Cycling Odyssey to Mustang

Best Time to Visit

Spring season (March to May)

The spring season is one of the best seasons to trek in Nepal, and the Mustang mountain biking tour is one of the trending trips for the year 2024. The spring season is the pre-monsoon season of the year, and the weather is quite favorable for doing any activity in the mountains. It is mild and warm during the day and chilly during the night. The views are vivid, with clear skies and great views from all around.

Autumn season (September to November)

The other favorable time of the year for this trip is in the autumn season. This is the time of the year when trekkers and adventure seekers are full on the trail. This season, too, the weather is favorable, providing clear views from all around. This season also marks the biggest festive season in Nepal, and you will get a chance to see the celebrations of the festivals as well.

Cycling Difficulty

Cycling in the Himalayan region is always a challenging feat. Your biking expedition to the Upper Mustang begins above 3000 meters. You must possess good stamina and sprinting skills to ride up to the hills. Altitude sickness is the biggest hindrance during a high-altitude trek or tour.  You need to be physically and mentally prepared for this tour. You must cycle through the rough and rugged terrains, where you must spend almost 6-8 hours of ride per day.

The weather in the Himalayas can’t be predicted. If it rains or receives a snowfall, the trails get slippery, making it challenging to ride. Only 80-90% of the paths in this tour are ridable. You must carry your bike up and down in several challenging uphill and downhill climbs. Since this tour is a long tour that almost lasts for three weeks, you might feel monotonous.

Moreover, if you plan to explore the beauty of Upper Mustang on a mountain bike, you must possess cycling skills. You should wear all the safety gear to avoid injuries and maintain your safety. It would be great if you have prior cycling experience on rugged terrains or any off-the-beaten paths. However, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will encourage you and provide you with a memorable biking trip to Mustang.

Food

The food found on this trip is the same as what you would get in any Annapurna region. The staple Nepalese food to try is Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, and curry), Momo (dumplings), Thukpa or Thenduk (hand-pulled noodles in hot soup), Tibetan Bread with potatoes, etc. Some international cuisines you can get on the trail are omelets, pasta, spaghetti, muesli, burgers, pancakes, and pizza, among others. The options available are commendable, considering the difficulty in transporting goods in these remote regions.

Accommodation

As for the accommodation during this trip, you will be staying in 2-3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. On the trail, you will be staying in local lodges and teahouses. Since you’re trekking to one of the remote parts of Nepal, you won’t find good star-rated hotels. These teahouses have quite basic facilities and amenities, but the locals have warm hospitality. The rooms are shared between 2-3 people, and the bathrooms are shared as well. You will have the options of the hot shower, charging, etc., but you will be charged a few dollars for it. However, the sanitation is decent, considering the remoteness of the place.

Permits for Trip

You will require three types of permits for the trip. You will need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), TIMS(Trekkers Information Management System) Card, and RAP (Restricted area permit)  to go cycling in this region.

You can get the ACAP from the Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara. TIMS can be obtained from the TAAN office in Maligaon or the Tourism Board office. As for the Restricted area permit, you can obtain it from the Department of Immigration only through a registered trekking agency. The cost of a TIMS card is NPR 2000 for everyone. Meanwhile, an ACAP costs NPR 3000 for foreigners and NPR 1500 for visitors from SAARC nations. Finally, the price for a restricted area permit is $500 for the first ten days of the tour. You must pay an extra $50 per day if you exceed the ten days.

Safety Measures

Although this trip takes us to the heart of the Himalayas, the tour doesn’t gain much altitude. Thus, altitude sickness should not be an issue. However, as this is a biking trip, ensure your bike is in the best of conditions and is serviced by a professional before the trip. Also, ensure that you carry proper riding gear to limit the damage in case of a crash. As for the altitude, your guide will carry a first aid kid in any case of difficulty due to the thin air.

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a common concern while trekking or cycling in the Himalayas. In this Upper Mustang cycling Odyssey, your ride begins from around  3000 meters and reaches an altitude of 4600 meters from sea level.  The chances of altitude sickness increase for anyone above 2500 meters from sea level. So, cycling up in the Upper Mustang region increases the chances of altitude sickness. You need to prepare your body accordingly for higher altitudes. Performing cardiovascular exercises will help you breathe at higher altitudes where the oxygen level is shallow.

If you feel any symptoms of altitude sickness, you should quickly descend to lower altitudes and seek medical attention. Ignoring these symptoms can worsen your health and can be life-threatening. The symptoms of altitude sickness include Shortening of breath, vomiting, headache, nausea, chest pain, etc. You should always be proactive about altitude sickness and how to deal with it if you’re hiking or cycling during the Mustang Odyssey.