TRIP NAME: MUKTINATH TO POKHARA (10 DAYS)

TRIP GRADE:D. Tough- Long cycling days and tougher terrain (for both on- and off-road trips) requiring specific experience of more demanding and technical cycling. Vehicle support may be more limited. You should be very confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills.

MUKTI NATH: The Goal of the Pilgrims

Muktinath is a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists and Hindus; you will see Tibetan traders as well as Sadhus from the far south of India. The shrines, in a grove of trees, include a Buddhist monastery and the Vishnu temple of Jiwala Mayi. An old temple nearby shelters a spring and natural gas jets, which provides Muktinath's famous eternal flame. The earth – water – fire combination accounts for Muktinath's great religious significance. Spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche peak and several other 8000 mts peaks are visible JOMSOM:   A modern town is the ‘Thakali’ homeland. Thakali people are of Tibetan origin but have their own language and customs. We fly to Jomsom from Kathmandu and initially we ride through a popular trekking trail, which leads us to many different wonderful villages rich in cultural and architectural point of view. Riding on the rocky wide and small track from Jomsom, we descend slowly to meet the paved road which takes to the beautiful Pokhara city lying on the foothill of Annapurna Mountain Range. Unlike the rest of the Nepalese Himalayas, the Annapurna mountain range does not form the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu & transfer to the hotel in Thamel, a tourist district offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the afternoon we will sort out our bikes and over dinner there will be a tour briefing. O/N Guest House

Altitude: 1350 mts

Day 2:Fly or take tourist bus to Pokhara. You have sufficient time to explore the café's and diners around the lake on reaching Pokhara. O/N Hotel

Altitude: 820 mts

Day 3:  Fly to Jomsom, build bike and ride to Kag Beni

There are numerous flights that service the Jomsom airstrip early each day before the Kali Gandaki wind picks up by mid morning. To get used with the altitude and the weather condition, we assemble the bikes as soon as we land in Zomsom and ride the relatively flat river trail to Kag Beni, the border – town of the recently forbidden Mustang Kingdom. O/N Guest house

Altitude: 2700 mts

Trail: 100% ride able

Day 4: Kag Beni to Muktinath

We begin riding the 1000 mts vertical climb towards Muktinath, which is situated at 3850 mts, hence making it the highest point on this trip. The landscape is extremely dry and desert like. You may come across few trekkers and a bunch of pilgrims, many from India on their way to the holy temple and the eternal flame in Muktinath that burns from a natural gas source. O/N Lodge

Altitude: 3760 mts

Trail: 100% ride able

Day 5: Muktinath - Lupra – Marpha

With awesome thrilling views of the Dhaulagiri and several other 8000 mts peaks on our sight we begin our descent. On the way we might pass some yak heards.This route has previously been ridden only once. We ride through Lupra where black magic and human sacrifices (on dead bodies) are a part of the community rituals. We then call the day of on reaching Marpha. A picturesque community known for its apple orchards, (the tree – line in the Himalayas is much higher than in the Alps). O/N Guest house

Altitude: 2670 mts

Trail: 70% ride able 30% push/carry

Day 6: Marpha to Tatopani

With a fantastic downhill ahead of us, we begin our descent towards Tato Pani (hot water), which in the local language means hot water. At the end of the ride, you can pamper yourself in the natural hot spring, which is located besides the Kali Gandaki River, hence giving you the time and space to loosen up your muscles and chill to the natural sound of the wilderness. O/N Hotel

Altitude: 1190 mts

Trail: 100%ride able

Day 7: Tato Pani to Sarankot

We carry on descending further down towards Beni following the Kali Gandaki River, before finally reaching the Baglung highway. We follow the highway up to Nau Danda and then take the dirt road to Sarankot, which also happens to be the number one viewpoint in Pokhara to enjoy the views of the Himalayas along with the sunrise and sunset. O /N Hotel

Altitude: 1595 mts

Trail: 100% ride able

Day 8: Sarankot to Pokhara

Today we ride through a steep and narrow trail to pokhara. Make sure you check your brakes before you start a 90% downhill. Pokhara is the starting or finishing point for some of Nepal's most popular treks. The lakes with the magnificent Fishtail dominate the mountain ranges. O/N Hotel

Altitude: 820 mts

Trail: 100% ride able

Day 9: Take a mountain flight or drive to Kathmandu O/N Guest house

Altitude: 1350 mts

Day 10: Departure

Group Size:Minimum 4 people

Price Includes:

Air ticket and departure tax Pokhara to Jomsom

Guide with First Aid Kit and Mechanical Backup

Trekking and biking permits

Food & Accommodation on twin sharing during biking days

Dinner on day one and breakfast on day nine

All Ground transportation

Bus to Kathmandu – Pokhara - Kathmandu

Cost Excludes:

Kathmandu – Pokhara - Kathmandu Air fare

Excess baggage charge

Bike and accessories

Excess baggage charge

Porters

Mineral water/ Soft and hard drinks

Emergency evacuation fee

Insurance

Entrance fees (of temples, monastery etc.)

Other personal interest items