Along the Himalayas, Roof of the World

Nepal Mountain Biking

Tour Description: Guided

Mountain biking through the world’s deepest valley in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains in the Nepalese Himalayas. 

Many mountain bike routes lay claim to the title of the World’s Greatest, but only the Kali Gandaki Valley trails in the Mustang region of the Himalayas of Nepal can claim to be surrounded by five-mile-high peaks, where every night you stay in teahouses run by local villagers and stocked with good food and cold beer.

The Kali Gandaki Valley – the deepest valley in the world – marries natural grandeur, local culture and relative luxury in a union found nowhere else. Riding the trails of the legendary Annapurna Circuit, and the lower Mustang region, this Himalayan mountain bike adventure tour in Nepal will take you to some of the most beautiful and unexplored places on the planet, where you will experience the most emotional mountain biking of your life.

Read the trip diary on our blog from our operator partner, H&I Adventures.

Learn more about guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

Mountain biking through the world’s deepest valley in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains in the Nepalese Himalayas. 

Many mountain bike routes lay claim to the title of the World’s Greatest, but only the Kali Gandaki Valley trails in the Mustang region of the Himalayas of Nepal can claim to be surrounded by five-mile-high peaks, where every night you stay in teahouses run by local villagers and stocked with good food and cold beer.

The Kali Gandaki Valley – the deepest valley in the world – marries natural grandeur, local culture and relative luxury in a union found nowhere else. Riding the trails of the legendary Annapurna Circuit, and the lower Mustang region, this Himalayan mountain bike adventure tour in Nepal will take you to some of the most beautiful and unexplored places on the planet, where you will experience the most emotional mountain biking of your life.

Read the trip diary on our blog from our operator partner, H&I Adventures.

Learn more about guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Riding on the roof of the world
• Staying in locally/family run tea houses along the route
• Being one of the first people to ride mountain bikes in this area
• Visiting the less travelled area of the deepest valley in the world, the Kali Gandaki Valley
• Two nights high above the bustling city of Kathmandu, in the tranduil Shivapuri park
• Three stunning internal flights around the Himalayas

Highlights: Self-guided

• Riding on the roof of the world
• Staying in locally/family run tea houses along the route
• Being one of the first people to ride mountain bikes in this area
• Visiting the less travelled area of the deepest valley in the world, the Kali Gandaki Valley
• Two nights high above the bustling city of Kathmandu, in the tranduil Shivapuri park
• Three stunning internal flights around the Himalayas

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu/overnight at Shivapuri
Today we will be transferred up to the beautiful Shivapuri Hill Cottage - a traditionally designed cottage on the edge of the Shivapuri National Park. This is where we’ll be briefed on what lies ahead of us over the next 12 days, and introduced to our tour support crew.

Day 2: Nagi Gumba - Kopan (9 miles/15 km)
Riding into the lush Shivapuri National Park we will climb up to Nagi Gumba at 1,900m, before peeling off the main trail onto a fast and flowy descent that is lined with traditional Nepalese prayer flags. After today’s ride we will visit the world famous Buddhist Stupa, called Boudhanath, but remember to walk around it in a clockwise direction. On returning to the cottage we will be treated to our evening meal on the terrace.

Day 3: Kakani - Shivapuri (14 miles/22 km)
After our terrace breakfast high above Kathmandu, we will shuttle up to the hill-top town of Kakani at 2,200 m. From there we will ride on a winding technical singletrack that offers glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains in the distance, before popping us out high above the Shivapuri cottage. We descend to the cottage and settle in for the night around the fire, reliving the day’s trails.

Day 4: Tarebhir - Sundarijal (12 miles/19 km)
Today we pack our kit into the van, leave our hill-top home behind and ride into the Nagi Gumba area for another spectacular trail. This trail signifies the end of the riding in the Kathmandu valley and the start of our riding in the mountains. You will be rewarded with a fast-flowing trail down to the town of Sundarijal.

Day 5: Flight to Pokhara; Rest day
Today we will take an early morning flight to the lake
city of Pokhara, where upon arrival we will get breakfast, before heading out to explore Pokhara and maybe a pedal boat race! Today is a free day.

Day 6: Flight to Jomsom/ acclimatization ride (9 miles/15 km)
We start today with what is described as the world’s most dramatic plane journey, a spectacular mountain flight into Jomsom - the heart of the Kali Gandaki Valley (the world’s deepest valley). Once we collect our luggage we settle down to some breakfast, then embark on one of the most emotional rides of your life to the town of Kagbeni at 2,900m.

Day 7: Kagbeni - Muktinath - Kagbeni (16 miles/25 km) 
This is our climbing day! We spend today gaining height from Kagbeni at 2,900m to Muktinath at 3,800m. Once there we have lunch before undertaking a stunning singletrack descent that sees us weave through villages before dropping us out onto a fast, open descent back down to Kagbeni.

Day 8: Kagbeni - Jharkot - Marpha (16 miles/25 km)
Today starts with a shuttle up to Jharkot, which lies just short of Muktinath, we off-load the bikes and start a 300m ascent to the breath-taking trail through the Lubra Pass at 4,100m. After a series of photo calls we will descend one of the main trail highlights of the trip to Marpha (2,700m), the apple growing region of the valley.

Day 9: Marpha - Tatopani (29 miles/46 km)
We ride through the world’s deepest valley today, between the two 8,000m giants Mount Annapurna and Mount Dhaulagiri. We criss-cross the valley on perfect singletrack and huge suspension bridges that link village after village, providing the inhabitants with a trade route and means of communication. We end today’s ride in the hot spring town of Tatopani, a great way to unwind after a week of mountain biking.

