Upper Mustang Motorcycle Tour: A Foreigner's Guide to Nepal's Forbidden Kingdom

Most adventure riders eventually find themselves in pursuit of places that still seem to have an aura of authenticity about long-lost remoteness. Now the majority of places in the world have been mapped, photographed and reduced to a checklist. An exception to this is the Upper Mustang in Nepal which has been able to preserve its ancient Tibetan culture. A 14 day Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle odyssey through a remote high altitude Tibetan Buddhist kingdom that was completely closed to foreign visitors until just 1992, and still today requires a special permit for entry. If you are an international rider who has done enough of getting your behind kicked courtesy the views on Ladakh or even Annapurna edges, Upper Mustang is a preferably answer.

For years we have been sending UK, Germany, Australia, USA, France, Italy and Mexico riders on this exact route. This is the complete guide that a foreign rider should know before booking.

An Outsider Kingdom that Most Travellers Don't Ever Visit

Located within the northern hinterlands of Nepal, Upper Mustang sits in an arid expanse stretched within high altitude desert valley anchored between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Geographically it is Nepal. Culture-wise it feels more like Tibet proper than anywhere on the Indian subcontinent.

Upper Mustang had been an independent Buddhist kingdom from 600 years ago until its incorporation with neighboring states in 2008. Even now, only a tiny number of foreign permits are released on an annual basis. That means the trails are quiet, the monasteries are working monasteries not museums and the villages have not been rebuilt for tourism. You ride along craggy, red rock cliffs; cross river beds; past ancient mani walls and stark moonscapes. Ending in the walled, medieval city of Lo Manthang at 3,840 metres with a functioning royal palace and monasteries from the 1400s.

This is the natural answer for those riders who have done Ladakh, Spiti or the Annapurna Circuit and are wondering what's next.

What Attracts Foreign Riders To Upper Mustang ?

You are published on a data till October 2023, we have shepherded hundred of intrepid riders through this route and the reasons these adventure hungry souls choose Upper Mustang over what might be more evident Himalayan tours are pretty similar.

It remains an authentic backroad. Even during the season, you don't see any crowds. Because foreign visitors are limited by the permit system, villages, monasteries and trails still feel uncommercialised rather than staged.

Its technical riding. One tour will take you from valley's covered in trees, through river crossings, to high altitude desert. It has tarmac, gravel, sand and rock — real adventure riding instead of long stretches of highway.

The cultural depth is rare. Location – Upper Mustang is a landlocked region closer to old Tibet than modern Nepal. Active monasteries, ancient trading routes and six hundred-year-old buildings.

The logistics are simple. When you fly into Kathmandu, bike around the loop and fly out of Kathmandu. This means no complicated border crossings, no internal flights between segments, no lost bag worries.

There are panoramic views of the Himalayas. While other peaks include Annapurna I at 8,091 metres, Dhaulagiri — the world's fourth-highest mountain — at 8,167 metres; Nilgiri, Tukuche and Machhapuchhre. The giants stand in the queue along the route for well nigh the whole ride.

The Route at a Glance

The 14 day tour begins and ends in the Nepalese capital, covering approximately 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) en route.

Day 1You start your first two days at Kathmandu where you arrive, explore Thamel and Durbar Square and get a briefing of the tour & bike orientation Riders travel the 210 km to Pokhara from there, where they have a full rest day for acclimatisation and a chance to explore Phewa Lake.

The third stage runs from Pokhara to Tatopani, renowned for its natural hot springs — a most welcome opportunity to soak tired muscles before tackling the tougher riding ahead. Riders take the Kali Gandaki Gorge — the deepest river valley in the world, riding through a series of challenging river crossings and rocky roads at Upper Mustang from Tatopani all the way to Chuksang.

It will be jazzing through the heart of journey Chuksang, Ghami, Tsarang and final destination is Lo Manthang. This is the part riders remember most vividly years on. Deserts, 4,000-metre-high monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang as a finish.

A daytrip from Lo Manthang is made to the Korala Border, a Nepal Tibet frontier at 4,660 metres and the highest point of the whole tour. Riders then make their way down through Mustang valley towards Muktinath; a holy pilgrimage site for many Hindus and Buddhists.

Return via Sarangkot, incredible spots to view the sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri followed by a final ride into Kathmandu and departures.

What the Tour Costs ?

The complete 14 days Upper Mustang Motorcycle Tour costing USD 4,050 per rider. Pillion riders are USD 2,430. Single room supplement - USD 450 extra.

