Kathmandu Mountain Biking Day Tour
●●●●● 4.9 · 60+ TripAdvisor reviewsSpend a day riding the Kathmandu Valley by mountain bike. Choose from seven routes of 33 to 57km, from easy farm trails to Tokha to hard single track through Shivapuri, with a guide, bike and helmet provided.
On the Trip
What It Really Looks Like
Kathmandu Mountain Biking Day Tour: What to Expect
Easy village loop, temple ride or a hard climb to Kakani. We match the route to how you ride.
Brick lanes, farm tracks and rice terraces in Tokha, Sankhu and Gokarna. A side of the valley most visitors miss.
The moderate route climbs to Changunarayan, the oldest temple in the valley and a World Heritage site.
Cube, Trek or Giant bikes with a helmet. Your guide is first aid trained and knows every trail.
Most people see Kathmandu from a taxi window. On a bike you see the other side of the valley. Farm tracks run between rice terraces. Old brick villages sit on the hills. On a clear morning the Himalaya shows up to the north.
We pick you up from your hotel early to beat the traffic. Your guide fits your bike and helmet and you ride out of the city. Lunch is at a local cafe on the route. You are back at your hotel by mid to late afternoon.
Choose your route
We run three routes. Tell us how you ride and we will help you pick.
- Easy: Mudkhu to Tokha. About 33 km on farm tracks and quiet village lanes. Good for beginners, families and anyone who has not been on a mountain bike in a while.
- Moderate: Changunarayan to Gokarna. About 41 km. A steady climb to the Changunarayan temple, then single track down through Sankhu. You need reasonable fitness and some time on a bike.
- Hard: Kakani to Budhanilkantha. About 57 km with long climbs and rough descents through Nagarjun forest and Shivapuri National Park. For fit riders who are confident on trails. Much of this route is far from any road.
On every route the support vehicle is there for emergencies only. It does not carry riders or bikes between sections. You ride the whole route with your guide.
Not sure which one fits? Send us a message on WhatsApp before you book. We would rather put you on an easier route you enjoy than a hard one you do not.
The bikes
We use Cube, Trek and Giant mountain bikes, hardtail or full suspension. Tell us your height when you book so we bring the right frame size. Helmets are included. Gloves are available on request.
Choose Your Route
Mudkhu to Tokha
Pickup from your hotel at 8 am. We drive out to Mudkhu on the edge of the valley and fit your bike there. The ride follows farm tracks and quiet lanes past rice fields and small villages. There are short climbs but nothing long.
The ride ends in Tokha, an old Newari town with narrow brick lanes and small shrines. It is known for chaku, a sweet made from molasses. Lunch is at a local cafe. We drive you back to your hotel in the afternoon.
Best for beginners, families and anyone easing back into riding.
Changunarayan to Gokarna
Pickup from your hotel at 7:30 am. We ride out through Bhaktapur’s farmland and climb a steady hill road to Changunarayan. The temple here dates back to the 4th century and is the oldest in the valley. It is a World Heritage site. We stop to look around before lunch.
The afternoon is the fun part. Single track takes you down off the ridge to Sankhu, an old trading town. From there farm trails lead to Gokarna. We drive you back to your hotel from Gokarna.
You need reasonable fitness and some time on a mountain bike.
Kakani to Budhanilkantha
Pickup from your hotel at 7 am. This is our hardest ride. We climb through Nagarjun forest on dirt roads and single track to Kakani at about 2,050 m. On a clear day you can see Ganesh Himal and Langtang from the top. Lunch is at Kakani.
From Kakani the route drops into Shivapuri National Park. The trails here are rough, loose and steep in places. Much of this section is far from any road, so you ride it all the way with your guide. The ride ends at Budhanilkantha, home to the large stone statue of Vishnu lying on a bed of snakes. We drive you back to your hotel from there.
For fit riders who are confident on technical trails. If you are unsure, ask us first and we will suggest the moderate route.
