Mustang Cycling Tour - 19 Days Itinaray and Cost

Namaste and a happy welcome to Nepal! When you get to Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will welcome you with a beautiful khada. After that, a private, comfortable vehicle will take you to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you may rest and get used to the lively bustle of Kathmandu.

Later, you'll meet your guide and the cycling crew for a welcome briefing, where they'll go over crucial information about the tour. This is also when you should get your bikes ready, check your gear, and make sure everything is set for the adventure ahead. In the evening, you may either relax and get ready for the fun days ahead or explore Thamel's lively streets, which are full of shops, cafés, and local flavor.

The second day is all about getting to know the culture and making last-minute plans before the trip starts. We take a short ride around the colorful and ancient Kathmandu Valley to get used to it. This is a great way to warm up our legs while we ride through busy city streets and calmer alleys. This trip is a touching introduction to the valley's living legacy. It takes us straight to its spiritual center, where we visit three famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will see the stunning vistas and playful monkeys at the old Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), feel the deep peace of the huge Boudhanath Stupa as pilgrims walk around it, and visit the renowned Pashupatinath Temple. At the end of the day, we go back to our hotel for a last check of all the bikes and a complete tour briefing. This makes sure that all of our technical and itinerary questions are answered, so we are ready to start our epic journey to the Himalayas the next morning.

We start our trip to the high mountains by going to the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. For the party, this usually means a beautiful 6- to 7-hour journey in a private car through the verdant foothills of the Himalayas, past traditional villages, and along the roaring rivers Trisuli and Marshyangdi. Very fit bikers might choose to ride this famous stretch of road, where they can tackle the tough but gorgeous hills and descents on their own. No matter how you get there, the day is full of changing scenery as you leave the Kathmandu Valley behind for the greener, calmer atmosphere of Pokhara. When we get there, everything settles down. We check into our hotel and are welcomed with the peaceful, famous views of Phewa Lake reflecting the beautiful Annapurna range. We may walk around the quiet lakeside in the evening, which will help us relax and get ready for the adventure ahead.

Today was the real start of our two-wheeled trip, when our wheels finally struck the road for real. We start by riding our bikes out of Pokhara, where we immediately trade views of lakes for a world of colorful, terraced farms carved into the rolling mountains. The route goes through traditional villages where people go about their everyday lives next to the road. This gives you a rhythmic and immersive start. As we head west along the Seti and then the Modi Khola rivers, things start to change slowly. The dense, subtropical plants start to thin out, the air gets warmer, and the sound of larger rivers in the distance hints at the magnificent vistas that are to come. A lengthy, enjoyable descent takes us to Beni, a busy administrative center where the Kali Gandaki and Myagdi rivers meet. We are getting a good introduction to the area by staying here overnight. We are resting in the shadow of the enormous gorge we will enter the following day, and our cycles are checked and ready for the rough paths ahead.

Leaving the busy city of Beni, our Mustang cycling adventure takes us deep into the Kali Gandaki gorge, which is known as one of the best places in the world to ride a bicycle through a deep gorge. The gravel road gives way to a magnificent, carved cliff-side track, turning this section into an amazing and difficult Himalayan mountain riding adventure. Every time you ride along this remote biking track in Nepal, you get to see amazing views: emerald terraced slopes, the thundering rapids of the Kali Gandaki River far below, and traditional suspension bridges swinging over the edge.

The famous natural hot springs in Tatopani, Nepal, are the last stop on this bucket-list descent. This refreshing paradise is the perfect reward for bikers, who can relax in heated, stone-lined pools just a few meters from the roaring river. It's a classic Himalayan adventure travel experience. In the afternoon, you may explore the relaxed village of Tatopani, meet other trekkers and cyclists on the Annapurna Circuit, and take in the stunning riverbank landscape of the Kali Gandaki. This important break gives our legs a chance to get ready for the big climb ahead. Tatopani is the final place we can relax in Nepal's lush, subtropical environment before we head up into the famous high desert scenery of Mustang, which is a hot spot for high-altitude cycling excursions.

We leave the warm, subtropical area of Tatopani and start a long, gratifying ascent that follows the Kali Gandaki River as it rises. This challenging uphill cycling route in Nepal has big changes in the landscape as we bike out of the deep gorge and into the valley that is getting wider and windier. The scenery around us changes in a very noticeable way. The thick woods and rivers slowly give way to pine trees, then juniper trees, and eventually to the dry, barren slopes of the Himalayan rain shadow. This amazing high-altitude bicycling segment gives you 360-degree vistas of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains, with their snow-capped peaks guarding the valley.

