Mountain Bike Holidays in Nepal, Himalayas…
ride the legendary Lower and Upper Mustang!

Mountain Biking in Mustang, Nepal, is on the ‘to-do’ list of many mountain bikers around the world! Nepal and the Mustang region more specifically has a history dating back centuaries, with a wealth of cultural heritage strongly anchored in buddhism and it is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking mountainous scenery in the world!

Mountain Biking in the Mustang region of Nepal is a unique adventure few riders are lucky enough to experience. A huge cultural change, visiting ancient villages, riding on flowy singletracks through amazing arid scenery linking hamlets and villages, Mustang is a ‘must do’ for those who want to experience Himalayan riding !

Landing in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, we transfer by vehicle to Pokhara, where you will experience one of the most amazing journeys in the world, to arrive in Jomsom in the lower Mustang. Here you will find yourself facing the mighty Annapurna range at 8091m !

The Mustang region was closed to foreigners until 1992, the ‘forbidden’ former Kingdom of Lo. The region today is where vibrant cultural medieval Asia meets the twenty first century !

This mountain bike tour starts from the Kali Gandaki valley (the deepest valley in the world) at the foot of the Annapurna range, the circuit follows the ancient trade route to Tibet used by yak caravans accessing remote Tibetan villages up until not so long ago.

During this incredible trip you will climb two high mountain passes at 4000m., ride flowy trails, descend technical singletracks and have the time to enjoy the numerous buddhist temples along the way to Lo-Mantang, the capital of the Upper Mustang.

Our mountain bike adventure in Mustang, Nepal is not just a bike trip… it is an amazing, unparalleled experience of a lifetime which no other mountain biking company offers!

INCLUDED

ALPSMOUNTAINBIKE cycling jersey 14 nights accommodation all meals from dinner on Saturday of arrival to breakfast Saturday of departure (except meals in Kathmandu) picnic lunches Professional guiding Luggage transfer to evening accommodation (inc. mountain refuge) Porter/Pony/Donkeys to carry luggage Flight ticket from Pokhara to Jomsom ACAP permit and TIMS Upper Mustang Permit (500$ USD) Return transfer to Kathmandu airport on Saturday of arrival/departure

NOT INCLUDED

Flights/Travel etc Expenses of repair and maintenance of bikes The two meals in Kathmandu on day one and the last day Cancellation/medical insurances and repatriation costs Bike hire Alcohol and extra drinks Mineral water All that is not included/understood in the heading 'Included'.

Warning: The stage may seem quite short but remember that more than 70% of the trip is above 3000m of altitude with two days at 4000m. As the air is finer you wil surely feel more tired than usual for the same riding distance. That is why we have made the stage regarding the riding altitude.
This itineray is given for your information and may be changed at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, physical ability of clients and the trail 'options' we decide together.

The Schedule : arrival Saturday

DAY 1 of arrival (Saturday) : Arrival in KathmanduArrival in Kathmandu Airport, greeting by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. Take your time to relax and soak in Nepal’s ancient capital with some sightseeing.

DAY 2 (Sunday) : Transfer to Pokhara on a Private van

Today we have a 6 to 7 hour drive in a private van to Pokhara with some stunning views from the road along the way as we skirt the impressive Annapurna Massif.

Ride distance: 45km Uneven positive: 1000m Uneven negative: 800m Physical difficulty: 2/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 3 (Monday) : Early Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom

Ride Jomsom (2730m) to Kagbeni (2800m)
Short ride for the warm up and discover Kali Gangaki valley.

We’ll leave early to take the spectacular flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, (approximately 20 minutes). As soon as we land at Jomsom airport, we assemble our bikes, and have breakfast in the lap of Mount Nilgiri.

After breakfast, we start biking to Kagbeni (2800m). Our ride will follow the Kaligandaki gorge on a flat, rocky jeep track along a famous holy trekking trail. Kagbeni is the entry point to Upper Mustang where we’ll stay in the “Red House” hotel.

