Ultimate Himalaya – Annapurna & Upper Mustang

Join us on a warm up ride exploring some of the best trails in the Kathmandu Valley; test your bikes and your gear to make sure everything is ready for the journey ahead. In 3 to 4 hours of riding we will cover around 40 km at a steady pace exploring the rural parts of the valley, single tracks and sightseeing at some temples and return to Thamel for lunch, last minute bike adjustments and final packing for the trip.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel (BB)

Meal Inclusions: Dinner

Starting the day at 8am we meet at our workshop for freshly brewed Himalayan coffee and then load up the bikes for the 6 hour drive to Besisahar. We stop along the way to enjoy the views and take some lunch. On arrival in Besisahar we take some time to explore the town and we also meet our porters and finalize our trip preparations.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Today we ride, a little more than a 1000 meters of uphill. The trail takes us along the Marsyangdi River, it’s a beautiful section of the ride and 100% rideable. In Tal there is some nice scenery with steep sided valleys terraced with farms and small villages. Tal is situated in a deep gorge and you can see cascading waterfalls along the way.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

A challenging climb makes this one of the longest and hardest sections along the trekking trail. The terrain is rugged but fun. There is great jungle and river scenery so take this stage steadily and enjoy the ride.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

The trail still climbs but becomes more rideable today as it widens back into a jeep track. The jungle opens up into the arid mountain region and you can get great views of the Himalaya as you ride. It’s a good idea to take it steady to allow your body to acclimatize.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Take a day to acclimatize and prepare for the hard days to come. Short hikes can be taken to explore the nearby area, visit high altitude lakes, rest, relax and chill out in Manang, maybe you will not want to leave! From here you will be heading into the true mountain wilderness. Manang is home to the Manangi people and here you can sometimes see the ancient sports of archery and pony racing.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

A short and gentle climb today from Manang to Yak Kharka and then on to Thorong Phedi, takes time to admire the mountain views. There are a couple of sections to carry your bike but for the most part, the trail is rideable.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Beginning from around 5am in the morning, you have to make the long haul carrying and pushing your bike up more than 1300 meters to Throng La, this is one of the most challenging parts of the ride that will define the true spirit and passion of any mountain biker as you battle the altitude and the cold. But you will not just be gasping from the altitude, but also gasping in awe as this section of the journey proffers excellent rewards with magnificent views from Throng La of the snow capped mountains and superb technical downhill on the other side that will have you grinning from ear to ear, or if you’re a bit 3 nervous perhaps browning your trousers! Alas you will arrive to a warm welcome and rest at Muktinath. 50% carrying, 50% rideable.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Today we enter the restricted region of Upper Mustang. It’s an uphill stretch from Muktinath through Chhyonggur and up to the GyuLa Pass at 4077 meters and is 80% rideable. Here there are panoramic views of the snow capped mountains. After a short section of steep downhill we follow an undulating ridge trail down to Tetang at 3040 meters, more than a 1000 meter descent on superb single track. Pass an ancient Mani Wall and cycle on down to Chhusang. From here there is a slight climb and river crossing to reach Chele on the opposite river bank where the river passes through a rock tunnel and then a steady climb up to Samar.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

A hard day of riding, leaving behind the river bed we climb into the hills. Four passes lay between us and Ghami, so yeah there will be a few ups and downs today as we cross Nyila La at 4010 meters, Dajori La 3735 meters, Bhena La 3860 meters and finally Yamda La at 3860 meters. Nyila is one of the most scenic passes on the trip with stunning views of the entire Mustang Region and the Annapurna and Nilgiri Mountain Ranges. After the pass we head down a secret trail, known only to our guides that takes us to the Gami where we will stop for the night. Gami is one of the most beautiful villages, situated on the river side with fertile land ripe for growing Phapar (A local Wheat). Nearby the village is an old Monastery that you can visit as well as the local hospital which is supported with aid from Japan.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

A great day of riding, with just one big climb up to Chinggel Tharsang Choyla Pass. From the pass at 3870 meters, there is some really nice single-track downhill riding along a little-known trail used by local people and their livestock. . The ride is a welcome change from the days of climbing and crossing passes. The scenery opens up and there are fields of mustard and barley in the right season which makes for lush pockets of greenery and grazing Yaks. It is also one of the most scenic days with the ever-changing colors of the landscape from yellow and browns to reds, grays and blues as the sun moves across the Himalayan sky. Charang is a nice village with a really beautiful 400 year old Gulpa Sect Monastery filled with friendly Monks who like to play football. The Monastery is also home to the oldest library in the region of Lo. Charang is a great village to hang out in and snap some photos.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

