The Nepal Cross-Country Biking Adventure covers 550km from the forested hills south of Kathmandu to the sacred plateau of Muktinath at 3,800m in 13 days. The route runs through Pharping, Daman, Hetauda, Chitwan National Park, the mid-hill gravel roads to Pokhara, and then by flight to Jomsom for the high-altitude finish. A dedicated support vehicle travels the entire route. No two days feel the same.
Roughly 60 percent of the route is paved road. The remainder is gravel track and compacted dirt through the mid-hills. The most physically demanding days are the climb to Daman on Day 3 and the gravel section from Chitwan to Dubung on Day 7. The only altitude section is the Jomsom to Muktinath ride on Day 10, which climbs to 3,800m on fully paved road. Reduced oxygen at this elevation makes the section feel significantly harder than the distance suggests. This trip is rated challenging and suits riders who are comfortable covering 60 to 80km per day on mixed surfaces over multiple consecutive days.
MountainKick runs this trip with a licensed biking guide and a dedicated support vehicle throughout. If you need to skip any section the vehicle is there. E-bikes are available and work well on this route. Kumar answers personally if you have questions before booking.
For a more technical high-altitude option see our Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking trip. For the pure descent experience see the Muktinath to Pokhara Downhill Biking Adventure.
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 13-day route, daily distances, road conditions, and what to expect over the coming days. Bike fitting and equipment checks are done this evening if you are renting a bike through us
The first day in the saddle winds through busy Kathmandu valley traffic before the roads quiet down heading south toward the forested hills. Pharping is a small religious town on the southern rim of the Kathmandu Valley known for its Buddhist and Hindu shrines carved directly into the rock face. A short day by design to find your rhythm before the longer sections ahead
One of the most rewarding riding days of the entire trip. The route climbs away from Pharping on a mix of gravel and paved road, passing above the Kulekhani reservoir with views across the water to forested ridgelines. The final push to Daman at 2,322m rewards with one of the widest Himalayan panoramas accessible by road in Nepal, from Dhaulagiri in the west to Everest in the east on a clear day
A long descent dominates the morning, dropping nearly 1,800m from the Daman ridge toward the Terai foothills on mostly paved road with a consistent gradient. The vegetation shifts from temperate hill forest to tropical Terai flora as you lose altitude. Hetauda is a mid-sized town at the edge of the plains and marks the transition to flat lowland riding toward Chitwan the following day
A fast flat ride across the Terai plains into the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most visited wildlife reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last section of the route passes through the jungle fringes of the park where elephant sightings along the roadside are not unusual. Sauraha village sits on the Rapti River facing the park with mountains visible to the north on clear days
A full day inside and around Chitwan National Park with no riding. The package includes a morning jeep safari into the core park area, a guided nature walk through the buffer zone, and a canoe ride on the Rapti River. Chitwan is one of the best places in Asia to see one-horned rhinos and gharial crocodiles in the wild. The evening closes with a traditional Tharu stick dance performance
The route follows the highway for the first 35km before turning north into the mid-hills on gravel hillside roads. This is where the character of the trip shifts most dramatically. The gravel climb to Dubung is demanding but the overnight is one of the most genuine on the whole route, a local family homestay with home-cooked Nepali dinner and a traditional cultural program in a community well off the tourist trail
A long varied riding day finishing in Pokhara, Nepal’s adventure capital. The route mixes gravel and paved road through the mid-hills before dropping onto the highway for the final approach into the Pokhara valley. On a clear day the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre appear ahead as you descend and the final kilometres into town with the mountains filling the northern horizon are a genuinely memorable stretch of road
A rest day from riding beginning before dawn with the drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna range, one of the most celebrated mountain views in Nepal. The rest of the day is at a relaxed pace on the lake and around town. The evening is free for a lakeside dinner on your own before the flight to Jomsom the following morning
An early morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom takes you into the lower Mustang valley in roughly 20 minutes with close views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri on approach. From Jomsom the ride to Muktinath follows fully paved road up the Kali Gandaki valley through the unique arid landscape of the Mustang rain shadow. The altitude makes this section considerably harder than the distance suggests so take your time and ride slowly
The reward for yesterday’s climb. The descent from Muktinath through the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna is one of the great downhill rides in Nepal, losing 2,610m on mostly paved road. Marpha village with its famous apple orchards and Tukuche with its historic trading houses are both worth stopping at. Natural hot springs wait at Tatopani at the end of the day
The final riding day follows a paved road south through the Modi Khola valley to Kushma, known for Nepal’s highest bungee jump at 228m above the Kali Gandaki gorge. After the ride the support vehicle transfers the group to Pokhara in approximately two hours. The evening in Pokhara is free for a last lakeside dinner on your own before the flight back to Kathmandu
Morning flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu with Himalayan range views on a clear day. Transfer to your hotel or directly to the airport depending on your departure time. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu for those with evening flights, a good chance to look back at the route and appreciate how much of Nepal you covered in 13 days
Bike Rental (optional add-on): Available in three options, priced per day:
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged throughout the route at hotels, guesthouses, and local homestays appropriate to each location. In Kathmandu you will stay at Hotel Vistara in the Thamel district, a comfortable base close to gear shops, restaurants, and the main cultural sites. In Pokhara you stay at Hotel Dragon, well located for the Lakeside area. Both are on a bed and breakfast basis in twin-sharing rooms.
