Guided tour · 11 days
Nepal Highlights Motorbike Tour
Hill towns, the lakeside, the Buddha’s birthplace, rhinos in Chitwan and the hairpins of the Rajpath — a mostly paved loop that shows you the whole of central Nepal from the saddle.
- Duration11 days, 7 riding
- Start / endKathmandu
- Max altitude~2,400 m
- LevelEasy–moderate
- Distance~800 km
- Best timeOct–Apr
About this ride
This is the route for road riders, pillion couples and anyone short on altitude tolerance. Almost all of it is on sealed roads, from the mid-hills down to the subtropical Terai and back up over the Mahabharat range. It is also the best option in winter, when the high routes are cold and lodges close.
The last two days on the Tribhuvan Rajpath are the riding highlight: a narrow old road that climbs over Daman in what feels like a hundred hairpins, with very little traffic since the newer highways opened.
Highlights
- Kathmandu’s Boudhanath stupa and Pashupatinath
- Bandipur and Tansen, two of Nepal’s best-preserved hill towns
- Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot
- Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha
- Chitwan National Park — rhinos, elephants and birdlife
- The Rajpath over Daman
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
Airport pick-up and transfer.
Day 2 Kathmandu sightseeing and bike set-up
Morning at Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, afternoon bike fitting and a short ride.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Bandipur · ~145 km
Prithvi Highway to the hilltop Newar town of Bandipur.
Day 4 Bandipur to Pokhara · ~75 km
Short ride and a free afternoon by Phewa Lake.
Day 5 Pokhara: Sarangkot sunrise ride
Ride up to Sarangkot for the Annapurna sunrise, then a free day for paragliding, boating or rest.
Day 6 Pokhara to Tansen · ~120 km
The winding Siddhartha Highway south to the old hill town of Tansen (Palpa).
Day 7 Tansen to Lumbini · ~90 km
Down onto the Terai plains to Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, and its monastic zone.
Day 8 Lumbini to Chitwan · ~170 km
East along the plains to Sauraha and Chitwan National Park.
Day 9 Chitwan to Daman · ~110 km
Jungle walk or canoe in the morning, then the Tribhuvan Rajpath — endless hairpins up to Daman (2,322 m), with one of the widest Himalayan panoramas in Nepal.
Day 10 Daman to Kathmandu · ~80 km
More Rajpath bends back down into the Kathmandu valley.
Day 11 Departure
Airport transfer.
Cost
Guided highlights tours of 10–11 days typically cost USD 1,800–2,500 per rider, including bike (Classic 350 or Himalayan), fuel, guide, hotels and breakfast, with Chitwan park activities either included or priced separately. No trekking permits are needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour good for a first trip to Nepal?
Yes. The roads are mostly paved, the altitude is low and it covers the culture, wildlife and mountain views most first-time visitors want.
Can I do this tour two-up?
Yes. It is the most comfortable of our routes for riding with a pillion.
Can I add Upper Mustang or Muktinath?
Yes — from Pokhara you can branch north for 4–7 extra days. Ask for a combined plan.
Plan your Nepal highlights ride
Tell us your dates and who is riding.