9 days
16 Pax
Moderate
Hotel / Lodge
All Season
One of the most popular long rides in Nepal. We commence from the gorgeous city of Kathmandu and enjoy breathtaking scenery as we ride along rivers, besides lakes and through the Himalayan foothills to Pokhara where this epic journey will finish. Along the route we will pass through varied terrain, on and off road, challenging up hills and rolling, winding down hills, beautiful Tamang Villages, temples and lush jungles. Of course you will experience the culture of the region and be afforded tantalizing views of the snowcapped Himalayan peaks. This is certainly a memorable and rewarding ride, hence its popularity.
Our staff will welcome you at the Tribhuwan International Airport upon your arrival and transfer you to the hotel on a private vehicle. The evening can be spent exploring Thamel, a tourist hub offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants, as well as Basantapur, which gives you an instant taste of Nepali life. Later in the hotel, we will brief you on trip details, safety and preparation for the adventure.
We head north of the city, leaving the chaos behind as we pass the mystical Budhanilkantha Temple, devoted to Lord Bishnu lying on an 11-headed snake. 4 kms of uphill climb takes you to the well preserved Shivapuri National Park from where you get glimpses of Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal ranges. From this point, we check our brakes and prepare for a 1,000m descent till the LikhuKhola. After 42 kms from our starting point, we reach the ancient Kingdom of Nuwakot created by modern Nepal’s forefather, King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Explore the revered Taleju Temple and old palaces, as well as the rustic Nuwakot Palace in the evening.
An ascent of 3 kms on metaled road from Nuwakot takes us to Raisingh, then on to Samari on a mild climb. We can enjoy views of beautiful rivers and water falls en route, as well as the local way of life and the locals engaged in agriculture. Vast paddy fields and mostly terraced mark our route today. Passing Taskar and Ratmate on a mix of tarmac and jeep tracks, we get to town of Dhading Besi, the district capital of Dhading and also the main market where farmers from the neighboring villages come to sell their produce.
Riding on undulating tarmac and dirt roads, we reach MuraliBhanjyang. After riding for about 54 kms enjoying the amazing natural beauty and the culture along the route, the town of Gorkha Bazar welcomes us. This town holds the most important historical significance to the Nepalese people as it is the birthplace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king who united smaller kingdoms to give birth to modern Nepal. The legendary status of the Gurkhas (who still serve in special British Gurkha forces) originates from this town. The Gurkha soldiers countered waves after waves of British colonial forces, and that eventually led to a truce and their indoctrination in the British Gurkha as elite mercenaries. King Shah’s strategically located Gorkha Durbar and history museums dedicated to the Gurkhas are the main attraction in this town.
On today’s relatively easier cross-country ride, we bike through a small village called Chhepetar which is known for banana production. Observe local farmers in their fields and traders in local markets as well as school children along the countryside. We cross a suspension bridge to leave Gorkha district and enter Lamjung. As we reach Sundar Bazar, we can clearly see Machapuchare, the mountain shaped in a fishtail, hence its English name “Fishtail Mountain”. The town of Sundar Bazar is composed of people of various races and castes, presenting an interesting mix of communities.
This is our final stretch of the ride with some climbs and drops. We continue on the mix of dirt tracks and jeep tracks and after 61 kms reach the scenic lakeside valley of Pokhara. With a spectacular backdrop of Machapuchare as well as the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, Pokhara is well known for its peaceful ambience and relaxation. Once we reach Pokhara, we can do some boating on the Phewa Lake, having a pleasant time and reflecting on our thrilling adventure. In the evening, loosen up your muscles and free your mind with an hour-long full body massage.
We spend the day exploring the picturesque Pokhara valley which offers wonderful natural and cultural places for sightseeing. We visit Barahi Temple (an insland in the Phewa Lake), Seti River gorges, Devi’s Fall, Gupteshwar Cave, Tibetan Refugee Camps and a few museums. The Peace Pagoda is also quite a spectacular hike with amazing view of Pokhara valley below and the Annapurnas on the north. The natural beauty and the laid back environment, above all, are what distinguish Pokhara from the rest of the cities.
