All trips/Motorcycle & 4x4/Upper Mustang Motorcycle ExpeditionTRIP CODE — MTO-MST-10PERMITS — Restricted Area Permit ($500) + ACAP
LO MANTHANG ANCIENT WALLED CITY
N° 01 — RESTRICTED KINGDOM · MOTORCYCLE

Upper Mustang Motorcycle Expedition
ride into the forbidden kingdom.

FROM
$2,199
per person · twin share
Duration
10 days
Max altitude
3,840 m
Difficulty
Group size
2 – 12
Best season
Mar — May · Sep — Nov
Activity
Motorcycle
Start / end
Pokhara
§ OVERVIEW

Ride through the Kali Gandaki Gorge — the deepest on earth — into the ancient walled kingdom of Lo Manthang. Ten days of Himalayan desert canyons, sacred monasteries, remote Tibetan villages, and off-road mountain riding with full professional support.

Upper Mustang is one of the last restricted kingdoms on earth, sealed from the outside world until 1992. Today it remains profoundly remote: Tibetan Buddhist culture intact, cave monasteries carved into canyon walls, and roads that vanish into high-desert terrain most riders never see. This 10-day expedition runs Pokhara to Lo Manthang and back on Royal Enfield Himalayan or KTM Adventure motorcycles, with a professional road captain, mechanic, and backup support vehicle throughout. Accommodation is handpicked rider-friendly mountain lodges — warm, clean, and run by local families. The route threads through Tatopani's hot springs, Marpha's apple orchards, Jomsom's dusty crossroads, and Kagbeni's medieval gateway before climbing into the restricted zone. Lo Manthang itself — the walled royal city at 3,840m — gives you a full rest day to explore sky caves, the royal palace, and centuries-old gompa. The return leg swings through Muktinath, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike, before the final descent back to Pokhara.

Ride into Lo Manthang — the ancient walled royal city at 3,840m
Kali Gandaki Gorge — the world's deepest gorge, ridden from rim to floor
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit — off-limits without it
Muktinath Temple — sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists
Professional road captain, mechanic & dedicated support vehicle throughout
Authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture, sky caves, and ancient monasteries
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 / KTM Adventure Series motorcycles provided
§ ITINERARY · 10 DAYS

Day by day, road by road.

  1. 01
    DAY
    Arrival in Pokhara
    Transfer · 827m

    Airport pickup and hotel transfer to a premium Lakeside hotel. Welcome dinner, expedition briefing, motorcycle handover, and safety orientation. Evening free to explore Lakeside Pokhara.

  2. 02
    DAY
    Pokhara → Tatopani
    Ride 6–7h · 1,190m

    First day in the saddle — ride alongside the Kali Gandaki River through scenic mountain roads, traditional villages, and the first off-road sections. Reward yourself with a soak in Tatopani's natural hot springs.

  3. 03
    DAY
    Tatopani → Kagbeni
    Ride 5–6h · 2,810m

    Ride deeper into Mustang through dramatic Himalayan valleys, through Jomsom's dusty strip and the apple orchards of Marpha, arriving at Kagbeni — the medieval gateway and last village before the restricted zone.

  4. 04
    DAY
    Kagbeni → Ghami
    Ride 5h · 3,520m

    Restricted Area Permits checked — you're in Upper Mustang. Ancient Tibetan villages, Himalayan desert landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and long mani prayer walls mark the route into the high plateau.

  5. 05
    DAY
    Ghami → Lo Manthang
    Ride 4–5h · 3,840m

    The expedition's centrepiece day. Ride through the Charang Valley and massive canyon landscapes to arrive at the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang. The route is spectacular — allow time to stop.

  6. 06
    DAY
    Explore Lo Manthang
    Rest day · 3,840m

    A full day for cultural exploration. Visit the royal palace and Thubchen, Jampa, and Namgyal monasteries. Explore sky caves carved into the canyon walls. Optional ride toward the Korala border region for panoramic plateau views.

  7. 07
    DAY
    Lo Manthang → Muktinath
    Ride · 3,760m

    Ride through high Himalayan terrain toward the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Panoramic Himalayan views and traditional Mustang landscapes throughout.

  8. 08
    DAY
    Muktinath → Marpha
    Ride · 2,670m

    Relaxed scenic riding day descending through beautiful Mustang valleys. Pass through apple orchards and Thakali villages with their distinctive stone architecture and warm hospitality.

  9. 09
    DAY
    Marpha → Pokhara
    Ride · 827m

    Final descent ride back through the Kali Gandaki Gorge to Pokhara. Scenic river valleys and mountain highways all the way to the lakeside. Farewell celebration dinner with the team.

  10. 10
    DAY
    Departure
    Transfer

    Breakfast at the hotel. Airport transfer. Expedition certificates presented. The forbidden kingdom awaits your return.

§ WHAT'S INCLUDED

The fine print, on one page.

✓ INCLUDED
  • Royal Enfield Himalayan / KTM Adventure Series motorcycle + fuel
  • Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500)
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Professional road captain + experienced local guide
  • Backup support vehicle + mechanic throughout
  • All accommodation (premium hotel Pokhara + rider-friendly mountain lodges)
  • Daily breakfast, lunch & dinner throughout expedition
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Welcome & farewell dinners in Pokhara
  • Basic first aid kit & portable oxygen support
  • Luggage transport in support vehicle
✕ NOT INCLUDED
  • International flights to/from Nepal
  • Nepal entry visa (USD 50, on arrival)
  • Personal riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel & emergency evacuation insurance (mandatory)
  • Personal expenses & tips for team
§ REVIEWS · 87 verified
4.9
★★★★★
out of 5
REVIEWS AVAILABLE AFTER BOOKING — POWERED BY VERIFIED GUESTS