How Difficult is the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour
In terms of difficulty, the trek also falls into the moderately difficult to challenging level, which is quite understandable as it may not belong to the extremely difficult classification, yet it does not mean that it is easy to accomplish. The combination of high altitudes, the road conditions, and the long hours in the bike make this trek difficult to accomplish.
The roads from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang consist mostly of dusty and unpaved roads with rocky terrains, and treacherous cliff paths. Some of the roads may need complete concentration and steady control of throttle. The ride in the mountainous region needs extra caution.
Altitude is another variable reality. The trail will take one to more than 3,800 meters above sea level, altitude sickness could be a problem for even healthy and experienced riders, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing are common when pushing oneself too much without proper acclimatization.
Distance covered daily by riding is reasonable, ranging from 80-150 kilometers, but due to the rugged terrain, each kilometer seems like two. Prepare to have physically demanding days riding the bike.
In general, healthy and moderately experienced off-road riders can accomplish this trip quite easily.
Preparation for the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour
Preparation plays a key role in ensuring that either you have a wonderful Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour or the worst experience ever. Therefore, it is advisable to start preparing well before the trip and ensure everything necessary is sorted out before you leave.
Firstly, physical fitness should be your main focus since cardio exercises can enhance stamina. Furthermore, you need to build your core muscles because doing so will enable you to handle long rides without getting exhausted.
Another factor that should be considered when preparing for this tour is practicing motorbike riding. You need to train yourself adequately if you are not used to riding off-road.
Get properly geared. Helmet covering your whole face, padded riding jacket, gloves, kneepads, and durable boots covering ankles must be on your shopping list. Weather in the region is unpredictable, so be prepared to wear extra clothes despite the hot season.
Also, permits must be sorted out in advance. Acclimatization should not be neglected. Take things slowly during the first few days in order to allow your body to get used to the increasing height levels. Hydration and avoidance of alcohol consumption are vital.
Cultural Festivals on the Trail
Planning an Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour during a festival will change everything about your trip. Upper Mustang has plenty of Tibetan Buddhist festivals, which provide a unique insight into the cultural heritage of the area.
The Tiji Festival is by far the most famous festival in Upper Mustang. It takes place annually at Lo Manthang for three days – normally in the month of May. It includes colorful dances and various rituals. This festival is dedicated to good overcoming evil and attracts tourists from across the globe. To be honest, attending the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Yartung Festival occurs in August and involves the exciting horse racing festival that is held throughout Mustang. This is a very fun celebration involving lots of music, dancing in traditional costume, and some healthy competitiveness. The riders on the Upper Mustang Motorbike View Tour will get a true taste of the experience if they visit at this time.
Lhosar, which is Tibetan New Year, is celebrated with much enthusiasm and usually occurs in February or March. There will be lots of prayer, music, and community gathering, but the atmosphere is somewhat quiet yet very genuine.
Traveling and taking part in one of these festive celebrations during your trip to Upper Mustang will certainly enrich your experience. All you need to do is check out the schedule from your tour guide and book early because there is always high demand!
Upper Mustang Permits: Exploring the Restricted Zone
Entering the Upper Mustang requires you to apply for a special permit. The cost of this permit is set at $500 for ten days. Further, when the initial ten days permit expires, an extra $50 is required to be paid by the governing authority for each subsequent day. It must be remembered that the permit period is calculated in terms of days and not nights, starting and ending both in Kagbeni.
In actuality, foreign tourists could not enter this restricted zone until as late as 1992. Even today, entering without the permit remains highly unlikely. Furthermore, given that some parts of the Mustang region come under the purview of the ACAP, one needs to obtain another permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) for Rs. 3000.
Enjoy an amazing tour of Upper Mustang on a motorbike arranged by Epic Trek Nepal Pvt Ltd, depending on what you wish, whether you want a budget package or a luxurious one, it’s up to you. We will take care of all the details of your tour, leaving you free to enjoy yourself and make wonderful memories of this wonderful place.
