Getting around · Nepal
Motorbike Tours in Nepal
From the Annapurna Circuit to the rim of Upper Mustang — Nepal's best motorbike routes, the bikes to ride them, and how to plan your trip.
Nepal is one of Asia's great motorcycling destinations — Himalayan passes, river-gorge highways and rough mountain tracks, all within a few days' ride of Kathmandu. A motorbike tour in Nepal can mean anything from a guided expedition over a high pass to a self-guided loop through the hills, usually on a Royal Enfield 350 or 500, a Himalayan, or a similar touring bike. This hub rounds up the best routes and links to a full guide for each.
The best motorbike routes in Nepal
The classic Himalayan rides are the Mustang motorbike tour up the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom and Muktinath and the Annapurna Circuit motorbike tour over the high country near Thorong La. For a gentler start — or if you only have a day — the Kathmandu Valley day rides loop the valley rim with no permits required. All of them reward a confident rider, the right bike and the right season.
Mustang: Jomsom, Muktinath and the road to Lo Manthang
The Mustang ride follows the deep Kali Gandaki gorge north past Jomsom to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath — a stunning, high-desert route. Lower Mustang (Jomsom and Muktinath) is not a restricted area and is open to independent riders with an ACAP permit. Going further into Upper Mustang toward Lo Manthang is restricted: it requires a special area permit (around USD 500 for 10 days, so check current rates), an ACAP permit, a registered guide and a minimum of two travellers. See the full Mustang motorbike tour guide for the route, permits and conditions.
The Annapurna Circuit
The classic circuit can be ridden as well as trekked, climbing from the Marsyangdi valley toward the Thorong La area. It needs an ACAP permit and a TIMS card, and the road is rough, narrow and landslide-prone, with serious altitude — so acclimatise properly and don't rush the high sections. Read the Annapurna Circuit motorbike tour guide before you commit.
Kathmandu Valley day rides
If you want to test a bike, shake off jet lag or just ride for a day, the valley rim offers great short loops past viewpoints, hill towns and old Newari settlements — no special permits needed. The Kathmandu Valley motorbike day rides guide maps out the best of them.
More routes for longer trips
Experienced riders with extra time can string together longer, tougher routes. These are advanced and best done with support or local knowledge:
- Pokhara to Mustang — a long approach to the Kali Gandaki from the lakeside, combining highway and mountain road.
- The Mahendra (East–West) Highway — the long Terai run across the southern plains, hot, flat and fast but a good way to link distant regions.
- The eastern hills around Ilam — green tea country in Nepal's far east, quieter and less ridden.
- The Manaslu and Tsum loop — remote, high and demanding, into restricted permit country that needs a guide.
For the wider picture of Nepal's great driving corridors, see our scenic road trips of Nepal overview.
Renting a bike or joining a guided tour
You have two ways to ride. Renting and riding solo is cheaper and more flexible — ideal for valley day rides and the main highways. A guided tour handles permits, a support vehicle, mechanics and route-finding, which is worth it on rough, high or restricted routes like Upper Mustang. Our renting a motorbike in Nepal guide covers bikes, deposits, gear and what to check before you sign — and rates vary, so always confirm current prices locally.
Whichever you choose, know the rules of the road first. Foreigners should technically carry a valid motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), Nepal drives on the left, and traffic is assertive — our driving in Nepal guide explains the licences, conditions and hazards in full. Ride defensively and read up on Nepal road and bus safety before heading into the mountains. If you only want something light around town or the lakes, a scooter may suit you better — see renting a scooter in Pokhara.
When to ride
Season makes or breaks a Nepal motorbike trip. Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April) are the best windows, with clear skies and stable roads. Avoid the monsoon (June–September), when landslides, washouts and fog make mountain roads genuinely dangerous. Plan your timing with the best time to visit Nepal guide, then tap any route above for the full ride, permits and tips.
Our top picks
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners do a motorbike tour in Nepal?+
Yes. Foreigners can join a motorbike tour or rent and ride independently, but technically you should carry a valid motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), obtained before you travel. Restricted areas such as Upper Mustang also require a registered guide and special permit, so check the rules for each route before you set off.
What's the best motorbike route in Nepal?+
The two marquee Himalayan rides are the Annapurna Circuit and the Mustang valley to Jomsom and Muktinath, both spectacular and demanding. For an easier introduction, the Kathmandu Valley rim day rides need no permits and make a good warm-up. The best route for you depends on your experience, the season and how much time you have.
Guided tour vs renting and riding solo?+
A guided tour handles permits, support vehicles, mechanics and route-finding, which is invaluable on rough, high or restricted routes like Upper Mustang. Renting and riding solo is cheaper and more flexible, and works well for valley day rides and the main highways — but you take on the navigation, repairs and risk yourself.
When is the best season to ride in Nepal?+
Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April) are the best riding seasons, with clear skies and stable roads. Avoid the monsoon (June–September), when landslides, washouts and fog make mountain roads dangerous. Winter rides are possible at lower elevations but high passes can be cold and snowbound.