Upper Mustang Mountain Bike Tour 11 Nights/12 Days

To get to Jomsom, you'll need to take a flight from Pokhara. Flights to Jomsom are operated by a few airlines including Yeti Airlines and Tara Air. The flight takes about 20 minutes and offers some spectacular views of the mountains. 

Once you arrive in Jomsom, you can rent a mountain bike and begin your ride to Kagbeni. The ride is about 14 km and should take you about an hour and a half. The route is mostly flat with a few small hills and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Kali Gandaki River. 

Kagbeni is a beautiful village located in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. It is a popular stopover for trekkers heading to Upper Mustang or the Annapurna Circuit. The village is known for its unique architecture, with narrow alleys and mud-brick houses. It's also a great place to explore the local culture and cuisine.

The trek from Kagbeni to Chele is approximately 6-7 hours long and covers a distance of around 15km. The trail starts by following the Kali Gandaki River and takes you through some beautiful desert landscapes. You'll cross several small streams and walk past some ancient caves along the way. 

After a few hours, you'll reach the village of Tangbe, which is known for its traditional whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. From Tangbe, the trail continues uphill, and you'll pass through some stunning red cliffs before reaching the village of Chhusang. 

After crossing a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River, the trail climbs steeply up to Chele. Chele is a small village with a few lodges and guesthouses where you can rest for the night.
 

The journey starts in Chele, where you will begin a gradual climb up the Kali Gandaki River Valley, passing through small villages and ancient monasteries along the way. The terrain is rocky and uneven, so be prepared for some challenging riding. 

As you climb higher, the landscape changes dramatically, with rugged cliffs and towering peaks dominating the skyline. The air gets thinner and the temperature drops, so make sure you have appropriate clothing and gear. 

Eventually, you will reach the village of Syanboche, located at an altitude of 3800m. This is a great place to stop and rest, as the altitude can be quite taxing on the body. There are a few teahouses in the village where you can spend the night and enjoy some traditional Nepalese food.

The route from Syanboche to Dhakmar is quite challenging, as you will be riding through some rough and rocky terrain. You will also have to cross a few streams and navigate through some steep ascents and descents. 

As you start your ride from Syanboche, you will first head towards Ghami, which is located at an altitude of 3,520 meters. Ghami is a small village that is known for its ancient Buddhist monastery and traditional mud houses. From Ghami, you will continue riding towards Tsarang, which is located at an altitude of 3,560 meters. Tsarang is another small village that is known for its ancient fortress and the Red Gompa. 

After exploring Tsarang, you will continue your ride towards Lo Manthang, which is located at an altitude of 3,810 meters. Lo Manthang is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mustang and is home to many ancient Buddhist monasteries, temples, and palaces. You can spend some time exploring the city and its surroundings before continuing your ride towards Dhakmar. 

As you ride towards Dhakmar, you will come across some beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the Himalayas. You will also pass through some small villages and settlements where you can interact with the locals and learn more about their culture and way of life.

The ride from Dhakmar to Lo Manthang is about 19 kilometers and should take around 2-3 hours depending on your pace and any stops you make along the way. The route will take you through some stunning scenery, including deep gorges, rocky cliffs, and vast open valleys. You'll also pass through several small villages and settlements where you can take a break and rest your legs. 

As you near Lo Manthang, you'll begin to see the towering walls of the ancient city in the distance. The city is surrounded by a high wall and contains many important historical and cultural sites, including monasteries, temples, and palaces. 

Once you arrive in Lo Manthang, take some time to explore the city and its surroundings. You can visit the Jampa Lhakhang temple, the Thubchen Gompa monastery, or take a hike to the nearby Chhoser cave. And of course, don't forget to sample some of the delicious local cuisine, such as yak meat, Tibetan bread, and thukpa soup.

During your rest day, you can explore the town and its surroundings. Some popular activities include visiting the royal palace, the Jampa Lhakhang monastery, and the Thubchen Gompa monastery. You can also take a stroll around the town and soak up its unique atmosphere, or relax and enjoy the stunning mountain views. 

It's important to remember to take it easy on your rest day and allow your body to recover from the physical exertion of trekking. Make sure you drink plenty of water and rest your muscles. It's also a good idea to do some light stretching or yoga to help ease any soreness or stiffness.
 

The journey from Lo Manthang to Yara is about 35 kilometers and takes around 4-5 hours, depending on the weather and road conditions. The road is mostly flat or gently sloping, with a few steep sections. 

