A classic route from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Chitwan and Lumbini
Guided mountain biking tailored to your abilities.
Based in the Himalayan foothills and lowlands of Nepal, our Classic Nepal mountain bike holiday commences from Kathmandu, before taking the world’s second longest descent to the lowlands of Nepal (the Terai) and onwards to Pokhara via Chitwan National Park and Lumbini (the birth place of Lord Buddha)
This tour will suit riders looking for something less extreme than the high Himalayas and with full vehicle support can be tailored to suit all abilities.
PHOTO GALLERY
Trip Highlights
- Length: 13 DAYS & 12 Nights
- Travel Dates: Weekly Departures (September to June)
- Location: NEPAL Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Conditions: Warm Riding through the Terai lowlands
- Courses: Moderate A more relaxed tour with easier riding conditions
DAILY ITINERARY
The Multi Terrain Biking team wants your holiday to not only be the adventure of a lifetime, but also a relaxing and fun experience, so here's some info on whats included in each and every one of our tours.
You will be met at Tribhuvan International airport by a representative from Mountain Biking Worldwide and taken to the hotel which is located in the heart of the tourist district of Kathmandu, Thamel (approximately a 30-minute drive).
You will be issued with your MTB-WW merchandise. There will then be time to check over the bikes, with a member of the MTB-WW crew member on standby to assist with any mechanical issues.
Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to explore the streets, sights and shops of Thamel or to relax after your journey, before joining your guides for an early evening welcome meal, where they will explain more about the coming days tour and activities.
Biking Distance: 26km
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Your guide will take you on a tour of the city and to the major religious squares which are recognised as world heritage sites.
Upon completing the city tour, lunch will be provided, and a short 2-hour bike ride will follow.
The cycling will be on undulating trails, passing by paddy fields and the serene forest of Phulchowki. You will finish in Godawari which is well known for its botanical gardens, rich wildlife and evergreen forests, giving you a real sense of tranquility.
Biking Distance: 38km
After breakfast, the tour continues on jeep track through the Chapagaon village where you will have magnificent views of the Kathmandu Valley below.
You will head south from Chapagaon, crossing over the Lele river and towards the Bungamati village. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Bagmati river you will approach a Ganesh Temple (Elephant God Temple) and from here, the sealed Dakshinkali road strings together some fascinating cultural sights. Whilst the remaining ride is largely uphill, it is gradual!
Biking Distance: 59km
Following a nutritious breakfast, you will cycle along a gravel road to Kulekhani via a Tamang village. Along the way you can experience the authentic Nepalese lifestyle and visit the largest hydro power and artificial lake in Nepal, Kulkehani Dam.
You will continue on from here, with an approximate 2-hour climb towards the overnight destination of the day – Daman at 2400m above sea level.
The support vehicle will be available for those not relishing the climb!!
Biking Distance: 52km
Day 5 has, quite possibly, the best views of the trip. You will get to see an incredible 400km panorama of the Himalayas which extends from the Annapurna’s to Mt. Everest. There are also great views over the Terai, the low plains of Nepal, and further into the distance – India!
You’ll enjoy the ultimate downhill ride with over 2000m of descent through pine and rhododendron forests which eventually gives way to semi-tropical vegetation as the air becomes more humid. Small clusters of houses cling to lonely hill tops but as you approach the Terai, you will pass through more and more villages.
The town of Hetauda (455m above sea level) lies at the bottom of the descent and you will end today’s cycling on an unforgettable high.
Biking Distance: 71km
Day 6 is a much flatter ride compared to the previous couple of days. You will now be in central Terai, a region of hot subtropical plains, and the surrounding vegetation reflects this.
The route diverts onto a dirt track to the outskirts of the Chitwan National Park area at Saurahaand, where you will be staying at a hotel in the park!
Chitwan National Park is the largest and most famous wilderness in Nepal and covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem. It boasts more than 43 species of mammals and is especially renowned for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers. It is also home to 450 species of birds and 45 types of amphibians and reptiles.
We offer a range of activities in Chitwan that are not included in the cost of the tour but are not compulsory if you want a rest day!
Canoeing: A journey down the river Rapti in a traditional ‘dug-out canoe’ and an opportunity to quietly observe the exotic species of birds and animals that come to drink at the water’s edge.
Guided jungle walks or drive: Accompanied by an experienced naturalist you can walk or drive deep into the jungle, to prime locations in search of rare animals.
