Upper Mustang, Nepal mountain bike tours

Upper Mustang, Nepal is more than just mountain biking; it’s about discovering the culture, seeing breathtaking scenery, meeting friendly, heartwarming people and so much more. Venture into a land where Nomads herd yaks in the high pastures, ponies carry your luggage, rosy cheeked locals toil the arid soil to earn a living, where Tibetan culture is almost untouched by civilization and add to this some of the BEST mountain biking terrain in the world. Put simply this trip showcases the very best mountain biking that the Himalaya has to offer!

This trip coincides with the spectacular Tiji Festival held in Lo-Mantang, Upper Mustang. The Tiji festival is one of the must-see festivals that reflect the age-old customs and lifestyle of the people of Lo. The festival is celebrated at the beginning of the annual crop harvest and it is believed that the colorful celebrations dispel any demons that could jeopardize the harvest.

Along with the festival, this trip traverses through stunning landscapes and epic trails — truly an amazing journey on our bikes.

We will have vehicle support on this trip to carry our gear from village to village and also limit the amount of climbing on the jeep roads. This also means that if you have a friend that wants to join who doesn’t mountain bike, they can come along and do a hiking version of this trip at the same time! The mountain bike group and hiking group will follow similar routes and meet up in each village every afternoon.

Get in Touch with Questions or Book Now

Upper Mustang mountain biking trip dates in 2024

• April 30–May 13, 2024

Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact us for custom trip dates!

Skill and fitness level requirements

Fitness level: ● ● ● ○ ○
Skill level: ● ● ● ○ ○

What do these ratings mean?

What to expect after you’ve booked your trip

• Once you’ve booked your trip, you will get a confirmation email through our booking system and a trip information sheet for your trip.
• Please hold off booking your flights until we confirm that the trip has enough participants to run. We will send out an email to let you know.
• Once the trip is confirmed, please go ahead and book your flight and upload your flight information into your WeTravel account (this is the account you will have booked your trip through).
• If you plan to extend your visit on either end of the trip, please let us know and we can help arrange for extra nights at the hotel if needed.
• Make sure to read through your trip information sheet, and always feel free to reach out with any questions to Julie!

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

Touch down in the Himalayan Capital. We will collect you from the airport and you will get your first dose of the hectic streets of Kathmandu as we drive to the Hotel. Take some time to check the bikes, chill out and recover from your flight.

Accommodation: Hotel Woodapple
Meals: Not included

Day 2

Fly to Pokhara and warm up ride

After breakfast, we will head to the airport for the short flight to Pokhara. Once we arrive, we will hop on our bikes for a warm up ride in the surrounding hills. We will return back to Pokhara with time to walk around the scenic lakeside and grab any last minute gear we need at one of the many stores nearby.

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

From Pokhara, fly to Jomsom and bike to Kagbeni

Distance: 14 km (1-2 hours)
Altitude gain: 100m

Wake up for sunrise and hopefully catch a glimpse of the mountains before we head to the airport. It’s about a 22 minute flight to Jomsom, above the Pokhara Valley and deep into the heart of the Himalaya, take a peek out of the window for fantastic views of Dhaulagiri and beyond. The flight is simply breathtaking as the plane’s wing tips almost touch the snow capped peaks, fly right between the snow covered Himalayan giants (Nigiri and Dhalugiri) and you feel your adventure has really begun as the small plane banks left and touches down in Jomsom. In Jomsom, we have breakfast and spend some time getting the bikes ready for the journey and meet our ponies who will carry the luggage. From Jomsom we cycle along the Upper section of the Kaligandaki River to Kagbeni. It’s a mostly flat and steady ride of about 1-2 hours. Kagbeni is a delightful Buddhist village. A great way to start our adventure into the Himalaya.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Kagbeni to Chele