Which works out in Euro to about 3,750 for the rider and 2,250 for the pillion. These are roughly 3200 and £1920 in Pound Sterling, respectively. You are getting charged about 6,100 and 3,660 in Australian dollars. These are guideline conversions, and they will depend on the exchange rate at the time of booking.

Your booking will be confirmed against a 30 percent deposit (minimum, if the amount is less than that). The rest to be paid in three payments or cash on arrival in Kathmandu. We accept all payments per PayPal and international bank transfer.

What Does a Foreign Rider Need to Bring ?

We give you the motorcycle, back up vehicle, mechanic(s), petrol and all permits. You are required to present a valid passport, with at least six months before expiry, an International Motorcycle Driving Permit which is necessary – your home licence does not suffice on its own and there will be no road insurance available without one – and full riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves boots and knee or elbow protection).

Clothing should be layered. Temperature variations from a pleasant +25 in lower valleys to well below 0 at high altitude, and this ALL sometimes within the same day. Due to how intense Ultraviolet is at altitude, personal medications, sunscreen and lip balm are essential items. A camera is worth bringing. Cash in USD is also accepted all over Nepal and helpful because other than Pokhara, there are not many ATMs.

Common Concerns Foreign Riders Have

International riders tend to ask us the same few questions after years of running our Himalayan tours. The honest answers are below.

There are sections where the riding is technical with river crossings and gravel & sand at altitude. These are not beginner terrain and you need at least one season of off road on adventure bike experience. That said, if needed, our backup vehicle and mechanic travels with the group at all times — this route has never seen a serious incident.

The danger of elevation sickness Instead of having participants rush to 4,660 metres on day three, the route steadily gains altitude. There is the necessary rest day in Pokhara and the slow ascent to Lo Manthang to acclimatise the body. We have oxygen and altitude medicine in the chasing vehicle. In general, riders with experience at similar altitudes perform well.

No you donot have to speak Nepali or any other regional dialect. If you do not know nepali at all please be prepared that in Kathmandu and Pokhara, english is widely spoken however expect some resistance in very rural areas such as Upper Mustang villages where our tour leader does everything communicating.

Kathmandu and Pokhara have many different local and international restaurants. In Upper Mustang rides should be ready for easy Tibetan Nepali wording like dal bhat, momos, thukpa and tsampa. This route, we don't eat salads that have not been treated and drink bottled water as a preventive.

If the weather turns and there are sections you cannot simply ride due to altitude, fatigue or mechanics, space is always available in the backup vehicle. There is no pressure, push through anything you are not comfortable with.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan has a good pillion seat for long days and we have many riders that take partners along. The backup vehicle is also always on the table for an alternative.

Upper Mustang vs Other Tours of the Himalaya

When it comes to Himalayan motorcycle tours, most of the comparisons boil down to four distinct types. Leh Ladakh near India, has higher elevations and steeper hills (and more politically sensitive areas which lead to far heavier traffic) but it is also far more crowded. Both the Sumdo Valley and Spiti Valley have similar Tibetan Buddhist culture, but the latter is more developed and touristy in nature. Nepal is heaven but Annapurna Circuit by bike – beauty primarily trekking pass. But less good than any of the latter as Upper Mustang is still out there, with low rider numbers and higher culture authenticity, smaller permits and a genuine sense of remoteness.

Only a handful of riders who've done Ladakh every now and then say Upper Mustang is what Ladakh ought to have been fifteen years back, before the online-media hordes showing up.

Adventure Riders Around the World Rely on Us

Since 2006, we have been organizing Himalayan motorcycle tours. we have had riders on the Upper Mustang route from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, USA, France, Italy, Mexico and Sweden. Ellie realises that her design team creates some of my most iconic pieces of clothing and many return for a second tour, the strongest endorsement we can give.

Related Tours Worth Considering

If Upper Mustang appeals to you, check out the Nepal Motorcycle Tour for a bigger circuit with less challenging riding, the Nepal Adventure Motorcycle Tour for an alternative routing or the India Nepal Cross Border Tour with Taj Mahal which melds both nations into one extended adventure.

Ready to Ride Upper Mustang

This is hardly an impulsive choice for a tour. The type of ride riders take their time planning for and remember forever. Then maybe if you made it this far, you already know whether this works for you.

Available through WhatsApp at plus nine one nine eight seven one three two seven nine seven seven to book or ask questions! We usually respond in an hour straight from across the world, whatever the time zone it is! You can also drop an email at info motorcycletoursindia dot com or call plus nine one nine eight one one three two three six seven six.

The Forbidden Kingdom is waiting.