Cycling Holidays in the Himalayas

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours is heading to the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet with three new bicycle touring options.

The new tours will allow cyclists to ride the Roof of the World from Lhasa to Kathmandu, conquer Seven Summits of Kathmandu Valley and mountain bike from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Starting from Kathmandu, the crossroads of ancient Asia civilizations, the tours are a combination of insight into the lives, history, culture of Nepal as well as Tibetan and Hindu religions, all framed by a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the highest mountains in the world.

On the Lhasa to Kathmandu route cyclists ride 565 kilometres in 10 cycling days. The cycling starts from Lhasa at 3490m and routes through true Tibet, where cyclists are likely to come across nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains. This tour is primarily on tarmac, with a few dirt sections, one of which is the detour to see Everest Base Camp before taking the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu at 1400m. Departure dates are 21 April, 9 June, 15 September and 6 October, however, a US$300 discount applies to the first two departure dates. The tour cost of US$2,950 includes the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, meals and accommodation and vehicle support while riding.

Designed for mountain bikers looking for a challenge, the Seven Summits of Kathmandu Valley tour will go off road via trails and jeep tracks while climbing a total of 5,292m to reach the top of the seven summits in six cycling days. Though the cycling is intense, there will still be time to visit cultural and religious highlights of the valley. In 2011 four departures are scheduled with a US$150 discount for the first two on 5 March, 28 May. The 8 October and 19 November dates are US$1,400.

Riding from Kathmandu to Pokhara from ridge to ridge for 360 kilometres will offer mountain bikers the best panoramic views of the Langtang and Annapurna ranges. Camping for seven nights of this 11-day tour allows the riders to go to areas that are less frequented by tourists. The tour starts in historical Kathmandu and ends lakeside at Pokhara. Scheduled tour dates are 20 February, 13 March, 5 June, 16 October and 27 November with a US$150 savings off the US$1,750 price on the first two dates.

The professional operations SpiceRoads Cycle Tours offer includes a fleet of well-maintained mountain and road bikes and support vehicles. All tours are led by experienced cycle guides.

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