MTB Nepal
A Himalayan mountain biking expedition with the Himalayan Trust
13 days of riding for a cause in pursuit of trails and transformation.
MTB Nepal will be back again...
After a successful first mountain biking trip to the Himalayas, we will be announcing new dates in early 2025.
If you would like to join our next trip, email trek@himalayantrust.org to let us know that you are interested!
Itinerary highlights
Head off the beaten track and enjoy the staggeringly beautiful terrain of the Himalayas. We'll be immersed in local life in Phaplu while we explore the forests, nearby villages and amazing scenery all while having a uniquely Himalayan experience by bike.
Explore the Ratnange Trail Center at your own pace - one of the newest bike parks in Nepal, with incredible trails through the forests and rugged foothills of the Himalaya.
Embark on a multi-day MTB journey to the summit of Pikey Peak (4,060 m) for sweeping panoramic views of the Himalaya from India to Tibet. Then experience the thrill of an incredible 2.5 hour descent into lush valleys below.
Volunteer and work alongside the local biking community of Phaplu Mountain Bike Club to help bring a brand new trail to life, and donate it back to the park. We're endeavouring to bring you a conscious travel experience that benefits you and the communities we visit.
Travel in the footsteps of Sir Ed to remote Nepal, where we will see the Trust's work first hand at Junbesi School, which Ed built in 1964. We'll also visit Thupten Choeling monastery, perched on a hillside, to join the monks' daily prayer.
Essential info
Trip Info
Duration: 13 days total
Dates: Saturday 26 October - Thursday 7 November, 2024
Accommodation: 3 nights in a Kathmandu hotel, 9 nights in Himalayan lodges
Riding Info
Fitness: Good cardio fitness, hiking experience recommended
Skill: Confident on steep, rocky descents and winding singletrack - intermediate level
Average riding time: 4-6 hours per day at 2,500-4,000 metres above sea level
$5,950 NZD for 13 days
+ $1,500 donation or fundraising
up to 4,000 m above sea level
Ride the highest singletrack in the world
Take in the breathtaking scenery as you ride some of the most epic trails in the world - and don't worry, there are no crowds where we're going!
We'll be riding singletrack in the new enduro MTB park and going on an epic multiday mission to ride Pikey peak.
travel with a purpose
Build trails and support the local community
Help design and build a new trail with the Phaplu Mountain Bike Club (PMBC).
PMBC runs programmes that encourage young students to engage in their education, offering them opportunities to learn exciting new skills.
We'll be digging trails, building berms and installing signs. Feel proud when you ride the track for the first time, knowing that it will leave a lasting, positive impact for the community.
a kiwi legacy
Visit schools supported by Kiwis for decades
We'll visit the schools that you are supporting through joining us on this trip.
In Junbesi we've installed a computer lab and solar system that brings technological literacy to a remote area school.
Experience the himalayas
Beyond the tourist trails
We'll be travelling to rural Nepal where the roads are rough, the culture is vibrant and an authentic adventure awaits.
You'll also be part of developing a new tourism economy for a remote region in Nepal.
Your guides
We've been working in Nepal since the 60s
Not only will we take you to the best riding spots, you'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what the Himalayan Trust does in Nepal: building and supporting schools, hospitals and environmental projects.
Sir Ed and his brother Rex building Kunde Hospital (3,840 m) in 1966.
Essential info
Trip Info
Duration: 13 days total
Dates: Saturday 26 October - Thursday 7 November, 2024
Accommodation: 3 nights in a Kathmandu hotel, 9 nights in Himalayan lodges
Riding Info
Fitness: Good cardio fitness, hiking experience recommended
Skill: Confident on steep, rocky descents and winding singletrack - intermediate level
Average riding time: 4-6 hours per day at 2,500-4,000 metres above sea level
$5,950 NZD for 13 days
+ $1,500 donation or fundraising
26 October - 7 November, 2024
Register Now!
What's it like riding in Solukhumbu?
We won't be riding in all of these areas, but these videos give you a great feel for the area, the culture and the riding
Itinerary
Be trail blazers with us as we head to a region where few international mountain bikers have travelled.
We'll explore the places, people and culture that Sir Ed and the Himalayan Trust have worked with for decades.