From Charang we have to cross Lo La Pass at 3810 meters, just before Lo- Manthang. This pass is also known as “Windy Pass” and from here you can view the walled city of Lo-Manthang, your first tantalizing view of this kingdom lost in time and your penultimate destination. In June and July, the time when the crops are almost ready to harvest makes for the most dramatic scenery. The barren brown landscape is scattered with fields of vibrant green and gold rolling with the wind under the vivid blue sky of the Himalayas, a truly memorable scene. The ride is easy if a bit of a long climb, about 25 km total riding distance. You will enjoy the open jeep track trail and should arrive in Lo-Manthang by lunchtime. Lo-Manthang is perhaps one of the most interesting places in the Himalayas and a couple of days spent here sightseeing is well worth it. Visit the Royal Palace where you have the privilege of having tea or perhaps dinner with the King of Lo himself, what an experience! In the afternoon there are three interesting Monasteries to visit, one of them is over 900 years old and displays some of the most beautiful Thangka paintings found in Nepal. The intricate details and vivid colors of these paintings is a stark contrast to the wide-open spaces of the region.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Today we ride up to Garphu. Follow the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River, crossing over several of its tributaries. Here you will find Ghom, a cave tunneling into the mountainside which is the historical site of a Monastery and the cave of one thousand windows. The beautiful scenery and isolated Tibetan culture make this day trip a worthy experience. The way back from Ghom is a beautiful single track through traditional villages. This truly is a place to lose yourself in history, rustic architecture and mind-blowing landscapes, one could easily roll back in time 100 years or more here.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Today there is a super nice single track with mountain views and really steep and sandy single tracks. The ride takes us uphill through a canyon to Yara where we will have lunch. After lunch we ride loop out to Luri Ghumba and then return to Yara. The round trip is 50% uphill and 50% down, around 2 hours return, but Luri Ghumba is worth a visit, this tiny Monastery is nestled high into the cliff face. This is a challenging route for good riders with skill in loose trails with some exposure.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

The starts with some really nice single track and beautiful landscape. There is a long climb of about an hour and a half after crossing the river where you might have to push some. We finish our day as we roll into Tangbe, which is a simple and remote village. Tangbe is a tiny village with very simple accommodation. You can enjoy the feeling of being really remote and isolated.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

To start the day we have to push and carry for about 2 hours 3 hours 1000m uphill to Pha totally pushing or carrying, followed by 2 to 3 hours of single track which undulates along the ridge line, before an EPIC descent down to Chhuksang. The scenery on this day is also Epic. It’s a ridgeline descent, with some short climbs, and amazing views. Some of the best views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri can be had on this day.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Leaving Chhuksang we have two small passes, Dajori La (3735M) and Taklam La (3624M). Along the way the route passes the sacred place where the ancient art of Sky Burial is carried out. Here you may see the rare Himalayan Vultures soaring in the sky. Continue cycling down to Kagbeni where we can enjoy a nice Illy Coffee, get our permits checked for the last time. Ride on the last 11km to Jomsom.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

Our day kicks off with some brilliant downhill and after yesterday’s challenge, you will welcome fun jeep tracks and trails with a mostly downhill gradient! We have to start early as the wind gets up after 11 am making riding a bit more challenging. Chill out on this section and enjoy the views. For experienced riders there are single track options. Savor the moment as you whizz past trekkers, the Himalayan wind in your face and miles of downhill before your wheels. The trail rolls into Tukuche, a lovely old village on the river side. Take some time to explore the cobbled lanes and explore the Thakali culture. We stayed overnight in the well furnished Dutch Bakery. Apple Brandy is a local product and a good after dinner nightcap to relax your mind and body after the day’s ride.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner

From Tatopani we continue on to Beni where we meet the transport and return to Pokhara for some civilization.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today we transfer you to the Pokhara airport for the short 23min flight to Kathmandu. A member of our team will collect you from the airport and transfer you to the Hotel. Take some time for last-minute shopping or exploring this vibrant city.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today we say farewell and transfer from the hotel to the airport for your outbound flight

Accommodation: None

Meals: Breakfast

Bikes are transported in our Twin Cab Bolero with a padded tail gate. Our drivers are all professional and caring when it comes to looking after bikes. When the bikes go on the mountain flights to places like Jomsom, the wheels are removed and the bikes padded and placed in the cargo hold. 

If you get sick, you have options that include, returning to either Pokhara or Kathmandu with a member of our support team, staying and resting in place for a day or using a support vehicle to travel to next destination. It depends on severity of sickness and options available to the group at the time. For serious illness or accident, immediate Helicopter evacuation will be undertaken. 

All our guides hold the Government regulation trekking guide license as per the Law of Nepal. On top of this, as per our own company policy, Himalayan Single Track is the ONLY mountain bike company in Nepal to have international licensed mountain bike guides either through the MBLA Scheme or the MIAS Schemes. This is because to date Nepal Tourism sector does not have a safety regulation standard for mountain bike guides. On top of this all our guides have Valid wilderness first aid certification. 

Tipping is not compulsory but it is expected and very much appreciated. 

Teahouses have a wide variety of simple and hearty foods like Momos, Chow Mein, Rice dishes, pasta, eggs, vegetables and curries as well as breakfast items, porridge, cereal, omelets and local breads. 

Yes we do. Options are many in Nepal. Please inform us prior to the trip so we can make sure your dietary needs are properly looked after.

Taking Diamox (medication for altitude) is a personal choice, though it is a good if idea you are worried about the affects of altitude. It should be taken in advance of the trip. Please consult your Doctor before taking any medications. 

Our guides will try their best to fix the bike. Where possible a replacement bike will be brought to you, though given the remote terrine of Nepal, this make take an extra day or so. 

Most of our guides will take photos of the trip for you. We also have specialized photographers/Videographers you can book for the trip if you need to. (Extra Charges Apply)

All mountain flights are weather dependent. If the flight does not go, you will get the option to drive on the same day or fly on the following day. 

In most cases a sleeping bag liner is sufficient. In the colder months its a good idea to bring one. Blankets will also be available at the teahouses. We will send you a packing list relevant to the trip with full details once you have booked.