Duration: 15 Days
Best Season: March-May, September-November
Altitude Range: Max 5416m at Thorongla Pass
Difficulty: Extreme
Group Size: Min. 4 person
Average Daily Distance: 35km
Support: Guide-cum-mechanic and Porters

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel in Thamel.
Day 02: Kathmandu - Nagarkot (38km with 650m altitude gain)
Day 03: Nagarkot-Shanku-Boudhanath-Kathmandu/Sleeping Vishnu (34 - 40km with 650 m. descent)
Day 04: Drive to Besi Sahar
Day 05: Besi Sahar to Taal - Rideable: 70% Altitude: 760m - 1700m Distance: 37km
Day 06: Taal to Chame (Manang District)
May 07: Chame to Manang
Day 08: Rest day in Manang
Day 09: Manang to Thorong Phedi
Day 10: Thorong Phedi to Kagbeni via Thorung la pass.
Day 11: Kagbeni to Tatopani
Day 12: Tatopani to Beni and Drive to Pokhara
Day 13: Rest day in Pokhara
Day 14: Pokhara to Kathmandu (drive or flight)
Day 15: Departure

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel in Thamel.
Touristy city offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the evening over dinner, there will be a tour briefing. Hand over your passports and return tickets to your guide to make the trekking and biking permits and to re-confirm your return flight ticket.

Day 02: Kathmandu - Nagarkot (38km with 650m altitude gain)
After an early morning breakfast in Kathmandu, we ride east to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is an ancient city, full of Newari culture. There are many temples and squares here that we will have time to explore. From here we head northeast to Nagarkot on an excellent and quiet tarmac road. We gradually climb 20km to Nagarkot, on the valley rim, passing steep terraced farmland and houses that seem to be clinging to the hillside. When we reach the summit we will be able to see the Himalayan mountain range and on a good day, mount Everest too. We stay in a guesthouse on the ridge.

Altitude: 2175m. Distance: Approx 40km

Day 03: Nagarkot-Shanku-Boudhanath-Kathmandu/Sleeping Vishnu (34 - 40km with 650 m. descent)
The day starts with an exciting descent on Jeep tracks. We pass through many rustic villages, mountain views on the right on clear day! We reach the beautiful ancient newari town of Sankhu. From here we are on tarmac road towards Boudhanath Stupa, here we will have lunch and then ride back to Kathmandu or ride towards (Budhanilkantha) Sleeping Vishnu temple and then to Thamel.

Altitude: 1340m. Distance: Approx 30-40km Road Condition: off Rd. 65% Paved Rd. 35%

Day 04: Drive to Besi Sahar
Preparation for the tour, arrange porters, equipments etc. O/N Guest House.

Altitude: 760m. Distance: Approx 40km Road Condition: off Rd. 30% Paved Rd. 70%

Day 05: Besi Sahar to Taal - Rideable: 70% Altitude: 760m - 1700m Distance: 37km
The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, and follows the course of the Marshyangdi River along the right side of the valley. After approx 25 km the jeep track runs out and from then its 11km of mainly push and carry up steep rocky trail with a final 1km descent into the flat valley surrounding Taal.

Altitude: 1700m. Distance: Approx 37km Road Condition: off Rd. 30% Paved Rd. 70%

Day 06: Taal to Chame (Manang District)
Leaving Taal, there is a mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left going clockwise. After going through green corn, barley and potatoes field, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Danaqu it will involve a large percent of push / carry with a very steep hard climb out of Danaqu. From here though it becomes more rideable with closer views of snow capped peaks and a wide flowing trail to the finish. After a hard day's work to reach Chame, competitors can relax by the hot spring on the other side of the Marshyangdi River, enjoy baked bakery product, or even email home from the internet cafe.

Rideable: 33% Altitude: 1700m - 2570m Distance: 21km

May 07: Chame to Manang
The route goes through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses the river via two bridges, one at 2910m and the other at 3030m. The trail continues along the river to Pisang, where the altitude is enough to bring on the first symptoms of altitude sickness or AMS. From Pisang, the route follows through a wide valley that opens up ahead of us. Competitors will pass through Humde (the highest commercial airport in the world) and Braga with its monastery rooted in Tibetan religion.

Rideable: 75% Altitude: 2570m - 3540m Distance: 33km

Day 08: Rest day in Manang
It is necessary to spend a rest day here to acclimatize. To ascend too rapidly could have potentially fatal consequences. There are many short excursions possible from Manang and remaining active is encouraged to aid acclimatisation.

Day 09: Manang to Thorong Phedi
Today we leave Manang through narrow, medieval looking streets and then climbs steadily up to Khusang. Although the trail is more rideable above Khusang (3900m), the altitude now takes effect and pedalling becomes very hard work. It is advised to go slowly enjoying the scenery and culture of this region.

Rideable: 68% Altitude: 3540m - 4450m Distance: 22km

Day 10: Thorong Phedi to Kagbeni via Thorong La pass (5416m)
A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La pass: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 3km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snail's pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to Muktinath and then on a less extreme gradient on fast, wide flowing trails to the valley floor, where we will be greeted by the medieval village of Kagbeni, last stop before entering Mustang.

Rideable: 93% Altitude: 5416m - 2800m Distance: 22km

Day 11: Kagbeni to Tatopani
Today we will descend from snow capped peaks to tropical lowlands in just over 90km. Leaving Kagbeni the trail follows a wide and flat river bed leading into the cobbled streets of Jomsom, with its bustling markets and airport. The trail then follows rough and rocky jeep tracks, descending through villages such as Marpha, and Khopang.

Rideable: 100% Altitude: 2800m - 800m Distance: 92km

Day 12: Tatopani to Beni and drive to Pokhara
As we descend the temperature increases and the trail becomes less rocky. From Beni the final 15km is along an undulating track that follows the course of the river and passes through paddy fields, lined with banana plants. Once at Khaniya Ghat we have rejoined the sealed road we left 230km ago and a bus will be waiting to transfer us to Pokhara (approx 2hours).

Day 13: Rest Day in Pokhara

Day 14: Pokhara to Kathmandu (drive or flight)

Day 15: Departure

TOUR COST PER PERSON:

NOTE: Approx given percentage could vary depending on the riders capability and skills.