Along the riding route, accommodation is at clean local guesthouses in Pharping, Daman, and Hetauda. These are simple but comfortable, with private or shared bathrooms depending on availability. Hot water, electricity, and basic Wi-Fi are generally available at all stops. The Chitwan stay is a full resort package with all amenities included for the two nights. Dubung is a genuine local homestay and the most basic overnight of the trip, which is also what makes it one of the most memorable.
Single supplement is available on request throughout the trip. Note that single rooms can be harder to guarantee at higher elevations and in small village guesthouses, though we always do our best to arrange them in advance.
Meals
Breakfast is included at all accommodation stops throughout the trip. All meals are fully included during the Chitwan package (both nights), the Dubung homestay (dinner and breakfast), and on all riding days en route, lunches and dinners at guesthouses along the route are covered as part of the trip. The only exception is Kathmandu and Pokhara where only breakfast is included at the hotel. A farewell dinner is included on the final evening in Kathmandu. Budget for your own lunches, dinners, and drinks during the Pokhara sightseeing day and any free evenings in the two cities.
In Kathmandu you stay in a 3-star hotel in Thamel on twin-sharing basis with breakfast included. In Pokhara you stay in a lakeside hotel on twin-sharing basis with breakfast included on both Pokhara nights. Along the riding route from Pharping to Hetauda you stay in clean local guesthouses with private or shared bathrooms, hot water, electricity, and basic Wi-Fi. The Chitwan stay is a full resort package for two nights with all meals and activities included. Dubung is a genuine local homestay and the most basic overnight of the trip, which is also what makes it one of the most memorable. Rooms at Muktinath and Tatopani are simple teahouse guesthouses with basic facilities. Hot showers are available at most stops for a small extra charge. Single supplement is available on request throughout but cannot be guaranteed at small village guesthouses.
Hotel Vistara
Trip Grade
Moderate to Challenging. Suitable for riders with regular cycling experience who are comfortable on mixed road surfaces including gravel. No technical mountain biking skills required. See the full grade notes in the overview section above.
Group Size
Minimum 2 riders, maximum 5 riders per departure. Solo travellers are welcome and will either be matched with another rider or run with a solo supplement applied. Contact us to check availability.
Support Vehicle
A Bolero jeep operates as the support vehicle for groups of 2–5 riders. Larger groups can be accommodated with a Hiace van. The vehicle carries all main luggage so you ride with a daypack only. It also serves as the backup transport if any rider needs to skip a section.
Best Season
October to early December and March to May. Post-monsoon autumn gives the clearest mountain views and dry stable road conditions. Spring is slightly warmer at lower elevations but still excellent for riding. Avoid June to September when monsoon rains make gravel sections very difficult and mountain views are largely hidden. The Jomsom and Muktinath section can experience strong afternoon winds year round, which is why the flight from Pokhara is always scheduled in the morning.
Altitude and Health
The majority of the trip is ridden at low to moderate elevation where altitude is not a concern. The Jomsom to Muktinath section on Day 10 reaches 3,800m. Riders should be aware of altitude sickness symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath beyond normal exertion. Inform your guide immediately if you feel unwell. Diamox (Acetazolamide) can be taken as a preventative measure but should only be used after consulting your doctor before travel.
Travel Insurance
Mandatory for all participants. Your policy must cover cycling on mixed terrain and should include emergency helicopter evacuation, which is the standard medical evacuation method in remote parts of Nepal. We will ask for proof of insurance before departure.
Flights
The Pokhara to Jomsom flight is a short mountain flight subject to weather. It operates in the morning when conditions are most stable. If cancelled due to wind or weather, the road option via Beni is used and the riding day is adjusted accordingly. We always have a backup plan in place.
Vaccinations
Consult your doctor or travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Commonly recommended vaccinations for Nepal include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination is advisable.
Customisation
The itinerary works well as designed but can be adjusted. Common requests include extending the Chitwan or Pokhara stays, adding a rest day, or combining this trip with a trekking extension. Use our trip customisation page or contact us directly to discuss options.
The support vehicle carries your main bag throughout the trip so you only need a small daypack or handlebar bag while riding. Pack light where possible. The route moves through warm Terai lowlands and cold high-altitude nights at Muktinath, so layering is essential.
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer. Contact us with your group size.
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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