Cycling southeast from Taplejung, on a combination of dirt and paved roads, down to the Indian border town of Charali, our route climbs, descends, twists and turns its way through a part of Nepal seen by very few tourists. After flying from Kathmandu to Taplejung via Biratnagar, the first four days are spent making our way south through picturesque villages and golden fields of rice and wheat to our highest camp on the Pauwa Pass (3000m), from where there are spectacular views stretching from charismatic Kanchenjunga (8586m) to the mighty Mt. Everest (8848m). From the pass, it’s a two days’ ride through the tea plantations of Ilam (the tea-growing capital of Nepal) to the humid plains of the Terai. We spend a day in Ilam to relax or to go exploring the luscious tea gardens on and off the bike. The Terai, is vibrant its interesting market places and admirable ethnic mix. This region is completely unspoiled, with hardly any westerners passing through - let alone mountain bikers. In only the first five days, we cover around 240 kms, with staggering ascents and descents.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (80m)
Day 04:Flight from Biratnagar to Taplejung (1441m); explore Taplejung on your mountain bike
Day 05: Bike from Taplejung to Kabeli (1640m / distance biked - 40kms)
Day 06: Bike from Kabeli to Jor Pokhari (4600m / distance biked - 32kms)
Day 07: Bike from Jor Pokhari to Pauwa Pass (3000m / distance biked - 30kms)
Day 08: Bike from Pauwa Pass to Ilam (3636m / distance biked - 55kms)
Day 09: Exlpore Ilam on your mountain bike
Day 10: Bike from Ilam to Charali (132m / distance biked - 40kms); drive from Charali to Biratnagar (80m/ 4 - 5 hrs)
Day 11: Flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu
Day 12: Final departure
Important Snippets
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
The mountain biking trails in Nepal are not extremely rugged. Although it is obvious that some biking skills, good fitness level and endurance would be needed to pursue such trip, it can be enjoyed by the riders of all levels. The accompanying biking guide shall have the technical know-how and vehicle support can also be provided wherever needed.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted with welcome drinks. We then have a quick pre-trip meeting where you will be briefed on the necessary formalities and your tour itinerary. You can spend the remaining half of the day, resting. Or, if lying flat is too unbecoming for you, stroll around the nearby places just to get the feel of what this city is like. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
After breakfast, hop in to our private vehicle and head on for a guided tour to the renowned historical and cultural landmarks of Kathmandu. You will be visiting the sites like - Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square and the Boudhanath (the Maha Stupa). All these sites have been listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. This entertaining and informative tour wraps up by late noon. You can either drive back to the hotel or head to Thamel to purchase some biking gears. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (80m)
Post breakfast at the hotel, you will be accompanied by your biking guide on a drive to the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport to board on a flight to Biratnagar. After about 35 - 40 minutes, we land at Biratnagar, the second largest city cum an industrial hub in the verdant, flat and humid plains of eastern Nepal. We drive to one of the hotels and relax for some time. In the evening, we can stroll around downtown and the local market, which usually remains crowded. Owing to its proximity to the Indian town of "Jogbani", the life patterns of the people of Biratnagar give you the reminiscence of Indians. Overnight at hotel in Biratnagar; breakfast included.
Day 04: Flight from Biratnagar to Taplejung (1441m); explore Taplejung on your
mountain bike
After breakfast, we catch a morning flight to Taplejung. Flying directly towards the Kanchenjunga massif is indeed an overwhelming experience. Its not just the flight that's thrilling, when it comes to landing, it would not be an exaggeration to say that descending at the treacherous looking Suketar airstrip could quicken the pulse of even the toughest of flesh and bones. Ranked amongst the top five most spectacular runways in the world, this airstrip is perched right on the crest of a precipitous ridge at a staggering 2150m! And the view.....well, anything good you say about it would simply be an understatement. Upon our arrival at Taplejung, we proceed to our campsite. While the accompanying helpers indulge on setting up the tents and cooking, we get on to our bikes to explore this picturesque village. Taplejung hosts one of famed temples dedicated to the Hindu goddess- "Pathivara Devi". The temple is poised at an altitude of 3794m and is usually swarmed with pilgrims, all the year round. We can hike up to the temple which takes about 4-5 hours from the airstrip or paddle all the way through. Overnight at tent in Taplejung; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 05: Bike from Taplejung to Kabeli (1640m / distance biked - 40km)
The real adventure kicks off today and it is indeed an electrifying start. We mount on our run machine and then get our wheels roll down some 2000 meters to accomplish a staggering 30 kms descent along a graded jeep track. This is the track that actually connects Taplejung with the rest of Nepal. After this challenging descent, we are rewarded with a 10 kms of cruising ride before we reach the Kabeli River, where we camp for the night. These last 10 kms of easy paddling, cater us the opportunity take capture the magnificence this region. Overnight at tent in Kabeli; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 06: Bike from Kabeli to Jor Pokhari (4600m / distance biked - 32kms)
