Plan my trek
Plan my trek
Valley rim to Mustang
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
~US$25/day rental
Half day to 3 weeks
16+ to hire a bike
Moderate to very high
Nepal is one of the few places where you can ride from subtropical rice terraces to a 5,416 m pass on the same route, sleeping in a family-run lodge every night. Its riding is not about bike parks or built trails. It is about thousands of kilometres of village footpaths, old trade routes and dirt roads that link hilltop settlements, and that give you constant views of the Himalaya when the weather is clear.
There are three main areas. The Kathmandu Valley rim is a ring of forested hills around the capital, between about 1,400 m and 2,700 m, with day rides and multi-day loops through Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and Namobuddha. Pokhara has shorter rides and shuttle descents from Sarangkot and the surrounding ridges, with the Annapurna range as a backdrop. And the high, dry country of Mustang and the Annapurna Circuit offers big multi-day journeys, including the long descent of the Kali Gandaki valley from Muktinath and expedition-style rides to Lo Manthang.
Mountain biking in Nepal has a longer history than many people realise. Nepali riders were guiding international groups in the late 1980s, the first Nepali-run mountain bike company was set up in 1994, and the Nepal Mountain Biking Association was formed in 1995. Today Kathmandu and Pokhara both have well-equipped rental shops and experienced guides.
It is less suitable if you want smooth, flowing trail centres: much of Nepal’s riding is rough, steep, shared with people and animals, and often on roads with jeeps and buses.
There is no separate licence for mountain bike operators. Tour companies are registered with Nepal’s tourism authorities in the same way as trekking agencies, and guides on protected-area routes are usually government-licensed trekking guides. The Nepal Cycling Association (the former Nepal Mountain Biking Association, renamed in 2006 and affiliated to the UCI) governs racing rather than tourism. In national parks and conservation areas you need the same permits as trekkers, and in Upper Mustang a restricted area permit arranged through a registered agency. See our Nepal travel guide for the wider picture.
Altitudes are approximate and vary between sources. Distances and times assume reasonable fitness and normal conditions; landslides and road works can change them quickly.
The forested hills on the valley’s north side are the closest proper riding to Kathmandu. Popular day routes climb from Budhanilkantha into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, or wind about 21 km up the road to the Jamacho viewpoint on Nagarjun hill (about 2,128 m). A multi-day option links Kakani (about 2,100 m) and Chisapani (about 2,215 m) on jeep tracks and parts of the Helambu trail. Expect steep climbs and rocky descents. The national park charges entry fees, and has charged a separate fee for mountain bikes, so check the current rate at the gate or with your guide.
The classic multi-day valley rim ride heads east from Chisapani to Nagarkot (around 2,000 m; sources vary), then through villages to Dhulikhel and the Buddhist monastery at Namobuddha (about 1,750 m), on to Balthali and the old Newar town of Panauti. It mixes jeep tracks, quiet village roads and some singletrack, and can finish at Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square. Allow two to five days, or ride individual sections as day trips with a vehicle transfer. It suits fit riders with some off-road experience, and the cultural stops make it good for mixed groups.
Phulchowki is the highest point on the valley rim, at about 2,760 m. Guided rides climb to around 2,600 m on a rough road through forest, then descend through forest and farmland back towards Godavari and Lalitpur. It is a long, hard day with a big climb, so many groups use a vehicle for part of the ascent. Lower down, the southern side of the valley has shorter trails between villages that work well as half-day rides from Patan. The forest is good for birds, and the views of the valley are best after the monsoon.
The ride from Lakeside up to Sarangkot climbs roughly 900 m to a sunrise viewpoint over Phewa Lake and the Annapurnas. Many people take a vehicle up and ride down, on village trails and quiet roads towards the Seti river. Other ridges around Pokhara, such as Kahun Danda, offer similar climb-or-shuttle descents. This is the easiest place in Nepal to try mountain biking with good hire bikes and short transfers, and it combines naturally with paragliding and rafting. See our Pokhara guide.
