Guided tour · 13 days
Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour
Ride into the walled city of Lo Manthang, the capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, through the Kali Gandaki gorge and the red-cliffed desert north of Kagbeni. The most dramatic motorcycle route in Nepal.
- Duration13 days, 10 riding
- Start / endKathmandu
- Max altitude~4,010 m
- LevelChallenging
- Distance~1,000 km
- Best timeApr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Why ride Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang was closed to foreigners until 1992 and still sits behind a restricted-area permit. It lies north of the main Himalayan range, in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, so it looks more like Tibet than Nepal: wind-cut canyons, ochre and red cliffs full of ancient cave dwellings, chortens painted in bands of colour and villages of whitewashed mud brick.
For a long time the only way in was on foot. The road from Jomsom to Lo Manthang changed that, and it is now one of the great adventure rides of Asia — mostly gravel, river bed and hard-packed dirt, with a handful of passes around 4,000 m and almost no traffic once you leave Kagbeni.
Highlights
- The Kali Gandaki gorge, cut between two 8,000 m peaks — Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I
- Two nights in Lo Manthang, the walled 15th-century capital of Lo, with its monasteries and royal palace
- The Chhoser cave complex and cliffs honeycombed with cave dwellings
- Muktinath temple at 3,710 m and medieval Kagbeni at the gateway to the restricted area
- Hot springs at Tatopani on the way in and the way out
- Royal Enfield Himalayan bikes, a mechanic and a support jeep the whole way
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances and times are approximate; mountain roads change after every monsoon. Your guide adjusts the plan on the ground for weather, road conditions and how the group is riding.
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening welcome dinner and a first look at the route.
Day 2 Kathmandu: bike fitting, permits and a test ride
Meet your guide and mechanic, set up your bike (levers, mirrors, luggage) and take a short ride out of the valley to get used to the traffic. Afternoon free in Bhaktapur, Patan or Boudhanath while the Restricted Area Permit is finalised.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Pokhara · ~200 km · 6–7 hours
Down the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli river. Busy with trucks for the first stretch, then flowing curves through the middle hills. Evening by Phewa Lake.
Day 4 Pokhara to Tatopani · ~115 km · 5–6 hours
Tarmac to Beni, then the road narrows into the Kali Gandaki valley. First proper gravel and a soak in the hot springs at Tatopani (1,190 m).
Day 5 Tatopani to Marpha · ~75 km · 5–6 hours
Through the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, past Rupse waterfall and the pine forests around Ghasa. The landscape dries out as you climb to the apple-orchard village of Marpha (2,670 m).
Day 6 Marpha to Muktinath via Kagbeni · ~45 km · 3–4 hours
A short day to acclimatise. Ride past Jomsom to the medieval village of Kagbeni, then climb to Muktinath (3,710 m) and its temple, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.
Day 7 Muktinath to Lo Manthang · ~80 km · 6–7 hours
Enter the restricted area at Kagbeni and ride north up the river bed and over a string of passes to Lo Manthang (3,840 m). The hardest and best day: canyons, cave walls, chortens and nothing else on the road.
Day 8 Lo Manthang rest and exploring
Walk the walled city and its monasteries, or take an easy ride to the Chhoser cave complex and Garphu. The bike gets a full check from the mechanic.
Day 9 Lo Manthang to Kagbeni · ~75 km · 5–6 hours
Back south via Ghami and Chele, leaving the restricted area at Kagbeni.
Day 10 Kagbeni to Tatopani · ~110 km · 6 hours
Down the gorge to the hot springs.
Day 11 Tatopani to Pokhara · ~115 km · 5 hours
Back onto tarmac at Beni and a celebration dinner in Lakeside.
Day 12 Pokhara to Kathmandu · ~200 km (or fly)
Ride back along the Prithvi Highway, or hand the bike to the crew and take the 25-minute flight.
Day 13 Departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.
What is usually included
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or 411 (or CRF250L) with fuel
- Licensed English-speaking riding guide and a mechanic
- Support jeep with spares, a spare bike and your luggage
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and ACAP entry permit
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, best available lodges on the route
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the riding days
- Airport transfers
What is usually not
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Riding gear (helmet hire is available; bring your own boots, jacket and gloves)
- Travel insurance that covers motorcycling and altitude
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Damage excess on the bike
- Tips for the crew
Upper Mustang motorbike tour cost
Private guided Upper Mustang motorbike tours on the market typically cost USD 2,700–3,500 per rider for 12–13 days, all-inclusive of bike, fuel, crew, permits, lodging and meals on the route. Bigger groups bring the per-rider price down; a single rider pays the most because the guide, mechanic and jeep are not shared.
| Cost item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | USD 50 per person per day inside the restricted zone. Nepal replaced the old flat USD 500 / 10-day fee in late 2025, so a 3-day ride in costs about USD 150. |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 per person (about USD 22) |
| Bike hire, if you were self-riding | Roughly USD 40–110 a day depending on model; Himalayan 450 at the top end |
| Lodges in Upper Mustang | Simple rooms, shared or attached bathrooms; meals cost more the further north you go |
Permit rules and fees change; your operator confirms the current rate when they apply. Read the full Upper Mustang motorbike permit guide.
Is this tour right for you?
You should be comfortable riding a 400–450cc adventure bike standing up on loose gravel, rocky river beds and short steep climbs, sometimes with a drop on one side. You do not need racing skills — the pace is steady and the guide waits — but this is not the place to learn off-road riding. If you are new to dirt, start with the Lower Mustang and Muktinath ride, which covers the gorge without the restricted-area section.
Altitude is the other factor. You will sleep at 3,710 m and 3,840 m and cross ground above 4,000 m. The itinerary climbs gradually with a short day at Muktinath to help you acclimatise; drink plenty, avoid alcohol until you are back down and tell your guide early if you get a persistent headache.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for an Upper Mustang motorbike tour?
Plan on 12–13 days from Kathmandu, or 9–10 days starting and finishing in Pokhara. That allows a rest day in Lo Manthang and a gradual climb for altitude.
Can I ride to Upper Mustang without a guide?
No. Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit, which is only issued through a registered Nepali trekking agency, and must be accompanied by a licensed guide inside the restricted area.
What is the best time for an Upper Mustang motorcycle trip?
Late April to June and September to November. Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow, so it stays fairly dry in the monsoon, but the approach road below Jomsom is prone to landslides from July to August. Winters are very cold and many lodges in Lo Manthang close.
Which motorbike is best for Upper Mustang?
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or 411 is the usual choice: upright, good ground clearance and easy to fix. Lighter riders often prefer the Honda CRF250L on the rough sections.
Can we visit Korala on the Tibet border?
Korala is a sensitive border area and access for foreigners is restricted. Ask when you enquire; the operator will tell you what is currently permitted.
Can a pillion come along?
Yes, though most passengers ride in the support jeep between Tatopani and Lo Manthang, where two-up riding is hard work.
Ride to Lo Manthang
Send your dates, group size and riding experience for a day-by-day plan and itemised quote.