MUSTANG MAGIC
(09 DAYS ALL MOUNTAIN TRIP)

GLIMPSES
RIDE ROUTE: Kali Gandaki Valley
PLACES VISITED: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom, Muktinath, ThorongPhedi, Marpha, Galeshwor, Pokhara, Kathmandu.
HIGHEST POINTS: 4135m, Throng Phedi (West Side)
TRIP TYPE: All mountain/Free Ride
RIDING TRAILS: Jeep track, single track, downhill, uphill.
ITINERARY

DAY 01  Transfer to Pokhara by Van  O/N Hotel (L/D)
DAY 02  Flight Pokhara to Jomsom & Ride to Kagbeni O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 03  Ride Kagbeni to Muktinath via Zong O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 04  Ride Muktinath to ThorongPhedi and then back to Jomsom Via Lupra Valley O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 05  Ride Jomsom to Marpha Via Dhumba Lake and Nilgiri Base O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 06  Ride Marpha to Kalopani via Kobang O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 07  Ride Kalopani to Tatopani via TT Lake O/N  Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 08  Ride Tatopani to Galeshwor and transfer to Pokhara by a van O/N Tea House (B/L/D)
DAY 09  Transfer to Kathmandu by Van (B/L/D)
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 09:00-09:30hrs, 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:

DAY 01: Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara by private van

The first day of our trip starts with our transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara. We shall move towards Pokhara as per our convenience. The lunch shall be served on the way to Pokhara and the journey will be along the road side of River Trishuli through Prithivi Highway. It will take 7-8 hours for us to reach Pokhara. Overnight stay at Super Deluxe facility of Hotel Snowland by Lakeside. (L/D)
DAY 02: FLY TO JOMSOM (2450M) & RIDE TO KAGBENI, (2600M) (10.5 km, 1 Hr.)

We will check out of hotel early morning to catch the flight to Jomsom.  The flight is a short but one of the most beautiful, which offers magnificent views of the mountains we will be gazing on everyday on our trip.

Jomsom is a small sleepy village, with a STOL airstrip, works as a gateway to many popular trekking, mainly Upper Mustang and Muktinath.  The village, set along the Kaligandai River basin is populated by the people of Tibetan origin.  Some very interesting settlements, such as Thini, Marpha are situated in its close vicinity.  The great peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Dhaulagir Peaks seem almost at touching distance.  As this village is in the rain shadow due to its location behind great mountains, the mountain views are almost always guaranteed.

Register names in the ACAP office, Jomsom (2450m) and start mountain biking to Kagbeni.  The entire ride that takes around 1 hour is thorough the flat path over Kaligandaki River Bed.  However, the gravels and the very strong wind that starts around 9-10 AM in the morning can be expected to make our ride very challenging.  Kagbeni is an oasis, amidst the wind swept highland desert, situated on the confluence of JhongKhola and Kali Gandaki River.  It gives an impression as if it is suddenly emerging from the medieval past with its closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels and alleyways, and an imposing ochre colored Gompa perched above the town.  The dresses and customs of the people here resemble that of their Tibetan Cousin across the mountains.

During the day we are free to browse through this interesting locale to learn more about the mountain culture of Nepal.  After communal dinner in the evening you are advised to go to bed early to rest well for the following day’s ride. Overnight at local lodge. (L/D)

DAY 03: RIDE KAGBENI TO MUKTINATH, 3800 m (10 kms, 4-5 hours)

After a sumptuous breakfast, we pack up our bags and ride steep climb up the Jhong Kola valley.  After sometime the trail becomes almost flat and runs along the hillside passing through the alpine pasture with sparse vegetation. Across the gorge you are served with fantastic views of abandoned villages and the canyons with caves carved on their vertical walls, believed to be about 2700 years old, used in the past monks for meditation in seclusion. We pass through the ruins of an abandoned Zong, the ancient capital of this region. This route provides us the traffic free environment and if you are lucky enough there is every chances of coming across wild animals especially deer. The striking yellows of the bare hillsides contrast dramatically with the blue sky, white peaks and splashes of green where streams allow cultivation. The views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri are tremendous.
In the afternoon visit the temple of Muktinath, Jwalamai and other minor chortens and temples.
Muktinath, literally meaning “the provider of salvation” is a pagoda styled temple of lord Vishnu, which is revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike.  This is one of the most important pilgrimages for the people of South Asia, who believe that a pilgrimage to this place will free one from the cycle of taking births again and again. Overnight at local lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 04: RIDE MUKTINATH TO THORONG PHEDI, 4135m (One and Half hours), AND BACK TO MUKTINATH (20 minutes) AND TOWARDS JOMSOM VIA LUPRA VALLEY.

