OPTION 1

Trip Grade: D: Tough

'Kasto Maza' tour takes the way through different spots from where snowy peaks of the Himalayas can be observed very closely. The route goes through many ancient temples and it is the perfect route to explore Hindu and Buddhist culture. Along with the trail you can observe the change in different ethnicity of the people from Tamangs in the hills to Thakuris, Chhetris to valley bottom Newari farmers.

Day 01: Arriving in Kathmandu & transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, touristic city offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the afternoon we will sort out our bikes and over dinner there will be a tour briefing. O/N Guest House.

Day 02: We leave Kathmandu after breakfast through the bustling back streets of Thamel and on to good wide undulating jeep track and single track and pass through the Queen forest to the Buddhanilkantha, a remarkable 5th century statue of the Lord Vishnu, reclining on the coil of the snake king in the middle of small pond. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular panoramic mountain views of Ganesh and Langtang Himals on the way and moreover by a night at a true resort established in a rural setting with culturally rich and naturally pristine environment whose garden harbors nearly 75 species of birds and 2000 flowering trees and shrubs. 53 km O/N Resort.

Day 03: We start with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on paved and off road through the Shivapuri Reserve. Part of the route is on the Helambu trekking trail. Today, our destination is up to Chisopani (which means cold water in Nepali), which rounds off a challenging day. Again today's lodge enjoys outstanding and closest views of the panoramic mountain ranges- this is one of the best outlooks within the valley region. 40 km O/N Chisopani, Lodge

Day 04: We climb approximately 9 kms upto 2250 ms (highest point of our trip) then ride down into the NE corner of the KTM valley, then it's on to a mix of single and jeep track to wind our way to Nagarkot, our route will depend on the condition of the trails. . A short steep climb up to Nagarkot will be rewarded by the comfort and peaceful surrounding of the hotel where we spent our night. This is where part of the biking movie 'Retread' was filmed. Ride 25km or 35km. O/N Hotel

Day 05: Early morning farm activity awake us and we can enjoy the sunrise views from the terrace. Today we explore the trails around Nagarkot or you can take a rest day. There are numerous off-road routes possible today either road, or wide dirt and single track. We have a choice of day rides ending at the medieval town of Bhaktapur for lunch then time to look around before transfer back up the hill to Nagarkot, or ride up the road if you wish. Bhaktapur is an old restored city full of temples and courtyards. Also it's possible to visit Changu Narayan, a must for those interested in culture - the ancient temple complex here, which includes the oldest Hindu temple in the valley where in the sixth & seventh centuries, Newari stone masons made cravings of Lord Vishnu. The stone tablet standing on the west side of the temple is said to be the earliest known inscription in Kathmandu Valley. It depicts King Mandev's military conquests in the fifth century. It's on the way and enjoys commanding views over the valley and its fine statues are the best outside the National Museum. O/N Hotel.

Day 06: The 'Retread' Trails. This is an epic single track descent through terraced paddy fields and small villages that lead us to the Indrawati River. We will stop to take photos as the Himalayas are right behind us all the way down and also makes offerings at the local temples to help ensure that we remember those technical skills when we need them. After 1000m of downhill a jeep road leads us to the Friendship Highway, the main road to Tibet. We have lunch in a secret spot by the river before the long climb back up to the valley rim. We have the choice to continue the ride on the paved road of Friendship highway or off road. For most this is best done in the support vehicle. Ride 65km. O/N Resort.

Day 07: We start with an early morning climb on wide jeep trail to the temple of Namo Buddha, rewarded with superb views of Ganesh Himal. The Stupa here is an important Tibetan Pilgrimage site, where the Buddha reputedly fed himself to a hungry tigress! From the temple there's a choice of wide tracks through picturesque villages and forests, or some newly discovered single track. From here, we ride on dirt road down to the ancient city of Panauti where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior to his offering to the hungry tigress. This city is truly lost in time and is rarely visited by tourists. The Indresara Mahadev Temple is the oldest surviving dated temple in Nepal, believed to be built in 1294 AD. Climbing west, we follow a jeep track along the meandering Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhuban we enter a narrow pristine valley, ascending 300m on a superb dirt trail to reach the summit of a hill on Kathmandu valley, known as Lakhure Bhanjyang. What a grunt, but the views of the Himalayas more than compensate! We spend night at a spot that is ideal to watch sunrise and sunset scenes and gives the view of sparkling lights of cities after dusk. 37 km O/N Camp.

