Named after a 13th century Nepalese architect who introduced domestic architecture styles to Tibet and China, the Araniko Highway the is main road that connects Nepal with Tibet and China, where it joins the ‘Friendship Highway’. Built in the 1960s, the road condition was poor due to lack of infrastructure and also due to repeated landslides from monsoons. Since 2012 China has invested heavily in the road and it is now much safer and a treat to ride.

Important note: The only problem is that unless you have a visa and guide for Tibet (and the appropriate visa/permits) you will have to do a u-turn at the border. This point is mute though at the moment (August 2017) as the border is currently closed. Here is an article on the Visa requirements and inks to current status.

Planning your ride on the Araniko Highway

Starting from the Outskirts of Kathmandu in a place called Dhulikhel, the Araniko Highway twists and turns for approximately 120 to 140 kilometers up to a village called Kodari beyond which lies at the border with Tibet. After Dhulikel, the road descends from the Kathmandu valley at 5200 feet and enters the Panchkhal valley, a haven for spectacular views and opportunities for landscape photography. As one continues on the highway, a deviation arrives before the Helambu region that connects Araniko highway to the town of Dolaghat, popularly known as the point of confluence of Indravati and Sun Kosi rivers. The next major town, Barabise is a stopover point for many travelers wishing to ride up to the Nepal-Tibet border and return for an overnight halt.
Beyond Barabise the road runs beside Sun Kosi river all the way up to the last village of Kodari. The ride in this section gets tighter as one rides adjacent to the tall mountains.

The views, curves of the mountain roads, lush green valleys, amazing food with chai and locals that mingle are all highlights to really look forward to. Though it takes about four hours to traverse the length of Araniko Highway to the border, it will inevitably take you a lot longer with lots of photo stops, traffic, etc.

Araniko Highway winding through the valleys

Road conditions and other considerations

The greatest hurdle (apart from the politics of the border crossing) that you need to be wary of is a landslide (and debris on the road), especially if you’re riding in the monsoon season (between June and August). Remain alert at all times and keep your speed down, regardless of the road condition.

The route also contains quite a bit of goods traffic, many from India and China. Watch for trucks and busses cutting the corners and it is extremely important to slow down while entering village areas, even though the Araniko Highway contains a fencing on either sides in some areas.

Header image credit: Michel Royon / Wikimedia Commons

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Araniko Highway – Nepal-Tibet Border

Araniko Highway – Nepal-Tibet Border

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