Mustang Mountian Biking

Mustang Mountian Biking

    Upper Mustang Mountain bike

    Upper Mustang Mountain biking is in North Gandaki province of Nepal. It is “rain shadow” area. It borders China. Suburb canyons, desert terrain, arid valleys, loose gravel, jeep tracks and windswept cliffs and unique indo-Tibetan Buddhism culture and heritage make this trip amazing.

    Upper Mustang mountain biking

    ‘Upper Mustang’ mountain biking is in a remote, high-altitude trans-Himalayan region on northwestern region of Nepal, which borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The Upper Mustang mountain bike tour is a true world class biking adventure riding scenery wise and culture wise you will experience a remarkable adventure of Nepal. Riding through ‘Lo Manthang’ and visiting natural wonders, we explore both unique cultural heritage of high Himalayan natives and also beautiful attires. Unlike other part of Nepal, particularly this Upper Mustang is different and unique such that outstanding plateaus, rich culture, ancient cave carved into cliffs well known as ‘Shangri-La tombs’, rugged scenery, eroded stand stone formations, snow-capped peak and such many more. While doing mountain bike in this trans-Himalayan region, we will encounter beautiful paradise of blue horizon entangled with several highest breathtaking mountains standing in this planet. However, the mountain bikes need to travel 4,200 meters to enjoy this very scenery.

    Since 1992, Upper Mustang has been made open for international visitors. Till today, this holy land also known as the forbidden kingdom, has received and served thousands of international tourists. Villages at here are isolated but rich in culture and heritage. People here are predominantly Buddhist so they have deeply rooted in religion and culture. If you want to taste the real thing of mountain biking then this is the place where the journey begins such that you may likely end becoming a documentary traveller. Also the traditional way of life of local natives of not more than fifteen thousands in number, they still are living the simple but remarkable way of life at here. The life style is like that of Tibet. This very Tibetan wavering flags on the trails and lodges and valley, will never make you feel alone. One of the great advantages of traveling by mountain bike at this Upper Mustang is the ability to explore every corner of this remarkable region, and witness the local lifestyle firsthand with your own eyes. Additionally, the spectacular views of the Himalayas will captivate anyone into its majestic tranquility of nirvana. Heavenly fogs, chilling cold fresh oxygen, tinkling bell sound from mule horses and yaks, rubber wheel tires rigging the gravels, rear hub sound from our bikes, and few Himalayan whistle flutes will definitely make this trip worth more than enough.

    Likewise, we can travel into ‘Muktinath’ which is a holy pilgrim site of all Hindus. This holy site lies at lower Mustang which is not to be missed out. The spiritual value, way of living and Buddhist monuments, breath taking views touches your heart. During plantation season, you can behold green farm traces in every field beside other Himalayan berry thorny bushes, alpine grass around semi desert area which is now a pastureland for Yaks, Kashmiri goats, sheep and wild horses. Snow leopards, blue Sheep and Himalayan Tahr are some of the wild habitat of this Upper Mustang area.

    Normally, we catch the flight to ‘Jomsom’ form ‘Pokhara’. Or we can drive to ‘Jomsom’ as well. On our mountain bike route we pass traditional villages, maani wall, prayer flags, ancient monasteries, caves and of course great grand panoramic Himalayas views. We bypass ‘Kagbeni’, ‘Chele’, ‘Syangboche’, ‘Ghami’ and ‘Tsarang’ and finally reach ‘Lo Manthang’ the center or we can say heart of Upper Mustang. The snow blossomed panoramic view of high Himalayas is too beautiful. It’s a once in a lifetime must do experience.

    This ‘Upper Mustang’ mountain bike trip from us, is for sure adventurous ride. The trail is perfect as it is off road trails, and not to mention sketchy thrilling downhill track, too. Exploring such rich culture, traditional mud brick houses and Indo-Tibetan Buddhist living culture, can be observed while we mountain bike in ‘Upper Mustang’. As the mountain bike exceeding 3,000 meters, one needs to be physically fit, and prepare for the challenges for high altitude condition, including altitude sickness.

    .