As you leave Lo Manthang, you'll follow the Kali Gandaki River and pass through several small villages, including Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar. Along the way, you'll see some of the ancient caves and monasteries that make this area so unique. 

Yara is a small village located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. It's known for its ancient caves and its beautiful scenery. After arriving in Yara, you can explore the village, take a stroll along the river, or simply relax and enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas.

As you leave Yara, you'll follow the Kali Gandaki River northward, passing through small villages and fields of barley, wheat, and buckwheat. You'll cross a few suspension bridges over the river, and eventually come to the village of Ghuma Thanti, where you can stop for a rest and some refreshments. 

From Ghuma Thanti, the trail climbs steadily up a steep hillside, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for chortens (Buddhist shrines) and mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers) along the way. 

As you near Tangye, you'll see the ruins of an ancient fortress perched on a hilltop overlooking the village. This fortress, known as Tangbe Dzong, was built in the 15th century to protect the region from invading armies. Today, it is a popular spot for visitors to explore and take in the views.
 

The ride from Tangye to Chhusang is approximately 17 kilometers and will take around 5-6 hours to complete. The route takes you through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is one of the deepest gorges in the world. The trail follows the river, which is a popular route for pilgrims and traders alike. 

You will pass through several small villages, including the town of Tetang, which is famous for its apple orchards. Along the way, you will also get to see the stunning views of the Himalayas, including the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. Make sure to stop and take some pictures and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. 

As you approach Chhusang, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. Chhusang is a small village with traditional houses made of stone and mud. You can explore the village and its surroundings, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
 

The distance between Chhusang and Muktinath is around 18 kilometers, and it takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Muktinath via Gyu la pass. The ride starts from the village of Chhusang and follows the Kali Gandaki River for some time before turning towards the east and climbing towards the Gyu la pass. 

As you climb towards the pass, you will be able to see the stunning views of the mountains, including Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. The Gyu la pass is located at an altitude of 4,077 meters, and you will have to cross it to reach Muktinath. The pass is quite steep, and you will need to be careful while riding your bike. 

Once you cross the pass, you will start descending towards Muktinath. The road is quite rough, and you will have to be careful while riding. As you descend, you will be able to see the beautiful scenery of the Mustang region. 

Muktinath is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists, and it is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. It is famous for its temple and the natural gas fires that burn continuously. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and many pilgrims come here to take a dip in the holy water.
 

The ride starts early in the morning from Muktinath, a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists. From there, you will descend through rocky terrain and cross the Kali Gandaki River on a suspension bridge. The river is known for being one of the deepest gorges in the world, and the views from the bridge are simply breathtaking. 

As you continue on, the road will take you through the quaint village of Jomsom, which is famous for its apples and apple brandy. You will also pass through Marpha, another beautiful village that is known for its apple orchards and traditional mud-brick houses. 

As you leave Marpha, the road will start to climb up again, and you will enter the dense pine forests of the Kalopani region. The road is narrow and winding, but the scenery is simply stunning. You will pass through several small villages along the way, where you can stop for a cup of tea and interact with the friendly locals. 

Eventually, you will reach Kalopani, a beautiful village nestled in the midst of towering mountains. The village is surrounded by lush green forests and offers stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Kalopani is also a popular destination for trekkers, and you can expect to find several lodges and guesthouses where you can spend the night.
 

Starting from Kalopani, your ride to Pokhara will take you through some beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the Himalayas. You will begin your journey by riding along the Kali Gandaki River, which is the deepest gorge in the world. 

As you move forward, you will come across small villages like Ghasa, Lete, and Tatopani, where you can take a break and explore the local culture and traditions. You can also take a dip in the hot springs at Tatopani to relax and rejuvenate. 

Further ahead, you will cross the beautiful Rupse Chhahara waterfall, which is a popular spot for tourists. The waterfall is about 300 meters high and is a sight to behold. As you ride towards Pokhara, the landscape will start to change, and you will see more greenery and lush forests. You will also get a glimpse of the Annapurna range and the Fishtail mountain, which are some of the most popular trekking destinations in the world. 

After a long and scenic ride, you will finally reach Pokhara, which is a beautiful city located on the shores of Phewa Lake. You can explore the city's many attractions, including the World Peace Pagoda, the Mahendra Cave, and the Bindhyabasini Temple. You can also indulge in adventure sports like paragliding, zip-lining, and bungee jumping.