Overview

Ride you Bike among the Himalayan Giants of Langtang and Rip some of the best Natural Downhill Trails around.

Langtang is a beautiful region to the north of Kathmandu and situated inside the well protected Langtang National Park. The area is dense with alpine and Rhododendron Forests (Flowering in March/April/May) and rich in bird and wildlife. As the Park is protected, human habitation only happens in the Buffer Zone and the main Valley. The people here are of Tibetan origin and live a simple yet sustainable life of Yak and Cow farming. The valley is not normally inhabited, the settlements are chiefly for tourism purposes and you can also find a scattering of Yak herders huts on the valley sides. The area has a certain magic and charm and the landscape is excellent for mountain biking.

The best way to get into the valley, unless you want to hump your bike in, is to Heli. The Heli ride itself is spectacular, flying you over the fertile mid hills between Kathmandu and Langtang, over the National Park and between the Himalayan Snow Caps. We touch down in Langtang Village and take some time to acclimatize. The 2015 Earthquake and destroyed the entire village killing 157 people along with it. The entire village has now been re built. Just before the town is a Chorten and Memorial for the dead. Have an open mind as you approach here, it is not the quintessential Himalayan village with quaint houses, the entire village has been newly built and can look and feel like a construction site at times, but here you will find the most welcoming and strong spirited people of Langtang ready to welcome you into the their new teahouses and you can be part of the legacy of rebuilding!

The first days are spent slowly climbing up to Khanjin Ghompa, which will be the base for our acclimatization and a lot of the riding done in Langtang Valley. Khanjin Ghompa is an ideal place to stay for a day. There are many options for sightseeing. There is a small Ghompa here, which is one of the sacred places for Tibetan and Buddhist people. While it was destroyed in the earthquake, it has now been re built and repainted. The place was made famous by Rinpoche who came here with his Ox and stayed. (Khanjin in the native tongue means ‘Ox Resting Place).

The riding is varied from cruising through open pasture lands, carrying (Porter Assisted) up to the 4000m heights of Khanjin Ri and some epic descents. One day we venture up the uninhabited valley to Langshisha Kharka (4284m) – This is one of the most magical places in the Valley, actually almost at the end of the Valley. It’s an eight to nine hour round trip, steady walking up the valley along the river, takes us passed several glaciers (Langshisha Glacier and Sulbinachum Glacier) and to this holy place where the Rinpoche’s Ox died. (In Tibetan the place names actually means death of the ox.) There are no settlements here, perhaps the occasional cow shed. We will need to carry a packed lunch for this hike. Also if needed we can arrange an overnight camp here as well. The place is at the foot of Langhisha Ri (6427m), Pemtang Karpo Ri (6855m) and Urilnmang (6151m) with the impressive Dorje Lakpa (6966m) looming in the background.

To get out of the valley we have two days of riding from the Yersi (Yak Pastures) and down through the forest where the trails become steeper and more rocky and technical. Upon reaching Lama Hotel, we have to carry or push our bikes up to the ridge, it takes around 2 hours. If you walk slowly you can see the Himalayan Pika, Squirrels some Musk Deer and a wonderful variety of birds along the trail. From there we have a 1200m descent on fast flowing track back to the main road.

Himalayan Single Track also offers amazing trekking experiences in the Langtang Valley

Trips Highlights

Mountain Biking in the High Himalayas
Stunning Himalayan Panoramas from Khanjin Ri
The Heli Flight through the Himalayas
Camping near a glacier at Langshi Kharka

Day 01 :

Arriival in kathmandu

Upon you arrival in Nepal a member of the Himalayan Single Track team will collect you from the airport and transfer you to the Hotel. In the evening we have a meet and greet with the guide to do the final checking for the trip and enjoy a traditional Nepalese dinner.

Day 02 :

Acclimatization ride in Nagarkot

Without a doubt, Nagarkot is the best place to ride Enduro inside the Kathmandu Valley. The trails vary in difficulty and distance, but they are all fun. The tour includes a full-day shuttle, for as much single-track fun as you can handle. The trails run through the jungle and rural rice fields and villages and boast stunning views of the Himalayas. Trail rating would be blue and black, the rider needs some decent skills to enjoy these trails. Trails Include – Ranger Trail, Ninja Trail, Golden Trail and Sankhu Trail.
Accommodation:3 Star Hotel (BB)
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/Dinner

Day 03 :

Heli Drop to Langtang Village (About 30mins). Bike 1.5 hours to Kyanjin Ghompa (3800m)

Leaving the Hotel, we head to the airport and load up the bikes for the 30 min flight to Langtang Village. Enjoy the mountain views on the way. Here we take time to acclimatize and rest. Do a short ride around the village before slowly making our way up to Kyanjin Ghompa.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 04 :

Hiking with Bike to Kyanjin Ri (4700m)

