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, with several days of trails and no pavement above 9,800 feet. 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 passengers.

Very good off-road skills and good physical fitness: this is one of our most demanding tours. Expect rocky, steep trails both uphill and downhill, sand and dust, fords, washboard sections and about ten suspension bridges with no way around. The trails change every year with the weather. To get ready, check out our off-road training courses.

About 55 to 110 miles a day to reach Mustang from Kathmandu, and then to ride back. In Upper Mustang, stages drop to about 30 to 40 miles of trail: they take time, and leave room for monastery visits, short hikes and two nights in Lo Manthang, with a free afternoon.

The highest nights, in Dhakmar and Lo Manthang, are above 12,000 feet, and an optional trail crosses a pass above 14,500 feet. The climb is gradual: the first night above 9,500 feet 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 tips for Nepal.

No, we advise against it: the difficulty of the trails makes this raid too tough on a passenger, and it is designed for riders on their own motorcycle. To explore Nepal two-up, choose From the Jungle to the Gates of Mustang, which is open to passengers.

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 faster and riders help each other on the trails.

$5,150 per rider. The price includes the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, gas, third-party motorcycle insurance, the team, the support vehicle, lodging, all meals 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 $708 deposit per motorcycle, refunded after the tour. A $41 registration fee applies only on your first trip with us.

A passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, and a visa. According to the State Department, U.S. citizens can buy a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or get one in advance from a Nepali embassy or consulate. To ride, you need an International Driving Permit with your U.S. license, available from AAA or AATA. 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 86 °F in Pokhara, but nights drop below freezing in Lo Manthang, especially in November: pack warm clothes. We stay in simple hotels and guesthouses, basic in Upper Mustang, where hot water is not guaranteed and heating is rare.