Stay : Mountain biking in Upper Mustang, Nepal
A mountain bike trip in Nepal's Upper Mustang is an adventure you'll cherish for the rest of your life. Once known as the forbidden kingdom of Nepal, Upper Mustang offers countless opportunities for mountain biking, from cross-country to downhill to enduro. The unique Tibetan-influenced culture, incredibly beautiful landscapes, ancient monasteries and awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan range; what more could you want to enhance your mountain biking vacation?
The Upper Mustang mountain bike tour begins with a 4x4 jeep ride or scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The mountain bike trail leading to Lo-Manthang in Upper Mustang passes through several ancient villages such as Kagbeni, Chhuksang, Syangboche, Ghiling, Ghami, Tsarang, Yara, Ghara and Tangbe, where you'll encounter traditional mountain houses, centuries-old monasteries and chhortens.
Summary of the stay
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POKHARA MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE
16 days
From 3295 € / person
Detail of the stay : Mountain biking in Upper Mustang, Nepal - 16 days
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Steps: Parc National Sagarmatha, Mustang
Arrival in Kathmandu
Welcome to the land of Sagarmatha, the highest mountain in the world. Our representative will be waiting for you at the arrival terminal of Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport. After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel in Thamel. Once the check-in ritual is over, it's up to you to decide how you'll spend the rest of your day, either strolling around the colorful town of Thamel, or relaxing at your hotel. In the evening, you'll be briefed on plans for the days ahead.
Day 2: Departure by car or plane for Pokhara (800 m)
Steps: Pokhara, Parc National Sagarmatha, Mustang
Departure by car or plane for Pokhara (800 m)
Today marks the start of your adventure in Nepal. We'll start the day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel in Thamel. You'll then take the road or a flight (depending on package) to Pokhara. The scenic drive through the hilly regions of Nepal takes around 6-8 hours to reach the beautiful town of Pokhara. Along the Prithivi route, you'll have the opportunity to observe several lively villages on the banks of the Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers, while soaking up the local culture and way of life. If your package includes the flight from Kathmandu, you'll reach Pokhara in less than 30 minutes, which means you'll have plenty of time to relax on the shores of Lake Fewa with a cold beer or take a short excursion through the quiet streets of Lakeside.
Day 3: Hiking in Pokhara around Lake Phewa (1200m)
Today is the start of your real mountain bike adventure in Nepal! The Lake Fewa mountain bike tour is your chance to check out the bike, the guide and enjoy the serene beauty of Pokhara before setting off for Lo-Manthang. You'll ride along the shores of Lake Fewa, passing through several villages and rice fields while enjoying the glory of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Fishtail and Manaslu mountain ranges. The ascent to the Peace Stupa is a real test of skill and endurance. When we reach the Peace Pagoda, we'll take time to visit a quiet Buddhist temple and enjoy a freshly brewed Himalayan coffee while admiring the magnificent view over the Pokhara valley, Lake Fewa and the Himalayas. Once the coffee is finished, we'll continue down through Queen's forest to Dam Side and return to the Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventure office at Lakeside. The afternoon is devoted to preparing for the upcoming Mustang adventure.
- Riding time: 3.5 to 4 hours
- Distance: approx. 35 km
Day 4: Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2720 m) and on to Kagbeni (2810 m)
Steps: Pokhara, Annapurna, Pokhara-Jomsom
At last, the dream adventure begins! We'll wake up early to catch the first flight to Jomsom. You'll be flying between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, giving you the exceptional experience of crossing the world's deepest gorge with incredible views of the Himalayas. After landing in Jomsom, we'll mount our bikes, have a mouth-watering breakfast and begin our trek along the Kaligandaki River to Kagbeni, where we'll spend the night in a local guesthouse. Kagbeni is an ancient village and home to the 580-year-old Kagchode monastery. Kagbeni is also known as the gateway to the forbidden kingdom of Mustang.
- Journey time: 2 to 3 hours
- Distance: approx. 10 to 15 km
Day 5: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3050m)
Our day begins with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. After wolfing it down, we'll continue our adventure to the checkpoint to register your $500 permit. Once the registration procedure is complete, we'll continue our bike ride along the Kaligandaki river valley to Chhuksang, where we'll have lunch while admiring the incredibly beautiful Himalayan scenery. After lunch, we'll continue across the Kaligandaki River towards Chele, where we'll spend the night in a local teahouse.
