Sunrise views across eight Himalayan ranges from Nepal's most famous hill station
Premium mountain bikes and all meals on cycling days included in the price
Patan Durbar Square, Namo Buddha, Shivapuri National Park in one connected loop
Kathmandu-based guide with deep knowledge of every trail, village, and heritage site
The Kathmandu Valley Biking Tour is a 9-day circuit around the rim of the Kathmandu Valley on mixed forest trails, ridge roads, and village tracks. The route climbs from Kathmandu to Kakani on Day 2, follows the northern rim through Shivapuri National Park to Chisapani and Nagarkot, descends to Dhulikhel, detours to Namo Buddha and Godavari, and returns through Patan before a rest day in Kathmandu. The full circuit covers approximately 150km over six riding days.
Daily riding is 3 to 6 hours at distances of 20 to 35km. The steepest day is the 745m climb to Kakani on Day 2. The rest of the route is rolling terrain with no extended technical sections. No prior mountain biking experience is required. A basic level of fitness and the ability to handle a mountain bike on forest trails is enough. This trip is rated moderate.
Premium mountain bikes are included in the package price. Your guide handles all entrance fees, permits for Shivapuri National Park, and heritage site access. All meals are included on cycling days. Kumar answers personally if you have questions before booking.
For riders who want to extend beyond the valley see our Nepal Cross-Country Biking Adventure which starts from Kathmandu and rides all the way to Muktinath in 13 days.
A MountainKick representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Your guide runs a pre-trip briefing covering the full 9-day valley circuit, daily distances, and heritage site highlights. Bike fitting and equipment checks are done this evening so you are ready to ride first thing tomorrow morning
The hardest climbing day of the circuit leaves Thamel through Balaju and climbs steadily northwest through terraced farmland and pine forest to Kakani ridge at 2,145m. The effort is rewarded with a wide panorama of the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges including Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, and Ganesh Himal on a clear day. The descent into the valley below Kakani is steep and fun
The trail enters Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park on narrow forest singletrack through dense pine and oak forest on the northern rim of the valley. Wildlife sightings including deer and various Himalayan bird species are common on this section. Chisapani sits on an open ridge at 2,165m with unobstructed views of the Langtang range to the north and the Kathmandu Valley spread out to the south
The trail descends from Chisapani through Sundarijal, the main water source for Kathmandu, before climbing through terraced farmland and forest to the Nagarkot ridge. Nagarkot at 2,175m is the most celebrated viewpoint in the Kathmandu Valley with a panorama that extends from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east on a clear morning. Set the alarm for sunrise
A predominantly descending day from Nagarkot ridge through the ancient Newari town of Nala with its four-tiered Bhagwati Temple before dropping to Banepa and climbing gently to Dhulikhel. The old town section of Dhulikhel is one of the best-preserved Newari settlements in the valley with traditional brick architecture, wood-carved windows, and courtyard temples dating back several centuries
The trail climbs from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal where the Bodhisattva is said to have offered his body to a starving tigress. The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery complex on the hilltop is worth extended time before the descent through terraced farmland to Godavari at the southern rim of the valley
The final riding day passes through the Godavari Botanical Garden and the sacred Pharping valley, home to some of the most important Buddhist and Hindu shrines in the Kathmandu Valley including the Asura Cave meditation site associated with Guru Padmasambhava. The trail descends to Patan, the most architecturally complete of the three Kathmandu Valley kingdoms with a Durbar Square UNESCO has called among the finest in Asia
A free day to explore Kathmandu at your own pace. Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Thamel’s markets are all within easy reach. Your guide is available for recommendations but the day is unstructured. Farewell dinner in the evening with traditional Nepali food and cultural performances marks the completion of the valley circuit
Private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport timed to your flight. Your guide sees you off at departures
In Kathmandu you stay in a 3-star hotel in Thamel on twin-sharing basis with breakfast included on Days 1 and 8. Rooms have private bathrooms, hot water, and Wi-Fi. On the circuit from Kakani to Patan you stay in clean local guesthouses with basic twin rooms and private or shared bathrooms. All guesthouses are selected for cleanliness, location, and mountain views where available. Kakani and Chisapani have simple but comfortable facilities. Nagarkot has the widest range of guesthouse options on the circuit and is the most comfortable overnight stop outside Kathmandu. Dhulikhel and Godavari have standard guesthouse facilities. Patan on the final riding night is the most characterful stop with accommodation in or near the old town. Hot showers and Wi-Fi are available at most guesthouses for a small extra charge. Single supplement is available on request throughout.
