Mountain Biking in Nepal

Mountain biking in Nepal is a great opportunity to explore the unexplored Nepal. Most of the tourists visit places that are very common and bustling with people across the year whereas mountain biking will take you to places that have not yet seen tourist onslaught. The best part of this activity is that, you are allowed to bike independently and stop at the place that catches your fancy. But that is only of course if the site falls on the prior decided route. The best part of this activity is that, you can go to places that are not reachable by any mode apart from bicycles.

Nepal has many trails to ride on. You can select any of them depending upon your mood and stamina. So it is solely upon you if you want to make a challenging climb thousands of meters to reach a picturesque point or you make an exhilarating descent to Royal Chitwan National Park. Talking of dampeners, the comparatively longer tracks require physical fitness and great stamina. There is no paperwork but you are not allowed to use regular bikes on prescribed tracks. Only mountain bikes are allowed.

Although more crowded than tracks of Northern Nepal, the Kathmandu valley provides some great opportunity for rides. It has many hidden trails. It is arguably the best way to visit the interesting towns, Temples and Stupas. There are things to keep in mind. Don't venture out at all without a proper trail map; say Schneider Trail Map, and a good compass. Keep a good sense of tracks and directions and yes, carry a Nepali phrasebook. You never know when you will need to brush up a bit of Nepali.


Popular Mountain Biking Tracks

• Balazu - Kakani - Balazu
• Maharajgunj to Budhanilkantha
• Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Patan
• Pokhra city area
• Kathmandu - Pokhra - Tansen - Bhairahawa - Chitwan

Hot Air Ballooning in Nepal

Hot air ballooning is new to Nepal. In fact, it was started in the year 2000 on the increasing demand of the foreign tourists. In the last decade, Hot-Air Ballooning and Bungee Jumping have successfully replaced the traditional adventure sports such as Trekking and Hill-Biking in Nepal. The most interesting thing with the Hot-Air Ballooning is that, it gives you a breathtaking view of Kathmandu valley. On a clear day, it is a superb way to view the Greater Himalayan Peaks.

Most of the rides start early morning as it takes more than half an hour for hot air to inflate the crumpled and dead cold balloon. As the burner guzzles gas, the balloon starts to pick up slowly. The departure is gentle and one hardly feels the ascent apart from a mild nudge. The advantage of this magnificent form of flight is that there is neither the hummer of engines, nor any airplane wings to obscure the mesmerizing and picturesque view.

The best months of Balloon flights are between October and March. Though at times, when weather permits, the ballooning season in Nepal stretches to April too. The only dampener is the fact that these flights are heavily dependent on the velocity and direction of the wind. The landings are generally done in the terraced paddies that stretch out across the fringes of the valley. Most of these flights take off from the historic town of Bhaktapur and, depending on which way the wind blows, takes you on a trip that gives you an eagle's eye view of Kathmandu town and the valley.

Paragliding in Nepal

Paragliding is a foot-launched, ram-air, airfoil canopy which flies with the energy of wind, gravity and pilot's power to steer. It descends due to gravity and ascends due to air pressure. With the help of air pressure, pilot decides when and where to fly, soar, and dive and eventually land it safely. Adventure seekers seek depths and space where ever they can find. In Nepal, you have breathtaking depth of 700 meter or higher for the unparalleled Shangri-La that lies beneath the Himalayan range offering a scenic ecstasy of the valleys and lush green jungles combined with an infinitive visibility of the crisp clear Himalayas all around you, all ready to add another dimension in your flight adrenals.

November, December and January are the best three months for Paragliding in Nepal. Superb weather and excellent mountain visibility can be expected during those months. Annapurna region, also known as the arms of Pokhara valley, is the best location for paragliding in Nepal. Sites around the Phewa Lake are popular, one such is the Sarangkot hill which provides a breathtaking view point of 700m above the Pokhara heaven!

Like Bungee Jumping and Hot-Air Ballooning, Paragliding too is new to Nepal. Nevertheless, Para-Gliding was an instant hit among the tourists the year it was first launched. Paragliding in Nepal can be a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeker. Since the 'Fall of Icarius', the men have always wanted to have their own wings. And as God is yet to be that generous, paragliding tries to fulfill that dream to some extent. And that is why; it is such a craze in Nepal. After all, who doesn't want to share his airspace with Griffin Vultures and Kites while smoothly gliding over villages, lakes and jungle with the dazzling and intimidating Himalayan peaks in the background?

A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalaya.

The takes off point for these flights is Sarankot (1592m.), which also offers prime views of Fewa lake and mountains at sunrise and sunset (provided the skies are clear) and the landing is by the Fewa lake.