Guided Himalayan motorcycle tours
Motorbike tours in Nepal, from Kathmandu to the Kingdom of Lo
Ride the Kali Gandaki gorge, the high desert of Upper Mustang and the old trekking circuits of the Annapurnas on a Royal Enfield — with a local guide out front, a mechanic behind and every permit handled.
- RoutesMustang · Manang · Highlights
- BikesHimalayan 450 / 411, CRF250L
- Best monthsMar–May · Sep–Nov
- Group sizePrivate, 1–10 riders
Pick your Nepal motorcycle tour
Four routes cover what most riders come for. Every one can be run privately on your dates, shortened, extended or combined — the itineraries below are starting points, not fixed packages.
Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour
Ride into the walled city of Lo Manthang through the deepest gorge on earth and the desert canyons of the former Kingdom of Lo.
Lower Mustang & Muktinath Ride
The Kali Gandaki gorge, apple-orchard Marpha, medieval Kagbeni and the temple at Muktinath — no restricted-area permit needed.
Annapurna Circuit to Manang
Follow the famous trekking circuit on two wheels, up the Marsyangdi valley to the high village of Manang beneath Annapurna II and III.
Nepal Highlights Motorbike Tour
Mostly paved riding through hill towns, the lakeside, the Buddha’s birthplace and jungle, finishing on the twisting Rajpath over Daman.
Why ride with us
Licensed local crews
Every ride runs with a government-registered Nepali operator, a licensed riding guide and a mechanic. Restricted-area permits are only issued through registered agencies, so this matters.
Bikes built for the Himalaya
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and 411, Classic 350, Honda CRF250L and Hero Xpulse 200 — matched to your experience and the route, serviced before every trip.
Backup when it counts
A support jeep carries luggage, spares and a spare bike on mountain routes. If the weather turns or a road closes, the crew reroutes on the day.
Straight answers on price
Quotes are itemised: bike, fuel, guide, mechanic, permits, lodging and meals. No surprise fees at the Kagbeni checkpoint.
What a motorbike tour in Nepal is actually like
Expect a bit of everything. The first day out of Kathmandu is busy highway with buses and trucks on the Prithvi Highway. After Pokhara the tarmac thins out, and from Beni the road up the Kali Gandaki is gravel, rock, river crossings and dust, cut into the side of a gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Above Kagbeni you are in the rain shadow: dry, wide and empty, with mud-brick villages and red cliffs riddled with caves.
Riding days are short in distance and long in time. 80 km in the mountains can take six hours with photo stops, tea in a village and a slow line behind a goat herd. That is the point. Nights are in family-run lodges and tea houses; in Kathmandu and Pokhara, in comfortable hotels.
You do not need to be an off-road expert, but you should be comfortable on a 400cc-class bike on loose surfaces and standing on the pegs. If you are newer to dirt, the Nepal Highlights tour or the Lower Mustang ride is the place to start.
At a glance
| Guided tour | Self-ride on a rental | |
|---|---|---|
| Route planning | Done for you | You plan it |
| Guide & mechanic | Included | Not included |
| Upper Mustang | Allowed (permit via agency) | Not allowed solo |
| Support jeep & luggage | On mountain routes | You carry it |
| Good for | First visit, high routes | Experienced, low routes |
Want to ride on your own? See motorbike rental in Kathmandu.
When to ride
Spring · March to May
Warm valleys, rhododendrons in the hills and clear mornings. Upper Mustang opens up properly from April. Haze can build in May.
Autumn · September to November
The classic season: dry roads after the monsoon, the clearest mountain views of the year and big festivals (Dashain, Tihar). Book early.
Monsoon · June to August
Mustang sits in a rain shadow and stays fairly dry, but getting there means riding through landslide country between Beni and Tatopani. Possible with flexibility.
Winter · December to February
Low-altitude routes are pleasant. Lo Manthang is bitterly cold and many lodges close; Manang can be snowed in. We usually steer riders to the highlights route.
More detail in our Nepal motorbike tour planning guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motorbike tour in Nepal cost?
Guided tours with bike, fuel, guide, mechanic, lodging and most meals typically run from about USD 1,800 for 10 days on mostly paved roads to USD 2,700–3,500 for 12–13 days in Upper Mustang. Group size, bike model, hotel standard and a support jeep make the biggest difference. Every quote is itemised.
Do I need a licence to ride a motorbike in Nepal?
Yes. Bring your full home motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP), and carry both while riding. Rental and tour operators will ask to see them.
Which bike will I ride?
Most mountain tours use the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or 411. The Honda CRF250L suits lighter riders who want to go further off-road, and the Classic 350 works on the paved highlights route. Tell us your height and experience and we will match the bike.
Can I take a pillion passenger?
Yes, on most routes. Two-up riding on rough mountain sections is tiring, so many couples ride two-up on tarmac and the passenger moves to the support jeep on the gorge sections.
Can I ride to Upper Mustang on my own?
No. Upper Mustang is a restricted area: foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit issued through a registered Nepali agency and must travel with a licensed guide. That is why Upper Mustang trips are always guided.
Is riding in Nepal safe?
Mountain roads are narrow and unsealed in places, and traffic near cities is chaotic. Riding with a local guide who knows the roads, a mechanic and a support vehicle removes most of the risk. You will need travel insurance that covers motorcycling at altitude.
Tell us how you want to ride
Send your dates, riding experience and the route you are thinking about. You will get a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote — no obligation.