Ride distance: 12km

DAY 4 (Tuesday) : Kagbeni (2800m) to Muktinath (3800m)

We recommend waking up early to enjoy the spectacular sunrise and get some photos that you wouldn’t believe! Today we will be biking mostly uphill to Muktinath on jeep track. We will have lunch at Jharkot exploring afterwards some of the monasteries and local culture.

Ride distance: 20km 100% ride able

DAY 5 (Wednesday) : Muktinath (3800m) to Chaile (3050m)

Today our journey enters into the forbidden land of Upper Mustang. We will ride uphill to the Gyu La pass descending to Chusang where we will have lunch and rest for a while.

After having lunch, we’ll follow the banks of the Kali River and cross by bridge, riding uphill to reach Chaile. This is a nice little village which offers an awesome view of mount Nilgiri and the Kaligandaki valley from a different angle than the first day in Jomsom. In Chaile we can explore some ancient buildings and a monastery.

Ride distance: 18km, ride able Uneven negative: 750m

DAY 6 (Thursday) : Chaile (3050 meters) to Syangboche (3800 m)

Heading further North into the Himalayas we’ll ride and push the uphill’s, enjoying the downhills after the passes. There’s 4 passes in between Chaile and Syangboche.

We’ll stop at Samar for lunch then ride again towards Syangboche, being likely to meet some village people, Trekkers, ponies and donkeys along the way !

Ride distance: 20km ride able Uneven negative: 750m

Enduro trip in switzerland
enduro mtb
Aletsch glacier Wallis
gps tracks finale ligure fake !

DAY 7 (Friday) : Syangboche (3800 m) to Charang (3560m)

To start we have short climb to reach the first small pass with two more passes to come. From the 1st pass we will be rewarded with an amazing view of Nilgiri, Annapurna and Mustang. We will then ride, first on gentle track then hair rising downhill, to the Gilling then uphill again through some beautiful villages on single track. After the biggest pass of the day (4000m) we’ll ride the downhill to Ghami.

We’ll have Lunch in a local tea house with some delicious food from the Tibetan influenced kitchen. Next we’ll ride down through some farmland where yak Chauri graze and cross a bridge riding past Mani wall and an ancient Gumba. Then we’ll approach the last pass followed by a downhill taking us towards Charang where finally we can relax after the big day !

Ride distance: 22km ride able Uneven negative: 250m

Enduro trip in switzerland
enduro mtb

DAY 8 (Saturday): Charang (3560m) to Lo-Manthang (3800m)

Today we’ll finally reach our destination of Lo-Manthang, the walled city of Buddhist heritage. It is a relatively easy day’s ride with only the Lo-la pass (3810m) to cross. In this true Himalayan landscape the views are amazing and there are some 360 degree view points where we can stop and take photos. We’ll be riding through open jeep tracks and some trekking trails. After the pass we’ll reach Lo-Manthang after about half an hour. We’ll take lunch in our guest house and relax for the rest of the day.

Ride distance: 20km ride able Uneven negative: 240m

DAY 9 (Sunday): Lo-Manthang (3800m)

Now we get the chance to explore the fascinating Lo-Manthang with its centuries old Gumba, Royal Palace, inhabited caves, museum and ancient Buddhist ways of life. We may even get the chance to meet the traditional King and Queen of the region !



DAY 10 (Monday): Lo-Manthang (3800m) to Ghami via Ghar Gumba

Now it’s time to be leaving Lo-Manthang and head back through some new single-track routes. We’ll have to pass two passes over 4000 meters, looking back up the Mustang Valley with some amazing views. We’ll be able to see the Ghar Gumba from the other direction and later in the evening we’ll explore the village of Ghami (the village we had our lunch in on the way to Lo-Manthang).

Ride distance: 30km 60 % ride able Uneven positive: 800m

DAY 11 (Tuesday): Ghami to Samar

We’ll now be reversing the route we took coming towards Lo-Manthang with the views and scenery just as spectacular as before! We’ll take lunch in Syangboche then ride up to the pass followed by a downhill to reach Samar village.

