Classic Nepal Ride

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  William Munsey

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written December 2012

  This is a fantastic trip with Kumar being an excellent guide. The cycling was demanding because it was often on rough roads and you are using mountain bikes. The holiday covers different areas of Nepal so we got a feel of the country. The food was generally good and the accommodation acceptable given the areas we stopped in. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Many great moments! Riding up to the top to arrive at Daman - cold but happy to have achieved the climb and then having 57 kilometres of downhill the next day. Birdwatching in the Chitwan National Park (5 types of kingfisher) and then tracking tigers footprints expecting to meet them at any moment! Glorious scenery of the mountains (I think we were lucky). A huge variety of terrain.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Kumar was an excellent group leader. He was always cheerful and polite and bonded with all the group members. He tried to be as flexible as possible and listened to the group and co-ordinated changes where possible. His English is very good so he had no problems understanding the group. When we reached a new hotel he was quick to ensure everything was in place and where he saw a problem was there helping the staff. He served food, helped carry things and even went to the local bar to buy much needed beer! His motto was "Tell me of any problems you have so I can help fix them before they turn into complaints" and it seemed to work. A great guide.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The trails are often rough so I would recommend padded gloves and neck scarves to keep out the dust on some roads. The night at Daman is cold due to the higher altitude and fact that you have been on a bike for some hours so would recommend decent jumpers/thermals for that night. The heaters worked in the restaurant but I think we were lucky there was gas in the canisters! Accommodation is very variable - one night was particularly grubby but as it was the only place available in that area nobody had any major complaints.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is an excellent trip and one that all the group enjoyed. I would recommend it!

   
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  Valerie Parkinson

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written November 2012

  A great cycling trip with chance to see Nepal from the lowlands to the hills - culture, mountains, people and cycling. The trip shows you the Kathmandu Valley with its culture and temples, then takes you over the hiils to the lowlands and Chitwan and then back over the hills to Pokhara. Great trip for a first time visitor to Nepal. There is a great variety of ccyling from roads and great downhills, some challenging uphills and then good dirt tracks and a bit of off road. The trip ends in the beautiful resort of Pokhara with its backdrop of the Himalaya. All throughout the trip we saw the Himalaya to our north - what a backdrop.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were lots of them - seeing the amazing panoramic views of the Himalaya almost every day, the leader's pure enthusiasm for his job and the amount of effort he put in to make us all enjoy our trip, the challenging climb to Daman, paddling in the river at Chitwan with a rhino, cycling into Pokhara with a backdrop of the Annapurna mountains, the electric blankets on the bed in Daman! having the Nepali mountain bike champion as our assistant guide, the most careful and polite bus driver in Asia, the variety of rides - some on good roads, some dirt tracks, bit of a challenge on small off road sections. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Kumar is amazing. Really great leader -entusiastic, great organiser. Good with the group. Made things work like clockwork. You could not ask for more.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a warm jacket for autumn and winter departures - the nights can get cold in Daman and the hills.

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Just do it!

   
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  Steve Hards

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written October 2012

  Great adventure holiday for exploring the cultural and scenic highlights that Nepal offers in abundance. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching the sun come up at Daman with clear views all the way to Everest and the rest of the Himalayas.

  Cycling and walking through villages set in stunning countryside with smiling children and friendly locals greeting us.

  Boudnath Stupa a peaceful oasis in the middle of Kathmandu where you can chill and reflect on the nature of existence or just sit and drink Nepali tea surrounded by stunning Buddhist architecture.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mangel was an excellent trip leader ably supported by Ajay, Purna and his assistant. They went out of their way to be flexible and make sure we visited some fascinating places.  By the way Ajay is a seriously good mountain bike rider content to ride at the back of the group making sure  everyone was ok and cleaning all the bikes to ensure they stayed in tip top condition.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This is a fantastic trip if you want to experience the culture and scenic beauty of Nepal. However it is not a full on cycling trip. The bikes are a great way to experience areas you would not normally see, but the group will have different abilities and the pace and distance cycled will reflect this. I loved the cultural side and the cycling was a way of enhancing this. If you want full on cycling there are more challenging trips available.

