Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

Nepal is one of the great motorcycle-touring countries on earth: a single ride can carry you from subtropical river valleys up the Kali Gandaki — the deepest gorge in the world, between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna — into the wind-scoured desert kingdom of Mustang and on to roads that climb past 4,000 m toward the Tibetan border.

This is a high-altitude expedition, not a tarmac cruise. We run it on Royal Enfield Himalayans and other adventure bikes, with a licensed road captain in front, a support 4x4 carrying fuel, spares, and luggage behind, and a mechanic in the group. You ride; we handle the logistics, the permits, and the altitude plan.

The route is the reward: smooth hill highway gives way to river-gorge gravel, then to high desert switchbacks and old salt-trade trails that almost no one reaches by car.

You ride through living Nepal — overnight in Gurung and Thakali villages, refuel beside apple orchards in Marpha, and wake up to Dhaulagiri filling the windscreen — instead of watching it pass from a tourist bus.

Full support changes everything at altitude: a chase vehicle, a mechanic, spare bikes, and a guide who has ridden these passes in every season mean you can commit to the adventure and still ride within a real safety margin.

• ✓Ride the Kali Gandaki gorge — the deepest in the world — between two 8,000 m giants
• ✓Climb into Upper Mustang, the restricted desert kingdom of Lo Manthang
• ✓Reach Kora La, the highest motorable pass in Nepal, on the Tibetan frontier
• ✓Royal Enfield Himalayans and adventure bikes, serviced and ride-ready
• ✓Support 4x4, spare bikes, fuel, and a trip mechanic on every high route
• ✓Thakali kitchens, apple-orchard villages, and teahouse nights you reach by engine

1. Day 1

   Arrival, bike handover & briefing

   Meet your road captain in Kathmandu, get fitted to your Royal Enfield, run a shakedown loop to check brakes and gearing, and walk through the route, the altitude plan, and hand signals.

2. Days 2–3

   Kathmandu to Pokhara

   A warm-up ride west on hill highway, tracing the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers down to lakeside Pokhara — easy mileage to settle into the bike before the rough stuff begins.

3. Day 4

   Into the Kali Gandaki gorge

   Leave the tarmac at Beni and climb the world's deepest gorge on gravel and river crossings, riding the old trade route up between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna toward Tatopani and Marpha.

4. Days 5–6

   Jomsom, Kagbeni & Muktinath

   Ride the wind-blasted upper valley to Jomsom, then climb to the pilgrimage temple of Muktinath at 3,800 m. We build in an acclimatization day here and watch everyone for altitude symptoms.

5. Days 7–9

   Upper Mustang to Lo Manthang

   Through the restricted-area checkpost at Kagbeni into the red-cliff desert of Upper Mustang, riding ancient caravan trails to the walled medieval capital of Lo Manthang.

6. Day 10

   Kora La — the high point

   An early, cold run north to Kora La (~4,660 m), the highest motorable pass in Nepal and the gateway to Tibet, then back down to Lo Manthang for the night.

7. Final days

   The long descent & return to Kathmandu

   Retrace the gorge to Pokhara, swap gravel for tarmac, and ride or fly back to Kathmandu for a celebration dinner and bike handover. (A representative high route — shorter mid-hill loops are built the same way.)

• ✓Experienced, licensed motorcyclists
• ✓Adventure riders comfortable on dirt and gravel
• ✓Riders chasing high-altitude passes
• ✓Small private groups and riding clubs
• ✓Travelers who want the Himalaya by engine, not on foot

This is a Challenging route. You need a valid motorcycle licence, real comfort on loaded bikes over gravel, sand, water crossings, and rough switchbacks, and the stamina for long days in the saddle. It is not a learner's trip — though we can build gentler mid-hill loops for less experienced riders.

High sections climb above 3,800 m and top out near 4,660 m, so the same acclimatization rules as trekking apply: we gain height gradually, schedule rest days, carry oxygen and a first-aid kit, and turn around if anyone shows symptoms.

Tell us your riding history honestly — bike size you ride, off-road experience, longest recent days — so we can match the route, daily distance, and bike to your group. Upper Mustang is a restricted area that requires a special permit and a minimum group size; we arrange all of it.

• ✓March–May: warm, stable spring riding with long days and clearing passes — one of the two prime windows.
• ✓September–November: crisp post-monsoon air, the clearest mountain views of the year, and dry high roads.
• ✓June–September: the monsoon soaks the lowlands, but Mustang sits in the Himalayan rain shadow and stays rideable — a favourite window for the high desert. December–February is best kept to lower valley and Pokhara-area rides, as the high passes ice over.

• ✓Shorter mid-hill loops from Pokhara for riders new to the Himalaya
• ✓Royal Enfield Himalayan, Bullet, or adventure-bike options to suit your style
• ✓Self-ride with a lead captain, or pillion behind an experienced guide
• ✓Extend to Annapurna circuit roads, Manang, or the Tibetan-border viewpoints
• ✓Full luggage transfer, spare bikes, and a dedicated trip mechanic
• ✓Bolt on rafting, a Pokhara workcation, or a Chitwan safari at either end

• ✓Licensed road captain and a trip mechanic on all high routes
• ✓Serviced Royal Enfield or adventure bike, fuel, and basic spares
• ✓Support 4x4 carrying luggage, fuel, and tired riders
• ✓All permits, including the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit and ACAP
• ✓Accommodation (teahouse or lodge) and listed meals on the route
• ✓Airport transfers, route briefing, and 24/7 local support

• ✕International flights and Nepal visa
• ✕Travel insurance covering motorcycling and high altitude (required)
• ✕Personal riding gear — helmet, armour, gloves, and boots (rental can be arranged)
• ✕Repairs from rider-caused crash damage and any traffic fines
• ✕Meals not listed, drinks, personal expenses, and tips