Bird watching: An early morning walk through the bush and along the Rapti River, with an expert guide to view some of the 450 species of exotic birds including the Giant Hornbill, Lesser Florican and Paradise Flycatcher.
Tharu culture show: A dance performance from a Tharu ethnic group who originally migrated from Rajesthan in India.
Village tour: Visit a traditional Tharu village deep in the jungle.
Biking Distance: 117km or 72km
Following a leisurely breakfast, you will start the day cycling towards the Tikauli forest travelling via the Bishajari Lake. Following this you will continue onto the Mehendra Highway and break for a lunch at Dawene after 72 km’s of riding.
Again, your support vehicle will be on hand if anybody feels they would like a break from riding, or for those feeling really energetic you can continue riding for another 45km’s to Butwal, where everyone will hop on the vehicles for the transfer to Lumbini.
Lumbini is recognised as the birthplace of the Lord Buddha and is of religious significance for Hindus’ and Buddhists around the world.
Biking Distance: 39km
In the morning you will get to visit Lumbini and the Buddha gardens followed by a return drive to Butwal. The drive will take you through rural Nepal, giving a glimpse of village life in the Terai lowlands.
After lunch, you will be back on the bikes to continue on to Tansen, which is an old Newari city known for its traditional architecture and sweeping views of the Himalayas.
Biking Distance: 45 km
The day will start with an exhilarating descent on a windy road down to the Siddartha Highway, after which you will have a gentle climb up to Galyang, followed by 2-hour drive to the lakeside tourist enclave of Pokhara.
On arrival in Pokhara, you will check into the hotel which will leave plenty of time in the evening to stretch the legs and explore the town.
There are a multitude of activities to indulge yourself in whilst staying in Pokhara. From a relaxing row across the Phewa Tal lake to an exhilarating 30-minute paragliding flight from the famous Sarankot view point. Please get in touch for th/e full list of activities that we have to offer.
After breakfast you will return to Kathmandu via a 25-minute short plane journey or return on the 8-hour bus journey.
Once back in Kathmandu, there will be time in the afternoon for some trinket shopping or to explore some of the many temples and places of interest in the city.
Please let us know at the time of booking if you would prefer to stay in Pokhara a few extra days to check out some of the adventurous (or leisurely!) activities that it has to offer!
Transfer to the airport or continue with additional itinerary.
Let us know if you would like to see the full list of activities that we have to offer.
ESSENTIALS
What's Included
- Qualified & Experienced Guides: We understand that everybody is different. Some riders will want to push hard, others will want to take in the views and learn about the surrounding area and cultures. All of our guides are selected not only for their fitness but also for their local knowledge. The passion for mountain biking, fun loving nature and local connections, that all our guides have, ensure that your adventure will be an incredible journey. As an added bonus, our guides are great mechanics & awesome photographers. They'll be able to help you fix most things on the trail and they also know the best places to get the epic shot to make all your friends back home jealous!
- Most Meals: Your detailed adventure information pack will list the exact meal arrangements. In general, all breakfasts and evening meals are included in the price of your trip. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, even in the remotest of areas, and as all trips are guided by experienced riders you can be assured of loaded plates of high carbohydrate quality food to fuel you through the day.
- Adventure Accommodation: The nature of your holiday is to have an adventure, but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it. For all of our adventures we use the best accommodation that is available in the area. All our hotels / guesthouses have been personally vetted, so whether it’s a 3* hotel in the city or a basic teahouse in the mountains you can rest assured you will be warm, comfortable and well fed.
- Support: Each group will have experienced guides and we have a low guide to numbers ratio to ensure that everybody is well looked after. All our guides are mechanically adept and will be able to fix most bike problems out on the trail. There will also be porters to transport all the luggage and to ensure your hotel / guesthouse is ready for your arrival after a hard days riding. As an additional extra, where terrain allows, we can provide a dedicated support vehicle that will carry water, food, bike spares etc, with space to transport any rider to the hotel should the going get too tough. Let us know at time of booking if you would like this option.
- Transport: All in country transport costs related to the adventure are included in the trip cost.
- Adventure Information Pack: Being avid riders, travellers and adventure enthusiasts ourselves, we know how important it is to be able to visualise your trip before arrival. All Multi Terrain Biking guests will be sent a detailed PDF trip specific information pack. This extensive document will arm riders will all the details they need to plan and prepare for their adventure, and will include a day to day itinerary, photos, information relating to the country and much more.