For gentler riding, quiet roads and tracks lead east of Pokhara to Begnas and Rupa lakes, through farmland and small villages. Across Phewa Lake, a steep climb leads to the World Peace Pagoda on the ridge to the south, with a rough descent back. These rides are suitable for riders building confidence or families with older children on hire bikes, although Pokhara’s traffic near the city centre needs care. Go early in the day for the clearest mountain views and before the heat builds.
This is Nepal’s best-known downhill journey. From Muktinath (about 3,710–3,800 m) the route drops through Kagbeni, Jomsom and the apple-growing village of Marpha, down the Kali Gandaki gorge to Tatopani at about 1,200 m. Over two to four days you lose more than 2,500 m in height. The main road is dusty and busy with jeeps, so good guides use side trails such as the Lubra valley and the east-bank paths. Strong afternoon headwinds blow up the valley, so ride early. Riders usually reach Muktinath by jeep from Jomsom or Pokhara.
North of Kagbeni, the restricted area of Upper Mustang has desert canyons, red cliffs, cave dwellings and singletrack over passes of 4,000–4,600 m on the way to the walled town of Lo Manthang (about 3,800 m). Guided tours run around 12–16 days from Kathmandu, with a support vehicle, and riders still push or carry bikes on some passes. You need the restricted area permit (US$50 per person per day at the time of writing) arranged by a registered agency. It is high, cold and remote, for experienced riders only. See our Mustang guide.
Roads now run up both sides of the Annapurna Circuit, so it is rideable as a bike journey from Besisahar up the Marsyangdi to Manang, over the Thorong La (5,416 m) and down to Muktinath and the Kali Gandaki. Guided tours take about 7–12 riding days; a self-supported 2025 trip took 25 days in total, including side trips. The road on the east side is dusty and muddy with heavy jeep traffic, and you push for several hours on the final climb to the pass; on guided tours porters often carry the bikes over. Acclimatisation days in Manang are essential.
Most visitors either join a guided day ride or hire a bike and set out with a local guide. Multi-day trips are usually fully supported. Here is how a typical day works.
Meet at the shop, usually early in the morning to beat the traffic. The mechanic sets saddle height, brake levers and suspension for your weight. Your guide explains the route, the road sections, and signals for stopping. Take a short test ride and report anything that feels wrong: adjustments are much easier in the shop than on the trail.
Leaving Kathmandu by bike means busy roads, dust and fumes. Many day rides start with a short vehicle transfer to the edge of the valley, which is safer and leaves more time on the trails. In Pokhara, trails start closer to town, and shuttle options to Sarangkot are common.
A typical day ride lasts three to six hours, with climbs on jeep tracks, descents on footpaths or stone steps, tea stops in villages, and lunch at a local restaurant. Give way to people carrying loads and to animals, and slow down through villages. Expect some pushing on the steepest sections.
On supported tours, a vehicle carries your luggage between lodges and offers a lift if you are tired or unwell. Above the road head, porters may carry bags or bikes. You sleep in teahouses, eat the local dal bhat and noodle dishes, and ride 20–50 km a day depending on terrain and altitude.
Rental bikes are usually hardtails or full-suspension trail bikes from international brands, with a helmet, pump, spare tube and tyre levers. Pads, gloves, locks, racks and GPS mounts are often available on request. If you ride clipless, bring your own pedals and shoes; many riders also bring their own saddle and padded shorts for multi-day trips.
Rental shops typically require you to be at least 16 with ID, and some multi-day tours set a minimum of 18. Day rides around Kathmandu and Pokhara need reasonable fitness and basic off-road skills. Mustang and the Annapurna Circuit need high fitness, confident descending on loose, steep terrain, and good tolerance of altitude.
Guides often take photos at viewpoints, but there is no formal photo package. Phone signal is good near Kathmandu and Pokhara but patchy in the mountains. Do not rely on route apps alone: a 2025 bikepacking team lost time following a downloaded route onto an unrideable path.
