Lower Mustang Magic

A trans-himalayan wonderland

Fitness Level | Mid Burn

Good legs required, but still plenty of smiles. For riders who love a solid day out, a mix of long hills and rewarding descents.

Tech Level | A Bit Spicey

Just enough to keep it interesting. Expect some rough patches, loose gravel, and short steep bits — nothing wild, just fun, flowy riding that keeps you alert.

Style Level | A Touch of Swag

The balance of grit and comfort. Boutique lodges, good meals, a cold bevy at the end of the day.

Days

10 days / 9 nights adventure Daily departures avaliable year-round

Prices

Starting from US$

Trip Overview

This ride threads through the lower Mustang corridor, a trans-Himalayan wonderland where apple orchards, raging gorges and centuries-old monasteries sit beneath the sweeping slopes of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Expect a blend of firm gravel, rugged jeep tracks, smooth pavement and occasional rocky stretches. Climbs are lung-busting, descents long and rewarding.

You’ll traverse the high, dry rain shadow of Mustang, where prayer flags snap in the wind and the landscape is stripped down to rock, sky and silence. This is a journey that fuses high-altitude spectacle, rich local culture and the pure joy of pedaling through dramatic Himalayan terrain. From sacred Muktinath to the apple-brandy lanes of Marpha, it’s a ride that balances grit with beauty, culture with adventure.

The route blends high-altitude gravel, jeep tracks and short stretches of pavement. Expect thin air, dry desert wind, loose gravel and exposed climbs in the upper Mustang region. The lower stretches ease into greener foothills with farm roads and forest trails. Riders should be comfortable with mixed terrain, variable conditions and long days in the

saddle.

Trip Highlights

Ride through the legendary Kali Gandaki Gorge, one of the deepest on Earth.
Climb to Muktinath, a sacred Himalayan temple where pilgrims meet the sky.
Descend to Marpha, the apple-brandy capital of Mustang.
Soak in the changing landscapes, from arid desert plateaus to lush mid-hills.
End the journey in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside haven for riders and dreamers.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m)

Kathmandu hits all the senses at once – incense, traffic, ringing temple bells and the smell of fresh tea. After settling in, the team will check bikes and head out for a short orientation ride on the valley rim. Evening brings a relaxed walk through Thamel, a dal bhat dinner and an early night before heading into the high country.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu (1,300 m) to Pokhara (850 m) via Sagarkot | Distance 25 km | Elevation Gain 650 m

The morning flight to Pokhara opens up a softer side of Nepal. The air is warm, the lake shimmers, and ridgelines rise to meet the Annapurnas. After checking in, the ride begins with a climb toward Sagarkot on quiet tarmac and farm tracks, gaining elevation with each sweeping turn.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03: Pokhara (850 m) to Kagbeni (2,800 m) via Jomsom | Distance 14 km | Elevation Gain 250 m

An early Twin Otter flight into Jomsom sets the tone. Below, the Kali Gandaki slices through the mountains. The air is drier, the wind sharper, and the landscape stripped down. From Jomsom at 2,700 m, the ride rolls gently along the river toward Kagbeni through chortens, prayer wheels and open desert terrain. The gravel is mostly firm with loose patches and washboards.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Kagbeni (2,800 m) to Jhong (3,500 m) via Muktinath | Distance 16 km | Elevation Gain 950 m

The road begins gently but the climb soon bites. The route winds upward along canyon walls on a mix of jeep track and new pavement. Emerging onto a rolling plateau, we glimpse Muktinath. Afternoon winds can make the final approach challenging. After exploring the temple’s 108 holy water spouts and shrines, the day ends in Jhong, a quiet Buddhist village below the temple zone – a tranquil place to wander and absorb Mustang’s atmosphere.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05: Jhong (3,500 m) to Marpha (2,650 m) | Distance 40 km | Elevation Gain 400 m (approx. 1,200 m descent)

The descent from Jhangis a reward in itself. The route flows through terraces, dry cliffs and gusty gorges on mixed gravel and jeep track. Marpha’s stone-paved streets and apple orchards offer a perfect soft landing. The shift from stark desert to cultivated valley is striking.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06: Marpha (2,650 m) to Ghorepani (2,850 m) | Distance 65 km | Elevation Gain 1,600 m

Today marks a transition from the dry Mustang plateau to lush lower hills. The terrain becomes more varied with river crossings, short stretches of loose gravel descent and a long leg burning climb through forested tracks. Ghorepani sits high on an Annapurna ridge, surrounded by rhododendrons and waterfalls.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07: Ghorepani (2,850 m) to Panchase (2,000 m) via Poon Hill | Distance 55 km | Elevation Gain 1,200 m

The day begins early with a hike to Poon Hill for sunrise over Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. The descent through forest is steep and technical for the first half hour before meeting a jeep track that rolls to the highway at Nayapul. From there, we pedal gently uphill and across flatter sections to reach Panchase on smoother roads.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08: Panchase (2,000 m) to Pokhara (850 m) | Distance 35 km | Elevation Gain 450 m

The final ride rolls through small villages and farmland. Forest tracks and smooth farm roads lead down toward Pokhara and the lake. It’s a gentle finish after big climbs and big views, with time to relax at lakeside cafés and watch the hills soften into evening light.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09: Pokhara (850 m) to Kathmandu (1,300 m) | Flight 25 mins

The morning flight offers one last sweeping view of the Himalayas before returning to the capital. There’s time to explore Durbar Square, sip street-side tea and pick up a few final souvenirs.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Departure from Kathmandu

Final transfers, farewells and a quiet moment to look back on the journey. Mustang has a way of staying with you.

Accommodation: None | Meals: Breakfast