We ride on cycles through historic Thakali villages like Ghasa and Lete, where we can see how the architecture and culture change. The last part of the journey is the famous Mustang region's afternoon winds, which really test our endurance as we make our way to our goal: the famous town of Marpha. Marpha, known as the "Apple Capital of Nepal," greets us with its clean whitewashed stone cottages, small flagstone streets, and the pleasant smell of apple fields. Our overnight stay here is a cultural immersion, giving us the chance to try local apple brandy, pie, and cider. It's a big day of climbing that has firmly pushed us into the spectacular, arid Tibetan Plateau scenery.

We leave the apple-scented air of Marpha and go north via the famous Upper Mustang bicycle track. This is a thrilling ride that is made even more exciting by the area's strong afternoon winds. We pedal over rough routes that have been dug into the Kali Gandaki riverbed on the sides of cliffs. The huge peaks of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri are always in the background. This is a trip through Mustang's famous desert-like scenery, which is a unique view of eroded cliffs, ochre-colored hills, and huge, rocky plains that show how powerful the Himalayan rain shadow is.

On the way, we stop in Tibetan-influenced settlements such as Jomsom, the windswept administrative capital, and Ekle Bhatti. Our final stop of the day is Kagbeni (2,800m / 9,186ft), which is quite deep. This old town, which is the entrance to the banned Kingdom of Lo, feels like a door to another time. A network of small, flagstone lanes weaves between historic mud-brick homes and leads to the impressive Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Gompa. An evening excursion lets you really get to know Tibetan Buddhist traditions. We really feel like we're on the edge of the famed Upper Mustang after spending the night in this secluded hamlet beneath a sky full of stars.

We officially pass the checkpoint and leave the medieval feel of Kagbeni behind. Our real Upper Mustang cycling experience begins with a long, challenging climb out of the Kali Gandaki valley. As we ride up to the dry, high-altitude plateaus, we follow the traditional salt trade route to Tibet. The topography changes a lot; the riverbed turns into a rough jeep route that winds up steep, crumbling cliffs made of bright ochre and rust-colored silt, giving you stunning vistas of the Kali Gandaki Gorge below. 

There are amazing, stark sights along the way. We'll ride through the old town of Tangbe, which looks like an ancient fort and has whitewashed buildings and narrow streets. We'll also see the gorgeous meeting of the Kali Gandaki and Jharkhong Khola rivers. The most challenging portion of the trip is the steep, quick climb to the Taklam La Pass (3,624m / 11,889ft), which is our first big high pass. After that, we have a thrilling descent into the magnificent Syangboche Gorge. After a long journey, we finally reach Chele (3,050m / 10,006ft), a small group of traditional dwellings in a secluded area. This is our first real night on the huge, quiet Tibetan Plateau.

Leaving the secluded village of Chele, today's ride is a breathtaking journey through the high-altitude desert gorges of Upper Mustang, where you'll face challenging climbs and learn about the area's rich culture. The path goes across some windswept passes that were once used by traders. One of these is the Dajori La (3,735m), which has breathtaking views of the Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Annapurna ranges. The scenery is a stunning mix of eroded cliffs, layered rock formations, and huge, quiet valleys that provide for a real "Mars on Earth" cycling experience.

The trip takes us to the Luri Gompa, a cliffside temple that is one of Mustang's most important cultural sites. A short, optional climb leads to this secret 14th-century monastery, which is known for its old paintings and peaceful, secluded location. At 3,620 meters, the last part of the trip takes us to the large, oasis-like settlement of Chrang (also called Tsarang). Tsarang feels like the capital of a long-gone time since it is home to a huge destroyed fortress and an ancient monastery with white walls. Walking through its tangle of poplar-shaded roads and irrigated fields gives you a strong impression of being in the cultural core of Lo.

Today's ride gets us to the most exciting part of our trip: the long-awaited arrival at the famous walled city of Lo-Manthang. As we leave Tsarang, we face one more, symbolic challenge: a steep, winding ascent out of the town's gorge to a huge, high-altitude plateau. This remote Himalayan bicycle path goes over a wide, windy plain, with the huge Annapurna range in the distance to the south, its peaks covered in snow. With each stroke of the pedal, the feeling of excitement grows as you ride across this stark, gorgeous desert.

