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23 Sep – 31 Dec 2026
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The Begnas Lake E-MTB Day Tour takes you to the quiet eastern side of Pokhara. A short 4x4 drive drops you at Matepani, above the city. From there you ride east along a chain of hill villages, including Arba, Kafalghari, Shanti Maidan and Kalikasthan, then descend to Begnas Lake for lunch by the water.
After lunch, you ride back to Pokhara on a different line. You cross the Damsadi suspension bridge and finish with three well-known landmarks: Devi's Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and Kedareshwor Mahadev Temple.
You ride a pedal-assist electric mountain bike with a Bosch motor. On a regular mountain bike, this ridge makes for a hard day, but the motor makes the climbs manageable for many more riders. A certified local mountain bike guide rides with you all day, and lunch, water, and hotel pickup are included. The tour is private, so you choose the date and ride only with your own group.
Detail | What to expect |
Destination | Begnas Lake and the ridges of the eastern Pokhara Valley |
Duration | 1 full day. Start about 8:30 to 9:30 AM, finish about 3:30 to 4:30 PM |
Start and finish | Nepal MTB Adventures shop, Lakeside, Pokhara. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara is included |
Riding distance | About 35 to 40 km on the e-MTB |
Support drive | About 15 to 20 minutes (6 to 8 km) by 4x4 from our shop to Matepani |
Total elevation gain | About 850 to 950 m |
Total elevation loss | About 1,050 to 1,150 m |
Highest point | Kalikasthan, on the ridge above Begnas and Rupa lakes |
Lowest point | Begnas Lake, about 650 m |
Difficulty | Moderate, with e-assist |
Terrain | Dirt roads, farm trails, forest singletrack and quiet village lanes |
Bike | Full-suspension electric mountain bike with a Bosch drive unit |
Group size | Private tour. Your own group, on your own dates |
Included | Certified guide, e-MTB, helmet and gloves, 4x4 transfer, lunch at Begnas Lake, drinking water, hotel pickup and drop-off |
Most visitors stay on the west side of the valley, around Phewa Lake, Lakeside and Sarangkot. The east side is quieter, where people still farm, fish, and live at their own pace. Here is what you get by riding there:
Two calm lakes. Begnas is the second-largest lake in the Pokhara Valley, and smaller Rupa lies just to the north. Both are part of a Ramsar-listed wetland, and you can see them together from the Kalikasthan ridge.
Real village life. You ride past terraced paddies, farmhouses, and livestock through Gurung and Brahmin-Chhetri villages, including Kalikasthan with its old Kalika temple.
Forest and farmland. Shady forest climbs near Kafalghari, named after the wild kafal (bayberry) tree, give way to rice terraces stepping down to Begnas.
A route that keeps changing. A ridge crossing in the morning, lunch by the lake, then a different line home over a gorge and past Pokhara's best-known sights.
Time (approx.) | What happens |
8:30 to 9:30 AM | Hotel pickup, or meet us at our Lakeside shop. Bike fit, e-bike briefing and route talk |
After the briefing | 15 to 20 minute 4x4 drive to Matepani |
Morning | Ride the ridge east: Arba, Kafalghari, Shanti Maidan, Kalikasthan, Tiwari Danda, Ramche and Talbesi (about 3 to 3.5 hours with stops) |
About 12:30 to 1:30 PM | Lunch by Begnas Lake |
Afternoon | Ride back toward Pokhara: Dovilla, Mountain Glory viewpoint, Damsadi bridge, Devi's Fall, Gupteshwor Cave and Kedareshwor Mahadev Temple (about 2 to 2.5 hours with stops) |
About 3:30 to 4:30 PM | Short, easy ride back to Lakeside. Drop-off at your hotel |
Riding times include photo stops, village stops, and short breaks. The exact pace depends on your group, and your guide will adjust it to suit you.
This route is a mix of rough and smooth ground. Most of the riding is off-road on dirt roads, farm trails and forest singletrack, with short stretches of village lanes and town roads that link the sections together.