All meals are included on riding days from Day 2 to Day 7. In Kathmandu breakfast is included at the hotel on Days 1 and 8. The farewell dinner on Day 8 is included. Guesthouses on the circuit serve dal bhat, noodle soups, fried rice, eggs, pasta, and local Newari dishes at some stops. Food quality and variety is better on this circuit than on high-altitude treks as supply chains are easier at valley altitude. Vegetarian options are available throughout. Budget for personal drinks, snacks, and any extras outside the included meals.
| Personal drinks and snacks | $5 to $15 per day |
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October to May. Autumn from October to November gives the clearest mountain views and the most stable weather. Winter from December to February is cool and dry with excellent visibility, and the low altitude makes it perfectly comfortable for riding. Spring from March to May brings rhododendron bloom on the Shivapuri National Park sections. Monsoon from June to September makes forest trails muddy and slippery and blocks mountain views for most of the day.
No. The maximum altitude on this circuit is 2,175m at Nagarkot, well below the threshold where altitude sickness typically occurs. Most healthy adults can ride to this elevation without any preparation or medication. If you have a specific medical condition that affects you at altitude, consult your doctor before booking.
The circuit passes through or near Kakani viewpoint, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Chisapani ridge, Nagarkot sunrise point, the ancient Newari town of Nala, Dhulikhel old town, Namo Buddha pilgrimage site, Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, Godavari Botanical Garden, Pharping shrines, and Patan Durbar Square. Entrance fees for all included sites are covered in the package price. The free day in Kathmandu on Day 8 gives time for Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath.
No. This is a Kathmandu Valley circuit and all overnight luggage is transferred between guesthouses by taxi or local transport while you ride. Your guide carries a basic bike repair kit throughout the circuit. If you need to skip a section for any reason a taxi can be arranged quickly as all points on the circuit are within Kathmandu Valley road access.
Light rain is manageable and the circuit continues as planned. Heavy rain makes the Shivapuri forest trail section on Day 3 and the Nagarkot descent on Day 5 significantly more challenging and slippery. Your guide monitors conditions and can adjust the route or timing if needed. A lightweight waterproof jacket is an essential item to pack regardless of forecast.
Yes. The Kathmandu Valley Biking Tour works well as a standalone trip or as a warm-up before a longer Nepal adventure. Many riders combine it with the Langtang Valley Trek or use it as a post-trek activity after the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Contact us to discuss combining trips in a single Nepal itinerary.
The Nepal Cross-Country Biking Adventure covers 550km from Kathmandu to Muktinath in 13 days with a full support vehicle and visits Chitwan National Park and Pokhara along the way. It is a significantly more demanding and longer trip rated challenging. The Kathmandu Valley circuit is the right choice for riders who want a concentrated cultural and scenic biking experience without committing to a two-week cross-country expedition.
Travel and medical insurance is mandatory for all participants. Your policy must cover cycling on mixed terrain and emergency medical evacuation. The maximum altitude is 2,175m so standard travel insurance usually covers this trip. Confirm that cycling activities are explicitly included in your policy before purchasing. We will ask for proof of insurance before departure.
