Motor Biking trip to Manang with Tilicho Lake

Grade: Very Hard
11 nights/ 12 days
All around the year (except in rainy season: June

Explore the rough terrain and beauty of Manang on a motorcycle tour to Tilicho Lake, the world's highest lake. Challenge yourself on off-road trails and dirt roads, and experience the cultural glory of Manang and Khangsar villages in the backdrop of the Annapurna Himalayas. The challenging part of the tour is the off-road trails that go through dirt roads, with many twists and turns and challenging tracks. The cultural glory of the Manang and Khangsar villages in the backdrop of the Annapurna Himalayas offers mesmerizing scenery.

Highlights

Trip Grade
Very Hard
Duration
11 nights/ 12 days
Best Time
All around the year (except in rainy season: June
Activities
sightseeing, trekking and motorbike trip
Accomodation
Hotel/ Tea house lodges
Transportation
Private Vehicle
Trek Type
Bike trip

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival to Kathmandu
Day 2 Day in Kathmandu, trip preparation and Bhaktapur sightseeing- 1401 m altitude, approx. 40 min drive & 2-3 hours exploration (B)
Day 3 Ride to Besisahar (B, L, D)
Day 4 Ride Besisahar to Tal
Day 5 Ride Tal to Manang village
Day 6 Ride to Khangsar village and Trek to Shree Kharka
Day 7 Trek Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base camp
Day 8 Explore Tilicho Lake and trek to Khangsar village
Day 9 Ride Khangsar village to Jagat
Day 10 Ride Jagat to Bandipur
Day 11 Ride Bandipur to Kathmandu, Farewell dinner at authentic Nepali Restaurant
Day 12 Departure

Includes

Cost Includes:
1. Transport in Private Vehicle with A/C
• Airport transfers
• Bhaktapur sightseeing
• One Support Vehicle throughout the bike trip
2. Accommodations:
• Kathmandu (3Ns):
• Bandipur (1N):
• Tea House Accommodation (7Ns)

3. Meals:
• All breakfasts
• Lunches: 9 lunch during a bike trip
• Dinners: 8 dinners during bike trip and 1 typical Nepali cultural dinner in Kathmandu

4. Motorcycle Trip Includes:
• One Very Experienced English Speaking Road Captain, One Mechanic, Royal Enfield Bike (classic 500 cc) or (Himalayan 411 cc) and Fuel
• Tea House Accommodation, all meals

5. Taxes, Permits and Service Charges:
• All the applicable services charges, government taxes, Permits (ACAP & TIMs card)

Excludes

Cost Excludes:
1. International Airfare, Nepal VISA Fees ($30 per person), Excess baggage charge in Domestic flight (if any), Travel Insurance
2. Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
3. All entrance fees during sightseeing
4. Meals not listed in the itinerary
5. Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc
6. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, Hot Shower in Remote places, etc
7. Payment Transfer Charge
8. Hotels check out as per the hotel rules.
9. Any extra expenses incurred from flight cancellation or delay, sudden price escalations in hotels, transport, flight or any other items, any form of rescue, any damage of bikes due to accident or due to carelessness

Detail Itinerary

1Day 1 - Arrival to Kathmandu

Altitude: - 1400m /4600ft.
Duration: 30 minutes' drive from the airport to the Hotel
Accommodation: Hotel

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu, one of our representatives from Aarya Village Travel shall meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel. You will enjoy welcome drinks while you will be briefed about your tour program. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

2Day 2 - Day in Kathmandu, trip preparation and Bhaktapur sightseeing- 1401 m altitude, approx. 40 min drive & 2-3 hours exploration (B)

We will introduce you to your guides, other crew members and your bikes.
We will also go sightseeing to Bhaktapur; a living museum of medieval art and architecture is a unique old town famously known as the "city of devotees" as this landmark has a great influence over religion, culture, and tantrism. It is a collection of pagoda and shikhara-style temples assembled around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The Durbar square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces.

