grand loop nepal
11 DAYS, PAVED ROADS
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Circle central Nepal, through mountains and jungles!
One big loop to experience a bit of it all! Himalayan views, mountain roads, highway cruising, rich culture, and delightful hand-picked lodges and hotels. We stick to mostly paved roads on this itinerary.
DAY 1 – Kathmandu: Airport pickup – Transport to hotel – Welcome Dinner – Orientation
DAY 2 – Charikot: 135kms, 5.5hrs Ride to Charikot – Panoramic hotel lodging
DAY 3 – Hattiban: 192kms, 6hrs Cruise Nepal’s newest highway to mountainside Hattiban
DAY 4 – Chitwan N.P.: 152kms, 6hrs Twist and turn through the Middle Hills to Chitwan National Park in Nepal’s jungly south
DAY 5 – Chitwan N.P.: Free day in Chitwan National Park – Optional elephant or jeep jungle safari – explore locally
DAY 6 – Tansen: 175kms, 5.5hrs Cruisy highway riding across the southern plains of Nepal
DAY 7 – Pokhara: 125kms, 4hrs One of the most beautiful rides in Nepal. Serpentine twists to fulfill all your heart’s desires!
DAY 8 – Gorkha: 110-160kms, 3-4.5hrs Optional morning Himalayan viewpoint ride to Naudanda. Ride to the shadow of 8,156m Manaslu – Hilltop resort
DAY 9 – Nuwakot: 120kms, 4hrs A mellow day of highway riding to Nuwakot District
DAY 10 – Nuwakot: 90kms, 6hrs Ride secondary roads to Tibet views for lunch – Return to “Farmhouse” style lodge in Nuwakot
DAY 11 – Kathmandu: 80kms, 3-4hrs Highway or secondary road riding over Shivapuri Mountain to Kathmandu
DAY 1 – Arrive Kathmandu – Welcome Dinner
If you are just arriving in Nepal, we can arrange private airport pickup and transport to your hotel. Hand-picked, boutique hotel in Kathmandu.
Check out the bikes and get geared up for the journey ahead. Welcome dinner and orientation at a favorite restaurant.
DAY 2 – Ride to Charikot – Himalayan Foothills
Heading east out of Kathmandu we’ll quickly find ourselves twisting and turning through the Himalayan foothills. A mix of paved and broken roads brings us along rivers, over mountain ridges, and finally to the hillside hub-town of Charikot, overlooking the eastern Himalayan range.
Panoramic hotel lodging in Charikot.
DAY 3 – Ride to Hattiban (Kathmandu Valley Rim) – Nepal’s Newest Highway
After breakfast we’ll descend through pine forests to the clear Tama Koshi River. Paralleling the river, the road takes us high along barren cliffs and past small villages. Our afternoon ride is fun and cruisy along Nepal’s newest and smoothest highway.
Finish the day by climbing to a quiet mountainside resort overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range.
DAY 4 – Ride to Chitwan National Park – Twisted Mountain Roads & Highway
It’s a full day’s ride as we begin by twisting through steep mountains, only to finish up the day with a straight cruise along the plains. This is the original footpath from India into the Kathmandu valley, before there was even a road connecting Kathmandu with the outside world.
Kick back and relax with happy hour drinks by the Rapti River to polish off a great day!
DAY 5 – Free day at Chitwan National Park – Jungle safari
After several full days of riding, it feels good to take a day off and just kick it. On your own today to explore locally, or dive into the jungle on a jeep or elephant-back wildlife safari. Keep your eyes peeled for rhinos, stag deer, roe bucks, wild boar, crocodiles, and the ever elusive tiger!
DAY 6 – Ride to Tansen – Highway Cruising
Back on the bikes again today, we’ll cruise along the steamy southern plains of Nepal to the west. This is Nepal’s main east-west highway, and straightest road in the country. Leaving the southern plains, we’ll turn north at the end of the day and quickly wind into the Middle Hills again to the quaint town of Tansen. Great views over town from the finest hotel around.
DAY 7 – Ride to Pokhara – Twists and Turns for Days
One of the most incredibly scenic roads in the country! Today it’s all twists and turns high above precipitous drop-offs to the river far below. The closer to Pokhara we come, the lusher the landscape becomes. On clear days expect amazing views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare. Hotel lodging at Pokhara’s touristy lakeside district. Night out at favorite restaurant and bar.
DAY 8 – Ride to Gorkha – Shadow of Manaslu (world’s 8th highest mountain)
After breakfast we’ll have the option of riding up to Sarangkot for Himalayan views. Great views of Annapurna (8091m, world’s 10th highest mountain) and the iconic Machhapuchhare.
Back on the highway, it’s a mellow, couple hour’s ride to Gorkha District. Within spectacular view of Manaslu, (the world’s 8th highest mountain), our delightful hill-top resort provides the perfect place to soak up the views with a beer on the terrace.
DAY 9 – Ride to Nuwakot
It’s a fairly mellow day of riding to the scenic and peaceful district of Nuwakot. Rich in local culture and slim on tourists, enjoy soaking up great views and tranquil atmosphere. Our lodge for the night is an all-time favorite that charms with it’s peaceful garden setting, and traditional architecture.
DAY 10 – Ride to the Tibet View Point – Return to Scenic & Rural Nuwakot
A super fun ride today north through the Himalaya toward the Tibet border. Narrow roads cutting across the mountainside high above the Trishuli River are sure to peak the adrenaline. We’ll have lunch at the Tibet viewpoint of Dhunche, before returning back down-valley. Serpentine corners deliver us to our peaceful mountainside lodge for the evening.
Enjoy drinks and a garden-fresh dinner on the terrace.
DAY 11 – Return to Kathmandu
After breakfast, we’ll take the road less traveled as we wind up and over the last mountain separating us from the Kathmandu Valley. En-route we’ll stop at a local teashop for tea and a sampling of local snacks.
Back in Kathmandu we’ll ride directly to the bike shop and return the bikes.
Included:
- 10 nights lovely, hand-picked lodging
- All Breakfasts
- 6 Dinners
- Motorcycle Rental
- Third party motorcycle insurance
- Petrol
- Langtang NP entry permit
- *Lodge-to-lodge Support Vehicle for ride
- **Mechanic / Follow-up rider
- Eli as Trip Leader / Road Captain
Not Included:
- International airfare
- Nepal visa fee ($25 for 15 days)
- Lunches
- 5 Dinners
- Any drinks other than complimentary drinks & morning tea/coffee
- Snacks
- Personal insurance
- Rescue & evacuation, etc…
- Expenses occurred as a result of delay beyond our control in case of weather, flight cancellation, political disturbances, or natural calamities
- Coverage of any damages incurred to bikes (motorcycle insurance available for $400 / bike)
- Other personal expenses, laundry, etc…
- Tips for guides, staff, drivers, etc…
Starting at:
$3,495 / Rider (6-8 riders)
$3,695 / Rider (4-5 riders)
$3,895 / Rider (2-3 riders)
*support vehicle extra
**mechanic / follow-up rider included in groups of 4+
- Prices quoted on a twin-sharing room basis. Single supplement – $330
- Prices subject to change as cost of accommodation and transportation may increase.
Flexible Departure Dates
Contact me to plan dates that work for you
Recommended Season
September – December; February – May