Mobile Network, Internet & Charging Facilities
Do not expect any stable internet connections while doing the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour. The further you travel north from Pokhara, the less reliable your phone will work.
While Jomsom is fine for internet access with either Ncell or NTC signals, once you go past it, forget about any reception. Occasionally, there can be an NTC signal in Lo Manthang and nearby villages, but do not hope for any stability. There are WiFi signals at some guesthouses, but they tend to be very poor.
For charging your devices, all teahouses and guesthouses along the way provide a spot to plug in your charger, but regular power outages are expected. So, make sure to carry a power bank with you, perhaps even two. Moreover, solar panels can be a useful addition to your backpack.
Don’ts on This Trip
It is very important to pay respect to local culture and the environment during the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour. Below are some of the activities that should not be done when visiting this area.
Do not forget the permits. You must have the permit for entering the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The journey has checkpoint stations that conduct strict paper checks, so always carry your documents with you.
Avoid violating the local culture. Buddhism and Tibet are very much part of this regions tradition and history. Never photograph without asking permission any monks, locals or ceremonies taking place. In addition, never forget to remove your shoes when entering any temples or monasteries.
Never play with any religious items such as Mani stones, Prayer wheels or Chortens. They should always be circumambulated in a clockwise direction.
Don’t litter. The Upper Mustang region is highly fragile to begin with. So please take your garbage home and ensure that you don’t leave anything like plastics along the route. You will keep these areas looking their best.
Don’t drive aggressively. This is especially critical when you are touring Upper Mustang on a motercycle. You have to pay extra attention when driving on such roads.
Don’t overlook altitude warnings. Once you feel a splitting headache, feel weak and dizzy, slow down. Overcoming altitude sickness could even prove fatal for you.
Don’t drink tap water. Always drink bottled or purified water during the tour. Otherwise, your health would become a major concern in an area like this one.
Choosing the Best Motorbike:
Choosing an appropriate motorbike plays a crucial role in determining whether the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour will be successful. This is because Upper Mustang has poor-quality roads. You should expect to ride through rocky routes, river crossings, gravel roads, and some pretty difficult ascents. Basically, the motorbike should withstand any challenges that may arise.
It is clear that the best motorbike to choose for this tour is the Royal Enfield Himalayan. This is because the vehicle is made especially for mountain biking at high altitudes. In addition, it offers excellent ground clearance and has been known to cope well with difficult terrain.
If you are interested in handling a bike that feels hefty and provides extra power, you can go for the Royal Enfield Classic 350 or 500. The Royal Enfields are incredibly reliable and comfortable during the extensive riding, although they may not be easy to move easily in the sharp turns at the mountains.
Alternatively, if you desire a lightweight bike with a high maneuverability capacity, a trail bike and an adventure bike in the range of 200cc–400cc are excellent options. They are highly manageable and user-friendly in technical routes.
In addition to purchasing a bicycle, make sure to have it fully serviced before starting your travel. Also, consider carrying some basic spare parts including brake cables, clutch levers, and a tire repair kit. Mechanics are not easily accessible once you leave the restricted Upper Mustang region.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance becomes compulsory for tourists traveling to the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour, as there will be situations when you may run into problems like illnesses or accidents and your trip may become disrupted. It might cost you a lot of money and time to get back home.
Travel insurance should also include cancellation and luggage loss/damage. By having all this covered, you will feel more relaxed during the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour Itinerary. Simply purchase your travel insurance prior to the tour and check its terms and coverage. Save both the digital and physical copies for later use.
In case of medical complications or accident, it may be necessary to evacuate by helicopter. The price of such evacuation from Upper Mustang varies from USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 (and even higher). Moreover, there is also a risk of being hospitalized. If you do not have any insurance, you will pay the entire amount by yourself without an insurance claim. But with the right insurance package, you will be able to enjoy the motorcycle tour with absolute peace of mind.
You should always get your insurance while still in your home country. Get the cover terms verified with your insurer and keep the policy documents handy for use on your motorcycle tour.
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