Mid Hills to Mountains Gravel Bike Journey | Nepal

Midhills to Mountains

Ride from lush middle hills to the high-altitude desert of Mustang

Fitness Level | Mid Burn

Good legs required, but still plenty of smiles. For riders who love a solid day out, a mix of long hills and rewarding descents.

Tech Level | A Bit Spicey

Just enough to keep it interesting. Expect some rough patches, loose gravel, and short steep bits — nothing wild, just fun, flowy riding that keeps you alert.

Style Level | A Touch of Swag

The balance of grit and comfort. Boutique lodges, good meals, a cold bevy at the end of the day.

Days

15 days / 14 nights adventure Daily Departures available year-round

Prices

Starting from US$

Trip Overview

A gentle yet rewarding journey that links two of Nepal’s most iconic destinations, Kathmandu Valley and the Lower Mustang Valley. This ride flows through quiet gravel backroads, hilltop villages and offers spectacular Himalayan views. It’s designed for riders who want real adventure without racing the clock, who value good riding, cultural depth and comfortable nights.

This ride combines smooth and rough gravel and rural backroads with occasional paved climbs, river crossings and farm tracks. Riders will experience Nepal’s mid-hill country at a steady rhythm, with changing terrain as the journey approaches the trans-Himalayan landscapes of Mustang. Expect warm weather in the lower hills and cooler alpine air in the north.

The route blends riding and exploration, village life and high mountain terrain. You’ll pedal through centuries of history and culture, where every climb ends with a smile, a view, and a reminder of why Nepal is made for gravel biking.

Trip Highlights

Ride from lush middle hills to the high-altitude desert of Mustang.
Visit the historic forts of Nuwakot and Gorkha.
Climb to Muktinath, one of Nepal’s most sacred pilgrimage sites.
Relax at Begnas Lake and soak in the Tatopani hot springs.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal. Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Thamel. Depending on arrival time, we’ll have a relaxed trip briefing and bike fitting in the evening.

Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House | Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu (1,400 m) to Nuwakot (600 m) | Distance 47 km | Elevation Gain 1,100 m

We leave the bustle of Kathmandu behind, pedalling uphill on peaceful roads through pine forest and small farming villages to the hill station of Kakani. The climb is steady and rewarded with sweeping views of Ganesh Himal and Langtang peaks. From there, it’s mostly downhill to the historic town of Trisuli, our base for the night beside the river.

Accommodation: Local hotel | Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 03: Nuwakot (600 m) to Dhading Besi (800 m) | Distance 45 km | Elevation Gain 1,600 m

A day of rolling hills and authentic countryside riding. We climb gently to Samari Bhanjyang, a lively ridge-top village with tea houses and smiling locals, then traverse jeep tracks and quiet roads across terraced fields. Expect a mix of climbs and descents before reaching Dhading Besi, a small bustling market town nestled in the middle hills.

Accommodation: Local hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Dhading (800 m) to Gorkha Bazaar (1,100 m) | Distance 39 km | Elevation Gain 1,500 m

We start with a scenic climb on smooth tarmac, winding along a ridge lined with rice terraces and mango trees. After a long descent to the river valley, we climb again toward Gorkha, the ancient seat of Nepal’s royal family. The ride is gradual and steady, with plenty of rest points and local snack stops along the way. If you feel like it in the evening, we can climb up to the magnificent ancient fort to watch the sun drop down over the sprawling valleys below us.

Accommodation: Gorkha Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05: Gorkha (1,100 m) to Sundar Bazaar (760 m) | Distance 51 km | Elevation Gain 1,200 m

A mellow day following rural lanes and broad valleys. We pass quiet villages, cross small bridges, and roll along the Marsyangdi River, surrounded by green hills and distant snow peaks. The terrain is undulating and perfect for finding a comfortable rhythm. Its a fairly easy day of pedalling.

Accommodation: Local hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06: Sundar Bazaar (760 m) to Begnas Lake (650 m) | Distance 42 km | Elevation Gain 1,600 m

One of the most scenic days. The route weaves through peaceful farmland and climbs through forests before descending to Begnas Lake, a beautiful freshwater lake just outside Pokhara. We’ll also pass Rupa Tal, its smaller sister lake, before making a short climb to the luxury accommodation at Rupakot Resort. Chill out in the infinity pool and watch the sunset over the world while sipping a cooling drink.

Accommodation: Rupakot Resort | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07: Drive to Kalopani (2,530 m) via Rupse Waterfall

We leave Begnas after a leisurely breakfast and drive north along the Kali Gandaki Valley, one of Nepal’s most dramatic river corridors. Expect changing scenery, from green valleys to alpine landscapes. En route, we stop at the roaring Rupse Waterfall and stretch our legs in a few charming mountain villages.You will notice the thinning air as we leave the foothills and enter the mountain regions of Nepal.

Accommodation: Lodge, Kalopani | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08: Kalopani (2,530 m) to Kagbeni (2,800 m) | Distance 38 km | Elevation Gain 900 m

Today we re-mount the bikes. The gravel and paved roads climb gently through pine forest, apple orchards and stone hamlets. As we near Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted Upper Mustang region, the landscape turns arid and Tibetan in character. The dramatic peaks of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri rise high above us. The valley we cycle along today was once carved out by glaciers and is sometimes called the world's deepest gorge. There are eons of geographical history here as well and we can spend some time in the river beds fossicking for Shaligrams ( fossilized seas creatures in stones).

Accommodation: Lodge, Kagbeni | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09: Kagbeni (2,800 m) to Muktinath (3,800 m) | Distance 16 km | Elevation Gain 1,200 m

A shorter but rewarding climb to the sacred town of Muktinath. We ride through windy Mustang landscapes dotted with chortens and prayer flags. At the top, visit the Muktinath Temple, an ancient pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, before settling in for a cozy mountain evening. There is plenty to explore in Muktinath and also the smaller village just below with its ancient stone walls and buildings. You can easily spend an afternoon here.

Accommodation: Lodge, Muktinath | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Muktinath (3,800 m) to Marpha (2,650 m) | Distance 45 km | Descent 1,000 m

An easy downhill ride today. We descend from the dry plateau back into pine forests and apple-growing country. The village of Marpha is a gem, with cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses and the scent of fresh apple pie in the air. There is a nice monastery to explore or you can just sit on the street sides and talk the talk with the interesting locals that live here. Marpha is one of our favorite villages.

Accommodation: Lodge, Marpha | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Marpha (2,650 m) to Tatopani (1,190 m) | Distance 43 km | Elevation Loss 1.500 m

We continue down the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, past tiny settlements clinging to the mountainsides. In Tatopani, natural hot springs await, a perfect place to soak tired legs under the stars after our long descent. Today will be one of the highlights of the tour.

Accommodation: Lodge with hot spring access | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Tatopani (1,190 m) to Beni (830 m), Drive to Naudanda (1,450 m), Cycle to Pokhara (850 m) | Distance 30 km + final ride | Elevation loss 700 m

A relaxed final stage as we roll to Beni, then transfer by vehicle to Naudanda, from where we enjoy a panoramic last ride down into Pokhara. The views of the Annapurna range are the perfect finale to your journey.

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: Pokhara (850 m) Free Day / Explore

Pokhara is the perfect recovery spot. Peaceful lakes, cafés, and optional adventures like paragliding or short hikes. Or simply relax by the water with a good book.

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara | Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Pokhara (850 m) to Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Flight 25 mins

We send the bikes by vehicle and enjoy a scenic flight back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for souvenir shopping or a visit to Boudhanath or Pashupatinath, followed by a farewell dinner.