This is a ride for experienced, fit motorcyclists who want a remote Himalayan journey that goes beyond the road itself. You travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, follow the Kaligandaki valley north to the pilgrimage site of Muktinath, then cross into Upper Mustang, a restricted region closed to outsiders until 1992. The destination is Lo Manthang, a walled settlement with a Tibetan-influenced culture, monasteries and ancient cliff caves nearby at Chhosar. A mechanic and 4×4 support vehicle travel with the group, and a dedicated day in Lo Manthang lets you explore properly rather than pass through. It is demanding, remote and simply organised, and it is candid about all three
Highlights
- Restricted-area entry: Cross into Upper Mustang on a special permit, into a region that remained closed to foreign visitors until 1992.
- Kaligandaki valley riding: Follow the river north on tarmac and rough track, with the landscape turning drier and barer as you gain height.
- Muktinath and Jharkot: Visit Muktinath, a pilgrimage site sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, and the Tibetan Buddhist monastery at Jharkot along the way.
- A full day at Lo Manthang: Spend a whole day among the walled settlement’s monasteries and museum, then ride out to the cliff caves of Chhosar.
- A day to know your bike: Meet your Himalayan 450, take a safety briefing and ride a short loop around Kathmandu before the real road begins.