Adventure · Kudan
Cycle the Kapilvastu stupa loop
A flat village-road bicycle loop of about 25 km from Taulihawa linking Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa and Tilaurakot, with stops for tea and the chance to see the Shakya country at the speed of a farm cart.
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The Kapilvastu sites lie within a few kilometres of each other on flat ground, which makes them ideal for a bicycle. We drive from Lumbini to Taulihawa with the bikes, then ride south to Kudan, west to Gotihawa's broken pillar, north-east to the pond and pillar at Niglihawa, and back to Tilaurakot.
The roads are narrow and mostly paved, with stretches of packed earth between villages. Traffic is tractors, bicycles and the occasional bus. Riding lets you stop wherever something catches your eye: a family threshing rice, a pond full of lotus, a shrine under a pipal tree.
The full loop is about 25 km and takes 4–5 hours with stops. A support vehicle follows, so anyone who tires can ride in the car.
Good for
Questions
Is cycling around Kapilvastu suitable for beginners?
Yes. The loop is entirely flat, about 25 km, on village roads with light traffic. Anyone comfortable on a bicycle for 2–3 hours of riding can do it, with stops at each site. A support vehicle follows, so you can stop riding at any point.
Are bicycles provided for the Kapilvastu loop?
Yes, we arrange bicycles, usually simple mountain bikes or city bikes hired in Lumbini or Bhairahawa, with helmets on request. Bring your own padded shorts or gloves if you like them. Quality varies, so tell us your height in advance and we will choose the right size.
When is too hot to cycle in Kapilvastu?
From April to June temperatures reach 38–42 °C by midday, which is too hot for comfortable cycling, so we only offer the loop from October to March. Even in winter we start early, finish by early afternoon, and carry plenty of water.
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