The Mustang off-road trail
On this off-road motorcycle journey, you will discover a part of Nepal that is rarely visited and difficult to access for the ordinary tourist.
Mustang, also known as the Little Tibet, is the northwestern part of Nepal that borders Tibet. To reach it, we cross one of the deepest valleys in the world, beginning below 1,000 m and surrounded by 8,000 m peaks. The route is full of surprises: we will cross numerous suspension bridges — including the longest in Nepal — ford rivers, and ride along narrow, winding paths. But above all, you will be amazed by the imposing views of the vast Himalayan range, seen from our motorcycles at nearly 4,000 m, with breathtaking lunar landscapes.
Few countries in Asia offer motorcycle travellers as much natural beauty as this magical country nestled between India and Tibet. Its people, deeply influenced by Buddhist tradition, possess a remarkable serenity. Our route is almost entirely on unpaved tracks, with generally light traffic outside urban areas. Approximately 600 km covered on Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Day 1 Arrival of the various flights to Kathmandu. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in the centre of Kathmandu according to your flight arrival time. Welcome meeting with the whole group and our guide at around 6 PM at the hotel. Night in Kathmandu.
Day 2 Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Early departure to catch the flight to Pokhara, where the motorcycles and our support team will be waiting. We will take a ride around the Pokhara area and through a valley with incredible views. Night in Pokhara.
Day 4 Bandipur – Dhampus. 5 hours. 80% off-road. We pass through typical villages of the region and tracks crossing the lakes near Pokhara. Arrival in Dhampus after climbing a track from where we can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the trip — a perfect spot to take in Machapuchare and Annapurna. Night in Dhampus.
Day 5 Dhampus – Tatopani. 5h30. 90% off-road. Departure to the village of Kusma, where we will cross several suspension bridges hanging over the Kusma River. Lunch on the other side of Nepal's longest suspension bridge — over 200 m long and suspended more than 150 m above the ground. Arrival at around 4 PM at our hotel high above the town of Beni, where cold beers will be waiting for us. Night in Tatopani.
Day 6 Tatopani – Marpha. 5 hours. 90% off-road. Today we ride through the most spectacular lunar landscapes of the entire trip. Check in at the hotel, with the rest of the afternoon free to explore this village surrounded by Himalayan views, a Buddhist monastery, and charming narrow alleyways. Night in Marpha.
Day 7 Marpha – Muktinath – Kagbeni. 6 hours. 90% off-road. Today we experience the most dramatic lunar scenery of the whole journey. Arrival in Muktinath at 3,900 m for a chai at the highest point of our tour. We visit its temples before heading back along a small track to Kagbeni. From there we climb a spectacular trail to a viewpoint offering a close-up view of the impressive Nilgiri peak at 7,000 m. Check in at the hotel, with the rest of the afternoon free to explore this village surrounded by Himalayan views, a Buddhist monastery, and charming narrow alleyways. Night in Kagbeni.
Day 8 Kagbeni – Pokhara. 5h30. 70% off-road. We begin the return journey along the main track, concluding the ride at Sarangkot, the mountain overlooking Pokhara and its lake, where we will watch paragliders take flight. Night in Pokhara.
Day 10 International flight. Last hours before departure on international flights home. Transfer to the airport according to your departure schedule. End of our services.
Trip duration:
10 days, 9 hotel nights (days 1 to 9 included).
Trip not recommended for a passenger. Trip on the Himalayan 450cc motorcycle model.
The price includes:
- Motorcycle rental for the entire trip on a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
- Standard category hotels for nights 1 to 9 included, in double rooms. 4-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara (single room at an additional cost of €350) ¹
- Breakfast, water and tea during road stops.
- Fuel throughout the trip.
- Airport-to-hotel transfers and vice versa.
- Spanish-speaking guide with experience on the route and a mechanic specialising in Enfield motorcycles.
- Van and driver to transport luggage and provide roadside assistance. (from 4 participants)
- Spare parts, tools and first aid kit.
- Maintenance and repairs, third-party insurance for the motorcycles.
- Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- Special permits to enter the Mustang area, TIM card and individual CAM permit.
- Motorcycle permits.
The price does not include:
- Nepal visa.
- International flight to Kathmandu.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages or monument entrance fees.
- Tips for tour staff or hotel and restaurant personnel.
- Dinners and meals not listed under "the price includes". Average meal cost in Nepal: €4.
- Transport or travel during free days.
- Travel assistance insurance. Mandatory.*
- Entrance fees to monuments or sporting activities such as canyoning, paragliding, rafting, etc.
- €500 deposit for motorcycle rental. The deposit is returned in full at the end of the trip provided the motorcycle has not been damaged.
- Any other service not explicitly listed under "the price includes".
Climate and clothing during the trip
The average temperature in Nepal during our tours is 26°/28°C. The weather is generally dry and sunny, but conditions can change and temperatures may drop in the mountains, and in some cases during the morning and evening. We can expect very sunny and mild days, some cold nights as we gain altitude, and perhaps a few hours of rain. High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and gloves are recommended.
Motorcycle gear: Helmet (off-road style recommended), jacket, gloves, motorcycle boots and rain gear (two-piece suits are the best option). If there is a light wind, a waterproof jacket is enough to stay warm on morning departures. It will be warm during the day while riding, so the ideal gear is a jacket with a removable liner. Bring a pair of warmer gloves if you tend to feel the cold on early morning starts. A magnetic tank bag is a practical option for carrying your camera, gloves and other items.
Road conditions and riding in Nepal
Riding in Nepal can be chaotic near urban areas, with rules entirely different from those we are used to in Europe, though one adapts quickly. One advantage is that there is generally little traffic on the route towards Mustang. This tour is 70% off-road tracks and 30% tarmac.
This circuit is suitable only for experienced riders with off-road and track riding experience, given the difficulty of the route.
Nepal is an incredible and magical country, but it is not an easy destination for those who lack patience or are not accustomed to the unexpected and delays. If you decide to join the group, bear in mind that you will need to be flexible with unforeseen situations and possible delays due to the particular conditions of the country and especially this region of Nepal. This type of motorcycle adventure involves certain risks, which we assume you are aware of and accept.
A positive attitude and a good sense of humour are essential to making the most of this trip.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan Motorcycles
The Himalayan 452 is fitted with a 452 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine producing approximately 40 hp and a 6-speed gearbox — significantly more agile and powerful than its predecessor. The frame is a double tubular beam with an inverted front fork and reinforced rear suspension, ideal for both on- and off-road riding. Its modern equipment includes a colour TFT display with integrated navigation, LED lighting and rear-wheel ABS that can be switched off. In short: a versatile adventure motorcycle, more refined and powerful than before, designed for long journeys or exploration across varied terrain.
The seat height of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 is 825 mm in its standard configuration and can be adjusted up to 845 mm.
¹ Bookings are made in strict order of reservation date. This means that if you book at the last minute, you may need to opt for a single room if there is no one else to share a double with. The earlier you book, the greater your chances of being in a double room.
² Travel assistance insurance covering motorcycle use is mandatory. This may already be included with your credit card or car/motorcycle insurance policy. This type of insurance covers medical expenses abroad and repatriation by air in the event of illness or accident.
