Upper Mustang MTB Tour

Adreline Rush in the Western Himalayas of Lo People
Trip MapView Gallery

What to expect

The Upper Mustang Mountain biking is one of the best MTB tour destinations for MTB enthusiasts. The tour takes 18 days and follows a route that takes a loop through several spectacular 4000m passes with the view of 8000m high Annapurna mountain and Mt Dhaulagiri.

Drifting and playing through the dry land wilderness, the trail is a mix of flowy single-track, loose gravel, jeep trail, and forest trail. You’ll pass through dense forests, high mountains, and deep canyons, all while enjoying the incredible views. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Mustang, as well as its unique wildlife.

Once a restricted area, this ancient kingdom is now getting more popular among bikers. One can challenge themselves by pushing to the pass or take an option for shuttle and descend in free line trails.

If you’re looking for an MTB adventure of a lifetime, then the Upper Mustang mountain bike tour is definitely for you.

view trip overview

Trip Highlights

  • Riding above 4000 m
  • Breath-taking view with single track
  • Experiencing the ancient kingdom

Minimum Group Size : 5

Difficulty Level : Intermediate

Highest Point : 4218m

Total Distance : ~261 km

Technical Skill : Loose Pebbles Downhill

Trail Type : Mixture of Single Trail, Loose Pebbles, Jeep Track, Road, Jungle Trail, Single Trail

Season: Mar-Jun, Sept-Nov

The trip was very interesting and perfectly organized. The guide was easy in dealing with the route.

- Stefan

Switzerland

Our journey was awesome. We really enjoyed the amazing views, culture, and warm tea houses.

– Samuel

Switzerland

Our guide, mechanic and porters were really friendly and we have a lot of fun. We loved it very much.

– Pascal

Switzerland

Overview

Once a forbidden kingdom isolated from the modern world is open for tourists since 1992. A mystical kingdom lies on the north side of Nepal sharing the border, now one can play with their mountain bike having a lifetime adventure. It’s a ride one can challenge themselves going up to the several 4000m passes and play along with the loose gravel and single trail downhill.

Mustang was an independent kingdom with Tibetan Buddhist followers where the locals still communicate in the Tibetan language. A high dry land where one can explore and make their free line while biking here. Still, a lot of places are yet to be explored. This place offers one of the most unique experiences with dry land, windy weather, and mountains in the background. A breathtaking view from beginning to the end of the tour having indulged in the local culture while experiencing the magical Upper Mustang.

One can test their physical stamina by doing endure rides or cross-country rides. Also, there is an option to cross the challenging pass named Thorang La at 5416m. Only if someone does want to challenge themselves and descend downhill to a different part of the Manang region with huge mountains.

There is always an option for shuttling or riding. With the MTB crew, the professional guides and staffs are there for you in providing the very best adventure travel holidays. You don’t need to worry about organizing the tour, so relax, pack your luggage and bike then head towards Nepal.

On arrival in Kathmandu, we take a short walk around heritage sites listed under UNESCO. Then we enjoy warm-up rides in Kathmandu via jungle and paddy fields followed by some sightseeing. The pedaling starts after the flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Starting the ride at 2700m above and reaching different 4000m high passes while staying in lodges at lower altitudes helps the guest get acclimatized and enjoy the tour. Riding through several old villages and tasting the local foods while taking an amazing break in the passes and enjoying the panoramic view of the Mustang and its mighty mountains.

Route Difficulty

The ride starts from Jomsom 2700m and ends at Beni 900m. The trail goes through various passes that’s above 4000m. While crossing those several passes, it’s not as risky as compared to other high-altitude regions of Annapurna or Everest because of its geographical feature. However, it’s more of a sandy and loose pebble trail with a mixture of jeep trails and carries sections. You don’t require many technical skills for this adventure. However, it does ask for decent stamina for carrying or pushing uphill, especially in Pa Pass 4218m. It takes around 4 hours of an uphill journey. But after crossing the pass, you can have one of the best memorable rides. One of our clients Sulochan Raj Bhandari, also the MTB veteran has expressed that he had the best ride till now in his life.

You need some skill around the loose sand skill to enjoy these trails. Other than that this tour is more of a cross country with good stamina. Total of 261* km experiencing the last forbidden kingdom the heart of Mustang; LOMANTHANG with a majority of the population still speaking the traditional Tibetan Language.

