KINGDOM OF THE GOD (KATHMANDU VALLEY RIM)

Trip Grade:D Tough

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has over three million populationsand is the meeting point 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 shopper's paradise with every imaginable Nepalese handicraft available at reasonable prices - plus good food and night-life to boost!

Kathmandu valley has innumerable biking options for bikers. Depending upon one's ability and time limit, one can make 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 and here's our suggested itinerary.

DAY 01: Arriving in Kathmandu & transfer to the Guest House in Thamel, a tourist district offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the afternoon we will sort out our bikes and over dinner there will be a tour briefing. O/N Guest House SH

Altitude:                        1340m

Day 02:Approx. 9 am we ride out of Kathmandu from our hotel, though the busting back streets of Thamel. Leaving the city behind we arrive at the Nagarjun Forest (the Queen’s Forest) where we head off-road, starting with good wide undulating track before a long 10km climb up through the jungle. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular views over the valley and a superb fine trail descent down the backside of the mountain. At the bottom we transfer or for the seriously fit ride the last 22km on the back road up to Kakani. Guesthouse, set in a reserve at 2000m, enjoys stunning views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal and the valley of Likhu Khola (River) 1000m below. O/N GUEST HOUSE BH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        2000m

Bike off Rd.:                   30km

Bike paved road:          25 km

Total distance:             55km

Day 03:Head off on one of the best trails in the valley (which was used as the Mountain Bike Championship course) down towards Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu) on wide undulating jeep track and some single track and pass through the Shivapuri 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. 35 km. O/N RESORT SH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        1600m  

Bike off Rd.:                   25km

Bike paved road:          8km

Total distance:             30km

DAY 04: We start with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on paved and off road through the Shivapuri 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. O/N TEA HOUSE BH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        1950m

Bike off Rd.:                   40km

Bike paved road:          3km

Total distance:             37km

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 a part of the biking movie ‘Retreat’ was filmed. 25km or 35km. O/N HOTEL SH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        2000m

Bike off Rd.:                   30km

Bike paved road:          5km

Total distance:              35km

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 we 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. O/N HOTEL SH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        2010m

Bike off Rd.:                   430km

Bike paved road:          7 km

Total distance:             50km

DAY 07:The ‘Retread’ Trails 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 Friendship Highway, the main road to Tibet. We have lunch in a 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 RESORT SH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        1650m

Bike off Rd.:                   40km

Bike paved road:          15 km

Total distance:             55km

DAY 08:DHULIKHEL – GODAWARI

Start on paved road down to the ancient city of Panauti. 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. What a grunt, but the views of the Himalayas more than compensate! We stop here for the lunch or cold drinks and take a fast DH on wide jeep track down to Lubhu. Leaving Lubhu behind we head toward West on a jeep track passing paddy fields along the foot hill of the highest hill Phulchowki in the valley on our way to Vajra Varahi home of the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ancient woodland surrounds the temple, protected by the local belief that to cut even one tree would greatly anger the deity. We shall stop in this forest for lunch on a small clearing ideal for a rest and to enjoy the tranquil sanctuary of the ancient forest. The villagers still appease the wrathful Vishnu by weekly sacrifices of chicken, goat, and buffaloes. We over night at the Godawari. O/N Hotel SH (B/L/D)

Altitude:                        1500m

Bike off Rd.:                   40km

Bike paved road:          8 km

Total distance:             48km

DAY 09:After breakfast ride to Bungamati, a 16th century traditional Newari village south of Kathmandu. After unloading the bikes, we begin our ride around the town and stop to take in the fantastic views of the Kathmandu valley. After lunch we continue our ride alongside the Chobar Gorge until we hit the paved road that leads all the way to Dakshin Kali. The temple here is beautifully situated and is one of the most famous temples in the Kathmandu Valley. Dedicated to Kali, the goddess of power, ritual sacrifices are regularly made here. We will visit the temple (though Hindus only are permitted inside) this evening or the next morning hotel. O/N Village Inn CH (B, L, D) Note: The road is narrow and busy specially Sat. and Tuesday.

Altitude:                        1400m

Bike off Rd.:                   25km

Bike paved road:          15 km

Total distance:             40km

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 (completed in 1982 Nepal's first major hydroelectric project). In between the trails we ride through pine forests and couple of small villages (Hudu, Hunanae Bhanjyang, Fakhel, and Kalanki) before reaching Markhu. A picturesque lake provides the perfect background for a lunch stop. We then carry on riding towards Daman riding on the Tribhuvan highway through, (Taukhel, Bajra Barahai,Thana bazaar). Anyone fancying an introduction to Himalayan hill climbing (14km's) can spin all the way up. The hotel enjoys a spectacular mountainside location, arguably offering the most spectacular outlook on the Himalaya in all Nepal. On a clear day onecan see all the way from Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. Daman also happens to be the highest point in the valley's ON Hotel CH (B, L, D)

Altitude:                        2325m

Bike off Rd.:                   50km

Bike paved road:          15km

Total distance:              65km

DAY 10:Today's ride is mostly fast downhill on broken, steep, lots of sharp turns and narrow road to Naubise. From here 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 guest house through the bustling streets of Kathmandu. O/N GUEST HOUSE SH (B, L, D)

Altitude:                        1440m

Bike off Rd.:                   0km

Bike paved road:          65 km

Total distance:             65km

DAY 11:Leisure day in Kathmandu for shopping or start an optional programme. O/N GUEST HOUSE

Altitude:                        1340m

DAY 12:Departure or start optional programme

Group Size: Minimum 3 people

Costing:

Cost includes:

All Entrance fee

Support vehicle

Biking Guide with mechanical backup

Food & Accommodation on twin sharing and full board basis during biking

Bed and breakfast basis in Kathmandu

Mineral water during biking

Cost Excludes

Mountain bike and accessories

Insurance

Emergency evacuation fees

Soft and Hard drinks

Any items of personal interests