  Read up about the country it's culture and history before you go. This will help enhance your experience especially of places which reflect the Buddhist and Hindu culture which is fascinating.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Nepal is a reflection of its people who for all the relative lack of wealth  consistently friendly, helpful and a joy to meet. I came back with great memories of encounters, great photos and above all a realisation that this is one of the most stunning places to visit if you open your heart and embrace the place and people. A Wonderful trip that still brings a smile to my face when sharing experiences and photos with friends.

   
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  simon park

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written October 2011

  Fantastic experience - excellent leader, good group, good countryside, sights and views - hotels were better than expected - all in all accommodation was sound  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing the Himmalayas at sunrise

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Very good indeed - suited everyone, full of information - and good fun  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The first 3 days (especially day 3) are tough - after those - piece of cake

  Although a road trip - many of the roads are unsurfaced and strewn with boulders

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Extremely friendly place - really back to before the Industrial revolution in farming, weaving etc etc

  Great lager though! 

   
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  Tom Alexandre

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written October 2011

  excellent location, variety of riding, scenery 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  everest view sunrise, seeing rhino in nat park, riding into chitwan along river

  What did you think of your group leader?

  kumar was awesome very easy to get on with helpful with my holiday and further plans

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  take good saddle and shorts

   
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  Susan Macdonald

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written March 2011

   Cycling through rural villages, busy cities, up and down mountains, off road and tarmac, through forests and paddy fields, this is an unforgetable trip that gives a good insight into the great variety of scenery that Nepal has to offer. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  John loved seeing Mount Everest and I loved bathing the elephants, which was ,for me, a dream come true. However, everyday was a wow for different reasons. The countryside was stunning, the cities exciting and the local people absolutely charming. Arriving at our hotel after long and sometimes tiring days gave us a great sense of achievement.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader, Kumar, was just brilliant. He ensured that our bikes were serviced and cleaned every evening. He gave us cycling tips that really helped on some of the more challenging sections. He chose great places to eat. Everything was well organised and ran to schedule but there was flexibility when necessary. He organised great activities when we were not cycling so that each day was full of new suprises. He set a good pace and was generally good fun to be with...and he organised a lovely cake and present for my 50th birthday! What more can we say?

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The mountain bikes that Exodus use for this trip are excellent. We took our own bikes but it really wasn't necessary - however, if you would like to take your own bike, it was a  straight forward and easy process and did not cost any extra (we travelled independantly with Kingfisher as we booked very late). We put them in cardboard bike boxes and Kumar kept the boxes for us until the end of the trip.

  Don't expect nice hotels throughout. Exodus use the best they can but some of the places are out of the way and the choice is limited. They are quirky and different,which is part of the fun.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think I've said it all. This was our first trip with Exodus and we would definately use them again. Marcus in London was so helpful when we booked and there was flexibility in the arrangements that made our stay so much more enjoyable.

   
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  William Humble

  CLASSIC NEPAL RIDE

  

  Written November 2010

  We have experienced several of your cycling trips - the Danube, Vietnam, South Africa, Central America and all have been excellent. However this one was an absolute classic! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Too many to detail.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fantastic! Full of energy, humour and sympathy (for 2 old codgers). Nothing was too much trouble, and the whole trip operated like clockwork, in sometimes not too easy conditions. In addition every (supposed) spare moment was filled with some unscheduled activity. Mention must also be made of the rest of the Dawn Till Dusk team who accompanied us; the driver and his boy, and particularly the leader's assistant who encouraged and supported Ann whenever necessary.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for a difficult first 2 days cycling. We felt that because of this start, the trip should be graded C rather than B/C. Although the distances were not long, the tracks were extremely difficult (stony and sometimes very steep and potentially dangerous) - several people had falls. Usually in our experience there is a fairly gentle introduction to such a trip, partly I am sure to enable the Tour Leader to assess the group that he has. However, after this introduction, the cycling becomes more manageable, and justifies the B/C rating.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A fantastic trip to a fascinating and diverse country, made even more enjoyable by a good group of fellow travellers, and the truly excellent Dawn Till Dusk team.

   

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