Mustang: The Secluded Kingdom (14 days)

Mustang: The Secluded Kingdom (14 days)
14 days
Kathmandu
Mustang
Kathmandu
Nepal
1700 kilometers

Overview

This extraordinary 14-day motorcycle journey through Nepal begins in Kathmandu, where we arrive in the lively district of Thameland dive straight in. A visit to Durbar Square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) brings us face to face with Nepal’s history, temple culture, and the unique, fascinating chaos of the old city. Soon it is time to leave the metropolis behind and head up into the Nepali hills.

In Nuwakot, our Royal Enfields are already waiting. We take our time to settle in on two wheels – a short warm-up ride, adjusting the bikes, getting used to riding on the left – and then we enjoy a relaxed evening at the resort. From here, the route leads us through charming places like Bandipur to the laid-back lakeside town of Pokhara, with unforgettable views from the Peace Pagoda and an easygoing lakeside atmosphere, before the terrain slowly becomes wilder.

Beyond Beni, the asphalt ends and Nepal shows its rougher side. We follow the Kali Gandaki River north, ride through the legendary Kali Gandaki Gorge, and reach places like Kagbeni, where it feels as if time itself begins to slow down. An optional visit to the sacred Muktinath Temple follows, before we really enter Upper Mustang: dusty tracks, wide high-altitude valleys, eroded rock formations, and a unique atmosphere shaped by Tibetan culture.

The highlight of our journey is Lo Manthang, the former capital of the legendary Kingdom of Lo. Two nights here allow us the space to truly experience its narrow lanes, monasteries, and ancient walls – not just passing through, but really arriving in the here and now. For centuries, Mustang was a key point on the old trade route between Tibet and India, maintaining its cultural independence well into modern times. That history is still felt today, in the architecture, language, spirituality, and everyday life of the people.

On the way back, we gradually leave the high plateau behind, riding through Marpha with its apple orchards and on to Kusma, where the spectacularly located Cliff Resort awaits. At Begnas Lake, we pause once more to breathe and slow down. The journey ends with a perfect final note: one last scenic ride back to Nuwakot – returning the bikes, sharing stories, and enjoying a farewell dinner together.

This trip is more than a motorcycle tour. It is a deep journey into one of the most remote regions of the Himalayas – raw, spiritual, and striking – combined with culture, history, and true adventure riding.

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At A Glance

Category Details
Best travel time March to May & October to November – dry weather, clear skies, ideal conditions for off-road and high-altitude riding.
Tour start/end Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Duration 14 travel days / approx. 12 riding days (plus 2 nights in Lo Manthang for exploration & culture)
Total distance Approx. 1,300 km / 812 miles
Daily stages Average 110 km per day – depending on terrain, weather, and route
Road conditions Mix of asphalt, gravel, dusty tracks, and highland terrain – perfect for adventure bikes and explorers.
Motorcycles Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Upon request, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 or Royal Enfield Bullet 500 (left-side gear shift, electric starter, front disc brake) are also available.
Riding skills Rides over high mountain passes (e.g. Muktinath at 3,800 m) and on unpaved roads. Due to the sometimes rough road conditions, this tour is not well suited for riding with a pillion passenger.
Group size Minimum 4 and maximum 10 riders. There is always space for a passenger in the support vehicle.
Accommodation Selected local hotels, guesthouses & lodges – from cozy to spectacular locations (Upper Mustang: simple, authentic, with character).
Included services Motorcycle rental, fuel, support vehicle, mechanic, all accommodations, breakfast, lunch snack, dinner, drinking water with meals and on the road, entrance fees, all permits (including Mustang), domestic transfers, full-time tour guide
Highlights Kathmandu (UNESCO), Durbar Square, Nuwakot, Bandipur, Pokhara & Peace Pagoda, Kali Gandaki Gorge, Kagbeni, (optional) Muktinath, Upper Mustang (Samar), Lo Manthang (Kingdom of Lo), Marpha, Kusma Cliff Resort, Begnas Lake
Tour guidance From arrival to departure, the entire tour is accompanied and supported by an experienced local, English-speaking guide. Our tour guides ride their own motorcycles and are much more than just road captains — they ensure smooth logistics, share local knowledge, and take care of the group throughout the journey.
Important The Nepal visa must be applied for online in advance