Pottery: Enjoy a leisurely guided walk at Pottery Square, where handicrafts are still made in a traditional way. Clay pots are spun and fired in the ancient ways of preserving Bhaktapur's trade-craft. You can indulge and fashion a clay pot and learn about this fascinating process.

3Day 3 - Ride to Besisahar (B, L, D)

Altitude: 760 m/ 2,490 feet
Distance: 180 km/111.8 miles
Duration: 5 to 6 hrs.
Road class: 50% pitch road and 50% off-road
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

Your Nepal motorcycle tours begin. Though it is a short distance ride, you will have an adventurous trip today and reach to the most beautiful town named Besishahar, the residents are from different castes and religions, therefore the culture is varied. The climate here is warm and sub-tropical. You can see amazing views of Annapurna II, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal.

4Day 4 - Ride Besisahar to Tal

Altitude: 1700m/ 5577.428
Distance: 43.6 km
Duration: 3 to 4 hrs.
Road class: off-road
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

The second day of your Royal Enfield trip begins from Besisahar and is headed towards Taal. The first 32 km/19.8 miles is an undulating uphill on dusty roads. It is definitely a challenge to navigate through certain portions. When you are not concentrating on the route, you may take your time and enjoy the evergreen, everlasting scenic beauty and astonishingly mesmerizing waterfalls en route to the Tall village of Manang district.

5Day 5 - Ride Tal to Manang village

Altitude: 3519m / 11545.28ft.
Distance: 68km/42miles
Duration: 4 -5 hrs.
Road class: off-road
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

Manang district, a part of Gandaki Pradesh with Chame as its district headquarters covers an area of 2,246 km². The Thorung La pass at 5415 meters, connects the district to Mustang District by providing a route between the towns of Manang and Muktinath. Manang district gets the least amount of rainfall among all the districts of Nepal as it lies to the north of the Himalayas which blocks monsoon air. The Manang Valley, which lies close to the Nepal-Tibet border offers tremendous opportunities due to its rich natural flora and fauna.

6Day 6 - Ride to Khangsar village and Trek to Shree Kharka

Altitude: (3745m/12286ft)
Riding hour: 2 hours ride
Trekking hour: 2-3 hours
Road class: off-road
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

After breakfast, our ride continues up to the village of Khangsar. Today, the journey continues toward Tilicho Lake, situated on the west end of Manang. Follow the path down to the river. After crossing the Khangsar Khola, reach Khangsar and head toward the village region, which is still very traditionally Tibetan. Trek to Shree Kharka for your overnight stay in a teahouse.
Later in the afternoon, hike up to see some Himalayan blue sheep, as well as the surrounding mountains. Enjoy relaxing in the evening.

7Day 7 - Trek Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base camp

Altitude: (4140m/13,583ft)
Trekking hour 5-6 hours
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

As we begin the journey from Shree Kharka to Tilicho Lake Base Camp, we come across wide grassy fields and, after making a slight climb up a small hill, witness the glorious views of the entire valley. After trudging down a steep inclination, you now enter the Tilicho Base Camp. Camping is the only option as there are not many lodges out here. Overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.

8Day 8 - Explore Tilicho Lake and trek to Khangsar village

Altitude: 4,949m/16,138 ft
Trekking hour: 5 to 6 hours
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Hotel: Tea house Accommodation

After the initial tough ascent, our trail traverses onto a moraine and then cuts along the side of the mountain. However, the spectacular views of Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath peaks are always close by to cheer us up. Upon reaching Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, we get to admire its tranquil beauty. Sometimes reflections of the surrounding peaks are seen on its turquoise waters, at other times the lake remains frozen. We take a break beside the calm waters and soak-in the astounding views before heading back to the Khangsar Village.

