Nepal by Motorcycle: Chitwan, Pokhara and Mustang

Few countries pack so much into one motorcycle trip. In a few hundred miles, Nepal takes you from the subtropical jungle of the Terai to the high-altitude desert of Mustang, on the border with Tibet, through Newar towns, terraced rice fields and some of the deepest gorges of the Himalaya. Here is what to expect when you ride it on a Royal Enfield.

A small Himalayan country

Nepal is a legendary country which lies between two giants: China to the North, and India to the South. It is a mythical junction on the Silk and Salt Road, the place where Buddha was born, and where today a multitude of religions (mostly Buddhism and Hinduism) and ethnic groups live together. In addition to its huge cultural wealth, Nepal is home to eight out of the ten highest peaks in the world, including the well-known Mount Everest, which rises to 8,849 m (29,032 ft). Riding your bike, surrounded by these impressive peaks is a surreal experience. Between the mountainous area in the north and the Terai jungle in the south, the country enjoys a great variety of climates and therefore is home to a rich and diverse wildlife. During a safari arranged through us, you will have the chance to gaze at rhinos, elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, leopards, bears, and maybe the famous Bengal tiger in Chitwan National Park Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Discover the Nepalese culture

From Kathmandu to Pokhara, you will cross picturesque mountain villages connected by hundreds of trails that have been used for centuries and remain unaltered. On the road you will see stupas (buddhist structures), chorten (tibetan stupas), walls of mani (rocks carved with tibetan buddhist mantras), and gompa (tibetan monasteries). You will also taste the Newa cuisine (the Newars were the first inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley) and enjoy a daal bhaat tarkari (soup of lentils, rice and vegetable curry), some chapati (indian bread), a dahi (yogurt) or a papad (thin fried and crunchy pancake with lentil flour). Once in Pokhara, you will admire the purity of the Annapurna peaks reflecting off of Lake Phewa.

Mustang, the Forbidden Kingdom

Mustang was called “The Forbidden Kingdom” for centuries: its upper valley stayed closed to foreigners until 1992. It is an ancient kingdom with a valley that forms one of the most vertiginous gorges and among the deepest in the world. Our Upper Mustang tour climbs all the way to Lo Manthang, its walled capital, on very demanding tracks, while From the Jungle to the Gates of Mustang stops in Lower Mustang, at Marpha, without technical off-road. With rough trails and peaks above 8,000 m (26,000 ft), everything is here for an exceptional Royal Enfield trip. Surrounded by Tibet, whose influence can be sensed everywhere, and protected by Himalayan giants, Mustang is a genuine adventure land for bikers. From passes to canyons, the riders and their bikes will be put to the test to overcome each stage. In Lo Manthang, at 3,800 m (12,500 ft), you reach the heart of the ancient kingdom, in a majestic mineral landscape.

Ride Nepal with Vintage Rides

We run two guided tours in Nepal, both on a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, in spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November). From the Jungle to the Gates of Mustang (13 days) links Chitwan, Tansen, Lower Mustang, Pokhara, Gorkha and Nuwakot: no technical off-road, but roads damaged by the monsoon, and a passenger is welcome if you both have some off-road experience. Upper Mustang: Adventure in the Forbidden Kingdom (15 days) is one of the three toughest tours in our catalogue, for experienced riders only. On both, an English-speaking tour leader shows the way, a mechanic looks after the bikes and a support vehicle carries your luggage. Discover all our Nepal motorcycle tours.

KEY FACTS
Capital: Kathmandu
Official language: Nepali
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Religion: Hinduism (81%), Buddhism (8%)
Area: 147,516 km² (UK: 242,495 km²)
Population: 29.2 million (2021 census)
Time zone: UTC+5:45