To Khasa & back

Route: Kathmandu–Tibetan Border–Kathmandu: The Complete Arniko Highway Round.

Details
Lazimpat, Singha Durbar, Koteshwor, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Dolalghat, Bahrabise, past Borderlands, The Last Resort, Tatopani, and Miteri Pul, and back.

Costs
Rs 1,500 (minimum six riders) per pax. Includes road captain, support mechanic and breakfast at Dhulikhel. All other foods and drinks have to be borne by the riders themselves.

What to bring along
Full tank of gas, valid driving license and updated Blue Book, preferably a full-faced helmet with visors, basic tools and some spares like spark plugs, accelerator and clutch cables, inner tube etc. We also have our mechanic and carry standard spares along with us. We, however, recommend that you check your bike with a RE mechanic before every ride out of the Valley, as the bike repairs out of the Valley still consider a Bullet an untouchable.

Route description

We meet at the Himalayan Enfielders club/workshop (adjacent to the Israeli Embassy at Lazimpat) at 7 am After a road briefing, we head to Dhulikhel. It’s approximately 30 kilometers in the east, one-hour ride through the Kathmandu traffic via Singha Durbar, Koteshwor, and the newly built “killer” 6-lane Bhaktapur Highway.After a short stop of fueling ourselves and some photo opportunity at Dhulikhel, we glide downhill past Dolalghat towards Bahrabise for a fishy lunch (another one hour). Though there are plenty of beer shops along the route, we encourage one and all not to drink while on the course of the ride.For another hour, the road is mostly narrow and winding up to the Miteri Pul (Friendship Bridge) at the Tibetan border. This is just half of the ride. Nepali citizenship holders have an option to go across to Zangmo (Khasa in Nepali) on the Tibetan side for a few hours. Khasa has become a favorite shopping destination for many Nepalis. 

Non-Nepalis can take a dip in the hot springs and get rid of their ailments, or take a walk to the not-so-friendly border bridge (no photos!) or a short walk to the Buddhist monastery.

On overnight trips, we have an option to stay at one of the many resorts on the highway. They have to be booked in advance prior to the trip.

Distance
110 kilometers to Tatopani; seven kms to Zangmo on the Tibetan side. Vice versa.

Highlights
Mountain views, if the weather permits, from Dhulikhel. Winding mountain roads and spectacular views along the Arniko Highway. The famous Bahrabise lunch with tasty Himalayan fish curry. Tatopani’s hot springs.

The writer is trip leader/road captain/life member of Himalayan Enfielders. For more information, contact Himalayan Enfielders at 4440462, or e-mail to info.himalayanenfielders@gmail.com

source : myrepublica