NEPAL NEW 2017 RARA LAKE

Nouveau en 2017, un circuit aventure construit et testé par Biggyan, un peu plus à l’Ouest du Népal, dans une région encore peu visitée par les étrangers. Programme en français en cours de traduction.

Rara lake

If you are looking for a holiday that is unique and adventurous then look no further, come with us. We at Aventuremoto have crafted a new itinerary in Nepal, 2 weeks bike tour that will give our guests a golden opportunity to be on a holiday that will give you life long beautiful memories. We are passionate about our profession and we do our best to take you on a trip of a lifetime. The thundering sound of the Classic Royal Enfield Bullet bike, serene territories, deep cultural and geographical encounters and endless fun we will have on this tour will leave your heart asking for more. Come visit Nepal the home of the magnificent Himalayas and the birthplace of Lord Buddha in a completely new style. Our guides have deep knowledge of Nepalese culture, religion, tradition, geography, language; they are experienced riders who will always make sure that you experience the best holiday possible. We offer the best food and lodging facilities, an experienced mechanic and a back-up vehicle will travel with us during the tour to ensure that you have a flawless and comfortable tour with us. Back-up vehicle offers the possibility of catering for non-riding guests.

This tour provides an introduction to Nepal visiting all the major tourist attractions. From the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu to the serenity of Pokhara and the tolling bells and religious chants of temples and Buddhist monasteries and stupas, to the majestic alpine Rara Lake, to the elephant safaris of Chitwan National Park, it gives an insight into the ancient cultures, serene mountain scenery, religion as it is practiced today and one of the best wild adventures in Asia. Riding through busy streets, narrow and winding mountain highways and the flat plains of the Terai, it is a good introduction to a fun and enjoyable motorcycle adventure in Nepal.

This itinerary was designed and tested personally for Aventuremoto by Biggyan, our Nepal manager.

35 kms from rara..during february with snow

TOUR AT A GLANCE

Country Nepal
Period March – May, September- October
Duration 14 Days 13 Nights
Riding Days 10 Days
Accommodation HOTEL and Lodges
Motorbike Royal Enfield ‘Bullet’ 500cc
Level of Difficulty Challenging
Max. Altitude Reached 2,990m
Max. Sleeping Altitude 2,900m
Average Daily Distance 190kms
Total Distance 1,900km
Fitness Level Moderate to Tough

Highlights of Nepal Tour

  • Ride in the shadows of 8000m mountains
  • Wander the atmospheric streets of Kathmandu
  • Ride to the land of awe-inspiring wonders and rich history
  • Discover the unique tradition and culture of Nepal
  • Experience architectural excellence and spiritual awakening at Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
  • Visit the cradle of a rich and wide variety of flora and fauna.
  • Discover the less travelled road and beauty of the Himalayas.
  • Ride to the home of highest mountains in the world.
  • Majestic view of Annapurna Zone Mountains.
  • Visit Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha.
  • See the majestic one-horn Rhino at Chitwan National park.
  • Visit the largest and the most beautiful lake of Nepal, Rara Lake.
  • Stages: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Rara Lake, Kohalpur, Butwal, Chitwan, and Kathmandu.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. (1350m)                                                        

Upon arrival, met by representative and transferred in a private taxi to a clean, comfortable hotel located in Thamel, which is the tourist center in Kathmandu.Evening: A brief introduction of the trip, followed by a welcome dinner at the Hotel. The evening will give all the members of the group an opportunity to get to know each other along with the person who will be guiding the tour. We believe that to make every ride an unforgettable memory it is very important to gel in together with every member of the team. Once we are on the journey together we should forget all our differences and open our heart and mind to the experiences we will gain while we are on this beautiful trip.

Day 02: Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu  

Pashupatinath Temple and ghats

After breakfast, meet your guide and vehicle for half a day’s sightseeing tour of Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.

Boudhanath or Bodinath Stupa

The Boudhanath Stupa is located 6 kilometers Northeast of Kathmandu and is a colossal imposing Stupa standing about 36 meters and is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal. The stupa stands on the massive three level Mandala style platforms surrounded by colorful family style houses. The Stupa is said to have been built in the 5th Century and is a sight of great veneration to the Buddhist.  Continue on to Pashupatinath Temple – one of the most sacred Hindu Temples in the world and amongst the five main pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. On an annual pilgrimage during Shivaratri Festival, thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva from all the Hindu communities of the world, pay their homage here. Pashupatinath is the reincarnation of Shiva in his most benevolent form as the shepherd of fertility and so there are no animal sacrifices in this temple. Only fruits, flowers and vermilion are offered. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati river and for the Hindus, to be cremated at Pashupatinath, means a direct passage to heaven. After the visit, return to the hotel, where you’ll meet the Road captain and the Royal Enfield MOTORCYCLES. There will be a briefing about the safety and the proper speed to ride on the roads of Nepal followed by a question and answer session.                                                                       After the briefing, everyone will be handed the keys to the motorcycles and taken for a ride around the city to familiarize with the bikes. Rest of the evening is free. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 03: Ride Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m)      210 kms    8-9 hrs

