entrance fees and your excellent, English speaking ‘city guide’ for day 2
  • Your awesome, English speaking, local bike guide / bike mechanic for days 2 to 7
  • Meals: welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant on day 1; all meals on days 3 to 6; breakfast and lunch on day 7; breakfast on day 8
  • Entrance fees for Shivapuri National Park
  • Entrance fee for Patan Durbar Square on day 7
  • For groups of 4 plus, we can provide a baggage transfer from hotel to hotel each day of the ride; for smaller groups please ask us about the baggage/jeep back up options and cost

What is not included

  • International flight to and from Kathmandu
  • Airport taxes; Nepal visa fees; Excess baggage charges
  • Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
  • Single supplement, please see above for the extra cost for a single room (can’t be guaranteed at local tea houses)
  • Additional nights at the beginning or end of trip
  • Any extra trips/sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers for groups under 4 pax, although we can provide this at extra cost
  • Backup jeep support; this is because the jeeps can’t go on the same awesome trails you will be riding
  • Mountain bike hire; please ask us if you need to hire a bike
  • Personal items such as soft drinks, bar bills, laundry, donations, postage etc
  • Tips (please ask us if you would like any guidance about tipping)
From $1095

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A truly epic journey! The Roof of the World on a bike – what better way to explore Tibet and Nepal, meet the locals, experience the amazing culture and stunning scenery!
Felix Haslimeier Edinburgh, New Zealand