CULTURE - NATURE - HISTORY
This is a trip we have been threatening to do for years, but the time was never quite right, until now. Recent road improvements and a handful of new hotels have made it possible to easily access some of our favorite places without too many long travel days.
The theme of this trip is centered around combining all of the elements we love about Nepal. We start with an extended visit of Kathmandu to explore all seven of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city. We then hop in a 4×4 SUV to head into the lush foothills by way of Gorkha, the hilltop kingdom that eventually united Nepal as one country. We then ascend into the Manang Valley to walk amongst the world’s biggest peaks. There we will see ancient villages and Buddhist monasteries while staying in one of the nicest hotels in all of Nepal.
On our journey back to Kathmandu we will overnight in Bhandipur, a quaint hilltop town with an almost European quality.
Traveling by SUV ensures maximum ease and comfort and is best suited for couples, travel friends, or a maximum group of three. We can bump the max number to five by adding a second vehicle.
If you have wanted to join a Far Xplorer ramble and have no interest in motorcycles, this is a great way to see Nepal the way we often see it. With a bag of road trip snacks, Nepali tunes on the radio, and great views passing by.
DEEP DIVE KATHMANDU
On our first day of the adventure we fly to Pokhara on a quick 30 minute flight. Once in Pokhara we immediately saddle up for our first ride to the historic town of Bandipur high in the foothills. From there we push into the Manang Valley for the next several days by way of side routes to explore traditional Gurung villages. After ascending to our high point at 11,500 feet, we descend and work our way back towards Pokhara. Another short flight puts us back in Kathmandu for more adventures in Nepal’s capital city.
FOUR AMAZING EXPERIENCES IN ONE EXPEDITION
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KATHMANDU
It’s the ancient gateway to the Himalayas and profoundly exotic. Kathmandu is the starting point of every Far Xplorer journey and we get to experience it through the eyes of our award-winning cultural guide and Kathmandu native.
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POKHARA
Pokhara is best known as Nepal’s Adventure City. Situated on the shores of Fewa Lake and right under the soaring summit of Annapurna, it’s a beautiful and charming place to use as our start and end point.
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SIVALIK FOOTHILLS
Few people realize the most magical stratum of the Himalayas are the massive foothills at their base. With millions of terraces, thousands of quaint villages, and endless roads to explore, it is the foothills that our travelers remember most about Nepal.
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GREAT HIMALAYAS
The entire route offers endless vistas of the Great Himalayan mountains from various viewpoints. Our last day takes us within arm’s reach of Annapurna, one of Nepal’s most famous peaks.
YOUR BIKE IS WAITING FOR YOU WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
ACCOMMODATIONS
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HOTEL NOMAD-KATHMANDU
Our home base in Kathmandu for the start and end of the trip is the Nomad Hotel, centrally located near many attractions and conveniences.
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HOTEL DURBAR - BHANDIPUR
With superb views of the Himalayas and it’s old world charm, this is one of our favorite hotels in Nepal.
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MOUNTAIN LODGE - MANANG
This fine hotel sits atop a ridge overlooking Annapurna and the Marsygandi River below. We stay here for two nights in supreme comfort.
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HOTEL KARUNA - POKHARA
Located right in the lake district of Pokhara, the Hotel Karuna was recently remodelled and makes for a great stay in Nepal’s adventure city.
OPTIONAL DAY KATHMANDU
For travelers eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, we offer an opportunity to explore the city with our award-winning cultural guide. This extra day is added to the beginning of your Far Xplorer trip and includes:
Extra night hotel stay at the Nomad Hotel Lazimpat in Kathmandu
Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel on your arrival day
Full day of guided travel around the city including ground transportation
The added cost is only $125 per person
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BOUDHANATH STUPA
The largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, this is our favorite place to visit on arrival in Kathmandu. Tranquil and exotic it is the center point for Buddhist culture in the city.
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PATAN DURBAR SQUARE
One of the three royal palaces of the Kathmandu Valley, Patan Durbar Square is beautifully preserved and ornate. Situated right in the heart of the city it is bustling with life.
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PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE
It’s one of the most sacred temple grounds in the Hindu world and the location of Nepal’s most holy cremation grounds. It is a powerful place to visit and central to Nepal’s cultural identity.
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SWAYAMBUNATH STUPA
This beautiful Buddhist shrine sits atop a hilltop on the edge of the city. Flanked with an urban forest filled with monkeys it lives up to it’s common name as the monkey temple.
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Riders on this trip will need good off-road riding skills and confidence in variable conditions which include loose surfaces, steep slopes, and all the fun conditions of a Nepali road. This is a true off-road adventure.
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To ensure maximum enjoyment, riders should have good fitness to help with proper acclimatization to altitude (9,000 feet). These are active days and good base fitness is essential.
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Riders must be 18 years of age, hold a valid motorcycle license, and ideally you should obtain an international drivers license, which is very cheap and easy to obtain online.
And again - prior off-road riding experience and confidence in mixed terrain is a must. -
We call our trips “expeditions” for a reason. Tours are scripted things with predictability part of the plan. We allow our trips to unfold organically as necessary and place the spirit of adventure far above the itinerary.
GO FAR GO WITH PROS
HOW DO I BOOK MY TRIP?
To secure your spot, submit your booking information by clicking the button below. A deposit of $2,500 secures your reservation. We can accommodate payment installments, with final payment due 90 days prior to the trip date.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 9 RIDERS! DON’T WAIT!
Itinerary at a Glance
This trip is really going to be hard to top. The Far Explore team is so experienced, knowledgeable and friendly you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. Their passion and respect for Nepal shows through in every aspect of the tour. A truly one of a kind adventure. It was an incredible experience and as I reflect on it one of the best trips I've ever been on. You may see me again!
— Ross, B. Canada Jungle to Himalaya 2022
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Most travelers arrive on this day, typically in the morning hours allowing for time to rest or tackle the sights of Kathmandu.
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After a quick 30 minute flight to Pokhara, we meet our bikes and road team for the 2 hour ride to the hilltop town of Bhandipur.
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Our first full day takes us on offroads to visit hidden villages in the foothills before dropping into the Manang Valley.
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A genuine off road adventure begins as we push upward to Manang at 11,500 feet.
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This is our day to explore the beautiful villages and side valleys of the Annapurna region. It’s a low mileage day, but big on experiences.
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We drop quickly on familiar roads but stop short of the bottom of the valley to venture west into the foothills again.
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Our last big ride puts us in Pokhara again after a big week of riding. We have ample time to see Nepal’s Adventure City.
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A late morning flight puts us in Kathmandu with time to see more of the city.
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Since most flights leave Nepal late in the day most travelers will have ample time to explore more of Kathmandu.
FULLY SUPPORTED BY NEPAL’S BEST TEAM
With more than 100 years of combined experience guiding in the Himalayas, there is no place in Nepal we cannot take you. This is the pinnacle of expedition support. Go far, go with pros.
Let’s talk adventure
Still have questions? Want to customize your trip? Drop us a line and our expedition leader and co-founder, Christophe Noel, will get in touch with you in a matter of hours. christophe@farxplorer.com
Ready to book your trip? Click the link below to complete your online booking form. We will confirm your spot within 24 hours and get you on the road to big adventure!