Guided tour · 6 days from Pokhara
Pokhara to Muktinath Motorbike Tour
Six days up the Kali Gandaki — the deep gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna — to Marpha, Jomsom, medieval Kagbeni and the sacred temple of Muktinath. No restricted-area permit, no Kathmandu traffic.
- Duration6 days, 5 riding
- Start / endPokhara
- Max altitude~3,800 m
- LevelModerate
- Distance~380 km
- Best timeMar–May, Oct–Nov
Overview
The road from Pokhara to Muktinath is the most famous motorbike ride in Nepal. Within two days you go from rice terraces and banana trees at Beni to the dry, wind-scoured trans-Himalaya at Jomsom, riding through the Kali Gandaki gorge with Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) on one side and Annapurna I (8,091 m) on the other.
This is the short version of our Lower Mustang tour for riders already in Pokhara or short on time. It needs only an ACAP permit, which we arrange. Prefer to self-ride? Hire a bike through Pokhara motorbike rental and read the Pokhara to Muktinath road guide.
Highlights
Tatopani hot springs
Riverside pools after the first day in the valley.
Rupse waterfall
Crashing down right beside the road in the gorge.
Marpha
Whitewashed lanes, orchards and apple brandy.
Kagbeni
The medieval gateway to Upper Mustang.
Muktinath
108 water spouts and an eternal flame at about 3,710 m.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Pokhara: bike fitting and briefing
Meet your guide and mechanic, set up the bikes, check permits and ride to Sarangkot for the evening view of Machhapuchhre.
- StayHotel, Pokhara
- MealsDinner
- Altitude820 m
Day 2 Pokhara – Beni – Tatopani
Paved road through Kusma to Beni, then up the Kali Gandaki to Tatopani and its hot springs.
- StayLodge, Tatopani
- MealsAll meals
- Altitude1,190 m
Day 3 Tatopani – Ghasa – Marpha
The gorge proper: Rupse waterfall, rocky sections above Ghasa and the Dhaulagiri icefall near Lete.
- StayLodge, Marpha
- MealsAll meals
- Altitude2,670 m
Day 4 Marpha – Jomsom – Kagbeni – Muktinath
Past Jomsom to Kagbeni, then up to Ranipauwa and the walk to Muktinath temple.
- StayLodge, Muktinath or Kagbeni
- MealsAll meals
- Altitude~3,710 m
Day 5 Muktinath – Tatopani
Back down with the wind behind you, lunch in Marpha, and the hot springs again.
- StayLodge, Tatopani
- MealsAll meals
- Altitude1,190 m
Day 6 Tatopani – Pokhara
Back to Beni and the tarmac, arriving at Lakeside mid-afternoon.
- Stay—
- MealsBreakfast, lunch
- Altitude820 m
Distances and riding times are approximate. Mountain roads change after every monsoon, and your guide adjusts the plan for weather, road conditions and how the group is riding.
Difficulty: is this ride right for you?
Moderate. You need to be comfortable on gravel and rock for several hours, standing on the pegs, and have ridden a 400cc+ bike before. Muktinath is high, but the short stay limits altitude risk.
What’s included
Included
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 (450 or CRF250L on request) with fuel
- Licensed riding guide and mechanic
- ACAP permit
- Five nights’ accommodation
- All meals in the mountains
- Support vehicle on request
Not included
- Flights and Nepal visa
- Travel insurance covering motorcycling and altitude
- Riding gear
- Drinks and hot-spring entry
- Damage excess
- Tips
Price and dates
Guided, this six-day tour costs from about USD 1,100 per rider, up to around USD 1,500 depending on bike, group size and lodge standard. Pillions pay less.
Bikes for this tour
The Himalayan 411 is standard; the 450 and CRF250L are available on request.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
411cc
Proven and easy to fix.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
452cc
More power on the climb to Muktinath.
Honda CRF250L
250cc
Light for shorter riders.
Permits and documents
Only the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) is needed, and it is included. Muktinath is in Lower Mustang, south of the restricted area.
- Passport valid for six months with a Nepal visa
- Full motorcycle licence from home
- International Driving Permit covering motorcycles
- Travel insurance details
- Passport photos or digital copies for the ACAP permit
Best time to ride
| Season | Months | Conditions on this route |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Excellent |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Landslides likely in the gorge |
| Autumn | Oct–Nov | Best views and stable weather |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Possible; cold and snow risk above Jomsom |
Accommodation and food
Good mountain lodges in Tatopani, Marpha and Muktinath/Kagbeni with hearty Thakali food.
Safety and rider support
- Licensed riding guide
- Mechanic with tools and spares
- Support vehicle on request
- Altitude checks around Muktinath
- Evacuation plan
Travel insurance that explicitly covers riding a motorcycle of your engine size, at the altitude on this route, with helicopter evacuation, is a condition of joining. Read riding a motorbike in Nepal as a foreigner.
What to pack
- Adventure or motocross helmet (or hire one)
- Armoured riding jacket and trousers
- Adventure or motocross boots
- Summer and warm gloves
- Rain layer for the lower valleys
- Down jacket and thermal layers for Muktinath
- Buff or dust mask and goggles for the wind
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Hydration pack
- Personal medication, including altitude medication discussed with your doctor
- Power bank and adapters
- Cash in Nepali rupees — ATMs above Beni are unreliable
Dos and don’ts
Do
- Ride early each day
- Acclimatise in Marpha
- Walk slowly up to the temple
- Fuel up in Beni and Jomsom
Don’t
- Don’t ride the gorge after rain
- Don’t ride after dark
- Don’t cross north of Kagbeni without a restricted permit
Why ride with Motorbike Tour Nepal
- Run by licensed Nepali operators. Your tour is operated on the ground by a registered Nepali tour company with licensed riding guides — required by law for restricted areas.
- Itemised, transparent quotes. Bike, crew, permits, lodges and meals are priced line by line, so you see exactly what you pay for.
- Private departures. Your dates, your group, your pace — no being slotted into a stranger’s schedule.
- Mechanic and spares on every guided ride. Breakdowns are fixed at the roadside, not the end of your trip.
- Honest advice. If a route does not suit your experience or the season, we will tell you and suggest one that does.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Pokhara to Muktinath?
About 175–190 km one way.
Do I need a special permit?
Only ACAP.
Is the road paved?
Mostly, with rough gorge sections.
Can I add Upper Mustang?
Yes — see the Upper Mustang tour.
When is best?
March–May and October–November.
Private guided tour
Pokhara to Muktinath · 6 days
From USD 1,100 per rider
Check dates & get a quoteAsk a question- 6 days · 5 riding days
- Starts and ends in Pokhara
- Moderate · tarmac and gravel
- Guide, mechanic and ACAP included
- Itemised quote within 24 hours
- No payment to enquire
- Licensed local guides and mechanics
- Private dates to suit you
Talk to someone who has ridden it
Questions about the route, bikes, altitude or dates? Send us a message and a rider who knows Nepal will reply within 24 hours.
Send a message →Ride the Kali Gandaki to Muktinath
Send your dates for a day-by-day plan and itemised quote.