Sacred Rides

Alternately, if you are planning on traveling with your bike more than just this one time, we sell travel bags for bikes, handmade by Pikapackworks. These travel bags are specially made for bikes and can often go on flights without having to pay the extra charges incurred by cardboard boxes or hard cases. The bags cost $395, including shipping withing North America. Click here for more information on our bags.

n.b. you will need to pay an extra fee for traveling with your bike on the flights within Nepal. Cost is about $20-$30 USD per flight.

Bike Rentals

We recommend you bring your own bike on this trip, however we have a small fleet in Kathmandu, consisting of medium and large bikes. The following bikes are available for rent, priced at $400 for 10 days:

• Giant Anthem, Trance or Reign
• Rocky Moutain Element or Slayer

What type of bike should you bring?

We recommend you bring a full suspension cross-country or all-mountain bike with you on this trip, with at least 5" of travel and front & rear hydraulic disc brakes. Ideal weight is 25-35 pounds - a good compromise between being light enough for long climbs and beefy enough for technical descents.

Armor and Helmet

Although not mandatory, if you have arm and leg protection, bring it with you. Full-body protection is not necessary, nor are full-face helmets.

Tools to bring

• multitool (preferably with chainbreaker)
• tire levers
• bottle of chain lube
• tire pump
• suspension pump
• sealant (if you're on tubeless)

Spare parts for your bike

Although there are some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts with you to Nepal to avoid problems in case of breakdown or broken parts:

• rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
• spare front and rear brake pads
• chain links or extra chain (if chain is older than 3 months
• 4 tubes
• 4 extra spokes
• spare tire (if on a non 26" wheel, i.e. for 29er or 650b)

N.B. If you are renting a bike, the above is not necessary (with the exception of a few spare tubes).

Weather and Clothing

The weather on this trip can vary widely, with highs of 20 to 27 degrees in the Kathmandu Valley, and lows near freezing in the mountains, so please come prepared for virtually any weather. We recommend you bring layered clothing that you can wear while riding and in the evenings (e.g. start your ride with a long-sleeve jersey in the morning and then take off a layer once you warm up). You'll want to bring long pants and a light jacket for the evenings spent up in the mountains.

Although rain is rare in the winter months, it isn't unheard of, so we recommend you bring some sort of rain gear or shell.

Packing List

• comfortable clothes for riding, such as biking jerseys and padded shorts. 3+ sets are ideal, 2 a must.
• helmet 
• bike gloves (2 sets ideal)
• lightweight, weather-resistant outerwear for riding in inclement weather.
• warm clothing such as sweaters, fleece jackets, pants and hat for nighttime.
• buff or scarf
• sunglasses/eye protection for sunny and/or muddy days.
• riding backpack to carry basic items such as water bladder (min. 2 litres), tools, clothes, etc.
• water bottle
• trail snacks/energy bars
• toiletries i.e. toothbrush, shampoo, soap, hand sanitisers, female sanitary items
• towel (quick dry is recommended)
• camera
• universal travel adapter
• head lamp (for general purposes, not for riding)
• sunscreen and insect repellent
• sleeping bag (roughly -10 degree Celcius. We can arrange for a rental if you prefer. Simply let us know ahead of time and be sure to bring a liner)
• bathroom slippers

Passports & Visas

All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. For more information, visit the World Travel Guide website.

Altitude

Much of the riding on this trip occurs at moderate to high altitude (1,400 m/4,500 ft to 4,500m/14,000 ft.). If you are in decent shape without any lung conditions, the acclimatization we do at the start of the trip should be sufficient. If you are concerned about your ability to deal with altitude we recommend arriving a day or two early and doing some extra riding in the Kathmandu area. Please contact our office to enquire about additional riding/acclimatization days. So far we have had no clients experience anything more severe than a mild headache or sinus congestion.

We do recommend you bring Diamox, just in case.

Flights

There are 3 domestic flights within Nepal on this trip. These are flights through the Himalayas, in small planes. If you have a fear of flying, this trip is not recommended for you.

There is a 20kg/44 lb weight restriction on these flights (not including your bike). Additional weight will be charged a surcharge.

Emergency Contacts

If you need to contact us in an emergency, you can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:

Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955
If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Food

We take care to select restaurants that are well-regarded for their cleanliness, in order to avoid food-borne illness. We also supply you with bottled water for drinking for the duration of your trip. However, there is always some risk of contracting a food-borne illness when traveling in a developing country. We recommend you exercise caution when purchasing food, and avoid unwashed fruit and vegetables and improperly cooked meals.

Vaccination Requirements

Please visit the MD Travel Health website for information about vaccinations required, however, for the most up-to-date information, please visit your local travel clinic.

Safety & Security

Nepal is a safe country, however certain precautions should be followed, as with all foreign travel. To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.

Meals

On this trip, all meals are included in the trip price. 

Other expenses and best ways to get/use money

Other expenses include souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and optional activities such as a massage. The best way to pay for these services is to withdraw money from an ATM in Kathmandu with your bank card - you can withdraw local money and will usually be charged the best rate by your bank at home. However, you will typically be charged about $5 per transaction, so we recommend withdrawing enough for 2 or 3 days at a time to avoid paying bank fees every day.

Tipping

Gratuities of 5-10% are common in Nepal. We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received excellent service and have had an enjoyable trip. A typical gratuity $20 - $100 per guide.

Currency exchange

The Nepalese currency is the Nepalese Rupee. For the latest currency exchange information use the Yahoo! Currency Exchange Calculator

Useful Links

For additional information about travelling in Nepal, visit the Nepal Tourism website.

Our Guarantee

We're so sure you'll have an amazing time on this trip that we're offering a satisfaction guarantee. View more information about our guarantee.