Day rides from Kathmandu
Motorbike Day Tours from Kathmandu
Only have a day or two? Escape the valley on a Royal Enfield with a local guide — sunrise at Nagarkot, the stupa at Namobuddha, the pine ridges of Kakani or the switchbacks of the Rajpath to Daman.
- Duration1 day (2-day options)
- Start / endYour Kathmandu hotel
- Max altitude~2,320 m (Daman)
- LevelEasy–moderate
- Distance40–160 km
- Best timeOct–May
Overview
Your guide meets you at your hotel in Thamel or Patan with the bikes, runs through controls and hand signals, and leads you out of the city on quieter back roads before the traffic builds. You stop for chai, lunch and photos wherever you like, and you are back by late afternoon.
It is the best way to see the Kathmandu valley rim and find out whether a longer Nepal motorcycle tour is for you.
Highlights
Nagarkot sunrise
Himalayan panorama from the valley rim.
Namobuddha
A quiet monastery and stupa on a ridge beyond Dhulikhel.
Kakani and Shivapuri
Pine forest and Ganesh Himal views.
Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan
Two UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
The Rajpath to Daman
Nepal’s great switchback road.
Ride options
Route A Nagarkot sunrise
Leave before dawn for sunrise from the valley rim, breakfast with a view, and back via Bhaktapur’s squares.
- Stay—
- MealsBreakfast, lunch
- Altitude2,175 m
Route B Dhulikhel and Namobuddha
Along the Araniko Highway to the Newari town of Dhulikhel, then ridge roads to the monastery at Namobuddha.
- Stay—
- MealsLunch
- Altitude~1,750 m
Route C Kakani and Shivapuri
North through pine forest to Kakani for views of Ganesh Himal and Langtang.
- Stay—
- MealsLunch
- Altitude~2,030 m
Route D Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan
A heritage loop to Changu Narayan temple and Bhaktapur’s pottery square.
- Stay—
- MealsLunch
- Altitude~1,500 m
Route E Rajpath to Daman
Over the Tribhuvan Rajpath’s hairpins to Daman for a Himalayan panorama on clear days.
- Stay—
- MealsLunch
- Altitude~2,320 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?
Easy to moderate on paved and broken roads. You need a full motorcycle licence and some riding experience; pillions are welcome. The Rajpath day is long and twisty.
What’s included
Included
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 or Himalayan 411
- Helmet
- Fuel
- Licensed riding guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Lunch and tea stops
Not included
- Entry fees to heritage sites
- Riding jacket and boots
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Price and dates
A guided day ride costs from about USD 120 per rider, up to around USD 180 for the Rajpath or a Himalayan 450. Pillions pay less. Two-day versions with a night in Nagarkot, Dhulikhel or Daman are available.
Bikes for this tour
Classic 350 or Himalayan 411 as standard; Himalayan 450 on request.
Royal Enfield Classic 350
349cc
Comfortable around the valley.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
411cc
Good on broken roads.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
452cc
Best for the Rajpath.
Permits and documents
No permits are needed for any of the valley rides.
- Passport (copy)
- Full motorcycle licence
- International Driving Permit covering motorcycles
- Travel insurance details
Best time to ride
| Season | Months | Conditions on this route |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Oct–Nov | Clear views; ideal |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Clear but cold mornings |
| Spring | Mar–May | Warm, hazier views |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Possible between showers |
Accommodation and food
Day rides return to your hotel. On two-day options we book a hotel in Nagarkot, Dhulikhel or Daman.
Safety and rider support
- Licensed riding guide
- Breakdown support in the valley
- First-aid kit
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
- Jacket and gloves
- Closed shoes or boots
- Warm layer for early starts
- Buff for dust
- Sunglasses
- Camera
Dos and don’ts
Do
- Start early
- Keep left and use your horn on bends
- Wear proper gloves and boots
Don’t
- Don’t ride after dark
- Don’t ride without your licence and IDP
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
What is the best day ride from Kathmandu?
Nagarkot at sunrise or the Rajpath to Daman for mountain views; Dhulikhel and Namobuddha for culture.
Can I do it without experience?
You need a full motorcycle licence; complete beginners can ride pillion.
Can I see Everest?
On very clear days Everest is visible from Nagarkot and Daman as a distant peak.
Do I need a permit?
No.
Guided day ride
Kathmandu Day Ride
From USD 120 per rider
Check dates & get a quoteAsk a question- Full day, hotel pick-up
- Choice of five routes
- Guide, fuel and lunch included
- No permits needed
- 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 →Get out of the city for a day
Tell us your hotel, date and experience and we will suggest the right ride.