Surface | Where you ride it | What it feels like |
Dirt roads and tracks | Arba, the ridge villages and the link from Begnas toward Dovilla | Wide and mostly smooth, with loose gravel in places. Good for warming up and enjoying the views |
Farm trails | Around Ramche and Talbesi, and the terraced fields above Begnas Lake | Narrow paths between fields, sometimes uneven, often shared with livestock and local people |
Forest singletrack | The climb through Kafalghari and parts of the descent to Begnas Lake | Narrow, shady trail with roots, stones and a few steeper pitches. The most fun, and the most technical, part of the day |
Village lanes | Through the hill villages on the ridge | Short stone or packed-earth lanes between houses. Ride slowly and give way to people |
Suspension bridge | The Damsadi bridge crossing | A long, swaying bridge. Your guide will tell you whether to ride or walk it |
Town roads | Devi's Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, Kedareshwor Temple and the ride back to Lakeside | Paved roads with traffic. Easy riding, with your guide leading the way |
Morning, Matepani to Begnas Lake. This is the most off-road part of the day. You start on a dirt track through Arba, climb forest singletrack at Kafalghari, cross open ground at Shanti Maidan, and ride ridge trails to Kalikasthan. The descent mixes farm trails and forest paths down to the lake.
Afternoon: Begnas Lake to Pokhara. The trails get easier as you head back. Farmland and forest tracks through Dovilla lead to the Damsadi bridge. The last part, past Devi's Fall, Gupteshwor Cave and Kedareshwor Temple, is on town roads.
You need basic off-road skills. Be ready to ride loose dirt, uneven farm paths and short forest sections.
Full suspension helps. It smooths out the roots, stones, and rough farm tracks, so you stay comfortable all day.
You can always walk a section. If a steep or tricky bit does not feel right, get off and walk. Your guide will wait.
Trail conditions change with the weather. After rain, farm trails and forest singletrack get muddy and slippery, and your guide may choose an easier line.
Begnas Lake sits at about 650 m on the eastern side of Pokhara. It is the second-largest lake in the Pokhara Valley. It is quieter and less built-up than Phewa, with forested hills on the far shore and still water that reflects them on a calm day.
Begnas is also a working lake. Fishing families live along its shore, and you will see fish-farming cages out on the water. Together with Rupa Lake and the other lakes of the valley, Begnas is part of the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
For riders, Begnas is the natural halfway point. You arrive after the long ridge crossing, eat by the water, and rest your legs before the ride home. If you want to see the lake from the water, ask your guide to arrange a short boat ride during the lunch stop.
Many visitors see these sights on a separate taxi tour. On this ride, they are built into the route.
Devi's Fall is where the Pardi Khola, the stream that flows out of Phewa Lake, plunges into a narrow gorge and disappears underground. Its Nepali name, Patale Chhango, means "underground waterfall". This is a short walking stop. There is a small entry fee, paid in cash.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is across the road from Devi's Fall. It is one of the longest caves in Nepal and a sacred Hindu site with Shiva shrines inside. Deeper in the cave, you can see the water of Devi's Fall pouring through the rock from below. The cave also has a small entry fee, paid in cash.
Kedareshwor Mahadev Temple is a Shiva temple on the final stretch back into Lakeside. After a day of dust, forest and farmland, it is a quiet place to finish before the short ride back to the shop.
You ride this tour on an electric mountain bike from our own Pokhara fleet. Our e-MTBs have Bosch drive units, batteries built into the frame and rated for a full day of mixed climbing and descending, hydraulic disc brakes, and trail-ready full suspension. The e-MTBs in our fleet are the Trek Rail 5 Gen 3 and the Bergamont E-Trailster, and both can also be hired on their own for a day.
Every bike is checked by our mechanics before it leaves the shop. Your guide then sets it up for you: frame size, saddle height, brake reach, tyre pressure and gears.
