Phaplu-Ratnange

Why Phaplu-Ratnange?

Best Loam in Asia (Probably in the world): Carve through pristine Himalayan singletrack, less ridden.
Cultural Immersion: Ride past ancient monasteries, Sherpa villages, and rhododendron forests.
Pro Support: Guides, mechanics, and medics dedicated to your send.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF

– You live for steep, technical descents and high-altitude adrenaline.

– You crave adventure beyond the guidebooks—Phaplu’s trails are not on Strava.

– You want to ride hard by day and swap stories under Himalayan stars by night.

HIGHLIGHTS

Daily Uplifts: Maximize ride time—shuttle to 3,300m+ trailheads.

Trail Variety: Beginner-Friendly Flow: Berms, rollers, and pine-needle carpets.

Gnarly Expert Lines: Rock gardens, exposed ridges, and Nepali-style “send it” chutes.

Rest Day Vibes: Cross-country ride to Junbesi’s 500-year-old monastery + yak cheese sandwiches.

Campfire Legends: Swap stories with local guides who’ve survived the harsh mountains.

ITINERARY SNEAK PEEK

Day 1: Warm up on Kathmandu’s iconic Helipad & Swiss Trail.

Day 2: Drive to Phaplu + sunset ride through rhododendron forests.

Days 3–8: Shred 3300m descents, from loamy dream lines to “Did I just survive that?!” tech.

Final Night: Farewell feast with traditional food & dance + “Best Crash” awards.

tour details for Phaplu-Ratnange

date:
25 April 2026

Day	Location	Program	Accommodation/Plan	Cycling Distance(km)	Altitude(meters)
1	Kathmandu	Arrival in Kathmandu * International Participants: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Transfer to a pre-booked hotel in Thamel. * Race Participants: Return from Pokhara to Kathmandu. * Evening Briefing: Welcome dinner at the hotel. Overview of the trip, safety protocols, and gear check. * Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Kathmandu.	Hotel (CH)/	0	1340
2	Kathmandu	Acclimatization Ride + Bike Preparation * Morning: * Breakfast at the hotel. * Acclimatization Ride: Explore Kathmandu Valley trails (Helipad Trail and Swiss Trail)—easy-paced ride to adjust to altitude and terrain. * Trail Details: * Helipad Trail: Flowy singletrack with panoramic views of the valley. * Swiss Trail: Technical forest descent with roots and rocks. * Afternoon: * Lunch in Boudhanath. Visit the iconic stupa. * Bike Prep: Clean and check bikes for the Phaplu road trip. * Evening: Free & Easy to explore Thamel. * Accommodation: Same hotel in Kathmandu.	Hotel: (CH) Meals: (B, L)	30	1340
3	Phaplu	Drive to Phaplu & Acclimatization Ride * Early Morning: * Load the bikes and bags onto the 4WD trucks for an early morning departure. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas along the way. Depending on the road conditions and traffic, the drive could take 10 to 12 hours. * Check into the lodge and enjoy dinner. * Briefing for the next day’s rides. * Late evening: * Bike setup and safety check with mechanics. * Accommodation: Teahouse Lodge in Phaplu.	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	0	2413
4	Phaplu	Ride Day 1 – Phaplu Trails (Beginner/Intermediate) * Morning: * Breakfast at the lodge. * Uplift Service: Shuttle to trailhead (3,300m) * Trails: * Varieties of Flow-oriented trails with berms and rollers. * Number of Smooth forest descents with optional jumps. * Lunch: Local village hut with hot, locally cooked food. * Afternoon: * Shuttle to higher elevations for more gravity-led trails. * Evening: * Group debrief, bike maintenance. * Stargazing session (clear Himalayan skies!).	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	30-40	2413-2900
5	Phaplu	Ride Day 2 – Advanced Phaplu Trails * Morning: * Shuttle to the trailhead (3,300m): Steep, technical chutes and rock gardens. * Lunch: Local teahouse in Phaplu. * Afternoon: * High-speed, natural loam with exposure. Guides split groups by skill level. * Evening: * Campfire stories with fellow riders over your favourite beverages.	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	30-40	2413-2900
6	Phaplu-JunBesi-Phaplu	Ride to Junbesi (Rest Day) * Leisurely Ride: 25km cross-country route from Phaplu to Junbesi (2,675m). Scenic villages, monasteries, and Himalayan vistas. * Highlights: * Visit Junbesi’s 500-year-old monastery. * Lunch at a local bakery. * Afternoon: * Return to Phaplu via support truck(part of the trails). * R&R. Evening: Free time to explore the Phaplu market.	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	25-30	2413-2700
7	Phaplu-Ratnange	Enduro Ride Day 3 of 4 – Rider’s Choice * Customizable Rides: * Repeat favourite trails or explore new ones: * Beyond Ratnange Hill Trail Head: High-altitude ridge ride with 360° views. * The Dragon’s Tail: Technical, rocky descent (experts only). * “Imagine if someone took the worst parts of the Dolomites and the Rockies, then added Himalayan chaos. That’s The Dragon’s Tail.” – Jamie, Enduro racer (2024 Phaplu participant) * If The Dragon’s Tail feels too spicy, try “Devil’s Backbone” or “Thunderclap Trail” for slightly tamer—but still wild—riding! * Uplift shuttles run all day. * Final Evening (23 Nov): * Farewell, dinner with a cultural dance performance. * Awards ceremony for “Best Crash” and “Line of the Week.”	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	40	2413-3000
8	Phaplu-Ratnange	Enduro Ride Day 4 of 4 – Rider’s Choice * Customizable Rides: * Repeat favourite trails or explore new ones: * Beyond Ratnange Hill Trail Head: High-altitude ridge ride with 360° views. * The Dragon’s Tail: Technical, rocky descent (experts only). * “Imagine if someone took the worst parts of the Dolomites and the Rockies, then added Himalayan chaos. That’s The Dragon’s Tail.” – Jamie, Enduro racer (2024 Phaplu participant) * If The Dragon’s Tail feels too spicy, try “Devil’s Backbone” or “Thunderclap Trail” for slightly tamer—but still wild—riding! * Uplift shuttles run all day. * Final Evening (23 Nov): * Farewell, dinner with a cultural dance performance. * Awards ceremony for “Best Crash” and “Line of the Week.”	Guest house (SH) (B, L & D)	40	2413-3000
9	Kathmandu	Return to Kathmandu * Morning: * Load bikes onto 4WD trucks. * 10–12-hour drive back to Kathmandu via the Araniko Highway. Stops for lunch and photos. * Evening: * Check into the hotel. Celebrate with a final group dinner.	Hotel: (CH) Meals: (B, L & D)	0	1340
10	Departure	Departure or Extensions of program * Program over. Transport to the airport for the onward flight. Or * Optional Add-Ons: * Bhaktapur cultural tour. * White-water rafting on the Trishuli River. * Everest scenic flight. * Safari in Chitwan National Park	Hotel (CH)/	0	1340