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Mountain biking in Mustang, Nepal

The
Forbidden
Kingdom

Ochre desert canyons, thousand-year-old cave monasteries, and Lo Manthang's walled city. Nepal's most dramatic MTB destination — rideable even through monsoon.

Enduro 7–14 Days 3,840m Max May – October Permit Required
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Duration
7–14 Days
Route dependent
Max Elevation
3,840m
Lo Manthang plateau
Difficulty
Mod–Hard
Route dependent
Best Season
May–Oct
Rain shadow — monsoon OK
Group Size
1–10
Fully customisable
Upper MustangRestricted Area Lo Manthang3,840m Kali GandakiWorld's Deepest Gorge All Permits IncludedRAP · ACAP · TIMS May – OctoberRain Shadow Fox Certified BikesKathmandu Workshop Upper MustangRestricted Area Lo Manthang3,840m Kali GandakiWorld's Deepest Gorge All Permits IncludedRAP · ACAP · TIMS May – OctoberRain Shadow Fox Certified BikesKathmandu Workshop

About This Tour

Ancient Trails,
Zero Crowds

Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges — it receives almost no monsoon rain, making it Nepal's only Himalayan destination rideable in summer. The landscape is unlike anything elsewhere: wind-sculpted ochre canyons, ancient caravan routes, cave monasteries, and the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang.

HST has been guiding Mustang since 2006. We know every trail variation that keeps you off the jeep road.

  • Exclusive HST trail variations through the restricted area
  • All permits arranged — RAP, ACAP, TIMS
  • Fox-certified bikes pre-tuned for altitude
  • MBLA & MIAS certified guide, 15+ Mustang seasons
Talk to a Guide →
Mustang trail Kali Gandaki valley Mustang singletrack
Upper Mustang Lower Mustang
Upper Mustang

Restricted Area · Permit Required

Upper
Mustang

"Lo Manthang and the plateau beyond the Kali Gandaki."

Opened to outsiders only in 1992. Lunar landscape, red-clay cliffs, and the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang. A true expedition — remote, committing, and unlike anywhere on earth. Manageable for strong intermediate riders with HST's full support logistics.

Duration
10–14 Days
Difficulty
Moderate–Hard
Max Elevation
3,840m
Singletrack
~65%
Riding Days
7–9
RAP Permit
$500 / 10 days
Lower Mustang

No Restricted Permit · All Levels

Lower
Mustang

"Kali Gandaki gorge, Jomsom, and the descent to Tatopani."

The Kali Gandaki valley — the world's deepest gorge. No restricted area permit required. Outstanding riding through exposed ridge descents, ancient trading routes, and apple orchards. Shorter and less committing, but no less memorable.

Duration
7–10 Days
Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Max Elevation
3,400m
Singletrack
~55%
Riding Days
5–7
Special Permit
Not required

Day by Day

Upper Mustang
Itinerary

Standard 12-day itinerary. Every tour is fully customisable — contact us to adjust.

Day 01Kathmandu — Bike Fit & Briefing
HST workshop for bike fitting, equipment check, and full trip briefing with your lead guide. Permits confirmed and reviewed.
Kathmandu · 1,400mNo riding
Day 02Fly Pokhara — Ride to Tatopani
Morning flight to Pokhara. First riding day follows the Kali Gandaki north — warm-up on a classic trail with gorge views. Hot springs at day's end.
Tatopani · 1,190m~28kmModerate
Days 03–04Climbing the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom
The gorge narrows as Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I appear. Singletrack through Marpha's apple orchards to Jomsom — restricted area entry formalities here.
Jomsom · 2,720m~70km over 2 days
Days 05–06Into the Restricted Area — Chele to Ghami
The landscape turns alien — ochre cliffs, cave monasteries, eroded canyons. First technical riding above 3,000m. HST's exclusive trail variations keep you off the jeep road.
Ghami · 3,520m~68km over 2 daysHard
Day 07 + RestLo Manthang — The Forbidden City
Arrival at the walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo. Entering through the 15th-century gates is one of the most extraordinary moments in Himalayan travel. Two nights to explore and acclimatise.
Lo Manthang · 3,840mRest & explore
Days 09–10Eastern Corridor Return — Yara & Dhi
HST takes the eastern corridor through Yara and Dhi — completely different terrain from the approach. Two long descent days through remote settlements almost no tourists reach.
Kagbeni · 2,810m~70km over 2 daysHard
Days 11–12Final Descent — Fly Pokhara — Kathmandu
The Kali Gandaki final descent — one of the great valley runs in world MTB. Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, return to Kathmandu. Debrief dinner with the HST team.
Kathmandu · 1,400m~40km final day

Mustang is the only Himalayan destination rideable in monsoon. Ancient trails, zero crowds — and we've been guiding them since 2006.

Santosh Maharjan · Co-founder, Himalayan Single Track

18+Years in MustangGuiding since 2006 — before most operators existed
FOXCertified BikesPre-tuned at our Kathmandu workshop before each tour
3Permits HandledRAP, ACAP, TIMS — all arranged before you arrive

What's Included

Included &
Not Included

Included

  • ✓MBLA/MIAS certified English-speaking guide
  • ✓Full suspension rental MTB — pre-tuned for Mustang
  • ✓All permits: RAP, ACAP, TIMS
  • ✓All accommodation (teahouse twin room)
  • ✓All meals on riding days
  • ✓Jeep support — luggage and vehicle-assisted sections
  • ✓Jomsom–Pokhara flights (return)
  • ✓Airport transfers in Kathmandu

Not Included

  • ×International flights to/from Kathmandu
  • ×Nepal visa (~$50, on arrival)
  • ×Travel insurance — required
  • ×Alcoholic beverages and personal snacks
  • ×Personal riding gear
  • ×Tips for local staff (discretionary)
  • ×Kathmandu hotel before/after tour
  • ×Emergency evacuation — covered by travel insurance

Permits & Access

We Handle
Everything

Upper Mustang requires three permits. HST arranges all of them before departure — you arrive with everything in order.

Restricted Area
Upper Mustang RAP
~$500 / 10 days · extensible
Included
Conservation Area
ACAP Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area
Included
Trekkers Card
TIMS
Trekkers Information Management System
Included

Seasonal Guide

Best Time
to Ride

Mustang's rain shadow makes it Nepal's only reliable summer MTB destination — rideable through monsoon when everywhere else is flooded.

JanCold
FebCold
MarCold
AprGood
MayPeak
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugPeak
SepPeak
OctPeak
NovCold
DecCold
Peak — ideal conditions
Good — rideable
Not recommended
Santosh

Your Lead Guide

Santosh Maharjan

Co-founder of HST. 21+ years guiding in Nepal — 15+ seasons in Mustang. Knows every trail, every shortcut, every teahouse.

MBLAMIASWilderness First Aid21+ Years

Ready to start planning?

Talk to Santosh →

Start Planning

Ready to Ride
the Forbidden Kingdom?

No booking system. Every Mustang tour starts with a conversation — tell us your dates, fitness level, and what you're looking for.

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