    Highlights:

    • Mustang was once known as the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’. Its people, culture, and natural beauty are rich and unique, earning it the nickname ‘Little Tibet’.
    • Located in the trans-Himalayan region, Mustang was a restricted land until 1992. Although it is now open to visitors, there is an entry fee of approximately USD 50 per person per day.
    • To visit, you will need to obtain a special permit. This requires submitting a scanned copy of your passport in advance, and on the day of your arrival, you must present the original passport at the permit-issuing office before heading to Mustang.
    • The region offers many fascinating sites to explore, including ancient monasteries, centuries old caves, and a deeply rooted Buddhist religion and culture.
    • Muktinath_a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists is a must-visit during your trip. You will see mostly taking bath in 108 spouts before paying visit into Muktinath temple.
    • Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary occupations of the people living here.
    • The Kali Gandaki River is the main waterway in the region, and Mustang is also home to the world’s deepest gorge.

    Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

    What is exactly Upper Mustang Mountain Bike ride?

    Upper Mustang Mountain bike ride is riding over the high passes. Regular mild exercise is compulsory before 3 months in advance. It is a great adventure. We can see Buddhist culture and Hindu culture, too. The nature is beautiful with ancient caves, mani wall, chorten, prayers flags, monasteries, wind eroded mountains and great views of Himalayas.

    Who is guiding us?

    Well experienced, educated, qualified and honest guide will lead the mountain bike guide.

    Where is the Mustang Mountain bike trip taking place?

    ‘Upper Mustang’ lies northwest of Kathmandu. We need to reach ‘Pokhara’ and fly to ‘Jomsom’ to start our mountain bike trip. As upper Mustang is restricted area we need to have especial permit. We will get it for you. Mostly we ride above 3000 meter. It is good to remain Physically fit and be aware with altitude sickness. Our itinerary is made in such a way that there is less chances of having altitude sickness.

    When Upper Mustang biking is organized?

    Its 365/365 online booking available via our website link

    https://freewheeladventurenepal.com

    OR WhatsApp: + 977 98510 86381

    How much do upper Mustang mountain biking ride cost ?

    The cost of upper Mustang is a bit costlier than other trip as the permit is USD 50 per day when you enter restricted area. As we start our trip from Jomsom. To reach there either we have to fly or drive. Likewise we need to transferred to Pokhara. Depends you want to fly or drive. We recommend you have private vehicle on this sector too. But still we provide you service at reasonable price. The money that you pay us is worth it as we also give and distribute and give good salary to your guide and staffs.

    Why upper Mustang Mountain bike tour ride is for you?

    As you really want to see real beautiful Nepal, Buddhist and Hindu temples more over Buddhist religion and culture is what is famous in Upper Mustang. The ancient caves, monasteries, prayers flag, mani wall landscape and scenic Himalayas this trip is for you. The people and culture is like that of Tibet so you would definitely like it.

    What are other essential Mountain bike accessories or gears?

    We provide you a mountain bike in case you don’t bring one from home. Otherwise we provide bike as per your requirement. We do provide you helmet. Beside that you have to bring all your gears. If you are travelling near or in rainy season you have to bring raincoat or you can buy it here at Thamel bazzar.

    Does Freewheel Adventure Nepal do other adventure activities?

    We do the entire mountain biking around Nepal. On top our guide are certified trekking guide who can handle trek, too. We can book and issue air ticket and bus ticket, reserve the hotel etc. for you as on your demand.

    C o n c l u s I o n

    Upper Mustang mountain bike is full of adventure and of true Mountain biking challenges. This trail into remarkable landmark has been well ridden, shredded, tested, studied, and well planned by our ‘Freewheel Adventure Nepal team’ time and again. Almost every international Mountain biker suggests this landmark must to travel once in a lifetime. As the ride is on altitude, you have to be physically fit and also over come altitude sickness which can be dealt via acclimatization at the high altitudes by couple of days rest. The trail is embarked with Buddhist prayer flags, maani wall, chorten, rugged silver jewel mountains, ancient cave and scenic view of snow capped peaks (Himalayas) followed by indo-Tibetan distinct culture of living where the true peace makes its magical enchantment through-out our mountain biking adventure. We Freewheel Adventure Nepal Team do promise this biking trip full of joy and tranquility for our all precious guests. Aren’t you ready for riding something new with us? Let’s feel the adventure on wheels. Peace!

