# Himalayan Motorcycle Tour _Ride a Royal Enfield up the Kali Gandaki into Mustang and over the highest passable roads in the Nepal Himalaya — a high-altitude expedition on two wheels, with a support vehicle and mechanic the whole way._ Ride a Royal Enfield up the Kali Gandaki into Mustang and over the highest passable roads in the Nepal Himalaya — a high-altitude expedition on two wheels, with a support vehicle and mechanic the whole way. ## At a glance - **Duration:** 7 – 14 days - **Difficulty:** Challenging - **Best season:** Mar–May & Sep–Nov - **Starts:** Kathmandu - **Ends:** Kathmandu (loop) - **Best for:** 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 ## Overview 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. ## Why This Trip Works 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. ## Highlights - 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 ## Suggested Itinerary - **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. - **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. - **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. - **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. - **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. - **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. - **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.) ## In Photos ![A motorcycle parked before snow-capped Himalayan peaks at sunrise](https://www.ecotournepal.com/website-photos/motorcycle-with-snow-mountain-background-sunrise.avif) ![Riding a motorcycle along a paved highway winding through green hills](https://www.ecotournepal.com/website-photos/hilli-paved-highway-motorcycle-riding.avif) ![A rider standing beside their motorcycle below snow-capped mountains](https://www.ecotournepal.com/website-photos/person-standing-with-motorcycle-snow-mountain-background.avif) ![A motorcycle loaded with expedition luggage on a high mountain road](https://www.ecotournepal.com/website-photos/single-motorcycle-camping-bag-attached.avif) ![A high valley below snow-capped Himalayan peaks on the route](https://www.ecotournepal.com/website-photos/himalaya-snow-capp-with-valley-landscape.avif) ## Who This Trip Is Best For - 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 ## Difficulty & Preparation 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. ## Best Season - 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. ## Customization Options - 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 ## What's Included - 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 ## What's Not Included - 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 ## FAQ ### What bikes do you run, and can I bring my own? Our default is the Royal Enfield Himalayan — purpose-built for exactly this terrain — with Bullets and other adventure bikes available. You are welcome to bring your own bike; tell us in advance so we can sort the carnet, customs, and a pre-ride service. ### How experienced do I need to be? For the high routes, genuinely experienced. You need a motorcycle licence and real confidence on loaded bikes over gravel, sand, and water crossings at altitude. Newer riders are very welcome on our gentler mid-hill loops, and anyone can join as a pillion behind a guide. ### Is it safe to ride that high? With the same respect the mountains always demand. We acclimatize gradually, keep the support vehicle within reach, carry oxygen and first aid, and have a mechanic in the group. If weather, road, or health says turn around, we turn around — no exceptions. ### Do I need a special permit for Mustang? Yes. Upper Mustang is a restricted area requiring a special permit, a minimum group size, and a licensed guide — all of which we arrange as part of the trip. Lower Mustang up to Muktinath needs only the standard ACAP permit, which is included. ## Next step - **Request Custom Itinerary:** /contact - Talk to a Nepal Travel Expert: /contact --- Canonical: https://www.ecotournepal.com/adventure-tours/motorcycle-tour Last updated: 2026-06-26