KATHMANDU VALLEY CYCLING

Trip Introduction

This exciting ride around the Kathmandu Valley takes you out of the city and to some of the best known hill stations on the Valley Rim. From both Nagarkot and Chisapani the views of the Himalaya are simply breath-taking. Along the route, the tour passes the beautiful monastery at Namobuddha as well as the ancient town centers of Pauntie and Dhulikhel and explores the rich rural cultural of the Valley. Finnish up with a visit to the ancient city of Bhaktapur and the world’s tallest statue of Lord Shiva. The ride is a moderate one, with lots of up and down hill and requires a good level of fitness. The trails are mixed jeep track, single track, country roads and short sections on main road.

Itinerary

• DAY 01

  ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

  Touch down in the Himalayan Capital. We will collect you from the airport and you will get your first dose of the hectic streets of Kathmandu as we drive to the Hotel. Take some time to check the bikes, chill out and recover from your flight.

  Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

• DAY 02

  KATHMANDU TO SHIVAPURI VILLAGE

  We leave the city behind and head through the urban streets and single tracks to Tolkha Temple and then follow the rural trails cross country to Tinpiple. From here we have a 21km road climb with stunning valley scenery along the way to the hill station at Kakani. A tough but fun section of trail starts off with a small section of push to get to 9km of super single track along a route we call the “Scar Road” inside Shivapuri National Park. Emerge from the jungle and finish with 1km climb and 1km downhill to our overnight stop. Enjoy a night in Shivapuri Village Resort with your first views of the Himalaya.

  Accommodation: Shivapuri Village Resort

• DAY 03

  SHIVAPURI TO CHISAPANI

  After breakfast, climb back up onto a flat jeep trail that traces the valley rim for 7km. The next section we call ‘30 Minutes of Heaven’, a sweeping single track in the Jungle with great turns and descents. Re-join the jeep track and climb for a further 3km to Nagi Ghomps, a Buddhist Monastery, before the trail again begins to descend for about 9km of super fun rocky trail, single track and pure jungle scenery to Mulkharka for lunch. Pause and look around you, the hillside is dotted with small farms, towering corn crops and paddy fields. After about an hour of uphill cycling and a bit of push, the trail flattens out and enters the jungle. Its course follows a beautiful stream and undulates gently for 7 km until we rejoin the main jeep track. Passing a series of small lakes we make our last 3km of uphill to Chisapani, a small collection of Tea Houses and the gateway into trekking in Helembu and Langtang. We have now crossed out of the valley and you should be confronted with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, from Gauri Shanka in the east all the way to Annapurna in the west.

  Accommodation:  Hotel

• DAY 04

  CHISAPANI TO NAGARKOT

  Leaving behind the lodge at Chisapani, we follow the ridge and re trace our steps of yesterday for about 6km. If the day is clear we should see Himalayan views as we ride. Continue on the undulating, rugged jeep track for around 12 km until we reach an intersection with a narrow path leading downwards. Follow this steep single track down to Jhule where there is a small teahouse. We can stop here for food and drinks. From Jhule the trail proceeds downwards carving through the hill side, it’s quite technical and depending on the season there might be some carrying involved. We join another jeep track and follow its gentle course for 7km until we again climb upwards. The last 3km to Nagarkot is steady uphill, once again weather permitting; we should be confronted with brilliant views. From our hotel in Nagarkot, relax and enjoy the mountains.

  Accommodation:  Farmhouse

• DAY 05

  NAGARKOT TO NAMOBUDDHA

  Departing from the hotel we head for 5km of cross country riding along the ridge that stretches away from Nagarkot. Once past Rhonni Bhanjyang we head down hill on unused jeep tracks and through Tamang Villages. Passing Tinghari and Kassie Bhanjyang, we head to Nala and from there it’s open road through the historical town of Dhulikhel. We climb again from Kavre Bhanjyang on a jeep track and into the hills. Two hours of riding from Dhulikhel brings us to Namobuddha. Namobuddha is a gorgeous Monastery tucked away on a ridge. Here is the place where the Lord Buddha sacrificed himself to feed a starving tigress and her five cubs.

  Accommodation: Resort

• DAY 06

  NAMOBUDDHA TO LAKURI BHANJYANG

  Wake early and explore the Monastery, delve into the heart of Buddhist culture, the mesmerizing chanting of monks and scent of sandalwood in the air, you will find your inner peace. After breakfast we head for a downhill section and then cross country riding to the historical town of Paunite. From Pauntie we cycling into a steep sided valley with terraced rice fields carved into the hillside and a clean river runing alongside the trail. We gradually climb upwards with the last 3km becoming a little steep as we reach the valley rim and a pass called Lakuri Bhanyjang.

  Accommodation: Hotel

• DAY 07

  LAKURI TO ASHAPURI AND BACK TO KATHMANDU

  We ride along the ridge with spectacular views and some awesome sections of single track. Entering the jungle we follow the undulating trails high up above the valley. Arrive at a small but beautiful temple called Asahpuri. Take some rest and time to explore the area. Again climbing up through the lush farming valley back onto the Valley rim. Ride an awesome downhill trail to meet the main highway followed by a short on road climb to the giant statue of Shiva, one of the most important Hindu Gods. Here we will take lunch and explore the park and statue. A section of scenic single tracks takes us to Bhaktapur, one of the oldest cities in the Valley and then flows on back to Kathmandu.

  Accommodation: Hotel

• DAY 08

  DEPARTURE

  We will transfer you to the Airport for your departure home.