Most bike shops and tour companies quote in US dollars. Figures below are approximate, at the time of writing, with rough rupee and sterling equivalents (about NPR 135–140 to US$1 and NPR 175–180 to £1).
| Item | Approx. price | Approx. GBP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardtail mountain bike hire | US$25–45 a day (NPR 3,400–6,200) | £19–34 | Helmet and basic repair kit usually included |
| Full-suspension bike hire | US$45–75 a day (NPR 6,200–10,300) | £34–57 | Recommended for Mustang and technical descents |
| E-mountain bike hire | About US$100 a day (NPR 13,700) | About £75 | Limited availability; check charging on multi-day routes |
| Guided day ride, Kathmandu Valley | About US$120 per person (NPR 16,500) | About £90 | Bike, helmet, guide; lunch sometimes included |
| Sarangkot sunrise ride and raft, Pokhara | About US$150 (NPR 20,500) | About £115 | Bike, guide, transfer, breakfast, rafting |
| 8-day Kathmandu Valley rim tour (private) | About US$1,950 (NPR 267,000) | About £1,450 | Lodges, guide, bike; most meals extra |
| 12-day Annapurna Circuit bike tour | About US$2,600 plus US$400–700 bike hire | About £1,950 plus £300–525 | Guides, support vehicle, meals, lodges, domestic flight |
| 14-day Upper Mustang bike tour | About US$4,000 (NPR 548,000) | About £3,000 | Support vehicle, permits; check how the permit is priced |
The best months are the same as for trekking, but riders feel mud, dust and heat more than walkers. Mustang is the exception: it lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and can be ridden in the monsoon. Our best season to travel in Nepal guide has more detail.
| Months | Kathmandu and Pokhara | Mustang and Annapurna Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Best: dry trails, clear views, comfortable temperatures | Best: stable weather; cold nights high up, Thorong La usually open |
| December–February | Good: dry and clear, cold mornings, short days | Hard: snow can close high passes; very cold above 3,500 m |
| March–May | Good: warm to hot, hazier by May, afternoon storms | Good: spring snow on passes in March, windy in the Kali Gandaki |
| June–September | Poor: mud, leeches, landslides, cloud | Upper Mustang rideable, but roads to it are landslide-prone; Circuit east side wet |
The 2026 monsoon was severe. The August 2026 flood on the Trishuli corridor damaged the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, which was still having overnight repair closures in mid-October 2026. On the Annapurna Circuit, floods and landslides in late September 2026 blocked the road to Manang for about three weeks; light vehicles were using a temporary timber crossing at Chame from 13 October. Regular Pokhara to Jomsom flights were also reported suspended in October 2026, so plan to reach Mustang by road. The Langtang valley road was closed after the August flood, so we do not recommend riding there until it has been rebuilt.
The biggest risks on a bike in Nepal are traffic, crashes on loose descents and altitude, in roughly that order. Good preparation removes most of them.
Road accidents are a major cause of death and injury in Nepal, and the FCDO notes that road conditions are poor, especially in the monsoon and in mountain areas. Avoid riding after dark, give buses and trucks plenty of room on mountain roads, and wear a buff or mask for the dust.
Cycling makes it easy to gain height too quickly. Above 3,000 m, follow trekking acclimatisation rules: sleep no more than about 300–500 m higher each night, take rest days in Manang or Lo Manthang, and descend if you develop symptoms of altitude sickness.
Check that your travel insurance covers mountain biking (some policies treat off-road or downhill riding differently), the maximum altitude of your route, and helicopter evacuation. Rental shops generally do not insure the bike, so you may also want cover for rented equipment. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
At the time of writing, the FCDO does not advise against travel to any part of Nepal. It warns that areas hit by the August 2026 floods may remain unstable, that protests and strikes can start at short notice, and that monsoon landslides can cut off roads and villages for days. It also says you should not trek alone, and that foreign independent trekkers must use a local guide or porter in national parks and protected areas. Check the latest FCDO advice before you go.