Distance: 30 km
Altitude gain: 600m

Today we will drive up to Muktinath and then ride into the restricted region of Upper Mustang. It’s an uphill stretch from Muktinath through Chhyonggur and up to the Gyu La Pass at 4077 meters, it is 80% rideable but some sections of pushing. Here there are panoramic views of the snow capped mountains. After a short section of steep downhill we follow an undulating ridge trail down to Tetang at 3040 meters, more than a 1000 meter descent on superb single track. Pass an ancient Mani Wall and cycle on down to Chusang. From here there is a slight climb and river crossing to reach Chele on the opposite river bank where the river passes over a bridge and then a steady climb up to Chele. Chele is a small town nestled on a hillside with three teahouses and a dozen homes, from here you get good views down the Kaligandaki Valley.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Chele to Ghami

Today we will drive up to Syangboche to start our ride to Ghami. A short climb takes us out of Syangboche and towards Jhaite, mostly on Jeep Track. We have to climb up to the 4020m Nyi La pass on a steep trail which might involve some pushing. After the pass we follow the high road, crossing another small pass Ghami La at 3765 before rolling down into Ghami. Ghami is a beautiful village and a nice place to stay for the night.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Ghami to Charang

We will start a day with a short descent to the river. From here we ride up passed the longest Mani Wall in the region. We will then leave the main road and take a trip up into the stunning valley of Dhakmar with its red cliffs. We will have some time to explore the area before hopping in the jeep up to the pass. From here we have a long downhill single track only know to our guides that takes us all the way to Charang. The scenery opens up and there are fields of mustard and barley in the right season which makes for lush pockets of greenery and grazing Yaks. It is also one of the most scenic days with the ever changing colors of the landscape from yellow and browns to reds, grays and blues as the sun moves across the Himalayan sky. Charang is a nice village with a really beautiful 400 year old Gulpa Sect Monastery filled with friendly Monks who like to play football. The Monastery is also home to the oldest library in the region of Lo. Charang is a great village to hang out in and snap some photos.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Charang to Lo-Manthang

Distance: 25 km (4 hours)
Altitude gain: 150 m

From Charang we have to cross Lo La Pass at 3810 meters, just before Lo- Manthang. This pass is also known as “Windy Pass” and from here you can view the walled city of Lo-Manthang, your first tantalizing view of this kingdom lost in time and your penultimate destination. In June and July, the time when the crops are almost ready to harvest makes for the most dramatic scenery. The barren brown landscape is scattered with fields of vibrant green and gold rolling with the wind under the vivid blue sky of the Himalaya, a truly memorable scene. The ride is easy if a bit of a long climb, about 25 km total riding distance. You will enjoy the open jeep track trail and should arrive in Lo-Manthang by lunch time. Lo-Manthang is perhaps one of the most interesting places in the Himalaya and a couple of days spent here sightseeing is well worth it. We will arrive to Lo-Manthang just in time for the start of the second day of Tiji Festival- a favorite day among all of the riders from previous trips!

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Lo-Manthang – day trip to Ghom

Today we ride up to Garphu. Follow the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River, crossing over several of its tributaries. Here you will find Ghom, a cave tunneling into the mountainside which is the historical site of a Monastery and the cave of one thousand windows. The beautiful scenery and isolated Tibetan culture make this day trip a worthy experience. The way back from Ghom is beautiful single track through traditional villages. This truly is a place to lose yourself in history, rustic architecture and mind blowing landscapes, one could easily roll back in time 100 years or more here. We also join in the festival celebrations.

