Holy Cow India Nepal Motorcycle Tour

Day 08 | Bhaktabur - Shankharapur - Bhaktapur | 50km, 3-4h | b,l

Today we enjoy small mountain roads and great views around Bhaktapur. We zigzag up to Nagarkot view tower and from there via Shankharapur and small countryside roads back to Bhaktapur. It’s half-day fun and the rest of the day is free!

Day 09 | Bhaktabur - Kathmandu - Bhaktapur | 0km (minubus) | b,l

Kathmandu can naturally not be missed when we are here! Today we are like real tourists and we have a day tour to Kathmandu! The Buddhist Swayambhu- and Boudhanath stupas are two of the main attractions in the city. Boudhanath is the one with the eyes which you see on many Napelese travel ads. But, the colourful and lively Pashupatinath Hindu Temple might still be no1… and it’s not just one temple, it’s a huge complex with many temples along Bagmati River with its cremation spots. Before heading back to Bhaktapur we take a momo lunch at Mangal Bazaar… which is also full of all those souvenirs you did not know in the morning that you need! ;)

Day 10 | Bhaktabur - Kamalamai - Janakpur | 210km, 5h 32m | b,l,d

On the road again! Now towards Janakpur with many many curves! In Hindu mythology, Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita, Rama’s wife which are both important figures in Hinduism! So, Janakpur is also a holy place. And unlike from the western world, religion is visible everywhere in Nepal and India. In Buddhism, there is one God, Buddha. But in Hinduism, there are about 100000 gods! Hindus have a god in everything!

Day 11 | Janakpur - Border - Patna (India) | 179km, 5h 31m | b,l,d

Janaki Mandir is a masterpiece of architecture, Nepal’s biggest temple, and the birthplace of Sita, so yes. We take at least an outside visit before we drive to the border! From the border we drive to Patna and voilá, we are on the shores of the Ganges river again! And it’s not a small river. Lenght of Ganga is 2704km and it’s the 15th longest river in Asia!

Day 12 | Patna - Jahanabad - Bodh Gaya | 110km, 3h | b,l,d

Patna is not really a tourist attraction, but our destination of the day, Bodh Gaya is very much. Holy Bodh Gaya is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and it’s the place where Buddha got enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. Our driving day today is short, so in the afternoon we have to go and get some enlightenment from the sacred sites of Bodh Gaya! Bodh Gaya is also a ‘winter city’ for many monks. Monks come here from the cold mountains!

Day 13 | Bodh Gaya - Daundnagar - Varanasi | 259km, 6h 45m | b,l,d

Back to Varanasi! Last driving day of our very colourful adventure and also the longest. It could be a bit shorter but we drive half of the day on the secondary nice countryside roads! When in Varanasi, we return our bikes, take cold beers and warm showers… and it’s time for the farewell dinner in some good restaurant.

Day 14 | Varanasi > | b

Departure day. You are free to fly anytime. We returned our bikes yesterday when we arrived back in Varanasi, but… if you did not stay in Varanasi an extra night on arrival, you might want to do it now!? Varanasi is a very unique city on the globe… one of the kind! A city that is easy to hate and love at the same time! :)