Mini Kathmandu Valley Rim - 5 Days

Kathmandu-Kakani- Budhanilkantha - Nagarkot-Dhulikhel-Sisneri-Kathmandu

OPTION: 2

Day 1 Kathmandu to Kakani

We leave Kathmandu after breakfast through the bustling back streets of Thamel and on to good wide undulating jeep tracks into jungle. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular mountain views.  We travel downhill and then on upwards for the seriously fit ride (22km) up to Kakani. We camp in a reserve at 2,000m to enjoy the stunning views of Ganesh and Langtang Himals and the valley of Likhu Khola 1,000m below.

O/N Guest house

Day 2 Kakani to Budhanilkantha

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 pave rd. 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. 53 km. O/N RESORT

Day 3 Budhanilkantha-Nagarkot

Todaystart with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on broken paved and off road through the Shivapuri National Park. Today is challenging day, we pass the Shivapuri Reserve along part of the route to the Helambu trekking trail. We join a secondary tarmac road to Sankhu. We stop here for lunch and explore this ancient town. From here we cycle along a mixture of jeep track and single road to wind our way up the two-hour climb to Nagarkot on the valley rim. The views of the Himalayan range more than compensate this arduous ascent. On a clear day even Mount Everest can be seen! We stay in Nagarkot at a guesthouse from where we can enjoy the sunset. O/N Hotel

Day 4 Nagarkot to Dhulikhel via Nala

Today, after breakfast we have two options to ride; one is ride downhill on paved road to Bhaktapur and then to Nala and 2^nd one is uphill ride to Nagarkot Tower then technical steep downhill to Nala and Dhulikhel. O/N Hotel

Day 5 Dhulikhel to Sisneri via Panauti & Drive to Kathmandu

(45km with 300m ascent and descent)

We descend on jeep track to the ancient city of Panauti where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior to his offerings to the hungry tigress. 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 and believed that it was built in 1294 AD. Climbing towards 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 single trail to reach the summit of a hill on Kathmandu Valley’s rim. This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu Valley, known as Lakhure Bhanjyang. What a grunt! but the views of the Himalayas more than compensate! From here we descend 500m via switch back jeep track to Sisneri, a quiet village. The ethnicity of the people change as we descend from Tamangs in the hills to Thakuries, Chhetris to valley bottom Newari farmers. A short distance beyond Sisneri is our pickup point for the drive back to Kathmandu.

ALTITUDE RANGE:1300m to 2200m

AVERAGE DAILLY DISTANCE: 40km (with optional ads on)

GRADE: C

Group Size:Minimum 3people

Price Includes:

Entrance fees (of temples, Park etc)

Guide with First Aid Kit and Mechanical Backup

Food & Accommodation on twin sharing and full board basis during cycling.

Support vehicle (70%)

Cost Excludes:

Bike and kits

Mineral water/Soft and hard drinks

Emergency evacuation fee

Insurance

Other personal interest items