Mountain Bike Trip to Upper Mustang, Nepal

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 inlcuded

FLY TO POKHARA AND WARM UP RIDE

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

POKHARA FLY TO JOMSOM AND BIKE TO KAGBENI Distance 14km – 1-2 hour’s, 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

KAGBENI TO CHELE distance 30km, Altitude gain 6000m

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

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

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

CHARANG TO LO-MANTHANG Distance 25km – 4 hours – Altitude gain 150m

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

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