9Day 9 - Ride Khangsar village to Jagat

Altitude: 1290m /4232ft.
Distance: 70km/45 miles
Duration: 3 hrs.
Road class- off Road
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house Accommodation

Jagat Literally means 'toll station'. The site was once a tax collection post for the Tibetan salt trade through the Marshyangdi valley and that's how it got its name. Jagat sits in between forests of Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Chestnut (Castanopsis indica) and Pink Siris (Albizzia julibrissin) and has decent lodges. Some 20 minutes away down by the river are some hot springs. Again, nothing fancy here, just nice people and good lodges.

10Day 10 - Ride Jagat to Bandipur

Altitude: 3519m / 11545.28ft.
Distance: 80km/50 miles
Duration: 4 -5 hrs.
Road class: 50% off road and 50% pitch road
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

The 8th day of our motorcycle tour leads us to Bandipur from Jagat. Bandipur is the Newar Cultural Village, situated on a ridge above the highway town of Dumre and presents sightseers with a heavy mix of history, architecture, incredible views, awesome caves, and unspoiled landscapes. You can take a view of a beautiful chain of mountains Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal from Tundikhel.
When you reach there, you may explore the local village there.

11Day 11 - Ride Bandipur to Kathmandu, Farewell dinner at authentic Nepali Restaurant

Altitude: 1400m/ 4600ft.
Distance: 147.7 kilometer
Duration: 4 to 5 hrs.
Road class- Pitch road
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation Hotel

After breakfast, we ride back to Kathmandu for around 4-5 hours. On reaching Kathmandu you might check into the hotel. The rest of the day shall be at your leisure.

Evening we will go for a traditional Nepali dinner with a cultural show performed by different ethnic groups. Dinner and show last for approximately 3 hours.

12Day 12 - Departure

After bidding you farewell, you will be dropped off at Tribhuvan International Airport for your scheduled flight. We hope you had an awesome adventurous time riding through the hills of Nepal. Farewell!

FAQs

+ Can you ride a motorbike all the way to Tilicho Lake?

No. Motorbikes cannot reach Tilicho Lake itself. You ride to the designated road-accessible point near Khangsar, then continue on foot toward Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp, depending on the final route and trail conditions. The lake is at approximately 4,920m and requires a strenuous hike from the base camp. Allow time for the walking section and account for the effects of altitude.

+ Is altitude sickness a risk on the Manang motorbike trip?

Yes. Altitude sickness is a serious consideration because the route climbs rapidly from the lower valleys to Manang, at approximately 3,519m, and then higher toward Khangsar and Tilicho Base Camp, at around 4,140m. Riding uphill does not allow your body to acclimatize any faster. The itinerary should include adequate time to adjust to the altitude, ideally with a rest or acclimatization day in Manang before continuing higher. Walk at a steady pace, stay hydrated, report symptoms to your guide promptly, and descend if symptoms worsen. Severe symptoms require urgent medical attention.

+ What permits and licence do I need for the Manang motorbike trip?

The route generally requires an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Other trekking or riding documentation requirements should be confirmed against the current regulations before departure. Riders must carry valid motorcycle driving documentation accepted by the relevant Nepalese authorities; an International Driving Permit may also be required alongside a valid home-country licence. Aarya Village Travel can help clarify the applicable permits and documentation before booking. Riders must wear suitable helmets and protective gear.

+ When is the best time for a motorbike trip to Manang and Tilicho Lake?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the best seasons, with more favourable riding conditions and good mountain views. Although Manang lies in a rain-shadow area, the lower road toward Besisahar and Tal can be affected by monsoon rain, mud, and landslides from June to September. Winter can bring snow, freezing temperatures, and difficult access to Tilicho Lake. Always check current road, weather, and trail conditions before departure.

+ What should I know about fuel, repairs, and cash on the Manang ride?

Fuel stations and repair services become limited as you travel farther into the mountains. Refuel in Besisahar and confirm fuel availability before continuing toward Manang. Carry essential riding gear and a basic repair kit, and check whether the trip includes a support vehicle, spare parts, or mechanic assistance. Carry sufficient Nepalese rupees for meals, accommodation, and incidental expenses, as ATMs and electronic payments may not be available or reliable along the route.