Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has over three million populations and is the melting pot for a dozen different ethnic groups. Surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides, the northern and eastern sides are the most spectacular with the great Himalayas - Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Everest, etc. - suspended on the skyline. Kathmandu valley constitutes three major ancient and historical cities called Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur with thousands of temples, monuments, statues, palaces, stupas and monasteries. Kathmandu valley has many cultures, traditions and values that can not be found in the other parts of the world. Thamel, the tourist district of Kathmandu, is a shoppers paradise with every imaginable Nepalese handicraft available at reasonable prices - plus good food and night-life to boot!
Kathmandu valley has innumerable biking options for bikers. Depending upon one's ability and time limit, one can make his/her own itinerary varying from a day tour to 14 days or more. If you want to ride the circumference of the valley it will take nearly 14 days.
Detail itinerary Program
Day
01
Arrival
in Kathmandu (1300m) Transfert to Hotel
Day
02
free
day in Kathmandu
Day
03
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
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. In
a Resort
Day
04
We
start with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on
paved and off road through the Shiva Uri Reserve.
Part of the route is on the Helambu trekking trail.
Our final destination is 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. 40 km. Chisopani tea-house
Day
05
From
Chisopani, we take the same route into the north-east
corner of the Kathmandu Valley, then 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 into
Nagarkot will reward you with a comfortable and
peaceful surrounding of hotel on the valley rim.
Enjoy the spectacular view of the Himalayas and
sunset from the hotel. This is where part of the
biking movie 'Retreat' was filmed. 25km or 35km.
in a Hotel.
Day
06
Early
morning farm activity awake us and we can enjoy
the 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 dirt and single track.
We have a choice of day rides ending at the medieval
town of Bhaktapur for lunch then time to look
around before transfer back up the hill to Nagarkot,
or ride up the road if you wish. 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.
in a Hotel.
Day
07
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 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. We have lunch in a secret spot by the
river before the long climb back up to the valley
rim. For most this is best done in the support
vehicle. Ride 65km. O/N in a Hotel.
Day
08
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, or some
newly discovered single track. From here, we ride
on dirt road down 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. 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. 37 km Adventure tented Camp.
Day
09
We
explore the valley floor South of the city now,
stopping in Bungamati, having lunch here, which
is a view point of the whole valley floor, before
riding on past Dakshin Kali, a Hindu live sacrifice
spot, near the hotel. Ride 40km. in a Hotel.
Day
10
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. A picturesque
lake, which provides the backdrop on our last
night out of Kathmandu and out last under canvas.
Ride 35km. in a Camp.
Day
11
Today
we ride up past the end of the Kulekhani Lake
on wide dirt trail to Palung and then take a broken
tarmac road uphill to Daman. in a Hotel.
Day
12
We
take descend on a broken tarmac road to Naubise
and out transport 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.
Ride 68km. in a Hotel.
Day
13
Free
day in Kathmandu
Day
14
Transport
to airport 3h before plane living.
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