Day
2:
Guided sightseeing to include Swayambunath, Bhoudenath and other important
sites in the Kathmandu Valley
Day 3: Kathmandu to
Bishankhu, 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 cross over the Bagmati River by swing footbridge. We carry our bikes uphill for a short distance to reach the picturesque villages of Khokana and Bungamati, home to numerous 14th Century temples, such as the Shekali Mai, nature valley goddess temple in Khokana. 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 tracks 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, we descend to Chapagaon village which offers excellent views 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 buffalo.
After lunch we continue along the jeep track to the undulating southern end of the valley, reaching the foot of Bishanku Narayan temple. Folklore says the demon Bhasamur was tricked by Lord Vishnu here and was turned into ashes. We then ride clockwise round this heavily forested knoll, where it is said by folklore that the land is fertilised by Bhasamur's ashes. Here we head towards east on single track to join a tarmac road passing through the village of Lubhu , known for its handmade cloth. We stay in the lodge here, near the Farm House.
Day 4: Bisankhu to to Nagarkot (28km with 600m altitude gain)
Early morning farm activities awake us as we enjoy the sunrise 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 are some great single-track rides. 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 jeep track to the Manohara River. Crossing the river can be tricky depending on the monsoon rains.
We have lunch once reaching the other side of the river and then 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 are 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 then 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 5: Rest day or off-road ride and Nagarkot summit (10km)
If you don't want to rest, there is an optional morning or afternoon ride. The three hour morning ride ascends the southern slopes to soak in sweeping views to the whole valley and Jugal Himal. This ride returns to the Hotel for lunch. The three hour 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. Overnight at Hotel Country Villa.
Day 6: Nagarkot to Panchkhal and then to
Dhulikhel, Back to Kathmandu (65) Km with 1000m descent to river and 700m altitude gain to the Resort).
The day begins with an exciting descent along a single track passing 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 and 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. Then we're on the way back to Kathmandu . Hotel Overnight.
Day 7: Final Departure at the end of your tour.
Prices available on request with excellent discounts for large groups.
