Offroad Motorcycle Tour to Upper Mustang

Situated at an average elevation of 3500 m, and with passes of over 4000 meters, Upper Mustang is a succession of valleys, plateaus, and gorges embellished with all shades of pink, yellow, red, and gray.

The whole Valley has high rocky peaks all around that are eroded by the wind. There is a deep river of Kali Gandaki, and the characteristic villages built of dried mud bricks.

However, the dried barren land has also some shades of green with the cultivated lands of barley, buckwheat, and rapeseed. On the other hand, the Lo Manthang- the capital of this ancient kingdom is surrounded by walls proudly erected in the middle of the high-altitude desert.

Lo Manthang is the ultimate destination of our exceptional offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang which spans over 125 km.

The Upper Mustang was inaccessible till 1992 when the Nepalese Government finally allowed a small group of tourists to enter the region. Since then, the traditional mule track has been gradually replaced by gravel roads making way for jeep and motorcycle travel.

Around 2010, the first motorcycle tour took place in the Upper Mustang opening a new way of exploring the region. However, gaining access to this remarkable area still requires a permit and compliance with specific regulations. It has thus limited the number of explorers compared to the bustling Annapurna region.

Such restrictions have helped to safeguard the environment, traditions, and cultures of the region. In addition, there is ongoing border tension with China which has long been aiming to revive the ancient trade route through its New Silk Road initiative.

On the other hand, the unrestricted Annapurna and Everest treks have resulted in significant modernization, resulting in a huge surge of tourists, pollution, and waste.

The government is therefore determined to prevent a similar fate for Upper Mustang.

The weather in Upper Mustang is similar to that found in the Tibetan highlands with dry, dusty, and hot heat between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius during the day while night heat drastically reduces to minus temperature.

This region receives very little monsoon rain, because of the protection of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain walls. However, it is not uncommon for the area to be affected by severe storms, heavy rains, and snowfall.

The essential condition for the motorcycle is the driest road and trail conditions as much as possible. Therefore, the autumn time (between September and November) is the optimal time for an offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang. This time bestows almost always dry roads and the best mountain scenery.

Springtime (between March and May) is also a feasible time for this tour which introduces gentle green to its landscape. However, summer rains (between July and August) can hinder access to Upper Mustang while winter (between December and February) snow and cold winds can make the area nearly unlivable.

The offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang is one of the most physically difficult trips, especially for those who are far from the offroad motorcycle.

The paved road will be no longer accessible after Beni, and the journey ahead will significantly challenge your riding abilities. Most of the way, you will ride in a standing position and not sitting, or lounging leisurely like on Harley.

Under you will be an offroad motorcycle and therefore the driving style will be completely different. Moreover, the roads of Upper Mustang are not like you find in Europe or America. They are like directions; very rocky with fords, gorges, and high-altitude passes that at times reach heights greater than those of various mountains of Europe and America.

On the other hand, the initial journey through the cities will be simply chaotic. That’s why, we have planned for the Pokhara flight and not ride.

Yes, the overall tour is incredibly beautiful, but it requires some preparation. A complete beginner should not go on this trip, first, you should try yourself on easier offroad motorcycle routes.

Our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang, although challenging and physically demanding is a very safe journey. We have taken every precaution to ensure your well-being throughout the trip.

We will supervise and arrange all the tour organizations in Nepal. As part of the tour, you will have the option to choose from Royal Enfield 350 cc, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 cc, Honda CRF 250 cc, and XR Honda 190 cc. We ensure these offroad motorcycles won’t let you down; after all, they are built for adventurous touring.

The second thing is we will organize for you an escort jeep that will carry the entire team, your luggage, and bike repairing equipment. In addition, you will have the support of our skilled and experienced motorbike guide, certified by the Nepali Government, along with a mechanic to repair your bikes on-site.

Plus, Upper Mustang has made a huge step forward; although simple, but there will be no problems with food and lodging- acceptable for a night or two.

When preparing for a motorcycle tour abroad, many riders often question whether it is beneficial to bring their own bikes or to use those offered by the tour company.

This choice mainly depends on your preferences, riding capabilities, and readiness to deal with customs procedures. Bringing your own motorcycle means you well know your bike, its mechanics, operation, and the tools required for any repairs.

You will know how to maneuver it, manage the clutches, and handle various terrains, which is essential for our off-road motorcycle tour in Upper Mustang.

However, transporting your bike to Nepal can be both stressful and costly. We also offer high-quality dirt or off-road adventure bikes that will surely meet your expectations and will not let you down. Additionally, we will supply you with fuel and extra bike parts for emergencies.

Attention

If you decide to transport your own motorcycle, please send us its information so we can see if adequate technical support is available in Nepal.

• Full face helmet
• Lined motorcycle jacket with protectors
• Protective pants with knee pads
• Motorcycle gloves
• Motorcycle boots with thick soles
• Kidney belt
• Sunglasses/safety glasses
• Dust Mask
• Waterproof backpack with extra space for essentials like wallet and passport
• Waterproof jacket/rain suit
• Sun hat/cap
• Warm clothes
• Sturdy, warm trousers
• Fleece / underjacket
• Warm socks
• Thermal underwear
• Warm scarf
• Flip flops
• Personal first aid kit
• All your usual toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
• Sun protection
• Lip balm
• Earplugs

Traveling by motorcycle that too on offroad to Upper Mustang is like a dream vacation. You will leave early in the morning and go forward with strength and passion, grinding out kilometer after kilometer. Sun, rain, or wind make no difference.

