Guided or self-ride · 3 days
Kathmandu to Pokhara by motorbike
Swap the tourist bus for a Royal Enfield: down the Trishuli valley on the Prithvi Highway, a night in the hilltop bazaar of Bandipur, and into Pokhara with the Annapurnas ahead.
- Duration3 days, 2–3 riding
- Start / endKathmandu → Pokhara
- Distance~210 km
- Max altitude~1,400 m
- LevelEasy–moderate
- Best timeOct–May
About this ride
The road from Kathmandu to Pokhara is about 200 km and most people sit through it on a bus for seven or eight hours. On a motorbike it becomes one of the best introductions to riding in Nepal: you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, drop to the Trishuli river at Naubise and follow it west past Malekhu and Kurintar to Mugling, then turn up the Marsyangdi towards Dumre and Pokhara.
We break the ride with a night in Bandipur, a Newari trading town on a ridge 8 km above the highway at Dumre, with stone-paved streets, no traffic in the bazaar and sunrise views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. From there it is an easy half day to Pokhara’s Lakeside.
It works as a stand-alone ride, as the first leg of a Pokhara to Muktinath tour, or as part of the full Nepal Highlights loop.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Kathmandu: bike handover and briefing
Meet the guide, fit the bike and luggage, and do a short shakedown ride to Swayambhunath or Nagarkot to get used to Nepal’s traffic.
Day 2 Kathmandu – Mugling – Bandipur (~150 km, 5–6 hours)
Leave early to beat the trucks out of the valley. Down to Naubise, along the Trishuli with chai stops at Malekhu, lunch at Mugling, then up the switchbacks from Dumre to Bandipur for sunset.
Day 3 Bandipur – Pokhara (~70 km, 2–3 hours)
Sunrise from Thani Mai temple, then down to the highway and west to Pokhara. Afternoon free on Lakeside; hand the bike back or keep it for the mountains.
Riding the Prithvi Highway: what to expect
- Traffic: this is Nepal’s busiest highway. Trucks and buses overtake on blind bends and you will be passed with centimetres to spare. Ride defensively and use the horn on corners.
- Road works: sections are being widened and resurfaced, so expect dust, short gravel stretches and occasional one-way holds.
- Timing and the tunnel: leave Kathmandu before 7 am. Motorbikes are not allowed in the new Nagdhunga tunnel (opened to cars in 2026), so riders use the old road over the Nagdhunga pass — quieter now, but still slow after 8 am.
- Monsoon: June to September brings landslides between Naubise and Mugling — in 2026 the highway collapsed at Krishnabhir and was closed for 18 days. Allow buffer days.
- Fuel: plentiful all the way — this is the one route where you do not need to plan fuel stops.
For a full breakdown of distances, journey times and alternatives (bus, flight, car), read Kathmandu to Pokhara distance and travel options.
Cost and what is included
Guided, the three-day ride costs about USD 550–800 per rider, including the bike, fuel, guide, hotel in Kathmandu and Bandipur and breakfasts. A self-ride with a rental bike and route notes is much cheaper: from around USD 40–55 a day for a Himalayan 411, plus fuel and lodging. See tour prices for how we cost each line.
| Included on the guided ride | Not included |
|---|---|
| Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 or Classic 350 | International flights and Nepal visa |
| Fuel, guide and route planning | Travel insurance (must cover motorcycling) |
| Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast | Lunches, dinners and drinks |
| One-way bike return from Pokhara | Tips and personal riding gear |
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kathmandu to Pokhara by motorbike?
About 200–210 km via the Prithvi Highway. Riding time is 6–8 hours without stops; with a night in Bandipur it is a relaxed two days.
Is it safe to ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
For experienced riders, yes, but it is the busiest road in Nepal. Ride early, keep left, expect overtaking on bends and never ride the highway after dark.
Can I ride Kathmandu to Pokhara without a guide?
Yes. No permits are needed. You need a home motorcycle licence, an IDP and a rental agreement for checkpoints.
Can I drop the bike in Pokhara?
Yes — we arrange one-way rentals, or you can keep the bike and carry on to Muktinath or Manang.
Is there an alternative road?
The Prithvi Highway is the only practical paved route. Riders sometimes loop back via Tansen and the Siddhartha Highway to Butwal and Chitwan on the Highlights tour.
Ride to Pokhara instead of sitting on a bus
Tell us your dates and experience and we will send a plan for a guided ride or a self-ride with a one-way rental.