Day 08: Today we have a choice to ride a steep descent on a jeep track or a single track to Lubhu and we explore the valley floor south of the city mostly riding through the farmlands to the Chapagaon village. Chapagaon is home to the Vajra Varahi, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ancient woodland surrounds the temple, protected by the local belief that to cut even one tree would greatly anger the deity. The villagers still appease the wrathful Vishnu by weekly sacrifices of chicken, goat and buffaloes. After lunch we ride back to Kathmandu through a historic city of Patan with a visit to Patan Durbar Square. Approx 35 km O/N Guest House.

Day 09: Departure or start optional program.

TRIP REQUIREMENTS

GROUP SIZE:   Minimum 4 pax.

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OPTION 2

Trip Grade: D: Tough

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Thamel to AAA via Bungamati and Lele (45km with no significant altitude gain)
After breakfast and hopefully a clear view of the Ganesh and Langtang Himals, we descend and crossover the Bagmati River by swing footbridge, watch your balance! We carry our bikes uphill for a short distance to reach the picturesque villages of Khokana and Bungamati. Get ready to enter the fourteenth century! In the temples in these villages, ancient rituals are still practiced. The Shekali Mai, nature valley goddess temple in Khokana is one of the temples we will visit. We will pray for good balance for the roads ahead! In the main square of Bungamati, we will visit to Machhendranath, the compassionate god of agricultural prosperity, who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. We then climb southwards on jeep track through forests to the village of Champi and on to the steepest village of Lele. The steep climb out of Lele will test your stamina as we cut back northwards to a forest ridge. Continuing north, descend to Chapagaon village offers excellent view of Kathmandu Valley. Chapagaon is home to the Vajra Varahi, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ancient woodland surrounds the temple, protected by the local belief that to cut even one tree would greatly anger the deity. The villagers still appease the wrathful Vishnu by weekly sacrifices of chicken, goat, and buffaloes.

After lunch we continue along jeep track to the undulating southern end of the valley, soon reaching the foot of Bishanku Narayan temple. Folklore says the demon Bhasamur was tricked by Lord Vishnu here and was turned into ashes. We ride clockwise round this heavily forested knoll, said by folklore that land is fertilised by Bhasamur's ashes. Here we head towards east on single and jeep track to join a tarmac road passing through the village of Lubhu, known for its handmade cloth. Just beyond is our evening's rustic lodging called 'Appropriate Agricultural Alternatives' Farm House.

Day 3: AAA Farm House to Nagarkot (28km with 600m altitude gain)
Early morning farm activities awake us and we can enjoy the sunrise views from the terrace. After breakfast, we ride to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. This restored old city is full of temples and courtyards. After spending sometime exploring this ancient city, we head northeast on tarmac road passing lush rice fields the base of Nagarkot where we join a steep jeep track. We climb to a narrow ridge where there is some great single-track riding. The track brings us to the temple complex of Changu Narayan where, in the sixth and seventh centuries, Newari stone masons made beautiful carvings to Lord Vishnu. The stone tablet standing on the West Side of the temple is said to be the earliest known inscription in Kathmandu Valley. It depicts King Mandev's military conquests in the fifth century. From here we descend the North side of the ridge along a washed our jeep track to the Manohara River. Crossing the river can be tricky depending on the monsoon rains. If you want, give it a try but you'll likely end up looking a fool pushing your bike ahead of you!

We have lunch once reaching the other side of the river and dry out the shoes in the sun. We'll continue north to the village of Sankhu and the Bajra Yogini (a Tantric goddess) temple complex, lined with old water tanks, rest house and a vermilion-powdered and blood adorned triangular stone where animal sacrifice is still practiced. It is believed that this goddess was the motivating force behind Manjushri, who drained the lake that once filled the Kathmandu Valley. We now climb steeply to the summit of Nagarkot. We lodge for the night on the North side of the hill at the Hotel Country Villa.

