Riding out of the Kathmandu Valley on the Pritivi Highway on an early start we head for the home of the uniting force of Nepal, Pritivi Narayan Shah. We visit his durbar or palace and take tea and a snack before heading further west for the pretty hill station of Bandipur known for its well preserved architecture and orange groves.
With its imposing views of Manasulu Himal and Ganesh Himal from the Tundikhel or parade ground, Bandipur echoes its past through its small but impressive bazaar. Once thronged by Newari traders on an ancient route from Tibet, Bandipur has only recently become better known amongst Tourists. We enjoy our first night stop in a peaceful local hotel.
Days 2 and 3
There’s as much north south as east west today as we ride across the Seti river valley into the foothills of the Gandaki region, up the Marsyangadi river to the start of many of the famous Annapurna Trekking routes. We encounter a recently commissioned hydro-electricity project, simple village life, rice paddies and lush greenery. After a short rest and “elevenses” we head back to the Seti river for our last leg of the day’s ride to Pokhara. We plan to get to Pokhara before nightfall to enjoy evening drinks and later dinner in the relaxing gardens of Pokhara’s peaceful lakeside. We night stop in Pokhara in a comfortable hotel near (though not necessarily in view of) the Lakeside.
Pokhara has developed into a sophisticated Tourist centre offering activities from the standard local walks to boating on the lake to paragliding from the pretty hill station overlooking Pokhara and Fewa Lake or Fewa Tal.
Day 3. Touring locally by motorcycle, boat and foot to see several local places of interest including Tibetan Refugee camps of which there are four in and around Pokhara. A weird water formed cascade leading to dramatic cave system. The Peace Stupa across the lake and some paragliding for those who want the bird’s eye view of Pokhara. We spend our third night at the same hotel near Lakeside.
Day 4
We’ll be heading south today, though not without heading north, east and west as well, given the amazingly twisty nature of the road. The highway was built from the south from a place called Siddharthanagar on the border with India’s Uttar Pradesh. It now extends all the way north to the famous temple at Muktinath in Lower Mustang’s Annapurna range. Hidden on its fringe is the magnificent hydro-project dam on the Kaligandaki river; the source of which is also in Muktinath.
We’ll get the feel of Chinese road building techniques, bridges and bridges. It’s only a short ride back to the highway and we’re heading for the old Rana Princedom of Tansen. Now a development zone for coffee and fruit growing, Tansen is also the home of the colourful and sheek Palpako Dhaka, a variety of cotton weaving seen in Nepal’s famous Topi or cap, shawls and scarves. Our night stop is in Tansen.
Day 5 and 6
We’re heading for the Terai, it’s getting hotter. We’re riding into the sun on the East West or Mahendra Highway spanning Nepal’s southern regions. We’ll ride through village after village, each with its own crossroad junction with piple tree on its raised seat or Chauthara, we weave up and down through several ghats or steps and loops before heading into the Terai towards the Rapti River.
It’s elephant country and the jungles here are home to the baby rhinoceros, garial crocodiles, deer and bird life galore. When we’re settled in our jungle huts, we’ll walk through the village and enjoy a ‘Sundowner’ on the beach. Dinner and our first night stop in Chitwan.
Day 6. It’s a rest day from the motorcycle, we off on jungle safari. A morning ride through the jungle on elephant back is a must to see the wildlife in the jungle and around the Rapti river. It’s a day for relaxing and for those who want, a trip to the elephant breeding centre to see the giant bull elephants strut their stuff. If you brought shorts and a T shirt you could take a dip and wash the ellies in the river, always excellent fun for those washing and those watching!
The Tharu people inhabit these sandy flood plains and their culture is alive as it ever was. En-route to the bar we can see these resilient riverside people perform their lively dance and culture show. Followed of course by a ‘Sundowner’ opportunity, dinner and our last night stop amidst the Chitwan National Park.
Day 7
Two highways lie ahead of us today, we ride into teh foothills between the Terai and the Trishuli river valley. The first takes us to our morning tea-break stop. Ahead lies the steep and at times remote climb to the small village of Daman at the pass. from here there are views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal and Sagarmatha, Mt Everest, to the east. We night stop in Daman.
Day 8
Early moring start and down the long drop into the Trishuli Valley where we take the last stage of the Prithivi highway east to Kathmandu and beyond.
We skirt the edge of the Kathmandu valley, riding through Newari villages, their lives revolving around ancient temples, whose builders and craftsmen keep alive the skills developed over generations. Throughout the year the villagers will be busy at some outside work of some kind.
