Self-guided · 3–12 days
Self-Guided Motorcycle Tours in Nepal
Ride at your own pace with a serviced bike, a day-by-day route plan, GPX tracks, pre-booked lodges and permits — and a mechanic on the end of the phone if something goes wrong.
- Duration3–12 days
- Start / endKathmandu or Pokhara
- Max altitudeUp to ~3,800 m
- LevelModerate
- RoutesPokhara, Mustang, Manang, Highlights
- Best timeMar–May, Oct–Nov
Overview
You ride alone or with your friends; nobody leads the way. We provide the right bike, checked before you collect it, a route plan with realistic riding times and road warnings, GPX tracks, pre-booked accommodation every night, ACAP permits where needed, and a 24/7 support number for breakdowns, route changes and advice.
It suits experienced riders who want independence without spending their holiday finding lodges and arguing about deposits. If you change your mind, any route can be switched to a guided version.
Highlights
Freedom
Stop where you want, for as long as you want.
Pre-booked lodges
No hunting for a bed after a long day.
GPX and route notes
Distances, fuel stops and road warnings.
24/7 support
A mechanic sent from the nearest town or a replacement bike.
Self-guided routes
Route A Kathmandu – Bandipur – Pokhara
The Prithvi Highway with a night in Bandipur. See the guided version.
- StayHotels
- MealsBreakfast
- Altitude—
Route B Pokhara – Jomsom – Muktinath
The Kali Gandaki gorge to Marpha, Kagbeni and Muktinath. See the guided version.
- StayLodges
- MealsBreakfast
- Altitude~3,710 m
Route C Annapurna Circuit to Manang
The Marsyangdi valley to Manang and back. See the guided version.
- StayLodges
- MealsBreakfast
- Altitude3,540 m
Route D Nepal Highlights loop
Pokhara, Tansen, Lumbini, Chitwan and the Rajpath. See the guided version.
- StayHotels
- MealsBreakfast
- Altitude~2,320 m
Route E Lower Mustang + Manang
Both sides of the Annapurnas in one trip.
- StayHotels and lodges
- MealsBreakfast
- Altitude~3,710 m
Distances and riding times are approximate. Mountain roads change after every monsoon, and your guide adjusts the plan for weather, road conditions and how the group is riding.
Difficulty: is this ride right for you?
You need several years of riding experience, confidence in heavy traffic, and some gravel experience for Mustang or Manang. If you have never ridden in South Asia, consider the first two days with a guide.
What’s included
Included
- Bike of your choice with helmet
- Route plan, GPX tracks and road notes
- Pre-booked hotels and lodges with breakfast
- ACAP permits where needed
- 24/7 support line
- Mechanic call-out or bike replacement plan
- Airport transfer on arrival
Not included
- Fuel
- Lunches and dinners
- Riding gear
- Travel insurance covering motorcycling
- Damage excess and deposit
- Recovery costs caused by rider error
Price and dates
Self-guided tours cost from about USD 90 per rider per day including bike, accommodation, permits and support, rising to around USD 150 a day with a Himalayan 450 or upgraded hotels. Fuel and most meals are extra.
| Self-guided | Guided | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~USD 90–150 per day | ~USD 170–270 per day |
| Navigation | You, with GPX | Guide leads |
| Mechanic | On call | Rides with you |
| Upper Mustang | Not allowed | Included |
Bikes for this tour
Choose the bike to suit your route; we recommend the Himalayan 411 or 450 for Mustang and Manang.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
452cc
Best for high routes.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
411cc
Reliable and easy to fix anywhere.
Honda CRF250L
250cc
Light for rough roads.
Royal Enfield Classic 350
349cc
For paved routes and two-up.
Permits and documents
ACAP permits for Mustang and Manang are arranged in advance. Upper Mustang cannot be ridden self-guided — it requires a licensed guide and a registered agency; see the guided Upper Mustang tour.
- Passport valid for six months with a Nepal visa
- Full motorcycle licence from home
- International Driving Permit covering motorcycles
- Travel insurance details
- Passport photos or digital copies for the ACAP permit
Best time to ride
| Season | Months | Conditions on this route |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Excellent |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Not recommended for mountain routes |
| Autumn | Oct–Nov | Best |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Highlights loop only |
Accommodation and food
Pre-booked hotels in towns and the best available lodges in the mountains, chosen from places our guides use.
Safety and rider support
- 24/7 support phone line
- Mechanic sent from the nearest town where possible
- Replacement bike from Pokhara or Kathmandu
- Route changes and lodge rebooking
- Emergency coordination with your insurer
Travel insurance that explicitly covers riding a motorcycle of your engine size, at the altitude on this route, with helicopter evacuation, is a condition of joining. Read riding a motorbike in Nepal as a foreigner.
What to pack
- Adventure or motocross helmet (or hire one)
- Armoured riding jacket and trousers
- Adventure or motocross boots
- Summer and warm gloves
- Rain layer for the lower valleys
- Down jacket and thermal layers for Muktinath
- Buff or dust mask and goggles for the wind
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Hydration pack
- Personal medication, including altitude medication discussed with your doctor
- Power bank and adapters
- Cash in Nepali rupees — ATMs above Beni are unreliable
Dos and don’ts
Do
- Download offline maps and GPX before leaving town
- Message your support line each evening
- Fill up whenever you can in the mountains
- Finish each day by mid-afternoon
Don’t
- Don’t ride after dark
- Don’t enter Upper Mustang without a permit and guide
- Don’t ride the gorge after heavy rain
Why ride with Motorbike Tour Nepal
- Run by licensed Nepali operators. Your tour is operated on the ground by a registered Nepali tour company with licensed riding guides — required by law for restricted areas.
- Itemised, transparent quotes. Bike, crew, permits, lodges and meals are priced line by line, so you see exactly what you pay for.
- Private departures. Your dates, your group, your pace — no being slotted into a stranger’s schedule.
- Mechanic and spares on every guided ride. Breakdowns are fixed at the roadside, not the end of your trip.
- Honest advice. If a route does not suit your experience or the season, we will tell you and suggest one that does.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a motorbike in Nepal without a guide?
Yes, everywhere except restricted areas such as Upper Mustang.
How much does a self-guided tour cost?
Roughly USD 90–150 per rider per day.
Is it safe?
For experienced riders who ride defensively and never at night, yes.
Can I switch to a guide part-way?
Yes — a guide can meet you in Pokhara or Jomsom.
Self-guided with support
Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour
From USD 90 per rider, per day
Check dates & get a quoteAsk a question- Your dates, your pace
- Bike, lodges, permits and GPX
- 24/7 support line and mechanic call-out
- Upper Mustang not included (guide required)
- Itemised quote within 24 hours
- No payment to enquire
- Licensed local guides and mechanics
- Private dates to suit you
Talk to someone who has ridden it
Questions about the route, bikes, altitude or dates? Send us a message and a rider who knows Nepal will reply within 24 hours.
Send a message →Plan your self-guided ride
Tell us your experience, dates and route and we will send a plan and itemised quote.