Redesigned

Nepal Heritage by Bicycle

Day 1 Meet in Kathmandu

Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal’s vibrant capital city! We suggest arriving at least a day or two before the tour begins to explore iconic landmarks like the white-domed Boudhanath Stupa and the Monkey Temple as well as wander through the city’s bustling bazaars. On arrival day, we meet at our tour hotel in the afternoon for a bike fitting, trip briefing, and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you require assistance with airport transfers and pre-tour hotel bookings.

Hotel Tibet
Dinner

Day 2 Kathmandu - Kulekhani Reservoir - Daman

We leave the chaotic streets of Kathmandu behind and transfer two hours south to our cycling start point in the countryside. From atop a ridge in the Himalayan foothills, we ride winding gravel roads through lush forests, terraced rice fields, and small Nepali villages. After 5 km, we begin a gentle downhill to Kulekhani Reservoir, continuing on undulating trails etched into the hillsides, skirting the calm, clear waters. After 20 km, we stop for a lakeside lunch in the village of Markhu before tackling the final stretch through the foothills, which features some leg-testing climbs. Eventually we arrive at a national highway, our cue to pack up the bikes and hop in the van for a one-hour transfer to a scenic mountain resort in Daman, with unbeatable views of the Himalayas. On clear days, you may spot Mount Everest.

Everest Panorama Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 31km
+815m
-846m

Day 3 Daman - Hetauda

This morning, we embark on a brisk hike to a small Hindu temple nestled in the surrounding forest. Associated with Lord Shiva, the temple features stone carvings, a holy spring, and colorful prayer flags, offering a glimpse into the spirituality of the Himalayan foothills. The hike lasts about three hours, and we return to the resort in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we hop on our bikes for a thrilling downhill ride into the Terai Plains, transitioning from the temperate highlands to the subtropical lowlands of Nepal! Our descent of more than 2,000 meters takes us along a winding national road, flanked by dense pine forests and sweeping mountain views. We ride at a steady pace, navigating steep gradients, loose surfaces, and sharp bends. Eventually, we spill out onto the plains, ending our ride in the city of Hetauda, located at the confluence of three rivers and surrounded by rolling hills.

Avocado and Orchid Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 54km
+709m
-2706m

Day 4 Hetauda - Chitwan National Park

We begin the day with a one-hour transfer west to our cycling start point near the Rapti River. This vital waterway braids across the Terai plains, creating a fertile landscape of subtropical forests and farmlands. Radiating from this lush region is a network of dirt roads, perfect for an exhilarating bike ride! We cycle 30 km along the river’s floodplain, weaving through rice paddies, shady forests and agricultural communities. After passing the town of Sauraha, it is only a short distance to our secluded eco-resort at the edge of Chitwan National Park. We’ll save our exploration of this wildlife oasis for tomorrow, leaving the rest of today to relax by the pool, sway in a hammock, or learn about Tharu culture, the indigenous heritage of Nepal’s Terai region.

Green Mansions Jungle Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 31km
+95m
-173m

Day 5 Chitwan National Park Exploration

Today is an off-saddle day dedicated to Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park, established over 50 years ago and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique and well-preserved ecosystems of the Terai region. Covering 932 sq km, the park boasts a diverse landscape of sal forests, water marshes, and rippling grasslands, home to endangered one-horned Indian rhinos, mugger and gharial crocodiles, Bengal tigers, and over 350 species of birds, making it a haven for wildlife and a must-visit destination for nature lovers. This morning, we’ll board a traditional wooden dugout canoe for a peaceful drift along the Rapti River, offering a chance to spot wildlife along the banks. After the hour-long cruise, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, or you can opt for additional tours (not included, to be paid locally). Jeep safaris and jungle walks are available, but please discuss with our guide in advance to make necessary arrangements.

Green Mansions Jungle Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Chitwan - Lumbini

Today we continue our journey westward. Starting from the resort, we make our way into the Tikauli Jungle, a community forest and wildlife corridor linked to Chitwan National Park. We ride on a peaceful gravel road surrounded by trees and take a break at the so-called "Twenty Thousand Lake”, a popular stopover for migratory birds. After around 20 km, the landscape begins to shift from forests to farmlands and we find ourselves on bumpy village roads cutting through rice, corn and mustard fields. Once we reach the city of Bharatpur, we saddle off and hop in the van. The rest of the day is a road trip to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the holiest of grounds for millions of Buddhists around the world. The total travel time is around five hours, most of the way driving along the Mahindra Highway, one of Nepal’s most vital arteries connecting the east and west.

Lumbini Buddha Garden
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 35km
+160m
-161m

Day 7 Lumbini - Butwal - Tansen

We dedicate the first part of the morning to the Sacred Garden of Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated as the birthplace of Lord Buddha in the 6th century BC and one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists worldwide. At the heart of the complex stands the Maya Devi Temple, marking the exact spot of the Buddha's birth, surrounded by significant archaeological remains, including the iconic Ashoka Pillar, erected by the first Indian king to embrace Buddhism as a state religion. After touring Lumbini, we return to the hotel and saddle up! Our ride takes us on another pleasant journey through the agrarian heartland of the Terai lowlands. After around 40 km on rural roads, we stop for lunch in the city of Butwal. From here, we transfer by van for about two hours north along the Siddhartha Highway, heading toward the hill station of Tansen. Back in the highlands we once again enjoy cool temperatures and stunning views of the Himalayas.

Hotel Srinagar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 40km
+203m
-121m

Day 8 Tansen - Waling - Pokhara

From our hotel, we ride through the old alleyways of Tansen, a historic town renowned for its traditional Newar architecture and shophouses showcasing the region’s famous handwoven dhaka fabric. After we exit Tansen we join the Siddhartha Highway for a roughly 20 km winding descent into the Kali Gandaki River gorge. Our route then continues on the other side of the river, but now going uphill! The gradients are generally mild, but be prepared for a few steep bursts as we tackle slopes adorned with coffee plantations, cornfields, and farms growing vegetables and spices. After lunch in the village of Galyang Bazaar, we continue for a few more kilometres, enjoying a particularly scenic stretch of the Siddhartha Highway, coiling along slopes above a gushing river. After around 60 km, we call it a day and hop in the van for a 2.5-hour transfer to Pokhara. Known as the gateway to the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range, Pokhara is a charming lakeside city and the perfect base for our final two nights

Mount Kailash Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 58km
+1181m
-1872m

Day 9 Begnas Lake Hike & Bike

Pokhara is often called the “City of Seven Lakes.” One of them, and the largest, is Phewa Lake, which lies right in front of our hotel! The second largest, Begnas Lake, is about an hour’s drive outside of the city, and that’s where we’re headed for today’s morning adventure. From the lakeshore, we’ll hike into the surrounding rolling hills for about 1.5 hours, soaking in the tranquil ambiance and enjoying views of the Annapurna Range. At the top of a ridge, our bikes will be waiting, and we’ll ride along undulating gravel roads surrounded by terraced fields, before finishing with a flat stretch to the Bijaypur River. Afterward, we’ll pack up our bikes and transfer back to the hotel (about 30 minutes), where you can unwind for the afternoon. In the evening, we’ll reconvene for a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey we’ve had.

Mount Kailash Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 20km
+421m
-794m

Day 10 Pokhara Departure

Our cycling tour has ended but feel free to extend your stay in Pokhara, the base for some of the best trekking opportunities in the world. Or head back to Kathmandu via a very scenic 30 minute flight (on a clear day, and from a window seat!). Please let us know If you require assistance with airport transfers and post-tour hotel bookings.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.