- Adventure Advisors: Our knowledgeable Multi Terrain Biking team are always on hand via email or phone to answer any queries that you may have related to the adventure, during the booking process or after you have booked.
- Regular Updates: We will keep you informed with regular updates from the adventure, and closer to departure, with specific details of the guides, hotels, meeting times etc. If you "opt in" we will also give you contact details of other riders joining the adventure so that you can start exchanging information and getting to know other riders before arrival.
- Safety: Multi Terrain Biking tours take riders into some of the remotest and wildest areas on earth. The Multi Terrain Biking team takes rider and crew safety extremely seriously and only uses the most reputable and properly equipped ground logistics teams on location. All our logistic teams also provide the support for our races and have a track proven record for customer service and safety. By travelling with us you can rest assured that your safety and well being could not be in better hands.
- Multi Terrain Biking Merchandise: The Multi Terrain Biking team are proud of their branding and want to share their vision with the world. On arrival, all guests will receive a Multi Terrain branded kit bag. They are yours to keep as mementos of your epic adventure and as a thank you for travelling with us.
- Hire Bikes: All the Multi Terrain Biking team have flown to far flung destinations with their bikes. They understand that it is not the most relaxing of procedures, from checking it in at one end to the nervous wait for it to arrive unscathed at the other. To make your holiday even more stress free we have a range of high quality mountain bikes (nothing we wouldn’t ride ourselves) available to rent. Please enquire for prices.
- Compare Your Times: Via GPS data you will be able to compare your times with those of corresponding races & tours and the top adventure timings will be featured in a Multi Terrain Bikings timings leader board on the website.
What's NOT Included
- International flights to and from the adventure country
- Country entry visa fees
- Travel & Medical insurance (these are compulsory and must include helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency at the respective altitudes)
- Medical expenses
- Accommodation before and after the adventure
- Transport to the adventure pickup location
- Equipment hire or rental
- Alcoholic and soft drinks consumed during the adventure
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Personal items purchased during the adventure
- Extra activities in the adventure location (these can be arranged for an additional fee)
Frequently Asked Questions
For all our destinations we cater for a wide variety of riders, from families embarking on a vehicle supported cultural cycle tour to the most adventurous of riders looking to ride the remotest and most technical of trails, and everything in between.
If you have any apprehensions about whether a tour or race will be too hard (or too easy), just get in contact and we’ll talk you through it
Yes!
Many of our tours and races travel through remote area’s, where in the event of an emergency, helicopter evacuation maybe necessary.
It is essential that you have travel insurance covering for this and we will need a copy of this for our records before your adventure commences.
We don’t have a partner policy with any specific insurance company but have found that Dogtag provide comprehensive insurance cover for most nationalities that is suitable for the majority of our holidays and races.
We don’t include international flights with our biking holidays which means you are free to shop around for the best deals and flight times to suit your budget and itinerary. We are however happy to recommend airlines and flight times based on your destination and tour should you be looking for assistance or advise. Just drop us a line!!
Yes you can and we actually recommend you do if it’s feasible! Bringing your own bike is the best way to ensure you’ll have maximum comfort on your chosen tour. Of courser, if bringing your own bike isn’t possible then we’re more than happy to provide a hire bike. Bike hire prices vary with location and the type of tour you are considering and we can let you know the cost and bike specification on request.
If you are bringing your own bike, most airlines have straightforward and affordable bike carriage policies and our staff can offer plenty of advice on the various methods of packing and travelling. We’ll even help you assemble it on arrival and pack it away safe and sound when you return!
It really depends on your chosen destination and tour and what you are previously used to riding. If you have any doubts about which bike is best for the job, or you wish to hire a bike for the tour or race, then please contact us and we will do our very best to advise.
Yes. Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Just let us know of any specific requirements and given plenty of notice it is usually possible to fulfill most requests. In the unlikely event it is not possible we will let you know before confirming your place.
Our nutritional partner, Torqfitness are offering discounts on all products and coaching services purchased through Mountain Biking Worldwide up to and during the race or tour. They are also able to give advice on the best products to suit your needs for training and during your adventure. Please contact us for more details.
TorqFitness have developed a bespoke nutritional package for Yak Attack. Please have a look at this link for further information. You can either add this on as an optional extra when you fill out the application form (to be delivered to your home country or to Nepal), or alternatively contact us to purchase.
