Forbidden Kingdom Upper Mustang- 8 days Bike Tour

Upper Mustang Bike Tour
At a Glance
  • Duration8 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Max Altitude 3800m
  • Group Size 2 - 50
  • Start City Kathmandu
  • End City Kathmandu
  • Trip Type Private & Group Joining
  • Activity Motorcycle Tour
  • Best Season AUGUST - MAY
Trip Highlights
  • Ride through the Forbidden Kingdom
  • Lo Manthang Exploration for the ancient royal palace
  • Dry dessert-like landscapes
  • Kali Gandaki Gorge
  • Cultural Immersion reflecting Tibetan Buddhist traditions
  • Religious and Spiritual aspects of the great Muktinath Temple
  • Navigation in off-road trails, a perfect fit for the adventure trip
  • Stunning Mountain Views
  • Ancient caves and monasteries add more excitement to the adventure trip
  • Unique Mustang lifestyle

Upper Mustang, the forbidden Kingdom in the Himalayas of Nepal, is a tough adventure destination. This is perfect for bike lovers who want adventure in the mountain region. Though forbidden in the past, this place is famous amongst trekkers in recent times. You will have a thrilling experience on the motorbike tour of just 8 days.

Right from natural excursions to cultural and religious things, this adventure tour covers many aspects of rural Nepal. The stunning views of snow-clad mountains and lush forests. Similarly, wildlife and local traditions add beauty to your adventure. Surprisingly, you can enjoy this Upper Mustang bike trip at a reasonable price with all the services and safety provisions.

Forbidden Kingdom Upper Mustang

You must be thinking why Upper Mustang is called the Forbidden Kingdom Nepal. Well, trekking in this region was strictly prohibited to outsiders till 1992. Specifically, foreigners were not allowed in this region. So, this place was named the Forbidden Kingdom.

Only after 1992, outsiders were allowed to trek in this region. Reports suggest that forbidding had the sole purpose of preserving the ancient Tibetan culture and landscapes.

Let me tell you, this place is quite challenging for bikers, making it a perfect adventure trip. There will be high altitude, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather. You will have all the breathtaking experiences while riding through steep paths and rocky landscapes.

Which month is best for the Upper Mustang Bike Tour?

The best month for the Upper Mustang Bike Tour is the peak tourism season in Nepal. Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November) are the time when the weather, as well as the route, supports biking. During these months, you can enjoy the adventure bike trip without many hurdles.

There will be mild to tolerable temperatures as well as the environment looks beautiful at this time. You don’t have to suffer from heavy downpours or extreme climatic conditions. Plan your mustang by motorcycle trip for these seasons for a safe and satisfying adventure.

Forbidden Kingdom Upper Mustang Bike Tour Map

The Forbidden Kingdom Map helps you make your journey easy. You need to start your bike trip from Kathmandu. Then ride towards Prithvi Highway and reach Pokhara. Your next destination will be Kagbeni. Lo Manthang and Ghami will be the next stops. Then move towards Chuksang. Finally, you have completed the major part of this thrilling journey. Now, move back to Pokhara and then towards Kathmandu. 

Itinerary

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Your journey will start from Kathmandu. It is better to start an early morning ride to avoid traffic. It takes around 8 hours to reach Pokhara via Prithvi Highway. You have to cover about 200 km. It is a mix of paved and unpaved roads. 

As you ride along the path, you will see the magical transition from city life to rural life. Malakhu will be your first stop, where you can enjoy breakfast. After this short break, continue riding towards Manakama Temple Detour. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of this temple area.

During this route, you will be enjoying the lush forest, local village life, and stunning misty views. Similarly, you can enjoy photography on the riverside of the Trishuli River. There will also be rafting camps and suspension bridges.

In just an hour, you will be at Mungling. You can either take a break at Munglung or Damauli. These places offer good cuisine as well as you can visit the market. These are lovely towns surrounded by Hills.

The next stop will be Pokhara. You can relax by Fewa Lake before reaching Pokhara city. Enjoy a city tour along with temples and main tourist spots here. 

