Off-Road Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal

Off-Road Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail of Nepal takes you to the culturally and naturally rich largest Gurung villages (like Hilekharka, Ghalegaun, Ghanpokhara, Bhujung & Pasgaun) in the hills of Nepal on off the beaten trails.

As most of the trail (road) on Gurung Heritage Trail is just constructed to connect villages in the remote hilly regions of Nepal, the traffic is non-existent except few local vehicles (Jeeps & Scooters).

So if you’re looking for a short destination for adventure ride on raw & non-commercial trail, then Gurung Heritage Trail is for you.

Highlights of Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal

Some of the major highlights of Gurung Heritage Trails are

1. Off the beaten trail (Completely raw and non-commercial).
2. Explore the culturally and naturally rich largest gurung villages of Nepal.
3. Experience local, authentic and organic food.
4. Understand rural village life of Nepal.
5. Enjoy the rich Gurung culture of Nepal.
6. Experience the thrilling adventure of riding on paved highways, off-road trails (mostly under construction), river crossings, and steep uphills and downhills with epic scenes on diverse landscapes.

Itinerary for Off-Road Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal

Here’s the detailed itinerary for Off-Road Motorbiking adventure on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Bandipur (via Chhimkeshwori & Hilekharka)

Start early from Kathmandu. Have a heavy breakfast and hit the road at around 7-8 in the morning. You can either take a regular highway towards Mugling or take a less traffic road from Sitapaila to Dharke.

At Malekhu, you can stop for a short coffee break (optional).

Once you reach Mugling, take a road to Pokhara till Aanboo Khaireni. And it’s highly recommended to have lunch here because from here you’ll be leaving the highway and taking the rural village road. And you may not find any hotels or restaurants till you reach Bandipur.

For lunch if you love homely food then you can have Dal-Bhat at Tanahun Hotel & Lodge or if you need to have in a proper fancy restaurant then you can go to Royals Home Resort.

It is also recommended to carry 1-2 litre bottles of water per person and snacks/sweets as well.

While having lunch also ask for directions to Chhimkeshwori to be sure or Take left turn from this point (Click Here).

While riding you’ll pass through Magar villages like Aanboo Gau, Kot Gau, Adhuwa Kharka, etc. and finally reach Labdi village. Here you’ll see a direction board and take a right turn to Hilekharka.

Also from Labdi you can go for a short hike to Chhimkeshwori temple (one of the sisters of Manakamana) which is the highest point of Tanahun district.

After the hike you’ll continue riding on the village off-road and reach Hilekharka village which is a traditional, authentic and beautiful village. Here you’ll explore the village and have some snacks. If it’s late and you also love the vibe of the village, then you can stay the night at Batu Aama Homestay and continue riding the next day to Bandipur.

But if it’s early and still have a few hours of sunlight left, then you can continue riding to Bandipur.

In Bandipur you’ve options to stay at any hotel and in the evening it’s recommended to see the sunset from Thani Mai or Mini Great Wall. At night you can explore the Bandipur bazaar and enjoy local foods & drinks.

Day 2: Bandipur to Bhujung (via Ghalegaun & Ghanpokhara)

In the morning if you feel like waking up early, it’s recommended to enjoy the sunrise from Thanimai which is magical. At the same time you can see the panoramic mountain views on a clear day. Though it might seem foggy at Bandipur bazaar, the view will be magical from the Thani Mai hill. So don’t get fooled.

After the sunrise, have a heavy breakfast at Bandipur and start the ride at around 8-9 in the morning.

First you’ll have to come down to Dumre and take the road to Besisahar. At Besisahar Gumba Chowk, take a village road to Ghale Gaun. In 1.5-2 hrs you’ll reach Ghalegaun where you can take a short break and explore the village but go to Ghanpokhara village for lunch (Contact Ghanpokhara Homestay – 9814148747, 9847768709).

Ghanpokhara village is just 15 min ride from Ghalegaun and offers the top panoramic view of mountains and surrounding hills which is better than Ghalegaun. Also Ghanpokhara village is more authentic and less crowded compared to Ghalegaun.

After lunch, take a rest, explore Ghanpokhara village and continue riding to Bhujung Village. Before leaving Ghanpokhara, ask the host to help contact the Bhujung tourism committee to book a homestay.

At Bhujung village gate you can park your bikes safely at the space managed by the tourism committee and contact the homestay.

Bhujung village is one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal with more than 500 houses. So take some time to explore.

Day 3: Bhujung to Pokhara (via Pasgaun)

In the morning, you can explore the village and understand the lifestyle at rural gurung village. Then have breakfast and continue riding towards Pasgaun where you’ll be having lunch. First you’ll reach Kamaa village then after some time you’ll reach Pasgaun village (Pasgaun Contact – Karma Kumari Gurung, 9863417627).

In one of the homestay, stay for lunch, explore the village and then continue riding to Pokhara.

By the evening you’ll reach Pokhara.

(Optional: You can also ride to Manang from Bujung instead of going to Pokhara).

Day 4: Pokhara Exploration

In Pokhara you have options like

1. Explore the city and visit sites like Mahendra Cave, Davis Fall, Fewa Lake, Sarangkot, World Peace Stupa, Pumdikot Shiva Statue, etc.
2. Ride to Begnas and Rupa lake.
3. Ride to nearby gurung villages like Dhampus, Sikes and Ghandruk.
4. At night, enjoy the nightlife of Pokhara.

Day 5: Pokhara to Kathmandu

This is the last day of Off-Road Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail. So Have a Heavy breakfast in the morning and hit the road.

You can have lunch either at Mugling Fishtail Restaurant or Kurintar Riverside Spring Resort or at Malekhu.

Then continue riding to Kathmandu.

(Optional: You can also continue riding to Mustang from Pokhara)

Best Time for Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal

Since most part of the trail is rural and completely off-road, weather plays a crucial role. So the best time for Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage Trail, Nepal is

✅ Spring (March-May): This is the best time for Motorbiking on Gurung Heritage trail, Nepal as the skies are clearer, temperature is moderate and forest will be painted in red with Rhododendron bloom.

✅ Autumn (September – November): This is another best time for motorbiking as the weather is best with clear skies and the start of the festive season. So the villages are decorated and the people are in a celebratory mood. Best time to understand and experience culture and people.

✅ Winter (December – February): Since Gurung Heritage trail is not on much high altitude the trail will be fine to ride with majestic mountain views and snowfall on villages like Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara. But keep in mind that the days will be shorter, so plan accordingly.

❌ Avoid Monsoon (June – August): During monsoon, Nepal gets heavy rainfall so there will be high chances of landslides and floods throughout the country. And most part of Gurung Heritage Trail is rural and off-road, the road conditions will be worse with high chances of road obstructions. So, it’s recommended to avoid Motorbiking in the monsoon season.

Along with Motorbiking, Gurung Heritage trail is also suitable for Mountain Biking and Trekking.

Sisan Baniya Motorbike Trip to Hilekharka (via Ghumaune)