Mustang cycling and culture vacation, Nepal

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Gravel biking is already one of the lowest impact ways to travel and we build our trips around this principle.

Most of our journeys are designed so riders travel between regions primarily by bike rather than vehicle. Where vehicles are necessary for safety or logistics, we use shared transport and carefully plan routes to avoid unnecessary driving.

We also focus on longer journeys rather than short hit-and-run trips. Spending more time in one region reduces travel emissions while creating a deeper experience for riders.

Another key part of our approach is promoting lesser travelled areas of Nepal, especially the mid-hill regions. These areas offer fantastic riding while reducing reliance on mountain flights and helicopters that are often required in more crowded destinations like the Everest region.

We also minimise plastic waste by providing treated or filtered drinking water during trips, encouraging riders to carry reusable bottles and avoiding single use packaging wherever possible.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Nepal’s landscapes are one of its greatest treasures and a major reason people travel here. But after years of living and riding in Nepal, we have also seen how quickly these landscapes are changing due to erosion, deforestation, unplanned road construction and climate pressures.

We believe development is necessary, but it must be thoughtful and sustainable.

As tourism operators we advocate for maintaining traditional trekking and biking trails rather than replacing them with concrete paths. We also support road development that improves access and livelihoods for local communities rather than poorly planned road building that damages slopes, trails and water systems.

During our trips we ride only on existing roads and trails and avoid sensitive environments unless access is clearly permitted. Our guides are trained in Leave No Trace principles and help riders understand how to travel responsibly in fragile mountain environments.

We also work with local lodges and teahouses that operate within their environment and encourage riders to minimise waste, particularly snack packaging, batteries and bike related materials that can easily accumulate in remote regions.

For us, protecting nature begins with awareness, good habits and respect for the landscapes we travel through.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Ensuring tourism benefits local communities is central to how we operate.

Gravel Biking Nepal is a Nepal based company and the majority of money spent on our trips stays within the country. We employ local guides, drivers, mechanics, porters and support staff, many of whom come from rural mountain communities where employment opportunities are limited.

We priorities locally owned accommodation, restaurants and service providers. Whenever possible we work with family run lodges and small local businesses rather than larger outside operators.

We also hire porters, horsemen and yak herders directly from the regions we travel through, helping support traditional livelihoods and ensuring that tourism income reaches the communities hosting visitors.

Supporting Nepal’s Cycling Community
Cycling is still a developing sport in Nepal and access to equipment and opportunities can be limited for local riders.

Through our Riders Fund and Gear Library we reinvest part of our profits into the local cycling community. This helps riders access equipment, spare parts and small grants that allow them to continue riding, racing and developing their skills.

We also invest in guide training and fair wages so that cycling tourism can provide long term career opportunities for people living in mountain regions. Our goal is to help create sustainable livelihoods that allow people to work in their home communities rather than leaving Nepal to seek work abroad.