Hike up to Kyanjin Ri, it takes about 1.5 hours . Arrive for a spectacular sunrise views of Yara Peak (5500m), Langtang Lirung (7227m) and many other peaks on the rim of the Tibetan Plateau and ride down to Khyanjin Ghompa. You also have the options to hike to Tserko Ri (4984m) which is a little further up. We hire local porters to carry up the bikes and packed lunches.
The ride down is awesome technical steep switch backs. Spend the afternoon exploring Khanjun Ghompa.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 05 :

Biking to Langshi Kharka (4280m) and Camping

This is a steady ride up the Valley of the Snow Leapords towards Langshi Kharka. Here we camp under the stars near a glacier surrounded by mountains. It is a truly stunning day. Langshisha Kharka (4284m), is one of the most magical places in the Valley, actually almost at the end of the Valley. Riding up the valley along the river, takes us past several glaciers (Langshisha Glacier and Sulbinachum Glacier) and to this holy place where the Rimpoche’s Ox died.. (In Tibetan the place names actually means death of the ox.) There are no settlements here, perhaps the occasional cow shed. The place is at the foot of Langhisha Ri (6427m), Pemtang Karpo Ri (6855m) and Urilnmang (6151m) with the impressive Dorje Lakpa (6966m) looming in the background.
Accommodation: Camping
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 06 :

Biking from Langshi Kharka (4280m) to Lama Hotel (2470m) – 80% Rideable

First we head back to Khanun Ghompa. There are two trails out of Khanjun Ghompa one is the higher trail, need to carry a short up section and then follow the higher trail to the Hydro Power, cross a suspension bridge and then drop down to the Stupa.
The other trails goes straight down and out of Khanjun Ghompa. Both are nice trails. The trail goes through many Yak Pastures and Donkey Trail. There are many Mani Walls on the trail and nice views. The trail starts a bit steep and rocky and then after that it is smooth open path with a few short rocky sections to Langtang Village.
Leaving Langtang Village you have to cross the old village which is buried under a massive landslide in the 2015 earth quake. The trail is rocky but ridable into the ravine. There are currently people re-building the trail so it will get better for riding. From the bottom of the ravine you need to push/carry steep up for ten minutes to a Village called Langtang Ghumpa view (3450m). From here the trail is technical and exposed for about half an hour. It’s is mostly ridable but some carry sections which are only short. The trail then drops about 200m straight down on a stone staircase with tight switch backs. A risky trail some of it is ridable, some carry.
After this it’s an easy and fun ride to Ghora Tablu with a few rocky drop sections through the Rhododendron Forest.
Less than fifty meters from Ghora Tablu drop down to the river off the main trail and cross the metal bridge on your left. This takes us into a yak field full if Rhododendron Trees. It’s flat and grassy rolling through for ten minutes then the trail enters the thick jungle and drops down over 100m. The trail is dirt, with rocks and roots and tight switch backs but wide enough to ride. This is one fun decent steep, flowy and technical enough to challenge you. The forest is dense and the trail follows the Langtang River. It’s very beautiful. The last section has some stone steps that might be a bit challenging to ride. This descent takes about 35 to 40 mins and it’s epic.
The trail ends at another steel bridge. Cross it and a short carry of ten mins goes to Woodland Village and the onto Lama Hotel.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 07 :

Relax and Explore Nuwakot

From Lama Hotel carry uphill to Rimche and leave the main trail and head to Sherpa Goan. It takes about one hour carry and push. Follow the cliff side trial for one more hour carry and push uphill to a clearing with views of Ganesh Himal. From here there is a rideable single track through the jungle to Khanjini. The trail is not marked. It’s a wide jungle trail with rocks and tree routes and after about 2km it comes to the village of Khanjini. From here you can join a small Jeep track that drops down 1000m to the main road. It’s a fun fast track with tight switch back turns. Once you reach the river crossing over and head left and within 15mins you reach Syabrubesi. ( The right road goes to Chinese Boarder 5km). Drive 3. 5 Hours to Nuwakot.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 08 :

Relax and Explore Nuwakot

As you might arrive in the dark, you will awake to a pleasant surprise of the lush gardens and surroundings of Nuwakot Famous Farm House. It is the perfect place to recover from your trek. Spend the day lounging around in the garden, drinking tea and hanging out with the resident Turkeys or take a hike to Nuwakot Dhurba. Nuwakot Dhurba was once a Royal Place, one of many small empires which ruled Nepal.
If you are a little more energetic take a two hour loop hike to the watchtower, a great place for final views of the Langtang and Ganesh Himalaya and plenty of bird watching opportunities. In the late afternoon it’s nice to stroll down to the village square and sit in a local Raski shop (Local rice wine) chit chat with the locals, sip some local spirits and watch the daily village life go buy.
Accommodation: The Famous Farm House
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 09 :

Drive to Kathmandu options to bike down via Shivapuri National Park

Around mid-morning we drive to Kathmandu via Shivaprui. Here we get dropped off and ride all the way to Kathmandu via the famous Scar Route, 30mins of Heaven and Helipad trails, its an epic way to end the trip.
Head to the hotel for a shower and some last minute shopping. Tonight we go our for our farewell meal in Nepal.
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Day 10 :

Departure from Nepal

Transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.
Accommodation: None
Included meals: Breakfast