How the assist modes work. Before you ride, your guide takes you through the assist modes. On our Bosch bikes, these are Eco, Tour, eMTB and Turbo. You choose how much help you want on each climb:
Eco gives a light push and saves the most battery. It is good for flat village lanes.
Tour gives steady, even help for long, gentle climbs.
eMTB changes the help to match how hard you pedal. It is the mode most riders use on forest trails.
Turbo gives the most power for the steepest pitches.
You still pedal, steer, and brake yourself. The motor only helps while you are pedalling.
Included for every rider: helmet (a MIPS helmet on the Premium package), gloves, and the e-bike briefing.
Certified local mountain bike guide. Trained in trail leadership, first aid, and the hazards of this route, and rides with your group the whole day.
4x4 vehicle and driver. Handles the transfer to Matepani. On the Premium package, the vehicle also provides on-route support if needed.
Mechanical support. Your guide carries a trail repair kit for punctures and small adjustments, plus mechanical spares.
First aid. Your guide carries a full first-aid kit.
Our guides are local Pokhara riders who know this route well. Ask them about the villages as you ride. That local knowledge is a big part of the day.
Confident beginners and intermediate riders who are comfortable on dirt roads, farm trails and some singletrack
Riders who want a full day of distance and real village life, not just a quick ride to one viewpoint and back
Travellers who have already seen the Phewa Lake and Sarangkot side of Pokhara and want to see the quieter eastern valley
Couples, small groups and families who have ridden an e-bike before, or who are happy to learn with a guide
The tour is graded Moderate. The e-bike makes the climbs much easier, but this is still a full day in the saddle, with about 35 to 40 km of riding and about 850 to 950 m of climbing.
You should be able to:
Ride a bike confidently and brake with control
Handle loose dirt, farm tracks and short sections of forest singletrack
Stay in the saddle for 5 to 6 hours of riding, with breaks
You do not need to be a strong climber. That is the motor's job. If you have never ridden an e-bike, your guide will teach you the controls before you start.
The whole route stays in Pokhara's mid-hills, between Begnas Lake at about 650 m and the Kalikasthan ridge. Altitude is not a concern on this ride. Your main concerns are the trail surface and the weather.
Season | Months | Conditions |
Autumn (best) | October to November | Clearest mountain views, dry trails and stable weather. Peak season |
Spring (best) | March to May | Clear skies and warm days before the monsoon humidity arrives |
Winter | December to February | Cool mornings, mostly dry and clear, and fewer people on the trails |
Monsoon (green season) | June to September | Wet, slippery forest and farm trails. Cloud often hides the Annapurna range. Some sections may be rerouted |
Pokhara is a year-round riding destination, and this route can be enjoyed in every season. What changes is the scenery. The same trail from Matepani to Begnas Lake looks and feels different depending on when you come.
Autumn (October to November). The monsoon has just washed the air clean, so this is when the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre look sharpest from Kalikasthan. The hills are still green, and the rice terraces on the way down to Begnas turn golden as harvest time arrives.
Spring (March to May). Days are warm and long, and the trails are dry and fast. Early spring usually brings the clearest mountain views. By late spring the sky can turn hazy, so an early start gives you the best chance of seeing the peaks.
Winter (December to February). Mornings are cool and crisp, days are mostly dry and sunny, and the village trails are quiet. It is a comfortable time to ride, and a light layer is all you need for the ridge.
Monsoon (June to September). This is the green season. The rice paddies are freshly planted, the forest is at its thickest, and Devi's Fall runs at its most powerful. Rain and clouds are part of the day, trails get muddy and slippery, and the mountains often hide behind the clouds. Your guide will choose the safest line and may reroute some sections.
For clear views from Kalikasthan, choose autumn or spring and start early. Morning skies are usually clearer than afternoon skies. If you want lush green scenery and quiet trails, and you do not mind some mud, the green season has its own charm.
Weather works very differently in the high mountains, so the best time to mountain bike in Nepal depends on where you ride. Around Pokhara, the low hills keep this route rideable in every month of the year.
