Upper Mustang

You will be met at Tribhuvan International airport by a representative from Mountain Biking Worldwide and taken to the hotel which is in the heart of the tourist district of Kathmandu, Thamel (approximately a 30-minute drive). You should allow yourself time to build your bike ready for your upcoming trip! Alternatively, hire a bike and remove the hassle of travelling with yours!

Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to explore the streets, sights, and shops of Thamel or to relax after your journey, before meeting your guide where they will explain more about the coming days tour and activities.

Whilst the riders get an early breakfast, the MTB-WW crew members will load the luggage and bikes onto the transfer vehicles for the coach transfer to Pokhara.

You will leave Kathmandu at around 8am for the approximate 7-hour journey to Pokhara. Along the way, you will stop for lunch just above the Trishuli River and arrive in Pokhara by mid-afternoon, leaving plenty of time to explore the lakeside city.

Optional 25-minute flight from KTM-PKR return is available to add on at time of booking.

Biking Details: 10km distance, 250m Ascent

After an early breakfast, you, your bike, and luggage will be transported to Pokhara’s domestic airport to take the short, yet beautifully scenic, 25-minute flight to Jomsom.

Upon arrival in Jomsom, you and the crew will build the bikes and embark on the first ride of the tour.

From Jomsom, you will ride along the glacial river, the Kali Gandaki, towards the gateway to Upper Mustang; Kagbeni.

Upon arrival to Kagbeni you will notice the labyrinth of narrow alleyways to explore and be able to visit the infamous Yak Donald’s to enjoy a yak burger and locally brewed apple cider!

Biking Details: 10km distance, 1100m ascent, 80m descent

Following a leisurely breakfast, you will start the uphill ride to Muktinath. The effects of the increasing altitude and steep climbs means it could take as long as 3-hours before you arrive at your destination.

During the ride you can enjoy the stunning snow-capped mountain views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.

Once you arrive in Muktinath, there will be ample time for you to embark on a short hike to explore the famous Hindu temple.

Biking Details: 29km distance, 1300m ascent, 1200m descent

The real riding starts here! You will need an early start today to ensure that you make the most of the stunning views.

A couple of km’s after leaving Muktinath, you will be riding through a beautiful village and start the climb up to the Gyu La Pass at 4066m above sea level. From the top of the Gyu La, you will drop 1200m on technical, but fast single track all the way to Chhusang. You will then cross the Kali Gandaki and start to climb for your destination of the day, Samar. This is one of the toughest climbs of the whole adventure, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the breathtaking views of the vast uninhabited mountains.

Now that you are in Upper Mustang, the accommodation will become much more basic and the terrain more remote.

Biking Details: 28km distance, 1100m ascent, 900m descent

Day 6’s route consists of 5 passes over 3,800m, meaning an early breakfast will be needed! The passes are: Bhena La, Yamdo La, Syanboch La, Nya La and Ghami La.

The trail will be tougher than the previous days, but the climbing won’t be as steep as that to Samar. You will start on an uphill, but there will be some fast-downhill sections to compensate during the day!

Once you reach Ghiling, you will take a lunch stop and from there it will take a maximum of 2 hours to reach Ghami, comprising of a 5km climb and a long downhill before reaching the teahouse.

Biking Details: 21km distance, 10500m ascent, 820m descent

More than 50% of the riding today is single track. There will be two passes to cross, Chogo La (4280m & the highest pass of the trip) and Mui La (4170m).

From the teahouse, there is a ride or hike, (depending on your ability!) through trekking trails to Dhakmar where the climb starts towards Ghargumba. This is where the single track starts! There are some initial rocky sections that some may have to push over, but it is worth it to get the flowy ride all the way to Lo Manthang.

Once you have arrived and checked into the teahouse in Lo Manthang, there will be time to walk into the center and explore the ancient walled city. Lo Manthang is a colorful village, steeped in history with spectacular views all around. You will also be able to see the Kings Palace, where the last King of Lo Manthang lived.

Biking Details: 21km distance, 600m ascent, 600m descent

Following the previous 5 days riding, todays programme will be optional!

The riding today takes you to a village just above Lo Manthang, and close to the Chinese border; Kamaling, giving you perfect opportunity to take some stunning scenic photos! You will also ride out to Garphu to visit the ancient cave dwellings and a monastery where Tibetan people used to live many years ago. If the weather is clear, you can see a great panorama of Nilgiri and the Annapurna Mountains. You will be riding through villages that are as if time forgot.

Biking Details: 17km distance, 700m ascent, 790m descent.

The day starts with a climb to Lo Pass (4000m) that gives an excellent view of Lo Manthang. Take in the beautiful views, before taking on the loose, steep and fun downhill to the village of Dhee at 3400m.

From here you will follow the riverbed which connects the main road and the climbs to Yara, which will be home for the night.

Yara is a small village with limited teahouses. If you have spare time, and want to do a bit of extra riding, you can ride up to Ghara village. The trails to Ghara are approximately 4km and all above 3500m.

Biking Details: 18km distance, 850m ascent, 1000m descent

The days starts with a short climb, and undulating trail all of the way until you drop down into Dhey Khola which sits at 3400m. The last descent into Dhey Khola is steep with loose rocks and soil. Once you have crossed the river you will have a stop for lunch.

Following this, you’ll take on the ride/hike-a-bike to the top of the pass which sits at 3900m. This will be followed by an awesome descent into the village of Tange, with the last section of riding taking you through a canyon on loose, fast and fun terrain.

Biking Details: 25km distance, 1200m ascent, 1500m descent

Riding straight from the hotel with 3km of riding and a 5km hike-a-bike to Paa pass at 4180m. The climb will be hard but the views worth it to ride on the beautiful ridge line with views all around you.

From here you will drop from 4200m all the way to 2900m above sea level. The trails are super fun, fast and flowy, with the last section being rocky and loose before hitting the village of Chuksang. This is one of the best days of the whole trip!

Biking Details: 22km distance, 340m ascent, 1280m descent

Today you’ll be leaving Upper Mustang and heading back into Lower Mustang and the Annapurna Circuit.

From Chhuksang the trails will be up and down until Kagbeni. From Kagbeni we will shuttle bus to Muktinath, climb up to the Lupra pass at 4100m. From here you will be rewarded with an awesome 8km descent with over a vertical kilometer drop. The trail will eventually meet the Kali Gandaki and the trails to rode on the first day, returning to Jomsom for the evening.

We take a very early morning scenic flight out of Jomsom to Pokhara. Once you have arrived and checked into your hotel in Pokhara, 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 “The Forbidden Kingdom”.

If you would prefer to do a couple of days more riding, and an extra day onto the tour – let us know!

After breakfast you will return to Kathmandu via a 6–10-hour drive back to KTM or if you have chosen the optional flight a 25-minute short plane journey (please state at time of booking which option you would prefer).

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 international airport or continue with own itinerary.

Please let us know if you would like to see the full list of activities and additional options that we can offer.