Mountain bike tour to Upper Mustang
1 985,00 €
the rain shadow behind the Himalayas, Mustang enjoys clear blue skies while the rest of Nepal gets drenched in monsoon rains. The ideal summer destination, the arid hillsides of Mustang make for superb biking terrain.
Mustang still has a mystery about it and attracts trekkers who enjoy the sparse desert-like landscape that is unique to this region. It is a land that is more like Tibet than Nepal. This great expanse of dry land from Jomsom to the capital Lo Manthang also attracts another breed of thrill-seekers; it’s a gorgeous playground for tough mountain bikers.
The reddish, rugged terrain, breathtaking canyons, azure skies and brilliant sunshine make for an ideal setting for experienced bikers. The maximum altitude (4,200 m.) is moderate, and its stony, sandy trails just seem to be made for riding over. The biking trip here is made all the more mystical by a number of Tibetan villages with typical flat-roof houses, small rudimentary temples and stupas. Add to this a background of sparkling, snow-capped peaks from Annapurna to Dhaulagiri and you have a winner.
Mustang is an extension of the Tibetan plateau and naturally, Buddhist culture thrives here with little outside influence. The absence of large passes has made trade convenient between India and Tibet through Mustang with access via the Kali Gandaki valley. Here, the semi-desert landscape is a stark contrast to the snow-capped mountains that cover the horizon from the east to the south. Lo Manthang is a fortified town with many monasteries restored by a local team trained by an Italian. It is a welcome respite from the harshness of the terrain and showcases the local culture.
Finally, we leave Mustang and head back to Pokhara: Going down, it’s 2 days of fun with little physical effort or stress. We do an impressive descent from 3000m to 600 m, from Marpha to Beni through the gorges of Kali Gandaki. Finally, we leave Mustang and go back to Pokhara: 2 days of fun without great physical effort. We do an impressive descent from Marpha to Beni through the gorges of Kali Gandaki from 3000 to 600 m.
- Nepal Country
- Trails and mountain biking Thématique
- Very difficult Difficulté
- 17 days Duration
- 4 150 m Max. altitude
- Yes Guide
- Hôtel, Lodge Hébergement
- Kathmandu Departure / Arrival
- Pokhara – Jomsom Domestic flights
Itinerary
Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in. Preparation of equipment and choice of mountain bike if you are renting it on the spot.
A pleasant drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara in a private vehicle (duration: 6 / 7 hr). Free afternoon. Our vehicle and assistant continue by road to transport the mountain bikes to Jomsom.
Our flight to Jomsom is really a thrilling mountain flight between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Depending on the road conditions, we grab our bikes and head out on the trail which for now is easy. Follow the river up to the beautiful village of Kagbeni along the shore of Kali Gandaki. Kagbeni is strategically located: one road leads to Lo-Manthang, once the capital of the kingdom of Mustang, and the other leads to Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. After lunch, we visit the Kagbeni monastery, at the entrance of Upper Mustang, and walk around the village.
We take an easy dirt road, then ride up to the medieval village of Jharkot, the last village before Muktinath. The trail allows superb views of the desert-like landscapes and snowy mountains and passes. The village has its own Buddhist monastery. Lunch and rest in a lodge owned by locals.
We enter Upper Mustang through the village of Dzong. Visit the red-walled monastery perched on a rocky promontory. We then take the road to Gyu La (4000 m) enjoying a superb view. We make a long descent through the beautiful landscape of ocher cliffs before arriving at the settlement of Chhusang. Then take a short ride to Chele, on the banks of the high Kali Gandaki.
We cross the Kali Gandaki gorge. The trail has been cut into steep cliffs. It climbs up to the Taklam Pass (2,650 m.) and then descends to Samar. From Samar, it climbs again and then descend later through several small passes between 3,600 and 3,800 m. with breathtaking views. After Syangboche, we descend to Gelling, a village dominated by a Sakya monastery located in an ancient Dzong.
We cross the Nyi La Pass (3,950 m.) and the Ghumi La Pass to reach the village of Ghemi (3,520 m.) where we stop for lunch. Visit a monastery in the heart of the village. In the afternoon, we go up to Tsarang La and bike down to Tsarang, former capital of Mustang.
This is a short day of cycling. We start with a descent to cross Tsarang Chu and, after Lo La, we ride up to reach the former capital of Mustang in magnificent surroundings.
