The ultimate 14-day MTB trip in Nepal: in search of the Yeti

On arrival, we'll pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Hotel Timila. After a rest and a drink, we'll assemble the bikes and ease into the experience with a short warm-up ride, some sightseeing around Phaplu or a relaxing yoga session in the afternoon to recover from the journey.

The rides begin in the hills around Phaplu, starting at around 2,400 metres and climbing up to 3,200 metres. This area offers an exceptional trail network, considered by many to be one of the best in Nepal. On clear days, Everest is visible from the highest viewpoints. Here we have developed Nepal's first dedicated trail centre, the Ratnange Trails Centre, with 15 downhill tracks and more than 70 km of trails purpose-built for mountain biking.

One of the highlights is a 9 km descent on newly built singletrack. Starting at 3,600 metres with panoramic views of the Himalayan range, the trail drops to 1,500 metres. It's a long, continuous, unforgettable descent that combines flow, technical sections and raw mountain terrain.

Another day takes us towards Chiwong Monastery, built in the early 20th century. A steady climb of around an hour leads us into a serene, timeless setting. There we attend a traditional puja ceremony and receive an introduction to Buddhist philosophy, offering a rare insight into local spiritual life. From the monastery, a beautiful technical descent takes us back to Phaplu.

After the ride, we spend the night at the monastery, sharing meals and daily life with the monks of Serlo Monastery. This very special night adds a deep cultural dimension to the trip, far beyond an ordinary bike holiday.

From the monastery, we push or carry the bike for just under an hour to reach a summit of just under 4,000 metres. From here, a long ridge descent unfolds, with stunning, uninterrupted views of the Himalayan range. The trail takes us back to our base in Phaplu and rounds off the trip with one of the most scenic and rewarding descents of the whole route.

The Pikey Peak adventure begins with a ride to Jhapre, a traditional mountain village at around 3,000 metres. There are several route options, which lets us adapt the day to the weather, trail conditions and riders' preferences. The terrain combines remote tracks and singletrack, offering a gradual introduction to the altitude and the landscape. We spend the night in a local guesthouse, simple, clean and comfortable, which offers an authentic taste of Himalayan village life.

From Jhapre we climb towards Pikey Peak base camp, at 3,700 metres. Much of the climb follows an exposed ridge with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding ranges. The first two hours are on a jeep track before entering a stretch of forest, where superb singletrack takes over. Most of this climb is rideable; only the last 20 minutes require a little pushing or carrying of the bike. Base camp is a truly remote spot, and we spend the night in a basic tea house, rustic but welcoming, surrounded by silence, stars and a high-mountain atmosphere.

After an early start, we push or carry the bike for about an hour to reach the summit of Pikey Peak (4,065 m). From the top, the reward is extraordinary: a panoramic view of five 8,000-metre peaks, including Everest, one of the most beautiful and sweeping Himalayan views imaginable. From the summit we begin one of the best descents in Nepal: a huge, varied run with more than 2,500 metres of vertical descent. The trail offers everything, from high-mountain ridges to forest singletrack and flowing sections at lower altitude. It is, without a doubt, one of our favourite descents in the country.

Back in Phaplu, we enjoy a final day of riding with almost limitless options. This area is a true mountain bike playground, with countless trails to suit different riding styles and energy levels. A shuttle day is highly recommended to maximise the descents and try as many trails as possible: there are too many good options to ride them all in a single day.

Early in the morning we drive to Dhap (around 3,000 m) to start the final ride of the trip. From here we descend to the Sunkoshi River, at 300 metres, completing a long, rewarding ride that showcases Nepal's spectacular elevation range. At the river, a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Kathmandu (around 4-5 hours).

On the last day, a free day in Kathmandu lets you relax and reflect on the trip. Options include shopping for local crafts, joining yoga or wellness sessions, sightseeing or even a bit more riding if you wish.