The most memorable part of the trip is when you first see Lo-Manthang (3,810m / 12,500ft). The city has huge, 8-meter-high mud-brick walls that look like a mirage rising from the plateau. They protect the old royal capital of the Kingdom of Lo. We ride our bikes through the only old northern gate, which leads us into a living museum of Tibetan Buddhist culture. The afternoon is for awe-inspiring exploring. You may walk through small paths, see old monasteries like Thubchen and Chhoede, and look up at the stunning four-story Royal Palace. We spend the night inside these old walls, taking in the deep aura of a civilization that has been maintained in the Himalayas.

The Mustang cycling tour's challenging day is today. It includes a spectacular out-and-back trip to the Kora La pass (4,660m / 15,288ft), which is the old trade route and cycling route that marks the boundary between Nepal and Tibet. We leave Lo-Manthang and ride across the northern plateau on a rough path that progressively rises into the thin air. The views of the wide, dry countryside reaching into the snow-capped peaks of the Tibetan boundary are memorable. Getting to Kora La, which is covered with prayer flags, is a huge accomplishment. It gives you a deep sensation of being far away and is one of the highest spots in the Mustang region where you can ride a bike.

After going down, we take a different way back and explore the interesting Choser cave complex. We can see old monasteries built into cliffs and caves that are home to people who lived in the area long ago. The voyage ends with a return to the comfort and familiarity of Lo-Manthang, where we may think over the day's tremendous achievements in the ageless setting of the walled city.

This day off in Lo-Manthang is a much-needed break in your bicycle trip, giving you time to recuperate and really explore this famous walled city. You may take your time taking in the deep ambiance of the "Last Forbidden Kingdom" because there are no planned rides. This is the best time to view all of the city's famous monuments inside its historic mud-brick walls. You may tour the impressive Royal Palace, think about the beautiful, centuries-old murals in Thubchen Gompa, and find the calmer Chhoede Gompa.

Today, we leave behind the famous walls of Lo Manthang and begin our magnificent trek home through the secluded eastern loop of Upper Mustang. This path takes you away from the major commerce route and onto quieter, more intimate trails that give you a better look at the typical village life in the area. The trip is a mix of smooth descents and simple climbs along rocky jeep paths that go through broad, quiet valleys and along beautiful, multi-colored cliffs.

We are going to the beautiful village of Dhi Goan (sometimes spelled Dhi or Ghami) at 3,400m / 11,154ft. Dhi is an agricultural oasis located in a side valley. It is known for its long, old mani walls, which are some of the longest in Nepal, and its medieval monastery. The ambiance here is really calm and real, and it's a great place to see how Mustang's culture works daily, away from the major tourist circuit. Staying overnight at a small guesthouse here is a great way to discover one of the region's most lovely towns in a calm way.

Your trip to Tangge starts in the peaceful, little town of Dhi Goan. From there, you proceed deeper into the isolated and forgotten landscapes of Upper Mustang. The trail follows an old trade route, which is typically a rough jeep road cut into the rock of the stunning, collapsing gorge of the Panjang Gorge (or Tangge Gorge). The cliffs in this austere, stunning, and mostly empty region are shaped by the wind and come in shades of ochre, gray, and red. You can hear the river rushing far below. The trip is a highlight since it goes through some of the most stunning rock formations and natural pillars. The Chussang Got Cave is an important spiritual site along the way. It is an old monastic retreat constructed into a cliff face high above the trail. It shows how long this area has been a place for meditation and isolation.

When you get to Tangge, it seems like you've found a secret stronghold. The settlement is quite beautiful since it is built on a steep slope. Its unique whitewashed, flat-roofed buildings are densely packed together against the harsh mountain backdrop, with the majestic Tangge Gompa dominating the scene. The mood is one of deep quiet and loneliness. Your stay in a guesthouse here is a real experience. It's simple yet cozy, and you'll get to meet local hosts and see a way of life that hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. The wind and the distant sound of a monastery bell are the only sounds that break the serenity of this high desert refuge as the sun sets and casts long shadows across the canyon. This makes for a memorable Himalayan night.

The ride from Tangge to Chhusang is largely a backtrack through the magnificent Panjang Gorge, but traveling in the opposite direction reveals new perspectives of its sculpted cliffs and towering rock pillars. The morning light now illuminates different facets of the canyon walls, and the descent towards the Kali Gandaki River feels like a gradual return from a secluded fortress to a main thoroughfare. A notable landmark on this return journey is the dramatic sight of Dhi Village perched precariously across the gorge, its ancient structures seemingly fused with the rock face. The route continues along the rugged track, demanding attention but rewarding you with ever-changing vistas of one of Mustang's most spectacular geological corridors.

