Overview
For those who wish to get dazzled by the natural beauty and diverse geography of Nepal to the utmost level in a short duration, ‘Around Kathmandu Mountain Biking’ tour is an excellent option. This is a 5-day biking trip on the ridge-top trails which encircle the Valley’s rim. We travel along little-used dirt roads away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Only a short bike ride away lies a delightful world of wooded slopes, small villages, hidden temples and the views which include all of the principal peaks of the Nepal Himalaya – from Makalu to the Annapurna providing some excellent, easy to semi – technical single track riding along old jeep roads. During these five days, we will experience all of the sights, sounds, tastes and smells that make up life in Nepal’s ‘Middle Hills’. We will visit the historic cities of Patan and Bhaktapur, hill resort of Nagarkot with its sunrise view of the entire Nepal Himalaya and the temples, monasteries and picturesque villages tucked away in the forests along the way. We are so close to the bustle of Kathmandu, but so far off the beaten tourist trail.
With the mornings spent cycling above a sea of clouds, it would not be an exaggeration to call this a heaven for mountain bikers! Throughout the trip, support vehicles carrying all our gears will either follow us or be with us at the end of the day. Whether you ride for fun, or take it more seriously, challenges lie around every corner.
Itinerary
Ride starts early after breakfast from Kathmandu, we pass medieval town of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is an ancient city full of Newari culture, many temples and old palaces. After exploring Bhaktapur, we head northeast to Nagarkot on black-topped road. We slowly climb 20 km to Nagarkot passing steep terraced rice fields and houses. When we reach on the top, if weather permit, we will be able to see the Himalayan range of Langtang and Khumbu region.
Enjoy sunrise in the morning. After breakfast viewing sunrise over the Himalayas, we ride downhill leaving Nagarkot top to Nala and other Newari Villages. On the way, we pass some interesting villages of Chhetri and Brahmin natives by watching their daily lives on the fields. Then, we leave for Dhulikhel on a dirt trail climbing and descending small hill before reaching the holy Buddhist site Namo Buddha.
According to legend, it was here that Buddha, in a previous incarnation, fed his flesh to a hungry tigress as an offering. A stone statue marks the site; there is an active monastery on top of the hill. We follow the picturesque view along tarmac and dirt roads back to Dhulikhel. We spend a night at Dhulikhel. Overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast, trip to famous Timal Danda begins, where lives majority of Tamang people. First part of the riding up to Bhakunde Besi is fine pitched road. From there start up hill with full of dust road up to Timalcot. From top of the Timal Danda, you will see fantastic views of Himalayan range and Sun koshi river valley to north and Mahabharat range in the South. Once you are on top, the trip follows will small up and downs and passes many Tamang villages up to Pawa.
Overnight at Camp.
After breakfast, trip to famous Timal Danda begins, where lives majority of Tamang people. First part of the riding up to Bhakunde Besi is fine pitched road. From there start up hill with full of dust road up to Timalcot. From top of the Timal Danda, you will see fantastic views of Himalayan range and Sun koshi river valley to north and Mahabharat range in the South. Once you are on top, the trip follows will small up and downs and passes many Tamang villages up to Pawa.
Overnight at Camp.
Final day of ride passing ancient city of Panauti. This is less known town rarely visited by tourists. Indreswor Mahadev Temple in Panauti is the oldest surviving temple in Nepal, believed to be constructed in 1294A.D. Climbing west; we follow small track along the Roshi River.
Beyond the town of Madhuban, we enter into a narrow pristine valley ascending 300m on superb trail to reach the summit of Lakhuri Bhanjyang. This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu Valley, connecting the ancient cities of the valley with Panauti. The ethnicity of the people change as we descend from Tamangs, Thakuries and Chhetris to lowland Newari farmers. We then cycle the last part of our journey from Sisneri to Kathmandu city with short visit to Patan Durbar Square.
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