Nepal’s Eastern Traverse: A Unique Motorcycle Expedition

Upon arrival at Bagdogra Airport (IXB), the gateway to the Eastern Himalayas, you will be met by a Pinkstone Travel representative. The afternoon is dedicated to the core of your adventure: meeting your ride team and collecting your Royal Enfield motorcycle from the dealership. This isn't just a handover; it’s a crucial orientation session to familiarize you with your machine. In the evening, a detailed ride briefing will cover the entire route, safety protocols, group riding etiquette, and support arrangements. It’s an essential session to ensure everyone is prepared for the unique challenges of the journey ahead. 

The adventure officially begins. After breakfast, you'll leave Siliguri, India, and ride toward the Nepal border at Panitanki. The border crossing at Kakarvitta can take a little time, but once formalities are complete, you'll officially enter Nepal. The ride from here is a smooth and straight stretch along the Mahendra Highway, passing through flat Terai plains and rice fields. Our destination is Itahari. In the afternoon, we’ll take a short ride to Dharan to visit the revered Buda Subba Temple, a unique spiritual site known for its offerings of bamboo pens.

Leaving the lowlands behind, the road climbs sharply along the Koshi Highway. The scenery transforms dramatically, with lush hills and river valleys replacing the flat plains. The ride becomes more challenging after Hile, where the road turns to gravel and dirt. This demanding but deeply rewarding section passes through remote hill districts, offering truly authentic Eastern Himalayan landscapes. Our destination is Bhojpur, a historic town famous for its craftsmanship. Accommodation here is basic but provides a genuine rural Nepali experience.

Today's ride takes you from the mid-hills to a sacred spiritual site. We'll start with a blacktopped road that soon gives way to a challenging gravel trail. We'll cross Chakhewa Bhanjyang (2300m), a high mountain pass with panoramic views. The descent toward Diktel is steep in places, so careful riding is essential. From Diktel, a mix of paved and off-road trails leads to Haleshi (Maratika Cave), a holy place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus.

Leaving the spiritual hub of Haleshi, we ride into the heart of the lower Solu-Khumbu region. The route becomes more off-road, crossing rivers and climbing steep sections through traditional Sherpa and Rai villages. The trail gets increasingly rugged as we approach Rakha Bangdel, but the reward is immense. We’ll finally reach Pattale, a stunning hilltop village known as one of the best places to view Mount Everest and the eastern Himalayas without a single step of trekking. The sunset and sunrise views here are simply breathtaking.

Our journey today follows a section of the classic Pikey Peak trekking trail. The ride begins with a scenic descent through pine and rhododendron forests, winding along remote paths with limited traffic. We’ll ride through the tranquil villages of Jhapre and Taktor before reaching Deurali Pass (3000m), the highest point of our ride. The final descent is challenging, with narrow, rocky sections and stream crossings, before we arrive at Bhandar, a serene village that historically served as a rest stop on the original Jiri-Everest trekking route.

Leaving Bhandar, we'll descend steeply toward Shivalaya on a rugged mountain road, a section that demands slow and controlled riding. We'll then climb toward Jiri, the iconic gateway town to the Everest trail. The road gradually improves after Jiri, becoming more paved as we ride toward Charikot. As we approach this bustling hill town, the terrain opens up, offering spectacular views of the Rolwaling range and Gaurishankar Himal.

This is the final leg of our ride. We’ll leave Charikot on a well-maintained but winding blacktop road, enjoying the morning views of Gaurishankar Himal. The road descends toward the Sun Koshi River, where we’ll join the Araniko Highway. The route climbs once more toward Dhulikhel, a scenic ridge town, before the final stretch to Kathmandu. The traffic will increase as we enter the city, but the sense of accomplishment will be immense as we arrive at our hotel in the capital.

After a well-deserved rest, we’ll switch from two wheels to four for a cultural immersion. Our day begins at Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the "Monkey Temple." This ancient landmark offers a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Patan, also known as the "City of Fine Arts." Its Durbar Square is a magnificent collection of ancient palaces, temples, and courtyards renowned for their exquisite carvings.

Our final full day in Nepal is dedicated to two more iconic heritage sites. We'll visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Following this, we'll visit the colossal Boudhanath Stupa, one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in Nepal, an imposing structure that stands as a sight of great veneration. In the evening, we'll celebrate our incredible journey with a farewell dinner, sharing stories and memories from the road.

After breakfast, our team will handle the logistics of packing and shipping your motorcycle back home. You will then be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure, leaving with a lifetime of memories from a truly unique and authentic adventure. This is not just a trip; it’s a passage into the heart of a culture, a connection to a landscape, and a personal triumph on the back of a legendary machine.