Mountain biking adventure in Nepal – Mustang, the adventure of a lifetime among the 8000m

After breakfast, we'll ride the best trails in the Kathmandu Valley, passing through rice paddies, the old city, etc. A unique experience to start the trip.

Details : 30-50km, Elevation gain (uphill) approx. 1000m / Elevation loss (downhill) approx. 1000m

Your day begins with a transfer to Manakamana, the temple of the goddess who grants wishes. We will continue our ascent to the start of a long downhill descent. Then our journey will take us to Pokhara.

Details : 20km of singletrack, approx. 200m elevation gain / approx. 1000m elevation loss

A scenic 15-minute flight will take us to Jomsom, a village at 2,743 meters (8,900 feet) nestled between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. We'll have breakfast in Jomsom, check our bikes, and then head into the mountains, riding alongside the Kaligandaki Gorge. Our destination: Kagbeni (2,840 meters/8,900 feet), an ancient Tibetan village and gateway to Upper Mustang. Before reaching Kagbeni, we'll make a detour to Panglign, crossing the suspension bridge and following a picturesque nature trail through apple orchards. During the ride to Jomsom, you'll realize that Mustang is unlike any other place: characterized by its arid landscape, windswept desert hills, and a vibrant palette of colors: shades of pink, purple, brown, and gray. South of these colorful mountains lies Kagbeni, known as "the village beyond the mountains."

After lunch, the riders are free to explore the village, dotted with irrigation canals, apple orchards, and beyond the modern village of Kagbeni, abandoned houses – part of the old village, destroyed, according to legend, by a demon with the head of a lion and the body of a serpent.

Details : 15km of 4x4 road and singletrack trails, +120m approx. / -120m approx.

We begin the day with sunrise over Mount Nilgiri (7061m) and the Kaligandaki Gorge. Now we're ready for a great day of mountain biking. Just outside the village, we begin our ascent to Muktinath (3800m), a sacred temple for Hindus and Buddhists located at the foot of the Thorang La pass (5416m). A 3-4 hour climb to Muktinath will bring you to the starting point, where you'll feel the altitude. We'll stop for lunch so you can catch your breath, drink fresh water, and enjoy the meal served in Ranipauwa, the village below Muktinath Temple, overlooking the valley. After lunch, we'll descend to the village of Kagbeni on dusty mountain trails where you can enjoy the fast, flowing sections.

Details : 35km of singletrack, approx. 1400m elevation gain / approx. 2100m elevation loss

This day will be spent in the Tinigahon region. We begin our ascent to a secluded lake at 3800m where we'll stop for a picnic and enjoy the panoramic views. After lunch, we'll continue our climb to a plateau at 4200m offering spectacular views of some of the world's highest peaks. Then comes the best part: a superb, flowy, and technical trail that's sure to put a smile on your face. A well-deserved descent that few riders have experienced.

Details : 25km of single trails, D+ approx. 1400m / D - approx. 2000m

In the morning, we set off in the footsteps of the world's best riders. A long climb awaits us (4 hours to reach the pass by pedal at 4200m), but to avoid exhausting you, we'll do this first part by shuttle! After that, we'll cycle for 2 hours to reach the summit at 4700m. Following this effort, an incredible descent awaits us. We begin with a technical descent through local mule tracks, loose rocks, exposed sections, and tight turns, leading to an amazing trail further down in the valley.

Details : 28km of single trails, D+ approx. 500m / D - approx. 1500m

Departure towards a peak reaching 4600m! The climb is long, but the view is splendid, being just below Dhaulagiri. The descent promises thrills: the sandy face of this peak will give you the feeling of surfing in the middle of the Himalayas. Fun and dust guaranteed!

After lunch, we'll ride through the Kali Gyndaki Gorge to Kalopani. The trails will take us through lush pine forests, where the singletrack is fun and fast.

Details : 30km, D+ approx. 450m (with shuttle), 1500 (without) / D- approx. 500m (1750m)

From Kalopani, we head back into the mountains towards Numsang, a high plateau inhabited by many yaks. Facing Mount Dalhaugiri, we'll take a break to recharge before venturing into a beautiful downhill section. We'll end the day in an area near Dalhaugiri where two stunning little lakes lie hidden.

Details : 35km of singletrack, approx. 700m elevation gain / approx. 850m elevation loss

For our last day of riding among some of the world's highest peaks, we'll descend and descend some more. The first three hours will be a splendid downhill run, mixing technical and flowy sections. The next two hours will be more relaxed, riding on 4x4 roads to reach Beni, the village at the gateway to Mustang. A van will be waiting there to take us back to Pokhara in a few hours.

The rest of the evening is free, to sit by the lake, enjoy the spa, do some souvenir shopping, or simply sip a beer.

Details : 60km of singletrack & jeep track, +200m / -approx. 2000m

The end of our trip is approaching, and the return to Kathmandu is looming. That's why we'll take advantage of our last morning of riding to explore the area around Pokhara. Our trail starts at the world-famous Peace Pagoda, perched on a hill across the lake from Pokhara. We'll ride the downhill trails to the city. Then it's back to the hotel for some relaxation until our departure for Kathmandu.

Details : 10km of singletrack, +100m / -approx. 400m

In the morning, it's time to prepare your bike, then we'll drop you off at the airport for your return flight.