Day 10: Tatopani - Beni/Transfer to Pokhara (13 miles/21 km)
Riding on a dirt trail today, these are our last few hours on the bike in Nepal. It may be a dirt road, but we are riding in Nepal, a place where dirt roads are fun! Uponreaching the town of Beni we pack the van and transfer to Pokhara. Once we have checked into the hotel we have a free afternoon to pick up all the last minute presents and sample the renowned night life.

Day 11: Flight to Kathmandu; Rest Day
Today we catch an early flight back to Kathmandu, transfer to our hotel, pack bikes and bags and hit the town for our final farewell dinner and drinks, before retiring for the night.

Day 12: Departures
We will transfer you to Kathmandu airport in plenty of time for your flight, and say our farewells!

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Apr 15 and Nov 18, 2013

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Per person, double occupancy £1800 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) £220 Bike rentals Mountain bike, full suspension £270

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• All meals starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 12
• 11 nights’ accommodation
• National park and trekking permits
• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• Three internal flights
• English-speaking, professional mountain bike guides
• Luggage and bike transfers (as required) throughout the trip
• Water re-fills
• All group safety equipment

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

The hotels on this tour are 3-star hotels and bed and breakfast, along with mountain tea huts. 

This is a sample hotel and may vary based on availability. 

Shivapuri Heights Cottages, Kathmandu
www.tripadvisor.co 
Shivapuri offers charming cottages in the beautiful city of Kathmandu 

Hotels: Self-guided

The hotels on this tour are 3-star hotels and bed and breakfast, along with mountain tea huts. 

This is a sample hotel and may vary based on availability. 

Shivapuri Heights Cottages, Kathmandu
www.tripadvisor.co 
Shivapuri offers charming cottages in the beautiful city of Kathmandu 

Bike Rentals: Guided

Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.

Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.

Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

Terrain consists mostly of singletrack, some Landrover tracks, steep technical climbs and descents, frequent rocks, slabs and roots. You have good bike handling skills and exercise five times or more a week for 40 minutes and more. You are comfortable with sustained challenging riding including long periods of anaerobic exercise for five or more days in a row.

This tour is rated Challenging and is for experienced cyclists in above average physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

Terrain consists mostly of singletrack, some Landrover tracks, steep technical climbs and descents, frequent rocks, slabs and roots. You have good bike handling skills and exercise five times or more a week for 40 minutes and more. You are comfortable with sustained challenging riding including long periods of anaerobic exercise for five or more days in a row.

This tour is rated Challenging and is for experienced cyclists in above average physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Kathmandu, Nepal

This tour will start/end at Kathmandu city airport and all transfers during the tour dates are included in the price.

Nepal by air:

• The Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is the only international airport. Most flights to Kathmandu arrive via major Asian cities.
• Passengers traveling from Europe, Africa and the Atlantic Coast of North/South America are advised to travel via Middle East Asian cities (namely Doha, Bahrain, or Abu Dhabi). Major airlines that fly this route are Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Gulf Air.
• Passengers traveling from the Pacific Coast of North/ South America, and Australia are advised to travel via South East Asian cities (namely Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong). Major airlines that fly this route are Thai Airways, Silk Air, and Dragon Air.

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Kathmandu, Nepal

This tour will start/end at Kathmandu city airport and all transfers during the tour dates are included in the price.

Nepal by air:

• The Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is the only international airport. Most flights to Kathmandu arrive via major Asian cities.
• Passengers traveling from Europe, Africa and the Atlantic Coast of North/South America are advised to travel via Middle East Asian cities (namely Doha, Bahrain, or Abu Dhabi). Major airlines that fly this route are Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Gulf Air.
• Passengers traveling from the Pacific Coast of North/ South America, and Australia are advised to travel via South East Asian cities (namely Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong). Major airlines that fly this route are Thai Airways, Silk Air, and Dragon Air.

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information. 

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information. 

Videos: Guided

Mountain bike tour in the Mustang region of Nepal

Videos: Self-guided

Mountain bike tour in the Mustang region of Nepal

Tour Company Background: H&I Adventures: Guided

H&I Adventures specializes in exceptional guided mountain bike adventures in some of the most spectacular locations in the world.

We personally research and test all of our tours before taking any bookings. We're committed to responsible tourism and use local guides/ drivers/ fixers in all our destinations, and contribute to local conservation efforts.

Our guides are among the best in the industry and give our customers a truly memorable experience. We offer skilled advice on all of our tours - no matter what level - to ensure our customers get the most out of their trip with us. 

Tour Company Background: H&I Adventures: Self-guided

H&I Adventures specializes in exceptional guided mountain bike adventures in some of the most spectacular locations in the world.

We personally research and test all of our tours before taking any bookings. We're committed to responsible tourism and use local guides/ drivers/ fixers in all our destinations, and contribute to local conservation efforts.

Our guides are among the best in the industry and give our customers a truly memorable experience. We offer skilled advice on all of our tours - no matter what level - to ensure our customers get the most out of their trip with us. 

Terms and Conditions: H&I Adventures: Guided

If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.

If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.

If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.

We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.

If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.

Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.

To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.

Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.

On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.

Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.

We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.

When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.

Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.

Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.

Terms and Conditions: H&I Adventures: Self-guided

If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.

If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.

If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.

We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.

If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.

Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.

To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.

Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.

On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.

Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.

We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.

When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.

Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.

Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.