Cycle Nepal

Dates: 02 Nov - 11 Nov 2013
Min sponsorship: £2850
Registration fee: £299
Contact: ndcschallenges@ndcs.org.uk

Itinerary

Day 1

London – Kathmandu

Depart UK on an overnight flight.

Day 2

Kathmandu

Approx 85km

We will arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon and check into the hotel before going to a bike fitting. We will then meet the local team for a briefing on the challenge ahead.

Day 3

Kathmandu – Bhaktapur – Swayambhunath - Kathmandu

Approx 47km

We will set off early, cycling out of Kathmandu city for approximately 7km into the Kathmandu Valley towards Bhaktapur. The circular route will pass near the ancient Hindu pilgrimage site of Pashupatinath as we head towards the temple of Changu Narayan. This temple is the oldest Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. We will leave our bikes in the car park as we walk up to the temple. After the visit, it is mostly downhill to Bhaktapur, an ancient town known for its historic temples and courtyards as well as pottery and other traditional handicrafts. We will have lunch in the town. From Bhaktapur we will head back to Kathmandu – an easy cycle but on busy roads.

Day 4

Kathmandu – Markhu

Approx 52km

Today will be one of the most challenging days with some very steep hills! We will set off on the main highway through the suburbs of Kathmandu and head south towards the village of Pharping. Today we will climb two passes and the terrain will mainly be off-road. The first climb will be the toughest, but the fantastic mountain views over the Kathmandu Valley make it all worthwhile! The route will become more rural as we climb to 1,570m. From the summit there are amazing views of the Langtang peaks: Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and, on a clear day, as far as the Annapurna range. We will finish the day in Markhu for our only night of camping.

Day 5

Markhu – Hetauda

Approx 80km

Today will be our toughest as we tackle the long and steep climb to the pass but this time on tarmac road. We will be rewarded in the afternoon with a long 50km downhill stretch. We will then start off-road climbing for 13km before we reach the quiet tarmac road. From here it is almost continuously uphill to the small village of Simbhanjang Pass, the highest point of this trip at 2,435m. We’ll enjoy a well deserved lunch before a very welcome downhill nearly all the way to the industrial town of Hetuda where we will stay overnight.

Day 6

Hetauda – Royal Chitwan National Park – Sauraha

Approx 73km

After yesterday’s challenge today will be a much easier day of cycling at lower altitudes and on a flatter route. We’ll follow a river along a flat valley through farming land until we reach the Royal Chitwan National Park. Sal (hard wood) and kal (silk cotton) trees line the roads as we enter this subtropical region. We’ll arrive at the Park by lunchtime and enjoy lunch at the lodge where we’ll be staying overnight. The afternoon will be free to rest and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the river.

Day 7

Mugling – Marckichok – Bandipur

Approx 22km

This morning will start very early (6am) with an elephant safari in the Park, which is also a natural habitat for tigers, rhinoceros, leopards and wild bears. We’ll return to the lodge for breakfast and then transfer 2–3 hours to avoid the busy main road to Marckichok. We’ll start the day’s cycling after lunch. The first 10km will be along the main road towards Pokhara. Small local roads will then take us on a very steep uphill for 8km to reach the stunning mountain village of Bandipur, an ancient trading post untouched by modernisation. There will be some time to explore the village before we continue to our overnight lodge accommodation.

Day 8

Bandipur - Pokhara

Approx 77km

Today we will continue our journey to Pokhara, starting with a descent before joining the main road for some long uphill sections. After the towns of Dumre and Damauli the road heads over the River Seti and continues all the way to Pokhara. The scenery becomes more and more impressive as we near the end of the ride. It is possible to see most of the mid-western Himalaya at close range as well as great contrasts – from snow capped peaks to green subtropical forest and paddy fields. Pokhara is nestled in a valley in the shadow of the Annapurna Mountains and on the shore of the Phewa Lake. It is the country’s most popular tourist destination after Kathmandu and it is here we cross the finish line!

Day 9

Pokhara – Kathmandu

Internal flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (approx one hour) where there will be an optional tour. Tonight we will enjoy a celebratory meal.

Day 10

Kathmandu – London

Fly back to the UK (depending on flight times we may arrive back in London the following day)

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