We do a small biking tour visiting the surroundings of Lo Manthang. This fortified city of the 14th century was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mustang and has many Buddhist monasteries dating back to the 15th century. After 25 generations of kings reigning over this small kingdom on the Tibetan plateau, north of the Himalayan range, Mustang ceased to be a kingdom when Nepal became a Republic.
Today’s bike ride is the longest on this tour. We begin by crossing small passes to reach the monastery and the village of Lo Gear. Afterward, we cross Marang La and Mui La and finally cycle through the beautiful red cliffs of Dhakmar.
We cross the same pass, the Nyi La – as we did on our way to Lho, but cross a different pass to reach Tama Gaon. Following that is a long descent to Kali Gandaki and we go on to Samar.
We cross the last pass before reaching Kali Gandaki again in Chele. As we go along the riverbed, we leave Upper Mustang once we cross Kagbeni and then continue on to Jomsom. This is followed by a 45-minute descent along the river to reach Marpha (2,600 m.), the capital of the Thakali people’s domain. Marpha is blessed with fertile land and produces the best apples in Nepal. With many Thakalis moving and settling here, it has become the largest village in the region and is also one of the most beautiful. We visit the monastery of Marpha before taking a walk around the village.
This is a great day for biking, We descend by riding along a trail that leads to Tatopani through the Thakali villages of Tukuche, Larjung, Kalopani and Ghasa before an impressive dive into the gorge of Kali Gandaki. By the end of the day, we reach Tatopani. You might opt for a relaxing time in the hot springs.
This is the last day of biking which takes us along the Kali Gandaki to the paved road of Beni where our vehicle awaits us. A 3 -hour drive takes us to Pokhara where we enjoy a free day in the lively lakeside town.
Free day in Pokhara; you can opt for a bike ride along Lake Phewa. You can also bike up to Sarangkot or to the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) with a loop through the Gurung village of Bhumdi (4hr.) or if you so choose, you can relax and do nothing.
Drive back to Kathmandu (6 – 7 hr.). Check-in at the hotel and free time for shopping around Thamel.
Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight End of our services.
Practical Info
What is included
- Transfer by private vehicle according to the itinerary
- Delivery of mountain bike from Pokhara to Jomsom by the assistant/Sherpa
- 2 nights at Hotel Tibet *** or similar on BB
- 3 nights at Lake Side Retreat or similar on BB
- Trek full board in lodge / Homestay according to itinerary
- English Speaking Nepali cycling guide for the whole stay
- Mountain bike rental for guide
- Trekking team: 1 Assistant / Sherpa from 2 pax and 2 from 6, 1 personal porter for 2 participants and mules beyond
- Carrying personal belongings up to 13 kg/participant
- TIMS & ACAP Permit, Special Permit to Upper Mustang ($500)
- Insurance and routing of staffs
- Domestic flight Pokhara- Jomsom
What is not included
- Visits and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara excluding breakfast
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Personal mountain bike (to bring or rent on site)
- Cargo for overweight above 15kg / person on the domestic flight
- Visa Nepal ( $50 + Photos)
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, hot showers, recharging batteries during the trek, etc.
FAQ
This cycling journey takes you on trails unlike any others in the world, in the heart of Upper Mustang. Between mineral valleys, ochre cliffs and deep canyons sculpted by wind and centuries, the route offers a variety of terrain and panoramas that stimulate the legs as much as the imagination. Each stage is a geological spectacle, where the pleasure of mountain biking meets the raw beauty of Himalayan nature.
Far from the tourist trails, Mustang retains a strong cultural identity. Villages of whitewashed houses, centuries-old monasteries and colourful prayer flags constantly recall the Tibetan heritage. Life here still follows ancient rhythms: inhabitants farm their terraced fields, practise a deeply rooted Buddhism and welcome travellers with warm simplicity. Crossing this region means plunging into a preserved culture, both vibrant and authentic.
The journey also holds an unforgettable moment in the air: the mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. From the window, the plunging view over the Kali Gandaki valley and the majestic peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri is breathtaking. This short but intense flight reveals the full scale of the terrain covered by bike and offers a grand finale to the exploration of Mustang.
The climax of this journey is undoubtedly the legendary descent from Marpha to Beni. Over more than 3,000 metres of descent, the trail plunges into the Kali Gandaki gorges, winding between stone villages, pine forests and sheer cliffs. Accessible without excessive technical effort, this descent delivers sensations of pure freedom and exhilarating speed, while offering a concentrate of varied landscapes, from arid heights to green valleys.
