Women on Wheels Nepal Motorcycle Tour

Welcome to Kathmandu. We’ll meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. Here you will be greeted by our team and briefed on the trip ahead; followed by the welcome dinner featuring Nepalese specialities. Dalai La Boutique Hotel. Altitude 1400 m.

Exploring Nepal starts here in its vibrant and bustling capital. Today we can do any of several things. How about a scenic flight to see, up close and personal, some of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest! Or a sightseeing tour of the city where we’ll take in famous sights such as the Swyambanath (monkey temple), Bodnath stupa (one of the holiest Buddhist sites) and burning ghats on the Bagamati River. Explore the city’s fascinating markets, try out the street food, sit and drink chai or a beer and watch the world pass by….. We’ll pick up our motorcycles after lunch with time for a quick spin.

Today we’ll travel the twisty valley roads out of Kathmandu. We leave the city traffic behind and head into deep greens and jungly, rocky cliff faces as they mix with terraced fields and river gorges. Traffic will steadily lighten as we make our way out of Nepal’s sprawling capital. We’ll then twist and wind up and into the hills for our first night on the road. Bandipur offers tremendous views of the high Himalayan peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri as well as excellent examples of classic Newari architecture. At least 10 distinct Nepalese ethnicities comprise the town, and its relaxed atmosphere and pleasant climate make it a perfect place to spend the afternoon and night. The Old Inn. Altitude1000 m.

We’ll rise early and try to catch a glimpse of some of Nepal’s highest peaks before heading back down into the valley. Today’s ride takes us along ever-twisting roads and gradually lighter traffic until we reach Pokhara, and lunch. From here we’ll ascend a small pass and then ride down to the Kali Gandaki River, which we’ll follow for the rest of the day to our evening’s destination. Tatopani literally means hot water, and the town is so named for the hot springs that bubble out of the earth there. We should arrive early enough for a much-needed soak after the challenging roads. Natural Springs Hotel. Altitude 3100 m.

The distance today isn’t long, but it’s jam-packed with beauty and adventure. We’ll be riding in the shadow of Dhaulagiri – the world’s 7th highest mountain (8,167 m) and its shoulder mountain Tukuche. The views are stunning! We leave the jungle foothills behind and climb up through pine forests and into the Lower Mustang Valley. Kagbeni is a very cool village set along the Kali Gandaki River. We’ll take time getting there but arrive early enough to wander through the centuries-old stone streets. If you are lucky you might find the two local deities tucked away in the old stone streets! Mustang Gateway Hotel. Altitude 2850 m.

We’ll be riding into the mountains to reach the legendary Muktinath before making our way back down to Jomsom. Muktinath is one the most important shrines in the world to Hinduism, but especially to the Vaishnavas – said to be where an incarnation of Lord Vishnu attained liberation. The site is also sacred to Buddhists, for among other things, being a major meditation spot for Guru Padmasambhava on his way into Tibet. The site is home to 108 water springs and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Jomsom is the principal town of Mustang district. Just south is some of the best apple and apricot growing land in Nepal, Jomsom itself is high and dry with sweeping views of stark Himalayan beauty. Om Hotel. Altitude 2700 m.

Yes, we’ve done this stretch before, but the road feels completely different coming down! Not only do the surrounds become greener and greener, but as we descend, the air becomes thicker. We find we have energy we didn’t realize we were missing! The people, culture and architecture shift, too, as we make our way back down the river valley from the high country. We’ll arrive in Pokhara with some time to spend exploring Nepal’s second largest city. Pokhara is a trekker mecca known for its tranquil atmosphere and the stunning beauty of the surrounding countryside. Three out of the 10 highest mountains in the world are situated within 50 linear miles of the city, making the northern skyline of the city a tremendous view of the Himalayas. Altitude 800 m.

On a clear morning it is possible to see most of the Annapurna range from the lakeside area in which we will be staying. We’ll breakfast when we like, take in the view, and then have a full day here to explore this remarkable city. From parasailing or airplane tours of the high Anapurnas for the more adventurous, to day hikes and boat tours and great shopping in Pokhara’s many bazaars – there is plenty of activity no matter what your inclination. It’s a day to do as you like.

Leaving relatively early we’ll head south and east, twisting along valleys and ridgelines before eventually climbing up to Tansen. Tansen is a beautiful medieval town set among the central foothills of the Nepal Himalayas. It was established in the 11th century and became renowned as a Newari trading station famous for its metal and cloth. Today the town is drenched in character, and because of its relatively high elevation enjoys a very moderate temperature range. If all goes according to plan, we’ll arrive by mid to early afternoon to give us plenty of time to explore and enjoy! Altitude 1350 m.

Our route today takes us back down from our hilltop perch to the Kali Gandaki River – the same river we encountered near Muktinath. Slightly bigger now, and perhaps even more gorgeous, we follow this river most of the day before reaching the hot, lowland plains and jungles. By afternoon we’ll arrive at the park where there’s time for tea, or even a saunter around the lodge in preparation for tomorrow’s jungle safari! Safari Lodge. Altitude 500 m.

Today is a truly magnificent day. We’ll arrange safaris in order to see as much as we can, including the opportunity for an elephant safari through the park – hopefully to catch a glimpse of the Bengal Tiger, the Clouded Leopard, the Asiatic Elephant and possibly the One Horned Rhino! We’ll have the opportunity to explore the Rapti river and with luck see gharials as well as mugger crocodiles, exotic birdlife, and so much more!

From Chitwan National Park we ride across the steamy plains and up again into the central foothills! We’ll cross the region of Terai, known as the ‘grain basket’ of Nepal following windy roads to our destination. Daman is higher in elevation than Tansen, and also further east with spectacular views of lofty Himalayan peaks. The night should be blissfully cool after the warmth of the plains. Altitude 2300 m.

From Daman our final ride descends back to Kathmandu. The route is twisty and challenging. We’ll arrive with enough time to check in to our Thamel hotel, rest and refresh, and wander if we’d like through Kathmandu’s narrow and intriguing streets and alleyways. From Durbar Square, which was pretty soundly demolished in the earthquake of 2015 but has since risen from the ashes, to the trekker and climber focused alleyways of Thamel, there is plenty to do. At our Farewell Dinner you will meet Mary Mahoney, who runs Women Light the World, a women’s charity working in Nepal. Later, you’ll be able to take in Kathmandu’s vibrant nightlife. Dalai La Boutique Hotel. Altitude 1400 m.

Our tour ends today after breakfast with a transfer back to the airport for your flight home. We’ll say our fond farewells and take our unforgettable memories with us!