Options – Horse Hire US$15, Jeep Hire US$75, Motorbike Hire US$20

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Lo-Manthang

A day to enjoy the Tiji Festival.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Lo-Manthang to Yara

Today we will hop in the jeep and head back to Charang, where we will start our ride to Yara. The ride takes us through the river valley and then uphill through a canyon to Yara where we will have lunch. After lunch we ride loop out to Luri Ghumba and then return to Yara. The round trip is 50% uphill and 50% down, around 2 hours return, but Luri Ghumba is worth a visit, this tiny Monastery is nestled high into the cliff face.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Yara to Tangbe

Today we will drive part of the way to Tangbe before getting on our bikes to ride some amazing singletrack down into the village. Tangbe is a tiny village with very simple accommodation. You can enjoy the feeling of being really remote and isolated.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Tangbe to Chuksang and Jomsom

To start the day we have to push and carry for about 2 hours 3 hours 1000m uphill to Pha totally pushing or carrying, followed by 2 to 3 hours of single track which undulates along the ridge line, before an EPIC descent down to Chuksang. The scenery on this day is also epic. It’s a ridge line descent, with some short climbs, amazing views. Some of the best views of Annapurna, Dhalugiri and Nilgiri can be seen on this day. We will finish our ride in Chuksang and drive to Jomsom through the beautiful river valley.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Jomsom to Kathmandu

Today we leave early, catching a flight from Jomsom back to Pokhara. We will have time for lunch before another short flight back to Kathmandu. We will have time (and help!) to pack our bikes before a farewell dinner in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Woodapple
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change.

• All accommodations, including comfortable hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and tea houses in the mountains.
• Airport pickup and drop-off, as well private transportation within Nepal
• Flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu
• All meals (except for Day 1)
• Porters to carry your gear while riding
• An experienced and certified guide

Price – $3495

There is a $500 permit fee for Upper Mustang. We promise you will get 5 million times that worth of amazement and experience from this trip.

A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. Deposits are non-refundable and can be put toward any other World Ride trip in the future.

The remainder of the cost of the trip is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip and can be made in payments. Trips require a minimum of four people in order to run. Please check with us to confirm your trip before you book your flight.

Fundraise for your trip

Fundraise for your trip! We can set up a personalized fundraising page for you. We offer $100 off your trip costs for every $1000 that you raise, up to the cost of the trip.

The money you raise supports World Ride in building bike and gear libraries and offering guide training and certification in the countries we work with.

Get in touch with us for more details on the fundraising process.

Usha started mountain biking for fun and then it gradually became a bigger part of her life. Usha was featured in the film “Moksha,” which was the project that kick started World Ride. She is a PMBIA Level 1 Certified mountain bike skills coach, certified MTB and trekking guide and is the Nepal 2023 Downhill and XC National Champion.

Usha’s favorite thing about mountain biking is that it helps her get to beautiful places and meet many people from around the world. Her favorite trail in Nepal is the descent from Thorong La Pass and Lubra Valley- from the high point of the Annapurna Circuit down into the valley below!

Nepal is a warm and welcoming country, but like anyplace in the world, you will need to be cautious of your valuables during the trip. The bikes will be securely stored throughout the trip.

Please see the US State Department website for any other travel safety information.

For any travel related vaccines and health questions, be sure to check the CDC website and consult your doctor.

Wondering what clothes to pack, how many pairs of underwear to bring, or what charger you’ll need for Nepal? We’ve got you covered! Check out the lists below and get in touch with any questions.

More insights into your Upper Mustang mountain biking tour

• Why going on a World Ride mountain biking trip is the best way to support our mission

Other things to explore in Nepal

There are many sights to see in Nepal! Depending on when you arrive and depart for your trip, here are some suggestions for Kathmandu. You’ll also find this information included in your trip information sheet.

Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple)

Sitting above Kathmandu, this Buddhist temple is a must see while in Kathmandu. Its more common name is the Monkey Temple because you are sure to see some monkeys hanging around the temple complex. Since this temple sits above the city, it has some fantastic views of the Kathmandu valley.

Boudhanath Stupa

This giant Buddhist stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. It is one of the most visited sites in Kathmandu and is a short taxi ride from where we stay in the Thamel area.

Other treks

Are you looking to extend your stay in Nepal? We are happy to organize treks for you into other regions or more mountain biking as well!