The Last Kingdom
(09 Days trip ride Upper Mustang)

GLIMPSES
RIDE ROUTE: Mainly Upper Mustang
PLACES  VISITED: Various places of Upper Mustang along with Kagbeni & Jomsom
HIGHEST POINTS: 3800m, Lomanthang
TRIP TYPE : All Mountain
TRAILS : Jeep track, single track, uphill, downhill, technical rides etc

ITINERARY
DAY 01  Jomsom-Kagbeni O\N Hotel (L/D)
DAY 02  Kagbeni-Chele O\N Hotel (B/L/D)
DAY 03  Chele-Shyangboche O\N Hotel (B/L/D)
DAY 04  Shyangboche-Chharang O\N Hotel(B/L/D)
DAY 05  Chharang-Lo Manthang O\N Hotel(B/L/D)
DAY 06  Lo Manthang (Local Ride) O\N Hotel(B/L/D)
DAY 07  Lo Manthang-Ghami O\N Hotel(B/L/D)
DAY 08  Gami-Shyangboche O\N Hotel(B/L/D)
DAY 09  Shyangboche-Jomsom (B/L)

Our Typical Riding Day:
Breakfast is ready at 07:00, where we have a communal breakfast and discuss the day’s plan. Normally, our daily riding begins at around 08:30-09:-00hrs, after breakfast and packing is over.  However, it may slightly be adjusted given consideration to the terrain, climatic and riding conditions of the day.  We plan to have clients at the next accommodation by 15:00-16:00hrs. This allows time for bike maintenance, a little extra exploration of the locale on your own, settling into the hotel and relax before dinner. During the day our lunch break is approx. one hour at a scenic spot available along the route.

Detailed Itinerary:

The ride to the walled city Lo Manthang is filled with beautiful scenic views, landscape, rivers and much more. We ride through some of the oldest Tibetan plateau, mani wall, and some fascinating trails on the way. You would also be able to witness some of the rare flora and fauna during the journey.

Day1 Jomsom-Kagbeni

Trips first ride will get started from Jomsom. Our destination for the first day Kagbeni (2700m) is a mere 3 hours ride. We take the jeep track on the side of the river Kali gandaki for a while before we ride through the dry river itself. As we ride, we blow with the wind pass old Kagbeni and few uphill climbs followed by a single track before we reach Kagbeni. We stay overnight here and acclimatize for the rest of the trip. Overnight at the tea house (L/D)

Day2 Kagbeni-Chele

By today we have entered the restricted zone of upper mustang. Today we ride through 180 degree Panaromic view of snow capped mountains and portrait like landscape. So be sure to get your camera ready for the day. We climb some parts of the trail along with the wind today. As we reach a small village Chhusang, we ride a steep uphill and then a fascinating rock tunnel. After crossing the bridge, we have to ride a nice uphill stretch before we enter our destination Chele (3050m). Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day3 Chele-Shyangboche

Today would be a challenge. We have a good 2 hours uphill stretch to work on. We need a good rest the day before. As we start the day, we climb through jeep track for sometimes as we slowly meet with a single track. Carrying and pushing will accompany us as we proceed but the view of the suspension bridge and green fields on the other side of the hill will always refresh us. Samar is the next stop for lunch. The work is not done yet as we carry another phase for 30 mins followed by a steep downhill after the pass to reach our destination for the day would be Shyangboche (3800m). Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day 4 Shyangboche-Chharang

As we leave Shyangobche, we start with a small climb as warm-up. The ride will take us downhill for a while as we cross a small village on the way. The green fields along the jeep track will be refreshing as we ride. This open valley scenery and barley fields of Ghiling along with mount Nilgiri will take us for a pleasant ride today. The changing colors of the surrounding will definitely mesmerize us. After riding through the river, we will come across a bigger village Gami where we stop over for lunch. We will have another climb to do. The longest mani wall with an interesting story will come on the way as we climb. As we approach Chharang (3560m), we are flanked and surrounded by children in red-robe. The monastery, old palace and a museum are some place to go through as we spend our night here. Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day 5 Chharang-Lomanthang

From here, we could view the walled city of Lo Manthang (3800m) as it is only a few hours ride. The final ride towards the destination is about 23km. We cross the bridge, climb through jeep track and head towards the lost kingdom in time. The landscape is breath-taking as we approach. The ride today is filled with fun as we go up and down. Finally, after witnessing a Long prayer flag on top of a hill, Lo Manthang is seen below. We ride down through jeep track and single track to finally enter our destination. Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day6 Lo Manthang

We consider this day as rest day. There are many things to explore. The Chinese border is one area that could be explored. We could also meet the king here. Time to relax and enjoy this valley for the rest of the day and some fun ride within the Lo Manthang is always a great option here. Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day7 Lo Manthang-Gami

Today, we have a long way to ride back. We cycle over a pass which would be a challenge. Along with hard work, the reward of beautiful views will come on the way. Pictures of these landscapes are unavoidable. After leaving Lo Manthang, we ride through another village Dhakmar today. The downhill from here is amazing. We have plenty of interesting villages to explore along with the Japanese hospital near the longest mani wall. We will be pushing at some of the climbs today. Finally, we ride downhill before we wrap-up for the day at Gami. Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)

Day8 Gami-Shyangboche

Today we follow the same route which retraces the same trail as we passed on the way up. Gami village has a bigger space compared to others. There is quite a bit of climbing involved today. We ride lots of single track sections climbing until 3800 meters and again downhill to Shyangboche. We spend one more night here before we head back to Samar. Overnight at the tea house (B/L/D)
Day9 Shyangboche-Jomsom

Today we have some great trails to ride. We ride a nice trail with river Kali gandaki on the right. It’s a challenging ride down as we meet a downhill technical trail. Please don’t forget to keep your camera handy as the view is fantastic. And the downhill continues until chaile. The jeep track is filled with twist and turns all the way and be will be jumping and turning as we reach the river belt. We follow the trail trough a village which connects our path to kagbeni. And it will be followed by our last ride of the trip to Jomsom. (B/L)