Destination: Himalaya, India, Nepal
Duration: 13 Day(s)
Group Size: 12
Pillion Friendly: Not ideal, due to dirt roads, but passengers can ride in the support vehicle when needed
Terrain: Mainly dirt in the high mountains, with tar in the foothills
Support: Tour leader / Medic / Mechanic / Support vehicle
Distance: 800km
This adventure is the very same as our regular Full Nepal Tour, but due to a customer request booking on this date is open only to women, or men travelling with their partners. So, let us introduce you to some of the best riding, views and food you'll find anywhere – really, anywhere – all amid the fascinating culture of Nepal. We will guide you along sinuous mountain trails, through the shadow of mighty Annapurna, to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau at some 4800m ... and back via epic views, across plains and through jungles. This trip is characterised by rides in places of the most incredible natural beauty... and millions of bends.
This is a supported tour, with a vehicle to carry luggage and medical kit. Internal flights, guiding, accommodation, fuel, our jungle expedition (not the park permits) and some meals are included in the price.
Parts of this tour could be tough, maybe very tough. Some of the roads we're taking are unpaved dirt and unseasonable wet weather could throw up some mud, rocks and extra logistical challenges. For these reasons, no itinerary is ever set in stone, but we always have a contingency.
To meet this tour, you will fly to Kathmandu, where you will be met by a Blazing representative, who will escort you to your hotel. Next morning you will be collected for your flight to Pokhara (45mins). On most days this flight will offer jaw-dropping views over the Annapurna Massif, with views all the way to the very, very big fellas. In Pokhara your tour team will meet you and later we'll take gentle ride around the lake to get a sniff of the bikes and get into the Nepali groove.
The tour ends in the jungles of Western Nepal, from which you will fly back to Kathmandu with time for some sight-seeing. Internal flights will be provided as part of the cost of the trip. Should you wish to add extra days/activities, the option is always there – check out the options on the bookings page, or contact us for details...
Whenever riding there will be a leader and 'outrider' guiding and trouble-spotting. A support vehicle with spares and a well-equipped medic will travel at the rear. The trip includes some long days in the saddle, both on easy cruising roads and very challenging mountain chicanery. These longer rides will require skill and concentration.
Weather will range from warm, or hot, on the plains, to 'nippy' in the higher stations. We would not expect rain at the times of year that we run tours in Nepal, but it's always possible.
Nepali jungle and high Himalayan valleys; views of the huge Himalayan ranges – this is a trip full of fabulous contrasts, epic rides and limitless hospitality.
You will need a reasonable fitness level to complete this trip and there are certain medical conditions that preclude travelling at altitude, so check with Blazing Trails and your GP if in doubt.
Advice on finding a flight can be found HERE
The 'START DATE' (Day 1) date is the date of arrival at your destination airport. The 'END DATE' is the date on which you fly home.
Please make sure that on booking you select a tour date and bike.
Advice on finding a flight can be found HERE
Leap aboard your overnight flight and kip to Kath'. The left side of the 'plane usually gives the best views of the mountains.
We will collect you from the airport and transport you to your comfortable hotel in Thamel, the thriving hub of Kathmandu. From the hotel's rooftop restaurant it is often possible to see all the way to the dramatic Langtang mountain range. Depending on your arrival time, you'll also have time to explore the lively streets and temples. Restaurants and bars can be sampled before off to bed you go.
You will be transported to the domestic terminal for the short-hop (45 min) flight to Nepalgunj Airport (there should be awe-inspiring views from the R/H side of the 'plane). At the airport you will be met by your Blazing crew and we'll board the minibus to our comfortable jungle hotel on the edge of Bardia National Park. The afternoon can be spent strolling the charming local ethnic Tharu villages. A briefing and some top food await afore bedtime.
Today we will take a jeep to our start point before trekking into the jungle with our experienced guides. This National Park is one of Asia's great secrets, situated as it is away from the usual tourist circuits and holds tiger, leopard, elephant, great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, crocodile and many other species and there is every chance of seeing a wide selection of these beasts. Our overnight stop is spectacular if not overly luxurious – a camp on a riverbank, deep in the jungle.
This morning, if possible (according to river conditions) we will be transferring to rafts. Paddling down the calm river we will almost certainly see crocs, deer, eagle, a variety of other birds and there's a decent chance of seeing rhino, elephant and tiger! Back at the lodge we will have a fine dinner to celebrate our adventure.
This is a long ride – around 200 miles. After leaving the park's rough roads we're back onto the Mahendra Highway. Most of the ride is fast and smooth, but towards the day's end we will turn off into the hills and begin a steep climb, which ends in the charming and historic regional capital of Tansen. Our hotel has great views all the way to Annapurna and there's a fantastic restaurant in town.
This is a full day on the bikes, as we head into the central-west hills and wend our ways through villages, taking in the pace of rural Nepali life. The day ends in Kushma. This small town could hardly be more scenic, straddling a vast gorge with views up to the mountains. Kushma is known for the dizzying heights and huge spans of its suspension bridges (you do not have to ride across them). The usual tasty cuisine and drinks etc end the day.
The Dhaulgiri mountain to the left; the Annapurna to the left: welcome t0 the world's deepest valley. We start climbing on tar, with sections of landslide damage likely, before things get steeper and the higher ranges become visible. In Kalopani we spend the night in a characterful guest house surrounded by awesome mountains.
A short hop, but very satisfying as we take in the sites of the Mustang Valley on challenging roads, beside the Gandaki River. Passing though village life and the ever-outstanding vistas, we make our way to Kagbeni Village, with it's 500 year-old monastery.
