An epic mountain bike tour that journeys through the deepest valley on earth
A mountain bike adventure through stunning mountain peaks with true mountain people and a mystical sense of being in an ancient Kingdom. Upper Mustang, Nepal is easily accessible but feels like no other place on earth.
High mountains, singletrack descents, hotsprings….
Mountain bike down the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest valley on earth. Experience the awesome single track of the Lupra valley, ride over suspension bridges, and descend over 3000m from Muktinath down to the lowlands of Nepal – all whilst having snow capped mountains of the Himalayas as your backdrop. Lower Mustang is the best way to see the Himalayas, without taking up too much time.
Travel dates;
Bespoke tours: between
March and June OR
October and December
PHOTO GALLERY
Trip Highlights
- Length: 9 DAYS & 8 Nights
- Location: Lower Mustang, NEPAL
- Conditions: Cool Reaching 3800m above sea level
- Courses: Technical High altitude single track
DAILY ITINERARY
The Multi Terrain Biking team wants your holiday to not only be the adventure of a lifetime, but also a relaxing and fun experience, so here's some info on whats included in each and every one of our tours.
You will be met at Tribhuvan International airport by a representative from Multi Terrain Biking and taken to the hotel which is located in the heart of the tourist district of Kathmandu, Thamel (approximately a 30-minute drive).
Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to explore the streets, sights and shops of Thamel or to relax after your journey. You can then join your guides where they will issue you with your Multi Terrain Biking kit bag and explain more about the coming days tour and activities. There will be time to check over the bikes with a member of the team on standby to assist with any mechanical issues.
Whilst you enjoy your breakfast, the luggage and bikes will be loaded onto the tour vehicle for the transfer to Pokhara (the bikes will continue to Jomsom ready for your arrival on Day 3).
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kathmandu domestic airport for the 25-minute flight to the Lakeside town of Pokhara OR alternatively you will be collected from your hotel for the approximate 8-hour transfer via bus. This option will be chosen at the time of booking.
On arrival in Pokhara, you will check into the hotel which will leave plenty of time in the afternoon and evening to stretch the legs and explore the town.
Biking Distance: 14km, 250m of elevation
There are 2 options today!
Option 1: Following an early nutritious breakfast, a short transfer will be made to Pokhara airport to catch a scenic morning flight to Jomsom, which takes approximately 20-minutes. The flight takes you above the Pokhara valley and deep into the heart of the Himalayas. This is where you can get your first real glimpses of the mighty Himalaya mountain ranges, including the breathtaking mountain views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna. Once you have landed in Jomsom, there will be time to get kitted up and have a hot drink before the ensuing ride. The riding will be an easy 14km on mainly flat terrain to allow your body to adapt to the increase in altitude. The night’s accommodation will be at the beautiful Tibetan village of Kagbeni.
Option 2: A nice and early start, and straight onto the jeep for the 8-hour transfer to Kagbeni. You’ll start on sealed road, but this will soon turn into bumpy jeep-track and you’ll start to get a glimpse of what riding in the Himalayas is all about! Imagine deep valley gorges, snow-capped mountains & river passes. You will get to stop off for lunch and enjoy the spectacular scenery whilst taking in the stunning views around you, before finally reaching your destination of the day – Kagbeni.
We can add additional loops from Kagbeni if required. Please enquire when booking.
Biking Distance: 18km, 1000m elevation
Upon leaving Kagbeni, there will be an uphill ride to Muktinath which is at an elevation of 3900m.
The route continues, by climbing the trail to the north side of the gorge and on a dusty jeep track, which heads towards the mighty Thorong La Pass via the village of Jhong. In Jhong, you can stop to catch your breath whilst explore the ancient monastery and then have lunch basking in the sunshine whilst enjoying the stunning mountain views.
The final section after lunch will be short and you should arrive in Muktinath around mid-afternoon. You can spend this time to explore the local village including monasteries and temples with your guide, or simply have some time to rest.
Biking Distance: 30km, 960m elevation
Heading out today you will go along the road for a short distance and then head into the famous Lubra Valley trails. The day starts by ascending up to Lupra Pass, where you will get to see the breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges.
Once you get to the top of the pass, your reward will be to ride a fast stretch of downhill experiencing the grippy, flowy singletrack until you reach the Kaligandaki river valley. From here there is a 6km flat section leading to Jomsom.
After lunch in Jomsom, the trail undulates along the river until you reach Marpha. For the more experienced and technical riders there are some alternative beautiful, fun and technical single-track options to take.
Marpha is an interesting, cobbled village, famous for the best apples in the area and for making apple brandy and cider. So be sure to sample some local produce in the evening!
Biking Distance: 43km, 400m elevation
The trail from Marpha is mostly downhill to Tatopani. The trail starts gentle and flat through pine forests and small villages, where you will follow the river, and on a clear day, see stunning views of the snowcapped peaks. The lunch stop will be at the flowing waterfalls at Rukse Chaahara.
With lunch finished, you will continue to ride fast-paced downhill as the trail drops approximately 1000 meters on rough jeep track before you finally reach Tatopani. Tatopani is a cobbled street village, famous for its rejuvenating hot springs at which you can enjoy a well-deserved soak to ease any tired muscles.
