Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu
Today you can just chill out when you arrive after your long flight. Myself, the team and your motorcycle will be ready and waiting for you. We will all catch up this evening and have a casual introduction with everyone.
Day 2. Kathmandu - Sightseeing day
This is a fantastic opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing and to engage with the mystical and fabled city of Kathmandu. Today belongs to you as we have our rider briefing tomorrow. First on the list, I recommend that you visit Bhouda Stupa before breakfast. It’s two minutes from our hotel. I’ll join you if you like. Be ready though as we need to head out at around 05.15am. It’s worth it though.Then, try Pashupatinath Temple, head into Thamel, and make sure you take a walk down the notorious Freak Street. There’s so much to see and do.
Day 3. Kathmandu to Nagarkot - Warm up ride – 40km
The motorcycles are ready and your bags are packed. The support truck’s loaded, the team are prepared and good to go. We’ll have a rider briefing after breakfast at 9am sharp and I’ll run through all the safety guidelines. We head out at 1.30pm on a relaxing day's ride out of the heat and dust of the hectic city and into the cool forests of Nagarkot. We have a fantastic photo opportunity this evening as our accommodation offers panoramic views of Kathmandu.
Day 4. Nagarkot to Chitwan National Park - 180km
We circumnavigate the madness and crazy traffic of Kathmandu City as we head west and down on to the sub-tropical lowlands of Chitwan National Park. It’s especially renowned for the protection of the One Horned Rhino, the Bengal Tiger, and Gharial Crocodile. Today’s a mix of highway, winding forest trails, farm tracks and narrow country roads as we settle in with our motorcycles.
Day 5. Chitwan to Tansen - 175km
It’s an early start as we head for Tansen. It's a hill station perched high above the Kali Gandaki River. It's far enough off the radar to make today’s ride a rewarding and challenging detour for every rider. It’s main attraction is both its traditional Newari charm and distinct medieval feel. Lining the steep cobblestone streets, which are too steep for most cars, are wooden Newari houses with intricately carved windows from where the clacking of looms can be heard. On winter mornings a blanket of mist is cast over the bowl-shaped Madi Valley, earning it the moniker ‘White Lake’.
Day 6. Tansen to Pokhara - 130km
This is the easiest day’s ride on the route so far which I think we deserve after yesterday’s long journey. We can leave a little later this morning as it's tarmac roads all the way. We’ll stop off for photographs and to sample chai and the local cuisine. The roadside cafés are known as ‘Dhabas’, and to my mind, this is where you get the best food. All freshly made, of course.
Day 7. Pokhara to Tatopani - 100km
It's not a particularly long ride today. Where we are headed and staying the night is truly amazing. It's one of my favourite places. Tatopani literally means 'hot water' and we will have plenty of that available as we can bathe in the natural hot water sulphur springs. Add to this a chilled beer with a group of likeminded riders and life doesn't get much better. The views of the Mustang are absolutely spectacular.
Day 8. Tatopani to Jomsom - 60km
Today is short in distance but it's a road not well travelled and the riding conditions reflect that. It's lonely and mostly broken roads. No roads, rutted paths, water crossings and narrow mountain track all the way. We’ll keep a very steady pace and your complete attention will be required. It's a fantastic ride though as the scenery and views are absolutely stunning and it’s guaranteed you’ll be stopping constantly to take photographs. We are riding the right motorcycles for the job as this is the type of terrain that the Royal Enfield Himalayan was designed for.
Day 9. Jomsom to Pokhara - 160km
We head back to Pokhara in one day, taking the same route back that took two days to ride. We have lots of time but it means leaving very early in the morning. It's worth the early rise as the sunshine hits the high peaks of the snow clad Annapurna mountain range creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Day 10. Rest day in Pokhara
Pokhara is a great place for a rest day. Situated on the freshwater Phewa Lake, it's the second largest city in Nepal but nowhere near as busy and hectic as Kathmandu. You could say it's base camp for the Annapurna trekking circuit and it has a very laid back feel about it. It's littered with coffee shops, restaurants, bars and internet cafés. You may want to venture out to sample a full body massage or budget price haircut or just relax at the hotel, the choice is yours.
Day 11. Pokhara to Bandipur - 150 km
There is a quicker and easier way to Bandipur. But if we decided to take that route, it wouldn't be a proper motorcycle adventure. And it wouldn't be as exciting. Today is glorious. Our first 40kms out of Pokhara is on tarmac before turning left and taking a 45km detour up into the hillsides and over the mountain. I can’t promise not to get lost along the way. Tonight’s destination, Bandipur, is a small pristine town with commanding views over the Marsyangdi River Valley.
Day 12. Bandipur to Thaha - 250kms
This is our longest day’s ride and what a rewarding route it is! It's extremely varied as we cross the Trishuli River and ride alongside the Seti Gandaki River on our right hand side. After crossing the busy town of Bharatpur we ride through the Tikauli Jungle and touch on the boundary of the Chitwan National Park. We then drop into the Parsa Wildlife Reserve. The final 65kms of today's route is a magnificent winding mountain road that feels like it’s been designed just for motorcycling. You will love it.
Day 13. Thaha to Kathmandu - 80kms
Our last day of riding, ‘and so soon’ I hear you say. We have lots of time today as we can take a leisurely pace back into Kathmandu. Everything changes as we hit the busy city once again. The traffic will be to your right and your left and horns will be blowing as we slowly navigate our way through the cars, trucks and buses. Stay on the lookout for scooters, bicycles and pedestrians as you Whatever and filter. It’s time to congratulate your achievement. I would imagine that we will be exchanging stories and celebrating our motorcycle adventure this evening with a beer. Or maybe two!
Day 14.
Depart for airport. Time to rest. You’ve earned it!