Traffic may be a tad hectic, please take care

After breakfast, we negotiate the traffic out of Kathmandu city and ride out of the valley at the cross-section of the ring road at Kalanki, then set out for check-post at Nagdhunga, just past Thankot. From here, the road twists and turns as we negotiate the traffic and descend to Naubise, (about 17 kilometers from Nagdhunga). The road becomes much larger, allowing a smoother ride on the highway to Kurintar, 103 kilometers east of Kathmandu. Another two kilometers brings us to the Manokamana temple. We continue riding to Mugling, the junction where the highway bifurcates, south to Chitwan and west to Pokhara. We head west by crossing the bridge and follow the Marshyangdi River for a while, then slowly ascend through terraced fields and roadside villages. At the outskirts of Pokhara, we are greeted with views of the Annapurna Mountain range including the famous Fishtail Mountain. Pokhara stands at 884m above sea level, about 700 m lower than Kathmandu Valley. In Kathmandu Valley the high temples are all around you, in Pokhara it is the mountains. Only foothills separate Pokhara from the full height of the Himalayas, and the magnificent 8000m peaks of the Annapurna range. Pokhara is a vacationer’s paradise with its crystal-clear lakes and fantastic views of the Annapurna range including the Fishtail Mountain. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore around the lakeside bazaar. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04: Leisure day  Pokhara

Enjoy the magnificent views of the Himalayan mountain range which is about 20km north of Pokhara, among them the Fishtail and the Annapurna. After breakfast we will give our motorcycle some rest and hop on a bicycle for a ride around the beautiful Fewa Lake. We ride down to Davis Falls, where water from the Fewa Lake falls through a deep cave. The city has a certain calmness and peacefulness one can feel, the soft beautiful breeze, beautiful mountains in the background and the scenic Fewa Lake sitting gracefully in their lap makes this place the second most visited place in Nepal after Kathmandu. The afternoon is perfect for boating on Fewa Lake. The deep green water, the Taal Barahi Temple built in the middle of the lake and the hills and mountains scenery make this boat trip feel special. We spend the evening at the lively Lakeside and enjoy our dinner together.

Day 05: Ride Pokhara to Lumbini (150m)    170 kms   6-7hrs   

After breakfast we ride out of Pokhara and head south on to the Siddhartha Highway. This section of the road is made up of a twisting and turning narrow mountain highway. With little traffic on this road, it’s a fine ride from the mountain region of Nepal to the plains of the Terai. We pass through the beautiful Kali Gandaki River. The narrow mountain roads turn into wide plain roads upon reaching Butwal. We pass this busy town and continue south towards our destination Lumbini. Upon arrival around mid-afternoon we check into the hotel and visit the famous birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others, which are still under construction. Many monuments, monasteries and a museum, the Lumbini International Research Institute, are also within the holy site. Also there is the Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms. Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1997.

Day 06: Lumbini to Kohalpur (569m)      244 kms    7-8 hrs

After breakfast we track back the road up to Butwal and from here we turn west and join the East-West Highway going towards Kohalpur. This part of the road is made up of smooth wide roads with medium traffic. The highway is perfect for a smooth ride passing through beautiful Saal forests, rivers and small towns and villages. This section of the road is perfect for a nice picnic break. For the occasional speed lovers this is the perfect part of the journey to hit the throttle. Upon arrival we check into the hotel.

Day 07: Kohalpur to Manma, Kalikot (1865m)    230 kms   8-9 hrs
Continue to Rara Lake by leaving Kohalpur and travelling towards Kalikot. After about 5 kms the road enters the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas, and starts climbing and winding. Sometimes, beyond Surkhet, the clouds may be on the surface, bringing a touch of magic to the ride.

After the highway descends to a valley, following the Karnali River till Kalikot. All along the way, lush forests, deep gorges, distant valleys and high mountains will astonish you. Expect some rough patches of road on this section of the journey. We reach the hotel in Kalikot, which is located at a good height and enjoy a relaxing overnight stay. From Kohalpur, enter the enchanting realm of the Himalayas and see the scenery change from vast plains to rugged hills. Enjoy riding on meandering, winding, ascending and descending mountain roads.

Day 08: Kalikot – Guthijiula – Talcha – Rara Lake (2990m) 150 km

From Kalikot, the route ascends and descends a series of mountains. Flat terraces have been carved on the mountain slopes along the way so that agriculture is not hampered in the area. We start the most scenic part of the Rara Lake bike trip, as we ride through coniferous forests of Morinda spruce, Pindrow firs and deodars. You may get to see horses grazing wide-open meadows. On reaching Talcha Airport, we park the bikes and set out towards the lake on foot.   We walk uphill through pristine forests to reach our destination, which lies within Rara National Park. Admire the intense natural beauty to the fullest, click photos and keep sharp eyes for wild animal in the area. We proceed to the hotel located on the shores of Rara for an overnight stay.

