Unlike any other trip cycling from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel via Nala includes both back-breaking uphill and a perfect downhill ride. The first part of the ride is on the sidelines of busy Kathmandu city followed by the historic city of Bhaktapur. After a short ride on brick paved alleys of the 16th century and avoiding the pedestrian traffic, we get Nagarkot bound.

After around 2 hours of slightly demanding uphill ride we reach around 2100 meters from the sea level and the hilltop settlement of Nagarkot. On a clear day awaits the view of 8 eight thousand meter mountains right from the lunch table and almost every corner. After breaking for lunch we begin the most exciting session of the mountain biking trip of the day.

Off we go downhill from Nagarkot – from an elevation of 2100 meters we roll down Dhulikhel which is at 1500 meters from the sea level. The trail is serene and offers a view of the mountains of eastern Nepal from a different perspective than Nagarkot. It is around 30 kilometers from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel and it takes a novice rider just over 2 hours and an experienced rider around an hour to reach the final destination. The trail is wide in some places, but most of the trail is single-track and technical. This cycling trip is not just bland; it also offers a wonderful opportunity to view birds in the region. We as well would see the lives of people who live close to nature despite being very close to the country’s most developed city.