Upper Mustang: Adventure in the Forbidden Kingdom

Upper Mustang is our only tour that rides into the former forbidden kingdom, up to Lo Manthang: 15 days, 13 of them on the bike, 808 miles (1,300 km), and several days of tracks without tarmac above 3,000 metres. It is a raid rated Sustained, for riders only. From the Jungle to the Gates of Mustang is a 13-day discovery tour rated Intermediate, which goes through the Chitwan jungle and stops at Marpha, in Lower Mustang. It is open to pillions.

Very good off-road skills and good physical fitness: this is one of our most demanding tours. Expect rocky, steep tracks both uphill and downhill, sand and dust, fords, corrugated sections and about ten suspension bridges with no way around. The tracks change every year with the weather. To prepare, have a look at our off-road training courses.

From 56 to 109 miles (90 to 175 km) a day to reach Mustang from Kathmandu, and then to ride back. In Upper Mustang, stages drop to 28 to 40 miles (45 to 65 km) of tracks: they take time, and leave room for monastery visits, short walks and two nights in Lo Manthang, with a free afternoon.

We sleep at up to about 3,800 metres, in Dhakmar and Lo Manthang, and an optional track crosses a pass at 4,460 metres. The climb is gradual: the first night above 2,900 metres comes on day 5. Some people sleep badly or get headaches at altitude. An oxygen bottle travels in the support vehicle, as medical help is far away. Before you go, read our health advice for Nepal.

No, we advise against it: the difficulty of the tracks makes this raid too hard going for a pillion, and it is designed for riders on their own motorcycle. To discover Nepal two-up, choose From the Jungle to the Gates of Mustang, which is open to pillions.

An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader, an experienced mechanic and the driver of the support vehicle, which carries the luggage and the spare parts. The group is limited to 8 motorcycles: on such a demanding raid, a small group moves better and riders help each other on the tracks.

£3,890 (€4,290) per rider. The price includes the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, fuel, third-party motorcycle insurance, the team, the support vehicle, accommodation, full board from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 15, transfers from Kathmandu airport and the two permits for Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang.

Your international flights, the visa, the international driving permit, meals on days 1 and 15, drinks, entrance fees, tips and a €600 security deposit per motorcycle, refunded after the tour. A registration fee of £31 (€35) applies only on your first trip with us.

A passport valid for at least 6 months after you enter Nepal, and a visa. According to GOV.UK travel advice for Nepal, you can apply online up to 15 days before you arrive and pay on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or get a visa in advance from a Nepalese embassy. GOV.UK also asks UK licence holders to carry a 1968 international driving permit. On another passport, check your own government’s advice. The Mustang permits are included. Our list of documents for Nepal covers the rest.

The season runs from April to May and from October to November, outside the monsoon; other dates are possible on request through your travel advisor. It gets up to 30 °C in Pokhara, but nights drop below freezing in Lo Manthang, especially in November: bring warm clothing. We stay in simple hotels and guesthouses, basic in Upper Mustang, where hot water is not guaranteed and heating is rare.