The night market and the vibes are amazing in Pokhara, you will love it. Enjoying the local lifestyle and food, spend this night in a guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 830m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Walking Distance: 200km
  • Transport: Motorcycle

The next day, wake up early to enjoy the sunrise views. You will see clear and mesmerizing golden sunrise views over the mountains. Enjoy breakfast and ride to Kagbeni. You have to cover about 155 km. You will reach there in about 9 hours. However, extra hours may be required depending on the road conditions. 

Since this is a Mustang Region, you can expect rough, dirt-filled, and narrow terrain. With such paths and upward climbing, you will enjoy a thrilling Upper Mustang bike trip. First ride along the Kali Gandaki River. Then, you will reach Beni and then Tatopani, where you can enjoy the local views. 

Crossing the villages like Ghasa, Lete, Marpha, and Jomsom, you will finally land at Kagbeni. On the way, you will see amazing Sherpa culture and local lifestyle. Apple orchards in Marpha are a major highlight. 

Similarly, you will be fortunate enough to experience the Rupse Waterfall. Also, Tibetan architecture and panoramic views of the Himalayas. You can capture the lovely views of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri Range.

Do you know that Kagbeni is a medieval village in this thrilling adventure? It is famous as the gateway to the Upper Mustang Region. The ancient architecture, traditional houses, and chhortens will attract you. Enjoy the local vibes and have warm food. You can spend the night at a local tea house.

  • Max Altitude: 2850m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 6 - 7 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorcycle

On the third day of your Upper Mustang Bike tour, you will wake up early and enjoy the mountain views at first. Then, have a quick breakfast and ride towards Lo Manthang. This requires 7 to 9 hours of bike riding as you have to cover about 85 km. It will be off-road with rugged, dusty trails and steep ascents, adding more thrill to your journey.

First, you will cross Chhusang, Samar, Ghiling, and Ghami. Then, the next stop will be Charang and finally Lo Manthang. Interestingly, you will witness ancient villages and the longest mani walls of Nepal. Also, the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. 

Also, you will see royal palaces and ancient monasteries in Lo Manthang. You need permission to enter such places. Witness them and create beautiful memories in the Himalayas. Even on your bike adventure trip, this forbidden kingdom shows warm hospitality and peaceful vibes.

Try the authentic local dish and spend the night at a tea house. The locals are very welcoming and helpful; you can interact with them too.

  • Max Altitude: 3850m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 4-5 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorcycle

On the next day of your forbidden kingdom bike trip, you will wake up early and have breakfast quickly. Then, enjoy the surrounding mountain views and capture the moments. 

Now, you will explore the Wall City of Lo Manthang. This medieval city is surrounded by a 6-meter-tall wall. Inside this wall, you will see whitewashed mud brick homes, narrow alleys, and some religious sites.

Similarly, a 5-storey palace is another highlight in this area. It was once the house of the King of Mustang. Enjoy the royal atmosphere and witness the local lifestyle there. 

There are ancient monasteries named Thubchen Gompa and Jampa Lakhang. These are famous for their wall paintings and assembly hall. Along with the local cultures, you can also enjoy the sky caves here. You can try various local cuisines and spend the night at a tea house.

  • Max Altitude: 4200m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 2-3 Hours
  • Meals: BLD

The next day of your Upper Mustang bike tour will be a thrilling experience in the high Himalayan desert terrain. It is just 35 km in distance. But due to tough paths, it requires more than 3 hours by bike. You have to ride crossing villages like Lo Manthang, Charang, and Dhakmar. 

On the way, you will see Mani Walls, Red Monastery, and Ancient Fortress. Enjoy the places, but also be careful about altitude sickness. You can find a good meal and accommodation in this area.

  • Max Altitude: 3560m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 4 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorbike

The sixth day of the Upper Mustang bike trip will be all about cultural aspects. You will cover about 40 km on taking 4-hour ride. There will be off-road trails, stone paths, and steep descents.

Despite challenging paths, you will enjoy traditional houses. Also, Buddhist Stupas, and peaceful village life. You will witness ancient cave dwellings and red cliffs on the way. Enjoy these cultural aspects and create beautiful memories on this adventure tour.

Chuksang has some guest houses and tea houses. There you can rest, have a meal, and spend the night.

  • Max Altitude: 3040m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 3 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorbike

Chuksang to Pokhara is a return journey of your adventure bike tour in Upper Mustang. Today, you will wake up early and take a quick breakfast. Then, start riding as you have to reach Pokhara with continuous riding. 