- Hiking time: 3.5 to 4 hours
- Distance: approx. 18 km
Day 6: Bike from Chele to Syanboche (3800m)
Today is the most difficult day of our incredible journey. We have 4 passes to cross: Taklam la (3624m), Dajori la (3735m), Bhena la (3860), and Yamda la (3860). There will be occasional sections with steeper, more technical slopes where we may have to push our bikes. However, we'll be able to cycle most of the time. We'll have a well-deserved lunch in Sammar and continue our adventure to Syanboche for the night. Although it's a tough ride, it's well worth the effort, as we'll have the opportunity to feast our eyes on majestic Himalayan views and mesmerizing arid landscapes.
- Hiking time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours
- Distance: approx. 20 km
Day 7: Hike from Syanboche to Tsarang (3560m)
We start with a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Syanboche. The first part of the hike begins with a gentle ascent to Syanboche La (3850 m), followed by a descent to Ghiling. As we leave Ghiling behind, the trail gradually rises to the day's biggest pass, the Nyi La (4010m), from where we'll enjoy incredible views of the Mustang valley, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. We'll have a well-deserved lunch after driving to Ghami. After lunch, get ready for another challenging trail that passes along Mustang's largest Mane wall and traverses the demanding ascent of Chinggel La (3870 m) before descending to Tsarang. If you're up for the challenge, we have the option of extending our hike to Ghar Gumba via Dhakmar and back down to Tsarang. We spend the night in Tsarang. Once the hike is over, we'll take time to visit the largest Lo library (former palace) and the 400-year-old Gelup monastery in Mustang.
- Hiking time: 4.5 to 5 hours
- Distance: 19 Km Approx.
Day 8: Route from Charang to Lo-Manthang (3810m)
Today's journey will be more exciting as we head for the forbidden Kingdom of Lo, Lo-Manthang. Lo-Manthang is famous for its ancient monasteries, Guumbas, Mandala paintings, walled city and centuries-old art and architecture. Prepare to be thrilled by a gentle descent to Charang Khola and the ascent of Sungda La. Once we reach the summit of Sungda La, the trail becomes comparatively easier and smoother all the way to the final pass of the day, known as Lo-La or Windy Pass. From here, we'll have the opportunity to observe the incredible view of the Himalayas across the Tibetan plateau and the walled town of Lo-Manthang. If you're up for the challenge, we can go to Ghar Gumba and Lo-Manthang via Mui La (4170 m) and Marang La (4230 m). However, you must understand that we have to push or carry our bikes over some parts of these passes.
- Hiking time: 3.5 to 5 hours
- Distance: approx. 22 km
Day 9: Rest day Lo-Manthang
Steps: Mustang
Rest day Lo-Manthang
Today's rest day in the mystical land of Mustang is entirely up to you. Your interest in this day will quickly be taken into account. Whether you want to take a short trip to Chooser to explore the ancient multi-storey cave known as Sijha / Dzong, visit the cave dwellers and Niphu Monastery or stroll through the walled city to explore Jhampa Monastery, Thubchen Monastery, Chode Monastery and the four-storey King's Palace. You can also relax with a cold beer inside the walled city, admiring the view of the Himalayas and the incredible Tibetan plateau. Whatever you choose to do, it's well worth the effort. You'll feel the great spiritual vibrations emanating from the arts, culture and practices of the friendly locals.
Day 10: Hike from Lo-Manthang to Yara (3650 m)
After bidding farewell to the charm of Lo-Manthang's incredible beauty, we'll continue our cycling adventure to the villages of Yara and Tangey, which are only visited by countless people. Our cycling adventure begins with a climb to Lo-La. When we reach the summit of Lo-La, we'll descend for a while and follow the unique trail used by nomadic yak herders. Our mountain bike journey from Lo-Manthang to Yara is challenging but rewarding. The mountain bike trail to Yara is narrow and includes steep, exposed descents with loose gravel. However, the scenery you'll get to see while pedaling is very cinematic. The descent through the narrow trench to Dhigaon is a unique experience. After a hearty lunch in Dhi, we cross the Kaligandaki River and follow the Puyung Khola to Yara, where we spend the night in a basic but comfortable teahouse.
- Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Distance: approx. 17 km
Day 11: Mountain biking from Yara to Tangye (3240m)
Today's ride will be a little challenging, as we'll have to push and carry our bikes in some uphill sections. The first part of our hike begins with a gentle push towards Yaripangje Danda. When we reach the summit, the valley opens wide. From here, we'll be enjoying a superb single trail. However, the last part, just before the descent to Dechyang Khola, is really technical with bigger rocks, steep slopes and an exposed trail. Arriving at Dechyang Khola, which has its source in the popular Damodar Kunda pilgrimage, we'll take time to refuel before starting the big climb of the day. Be prepared to push and carry your bike from an altitude of 3400 meters to 4015 meters.
- Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Distance: approx. 18 km
Day 12: Journey from Tangye to Chhuksang (2980m)
Our day begins as usual with breakfast at our hotel. We begin our mountain bike adventure by crossing the Tangge Khola and Yak Khola bridges. Once we've crossed the Yak Khola, the biggest climb of the day awaits us. We have to climb, pushing or carrying our bikes, from 3240 meters to 4218 meters to Pa La, which literally translates as a shelter house. When you reach the summit of Pa, you'll realize that all the effort was worth it. You'll be rewarded with incredible views of the Himalayas and the Mustang Valley. The mountain bike trail between Pa summit and Chhuksang is exceptional. The trail is dotted with very smooth, rocky sections, with a few climbs.
- Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Distance: 26 Km Approx.
Day 13: Trek from Chhukang to Muktinath (3800M) via Gyu la (4077m) or Kagbeni
Steps: Katmandou, Pokhara, Mustang
Today is the last day of our journey into the mystical land of Upper Mustang. We'll be cycling to one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists. It's up to you to decide whether you want to challenge yourself or relax on a quiet trail. If you feel you can take on an extra challenge, we'll push our bikes all the way to Muktinath via the village of Tetang (popular for its pink Himalayan salt) and the Gyu La pass (4077 m). However, if you prefer a leisurely day, we'll cycle along the Kaligandaki river valley to Kagbeni, where we'll get our special permit, have a hearty lunch and continue our ascent to Muktinath.
- Cycle time: 5 to 6 hours
- Distance: approx. 25 km
Day 14: Trajet de Muktinath à Kalopani (2530 m)
Journey from Muktinath to Kalopani (2530 m)
Today is the longest distance we'll cover in one day. As usual, we'll set off with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. We'll pass through the main town of Muktinath to cross the main road and climb to the Lupra Pass. The Lupra Pass is one of the most beautiful spots in the Lower Mustang region, offering the best views of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Throng Peak and Yakgawa, as well as the most beautiful and unique trails that Mustang has to offer. The Lupra trail, which descends to Ekle Bhatti and on to Jomsom, combines a flowing path with gravel, switchbacks and a slightly technical trail that reveals the grandeur of the Himalayas and the beauty of the Kaligandaki river valley. We pass the main town of Jomsom and stop for lunch in the incredibly beautiful village of Marpha. Marpha is also known as the Apple Kingdom of Nepal, as it's the only place where the first apple farm was successful.
- Journey time: 5 to 6 hours.
- Distance: Approx. 52 km.
Day 15: Drive from Kalopani to Beni and on to Pokhara (800 m)
Steps: Katmandou, Pokhara, Annapurna
Today is the last day of your Himalayan adventure in Nepal. You'll cross the world's deepest gorge, formed between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. On the way to Galeshwor, you'll see the authentic villages of Ghasa and Tatopani, as well as the largest waterfall in the Myagdi region, known as Rupse Waterfall. We'll stop for a few drinks at Tatopani, which literally translates as "hot spring". After swallowing our drinks, we'll continue our adventure on a hilly trail to Galeshwor, where we'll devour our well-deserved lunch, load our bikes and set off again for Pokhara. After reaching Pokhara, your mountain bike tour with us comes to an end.
- Journey time: 5 to 6 hours
- Distance: approx. 65 km
Day 16: Route/vol fresh Katmandou
Steps: Katmandou, Pokhara, Annapurna
Road/flight to Kathmandu
Today marks the end of your mountain-biking adventure with us. We're sure you'll return home with some great Himalayan memories. After saying your reluctant goodbyes, you'll return to Kathmandu by car or plane (depending on the package). We look forward to seeing you soon for another epic adventure.
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