This is a day ride, so you need far less than the full mountain biking checklist for Nepal that longer trips call for. A small daypack is enough.
Padded cycling shorts or comfortable sports clothing
A moisture-wicking T-shirt or jersey, plus a light layer for the ridge
Closed-toe shoes with good grip, such as trail running shoes or flat-pedal MTB shoes
Sunglasses and a buff or neck gaiter for dust
High-SPF sunscreen, because the ridge has little shade at midday
Your own water bottle or hydration pack for top-ups (we provide the water)
A small daypack for your camera, phone, and an extra layer
Cash in small Nepali rupee notes for the Devi's Fall and Gupteshwor Cave entry fees and any personal extras
Any personal medicines or first-aid items you use (your guide carries a full kit as well)
A light rain jacket, because mornings in October, November and March to May can start cool
E-MTB, helmet and gloves
First-aid kit and mechanical spares, carried by your guide
Lunch and drinking water
Want two nights out instead of one day? The 3-Day E-MTB Tour in Pokhara rides Sarangkot and Bhumdi, stays overnight at Begnas Lake, and continues to Rupa Lake and Kalikasthan.
Want the classic west side of the valley? The Pokhara E-MTB Day Tour covers Sarangkot, the Bhumdi ridge, and the World Peace Pagoda.
Prefer to ride without a motor? The Dual Ridge Challenge is a full-day, pedal-powered ride that also passes Devi's Fall and Gupteshwor Cave.
Want to ride on your own? You can rent a mountain bike in Pokhara from our Lakeside shop, and e-MTB rental is available too.
Planning more riding in the area? Mountain biking in Pokhara goes well beyond this route, and our e-MTB tours also run in the Kathmandu Valley and Upper Mustang.
Nepal MTB Adventures, formerly Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventures, has been running mountain bike tours and rentals from Pokhara since 2004. We are a team of riders, guides, and mechanics, and our shop is in Lakeside, where your tour starts. The bikes you ride are our own; they are maintained in our own bike workshop, and our guides ride these hills every season.
Local guides. Pokhara riders who know every village path on this route.
Our own e-MTB fleet. Bosch-powered full-suspension bikes, serviced in our Pokhara workshop.
Private tours only. Your group, your dates, your pace.
Everything arranged. Hotel pickup, the 4x4 transfer, lunch, and water are handled for you.
More than 20 years in Pokhara. Riding the valley since 2004.
Real rider reviews. Read what past guests say on TripAdvisor.
Pick your date, tell us how many riders are coming, and choose Standard or Premium. We will confirm your booking, collect you from your hotel, and have your e-MTB fitted and ready.
Have a question first? Contact our Pokhara team. We are happy to help you plan the day.
Pickup and Bike Fit
Time: about 8:30 to 9:30 AM | Where: your hotel, then our Lakeside shop
Your day starts at the Nepal MTB Adventures shop in Lakeside. If you are staying elsewhere in Pokhara, we collect you from your hotel and bring you to the bikes.
Before anyone rides, your guide fits you to your bike. That means the frame size, saddle height, brake lever reach, tyre pressure and gears. Then your guide shows you how the e-bike works: how to switch it on, how to change assist modes and how the motor feels on a climb. You also get a route briefing, so you know the shape of the day before you set off.
Drive to Matepani
Driving time: about 15 to 20 minutes | Driving distance: about 6 to 8 km
The bikes go on the roof rack of our Scorpio 4x4, and we drive out of Lakeside to Matepani. This is the hill on the east side of the city, known for the Matepani Gumba, a Buddhist monastery. The short drive skips the busiest road riding. It puts you straight onto the hill trail with the climbing still ahead of you, not spent in city traffic.
Matepani to Begnas Lake, the Ridge Crossing
E-MTB riding time: about 3 to 3.5 hours with stops
This is the heart of the day: a long ride east along the ridge, through a chain of villages that most Pokhara visitors never see.
Arba. The first proper village of the day, with terraced fields and farmhouses. It is an easy warm-up on dirt track while you get used to the bike.