Ride distance: 32km Uneven positive: 450m

DAY 13 (Wednesday): Samar to Kagbeni (2800m)

We’ll start today’s ride early in the morning with small climb up to Da- Jorila pass (3737m) then a downhill ride to Chaile. We’ll ride along the kali Gandaki river bank to Chhusang and take lunch. After lunch we ride back along the kaligandaki gorge to Kagbeni. We will stay overnight in Kagbeni

Ride distance: 20km Uneven positive: 400m

Enduro trip in switzerland
enduro mtb

DAY 13 (Thursday): Kagbeni to Marpha Via Lupra

We’ll wake up early after a good sleep (as you come down from high altitude most people sleep better at night) and have the chance to explore some of Marpha. Today is the day we will ride on the best single track that Nepal has to offer where world it will reward and build your great confidence that you will ride on where European champions ridden. To get this single track we need to climb up hill or hire a Jeep to get on the top. After Lupra valley we will ride toward Marpha along the Kaligandaki gorge. Marpha is known as one of beautiful place with apple garden

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 250m

DAY 14 (Friday): Marpha to Beni then Drive to Pokhara

After waking up on good mood and delicious breakfast we will ride on our journey toward a more subtropical region along the Kaligandaki River with some jeep and single tracks. It’s downhill all the way with lush, green scenery and more oxygen in your lungs, what a great feeling! We’ll reach Tatopani (meaning ‘hot spring’ in Nepali) which is a famous place among locals for treating skin ailments (& not bad for tired legs too!). We will take lunch here in Tatopani. After lunch we will ride along the river bed on a jeep track to the Beni Bazaar where we’ll meet the Pokhara road. Our vehicle will be waiting for us to take us back to Pokhara.

Ride distance: 55km, 100% ride able Altitude gained: mostly flat and descending

DAY 15 (Saturday): Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu and fly back to home.

NB: this tour is run with a minimum of 4 clients. Lunches on Saturday of arrival and Saturday of departure are not included, but can be arranged at an additional cost.

Dates 2020
From May 16th to 30th From September 21st to October 5th From October 5th to 21st From October 21st to November 2nd From November 7th to 21st From November 21st to December 5th
Level
MORE INFOS


Physical
difficulty
  • You are a mtb fan and ride 3-4 times a week at least for 2 hours non stop or more.
  • You can ride at intense pace for short periods (15 minutes)
  • You are able to cope with longer anaerobic efforts( 3-5 minutes).
  • You are comfortable with cycling more than 5 hours at steady pace per day.
  • you are able to climb 1 hour non stop.
  • you do not mind riding in rain if it occurs.
  • you are able to climb more than 1000 meters (3000 feet).
  • vertical ascent a day over 5 days including hike-a-bike sections ( more than 10 minutes).


    Technical
    difficulty
  • You are experienced and have ridden in a lot different situations ( dust, gravels, rocks, roots, mud, slippery terrain) and different types of singletracks.
  • You can go down a drop above 30 centimeters (about 1 foot).
  • You rarely walk uphill or downhill.
  • You are not afraid of steep singletracks uphill and downhill
  • You like the technical challenge and you would like to improve your skills.
  • You can cope with tight corners while downhill with rock and roots.
  • You can ride along a technical descent for at least 30 minutes.
  • You are confident in riding with little exposure.
  • YOUR BIKE
  • The best option is to ride on your own mountain bike, as it is familiar to you.
  • PLEASE NO XC bikes or short travel bikes (below 130mm)
  • A full suspension bike with at least 130 mm of front and back travel is required.
  • You need to have big grippy tires front and back, minimum 2.3 solid casing.
  • Possibility of renting a full suspension bike from 365 euros a week in the local sports stores (list on request).
  • Ascent : 6000 m - Descent : 6000 m
    Duration 14 NIGHTS ACCOMODATION
    11 DAYS RIDING
    SATURDAY TO SATURDAY
    Terrain
    All kinds of trails !
    Cruisy 2 path trails
    From easy to technical singletracks (some very technical) 'rocky and rooty' trails.
    Location
    Starts and finishes in Kathmandu
    Lodging
    14 nights accommodation in a mix of hotels (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms)
    tea houses and a mountain hut (group dormitory rooms)