Route Map

mtb-upper-mustang-trek-map

Trip Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu. Drive to Bhaktapur

Today, the program is about arriving in Nepal and making our way to the hotel in Kathmandu.

We meet you at the Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) for a welcome. Then drive to the hotel in Bhaktapur, the best city in the eastern corner of Kathmandu, for the night. It takes around 45 -60 minutes to reach the hotel in Bhaktapur depending on the traffic congestion in the city.

If you arrive early enough, you can explore the hotel’s vicinity; get relaxed to recover from the long-distance flights. Or wish to explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square a little, you can just step out. It is the best city of medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley.

In the evening, you can enjoy the traditional Nepalese dinner with your MTB tour guide. He will provide an informal briefing on the  Upper Mustang MTB Tour days ahead.

Accommodation: Hotel Bhaktapur
Meals Provided: Dinner

Day 02 : Drive to Nagarkot. Drive back to Bhaktapur

We drive for 45 minutes uphill through the hilly terrain to reach Nagarkot (2000m). The hill town is perched at the northern fringe of Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the best places to catch the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas.

On a clear day, Nagarkot boasts panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges. It includes 8 out of 13 mountains namely Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Jugal, Everest, Numbur, Ganesh Himal, and the Rolwaling ranges.

After the glimpse of sunrise over the top of the Himalayan ranges, we drop back down to Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur: Locals call this city Bhadgaon or Khwopa in the Newari name, which means the city of devotees. During the 2015 earthquake, the city faced terrible devastation to temples and many artists.

Accommodation: Hotel Bhaktapur
Meals: Dinner

Day 03 : Drive to Pokhara

After an early breakfast, we set off for the scenic drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Pokhara.

Day 04 : Flight to Jomsom. Ride to Kagbeni

Flight to Jomsom. Ride to Kagbeni

Day 05 : Ride to Samar via Ghyu La Pass

Ride to Samar via Ghyu La Pass

Day 06 : Ride to Ghami via Chhungsi Cave

Ride to Ghami via Chhungsi Cave

Day 07 : Ride to Tsharang via Dhakmar

Ride to Tsharang via Dhakmar

Day 08 : Ride to Lo Manthang

Ride to Lo Manthang

Day 09 : Free day in Lo Manthang

Free day in Lo Manthang

Day 10 : Ride to Yara via Dhi

Ride to Yara via Dhi

Day 11 : Ride to Tange

Ride to Tange

Day 12 : Ride to Chhusang via Pa Pass

Ride to Chhusang via Pa Pass

Day 13 : Ride to Marpha Village - Orchid of Apples

Ride to Marpha Village – Orchid of Apples

Day 14 : Ride to Tatopani

Ride to Tatopani

Day 15 : Ride to Pokhara via Beni

Ride to Pokhara via Beni

Day 16 : Free day in Pokhara for relaxation. Afternoon fly back to Kathmandu

Riding 2 weeks around the Himalayas, your mind and body needs a chilled place to recharge your batteries. 

Day 17 : Free day in Kathmandu for Cycle Pack/ Shopping

Free day in Kathmandu for Cycle Pack/ Shopping

Day 18 : Final Departure

Today is the last day in Kathmandu. No activities are planned.
Our service ends with breakfast. We’ll provide transfer service to Kathmandu Airport as per your flight schedule.

Included Services

  • 6 nights standard hotels and 11 nights teahouses on twin sharing
  • 1 Welcome dinner/Farewell dinner
  • Breakfast only in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, and Pokhara
  • All meals included while on the tour
  • 1 MTB tour leader throughout, 1 Sherpa for every 4 clients, and 1 porter for every 2 clients
  • Full porterage throughout the tour (15kg per person)
  • Internal flights from Pokhara to Kathmandu
  • All land transport involved in the itinerary
  • Trekking map (provided locally at the hotel in Kathmandu)
  • Trekking permit and national park fees
  • All staffs insurance & daily wages

Excluded Services

  • Travel & trekking insurance
  • Nepal visa for 30 days at US$50
  • Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu/ Nagarkot /Pokhara only)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, and Pokhara
  • Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights and on the tour
  • Tips for MTB trek staff – porters, Sherpas, drivers, etc.
  • Personal equipments
  • Personal expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc.
  • Other items not listed in “Included Services”.

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Find Us

Boudha, Boudhanath Sadak
Kathmandu, Nepal 44600

Contact

contact@sherparides.com
Tel. (+977) 9803-357-473