Useful Info
Himalayan Penchant
Upper Mustang Mountain Biking is an ultimate adrenaline rush in the Annapurna region during which you will explore the mystical Upper Mustang. Upper Mustang is the gem of Nepal, untouched by any modernization. From rich Tibetan culture of the locals to the artistic monasteries and gorgeous barren landscape, Upper Mustang Biking will take you back in time.
Upper Mustang Biking landmark
Jomsom
Jomsom is one of the most gorgeous places in Nepal. Located in the trans-Himalayan region of Annapurna, Jomsom sits at the base of Mt.Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. Here, you will find many facilities from the nice lodge to wifi and airstrip.
Lo-Manthang
Lo Manthang is a beautiful village, also known as the forbidden kingdom. You will find the palace of the king here. There are so many things to explore in this village and nearby it.
Muktinath
Muktinath temple is one of the pilgrimage sites of Hindus. Every year hundreds of pilgrims visit this temple to worship. The temple boat thousands of years old tradition and history.
Culture
Upper Mustang is extremely rich in culture. The region includes many artistic and ancient monasteries that will present you hundreds of years of old traditions and beliefs to you. The region is highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture and lifestyle. Likewise, during the Upper Mustang Biking 17 Days, you will also visit Muktinath Temple, one of the holiest temples of Hindus.
Ethnic Diversity
The people here are descendants of Tibetans. Back in time, people from Tibet traveled to this place for trading and some of them settled here as well. The lifestyle and culture of the locals are still the same as it used to be many years ago. Upper Mustang Biking Tour is the best way to travel back in time and be part of one of the most intriguing community.
Natural Aptitude
Upper Mustang boasts a dry and arid landscape. The region doesn't have any vegetation except for a few plants that are grown in dry regions. However, you will get to witness breath-taking barren nature along with the huge formation of rocks, dry hills, caves, and canyons. In the lower altitude, you will find subtropical vegetation along with dense forests. Similarly, the trail also passes by beautiful forests of rhododendrons.
Upper Mustang Biking Tour difficulty
Upper Mustang Mountain Biking is a difficult tour. The terrain is a little more difficult than other parts of Nepal. The region is barren, dry, and windy, which means the ride gets difficult. The isolation of the region has made the trail tougher because facilities are limited. Likewise, the trail also involves many ups & downs on a steep and rugged path.
Altitude Sickness and Prevention
Upper Mustang Biking is a high altitude journey, where you will be traveling above 3,000 meters. During the high elevation journey, there are high chances of suffering from altitude sickness. Also known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), altitude sickness is a common illness traveler suffers from while traveling in a higher elevation. To avoid this, add enough acclimatization day in the tour and drink plenty of water.
Transportation and Bag Pack
Upper Mustang Biking Tour begins with a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. From Jomsom, you will start riding and reach the forbidden kingdom, Lo-Manthang.
Here is the list of things that you should carry during Upper Mustang Biking Tour:
- Pair of hiking pants and casual pants
- T-shirts
- Thermal Wears
- Breathable Underwears
- Trekking shoes/socks
- Rain jacket
- Gloves
- Sun hat
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking Pole
- First aid kit
- Toiletries (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sunblock, towel, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins, etc)
- Miscellaneous (camera, extra batteries, journal, cards, bars, snacks, water purification tablets, etc)
Food and Accommodation during Upper Mustang Biking Tour
During your time in the Upper Mustang Biking Tour, you will spend the night in the teahouse. There are no fancy lodges here, so you need to suffice with the local teahouses. However, in the main cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can reside in 3-star to 5-star hotels. Your budget will be a major deciding factor.
In the trail, you’ll mostly dine on dal bhat whereas, in the city, you can choose from a variety of cuisines. While on the trail, you won’t eat anything fancy. You can expect to find Tibetan and Nepali dishes on the high altitude. Where in the lower region, you can find dishes like noodles, momo, rice, curries, flatbread, sandwich, and the egg will be available.
Best time to go on Upper Mustang Biking Tour
When all parts of Nepal are receiving heavy rainfall making the trail slippery and dangerous, Upper Mustang receives little to no rainfall. As the region falls under rain shadow, you can go on the Upper Mustang Biking Tour during monsoon. Besides that, Spring and Autumn are also a good time to traverse in the Upper Mustang region.
Upper Mustang Biking Tour cost
Upper Mustang Biking Tour cost can vary from one company to another due to differences in the itinerary and the services. The cost can be budget-friendly too expensive as per your requirements. Usually, the trek cost includes all ground transportation as per itinerary, permits, accommodation, meals, guides, and porters. However, things like travel insurance, visa fees, personal expenses, tips are not included in the cost. You can check our cost includes and excludes section for detailed information.
Miscellaneous
- Carry extra cash as there will be no ATMs on the trail or villages
- Make sure to take out insurance
- Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated
- Get a good map