    Itinerary
    This is the Plan
    Expand allCollapse all

    Our airport representative will meet you at the airport with a ‘Freewheel Adventure Nepal’ sign, displaying your name. You will be transferred to the hotel. After check-in, we’ll provide a short briefing about the trip and take a walk around Thamel.

    We will load our mountain bikes and luggage and travel to Pokhara, located 200 km away (approx. 9 hours). Or fly to Pokhara 25 minutes. When you go over land we will enjoy views of the countryside. We’ll make stops for a simple lunch along the highway. The route primarily follows the river and valley, with linear settlements along the way.

    We will take a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, which takes about 25 minutes. Upon arrival, we will assemble our bikes and begin riding along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River before ascending towards Kagbeni. Once in Kagbeni, we can explore the narrow alleys and wander around the village.

    It’s best to start the ride early to fully appreciate the spectacular views of the Himalayas. Our route takes us through villages and over the Gyu La Pass. After crossing the pass, the trail becomes more technical as we make our way to Chhusang, then cross the Kali Gandaki River towards our destination, Samar. Although the climb is tough, the scenery is incredible, and the area is remote and serene.

    Today, we’ll cross six passes, each above 3,800 meters. The trail is challenging but less steep than yesterday’s. Expect a mix of ascents and descents. We’ll stop for lunch in Ghiling and continue for another two hours to reach Ghami.

    Today’s route features a 50/50 mix of single-track and regular trail, making it a bit technical. We’ll crosstwo high passes: Chogo La (4,280 m) and Mui La (4,180 m). Some rocky sections may require us to push our bikes. Upon arrival in Lo Manthang, we can explore this ancient village and visit the King’s Palace, steeped in history.

    We’ll have the day to explore the surroundings, either by hiking or biking. Lo Manthang’s rich culture and unique architecture reflect its Tibetan heritage, as many people here are of Tibetan origin. The landscape, art, and traditions make this area feel like ‘Little Tibet’.

    We’ll ride above Lo Manthang, heading toward the Chinese border. The views are stunning, and we’ll visit ancient caves and monasteries. On a clear day, we can see the magnificent Nilgiri and Annapurna mountain ranges.

    Mountain Biking Details: 17 km distance, 700 m ascent, 790 m descent. We’ll climb the Lo Pass (4,000 m) for breathtaking views of Lo Manthang, then descend to Dhee (3,400 m). Afterward, we’ll follow the river basin trail back to Yara for the night. If time permits, we can explore Ghara village, located about 5 km from Yara.

    Today, we’ll tackle Pa Pass (4,180 m), a difficult pass that may require us to push our bikes in some sections. Afterward, the descent is quick as we drop down to 2,900 meters. The rocky, loose mud trail leads us to Chuksang.

    After breakfast, we begin our ride uphill to Muktinath. This is a challenging ascent, but the views of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri snow-capped peaks are rewarding. Once we reach Muktinath, we’ll have plenty of time to visit the Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines and observe the local worship practices.

    We’ll finish the Upper Mustang section of the journey and enter Lower Mustang, reconnecting with the Annapurna Circuit. The trail involves some up-and-down sections until we reach Kagbeni, where we will arrange for a local vehicle to take us to Muktinath. From there, we’ll ride to the Lupra Pass (4,100 m) and descend through the Lupra Valley back to Jomsom.

    We’ll take a morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Once in Pokhara, you’ll have plenty of options for relaxation—explore the lakeside area, or enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and shops. If you are in the mood, you can also go for a bike ride around the city.

    After breakfast, we’ll ride back to Kathmandu, a journey that takes about 8 hours. Alternatively, you can choose to fly to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you are free to explore the city or visit the old king’s palace.

    On this final day, you can either stay longer in Kathmandu to explore more activities or prepare for your return flight. Three hours before your flight departure, we will drop you off at the airport for your journey home.

    Cost Details
    Includes
    • Airport pickup and drop-off
    • Standard accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara
    • All necessary permits required for the trip
    • Accommodation in basic teahouses during the biking portion
    • An experienced English-speaking guide while biking
    • Domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (and, if needed, between Kathmandu and Pokhara)
    • All meals during the biking portion of the trip
    • All required permits.
    Excludes
    • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara,
    • Bottled beverages, personal expenses, and insurance (we handle evacuation, but the cost will be on your responsibility),
    • Delays due to natural calamities,
    • Tips to the guide and staff.
    Book This Trip