Kafalghari. A forest climb named after the wild kafal (bayberry) trees along the trail. You get shade, birdsong and the first real gradient of the day. The motor makes it feel much gentler.
Shanti Maidan. An open, flat area whose name means "peace field". It gives you the first wide views back across the Pokhara Valley, and it is a good place for photos and a breather.
Kalikasthan. The high point of the ridge and the main viewpoint of the day. This Gurung village has a small Kali temple. On a clear day, you can see the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre, with Begnas and Rupa lakes laid out below.
Tiwari Danda. A ridge spur with terraced farmland and more mountain views as the trail starts to descend.
Ramche and Talbesi. Traditional hillside villages on the way down. Expect farm tracks, livestock on the trail, and everyday Gurung and Brahmin-Chhetri village life.
The descent to Begnas Lake. The trail drops off the ridge through forest and terraced fields to the lakeshore, where lunch is waiting.
Viewpoints on this stage: Shanti Maidan (Pokhara Valley), Kalikasthan (Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre, Begnas and Rupa lakes), Tiwari Danda (ridge and terraced farmland).
Lunch at Begnas Lake
Time: about 12:30 to 1:30 PM | Where: a lakeside restaurant or teahouse at Begnas Lake
Lunch is served by the water, roughly halfway through the day. You have time to rest, take photos or arrange a short boat ride on the lake before the afternoon ride. The boat ride is optional and paid separately.
Begnas Lake back to Pokhara
E-MTB riding time: about 2 to 2.5 hours with stops
The return leg takes a different line from the morning ridge, so the scenery keeps changing. Expect a mix of rolling ground and short climbs.
Dovilla. A quieter stretch of farmland and forest track that links Begnas back to the Pokhara side of the valley.
Mountain Glory viewpoint. A hillside spot at the Mountain Glory resort with wide views back over the valley. It makes a natural rest stop before the final push toward town.
Damsadi suspension bridge. A long, swaying suspension bridge high above the Fusre Khola gorge. It is one of the most memorable crossings of the day and a great photo stop.
Devi's Fall (Patale Chhango). Pokhara's famous "underground waterfall", where the Pardi Khola drops into a tunnel and disappears. This is a short stop off the bike.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. Directly across the road from Devi's Fall. It is one of the longest caves in Nepal, with Shiva shrines inside, and from inside you can see the same waterfall from below.
Kedareshwor Mahadev Temple. A Shiva temple on the final stretch back into Lakeside, and a quiet, cultural end to a long day of riding.
From the temple, it is a short, easy ride back to our shop, and then we drop you at your hotel.
Viewpoints on this stage: Mountain Glory viewpoint (valley views), Damsadi suspension bridge (gorge and river views).
5.0from 13 reviews across 2 platforms
Marine D
Dec 9, 2024
Amazing biking experience with Annapurna view Amazing mountain biking experience with Laxman, discovering villages, crossing rice fields and river with a beautiful view of Annapurna! Thank you very much also for this passionate and meaningful discussion about spirituality and Nepalese culture! Dhanyabad again Jagan for your welcome and your amazing mountain biking team! It was really a pleasure to meet you all! ^^
osama m
Aug 18, 2022
Amazing ride in Nepal Amazing route with great cooperative guide.. Inside village and view lake and mountain. Local people and cows. The cycles were in good condition
Malena
Mar 25, 2019
Awesome 1 day adventure, do it! We thought we wanted to bike to Begnas Lake by ourselves, but we are so glad we chose a one day guided trip with PMB! They suited us with great bikes and gave us plenty of choices for our ride. Anil, who is studying tourism, took us up dirt roads through gorgeous villages that we would have never found ourselves. Can't say enough for just dropping by their office in Lakeside, chatting with the folks there, and seeing what sounds good.
