Upper Mustang Gravel Bike Expedition | Nepal

Upper Mustang

Where gravel meets the lost kingdom

Fitness Level: FULL GAS

Big climbs, thin air, and legs of steel. For the KOM-hunters, altitude junkies and riders who live for the long grind.

Technical Level: ROUGH & READY

Rockier sections, steeper descents, and some technical line choice, rideable for most, walkable for a few, guaranteed smiles all round.

Comfort Style: A TOUCH OF SWAG

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

Days

15 days / 14 nights adventure

Price

Starting from US$

Trip Overview

Upper Mustang is a world carved from wind and time. The jeep roads that link its villages form one of the most unique gravel riding networks on earth. As the landscape shifts from green valleys to dry desert canyons, the culture shifts too, with Tibetan Buddhism shaping daily life, local architecture, and the deep sense of history held within each settlement. You will ride past whitewashed homes, hidden gompas, red cliffs and prayer walls that stretch for hundreds of meters.

This journey is rugged, remote and unforgettable. From the apple orchards of lower Mustang to the royal city of Lo Manthang, you experience Nepal’s trans-Himalayan frontier at handlebar level.

Trip Highlights

• Follow the Kali Gandaki gorge into the dramatic rain shadow of Mustang

• Explore Kagbeni and its medieval alleys before climbing to sacred Muktinath

• Ride high passes, wind-carved canyons and cliffside villages like Samar and Dhakmar

• Overnight in the walled city of Lo Manthang

• Visit ancient monasteries, cave systems and the Tibetan border region

• Enjoy a rare journey through culture, landscape and open high-country riding

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Explore the old streets of Thamel, assemble bikes and enjoy a relaxed team dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara (850 m)

Short flight with views of the central Himalaya. After checking in, you can unwind by the lake or fine tune your bike before entering Mustang’s drier landscapes.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Pokhara (850 m) to Dhampus (1,750 m) via Astam | Distance 35 km | Elevation Gain 1,300 m

A warm and scenic start. Climb through terraced farmland toward Astam, a quiet ridge village known for eco-homestays and panoramic views. The final push to Dhampus winds past stone-built homes and tidy fields, offering your first proper look at Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Accommodation: Local lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Dhampus (1,750 m) to Beni (900 m) | Distance 75 km | Elevation Gain 900 m

A long day that drops you from high ridges into the lush lower valleys. The route passes through forest and small roadside settlements where daily life spills out onto the porches. As you follow the river toward Beni, the environment becomes busier, with markets, tea shops and a lively local atmosphere.

Accommodation: Local hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05: Beni (900 m) to Kalopani (2,500 m) | Distance 55 km | Elevation Gain 1,700 m

The landscape sharpens as you move north. Waterfalls spray across the cliffs, the river narrows and Thakali villages begin to appear. Kalopani sits in a beautiful pine forest with big mountain windows opening toward Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. It feels like the threshold of a different world.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06: Kalopani (2,500 m) to Kagbeni (2,800 m) | Distance 45 km | Elevation Gain 900 m

A classic Mustang day. You pass through Marpha and Jomsom, both famous for apple orchards, whitewashed homes and the long, wind-battered main street typical of Mustang towns. The valley widens and dries as you approach Kagbeni, a medieval settlement of narrow lanes, ancient chortens and the iconic red monastery perched above the river.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07: Kagbeni (2,800 m) to Muktinath (3,760 m) via Jhaikrot | Distance 16 km | Elevation Gain 1,200 m

A shorter ride to help with acclimatization. Leaving Kagbeni, the track climbs steadily past Jhaikrot, a quiet cliffside village where crumbling fort walls still overlook the valley. Muktinath is one of Nepal’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, attracting both Hindus and Buddhists. Exploring the temple area offers a fascinating look into Mustang’s spiritual side.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08: Muktinath (3,760 m) to Gyu La Pass (4,050 m) to Samar (3,650 m) | Distance 28 km | Elevation Gain 1,100 m

The climb to Gyu La Pass is steady and immensely rewarding, opening views toward the Mustang plateau. The descent toward Samar feels like entering a dry canyon world shaped by wind and cliffs. Samar itself is a friendly village of narrow lanes, apple trees and simple stone houses surrounded by endless open space.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09: Samar (3,650 m) to Gami (3,520 m) | Distance 17 km | Elevation Gain 600 m

The route crosses small passes and follows the contours of Mustang’s red and grey cliffs. Gami is known for its long mani wall and the timeless rhythm of local life. Houses are built of mud and stone, often topped with stacks of firewood and prayer flags.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Gami (3,520 m) to Dhakmar and Lo Manthang (3,840 m) | Distance 26 km | Elevation Gain 900 m

We visit Dhakmar, a spectacular village set beneath towering red cliffs believed to contain some of Mustang’s oldest cave systems. From there, the road climbs then gradually eases toward Lo Manthang. Entering the walled city feels like stepping into another century, with narrow alleys, whitewashed houses and ancient monasteries.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Lo Manthang Exploration or Ride to Tibetan Border | Distance 20 to 40 km | Elevation Gain 600 m

A flexible day to explore. Options include riding to Chhoser and the cave complexes, visiting the Tibetan border viewpoint or wandering Lo Manthang’s royal precinct. Monks chanting in red monasteries, horses grazing in the open plain and the smell of juniper smoke all add to the atmosphere.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Lo Manthang (3,840 m) to Shyangboche (3,800 m) via Charang | Distance 46 km | Elevation Gain 1,150 m

We roll out of Lo Manthang and follow a gentle traverse across the high plateau toward Charang, a village known for its large monastery, ancient palace and long mani walls that cut across the hillside. From Charang the route climbs steadily over small passes and open plains where herds of goats and Mustang horses graze. The approach to Shyangboche feels remote and exposed, with big skies and a sense of true wilderness. Shyangboche itself rests on a broad plateau with endless views and a quiet, windswept atmosphere.

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Shyangboche (3,800 m) to Jomsom (2,700 m) via Chuksang | Distance 47 km | Elevation Gain 500 m / Descent 1,600 m

A rewarding descent out of the high Mustang plateau. We drop into the dramatic canyon region around Chuksang, where red cliffs, narrow alleys and terraced fields create a vibrant landscape. After a break in the village, the ride continues south along the wide valley floor. Afternoon winds shape the final approach, often pushing us quickly toward Jomsom. The town marks a return to shops, cafés and the lively energy of Mustang’s main hub.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Jomsom (2,700 m) to Pokhara (850 m) | Flight 20 minutes

A short morning flight carries us out of the barren Mustang landscape and into the green foothills around Pokhara. Once checked in, the afternoon is yours to relax. Lakeside cafés, short walks, spa options or simply enjoying a cold drink with mountain views all make for a perfect post-ride unwind.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Pokhara to Kathmandu | Flight 25 minutes | Departure

We take a short flight back to Kathmandu for final farewells and onward connections. Depending on your flight time, you may have a last chance for some shopping or a light stroll before heading to the airport.

Accommodation: None | Meals: Breakfast