Bike rent in pokhara

Which Bike for Which Pokhara Ride?

Staying around the lake and the viewpoints: The Xpulse 200 is all you need. It's light, it climbs to Sarangkot easily, and it's simple to park in Lakeside.

Heading north to Ghandruk or the Mustang road: Take a Himalayan 410 or 450. The road above Beni along the Kali Gandaki is gravel, sand and river crossings. A light road bike gets beaten up there, and so does the rider.

Riding two-up to Bandipur or Tansen: The Classic 350 is the most comfortable choice for paved highway days with a passenger.

What's Included with Your Pokhara Bike Rental

• Delivery and pickup at your hotel in Lakeside, Damside or Pokhara city
• Basic Helmet 
• Full service and safety check before handover
• Phone support while you ride, with mechanic help in and around Pokhara

Not included: fuel, ACAP and other permits, parking, and damage beyond normal wear. 

How to Rent a Bike in Pokhara

1. Book ahead

Send your dates, hotel and planned route on WhatsApp (+977-9712082465) or through the form below. In October–November and March–April, book a few days ahead. The Himalayan 450s go first in Mustang season.

2. Share your documents

• Passport copy
• Driving licence with the motorcycle category
• International Driving Permit (IDP), if you're a foreign national

3. Handover at your hotel

We bring the bike to your hotel and go through it with you. We photograph its condition together and take a refundable deposit.

4. Return in Pokhara, or elsewhere

Return the bike at your hotel at the agreed time with the same fuel level. If you want to finish in Kathmandu, ask about one-way rental. 

Day Rides from Lakeside Pokhara

Distances are approximate from Lakeside.

Sarangkot

This is Pokhara's sunrise ride. Leave Lakeside around 5 am in autumn or winter and you'll be at the viewpoint as first light hits Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. The road is paved all the way, so it's a good first ride to get used to the bike.

World Peace Pagoda and Pumdikot

Cross the dam side of Phewa Lake and climb to the white stupa above the lake, then continue to the Shiva statue at Pumdikot for a wider view of the valley. It's a short half-day loop.

Begnas and Rupa Lakes

These are quieter than Phewa, with fish restaurants and boating on Begnas. It's an easy, flat ride east of the city and a good choice on a cloudy day when the mountains won't show.

Dhampus

Ride out on the Baglung road to Phedi, then climb to a Gurung village with close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so carry your ACAP permit.

Ghandruk

This is the most rewarding day trip from Pokhara and the most demanding: a large Gurung village facing Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Beyond Nayapul the road is narrow, steep dirt with drop-offs, so ride it only with off-road experience and on a Himalayan. Many riders stay overnight rather than ride back the same day. ACAP permit required.

Bandipur

This is a preserved Newar hill town on the old trade route. It makes a good overnight stop if you're riding back toward Kathmandu, and the paved approach road suits the Classic 350. For a guided version, see our Kathmandu Pokhara Bandipur Circuit Motorbike Tour.

Multi-Day Rides Starting from Pokhara

Lower Mustang and Muktinath

From Pokhara the road runs to Beni (about 80 km), then up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom (about 160 km in total) and Muktinath beyond. Most riders take two days to reach Jomsom, with an overnight in Tatopani or Kalopani. The section above Beni is rough, and in monsoon it's prone to landslides. Use a Himalayan 410 or 450. If you'd rather have a road captain and a mechanic with you, look at our Lower Mustang Motorcycle Tour.

Manang

Ride east to Dumre, north to Besisahar, then up the Marsyangdi valley to Chame and Manang. It's a narrow dirt road with landslide sections above Besisahar. ACAP permit required. The guided option is our Manang Motorbike Tour.

Upper Mustang: not possible on a self-ride rental

Lo Manthang lies inside a restricted area. The permit is issued only through a registered agency, for at least two people, with a licensed guide. Our Upper Mustang Motorcycle Tour handles all of this.

For licence rules, rental terms and routes elsewhere in the country, see our motorbike rental Nepal page.

ACAP Permits for Riding from Pokhara

Ghandruk, Dhampus, Jomsom, Muktinath and Manang all sit within the Annapurna Conservation Area, managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Foreign riders need an ACAP entry permit, and it's checked at posts along the way. In Pokhara you can get it at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Damside. Bring your passport and passport photos [confirm current requirement], and get the permit the day before you ride. Don't plan to pick it up on the morning you leave.

Riding in Pokhara: What to Know

Traffic

Pokhara is far calmer than Kathmandu. Lakeside Road is busy in the evening with pedestrians and taxis, and the junctions around Prithvi Chowk and Chipledhunga get congested during the day. Once you're past the city edge, traffic thins quickly.

Weather and season

Pokhara is one of the wettest places in Nepal during the monsoon (June–September). Expect daily heavy rain, landslides on the Beni and Besisahar roads, and clouds hiding the mountains. October–November gives the clearest views and driest roads, with March–April close behind. Check forecasts with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology before mountain rides.

Fuel

Pumps are easy to find in Pokhara and along the highways. Heading north, fill the tank in Beni or Besisahar. After those, fuel becomes less reliable.

Rules

• Helmets are mandatory for both rider and passenger.
• Nepal drives on the left.
• Police check licences on the Baglung and Prithvi highways. Carry your licence and IDP, not photocopies.

Current notices are published by the Nepal Traffic Police.

Why Rent from Nepal Moto Tours in Pokhara

• We ride the Mustang and Manang roads every season. Our route advice for Ghandruk, Jomsom or Manang comes from guides who were there recently.
• A fleet set up for the Annapurna roads. The Himalayan 450 is our tour bike for the Kali Gandaki. Rental bikes get the same service as tour bikes.
• Rent first, join a tour later. If a day ride to Sarangkot leaves you wanting a Mustang, our guided tours start from Pokhara.
• Registered and licensed with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Supplies and recognised by the Nepal Tourism Board.