Today after a breakfast we ride 2 hours uphill towards Thorong Phedi. This is one the way to Thorong La Pass the highest point in the famous Annapurna circuit trail.  The pass, situated almost at 5,665 meters above sea level, is traversed by countless trekkers to test their will and experience the unparalleled gift of nature.  The ride is uphill almost all the way with loose rocks.  Riding is quite challenging.

After a lunch at Thorang Phedi we will ride through Lupra valley, which consists of 40 mins of tough climb and lots of technical downhill, switch backs, free ride trails and single tracks through untouched and isolated terrain well hidden behind mountains.
If you are not fond of technical rides then we will follow the same jeep track downhill to Kagbeni and ride to Jomsom. We spend the day exploring around the area. And the tired night can even be spent over at spa to relax our tired body.  Overnight at local lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 05: RIDE JOMSOM TO MARPHA VIA DHUMBA LAKE AND NILGIRI BASE (5 HOURS)

After having completed the breakfast we leave Jomsom and head towards Marpha via Dhumba Lake and Nilgiri Base.

Marpha is a bustling town inhabited by highly enterprising Thakalis and is also renowned for its apple orchards producing high-class apples, and apple brandy as its byproduct.  Later in the day we would go around exploring this quaint town by visiting its Monastery e narrow paved alleys and passageways, which, along with its flat roofed houses, exhibit the typical ThakKhola architecture.  Overnight at local lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 06: RIDE MARPHA TO KALOPANI, 2560m via TUKUCHE, 2590m, (21 kms, 5 hrs)

After breakfast we start our ride to Kalopani via Tukuche and Kobang.  Tukuche was once meeting place for the Traders frequenting between Tibet and the Southern Plains. Here we don’t ride through main road, most of the time we pass through walking trails which are ride able and full of fun.

We then continue our ride to Kalopani. Kalopani is situated almost an equal distance from Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and offers a very rare view of north face of the Annapurna I.   In the evening at 7:00/7:30 PM we enjoy dinner. Overnight local lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 07: KALOPANI TO TATOPANI, 1195m via TT Lake

Kalopani offers magnificent view of Himalayan Ranges with peaks of Mt. Dhaulaghiri, Icefall, Tukuche, Nilgiri and Annapurna. Enjoy the early morning view from the hotel. A refreshing breakfast at 8 AM will surely enhance energy to ride 8 km uphill to enjoy the amazing beauty of TT Lake.  We continue our ride on a downhill jeep track to Tatopani via Ghasa (a major city) and enjoy ride through many beautiful villages. A beautiful waterfall named ‘RupcheChahara’ is a major attraction on the way after Ghasa. We will spend an hour admiring its beauty, taking pictures and having tea/coffee. We will reach our much-awaited destination, Tatopani at around 2 pm. The village earns its name from its hot spring Tato Pani meaning hot water. In the evening 7:00/7:00 PM enjoy dinner. Overnight at local lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 08: TATOPANI TO GALESHWOR (BY BIKE), AND TO POKHARA BY VAN

After Breakfast, we will check out of hotel at 10 AM. Pedal through ‘Tiplag’ and reach Galeshwor for a refreshing Lunch at the hotel River side. This is where we conclude our mountain biking. We will be transferred to Pokhara on van via Mal Dhunga. Overnight at Hotel Snowland of Pokhara by a Lakeside. (B/L/D)

DAY 09: Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu

After an amazing breakfast at ‘Boomerang’ restaurant with the picturesque view of Fewa Lake, to add to our delight, we shall move towards Kathmandu through our private van. After having reached Kathmandu we will gather again at the office of ERN in the evening for mysterious galli night ride through the alleys of Patan city for one hour. And finally the trip of the lifetime shall be wrapped up with an evening dinner hosted by Golden Himalayan Zone Treks to share the feeling of amazing experience with each other, at a very traditional Newari restaurant.  Our service end here.

Day 10: Kathmandu – Departure (B) (^^ Home Sweet Home)