You will cross Kagbeni, Jomsom, Ghasa, Tatopani and Beni. You will ride through Muktinath, Lower Mustang Region, and Kali Gandaki Gorge. Similarly, you will ride through lush valleys and civilizations. 

Soon, you will be riding along the black topped road which takes you to Pokhara. Before reaching there, you will enjoy small towns and villages and scenic rice fields. 

Enjoy the nightlife in Pokhara city and spend the night at a guest house. This is a beautiful part of Mustang by Motorcycle.

  • Max Altitude: 822m
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Time: 6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorbike

The next day, you will ride back to Kathmandu. Before leaving, make sure you enjoy the sunrise views over the mountains for the last time. Then, enjoy breakfast and start riding. You will ride along hills and valleys. 

Ride smoothly and take small breaks in between for snacks and lunch. You will cross Damauli, Mungling, Kurintar, Naubise, and Thankot. While crossing these places, you will see the dramatic transition from rural to urban life.

Soon, you will be in Kathmandu. You can either take a quick ride in the city or check into your hotel. This is a beautiful journey of the Upper Mustang bike itinerary that fulfills both your adventure and natural excursion plans.

  • Max Altitude: 1400m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 5-6 Hours
  • Meals: BLD
  • Transport: Motorbike

Upper Mustang Bike Itinerary is a preferred query for adventure lovers. Here is a detailed guideline on how you can ride in this forbidden kingdom, have a look:

Essential Information

What to expect on the 8-Day Upper Mustang Two-Wheel Tour?

Despite being a remote part, the Upper Mustang is a perfect place for an adventure trip. You can expect many things in this tour that will blow your mind with surprise. Here’s what you can expect in this Upper Mustang motorbike trip:

Challenging Terrain

You have to face rough, rocky, dusty roads. Also, get yourself ready for river crossings, steep climbs, and sharp turns. The off-road adventure will literally challenge you at each step. Especially after crossing Kathmandu and other major cities.

High Altitude Riding

You will need to ride between 2800 m and 4000 m. There will be thin air, cooler temperatures, and possible mild altitude sickness. Adding more thrills to your adventure bike trip, the higher altitude challenges you in the Upper Mustang Region.

Stunning Views

 You will see unbelievable natural beauty. While riding through barren landscapes, deep gorges, colorful rock formations, and ancient caves. The endless views of mountains will make your adventure more peaceful and worth remembering.

Unique Culture

You can expect to explore the old Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, prayer walls, and interact with the locals. Their traditional stone houses and lifestyle are a lovely thing to be a part of.

Remote Villages

You can stay in the remote villages of the Forbidden Kingdom Nepal. Though remote and less facilitated, the villages are beautiful with welcoming locals. The major villages are Kagbeni, Ghami, Tsarang, and Lo Manthang.

Unpredictable Weather

You have to be prepared for the sudden change in weather. Even waking up with cloudy weather, you may experience sunny days and vice versa.

Limited Facilities

There will be fewer fuel stations and bike repair shops. Also, luxury accommodations are hardly available. It is better to carry essentials like spare parts, extra fuel, and warm gear.

Besides these, you can expect freedom, a peaceful vibe, and serene village life. The natural beauty and the views from the height are something you will look for.

Best Travel Tips for the Upper Mustang Motorcycle Tour

  • You can make your Upper Mustang Motorcycle Tour safe and enjoyable with the following tips:
  • Get yourself ready with a light but smart pack
  • Have a good conversation with your tour operating company and trip guide before starting 
  • Make up your mind as on the guidance about the route
  • Keep a slow but steady speed, don’t rush in such difficult topography
  • Have an energy drink, a light snack, or a  protein supplement during small breaks
  • Respect local culture and monasteries
  • Interact with locals and take permission if taking their photos
  • Enjoy warm food and hot drinks at higher altitudes
Price Per PersonUS$2500US$3000(All-Inclusive Price)
We Offer Group Discount
Number of peoplePrice per person
2 pax
US$2500
3 - 6 pax
US$2250
7 - 20 pax
US$2200
21 - 50 pax
US$1999
Know Before You Book
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • Private and Group Join Trip
  • Guaranteed Departure
  • Free and Customizable Itinerary
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