Bicycle Touring South Asia: India and Nepal
Garry’s India and Nepal bicycle tour in October/November 2016. Garry’s original tour didn’t involve Nepal at all. Initially, he was planning to cycle around the south of India. But after discovering that he could now cross the border into Myanmar (Burma), he changed his plans. Myanmar was one of the countries that Garry wanted to cycle through on his world bicycle tour in 2011, but at the time, it wasn’t permitted.
Garry started this ride in Mumbai, probably not the ideal starting point. But he’d already booked the flight, and it would have cost too much to change. But with a bit of thought, Garry decided he had enough time to cycle across India and cross into Myanmar. Then cycle down to Thailand and fly home from Bangkok.
Unfortunately, two weeks before Garry was due to fly to India, the Myanmar government changed the rules again! And it was no longer possible to cross into Myanmar at one border and leave by another. Once again, Garry was thwarted in his attempt to cycle across Myanmar.
Even though Garry wasn’t able to cycle across Myanmar, he decided to still head in that direction, just in case the rules changed again. But if they didn’t, he would head to Nepal. Unfortunately, five days into the trip, Garry fell ill with a chest infection and was forced to rest up for ten days. Forcing him to change plans once again. After ten days in the care of the owners and staff at the Hotel Ganpati Palace, Dhule. Who couldn’t have done more for Garry? They were superb!
Back on the Road Cycling
Once Garry felt strong enough, he continued with his ride. However, he wasn’t feeling 100%. And as a precaution, he decided to forget heading to Myanmar. And instead headed in a more northerly direction. With half an eye on heading for Delhi if he was still unwell, but if he was okay, he would head to Nepal.
Thankfully, after a few days of cycling, Garry felt a lot better and decided to head for Kathmandu. Garry entered Nepal at the Raxaul/Birganj border. Maybe not the best crossing point. This border led Garry to the Tribhuvan Highway, which proved to be one of Garry’s toughest rides. It was only 120 miles, but it took Garry four days to complete.
Garry spent a couple of days in Kathmandu before heading west through Nepal back to India. On his way, Garry passed through the Chitwan and Bardia national parks, where he came across crocodiles, turtles, elephants and loads of monkeys before he entered back into India at Bhimdatta.
After another couple of days of cycling, Garry reached New Delhi, where his India and Nepal bicycle tour finished. With a total of 2087 miles cycled. If you want to follow Garry’s ride from day one, read his first post, then follow on from there.
Photos From Garry’s India And Nepal Bike Ride
Watch the videos Garry made on tour.
Map showing the route Garry took across India and Nepal.
Follow & Support
If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel Garry’s next mile, you can always support him by buying him a beer. Or subscribe to his blog and follow him as he travels around on his bike. As a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow Garry on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Garry’s also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all his tours, along with regular photo updates that he generally publishes each month.
If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And after thousands of miles on the road, Garry’s condensed everything he’s learned into one place. So if you’re planning your own cycling adventure, read his reality check on long-distance touring.
Garry McGivern is a solo, self-supported bicycle tourist and the creator of Travelsonabike2. Having cycled over 70,000 miles worldwide on his trusty bike, Passepartout, Garry documents the reality of long-distance travel. Follow along for updates, gear insights, and the daily highs and lows of bicycle touring, whether he’s camped beside the road or in the luxury of a hotel. Join Garry on the road, and be inspired to start your own adventure. Read more.