Biking Distance: 35km, 800m of ascent
The last ride of the trip! With the hard work done, it’s a relaxing ride down to the end of the trails. Being back at lower altitudes will make the riding seem easy and the trail undulates all the way to Maldhunga. The first 21km to Beni is jeep track and then from there it will be broken tarmac.
Once you arrive at Maldhunga, the team will pack the bikes and luggage onto the vehicle, and you will be transferred to Pokhara which will take approximately 3-4 hours.
After arriving in Pokhara and checking into your hotel, there will be plenty of free time for exploring & shopping at the relaxing lakeside town. There is an array of international standard hotels, restaurants and bars where riders and crew members can celebrate safely, after completing “Mini Mustang”.
(Option to carry on riding to Pokhara will be available, a total of 82km with a long climb and long final descent into Pokhara, extra estimated riding time 4 hours).
After breakfast you will return to Kathmandu via a 25-minute short plane journey or the 8-hour bus journey (please state at time of booking which option you would prefer, there will be an extra cost for the flight).
Once back in Kathmandu, there will be time in the afternoon for some trinket shopping or to explore some of the many temples and places of interest in the city.
Please let us know at the time of booking if you would prefer to stay in Pokhara a few extra days to check out some of the adventurous (or leisurely!) activities that it has to offer!
Transfer to the airport or continue with additional itinerary.
Let us know if you would like to see the full list of activities that we have to offer.
ESSENTIALS
What's Included
- Qualified & Experienced Guides: We understand that everybody is different. Some riders will want to push hard, others will want to take in the views and learn about the surrounding area and cultures. All of our guides are selected not only for their fitness but also for their local knowledge. The passion for mountain biking, fun loving nature and local connections, that all our guides have, ensure that your adventure will be an incredible journey. As an added bonus, our guides are great mechanics & awesome photographers. They'll be able to help you fix most things on the trail and they also know the best places to get the epic shot to make all your friends back home jealous!
- Most Meals: Your detailed adventure information pack will list the exact meal arrangements. In general, all breakfasts and evening meals are included in the price of your trip. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, even in the remotest of areas, and as all trips are guided by experienced riders you can be assured of loaded plates of high carbohydrate quality food to fuel you through the day.
- Adventure Accommodation: The nature of your holiday is to have an adventure, but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it. For all of our adventures we use the best accommodation that is available in the area. All our hotels / guesthouses have been personally vetted, so whether it’s a 3* hotel in the city or a basic teahouse in the mountains you can rest assured you will be warm, comfortable and well fed.
- Support: Each group will have experienced guides and we have a low guide to numbers ratio to ensure that everybody is well looked after. All our guides are mechanically adept and will be able to fix most bike problems out on the trail. There will also be porters to transport all the luggage and to ensure your hotel / guesthouse is ready for your arrival after a hard days riding. As an additional extra, where terrain allows, we can provide a dedicated support vehicle that will carry water, food, bike spares etc, with space to transport any rider to the hotel should the going get too tough. Let us know at time of booking if you would like this option.
- Transport: All in country transport costs related to the adventure are included in the trip cost.
- Adventure Information Pack: Being avid riders, travellers and adventure enthusiasts ourselves, we know how important it is to be able to visualise your trip before arrival. All Multi Terrain Biking guests will be sent a detailed PDF trip specific information pack. This extensive document will arm riders will all the details they need to plan and prepare for their adventure, and will include a day to day itinerary, photos, information relating to the country and much more.
- Adventure Advisors: Our knowledgeable Multi Terrain Biking team are always on hand via email or phone to answer any queries that you may have related to the adventure, during the booking process or after you have booked.
- Regular Updates: We will keep you informed with regular updates from the adventure, and closer to departure, with specific details of the guides, hotels, meeting times etc. If you "opt in" we will also give you contact details of other riders joining the adventure so that you can start exchanging information and getting to know other riders before arrival.
- Safety: Multi Terrain Biking tours take riders into some of the remotest and wildest areas on earth. The Multi Terrain Biking team takes rider and crew safety extremely seriously and only uses the most reputable and properly equipped ground logistics teams on location. All our logistic teams also provide the support for our races and have a track proven record for customer service and safety. By travelling with us you can rest assured that your safety and well being could not be in better hands.
- Multi Terrain Biking Merchandise: The Multi Terrain Biking team are proud of their branding and want to share their vision with the world. On arrival, all guests will receive a Multi Terrain branded kit bag. They are yours to keep as mementos of your epic adventure and as a thank you for travelling with us.
- Hire Bikes: All the Multi Terrain Biking team have flown to far flung destinations with their bikes. They understand that it is not the most relaxing of procedures, from checking it in at one end to the nervous wait for it to arrive unscathed at the other. To make your holiday even more stress free we have a range of high quality mountain bikes (nothing we wouldn’t ride ourselves) available to rent. Please enquire for prices.
- Compare Your Times: Via GPS data you will be able to compare your times with those of corresponding races & tours and the top adventure timings will be featured in a Multi Terrain Bikings timings leader board on the website.
What's NOT Included
- International flights to and from the adventure country
- Country entry visa fees
- Travel & Medical insurance (these are compulsory and must include helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency at the respective altitudes)
- Medical expenses
- Accommodation before and after the adventure
- Transport to the adventure pickup location
- Equipment hire or rental
- Alcoholic and soft drinks consumed during the adventure
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Personal items purchased during the adventure
- Extra activities in the adventure location (these can be arranged for an additional fee)