Day 09: Leisure Day 

This day rest from the Rara Lake motorbike expedition will allow you to muster energy for the journey ahead. A fine opportunity to hike in the area, looking for various animal species, or go on a short trek to a nearby village. After the sightseeing, come back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Rara Lake is the biggest and deepest fresh water lake in Nepal. It lies at an altitude of 2,990m and is surrounded by Rara National Park with pine, spruce and juniper forest. The view of snow-capped peaks enhances the experience. The lake has a surface of 10.8 km, max depth of 167m, 5.1 km long and 2.7 km wide, drains into the Mugu Karnali River via the Nijar River. For the adventurous riders who wish to explore the tranquil beauty of the Himalayan range on their bike, this is the best route to ride on.

Day 10: Ride from Rara Lake to Kalikot (150 km)
We begin the downhill phase of the tour and travel to Kalikot. On reaching the place, transfer to your lodging for a welcome night rest.

Day 11: Ride from Kalikot to kohalpur (230 km)
This section of the Rara Lake bike tour involves riding further downhill towards the border town of Nepalgunj for an overnight stay at Kohalpur.

Day 12: Ride Kohalpur to Chitwan (Sauraha) 370 km  9-10 hrs

After breakfast we head east towards Narayanghat, 120 Kms from Butwal. We ride on the east-west highway and this section of the journey is very relaxing as the roads are wide and smooth passing through rivers and saal forest. From Narayanghat we head east and after around 12 Kms we turn south at Nipani and head towards Sauraha. Sauraha is the main tourist destination in Chitwan and also the entrance to the Chitwan National Park.

Chitwan National Park, the oldest national park in Nepal is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South Central Nepal. The park has an area of 932 square kms. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. The name Chitwan means heart of the jungle. In recent years the park has risen meteorically on the lists of the « Things to do » in Nepal. The park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value. It contains the Churiya hills, oxbow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. The Sal forests dominate the vegetation of the park. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species, the Sacchurun species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8m in height. The park boasts more than 43 species of mammals, 45 species of amphibians and reptiles and 450 species of birds. The park is renowned for endangered animals along with many other common species.   Upon arrival at Sauraha check in to the hotel to get some good rest.

Day 13: Ride from Chitwan to Kathmandu   152 km   6-7hrs)

After breakfast we can go on a wildlife safari on an Elephant to view and photograph wildlife from close quarters. The animals are scattered, elusive and mostly reside in the dense grasslands which grow to a height of 3 m. the only means of penetrating this dense grassland is by elephants. This gives us an opportunity to see the majestic one-horned rhino. Later return back to the hotel.

After a short rest we head east towards Hetauda riding on the East-West highway. From Hetauda we head North towards the by-road through Kulekhani, Pharping and enter Kathmandu. 6 km to reach the cross-section of the roads to Kathmandu via Daman & Naubise and the road to Kathmandu via Khulekhani Dam and Pharping. We take the right turn and ride 12 km to Bhainsay, a small town on the foothills. From here it is a 10-kilometer ride to Bhimphedi where riders are required to pay the toll tax for crossing over the narrow curvy and steep road up to the Kulekhani Dam.

Kulekhani Reservoir is also known as Indra Sarobar and the guards do not allow people lingering along the dam area. So, after a short break for some quick photos, we continue the ride to Kathmandu. Some sections of the roads are still under construction and may be a bit difficult to negotiate and test our riding skills. However, it is only about 15 kilometers and then the route becomes more pleasant except for the jeep drivers that test one’s patience with their speed driving and continuous honking of horns.

This section of the ride provides beautiful scenery of the mountains, rolling forested hills, deep gorges and typical Nepali village scenery. Our arrival at Pharping brings us to the city limits and an 18km ride brings us to the city center. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Final Departure

Free for final packing and shopping until transfer to the airport for final departure.

Facilities included in this tour package

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • City guide
  • Tour guide
  • 500cc Royal Enfield classic Bullet bike
  • Petrol and maintenance
  • Bike mechanic and spare parts
  • Backup vehicle and driver
  • Accommodation
  • Food
  • Unlimited fun and adventure
  • Bicycle ride, boating, short hiking and elephant ride
  • Guests will receive specially prepared video and photos taken by us a week after the tour has ended.

Things to bring on the tour

  • Comfortable, wind-proof and waterproof riding gear (gloves, goggles, jacket, trousers and boots)
  • Helmet
  • Weather-friendly clothes (guests will be advised accordingly)
View of rara from the hotel

Attention!!! Attention!!! Attention

Since 1990, AVENTUREMOTO has organized many adventure tours and expeditions on request all over ASIA and Nepal, but not only for riders. According to demand and country we can travel by coach, car, trains, bicycle, boats, canoes, horses or on foot. Our tours are designed as per your needs. We strive to provide the best price and a wonderful holiday. We organize trekking, rafting and safari holidays. Whatever your needs, we are always ready to organize the best holiday.

contact : aventuremoto@yahoo.com

SMILE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO RIDE!