Download the complete trip notes ↓
26 Oct - Arrive Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
27 Oct - Kathmandu Morning exploring the wonders of old Kathmandu; bike assembly and check.
28 Oct - Kathmandu to Phaplu (2,470 m) We'll be up early for an adventurous drive from the bustling Kathmandu valley up into the Himalayan mountains. We'll arrive in Phaplu in the early evening and get settled at Kyimru Lodge, our basecamp for the next few days.
29 Oct - Phaplu (Junbesi & Thupten Choeling monastery) An easy ride to the village of Junbesi where we'll visit a school built by Sir Ed in '64. Ride up to Thupten Choeling monastery and sit down with the monks and nuns during their daily chants. Simple lunch at the monastery, then after lunch, ride back to Phaplu.
30 Oct - Phaplu (Ratnange Trail Center) Explore the newly built trail center in Ratnange, situated at an elevation of 3,300 meters. There are 13 trails spanning 60 kilometers, catering to a range of abilities. We'll use shuttles to maximise riding time.
31 Oct - Phaplu (trail building) Together with the local community, we'll design a new trail. This trail will not only enrich the existing network but also be handed over to the community forest department at the end of our trip. We will actively contribute to trail construction alongside the local community.
1 Nov - Ride from Phaplu to Jhapre (2,920 m) Our journey continues towards Pikey Peak, locally regarded as Sir Ed's favourite viewpoint. We will ride from Phaplu to Jhapre, offering various route options catering to different skill/fitness levels of riders.
2 Nov - Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp (3,700m) Riding from Jhapre, we will reach Pikey Base Camp at 3,700 meters, where we will spend the night. This approximately 4-hour ride has sweeping valley views and involves a brief 20-minute section where we will carry/push our bikes.
3 Nov - Pikey Peak Summit back to Phaplu Rise early to reach the summit of Pikey Peak (4,060 m) and witness the breathtaking sunrise, unveiling a panoramic view of the world's highest mountains and the biggest mountain range in the world. Although a challenging ascent awaits, the rewarding 2.5-hour downhill ride on a thrilling trail will etch unforgettable memories. We will return to our comfortable base in Phaplu for a well-deserved rest.
4–5 Nov - Phaplu (2,470 m) Collaboratively, we will work on completing the trail with the locals, fine-tuning it to perfection. Test rides and necessary adjustments will be made, culminating in the official inauguration of the new trail in the afternoon on April 24th.
6 Nov - Phaplu to Kathmandu (1,400m) We will return to Kathmandu via a scenic and adventurous flight, allowing you to enjoy a leisure day for sightseeing and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the city.
7 Nov - Kathmandu (1,400m) Concluding this remarkable journey, we will arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight back home, carrying with you in your luggage cherished memories of an incredible mountain biking experience in Nepal.
For more information on the itinerary. Please download the detailed trip notes at the bottom of this webpage.
Your expert guides
Tangi Rebours
LEAD GUIDE
In 2002 as a pro rider Tangi came to Nepal to experience training at high altitude, he is now based full-time in Nepal.
Tangi and his friend Rishi created Enduro MTB Nepal to offer original MTB tours that get even the very best riders excited.
Tangi has called Nepal home for the past 20 years, and it's this rich local experience that will guide you to the best spots!
Mingmar Yangzi Sherpa
local Guide
Mingmar hails from Phaplu, holds a Bachelor’s in Education, a Diploma in Nursing and runs the Phaplu Mountain Bike Club.
The spirit of hospitality courses through her veins, bolstered by her experience as a trekking guide and mountaineer. Mingmar is also a Registered Nurse and a certified Outdoor Medic.
Mingmar is a keen Mountain Biker, actively championing the involvement of Nepalese women in mountain biking and outdoor activities. She also runs Phaplu Mountain Bike Club.
Casey Hemingway
Himalayan Trust Guide
Casey is the Fundraising Manager for the Himalayan Trust. Having lived in India, he's had the fortune to visit Nepal several times where he quickly grew to love the Nepali culture and the mountains.
Now based in Queenstown, Casey is an avid mountain biker. He will guide us as we visit the Himalayan Trust's schools, giving you an up-close-and-personal look at our 60+ year legacy of educational empowerment in the Himalaya.
Additional Info
Contact us if you have any questions at all and we'll be happy to help.
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Not included in the cost:
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