3D Route Map
Includes & Excludes
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Licensed biking guide English speaking, wilderness first aid trained. More guides for larger groups
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Mountain bike and helmet Cube, Trek or Giant, hardtail or full suspension
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All entry fees on your route Temples, parks, monasteries and heritage sites
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Support vehicle for emergencies only It does not carry riders or bikes between sections
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Hotel start and finish From your hotel in Kathmandu
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Bottled water on the ride
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Lunch, snacks and drinks Paid locally at a cafe or teahouse on the route
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Tips For your guide and driver, customary in Nepal
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Travel insurance Required. Make sure it covers mountain biking
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Personal expenses Souvenirs, extra drinks and anything not listed above
What Our Trekkers Say
“I’m already planning for the trip AGAIN and you would know which company I’d choose AGAIN…”
Finally, I had the opportunity to meander across the splendor of the Himalayas. My first concern after researching everything there was to know about Nepal was my safety and my child’s welfare. But upon our arrival at the airport, I found out that Kathmandu is one of the meanest places…
“MountainKick is haven for trekkers and one cannot afford to miss it if you are interested in trekking in Nepal.”
To whoever reading this and wondering about the legitimacy of this company, they are for real. The team is genuinely dedicated to making your trekking memorable and rewarding. Such is the professionalism of the company that they went steps further to assist us that included the tracking down of the…
“We liked the concern of this company for its staffs and the environmental awareness and it has.”
There was always a response from Jagat as we had so many things to ask. We had insisted on having a Nepali guide instead of a westerner because we had to make sure the money we spend actually goes to Nepali people. We chose this company because we had heard…
“We had the trip of our lifetime”
We had the trip of our lifetime thanks to the warm hospitality bestowed upon us and the beauty of such amazing country. From well-organized trips, exotic locations, cultural sightseeing to the thrill of safari, “soft” trekking to Poon Hill, everything was memorable. Our trekking guide was Shiva, apparently named after…
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be?
For the easy route you just need to be comfortable on a bike for a few hours. The moderate route needs reasonable fitness and some time on a mountain bike. The Kakani route is for fit riders who are used to long climbs and rough trails. If you are not sure, tell us how often you ride and we will suggest a route.
Which route should I choose?
ick Mudkhu to Tokha for an easy ride through villages and farmland. Pick Changunarayan to Gokarna for temples and some fun single track. Pick Kakani to Budhanilkantha if you want the hardest ride and the best mountain views.
Can the support vehicle pick me up if I get tired?
The vehicle is there for emergencies only, such as an injury or a broken bike. It does not carry riders between sections. Some parts of the Kakani route are far from any road. That is why we ask you to pick a route that fits your fitness.
Can beginners and children join?
Yes, on the easy route. Children who ride confidently can join with a parent. Tell us their age and height when you book so we bring the right bikes.
Is lunch included?
No. We stop at a local cafe or teahouse on the route and you pay there. Lunch usually costs 500 to 1,000 rupees. Bring some Nepali cash.
When is the best time to ride?
September to May. October, November, March and April have the clearest views. December to February is cold in the morning but dry and good for riding. We ride in the monsoon too, but the trails get muddy and the mountains are often hidden.
Can I add this to a trek?
Yes. It works well on a spare day in Kathmandu before or after your trek. You can also book it on its own.
Do you run other routes?
es. We also ride Jamacho on Nagarjun hill, Budhanilkantha to Kapan past two monasteries, and the Phulchowki downhill from 2,600 m. These are planned on request and priced separately. Message us with what you have in mind.
Departure Dates & Pricing
No upcoming fixed departures are scheduled at the moment. Contact us to arrange a private departure on dates that suit you.
Your dates, your group, your way
Same route and guides, just your group. Tell us when you'd like to go and how many of you there are, and we'll send you a day by day plan with a price.
- Nothing to pay now
- Plan and price by email
- Confirm with a 20% deposit
Rather chat? Message us on WhatsApp
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20% deposit: due on booking Secures your place on the departure. The deposit is non-refundable. We also need a copy of your passport.
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80% balance: due on arrival Pay the rest in Kathmandu before the trip starts. Bank transfer, cash, or card (4% card fee).
| Cancel before you arrive | Deposit not refunded, nothing more to pay |
| Cancel after the pre-trip meeting | No refund |
| Date or name change | USD 200 per person |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
Weather delays and extra days cost extra, so travel insurance is required. We give you documents for any claim.
Read the full terms and conditionsPacking List
What to Bring
Bikes and helmets are provided. If you want your own cycling gloves, padded shorts or a hydration pack, you can buy them in Thamel before the ride.
Kathmandu Mountain Biking Day Tour
Talk to Kumar and the team before you commit. Ask about pace, hotels, a private group or adding extra days.
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