Day 01: Kathmandu Valley
Exploration of Kathmandu Valley. Pashupatinath Temple, Bodhnath Stupa, Budhanilkantha and Swayambhunath Stupa. Overnight hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu-Nakhu-Bungmati-Chobhar-Champagaon-Kathmandu
Ride to Patan and visit of the zoo and Tibetan Refugee Center. Continuing on to the ring road and crossing it to head south on a dirt road, we enter the village Nakhu with good vantage spots for scenic views. We follow the road towards Bungmati going down a steep rocky section. We continue straight for an off-road adventure, down across the Bagmati River and up the other site to return via Chobhar Gorge where we visit Jal Vinayak Temple. From here, we follow a forested climb to the village Champi. A combination of downhill push and uphill carry brings us to Chapagaon and Lele from where we ride back to Kathmandu through numerous Newari villages.
Day 03: Kathmandu-Lubhu-Lakurebhanjyang-Panauti-Dhulikhel
We ride away from the chaos of Kathmandu Valley and head to Lubhu, a Newari town famous for its hand-woven cloths. We climb from 1350 till 2140m to Lakure Bhanjyang where we can enjoy a nice view of Kathmandu Valley. We bike down along the river to Panauti (1447m), another historic Newari town. From here we descend on the paved road until Dhulikhel (1453m). Overnight stay on a superb panoramic place.
Day 04: Dhulikhel-Namobuddha-Dhulikhel
Today we bike off road passing by the village Phoolbari and hiking to Namobuddha, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. Afterwards back to Dhulikel for an overnight stay.
Day 06: Dhulikhel-Bhakatapur-Nagarkot
Today we follow the paved road to Bhakatapur, one of the three Malla principalities of the medieval Kathmandu Valley. After visiting Bhaktapur, we head northeast to Nagarkot (2200m), biking along the narrow and paved road carved out of the hills. Overnight in Nagarkot.
Day 07: Nagarkot-Sankhu-Kathmandu
The morning rewards us with a beautiful sunrise view over the Himalayas. After breakfast, we paddle down to the river and then up to Kattiki. We continue onwards with a heavy workout on hands and brakes. As we enter Sankhu Village, we leave our bikes down and climb upstairs to visit the shrine of the tantric goddess Vajrajogini. From Sankhu, we pass Gokarna Safari Park and via Bodhnath back to Kathmandu.
Day 08: Kathmandu-Daman (80 km)
The thrills of biking begin today. After leaving Kathmandu Valley, the road descends 27 km down to Naubise, a roadside bazaar. From here we take Trihuwan Highway (less crowded and offering splendid views of the Himalayas at Daman). From Naubise starts a 35-km climb to Tistung (2100m) through terraced fields carved out into the steep hillsides. Across the pass, after a 7 km descent appears the beautiful Palung Valley. Overnight stay in lodges or fixed tents in Daman (2300m).
Day 09: Daman-Chitwan
This morning, if you are lucky, the weather will be very clear to offer you the sparking view of a wide range of the Himalayas from Dhaulagiri to Mt. Everest. After breakfast, you will descend 60 km down along the oak and rhododendron bush until you reach Hetauda, one of the industrial cities of Nepal. From here, you will head towards west along the broad Mahendra Highway. You will come across different inhabitation and subtropical scenery to Tandi Bazaar. Here you will be picked up and transferred to jungle camp of the Royal Chitwan National Park. Dinner and overnight stay in camp/ bungalow.
Day 10: Jungle Safari Activities
Today, you will be quite busy with jungle safari activities. In the morning after breakfast, you will go for a river tour in a traditional dug out canoe in order to explore the aquatic life. Besides focusing kingfishers, lapwings, storks and goose with your binoculars, you may also have chance to discover the Gharial crocodile sunbathing on a sandbank. After the canoe trip, you can explore on foot the flora and fauna of the park. In the afternoon, you will again go in the park on the back of an elephant in search of rhinos, leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and of course the elusive royal Bengal tiger. In the evening a cultural program performed by the Tharu tribal people. Overnight in camp/bungalow.
Day 11: Chitwan-Bhairahawa (90km)
The distance is very long following the Mahendra Highway.
Day 12: Bhairahawa-Lumbini-Bhairahawa
Today pilgrimage tour to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Ride back to Bhairahawa for overnight stay.
Day 13: Bhairahawa-Tansen
Ride along the Siddarth Highway. A gradual climb of 41 kilometer brings us to Tansen (1343m), one of the most beautiful places in Nepal.
Day 14: Tansen-Pokhara (117 km)
We continue our ride on the Siddarth Highway along the river. If you feel to exhausted you can catch a bus or a supporting vehicle will pick you up and bring you to Pokhara.
Day 15: Biking Tour in Pokhara
The surrounding area of Pokhara, calm and pollution free, provides an excellent opportunity for trail riding. Biking destinations are Mahendra Cave, Devis falls, Chhorepatan and the Tibetan villages. It is very nice riding along the banks of Phewa Lake. Overnight stay.
Day 16: Pokhara-Naudanda
First ride along lakeside and you will continue until the trail heading up an extremely steep spiral to Sarangkot. Afterwards further to Naudanda (1600m). Overnight stay.
Day 17: Naudanda-Nayapul
Today you bike downhill along the tranquil but snaking Pokhara-Baglung Highway with spectacular views of the Himalayan panorama and steep down slopes ending in the river. You reach Nayapul in the afternoon; after lunch ride back to Pokhara.
Day 18: Pokhara-Mugling (90km)
We leave Pokhara and bike down through roadside bazaars like Dumber and Dermal to Mugling. Overnight in lodge.
Day 19: Mugling-Kathmandu (110km)
We continue our ride along the emerald green Trisuli River till Simapni. At Naubise we will climb with spectacular views on the Ganesh Himal. From Nagdhungha, we paddle down to the Kathmandu Valley.
Day 20: Transfer to airport for departure |