Arriving in Chhusang marks a significant transition in atmosphere and geography. You rejoin the mighty Kali Gandaki River at the confluence with the Tangge Khola, leaving the tight canyon for a wider valley. Chhusang is a strategic junction village, noticeably more bustling than Tangge, with its distinctive red and white cliffside cave gompa standing sentinel above the main trail. Your overnight guesthouse here offers warm hospitality and a chance to reflect on the profound isolation of Tangge, now contrasted with the renewed flow of river, people, and wind that characterizes this ancient trade route hub. The evening provides an opportunity to explore the lower caves and feel the powerful, constant breeze of the Kali Gandaki valley, a reminder of the enduring forces that have shaped this land and its cultures.

You start your day by making a sharp left east from Chhusang, leaving the main canyon of the Kali Gandaki to climb steeply up a stunning side valley toward the holy pilgrimage destination of Muktinath. The climb is long and hard, with switchbacks over dry slopes that give you more and more vistas of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri massifs. Getting to the Muktinath Temple complex is a deep experience that combines holy landscape with raw power. At this height of 3,760 meters, you can see the amazing meeting of earth, fire, and water. 108 stone waterspouts (Muktidhara) channel icy spring water, and a natural flame of eternal methane gas (Jwala Mai) burns peacefully within the sanctum. This holy place is significant to both Hindus and Buddhists. It gives you a strong spiritual break in the middle of the Himalayan beauty before you start your descent.

Instead of going back to the main route, you take a fascinating diversion into the quiet Lupra Valley. A steep, rocky path leads down to this secret area, which is home to one of Nepal's remaining Bonpo villages. The Bonpo people practice the old pre-Buddhist Bon faith. The valley is a peaceful place with green barley fields and old whitewashed buildings. The historic Lupra Bon Monastery stands out. This one-of-a-kind cultural break is a sharp, tranquil change from the religious intensity of Muktinath. Finally, you get back on the busy Kali Gandaki riverbed route and ride with the strong afternoon wind at your back into Jomsom. Getting back to this familiar district headquarters for your overnight stay in a guesthouse completes an amazing loop that took you from a deep river canyon to a high spiritual sanctuary and into a secret old valley—all in one amazing day.

Your last day of driving is a breathtaking, full-day descent into the Kali Gandaki Gorge. You'll be retracing your steps, but the changing light and viewpoint will make it feel like a whole new adventure. To avoid the strong winds that blow across the upper valley in the afternoon, you'll start early. Then you'll head south by the famous apple orchards in Marpha, where you could stop for one last taste of local cider or pie. As you move farther into the gorge, the harsh, dry scenery slowly becomes softer. You may take a break at the natural Tatopani hot springs to refresh yourself. The route then stays close to the cliffside above the rushing river, going past the loud Rupse Falls until eventually meeting the asphalt highway at Beni.

The change from Beni is quick and lush. The terraced green slopes of the middle highlands surround the road, making the air thick and pleasant. This is a big change from the desert you left behind hours before. The last part of the trip down the Seti River takes you back to the calm, lakeside vibe of Pokhara. The voyage ends in the dark when you arrive at your destination. You have traveled from subtropical lowlands to the Tibetan plateau and back, leaving you with a deep sensation of having crossed not just miles, but worlds.

After taking in these amazing vistas, we go down for breakfast and then start our picturesque journey back to Kathmandu. The 6- to 7-hour trip goes through river valleys and terraced hillsides, giving you one last look at the timeless beauty of rural Nepal. The view changes from peaceful farmland to a busy city as we get closer to the capital. You may rest in the evening. Maybe you'll have a goodbye meal and think about how different Pokhara's calm lakes are from Kathmandu's busy streets.

Enjoy one more breakfast in the Himalayas as your trip across Nepal comes to an end. Take a moment to think about all the amazing things you've seen and done along the trip, such as the solemn chants in old temples, the peaceful reflections on Phewa Lake, the beautiful dawn above Sarangkot, and the busy streets of Kathmandu. When the time comes, you will be taken to Tribhuvan International Airport with warm wishes and a customary Namaste.

When you check in for your flight, don't only bring back trinkets. Bring back the warmth of Nepali hospitality, the beauty of its landscapes, and the peace of its hallowed places. Your adventures finish here, but the spirit of Nepal—the mountains, the people, and the peace—will stay with you long after you go home.