Nepal and Upper Mustang in Royal Enfield

Arrival in Kathmandu

Very early morning motorcycle departure for Pokhara. We leave the valley of Kathmandu by the neck of Tangkot before a vertiginous descent in the valley of the Trishuli that one will follow until Mugling. The vegetation becomes subtropical as one goes up along the Marsyangdi.
Arrival on Pokhara seaside city located on the shores of the lake Phewa with against the backdrop the majestic massif of Annapurna.

It's the departure to Mustang! The asphalt road stops at Beni, after about 80km, and the serious things begin ... The trail goes up along the Kali Gandaki river, the valley becomes narrower and finally the first snow-capped Annapurna peaks appear right in front of us , more than 8000 m above sea level! After this introduction to the off-road of about 25km, we reach Tatopani and its hot springs for a relaxing bath.

The Mustang deserves! The first stretch to Ghasa (18 km) is the most difficult as we cross the deepest gorges in the world between the 2 peaks of 8000 m the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. We cross beautiful villages of Tibetan ethnicity Thakali: Larjung, Tukuche, Marpha then Kagbeni the gateway to the kingdom of Mustang, a region prohibited to foreigners until 1992. Overnight lodge in Chhuksang facing beautiful red cliffs.

We cross the big river Kali Gandaki which comes out of narrow gorges before climbing on Samar and its bucolic pastures Then the landscape becomes more arid and rocky and cut into a canyon.
The rocky, sandy track, sometimes steep and rugged to the point of having to get off the bike to pass the obstacle, forces humility - the most difficult day on the bike! We will pass after Samar by the hamlet of Syangboche (3820 m) and the village of Geling.

After breakfast, the track rises and softens to take us to discover the village of Dhakmar and its famous red cliffs, then in a parallel valley after a small pass we will go back to the monastery Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekar ) recently restored and renowned for its splendid frescoes. We stop at the ancient village of Tsarang, which was the first capital of the kingdom and is dominated by the imposing red mass of its monastery, as well as by the old palace.

Short leg to finally reach the historic capital of Mustang. At the passing of a last pass, the fortified city is revealed as a mirage on the plateau below. The entrance to Lo Manthang is an unforgettable moment, a form of achievement! After lunch, visit Lomanthang, small capital of the end of the world, which had its hour of glory in the 15th century. Stroll through the winding streets of the village to discover the two historic monasteries, Jamba Lhakhang and Tukche.

This morning, we are going north to the limit point for foreigners to Tibet. On the way back, we visit the troglodyte caves of Choser, Niphu and Garphu dug on the cliff side. Walk from 2h to the Kunchok Ling caves accessible by a footpath sometimes acrobatic walk only

The test lived on the way out is waiting for us today in the direction of the descent! Everything looks so different when you look South! The Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, rising to more than 8000m and the blue mountain Nilgiri is more than 7000m separates the prolongation of the Tibetan plateau from the green hills of Middle Nepal.

Go back down along the Kali Gandaki that we cross again after Chele. In the dry season off-road trucks take the rocky bed of the river until the eve of the monsoon.
About ten kilometers later, after Chhuksang, we leave Upper Mustang.
Afternoon relaxing and visit the picturesque village of Kagbeni, one of the most beautiful in Lower Mustang.

Early breakfast. We take a deserted and mineral track, rising on the side of the mountain. The view of the summit of Dhaulagiri, more than 8000m, is impressive, almost unreal. We drive to Muktinath (3800m) and visit its famous temple dedicated to Vishnu. More picturesque the pretty village of Jarkhot dominated by its ruined fortress is also home to an institute of Tibetan medicine.
We go down into the valley of Kali Gandaki by a short and beautiful ribbon of asphalt! Approaching Kalopani, we find the coniferous forests.

We leave in the direction of Pokhara, and after about 30 km find the asphalt from Benighat. We will appreciate the rural and green Nepal, the landscapes change from one valley to another. The winding road crosses villages and terraced crops until reaching the Naudanda Ridge, almost 1000m below. We will be able to pass by the point of view of Sarangkot before joining the festive district of Lakeside and our hotel with swimming pool.

Last day of return trip to Kathmandu starting very early in the morning. Lunch en route and after a long day, a well deserved rest at our hotel.

Free time and flight back.