Experience Nepal’s premier cultural cycling adventure as you circumnavigate the historic Kathmandu Valley, completing a spectacular circuit through UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient hill stations. This 9-day journey takes you around the entire valley rim, from the sunrise viewpoints of Nagarkot to the sacred Buddhist sites of Namo Buddha, offering the perfect blend of cultural immersion and scenic mountain cycling.
Cycle through pristine national parks, medieval trading towns, and traditional villages while visiting iconic sites like Patan Durbar Square and the legendary Swayambhunath Stupa. This unique valley circuit combines easy cycling with profound cultural discovery, allowing you to experience authentic local life while completing an epic circumnavigation that few travelers ever achieve.
The tour culminates with the satisfying achievement of having cycled the complete cultural circuit around Nepal’s most historic valley, returning to Kathmandu with unforgettable memories of ancient temples, Himalayan panoramas, and authentic village encounters.
Key Highlights
Complete the Valley Circuit – Circumnavigate the entire Kathmandu Valley, cycling from hill station to hill station in an epic cultural loop that brings you full circle through centuries of history
UNESCO World Heritage Discovery – Explore multiple UNESCO sites including the magnificent Patan Durbar Square with its intricate Newari architecture and ancient temples
Himalayan Panorama from Nagarkot – Witness spectacular sunrise and sunset views over eight Himalayan ranges from Nepal’s most famous hill station viewpoint
Sacred Sites & Spiritual Journey – Visit Namo Buddha, one of Tibet’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and experience the peaceful monastery atmosphere
Authentic Village Immersion – Cycle through traditional Tamang and Sherpa communities, medieval trading towns, and pristine national park wilderness, experiencing genuine local culture unchanged for generations
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our experienced team will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your upcoming cultural cycling adventure through Nepal’s historic valley. This arrival day provides essential acclimatization time and allows for final equipment checks with our professional guides. Kathmandu, the bustling capital city, serves as your gateway to exploring centuries-old temples, traditional villages, and scenic hill stations that have remained virtually unchanged for generations.
Begin with a comprehensive briefing from Mountain Kick representatives and guides at your hotel, covering the complete itinerary and safety protocols. Start your cycling adventure in Kathmandu, quickly leaving the bustling city to follow an exciting off-road track through the pristine Nagarjun forest. Navigate past traditional farmhouses and authentic villages as you climb steadily uphill to Kakani, a scenic hill station offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan range including Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Ganesh Himal, Mt. Langtang, and Mt. Gaurishankar. The village provides an authentic mountain experience away from urban influences.
Journey eastward along the northern rim of the valley, following forest trails through Shivapuri National Park. This route showcases diverse ecosystems and provides excellent views across the Kathmandu Valley. Chisapani, meaning “cold water,” offers spectacular mountain vistas and serves as a traditional stop on the classic Helambu trekking route. The village provides authentic cultural experiences with local Tamang and Sherpa communities, where you can witness traditional mountain lifestyles that have persisted for centuries. The crisp mountain air and serene environment make this an ideal location for acclimatization and cultural immersion.
Continue along the eastern rim of the valley to reach Nagarkot, located 32 km east of Kathmandu. This famous hill station serves as one of Nepal’s premier locations for experiencing magnificent sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayan range. The route follows ridge-top trails with consistent mountain panoramas, making this one of the most scenic cycling days of the journey. Nagarkot’s strategic position offers unobstructed views of eight Himalayan ranges, from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east, weather permitting. The evening presents an opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular sunsets in Nepal.
Experience a scenic descent from Nagarkot’s elevated position to the historic town of Dhulikhel, one of the major settlements surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. This ancient trading post sits at the confluence of important trade routes that connected Tibet with the Indian plains. The ride offers diverse terrain as you transition from mountain ridge environments to traditional valley settlements. Dhulikhel maintains its medieval character with traditional Newari architecture, intricate wood carvings, and centuries-old temples. The town provides stunning sunset views of the great Himalayan chain and serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside.
Journey through beautiful landscapes to reach Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist sites in Nepal. This spiritual destination holds profound significance as the location where Buddha, in a previous incarnation, offered his body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. Take lunch here and spend time enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and exploring the monastery complex. Continue cycling through diverse terrain to reach Godavari, famous for its spectacular botanical gardens and peaceful forested environment. This nature lover’s paradise offers serene cycling experiences through diverse flora and provides optional excursions to Phulchoki Hill summit for panoramic valley views.
Begin the return journey by cycling to Patan, home to one of Nepal’s most magnificent UNESCO World Heritage sites showcasing the finest examples of Newar craftsmanship. Patan Durbar Square features the famous Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna Temple, and Golden Temple, each representing different aspects of Nepal’s rich architectural heritage. This ancient city, also known as Lalitpur, has been a center of arts and crafts for over a millennium. After exploring the architectural marvels and perhaps visiting local artisan workshops, complete your valley circuit by returning to Kathmandu, marking the successful completion of your cultural valley circumnavigation.
Enjoy a well-deserved rest day after six days of cycling. Morning at leisure with optional visit to Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) for panoramic valley views. Afternoon free for souvenir shopping in Thamel markets and local handicraft shops. Conclude with a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner featuring cultural performances.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure, carrying with you unforgettable memories and experiences from your comprehensive Kathmandu Valley cycling adventure. This cultural cycling journey through UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient temples, traditional villages, and scenic hill stations provides lasting impressions of Nepal’s extraordinary cultural diversity and natural beauty.
Experience authentic Nepali hospitality throughout your valley circuit with carefully selected accommodations that blend comfort with cultural immersion. In Kathmandu, you’ll stay at three-star hotels that provide modern amenities while maintaining traditional character, while cycling days feature standard guesthouses that offer genuine local experiences.
All accommodations include essential amenities: reliable electricity, internet connectivity, laundry services, and hot showers. Standard packages feature twin-sharing arrangements with fellow travelers, creating opportunities for shared adventure stories and new friendships.
Single Supplement: Available upon request. Single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and lower elevation areas, though availability may be limited at higher mountain elevations where traditional guesthouses emphasize community-style accommodation.
The accommodation selection prioritizes authentic experiences over luxury, allowing you to connect with local culture while maintaining comfort and cleanliness standards essential for an active cycling adventure.
Biking Difficulty and Requirements
Medical Consultation
Vaccinations
Spare Days Essential
Day Activities
Group Discounts
Mountain Biking Equipment
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.
As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.
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