Question 1

Where can I go mountain biking in Nepal?

Accepted Answer

We ride eight regions, and each one has its own page above. Pokhara: lakeside loops, ridge climbs and enduro descents. This is our home base. Kathmandu Valley: day rides on the forested valley rim, past temples and old towns. Chitwan: flat jungle trails on the southern plains. Annapurna Circuit: the big high-altitude ride over the Thorong La pass. Lower Mustang: desert trails and long descents around Jomsom and Muktinath. Upper Mustang: the restricted high desert north to the walled city of Lo Manthang. Everest/Pikey Peak: Sherpa country with views of the Everest range. Lhasa to Kathmandu: the long road crossing from Tibet into Nepal.

Question 2

Which destination suits my riding level?

Accepted Answer

Pick by how much you have ridden and how high you want to go. New to mountain biking: Pokhara, the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan. They are low, and each has easy routes. Chitwan is flat, so it also suits families. Fit riders with some off-road experience: Lower Mustang. Its cross-country tours suit riders who are comfortable with multi-day trips and some altitude. Experienced riders: the Annapurna Circuit, Upper Mustang, Pikey Peak and Lhasa to Kathmandu. These are long, high and remote. The enduro and heli trips in Lower Mustang belong here too. Tell us what you have ridden before and we will give you an honest answer on what fits.

Question 3

When is the best time to visit each destination?

Accepted Answer

Spring and autumn are best almost everywhere. The exact months differ by region. Pokhara: March to May and September to November. Winter is mild and rideable. Kathmandu Valley: October and November are best. March to May is good, and winter days are clear. Chitwan: October to February. It gets hot from late spring. Annapurna Circuit: March to May and September to November. Snow closes the high pass in winter. Lower Mustang: October to December and March to May. Upper Mustang: March to May and September to November. Everest/Pikey Peak: March to May and September to November. Lhasa to Kathmandu: April to mid-June and September to October.

Question 4

Where can I ride in winter or during the monsoon?

Accepted Answer

You can ride in Nepal in every month. You only need to pick the right region. Winter (December to February): Pokhara, the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan. They are low, so the days stay mild and clear. Routes above about 3,500 metres (11,500 feet) are closed by snow. Monsoon (June to September): Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. They sit behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, which block the rain, so they stay much drier than the rest of Nepal.

Question 5

How high are the destinations, and is altitude a concern?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the region. Three destinations are low enough that altitude is not a concern. The others go high, and we plan for it. Chitwan: about 150 metres (490 feet). Pokhara: about 800 metres (2,600 feet). Kathmandu Valley: about 1,400 metres (4,600 feet) on the valley floor. The rim trails rise above 2,000 metres (6,600 feet). Lower Mustang: most riding is above 2,500 metres (8,200 feet). Muktinath is at about 3,800 metres (12,500 feet). Upper Mustang: most riding is above 3,000 metres (9,800 feet). Pikey Peak: 4,065 metres (13,340 feet) at the top. Annapurna Circuit: 5,416 metres (17,769 feet) at Thorong La. Lhasa to Kathmandu: Lhasa is at about 3,600 metres (11,800 feet), and the passes go above 5,000 metres (16,400 feet). On the high routes we gain height slowly, build in rest days, and your guide checks on you every day.

Question 6

Which destinations need a special permit?

Accepted Answer

Four of them do. We arrange every permit as part of your tour. Annapurna Circuit and Lower Mustang: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Upper Mustang: a Restricted Area Permit as well as the ACAP. The government fee for the restricted permit is USD 50 per person per day. You must travel with a licensed guide through a registered agency. Lhasa to Kathmandu: Tibet travel permits and a Chinese visa. Foreign visitors must travel on a guided tour. Permits for Upper Mustang and Tibet take time, so book these two well in advance.

Question 7

How many days do I need for each destination?

Accepted Answer

From one day to just over three weeks. These are the lengths of our trips, start to finish. Pokhara: 1 to 3 days. Kathmandu Valley: 1 day for a single ride, or 7 days for the full valley rim. Everest/Pikey Peak: 7 days. Lower Mustang: 10 to 13 days. Annapurna Circuit: 14 to 17 days. Upper Mustang: 15 to 16 days. Lhasa to Kathmandu: 19 to 23 days. Chitwan is usually ridden as part of a longer trip, such as the ride down from Pokhara.

Question 8

How do I get to each destination?

Accepted Answer

International flights land in Kathmandu, and every trip starts from Kathmandu or Pokhara. We arrange the internal transport as part of your tour. Kathmandu Valley: the trails start a short ride or shuttle from the city. Pokhara: about 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Kathmandu, by road or a short domestic flight. Chitwan: by road from Kathmandu or Pokhara, or a 20 to 25 minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur. Annapurna Circuit: by road to the start of the circuit at Besisahar. Lower and Upper Mustang: a short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, or by road. Everest/Pikey Peak: by road from Kathmandu. Lhasa to Kathmandu: the trip starts in Lhasa and finishes in Kathmandu. We advise you on the travel and visa steps when you book.

Question 9

Can I combine more than one destination in one trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many riders link two or three regions, and we have trips built that way: Kathmandu to Pokhara through the mid-hills. Pokhara to Chitwan, from the lakeside hills down to the plains. Annapurna Circuit with Upper Mustang. Kathmandu, Chitwan and Mustang in one trip. Two combinations work well on any plan. Start with a day or two in the Kathmandu Valley to warm up. Finish in Chitwan for easy riding after a hard, high tour. Tell us your dates and we will link the regions into one itinerary.

Question 10

Which destinations can I ride on an e-MTB?

Accepted Answer

We run guided e-MTB tours in Pokhara, the Kathmandu Valley, Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang, and from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The motor makes the big climbs much easier, which opens Mustang to more riders. It does not reduce the effect of altitude, so the high routes still need good fitness. You can also rent an e-MTB from us to ride on your own.

Explore Nepal's Most Iconic Mountain Biking Destinations

Annapurna Circuit

Chitwan

Everest/Pikey Peak

Kathmandu

Lhasa to kathmandu

Lower Mustang

Pokhara

Upper Mustang

Frequently asked questions

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