If you are embarking on one of our tours, then you’ll receive a unique MTB-WW cycle top absolutely free of charge!
However if you just like the look of our cycle jerseys (and who can blame you) then they are on sale for US$100 + postage. Email us your size and address and we’ll take care of the rest!
Mountain Biking Worldwide has 3 chosen charities / projects that we support.
NCRR – a Nepal based NGO that rebuilt 7 schools in Nepal after the devastating earthquakes of 2015. Money raised for this charity will go towards the up keep of these schools and towards further school rebuild projects, and greatly assist in the education facilities for many rural children.
Helping Paws Worldwide – whose aim is to raise awareness on animal welfare and compassion through targeted vaccination and neutering camps and educational programs throughout Nepal and Sri Lanka. They also work closely with other in country charities such as Animal SOS Sri Lanka and Sneha Care to instigate neuter and vaccination programs.
The Yak Attack Foundation – money raised for our very own foundation will be used to support the growth of mountain biking in regions that host our races and provide platforms for the development of talented individual riders including the upkeep and development of the Nepal MTB coaching / training centre based in Kathmandu.
Any race participant raising over $300 for any of the above causes will be eligible to a 10% discount off the race entry fee or tour cost
If you do wish to support any of the causes close to our hearts then please make your intentions known at the time of applying and we will send you flyers to assist with promoting your fund raising.
And of course you are more than welcome to use any of our events to raise funds for any causes close to your heart.
Of course you are allowed to bring as much luggage as you desire , but we ask that you endeavour to limit the weight to around 20kg per person for the duration of the tour. You luggage will need to be handled by our staff, numerous times during the day and we als o want to ensure they are fit and happy at then end of the day and not incapacitated with a bad back!!
Bags must be clearly labelled with the riders / companions name so that it is easily identifiable to the owner.
No, but these can be purchased separately from local shops, the hotel or teahouse.
Your guide will have a medical kit to hand throughout the tour but it is also recommended that you bring the following items along for your safety and convenience.
Plasters (including blister plasters)
Bandages
Antiseptic spray and/or wash
Hand sanitiser and/or hand wash
Pain killers i.e. paracetamol, ibuprofen etc.
Any prescribed medication (in original containers, clearly labelled: check with your airline whether they should be packed in checked in or hand luggage) – including inhalers / epi-pens
Diarrhoea and vomiting tablets
Constipation tablets
Anti-allergy tablets
Throat tablets
Water filters and/or purifiers for areas of non adequate drinking water
Strong factor of suncream
High factor lip salve
Cat 4 sunglasses
We would also advise that all riders see their local doctor or travel clinic regarding getting advice and/or medications for the following:
Antibiotics or medications for gastroenteritis
Antibiotics for wound infections (if these differ)
Discussing whether or not they may need altitude sickness tablets (i.e. Diamox)
Pain relief
Any currently prescribed medication that you are taking
For more information on traveling abroad please visit FitforTravel.
At the moment, we can accept bank transfer in either £GBP, $USD & Paypal payments made in £GBP with an additional 5% charge to cover fees. All transfer fees must be covered by the paying customer. Full details will be included in the time of booking.
Tribhuvan airport, Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. There are a number of airlines that fly there which include (but are not limited to): Emirates, Qatar, Jet Airways, India, Turkish Airlines. Most flights either go via the middle east or India.
Yes, nearly all nationalities need a visa to visit Nepal. Certain nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, for which you will need 1 passport sized photograph and a pen (on a busy day it can take well over an hour to pass through passport control, especially if you do not have a pen to complete the forms). A 15 day visa is $25 USD, a 30 day visa is $40 USD, or a 90 day visa is $100 USD (this has to be paid for in foreign currency, US$, AUS$, Euro, GBP etc). The necessary documents will be given to you either on your flight or are obtainable in the airport.
For those nationalities that can’t get a visa on arrival, or for the more organised travellers, visas can be arranged in advance at your nearest Nepali embassy. Please check well in advance of your trip with your countries embassy for specific details.
Please check with your local doctor prior to flying to Nepal. The following vaccinations are recommended for people visiting Nepal, but the list is not extensive;
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
Of course! We’d love for you to see more of your chosen destination and go to places your tour might not take you. With experienced local teams in place, if you so wish, we can assit in arranging extensions to your holiday, extra night’s accommodation, transport etc.