Harry S
Dec 25, 2016
Fantastic experience Me and a group of 9 friends went on a tour around the Pokhara valley. What a fantastic experience. The team at Pokhara mountain bikes were extremely helpful on every detail of the trip. They were extremely knowledgable and helped us plan the right trip to cater for all levels of experience in our group. The bikes themselves were in great condition. The guides were extremely helpful and fluent in English. The guide would tell us stories about the local area which were a nice touch. The amount of fun we had on the tour was unbelievable, and we were all extremely happy.
sahil2011
Jun 29, 2016
great day trip After a few days mountain biking around Pokhara, we decided to do a tougher all day bike trip with pokhara mountain bike adventure. We did a tough traverse which descend to begnas lake and back to pokhara.The staff was excellent, the owner friendly and good with recommendations, and they probably have the best bikes in Pokhara. Also the price was fair in my opinion. A good choice of new dual suspension and hard tail bikes available for hire and I would love to be back and do a longer trip with these guys. Best way to see the village and mountain life around Pokhara for sure.
LucyReynolds1234
Oct 3, 2013
Brilliant one day trip to Begnas Tal.. I had a really great trip with these guys. They provided me with an amazing bike in great condition. Although the weather was very wet it was a brilliant ride to see Begnas Tal. We had a mixture of road and cross country which was perfect. I was looked after so well by them and my guide was such great company and spoke brilliant english. They have so much to offer and I highly recommend them to any one. The trip was memorable and so much fun. Thank you.
Daniel Nathan
Mar 6, 2026
Fantastic company. Great people. Our guide Nikita was the best. She was incredibly knowledgeable about all things Nepal and was very helpful to all of us! Thanks Nikita! If you’re ever in Pokhara this company is the one to go with!
Jason Williamson
Jan 5, 2026
My son and I did a guided ride from their shop at Lakeside Pokhara with Dipesh and Pradip leading the way. Communication with the shop before the ride was excellent, as was the briefing before we set off. Both Dipesh and Pradip we great on the road and trail, and were prepared for any bike repairs or flats. Thankfully bikes were in good condition, so no running repairs were needed. Wouldn't hesitate to use Nepal MTB Adventures again when we return to Pokhara. Thanks again for a great day, albeit very tough, on the climbs. Regards, Jason & Tama, Australia 🇦🇺
Sven van Harberden
Aug 3, 2025
We had amazing day out exploring Pokhara’s backcountry and surrounding hills with great views and lovely towns. Highly recommended.
Shasak Photography
Aug 4, 2023
We had a mtb day tour.. to begnas lake.. we take cycle in rent .. pokhara mountain bikes.. is trustable ... we gets lots of complimentary inroute mechanic support.. affordable price.. thank you..
Teagan Van Mulligen
Aug 4, 2023
I'm from Canada which has a huge mountain bike community and I'm very happy to have found this shop while staying in Pokhara. Happy to see there's a community for it in Nepal even though it might be small. My guide was so amazing. We had an extremely adventurous ride because it's monsoon season (going through rivers and being turned around by landslides) but overall was amazing and I can't wait to come back and ride with them again:). Shout out to the owner as well he is so very friendly.
LIlaa
Aug 4, 2023
We had a great bike ride to Begnas and back to pokhara via Dobilla was a awesome cycling day ride. Highly recommend Pokhara Muntain bike for bike rental.
Kabita Rai
Aug 4, 2022
Thank you so much to Jagan and Laxman! I am so glad I came across you while searching for “things to do” in Pokhara. My partner and I had one of the best experiences. It was such a smooth process from a quick phone call enquiry to booking for the activity. You can truly get a hearty experience as you bike along the small towns and see the life of the locals. Moreover, stunning views along the way. Laxman stopped at all the major sights and explained to us regarding the history and guided us throughout although I struggled a bit! THANK YOU AGAIN and I highly recommend!!
It is a full-day tour of about 7 hours. We pick you up between 8:30 and 9:30 AM and bring you back to Pokhara between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. During the day you ride about 35 to 40 km on the e-MTB. The time also includes a lunch break at Begnas Lake and short stops at the viewpoints and landmarks along the way.
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