Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour is specially designed for Indian riders, the trip starts and ends at Pokhara. On Lo-Manthang motorbike tour you can take your own motorcycle and ride to Pokhara on your own arrangement.
We received many messages from Indian riders about the Lo-Manthang travel permit and entrance fees for Indian motorcycles and vehicles. Note, It’s USD 500.00 per person for Lo-manthang (Upper Mustang) travel permit for all foreigners including Indian Nationalities who want Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour. There is no entrance fee to take your India-registered motorcycle and private vehicle. Single rider cannot do the Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour in this restricted area. You need to be at least 2 riders to obtain the permit and take an authorized local motorcycle tour agency.
Lo Manthang was the walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo from its founding in 1380 by Ame Pal who oversaw the construction of the city wall and many of the still-standing structures. Lo is culturally and linguistically Tibetan in the north (two-thirds) of Mustang District, while the southern third is called Thak, the homeland of Thakali people who speak a different language and have a synthesis of Tibetan and Nepalese culture. The Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour is a great off-road ride with breathtaking scenery. Pervasive Tibetan culture, Tibetan food, their live hood, ancient beautiful monasteries, and dry landscapes give you the feeling of full satisfaction for your lifetime experience. So, The Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour is an exciting motorcycle tour and Lo-manthang is the best destination for a motorbike tour in Nepal (Upper mustang the forbidden Kingdom).
Upon arrival meet the representative who waits with the garland to welcome you and transfer to the Hotel. Guest will be welcomed with the welcome drink at the hotel and the rooms will be assigned.
18:00 Hrs: A short briefing about the Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour. And free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel.
After an early breakfast, we start the Lo-Manthang Motorbike tour. We leave Pokhara and ride towards Beni (70 KM) on the Baglung Highway. This section of the ride provides fantastic mountain vistas, picturesque terraced farmlands, and an opportunity to walk on one of Nepal’s famous suspension bridges. Beni is located on the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Myagdi rivers at an altitude of 799 meters From here, the road is unpaved and dusty with potholes in several places. Unpaved, graveled rough road poses a real challenge for riders and makes it more difficult with the occasional river crossings. Ascend gradually through the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Upon arrival at Kalopani, we check in to the Lodge. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the village.
After an early breakfast, set out on the trail by following the Kali Gandaki River and passing Villages Enroute, there are fantastic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Tukuche (6920m), and Nilgiri (7061m). As we pass between the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Mountain range, a dramatic change in vegetation is witnessed from green forests, to dry arid desert. It takes gradual acclimatizing with the Surroundings. At Kagbeni we take the left, it is the entry point of the restricted Upper Mustang region. Restricted area permits are checked here at the Police Check post. After completing the permit work, we continue our ride to Geling. As we pass Kagbeni village we will be riding on the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Kali means (Black) and the water of the river are black in color. In Chele we will be able to see the river tunnels. Upon arrival at Samar, we rest for a while and take lunch. After lunch continues our ride to Lo-Manthang. Lo-Manthang served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mustang, which survives as the Kingdom of Lo or “Upper Mustang”. Lo Manthang was founded in 1380 by Ame Pal, who oversaw the construction of the city wall and many of the still-standing structures in the early 15th century. The monarchy officially ceased to exist on October 7, 2008, by Nepali Government order. The last king (raja or gyelpo) is
JigmeDorjePalbarBista (born c. 1933), in the direct line of the historic monarchy dating back 25 generations to 1380. The population includes ethnic Lhobas. Upon arrival at Lo-Manthang we check in to the lodge and the rest of the evening is free to relax and explore the kingdom of Lo-Manthang.
The major Temples inside the walls are Champa Lakhang (God House) which houses the massive 45 ft. statue of Maitreva, the future Buddha, the red Thugchen Gompa with several large images of Sakyamuni, Avalokitesvara, and Maitreya, and the Chyodi Gompa of the Sakya sect which has several monks in residence and is the site of the annual Mani Rimdu festival in many which are referred as ‘tegi’ in Lomanthang. They are all supposed to have been built in 1420. Despite the apparent squalor of Lo Manthang, the city is prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community. Though the people call themselves Lobas- people from Lo, they are very much Tibetan and practice a sophisticated culture and economy. After a leisurely breakfast, we get ready for the day’s adventure. Today we are going to visit one of the most interesting sites of the pre-human settlement in this unexplored valley and famously known Caves of Chhoser and the magnificent landscape and Nymphu monastery built on the cliffs. On our way back we can also visit the Namgyal village and monastery. As you approach the Chhoser village, you could see numerous caves in the front of the cliff that once use to be the home of the pre-historic Loba’s and the monks.
After the sightseeing tour, we back to the city of Lo, for hot lunch. Rest of the day at leisure or free to explore the walled Lo-Manthang city.
After breakfast, we ride backtrack to Kagbeni following the same trail. We have Lunch at the convent place on the way. Kagbeni at an altitude of 2840 meters is a gateway to Upper Mustang. It is a fascinating medieval village with closely packed mud brick houses, dark alleys, and imposing chortens. The village stands in a little green oasis dominated by its red monastery. Though the village has a very medieval look but has all the modern amenities that travelers require. This village also boasts a Monastery. The monks here are of the yellow hat or the Gelup Sect and are only recently opened to visitors with a legitimate entrance fee of Rs 100, which they collect for the maintenance of the school. At Kagbeni, completing the permit work, Take Left and continue the ride uphill till Muktinath. passing through the village on the desert plateau brings us to Muktinath “Place of Salvation”. Upon arrival at Muktinath, we check into the guest house. Late PM: Visit Muktinath Temple. A sacred place both for Hindus and Buddhists and is located at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La (5416 m Pass).
Until late breakfast free to visit Muktinath Temple. After breakfast Before 10 AM continue the ride to Jomsom. Upon arrival at Jomsom, we complete the paper works and later continue further 10 kilometers, a slow ride to Marpha Village. Up on arrive Marpha order the hot lunch and Sightseeing tour of Marpha village. Marpha is at an elevation of 2670 meters. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and apple products. This large Thakali village exhibits the typical Thak Khola architecture of flat roofs and narrow paved alleys and passageways. It also has a monastery. Marpha is a pretty stone-lined village that has survived the transition to the current time, by catering to trekkers and tourists.
After the sightseeing tours of Marpha take lunch at a nearby restaurant or lodge. After lunch continues the ride for another 2 ½ hours to Tatopani. “Tato” means ‘hot’ and “Pani” means ‘water’, a name earned courtesy of the hot springs and is a popular place for bikers to relax and dip their weary bodies in the natural hot springs. Upon arrival at Kalopani, we check into the guest house. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the village.
It is a pleasant relief to be able to tackle the roughest section of the journey in the early morning. Descend the ride and then continue riding back to the settlement of Jaleswor located close to the river and then continue on to Beni. After a quick stop for a quick, set out following the trail along the river, and the after about an hour meet the main highway at Maldhunga and then continue off the metaled road to Pokhara which is reached in about 2 ½ hours. Upon arrival at Pokhara, we check into the hotel.
The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the Lakeside Bazaar.
Free until the departure.