A day or two on a bike fits well before or after a trek. Here are three sample plans.
Early transfer to Budhanilkantha, climb into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, ride forest tracks to a ridge viewpoint, then descend through villages to Tokha for lunch and back to Kathmandu by mid-afternoon. Alternatively, ride from Nagarkot down to Bhaktapur. A good choice on the day after you land, if you want to get over jet lag, or between a trek and your flight home.
Day 1: sunrise at Sarangkot, ride down through villages to the Seti river, and afternoon rafting on the Upper Seti. Day 2: paragliding from Sarangkot, then an afternoon ride to Begnas Lake. See our rafting and paragliding guides, or add a jump from our bungee jumping in Nepal guide. Pokhara is also the end point of most Annapurna treks.
After a trek in Mustang or the Annapurna Circuit, hire bikes for the descent instead of taking the bus. Day 1: Muktinath to Kagbeni and Marpha via the Lubra valley. Day 2: Marpha to Ghasa or Kalopani on side trails. Day 3: down to Tatopani for the hot springs, then a jeep to Pokhara. Bikes and a guide are best arranged in Pokhara beforehand. See our Annapurna region guide for the bigger picture.
Many experienced riders bring their own bike in a box. Check your airline’s sports equipment fees and the domestic airline’s baggage rules if you are flying to Pokhara. Bring spare brake pads, a derailleur hanger, tubeless sealant and chain links, as parts for less common standards can be hard to find outside Kathmandu and Pokhara.
For day rides and rentals in Kathmandu and Pokhara, a day or two’s notice is usually enough, though good full-suspension bikes go quickly in October and November. Multi-day tours, especially Upper Mustang, need booking weeks or months ahead to arrange permits and guides.
Tipping guides, drivers and porters is customary on multi-day trips; around 10% of the local trip cost, shared between the team, is a common guideline. On day rides, a small tip for a good guide is appreciated.
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Related guides to read next.
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Yes, especially for adventurous riders. It offers huge descents, village singletrack and high-altitude journeys in Mustang and around Annapurna, plus well-equipped rental shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The trade-off is rough trails, traffic on roads and very little built trail infrastructure.
Yes. Roads now run up both sides, and guided tours take about 7–12 riding days. You will push or carry the bike for several hours to the Thorong La (5,416 m), and you need to acclimatise in Manang like trekkers do.
Roughly US$25–45 a day for a hardtail and US$45–75 for a full-suspension bike in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with a helmet and basic tools. E-bikes cost about US$100 a day. Longer hires often get a lower daily rate.
The most popular areas are Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park on the north rim, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and Namobuddha to the east, and Phulchowki to the south. Many rides start with a short transfer to avoid city traffic.
Yes. The classic ride goes up to Sarangkot for sunrise and descends through villages towards the Seti river, and there are gentler rides to Begnas and Rupa lakes. Bike hire and guides are available in Lakeside.
Yes, on guided tours of around 12–16 days with a support vehicle. You need the Upper Mustang restricted area permit (US$50 per person per day at the time of writing) arranged through a registered agency, and the route crosses passes above 4,000 m.
A guide is compulsory in Upper Mustang, and the 2023 rule requiring trekkers to use a licensed guide in protected areas may be applied to cyclists too, though enforcement is inconsistent. Near Kathmandu and Pokhara you can ride independently, but a local guide makes route-finding much easier.
October and November are best, with dry trails and clear views; March to May is second best. The monsoon (June to September) brings mud and landslides, although Upper Mustang stays relatively dry.
For multi-day or technical trips, many experienced riders do, because the fit is right and you know the bike. Good rental bikes are available, though, and save the cost and hassle of flying with a bike box. Bring spare parts for unusual standards.
It carries the usual risks of crashes, plus traffic on roads and altitude on high routes. Wear a helmet, check brakes before long descents, avoid riding after dark, acclimatise properly above 3,000 m, and make sure your insurance covers mountain biking and evacuation.
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