Mountain biking in Nepal : BIKING AROUND KATHMANDU VALLEY (8 days)

If you enjoy Mountain Biking and wish to experience as much of Nepal as possible in a week holiday this ‘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 Annapurnas 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 Bhaktpur, 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.

Mountain biking in Nepal – Explore Himalaya.

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 gear will either follow behind 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

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is itself an unforgettable experience, with the entire Nepalese Himalaya sprawling out below you. You will be met at the Airport by company representative to escort you to your hotel so, look out for Explore Himalaya signboard with your name on it.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a strange mixture of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Western influence. There will be a half day guided tour to Famous & biggest Hindu shrine PASUPATHINATH, largest Buddhist stupa in town BOUDHANATH, 15th century palace of 55 windows and & durbar Square at BHAKTAPUR.

Day 3 We begin with a classic 50 kms., mountain bike trail, at first on roads through Patan to Lubhu, climbing up the deteriorating track to the quiet Newari village of Sisneri. So near to Kathmandu, but away from the beaten tourist track, it is a photographer’s paradise, with the contrast of richly coloured villages against a backdrop of snow capped mountains. After a steep 500 metre climb, it is wild trail downhill to Panauti, home of the oldest temple in Nepal, the Indreshwar Hahadev. Reunited with our support vehicle, which could not follow us for the whole route, we camp beside the river at this idyllic settlement.

Day 4 We have a choice of the road climb up to Dhulikhel, or a more adventurous track, which goes more steeply up through terraced fields to the Buddhist pilgrimage temple of Namo Buddha and then down to Dhulikhel. This involves a ride of about 35 kms. Our camp at Dhulikhel offers fantastic sunset views of the great chain of the Himalaya.

Day 5 It is downhill on a little-used tarmac road towards the mediaeval town of Bhaktapur, where we will spend a long lunch exploring a wealth of his historic temples and courtyards. The afternoon is a steady series of switch-backs up onto the main ridge, where we find another spectacular campsite at the hill-station of Nagarkot.

Day 6 Himalayan mountain biking does not get much better than today’s ride. Early morning usually creates a sea of cloud in the valley beneath us, and we can look beyond this to a mountain panorama which stretches from Makalu to the Annapurnas. The riding terrain is also superb as we slowly make our way along an old jeep track, traversing the ridges of Kattike, Manichup and Chipu Dara. We must be very careful not to take a wrong turning on this part of the route, as the false descent will only mean a long carry back up to the ridge! After about 40 kms., we camp at Chisopani, just to the north of the main ridge. This is our last night camping, and we have magnificent views of the Annapurnas. Support vehicles cannot follow us along this part of the route and porters will carry our essentials to the campsite.

Day 7 Fit and well-acclimatized after the exercise of the last few days, we take the opportunity on our final day of biking to climb the valley’s second highest mountain Shivapuri 2732m, before plunging back to Kathmandu on one of the best downhill rides in the area, via the reclining Vishnu Temple at Budhanalikantha. A hot bath awaits us at the Hotel before we rebox our bikes and start the celebrations of completing a memorable ride.

Day 8 Depart Kathmandu (or stay longer for other activities)
Transfer to the airport in time to catch you flight home.

* Previous story  :

– Mountain biking in Nepal : Nagarkot Tour.

– Rock climbing in Nepal.

– National Parks of Nepal.

* Source :  – http://www.explorehimalaya.com/

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