Motorbike Tours Nepal- A Traveler Handbook

Nepal is a country where every winding road feels like an invitation to explore - and on a motorbike, it is one of the most thrilling ways to explore the beauty of this Himalayan country. Paths weave through foggy slopes, thick river gorges, wooded trails, silent hill towns, even barren zones that seem from another planet. Whether you're a complete newbie to motorbiking in Nepal or a seasoned traveler on the hunt for your next adventure - this handbook is your go-to guide on what to expect, and how to gear yourself up for the ride of a lifetime.

Why should you choose a Nepal Motorcycle Tour Package?

Nepal’s mountains get all the spotlight, yet the roads carry their own charm. They are real - often bumpy, even wild but somehow pull you in. But besides that here is why riders come to Nepal for a taste of the good life on two wheels are:

•  The incredible diversity of landscapes: one minute you are peddling through tropical lowlands, the next, you are speeding down the snowy mountain passes in a single trip ( sounds too good to be true, right? ).

• Authentic culture: One good thing about this country is villages are still villages, with locals, food and ways of life that will leave you wondering if you are really in the 21st Century.

• Flexibility: want to do a short, pretty-as-a-postcard ride? Or maybe a long cross-country odyssey? whatever you want - Nepal has all of it. 

• Last but by no-means-leastly - it is budget-friendly travel all the way. Food, accommodation, rentals and fuel, here all of it is more affordable than the others.

What is the Best Time for a Motorbike Tour in Nepal?

Weather shapes your ride more than the bike does. It is very important to pick the right months and the roads treat you kindly. Pick the wrong ones and well, you will have stories, just not the pleasant kind. If you are planning a Nepal Motorbike Tour, then ideal months are:

•  Autumn - From the months of September to November, the air here is crisp,with clear sky and long beautiful views. In fact Autumn is normally a great time to explore any country.  

• Spring - The months from March to May are another great time to explore the place. The weather is pleasant with a normal warm day - not too hot, not too cold making it a great time to be explored on a motorcycle tour.  

Time to Avoid

• Monsoon- From the months of June and August the rainy season starts. Try to avoid motorcycle tours by this time as the road becomes quite slippery thus making it dangerous to explore on bike. 

• Winter - while winter from December to January is beautifully cold, it can be really cold with freezing mountains, snow blockage on roads. As the temperature drops it might become possible to travel by motorbike in such places.  

In short the best time to go on a motorcycle tour in Nepal is in autumn and summers when the weather is travel friendly for riders.

Popular Motorbike Routes in Nepal

While Nepal offers all the beauty, it also offers some of the most adventurous routes to explore. Here are is a list of the best routes that you can explore on a Nepal Motorcycle Tour.

Kathmandu to Pokhara

Distance - 200 km

Route: Kathmandu - Thankot - Naubise - Malekhu - Mugling - Pokhara

One of the things that you must not miss here is the beautiful Trishuli River, small towns and lakeside Pokhara.

Pokhara to Mustang (Upper Mustang)

Distance: 160 km to Jomsom, 220 km to Lo Manthang

Route: Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani - Ghasa - Jomsom - Kagbeni - Lo Manthang

This is a wild ride passing through the Dust, cliffs, wind that pushes your helmet sideways. In this Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour you can explore desert scenery, monasteries, dramatic cliffs, Lo Manthang.

Kathmandu to Chitwan

Distance: 150 km

Route: Kathmandu - Thankot - Naubise - Mugling - Narayanghat - Chitwan

This route is a  calmer ride dropping into the warm plains with Tharu culture. If you get a chance you can also go for a jungle experience in Chitwan by which you can have a taste of nature of Nepal in a single trip.

East-West Highway

Distance: 1,027 km 

Route: Kakarbhitta (East) - Itahari - Janakpur turnings - Narayanghat - Butwal -Kohalpur - Dhangadhi (Far West)

This will be a full stretch trip across Nepal.This route is Long, straight, almost meditative with highlights like smooth tracks, roadside snacks, cultural mix across regions.

Annapurna Circuit by Bike

Distance: 200 to 230 km

Time Required will be 2 to 3 days of riding (because of slow, rough roads)

Route: Besisahar - Syange - Dharapani - Chame - Pisang - Manang -(Thorong La region by hiking or carrying) - Muktinath - Jomsom

This is an adventurous one with rough as well as very scenic paths. The major highlights are Himalayan peaks like Annapurna II, III, IV that you will pass by hiking. 

Check out - 4 Jaw Dropping Roads in the Himalayas for True Riders

Which are the Hardest Motorbike Routes in Nepal?

Upper Mustang in Nepal,  especially the Kagbeni to Lo Manthang section is meant to be only for extreme riders. Here are the Hardest routes -

1) Pokhara to Upper Mustang (Kagbeni to Lo Manthang)

Why is it the hardest popular route in Nepal? The route passes from the Long stretches of loose stones and sharp rocks with strong winds that push the bike sideways. It is a route with Cliffside tracks and no guardrails. Another thing that makes it even more adventurous is the high altitude of 3800m plus making riders tired faster. Even experienced riders find the Jomsom to Kagbeni to Lo Manthang track challenging, especially between Ghami, Tsarang and Lo Manthang.

2. Upper Dolpa Route (Hardest in Nepal overall)

This is another extreme route in Nepal - not meant for touristy travel. What makes it the toughest route is the remotable area with almost no facilities. Plus it is extremely rough, narrow, and broken trails with High passes over of 5000 meters. Here Riders often need support trucks or local guides and it is only doable in certain seasons. Only experienced off-road riders with strong dual sport bikes (CRF, XR, dirt bikes) attempt this.

Other lesser known but challenging Routes in Nepal 

- Manang Road (Chame to Manang) 

- Muktinath to Jomsom

- reaching Rara Lake (via Sinja Valley)  

Which Bike to Choose for Nepal Trip?

A bike that fits the terrain saves you from a dozen headaches. Power isn’t everything and in motorbike tours Stability matters more. If you are travelling with Best Motorcycle Tour Companies India for Nepal expedition, than you have nothing to worry about this as almost things are covered by them in tour packages but if you are planning the trip all by yourself here s are some motorbikes that you can choose

• Royal Enfield Himalayan or Classic 350

• Hero XPulse 200

• Honda CRF 250

What are the things to check before renting a bike for such tours?

• Tyres

• Brakes

• Engine noise

• Suspension

• Fuel use

• Spare parts availability

• Insurance and rental conditions

Make sure that your vehicle is in the perfect condition. Such routes require stable vehicles as there are no facilities for repairing.

Riding Permits and Documents for Nepal Motorbike Trip

Some regions require special permits in Nepal. Missing one can stop your ride faster than a flat tyre. Even if you are travelling with taking a guided motorbike tour package or you are going yourself, you will need these documents -

• Passport + visa copy

• International Driving Permit

• Local SIM

• Travel insurance that actually covers motorbiking

• Carry Common permits like ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit)

• Restricted Area Permit for Upper Mustang and border zones

Tip - If you are someone who doesn't want to get into this much paper you can simply go with the tour operators that will complete this work for you. Most of the operators arrange these permits making your work easy.

Final Thoughts

An adventure to Nepal from India on a motorbike is one of the best Motorcycle Tours in Himalayas and present is a mix of all, just chaos combined with calm. The Smooth himalayan routes, the dusty climbs, the beautiful river edges with mountain winds will give a memory that you will remember forever. Some rides might feel easy while others will push you hard -  but one thing will be common and that is the sense of freedom on those open roads. If you are someone who craves mountains, open skies, and a bit of uncertainty, Nepal might be the right choice.