No upcoming fixed departures are scheduled at the moment. Contact us to arrange a private departure on dates that suit you.
| 30+ days before departure | Deposit forfeited, balance refunded in full |
| 15–29 days before departure | 50% of total trip cost charged |
| Under 15 days | No refund |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Padded cycling shorts or bibs | 3 pairs | Full finger only. Essential for rocky forest trail sections through Shivapuri National Park. |
| Cycling gloves, full finger | 3 pairs | 3 pairs |
| Full finger only. Lose one pair and you still have two. Essential for rocky terrain. | 2 each | One short sleeve for lower sections, one long sleeve for above Manang. |
| Windproof cycling jacket | 1 | For descents above 3,500m. The Kali Gandaki gorge descent can be very cold. |
| Bike shoes, clipless or flat pedal | 1 pair | Compatible with your pedal system. Must be broken in before arrival. |
| Bike pump or CO2 cartridges | 1 | Saves money and reduces plastic across 6 riding days |
| Hydration pack or water bottles | 2L minimum | Carry on the bike. Drink constantly above 3,500m. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture-wicking base layer tops | 2 | Merino or synthetic. No cotton at any altitude. |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | For cool evenings at Daman and Muktinath |
| Waterproof shell jacket with hood | 1 | For rain on lower sections and wind on the Muktinath approach |
| Warm trekking pants | 1 pair | For mornings above 2,000m and cool descents from Nagarkot |
| Sun hat or cap | 1 | UV is extreme above 3,000m and on open trail sections. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bike shoes | 1 pair | Flat pedal shoes or trail shoes work well. Clipless shoes compatible with SPD pedals also fine. |
| Cycling socks | 5 pairs | For riding days. Enough for the full circuit. |
| Camp sandals | 1 pair | For teahouse evenings and guesthouse recovery. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Warm beanie | 1 | For cold mornings above Manang and Thorong High Camp night. |
| Neck gaiter or buff | 2 | For cool mornings at Kakani, Chisapani, and Nagarkot |
| Liner gloves, thin | 1 pair | For trail use and cold morning starts on the bike. |
| Sunglasses, UV protection | 1 pair | For all riding and hiking sections. UV is extreme above 3,000m. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daypack 25 to 35L with rain cover | 1 | Carries everything you need on trail each day. Luggage transferred between guesthouses by taxi. |
| Headlamp with spare batteries | 1 | For pre-dawn Nagarkot sunrise and early morning starts |
| Dry bags | 3 | Electronics and documents inside main bag and daypack |
| Water purification tablets or filter | 1 | Electronics and documents in daypack |
| Power bank 20,000mAh | 1 | For Shivapuri National Park spring water sources |
| Small padlock | 1 | For main bag at guesthouses. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen SPF 50 | 2 | Reapply every 2 hours above Namche equivalent altitude. Bring a spare. |
| Personal first aid kit | 1 | Blister treatment, antiseptic, bandages, ibuprofen, Imodium, rehydration sachets. |
| Chamois cream | For multi-day riding comfort. Apply daily before long gravel sections |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Microfiber towel | 1 | Guesthouses do not provide towels. |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 small | Not always water available before meals on trail. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport, valid 6 months | 1 | Keep a photocopy separate. Required at ACAP checkpoints throughout. |
| Travel insurance document | 1 | Must cover high-altitude mountain biking above 5,500m and helicopter evacuation. Printed copy required. |
| Cash, Nepali rupees | As needed | Budget $5 to $10 per day for personal drinks and extras. ATMs widely available throughout Kathmandu Valley at all stops on the circuit. |
| Permit copies | 1 set | We handle all permits. Carry your copies at all ACAP checkpoints. |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Rain poncho | Your daypack will get completely soaked on the gravel sections to Daman and Dubung during monsoon |
| Extra dry bags | Upgrade from standard for mud on gravel sections between Chitwan and Dubung |
| Leech socks | Active on lower trail sections between Besisahar and Chamje from June onwards |
Bikes and helmets are included in the package price. If you prefer to ride your own bike let us know in advance. Basic repair tools and spare tubes are carried by your guide throughout the circuit. Most cycling accessories including gloves, padded shorts, and cycling jerseys are available in Thamel before departure.
Kumar and the team have guided this route for over a decade. Ask anything — gear, fitness, altitude, private groups — before you commit.
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