Just because you started this biking fiesta with a descent does not mean that the Kanchenjunga Rough Ride is all about rolling downhill. Today, you will accept this for sure that the region offers a contrasting mix of rides. After gobbling up an energizing breakfast prepared by our professional cook, we gear up for our journey on the wheels. From the river, we paddle uphill; it a big and a long climb. If you really want to know the figures, woof!! it is a strenuous 1500m ascent to the top of a ridge. Our ride then contours towards a picturesque campsite at Jor Pokhari. Most part of our ride today is along a well graded road, which means that we will be constantly escorted by our support vehicle. If you are a bit jaded paddling uphill , you can hitch a ride for any part of the ascent that you want. Overnight at tent in Jor Pokhari; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 07: Bike from Jor Pokhari to Pauwa Pass (3000m / distance biked - 30kms)
The day starts out with a flying downhill ride, losing the soaring elevation we gained yesterday. We whip through the terraced fields down into a dense jungle, which grows on the lower slopes of the valley. The venture remains downhill for the first half of the morning and then rockets up to a perfectly graded climb towards the downtown of Phidim, which happens to be the centre for the local Gurkha regiment. After lunch at Phidim, the fit members of our biking squad can carry on with the ride to the top of the Pauwa Pass, at 3000m, the highest attained elevation for the day. Those who feel like they are absolutely drained out, can actually hop in to the support vehicle and drive all the way to our magnificent ridge-top campsite, which offers stunning sunset views. As we get higher, the Kanchenjunga gradually hoods up above the intervening ridges, and for the first time we can also behold the majestic views of Everest, Lhotse Makalu etc. in the distant Khumbu region. Overnight at tent in Pauwa Pass; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 08: Bike from Pauwa Pass to Ilam (3636m / distance biked - 55kms)
The first section of today's ride involves an easy descent followed by a contour around the ridge. We now paddle down towards a river and then again ride uphill. The tickling twists and turns blended with tiring ups and downs, eventually bring us an absolutely picturesque town of Ilam. Ilam is the biggest tea producing district of Nepal and is characterized by lush tea gardens. Perched at an altitude of over 3500m, the place has a moderate weather condition, all the year round. Admiring the beautiful tea gardens and the verdant environ, we ride towards our campsite, picturesquely located amidst the neatly trimmed tea plantation. If you are already not too worn out with the ride, we can paddle towards Mai Pokhari, one of the famed lakes in the district. We have an extra day at Ilam tomorrow, so there is definitely a lot to explore. Overnight at tent in Ilam; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 09: Exlpore Ilam on your mountain bike
This is an optional day in Ilam. You can either rest, hike along the bubbly trails intersecting the tea gardens or paddle around. For those whom relaxing means being on their favorite run machine, Ilam offers superb biking trails. The tea gardens are intersected by small trails here and there. You can paddle through these mazes, flapping the tea plants with your bike, hands and even legs! However, if for once, you prefer just to walk around at your own pace, observing the life patterns in this tranquil town, fell free to do so, as this is our "holiday". Overnight at tent in Ilam; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10: Bike from Ilam to Charali (132m / distance biked - 40kms); drive from
Charali to Biratnagar (80m/ 4 - 5 hrs)
The saying "Life is a rollercoaster" hangs well with today's ride. We paddle mostly downhill as far as the river and then the uphill mission begins. We hitch a ride on our support vehicle to the top of the pass at Ficcal; but if you reckon yourself as a tough biker, you are welcome to paddle all the way up to the pass. We take a lunch break at the pass. The ride resumes, as we paddle past the last crest of the Himalayan foothills, overlooking the neatly cropped tea bushes underneath. Our biking trip ultimately wraps up with an 1800m descent, along a smooth tarmac road as we arrive at the town of Charali. There is a Nepal Army barrack right at the roadside, so nothing hanky panky is permitted in the vicinity! We take a short sojourn at Charali, while the crew members load our bikes on the support vehicle. We head on for a long drive along the flat black- topped road, all the way to Biratnagar, where we check in to our hotel and take a well earned shower. In the evening, we can stroll around the local market place. Overnight at hotel in Biratnagar; breakfast included.
Day 11: Flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu
A leisurely morning is spent exploring Biratnagar before we take the return flight across the Himalayan foothills. After 35 minutes on board, we land at the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport. You will be transferred to your designated hotel. The remaining time is on your own. You would probably want to get indulged in some souvenir shopping at Thamel. We bet, your loved ones back home expect some mementos from Nepal in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes.
In the evening, Marron Treks will host a farewell dinner program; a full fledged Nepali fiesta, featuring a range of traditional Nepali cuisines and a live cultural show. Forget who you are or where you came from. Savor the Nepali dishes, dance to the tunes of Nepali folk songs…be a Nepali at least for this evening! Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 12: Final departure
Unless you intend to extend your trip and try out some of our other adventurous offers, this will be your last day in Nepal. A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport, three hours prior to your flight schedule. As you wave us good bye and enter the terminal block, you would perhaps recall your arrival at this place. No wonder, everything seems so familiar now, because you had come here as tourist, but you are going back as a friend! Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your travel companion in Nepal once again! .