This is a day to observe some of the customs of the original valley dwellers, people who succumbed to the might of Pritivi Narayan Shah when his invading army, fairly brutally encouraged everyone to join his new united Nepal.
At the junction we head on uphill into the valley foothills. Our night stop the quiet lookout point of Nagarkot.
Day 9
We riding away from the capital again destination Jiri. It’s a hill station in a beautiful valley that must have seemed like home to visiting Swiss famers, once-upon-a-time. Swiss cows graze and produce milk and cheese. Apples grow here too and on the way we ride through beautiful pine forests – more perfect picnic spots could not be found!
We cross several big rivers today and it’s always our habit to stop and taste the fried fish local riverside shops sell, a tasty mid morning snack before lunch further on. When you leave the mainstream in Nepal, the food to expect is dal bhaat, even on highways, dal bhaat is favourite. We night stop in Jiri in a local guest house.
Day 10
The thing about riding both ways up mountain roads is that you get to see all the mountains and the ride down is never the same as the ride up!
Yesterday’s long climbs are replaced by everlasting glides downwards, today really is a brilliant ride. You’ll realise just how far it was to Jiri, when we reach the Arniko Highway turn sharp right for Tibet.
The shops start to look a little Chinese as we climb at last the steep river valley with its bottomless gorges, until we reach Last Resort.
It's so inviting! We park-up, stride the incredibly high-wire bridge, contemplate the fall and shudder. Explore the gardens find your tent, then off for a sauna and shower and off to the bar.
For those who want to jump the world’s highest Bungy* or swing like Tarzan on the longest rope (in the world), you’re in the right place!
It’s our last night stop before the ride home. Impromptu parties, music and dancing or a quiet evening in the terraced gardens. Dinner and our last night stop.
* A Jump is not included in the Tour price.
Day 11
The last day’s ride, but by no means the shortest. A combination of up and down will bring us over and round so many hills and valleys by the time the Kathmandu valley appears you’ll be quite disorientated.
As we approach the Kathmandu valley we slip off the highway and try to bypass so much traffic mayhem. Or ride through it all and stop for sekuwa in Bhaktapur and round off your Tour with some Newari snacks or dinner in Kathmandu. We can choose on the day.
We’ve shown you as much as we can on your Tour of Central Nepal. Your Tour is over and we bid you fond memories and farewell.
A Tour in three stages through some of Nepal’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery. We ride in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains, through deep river valleys and down to the Terai - Nepal’s unique wetland plains.
A Road Tour through central Nepal kicking- off with a ride to the birthplace of the uniteing force and Father of Nepal, King Prithivi Narayan Shah. We stay in Pokhara’s chilled-out Lakeside and the unique Chitwan National Park. We discover hidden mountain lakes and mile after mile of beautiful mountain highway; we explore roads to the foot of The Annapurna mountain range.
The Second Stage of the Ride takes us south into Nepal's Terai where we stay beside the Rapti River and explore on elephant-back Chitwan’s National park, with marvellous close-up sightings of its unique miniature rhino, crocodiles, deer and exotic birdlife. Off again on the East-West Mahendra Highway taking us through some of Nepal’s vast Terai wetlands and back into the Mahabharat Range of hills towards the Kathmandu Valley.
Essentials
Central Nepal Road Tour Essential
Location: Central Nepal.
Tour Duration: 10 nights, 11 days. Tour Seasons: Feb to Jun & Sept to Nov.
Excludes: International Air Tickets ~ Visa ~ Bar / phone Bills ~ Insurance
Note: Our Tours are timed conventiently for flights from the UK with www.JetAirWays.com and from the far east and Australia via Delhi or Bangkok with www.Quantas.com.au.
Itinerary
Central Nepal Road Tour Itinerary
Day
Itinerary Detail
We will meet you at your hotel with your motorcycles ready for an early morning briefing and route discussion before departing on the Tour.
Day 1
Riding out of the Kathmandu Valley on the Pritivi Highway on an early start we head for the home of the uniting force of Nepal, Pritivi Narayan Shah. We visit his durbar or palace and take tea and a snack before heading further west for the pretty hill station of Bandipur known for its well preserved architecture and orange groves. With its imposing views of Manasulu Himal and Ganesh Himal from the Tundikhel or parade ground, Bandipur echoes its past through its small but impressive bazaar.