Day 4: Rest day or off-road to Shivapuri ridge (10km) and Nagarkot summit (10km)
If you don't want to rest, there is optional morning or afternoon rides on this so-called rest day. A three hours morning ride ascends the southern slopes of Shivapuri ridge to the North (Jarsing Pauwa), to soak in sweeping views to the whole valley and Jugal Himal. This ride returns to the Hotel for lunch. The three hours afternoon ride goes to the Nagarkot tower at the summit (2,165m), for the fantastic views of the Himalayas. We ride on paved and jeep road. The choice is yours. O/N Hotel Country Villa.

Day 5: Nagarkot to Panchkhal and then to Dhulikhel (65) Km with 1000m descent to river and 700m altitude gain to Resort)
The day begins with an exciting descend along a single track. We pass through several villages and small ancient shrines, with fantastic views of the Himalayas. Soon after the Tamang village of Balwapati, we enter a section of slippery stony road and also learn the Nepali phrase "raato maato chiplo baato" means, red mud & slippery trail.

We reach the village of Lamsai, overlooking the Indrawati River after hard work by a demanding slippery stony road. From here we join a jeep road that follows the Chok Khola (River), a tributary of Indrawati River, winding our way through a golden sea of rice crops. After 1000m of downhill a dusty jeep road leads us to the Friendship Highway, the main road to Tibet. We have lunch in a secret spot by the river before the long climb back up to the valley rim. We have the choice to continue the ride on the paved road of Friendship highway or on the off road.

Day 6: Sunkosi Adventure Retreat to Panchkhal (10km with 200m descent), Dhulikhel (27km with 200m altitude gain)
From the Sunkosi Adventure Retreat we can enjoy the stunning views of the Gaurishankhar Himal and the mist-choked valleys of the Indrawati and Sunkosi Rivers far below. After breakfast we ride east to the summit of Palanchowk and the famous temple, which shares the same name. From here the only way out is down! We take the express route off the steep southern face on a switch back single track. Be careful on the turns. Remember you are not wearing a parachute! Once we reach the valley floor, we cut back to the Tibetan highway. The last two kilometres are wrist-numbing cobblestone. Remind yourself and this will be passed also very soon. We then have an 18km uphill ride to Dhulikhel and our Resort for the night. O/N High View Resort

Day 7: Dhulikhel - Namo Buddha - Dhulikhel
After breakfast at the Dhulikhel Lodge we climb out of Dhulikhel on dirt and tarmac encountering two hills before reaching the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha. According to legend, it is said that Buddha, in a previous incarnation, gave his flesh to a hungry tigress as an offering. A stone statue marks the site, and there is an active monastery. Leaving this hilltop, we plunge into the lush fields below to a small village before contouring our way back uphill to High View Resort Dhulikhel.

Day 8: Dhulikhel to Sisneri via Panauti & drive to Kathmandu (45km with 300m ascent and descent)
We descend on jeep track to the ancient city of Panauti where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior to his offering to the hungry tigress. This city is truly lost in time and is rarely visited by tourists. The Indreswara Mahadev Temple is the oldest surviving dated temple in Nepal, believed to have been built in 1294 AD. Climbing west, we follow a jeep track along the meandering Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhuban we enter a narrow pristine valley, ascending 300m on a superb single trail to reach the summit of a hill on Kathmandu Valley's rim. This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu Valley, known as Lakhure Bhanjyang. What a grunt, but the views of the Himalayas are superb! From here we descend 500m via switch back jeep track to Sinseri, a quiet village. The ethnicity of the people change as we descend from Tamangs in the hills to Thakuris, Chhetris to valley bottom Newari farmers. A short distance beyond Sisneri is our pickup point for the drive back to Kathmandu. The afternoon will be spent on packing bikes and gear for your return flight. This evening's hotel accommodation is at Kathmandu Guest House

Day 9: Departure

Altitude range: 1300m to 2175m
Average daily distance: 45km (with optional add-ons)

TRIP REQUIREMENTS

GROUP SIZE:   Minimum 4 pax.

TOUR COST:    This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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