You have just been a part of this sizzling adventure. If you have the appetite for more, we gladly offer you an array of challenging and entertaining quests that catapult you to the diverse landscapes of Nepal, giving you a rare opportunity to witness the multifarious vegetation, jaw-dropping natural beauty, serene turquoise lakes and luscious mountain vistas. Please click on "Nepal Trekking", pick your preferred trek package and give us the chance to add yet another dash of adventure to your life!!
Important Snippets
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
The mountain biking trails in Nepal are not extremely rugged. Although it is obvious that some biking skills, good fitness level and endurance would be needed to pursue such trip, it can be enjoyed by the riders of all levels. The accompanying biking guide shall have the technical know-how and vehicle support can also be provided wherever needed.
Accommodation
During Kanchenjunga Region Rough Ride we opt you accommodate in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar in Kathmandu City.
Meals
We arrange the best quality food for all guests while Kanchenjunga Region Rough Ride. Basically we recommend you local community foods so that you could enjoy the culture, the way of living of local people and also promote the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than that many kind of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisine like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available in most of the places based upon your requirement.
Our Guides
A guide wil be provided to you for your trip details.Marron Treks has experienced and helpfu guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as successful. To make our visitors journey fruitful, the team of MarronTreks has got number of guides who have good knowledge about the culture, language, location and each and every little things of that particular region.
Best Months
Sep-May is considered to be the best months for The Kanchenjunga Region Rough Ride
Supporting Vehicle
In the trip you have your personal vehicle then you can use that to start up your journey or we could provide you one supporting vehicle.It depends upon your choice.
Travel Insurance
Before starting your journey with MarronTreks it is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.
For more queries, Visit our FAQ section or contact us directly at marketing@marrontreks.com
Starting Price: USD XXX (On request) on twin sharing accommodation basis.
For other special requirements or bigger group deals, kindly mail us directly at: marketing@marrontreks.com
Cost Includes
Cost Excludes
Mountain Biking Gears
You don’t actually have to contemplate hard when it comes to organizing the essential gears for a mountain biking trip. The renting outlets sprouting up in every nook and corner of Kathmandu will have all your gears, including the mountain bike, fetched up. So all you need to carry are some basic clothing, shoes and energy drinks. But if you are one of those very particular types, who intends to ride on his/her own special bike, we would want you to compulsorily bring few gadgets (specified below), if you really want to have a smooth ride. Of course, all the items on our list are not a “must” and we’ve only included them to give you a general conception about the biking gears.
All the heavy items, including your main luggage will be transferred by our escort vehicle and the only thing that you need to carry with you is your compact supply bag (backpack). Stuffs like money, passport (including other relevant trip documents), toiletries, drinks/chocolates etc. can be carried on your day pack so that you can have easy access to them.
Essential Riding Gears
Map
Biking Shoes and socks
Mountain Bike
Helmet
Energy Drink
Biking Glasses
Head Torch/Flash Light
Bike gloves (3 pairs / full and half)
Short-sleeved and long-sleeved cycling tops
Biking socks (at least 5 pairs)
Hat and non-biking gloves
Brake pads
Inner tubes or spare bottle of fluid
Mountain Bike
Bikes are abundantly available on rents here in Nepal. We make sure that you get the best bike at disposal and will take care of its maintenance
throughout the ride. However if you prefer to bring you own bike, it’s important that you get well serviced before the trip and bring the following gadgets with you:-
Brake pads specific to your bike x 2 sets
Rear mech hanger specific to your bike x 2
Bottle of dry lube
Four inner tubes, or spare bottle of fluid for
Tubeless tyres (two for each tyre)
Quick link to suit your chain
For 29” wheels bring extra spare tubes; they are barely available in Nepal
Equipments
Backpack/Rucksack
Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it)
Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)
Day sack/Nylon stuff sack
Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)
Warm wool or synthetic hat that covers your ears (only if you are travelling in the cold season i.e January, February and December)
Goggles or sunglasses
1 pair warm gloves
T-shirts (cotton and short sleeved).
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Cycling shorts- long & short both (for unexpected weather changes)
Loose cotton pants
Camping shoes or sneakers
A pair of flip-flops (Optional)
Medicaments
It is important that you include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Below is just the generic list of medications. We advise you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines. Generally, our guide carries the first aid kit with him, but it’s always better to have your own kit.
Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)
Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets
Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)
Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)
Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)
Assorted band-aids
Small gauge pad
Roll of adhesive tape
Iodine tablets
Miscellaneous Bits
The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just find yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!
Toiletries
Quick-drying camp towel
Detergent powder/bar
Toilet paper
Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm
Pocket knife
Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)
Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter
Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms
Stuff sacks
Earplugs
Candlesticks
Optional Carry
Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items on this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trip.
Camera, memory card and battery charger
GPS unit Altimeters
Binoculars
Plastic bags for wet cloths
Books and magazines
Choice of dry food
Generally, there are no fixed departure dates for the optional adventure like "Mountain Biking". If you intend to pursue the adventure on any specific date, please contact us directly and let us know about your preferred schedule. We will endeavor our level best to make sure that the adventure commences on the set date.
