Guided tour · 10 days
Lower Mustang & Muktinath Motorbike Tour
The Kali Gandaki gorge, Marpha, Kagbeni and the temple at Muktinath in ten days — the best introduction to Himalayan riding, with no restricted-area permit needed.
- Duration10 days, 7 riding
- Start / endKathmandu
- Max altitude~3,800 m
- LevelModerate
- Distance~900 km
- Best timeMar–May, Sep–Nov
About this ride
Lower Mustang is the part of Mustang district south of Kagbeni — Jomsom, Marpha, Kagbeni and Muktinath. It needs only the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, so you can ride it on a shorter trip and for less than Upper Mustang, while still getting the gorge, the switch from green forest to high desert and real mountain riding.
The surface goes from good tarmac to Beni, to a mix of broken asphalt, gravel and rock in the gorge, to dusty dirt above Jomsom. If you can ride gravel standing up at a steady pace, you will be fine. Muktinath sits at 3,710 m, so the route climbs gradually and includes a short acclimatisation day.
Highlights
- Bandipur, a preserved Newar trading town on a ridge
- Phewa Lake and the Annapurna skyline from Sarangkot
- The Kali Gandaki gorge and the waterfalls around Rupse
- Marpha’s whitewashed lanes and apple orchards
- Medieval Kagbeni and Muktinath temple, a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists
- Hot springs at Tatopani
Day-by-day itinerary
Approximate distances. Your guide adjusts the plan for weather and road conditions.
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Kathmandu: bike set-up and valley ride
Meet the crew, fit the bikes and ride a loop of the valley rim to get used to Nepal’s traffic.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Bandipur · ~145 km
Down the Prithvi Highway and up to the Newar hill town of Bandipur, car-free on its main street, with views of the Himalaya at sunrise.
Day 4 Bandipur to Pokhara · ~75 km
A short ride to Phewa Lake, with the afternoon free or a ride up to Sarangkot for sunset.
Day 5 Pokhara to Tatopani · ~115 km
Tarmac to Beni, then the first gravel into the Kali Gandaki valley and the hot springs at Tatopani.
Day 6 Tatopani to Marpha · ~75 km
Through the deepest gorge on earth between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, to the stone village of Marpha and its apple brandy.
Day 7 Marpha to Muktinath via Kagbeni · ~45 km
Ride to Kagbeni at the edge of the restricted area, then up to Muktinath (3,710 m) and its 108 water spouts.
Day 8 Muktinath to Tatopani · ~110 km
A long descent back down the gorge, with an optional detour up to the viewpoint above Jomsom.
Day 9 Tatopani to Pokhara, then on to Kathmandu by Day 10
Back onto tarmac at Beni for a final night in Pokhara, then ride or fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 10 Departure
Airport transfer — or add days for Chitwan or Lumbini.
Cost and what is included
Guided Lower Mustang tours of 9–11 days typically cost USD 2,000–2,800 per rider, including bike, fuel, guide, mechanic, ACAP permit, hotels and lodges and meals on the riding days. A support jeep on the gorge section is recommended and adds to the price for small groups.
Only the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) is needed — no Restricted Area Permit, since the route stays south of Kagbeni’s checkpoint.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Lower and Upper Mustang?
Lower Mustang is the area up to Kagbeni and Muktinath and needs only the ACAP permit. Upper Mustang lies north of Kagbeni, needs a Restricted Area Permit through an agency and a licensed guide, and takes you to Lo Manthang.
Can I ride Lower Mustang on a rental bike without a guide?
Yes, experienced riders do, with an IDP, their home licence and the ACAP permit. A guide and mechanic make the gorge section much less stressful, especially if the road has been damaged by rain.
Is the Jomsom road suitable for beginners?
It suits riders with some gravel experience. Complete beginners on dirt should consider the Nepal Highlights tour first.
Ride the Kali Gandaki
Tell us your dates and riding experience for a plan and quote.