Kasto Maja Tour

Day 01:  Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House , touristy city offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the afternoon, we will sort out our bikes and over dinner, there will be a tour briefing. Overnight in Guest House.

Day 02: Kathmandu to Kakani We ride out of Kathmandu from our hotel, though the busting back streets of Thamel. Leaving the city behind we arrive at the Nagarjun Forest (the Queen’s Forest) where we head off-road, starting with good wide undulating track before a long 10km climb up through the jungle. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular views over the valley and a superb fine trail descent down the backside of the hill. At the bottom, we transfer or for the seriously fit ride the last 22km on the back road up to Kakani. Our accommodation, set in a reserve at 2000m, enjoys stunning views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal and the valley of Likhu Khola 1000m below. Overnight in Guest House at Kakani.
Altitude: 2000m
Off – road 30km
Paved rd. 25
Total distance: 55km

Day 03: Kakani to Sleeping Vishnu
Head off on one of the best single tracks trails in the valley which was used as the Mountain Bike Championship course) down towards Budhanilkantha. Following the valley rim we stay Budhanilkantha, a remarkable 5th century statue of the Lord Vishnu reclining on the coil of the snake king in the middle of small pond. Your efforts are rewarded by spectacular panoramic mountain views of Ganesh and Langtang Himals on the way and moreover by a night at a true resort established in a rural setting with culturally rich and naturally pristine environment whose garden harbors nearly 75 species of birds and 2000 flowering trees and shrubs. Overnight in Resort.
Altitude: 1500m
Off-road 23km
Paved road: 8km
Total distance: 31km

Day 04: Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu) to Chisopani
We start with a steep upward ride (approx 7 km) on paved and off road through the Shivapuri Reserve. Part of the route is on the famous Helambu trekking trail. Today, our destination is up to Chisopani (which means cold water in Nepali), which rounds off a challenging day. Again today’s lodge enjoys outstanding and the closest views of the panoramic mountain ranges- this is one of the best outlooks within the valley region. Overnight in Guest house.
Altitude: 1850m
Off – rd: 33km
Paved rd:. 7
Total distance: 40km

Day 05: Chisapani (Cold water) to Nagarkot
We climb approximately nine kms up to 2250 ms (highest point of our trip) then ride down into the northeast corner of the Kathmandu valley, then it is on to a mix of single and jeep track to wind our way to Nagarkot. Our route will depend on the condition of the trails. A part of the biking movie ‘Retread’ was filmed on this trial. A short steep climb up to Nagarkot will be rewarded by the comfort and peaceful surrounding of the hotel on the valley rim. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Himalayas and sunset from the hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
Altitude: 2000m
Off – rd 18km
Paved rd. 7
Total distance: 35km

Day 06: Nagarkot to the Retread
Early morning enjoy the sunrise views from the terrace. Today we explore the trails around Nagarkot or you can take a rest day. There are numerous off-road routes possible today either road, or wide dirt and single track. We have a choice of day rides ending at the medieval town of Bhaktapur for lunch then time to look around before transfer back up the hill to Nagarkot, or ride up the road if you wish. Bhaktapur is an old restored city full of temples and courtyards. Also it’s possible to visit Changu Narayan, a must for those interested in culture – the ancient temple complex here, which includes the oldest Hindu temple in the valley where in the sixth & seventh centuries, Newari stone masons made cravings of Lord Vishnu. The stone tablet standing on the west side of the temple is said to be the earliest known inscription in Kathmandu Valley. It depicts King Mandev’s military conquests in the fifth century. It’s on the way and enjoys commanding views over the valley and its fine statues are the best outside the National Museum. Overnight in Hotel.
Altitude: 2000m

Day 07: The ‘Retread’ Trails. Descent through terraced paddy fields and small villages that lead us to the Indrawati River. We will stop to take photos as the Himalayas are right behind us all the way down and also make offerings at the local temples to help ensure that we remember those technical skills when we need them. After 1000m of downhill a jeep road leads us to the Friendship Highway, the main road to Tibet. We have lunch in a secret spot by the river before the long climb back up to the valley rim. We have the choice to continue our ride on the paved road of Friendship highway or off road. For most this is best done in the support vehicle. Overnight in Resort.
Altitude: 1500m
Off – rd 20km
Paved rd. 35
Total distance: 55km

Day 08: Dhulikhel – Balthali via Namo-Buddha.
We leave Dhulikhel on a dirt trail climbing and descending two hills before reaching the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha. According to legend it was here that Buddha, in a previous incarnation, offered his flesh to a hungry tigress. A stone statue marks the site; there is an active monastery closed by. We follow the picturesque view along rich; you can enjoy fantastic view of the valley and Mountain View in clear day. Overnight in Hotel.
Altitude: 1800m
Off – rd: 17
Paved rd: 10
Total distance: Approx 27km

Day 09: Balthali – Kathmandu via Lubhu Sisneri
Start with a jeep track down to the ancient city of Panauti, where Lord Buddha lived as a prince prior his offering to the tigress. This special village-truly lost in time-is rarely visited by tourists. Indresara Mahadev Temple is the oldest surviving dated temple in Nepal believed that it was constructed in 1294. Climbing west, we follow a jeep track along the meandering Roshi River. Beyond the town of Madhuban, we enter into a narrow pristine valley ascending 300m on superb single trail to reach the summit of Kathmandu valley’s eastern rim known as the Lakhuri Bhanjyang (1930m). This is probably the oldest route east out of Kathmandu valley, connecting the ancient cities of the valley with Panauti. Views of the Himalayas are more than compensated. From the saddle, the descent is on switch-backed jeep track. After an hour and a 500m descent, we come upon Sisneri, a quiet valley village. The ethnicity of the people change as we descend from Tamangs, Thakuries and Chhetris to lowland Newari farmers. A short distance beyond Sisneri is our pickup point for the drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Guest House.
Altitude: 1340
Off – rd: 30
Paved rd: 10
Distance: 40Km.

Day 10: Departure or start optional program.