ITinerary

Day Description
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu – Arrive, take a deep breath, and experience your first cultural shock (in the best possible way). In the afternoon, we stroll together to Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and dive straight into Nepal’s rich history.
Day 2 Kathmandu – Nuwakot: Leaving the hustle of the capital behind, we ride into Nepal’s green hills. In Nuwakot, our motorcycles are ready. We take an easy familiarization ride, get comfortable with the bikes (left-side traffic included), and end the day at a cozy resort.
Day 3 Nuwakot – Bandipur (150 km): Winding mountain roads, sweeping views, and small villages along the way. Via Gorkha, we reach Bandipur. In the evening, we walk along the historic main street as the village slowly settles into the night.
Day 4 Bandipur – Pokhara (80 km): A short and beautiful ride to Pokhara. Afterwards, we head up to the Peace Pagoda, overlooking the lake and, on clear days, the Annapurna range. Evening time is for the lakeside promenade, relaxed vibes, and live music.
Day 5 Pokhara – Kalopani (120 km): We follow the powerful Kali Gandaki River northwards. Beyond Beni, the asphalt ends – from here on it gets dustier and rougher, and we get exactly the kind of riding we love.
Day 6 Kalopani – Kagbeni (90 km): Riding through the legendary Kali Gandaki Gorge, one of the most impressive landscapes in the Himalayas. Kagbeni feels like stepping back in time. Optional visit to the sacred Muktinath Temple.
Day 7 Kagbeni – Samar (65 km): Today, Upper Mustang truly begins. More demanding tracks, dramatic rock formations, wide valleys, and the feeling of riding farther and farther away from the “normal world.”
Days 8–9 Lo Manthang: Two nights in the mystical capital of the former Kingdom of Lo. We explore the ancient alleys around the royal palace, take time for monasteries, walls, and stories – and simply absorb the unique spirit of Mustang.
Day 10 Lo Manthang – Marpha (130 km): Riding back through Upper Mustang, passing villages, prayer walls, and open highland valleys. Marpha welcomes us with apple orchards, stone lanes, and yes – its famous apple brandy.
Day 11 Marpha – Kusma (150 km): We slowly leave the high plateau behind and roll back into warmer, greener regions. In Kusma, the spectacularly located Cliff Resort awaits – the perfect place to unwind.
Day 12 Kusma – Begnas Lake (approx. 70 km): A relaxed ride through the Middle Hills on small roads, past terraced fields and village life. At Begnas Lake, everything slows down – water, hills, sunset – a perfect contrast after Mustang.
Day 13 Begnas Lake – Nuwakot (approx. 170 km): Our final long riding day takes us along flowing curves, past rivers, rice fields, and lively market towns. Back in Nuwakot, we return the bikes, enjoy a farewell dinner, and look back on an unforgettable journey.
Day 14 Departure: Transfer to Kathmandu airport for your flight home – or an optional extension for those who are not quite ready to leave.

Dates & RATES

October 16, 2027
October 29, 2027
14 days

Rider: €3.980

Pillion-Rider: €3.480

Single room supplement: €490 ‍

The price includes the $50/day tourism fee for Upper Mustang.

Questions about this tour? Message us on WhatsApp
Deposit: €300 on booking (€400 if a domestic flight is included), balance due 6 weeks before the tour starts. Cancellation fees: up to 60 days before departure 30%, 60–30 days 50%, 30–15 days 80%, after that 100%. Full details in our Terms & Conditions.

Map

Gallery

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More questions? See our General FAQ
Do I need an international driving license?
Can I get a local prepaid SIM card in Nepal?
Can I freely take pictures in Nepal?
Can I fly my drone in Nepal?
What vaccinations are recommended for Nepal?
What are typical souvenirs from Nepal?
What cultural etiquette should be observed in Nepal?
How many kilometers do we cover per day?
What clothing and gear should I bring for the tour?
Can I smoke anywhere in Nepal, and what are the rules regarding e-cigarettes?
Do I need a visa? Passport, entry requirements and driving license Nepal
Cash, Cards & Payments — What You Should Know
Which motorcycles will we be riding on this tour?
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What people are saying

Cher Shankar.
J'ai le plaisir de te dire que mon voyage au Népal a été un vrai régal. C'est vrai que tout était fait pour avoir un beau voyage à moto enfield. La météo nous a été favorable, les lieux que tu as choisi pour nous héberger sont accueillants et propre et partout la nourriture est merveilleusement présentées et colorées, on y mange tellement bien.
Les routes sont comme je le recherchai terribles et caillouteuses. Les changements paysages et de climats sont grandioses, quel beau souvenir.
Ce voyage sans toi n'aurai pas eu la même saveur. Tu es joyeux et communicatif. Tu nous emmène dans des endroits encore authentiques vers une population accueillante. Chaque matin on pouvait t'entendre nous décrire le déroulement de la journée avec carte géographique. Aux arrêts tu as souvent une anecdote ou une histoire pour compléter ce qu'on regarde. Le soir aussi tu as de quoi nous en apprendre plus sur ce pays le Népal. Mon voyage prochain sera aussi avec toi en 2025. A bientôt

2025-02-06

Dear Heinrich.

A happy New year.
Last year I tried Edelweise Bike-Tour in NZ.
And Japanese one in Spain&Portugal.
I realized your tour is the best.
I hope everything is fine with you.

Kazuo Yamashita

2012-10-01

Dearest Heinrich:
Steve and I wanted to “THANK YOU” for such a wonderful trip through Shangri-La, China! We had such an incredible time – our heads are still spinning from all of the wonderful culture we experienced. As I mentioned to you many times, I only wish we would have had helmet cameras to capture all of the sights, sounds, animals and cultural dress we saw as we traveled through all of the different villages. It was a once in a lifetime experience and you and your crew made the trip so easy – we could have never experienced that on our own. All of the stories about your travels were so interesting and your knowledge of the area was very captivating. You are PERFECT at what you do. It’s very clear you love your job or can you even call it a job? We really enjoyed the fact you were right with us on the whole trip from breakfast to late evenings sharing a glass of wine.
We watched “Seven Years in Tibet” (as you recommended) and that kind of put it all together about the Tibetan culture and what happened to them. They are such a happy, warm group of people. I feel like we saw terrain from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to Baja Mexico. The bikes were perfect for the trip. Being on a dirt bike made it a lot easier navigating on some of the roads.
I only hope we can make it on another one of your trips in the near future – we would love to go to India. It says a lot for your business when you have repeat customers come back and do other trips as well. You are always welcome to come visit us in California – we could do our own little trip through Baja.
We wish you all the best in your travels! If ever you write a book – please put us on the list. I believe this was the best way to see the country – on the freedom of a motorcycle.
THANK YOU FOR AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME……..
Sincerely,

Shelly & Steve Morefield
shelly & steve, L.A

2011-08-26