Our staff will take you to the airport for an early morning flight to Kathmandu, and transfer you to the hotel. We’ll have some time for sightseeing in the afternoon. Some of the places we visit include UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Bouddhanath (the largest Buddhist shrine in the world), Pashupatinath (the holiest Hindu temples in the world), and Swayambhunath (a popular stupa perched on a hillock overlooking the city). Experiencing the traditional Nepalese lifestyle, mixing in with holy sadhus and monks, learning about fascinating history and observing the enchanting architecture will be the highlight of the day.
After some shopping in the evening, you’re invited for a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant which hosts cultural performances, and you’re more than welcome to join the merry. We toast a round or two of locally brewed drinks to celebrate our achievement and to good health!
Holidays should never have an ending date. So extend your trip and whet your appetite for adventure with a host of activities including trekking, bungy jumping, mountain flight, rafting, hiking, Chitwan jungle adventure, Lumbini heritage trip and shopping tours. These can be arranged before or after this trip.
The trip concludes today. Our staff will drop you off at the Tribhuwan International Airport and wish you bon voyage for onward journey.
Price Details
Please enquire with us for prices
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Trekking staff
Whilst on the trek, the Nepali guides and porters will ensure that you are well looked after. Every trek has an English speaking guide, known as the Sirdar, who is in overall charge. It is his responsibility to organize the trek en route and manage the guides and porters and deal with the local peoples and they are experts in trek organization, as well as being able to discuss the local culture, religion, and landscape. In addition there will be other guides, sometimes referred to by the generic term Sherpa, who will be your walking companions on the trek and will assist the Sirdar in organizing the logistic of the trek. On camping treks there will be full kitchen crew who are responsible for all aspects of catering. And finally there will be porters who are the transportation system of the Nepali mountains. They will carry the duffle bags and other equipment as necessary.
Accommodation
Food
On camping treks, all food is prepared by the trek cook - an expert in preparing delicious camp food. And most importantly, special care is taken to provide well - boiled, purified drinking water. On lodge treks, food is provided in the lodge and this ranges from delicious local specialties to common western dishes. If necessary, bottled water can be purchased from the lodges for a small fee, although many trekkers prefer to use fresh water with the added precaution of a purifying agent. You could bring some Chocolate or special energy drinks for yourself as these are hard to get in the Himalayas.
A typical trekking day
A typical day revolves around the Nepal sunrise and sunset. The day starts with an early wake up call. You then pack up your gear and enjoy a rousing breakfast before starting your morning's walk. The Sirdar will already be organized loads to porters and or animals, and your group will then set off on the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the view and stopping to take photographs. After 2-3 hours walk you stop for lunch. This lasts for about 90 minutes which gives you time to relax, or explore the local village. The afternoon's walk is usually shorter and we arrive at the campsite or tea-house in plenty of time to relax and savour the surroundings. Later in the evening dinner is served, giving you an opportunity to sample the delicious food, talk over the day's events, and look forward to another special day on the trails of Nepal.
Health and safety on the trek General
High Altitude
Anyone can be affected by Altitude Sickness. However, our itineraries are specifically designed to minimize the risks associated with trekking to high altitudes by building in acclimatization and rest days. In the event of any symptoms we will ensure that the individual descends to a lower altitude to gain a quick recovery.
And finally……….. It must be stressed that whilst trekking in the Nepal Himalaya is challenging and rewarding, you must be prepared for he occasional inconvenience or discomfort. The correct mental attitude to trekking is as important as being physically prepared.
All equipment and food, and your own personal backpacks are carried by the porters or pack animals. It is only necessary to carry a camera or small daypack ! On camping treks all necessary camp equipment is provided - this includes dining tent, dining table and chairs, toilet tent, foam mattresses, and all cooking equipment. The only kit that you will need to bring is your own personal equipment and clothing.
Recommended Trekking Kit
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable.
Footwear
Leg wear
Body
Head Hands
Other Items
Recommended Mountaineering Kit
In additional to the items mentioned above for trekking the following is a list of the additional specialist items which are required for the trekking peaks.