We will start the day with a short, rough, ride up the steep hill to Muktinath, one of the most important (and highest at 3800M) temples in Hinduism. This site, dedicated the the god Vishnu, is also holy to Buddhists. Feel free to wash away your sins under the 108 cold water outlets. From this holy site we will descend back toward the river, cross the valley and climb to Marpha (2556m). A popular overnight stop on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, this village has many small hotels and guest houses. As ever, the setting is breathtaking.
Having left Marpha, we will stop for a look at the Rupse Falls, which tumble 300m down the mountainside. Tatopani (meaning 'hot water') is surrounded by hot springs. Despite being an incredibly beautiful place, this is all we have to report about Tatopani.
It's a fairly short ride from Tatopani to bustling Pokhara, which will give us the afternoon to have a look around, pick up some shopping and stroll beside the lake. In the evening we can gather to enjoy a slap-up meal
Early morning transport takes us to the airport at Pokhara. Here a short flight will be taken to Kathmandu – and a taxi ride to fascinating Bhaktapur on the outskirts. Here the afternoon can be spent wandering among ancient buildings in this living museum.
Adios. Time to leave amazing Nepal. The best mountain views are had by those sitting on the right-hand side of the 'plane.
If you would like to book some extra time in Nepal prior to, or just after, your tour dates, then we offer a range of short packages in Pokhara, Kathmandu, or Bardia National Park. Including accommodation and transfers, these can be selected as 'Trip Extras' during the booking process, or contact us for more options.
The tours can be booked online, by email, or over the phone on: +44 (0) 7494 050404. To secure a place you will be asked to put down a 15% deposit and payment can be made by card, cheque, or bank transfer.
International flights are not included in the price of your tour, but internal flights are. We can provide details of where to book an appropriate International flight.
Best to obtain your E-visa visa from the Embassy of Nepal: https://uk.nepalembassy.gov.np/visa/. Currently a 15-day visa costs £25.
You will need a valid certificate of travel insurance and an International Driving Permit.
Obtain one through the Post Office service, at major branches. All you need is your UK Driving Licence and some six of His Imperial Majesty's Pounds.
Yes. We enjoy hosting riders from all countries.
Yes, you need travel insurance to cover you for the period of the tour. This insurance must cover you to ride the bike you have booked.
We would advise that you have some idea of the Nepali Rupee exchange rate before you leave, to avoid getting ripped-off. We would advise changing around £100 at the airport. In many major towns, there are cash-points that will accept major credit and debit cards. In Kathmandu and Pokhara you will be able to use money changers and banks. Further advice to this will be given in the tour briefing.
About £350 should cover food, drink, and sundries.
Not if you pay a supplement, which can be selected at the booking stage.
It is always clean and the best we can find in the area with a suitable setting. We are in clean, comfortable hotels or resorts. One night you will be staying in a tented camp in the jungle.
Usually, but it can't always be guaranteed in remote areas. During our jungle night there's no power. If it's vital you need electrical power every night, please speak to us before booking. Don't forget a travel adaptor if you need to recharge your electricals.
You need a licence to ride the bike you've booked. It would also be good to have a couple of year's experience. While you don't need dirt-riding experience, as we can help you through tricky sections there are dirt roads to be tackled. These may be muddy, or/and rocky in places.
Riding anywhere carries with it a degree of risk, as does riding in Nepal. If any rider joining us rides in a manner we suspect will endanger themselves, or others, they will receive one warning. If they continue to display a threat to the safety or enjoyment of others on the tour, they will be excluded from the remainder (with no refund given, see terms and conditions).
Due to road conditions and other traffic, vehicles tend to move a lot slower in Nepal than they do in the West. We will do likewise. There are also constraints on speed enforced by the bikes. These are not high-revving sports bikes and so we will lead the tour at a maximum speed of around 70-80kph where conditions allow
No, you can't ride independently of the tour group, sorry.
Reasonably so. What's 'reasonably fit'? If you can't jog up stairs without panting, then Nepali bike tours probably aren't for you.
Yes, but please be sure they know what they're letting themselves in for: some long days in the saddle, bumpy roads and, in the mountains, some pretty shocking drop-offs. We have limited space in our support vehicles, so pillions may not always be able to hop off on a whim. Likewise, if riders have any doubt over handling the extra weight, then we'd advise they ride solo. It is possible to book a place in a support vehicle (same as pillion price) for those who want to join the tour, but not to ride or travel as a pillion passenger.
You are limited to 20kg on most flights. We suggest you pack as lightly and in as compact a form as possible. As support vehicle space is tight, we insist you bring soft luggage. If you turn up with a suitcase we will ask you to buy a soft bag and repack.
Keep it minimal. One set of riding kit for the tour and a couple of sets of clothes for the evening. There are laundry facilities at two-night stops, but it's a good idea to bring under-layers that can be hand-washed.
If you're wet, yes. One small travel towel. Although most of our hotels provide towels, there may be the occasional night you'll want your own.
All breakfasts and some evening meals are included – where there is little choice. In some places guests may chose to eat dinner where they wish.
We would firstly suggest that you avoid too much curry, purely on the grounds that you don't like it. Nepali cuisine has much more to offer than what we in the West are offered in most 'Indian' restaurants. In many destinations, Western-style food is available and where it is not, less spicy food can be arranged.
Yes. If your riding kit isn't waterproof, then bring a waterproof over-layer.
Consult your GP/travel clinic for immunisation and medical advice. Bring enough of any prescribed medication you take regularly. A basic first aid kit is useful (plasters, antiseptic cream, bite/sting relief, plus insect repellent). Any serious medical problems will be dealt with by the tour medic.
Yes, don't mess with elephants.
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