Lower Mustang Valley Ride, Jomsom - Muktinath - Pokhara

This amazing trip includes everything you need for an adventure in the Himalayas, from the authentic and unchanged Tibetan culture to gigantic ice covered mountain peaks.

Our adventure starts with an amazing mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom Airport (2720m) in the heart of the Himalaya. The small town extends over the banks of Kali Gandaki river and surrounded by the Nilgiri (7061m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) massifs. From Jomsom we cycle towards Kagbeni 2800m, which is the gate to upper Mustang, the last forbidden Kingdom. The old settlement Kagbeni with the king's palace (800 years old) and the monastery (over 500 years old), where you will see centuries old Tibetan culture and architecture like the flat Tibetan style houses and the locals speaking an Tibetan dialect.

After our first acclimatization in Kagbeni we pedal up to Muktinath, one of the holiest sites in Nepal with its Buddhist and Hindu temples. Breathtaking views of the Himalayan giants as the Dhaulaghiri (8172m), Annapurna (8091m) and other ice covered mountains are all around us.

We will encounter a great variety of landscapes and cultures along the route, with the mystic desert-like landscape of lower Mustang Valley and the ice covered Himalayan mountains behind us.

After exploring Muktinath´s holy sights we ride down amazing single track passing the mystical Lupra valley, where we will visit a Bon temple, Bon or Boen is an old pre-Buddhist Tibetan religion. From there we join back to the the main track at the Kaligandaki river. Riding down the valley we stay overnight at the beautiful village of Marpha, famous for it´s apples and apple brandy.

Riding further down we reach Tatopani, where we kick back and relax at the pools of the natural hot springs. Before we head onward on our way back to Pokhara.

To make it sure that you will enjoy the riding in this high altitude, during the ride our baggage will be carried by porters to our overnight lodges day by day. Riders carry only a small day-pack with essentials, so that you will be able to focus on the trails and the breathtaking scenery of the himalayas.

Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the Hotel.

Day 2 - Sightseeing in Kathmandu, after that we have dinner together and we will introduce details and facts about our tour.

Day 3 - Early morning van/bus transfer to Pokhara / 820m, about 6-8 hours drive. Our hotel at the lake side of the Phewa lake in Pokhara will let you get a first panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu mountain range.

Day 4 - Flight and ride from Pokhara to Kagbeni (2800m): We take a early morning mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2720m). This is the official starting point of our ride, after we set up our bikes we start our one hour ride to Kagbeni (2800m). (*due to weather conditions at Jomsom airport and the daily strong wind at the Kaligandaki valley, the pilots decide day by day to fly or not.)

Day 5 - Ride Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,800m)
After a early breakfast we ride up to Muktinath and gaining nearly 1000m in elevation. From here you can overview the mystical dry and desert-like valley of Mustang and the ice covered mountains of Dhaulagiri. Muktinath is one of the holiest sites in Nepal, lot of Indian and nepali pilgrims are visiting it´s holy hindu and buddhist sites.

Day 6 - Muktinath (3,800m). 
We spend a day in Muktinath and after visiting the famous buddhist and hindu temples in Muktinath we ride towards the Thorong-La Pass (5.416m) up to an altitude of 4.300m a.s.l. to enjoy the stunning view over the Mustang valley and the ice covered peaks. From there we have an joyful downhill ride back to Muktinath. Distance: 6km / 5500m uphill and descent

Day 7 - Muktinath to Marpha (2,670m)
Just out of Muktinath we traverse and ride up a trekking path to Dhangladanda 3900m, where we can overview the mystical desert like landscape of Mustang and the peaks of Dhaulagiri and other ice mountains. Riding awesome single track trails passing Lupra and its mystic valley. Then we join back to the main trail and head to Jomsom for lunch. Afterwards we ride to Tuckuche (2590m). We ride to the more charming Village of Marpha / 2670m, which is known for it´s delicious apple pie and brandy. Distance: 27.5 km / 1250m descent.

Day 8 - Ride Marpha to Thatopani. The off road track allows us to enjoy the nice scenery between the two himalayan giants summits of Annapurna and Dhaulaghiri. Our destination is Thatopani, where we will enjoy the famous natural hot spring after a long descending of more than 1600 metres. Distance 48 km / 1630m descent.

Day 9 - Ride from Tato Pani to Maldundha and drive to Pokhara
. We are descending further on the jeep track, passing Beni and ride up to Maldundha, where we get transferred back to Pokhara.

Day 10 - Transfer to Bus Station or Pokhara Airport, back to Kathmandu.

Day 11 - Transfer to Airport, international flight back

Trip start/end: Kathmandu - Nepal.

Days: 11 days

Type of riding: All-Mountain oriented Enduro high altitude ride.
On this trip we will ride from a flowy singletrack to jeep tracks.
Most of our riding is below 3000m besides 3 days, the highest point is 4.200m above sea level.

Level: Beginner to Expert.
Moderate cycling with uphills, downhills and flats.

Guiding: From the first day at the airport pickup to the last day airport drop-off you are fully guided, our qualified and experienced guides are with you the whole trip making sure everything goes smooth and you will get maximum amount of time on your bike.
Our Nepal guides speak English and German.

Includes: All connecting flights: 1 domestic mountain flight. (flight option is available for the Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu transportation / extra fee 250,- Euro)
Accommodation: 5 nights in Lodges at the mountain and 5 Nights in Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Transportation: airport pickups, hotel transfers, domestic transportation.
National Park entry Fee ACAP Permits and TIMS
Food & drink: every day breakfast in Kathmandu / Pokhara / mountain Lodge
Porter during the ride

Excludes: Departure and return flight from your country or origin
Lunch & Dinner
Visa (Nepal visa on arrival 25 USD for 15 days / 40 USD for 30 days)
Travel Insurance

Which kind of mountain bike to bring? Enduro / All-mountain bike.
We recommend a full suspension bike as it will be more comfortable and enjoyable for the long downhill rides.

What else to bring? Detailed Equipment list as this trip is located in high altitude and remote area:

Bike travel bag or box
Your bike specific spare-parts as mech hangers, brake pads, chain link etc.

Bikewear: Base-layer - short sleeve and long sleeved cycling top (x 2)

Mid-layer - long sleeved cycling top (x 2)

Outer layer - lightweight waterproof jacket
Fleece/Windstopper jacket

Cycling shorts (x 2)

Warmer cycling tights or tracksters
Buff or equal headwear
Cycling helmet – mandatory
Buff or equal headwear
biking gloves plus windstopper/warmer set
Eyewear


Cycling Daypack
: Camelbak or another water bag 2-3 litres 

First Aid kit
Inner tubes and Puncture repair kit

Multi tool

Sun cream
Pump




Bigger size backpack or duffel bag: (will be carried by porters from Lodge to Lodge)

Travel and after biking clothes/shoes (warmer clothes for after ride)

Rainpants/Waterproof

Sleeping Bag (Comfort Rating -10°C*)

Warm jacket (lightweight down)

Headtorch / Lamp

Wash bag, toiletries and towel


**sleeping bag for rent is available

The prices below are for a 11 Day package.
It's possible to customize the Itinerary depending on your needs.


2 Person: 1.899,- Euro per person
4 Person: 1.749,- Euro per person
6 Person and up: 1.499,- Euro per person

Single person supplement 599,-Euro