You will have a crazy sense of freedom, and this is precisely what, in the end, we look for on every trip. You can freely move without constraints every nook and corner of Upper Mustang that is unreachable neither on foot nor on four-wheel.

On the other hand, the terrain of Upper Mustang is such that you will have to constantly concentrate on the route and your bike such that it will allow you to feel the excitement of speed and turns. In short, you will enjoy an authentic travel experience in contact with nature that is not given by any trek or drive.

Altitude sickness can affect any kind of traveler from hikers and climbers to riders. In our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang, you will spend not only a few hours in an altitude between 3500 m to almost 4000 m, rather you will be there for two to three days and nights.

Additionally, the oxygen in the air of Upper Mustang is comparatively lesser than of Kathmandu. So bikers often feel the thin air and demonstrate headache, increased pulse and breathing rates, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and sleeping discomfort.

It is your responsibility to inform our tour leader of the symptoms as soon as possible so that he can provide prompt relief. The effective remedy for this condition is to get to a lower place as quickly and safely as possible. Mind you, not by riding yourself but rather with the assistance of our guide.

You can take Acetazolamide (Diamox) to improve breathing and reduce mild symptoms. This medication may cause increased urination. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol when taking it.

Preparation before our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang is the fundamental thing you need without any ifs or buts. No doubt, you will be on the bike for at least 5 to 7 hours a day for 9 consecutive days traveling 60 to 70 km each day.

Therefore, before leaving for the trip, you should practice a daily routine of exercises focused on muscular resistance for at least 1 month (less weight and more repetitions for less muscle fatigue).

Take short bike tours around, then proceed to high-altitude rides along the mountainous terrain. When you ride, observe the feedback and signals of your body.

This way, you can know about the right posture and useful tools, gear, and clothing. If necessary, you can also change your diet and focus more on proteins and fiber instead of carbohydrates and fats.

Preparation and mindfulness are needed not only before the trip but also during the tour. So whenever taking out your bike every morning, never forget to check your tires for air, check the brakes, clutches, oil, and fuel levels, and put the spare key in the pocket.

And, please don’t speed up; a long motorcycle tour such as ours is a marathon, not a race. Take a lot of breaks to stay focused, and stop every few kilometers to stretch, relax, eat, and drink.

Do not forget to stretch in the breaks; it can help you a lot with your riding.

A double occupancy room at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara awaits your stay, while the best available guesthouse will accommodate you in a double occupancy room during your trip.

In Lo Manthang and the adjacent villages near the Mustang capital, the accommodations may not be fancy, but they are acceptable given their remote and isolated locations.

Please note that we offer you the option to upgrade your stay to a five-star hotel or any luxury resort in Kathmandu and Pokhara for an additional fee. Please inform us of your preference when booking your trip.

Breakfast will be served in Kathmandu and Pokhara accommodations, while lunches and dinners will be at your discretion. During the trip, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be served with food options not limited to only Dal Bhat and momos and expanded to include pizzas, pasta, burgers, and noodles.

For our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang, we will give you the option to choose from Royal Enfield 350 cc, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 cc, Honda CRF 250 cc, and XR Honda 190 cc in Pokhara.

After selecting your motorcycle, our mechanic will perform a thorough safety check. You can then take a test ride to explore the beautiful town of Pokhara.

An escort jeep will be following you during the entire trip for carrying the entire team including our skilled mechanic, luggage, and bike spare parts. We will also supply fuel and necessary spare parts for any emergencies.

As for other travel, a domestic air flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu will be arranged. Other transport including airport transfers and sightseeing excursions will be done in private transport.

Mustang has leaped a huge step forward and the Stone Age Mustang is no more. One of the significant developments can be seen in the communication. Every local carries a mobile with the reception of Ncell and Namaste- the two major local mobile operators of Nepal. You can also go for the eSim of these networks and activate them online. These are the cheaper options than the roaming ones in your phone service.

Although the region is remote, it does have WiFi, though the service can be inconsistent, especially in Chele, Syangbochen, and Ghemi. While electricity is available, charging has to be shared because only one socket is available.

Please remember that there will be additional charges for these services, which will need to be covered personally.

When you are heading out for our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang, travel insurance is a must-have protection. Firstly for securing the restricted area permit for Mustang and secondly for your and your bike safety’s sake.

Travel insurance or motorcycle insurance offers you financial protection in the case of an accident, emergency medical expenses, or breakdown assistance, and helps you cover the cost of any damages incurred to the bike because of your negligence or theft.

When choosing the insurance, make sure it is valid in Nepal, and check that your policy includes provisions specifically designed for bikers, including coverage for protective equipment. And, carefully review the terms of the insurance and situations where coverage may be limited or excluded.

For our offroad motorcycle tour to Upper Mustang, obtaining two permits is very important: the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

The areas below Kagbeni come under the protection of Annapurna Conservation. The NTB (Nepal Tourism Board) in Kathmandu or Pokhara issues the ACAP with a fee of USD 30 for each participant.

The RAP permit allows us to enter the protected villages beyond Kagbeni. For RAP, you should travel in a group consisting of at least two participants and should be guided by a licensed guide throughout the trip.

The permit can be applied only by a registered Nepalese tourism company, like ours. We will collect your papers, and present them at the Immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara and submit the fee of USD 500 for each member.

The permit will be valid for a duration of ten days. To extend your stay in the restricted zone, a fee of USD 50 is required for every extra day.