Cycling tour in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Planet

This trip explores the Kathmandu Valley by bicycle rather than by jeep or bus.

In this area, it is very important not to litter, as there is no daily rubbish collection on many of these routes. Please leave places as clean as you found them. Avoid bringing items in plastic, such as bags, snacks and wet tissues, and decline plastic when buying fruit or local sweets.

We stay in locally owned hotels with a lot of history. [Optional, only for features that are true of every hotel: Several use solar water heating and avoid plastic toiletries.] Many of the hotels are in Newari buildings, a style known for hand-carved wood, low doorways, and thick walls.

Tap water is precious here, so please keep it in mind when you brush your teeth or shower.

People

We'll meet local communities along the way, and customs in villages can be traditional even an hour from the city. Please dress modestly, respect local customs, greet people you pass, and be open to new experiences. The best way to experience a culture is to join a celebration or festival, share a cup of tea, chat, and teach a few words of your language.

We'll visit important temples. Please take shoes off where needed and don't take photos where signs say not to, as these are holy places for Buddhists. Visitors often make a small donation at monasteries, which helps with their upkeep.

Support local shops and restaurants by buying fruit, vegetables and local sweets, share what you have, play football with children, and ask about local projects you could support.

If you're happy with our team, tipping your guides, drivers and mechanics is appreciated, as tourism is an important source of income for many families here.

Our guides are local and know the Kathmandu Valley well. We provide a salary, insurance, equipment, and meals. You'll eat Nepali food in local restaurants.

On the last day, we may visit a local workshop that trains and employs women, where you can learn about their projects and buy useful souvenirs.