Muktinath to Pokhara Downhill Biking Adventure
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duration 12 days
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from usd 1,600 All inclusive
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difficulty Hard
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best season Mar-Nov
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group size min. 2 pax
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max altitude From 4,390 feet at Kathmandu to 12,172 feet at Muktinath
trip overview
Experience the ultimate downhill mountain biking adventure as you descend from the sacred heights of Muktinath Temple through some of Nepal’s most spectacular terrain. This extraordinary 2,500-meter descent takes you from the holy pilgrimage site at 12,172 feet down to the therapeutic hot springs of Tatopani, creating the perfect journey from sacred summit to healing waters.
The Muktinath to Pokhara Downhill Biking Adventure represents a revolutionary approach to mountain biking in the Himalayas – eliminating redundant terrain to focus purely on the most spectacular descent sections. While traditional circuit tours attempt to cover everything, this streamlined adventure maximizes the thrill factor by concentrating on what riders truly crave: epic downhill runs through diverse landscapes culminating in the perfect recovery environment.
Key highlights include:
Sacred Summit Start (3,710m/12,172ft) – Begin your descent from one of Nepal’s most revered temples, where Hindus and Buddhists have made pilgrimage for centuries, creating a spiritual dimension to your downhill adventure
Epic 2,500-meter descent challenge – Navigate one of the world’s most dramatic elevation drops over varied terrain, from high-altitude desert landscapes through apple orchards to subtropical valleys
Technical Mustang terrain mastery – Conquer the challenging trails of the legendary Mustang region, featuring rocky surfaces, river crossings, and ancient trading routes carved into mountainsides
Therapeutic hot springs finale – Conclude your epic descent at Tatopani’s natural hot springs, where the name literally means “hot water” in Nepali, providing the ultimate muscle recovery experience after days of downhill intensity
Streamlined perfection – Experience only the best terrain without redundant climbing sections, ensuring every day delivers maximum downhill excitement and technical challenge
This focused expedition is designed for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers seeking pure downhill bliss in the Himalayas. Unlike traditional circuit tours that include lengthy climbs and repetitive terrain, this adventure delivers concentrated thrills for riders who understand that the magic lies in the descent. Perfect for those who want to experience the legendary Mustang region’s most spectacular terrain while ending each day in ultimate comfort and recovery.
Detailed itinerary
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day 01Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,600ft)
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Rest and recover from your journey while anticipating the epic downhill adventure ahead. Evening free to explore Thamel district, check your gear, or simply rest before your Muktinath to Pokhara Downhill Biking Adventure begins. Take time to mentally prepare for the legendary 2,500-meter descent that awaits you in the coming days.
- Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
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day 02Trial ride and equipment familiarization in Kathmandu Valley
Start your adventure with a crucial trial ride through the Kathmandu Valley to familiarize yourself with your mountain bike and test all equipment before heading to high altitude. This essential preparation day includes bike fitting, brake testing, and gear adjustment while riding through traditional villages and terraced hillsides. Experience your first taste of Nepalese terrain while ensuring everything is perfectly dialed for the technical descents ahead.
Ride Duration: 3-4 hours | Distance: 15-20km | Terrain: Village roads and trails
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
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day 03Drive to Pokhara (820m/2,690ft)
Embark on a scenic 7-hour drive through Nepal’s middle hills to the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. Wind through terraced farmlands, traditional villages, and river valleys while enjoying spectacular views of the approaching Himalayas. Pokhara serves as your gateway to the mountains and final preparation point before the epic ascent and descent sequence begins. Spend the evening relaxing by Phewa Lake.
Drive Duration: 7 hours | Distance: 200km
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
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day 04Fly to Jomsom (2,720m/8,924ft), then ride to Kagbeni (2,900m/9,514ft)
Take an early morning scenic flight through the world’s deepest gorge, landing at Jomsom airstrip surrounded by dramatic peaks. Assemble your bikes and begin your first ride in the legendary Mustang region, following the ancient salt trading route to Kagbeni. This initial ride serves as perfect acclimatization while introducing you to the unique high-altitude desert landscape.
Flight Duration: 25 minutes | Ride Duration: 1-2 hours | Distance: 14km | Terrain: Riverside trail and dirt road
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast
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day 05Rest day in Kagbeni with exploration rides
Use this crucial acclimatization day to explore the fascinating border town of Kagbeni with short rides to nearby monasteries and viewpoints. Adjust to the altitude while riding gentle loops around this ancient trading post, preparing your body for tomorrow’s climb to Muktinath. Explore the narrow alleys, traditional mud-brick architecture, and ancient Buddhist monuments.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
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day 06Kagbeni to Muktinath - Sacred Summit Conquest (3,710m/12,172ft)
Tackle the challenging climb to Muktinath Temple, gaining over 800 meters of elevation to reach the highest point of your adventure. This demanding ascent through high-altitude desert terrain leads to one of Nepal’s most sacred sites, where Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims have journeyed for centuries. Reaching Muktinath represents both a spiritual achievement and the launching point for your epic descent sequence.
Ride Duration: 3-4 hours | Distance: 18km | Terrain: Rocky desert trail, mostly uphill
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
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day 07Rest day at Muktinath - Sacred site exploration and descent preparation
Dedicate this day to exploring the sacred Muktinath complex while preparing for the legendary descent sequence ahead. Visit the temple’s eternal flame, participate in traditional purification rituals, and soak in the spiritual atmosphere of this revered pilgrimage site. Use the afternoon for bike maintenance, route planning, and mental preparation for the epic descent.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
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day 08Muktinath to Marpha - Begin the Epic Descent (2,670m/8,760ft)
Launch your legendary descent with the spectacular ride from sacred Muktinath through the dramatic Mustang landscape to the picturesque village of Marpha. Drop over 1,000 meters through diverse terrain including high-altitude desert, rocky plateaus, and the famous apple-growing region. Navigate technical descents, river crossings, and ancient trading routes while experiencing dramatic landscape transformation.
Ride Duration: 4-5 hours | Distance: 40km | Terrain: Technical descent, rocky trails and village paths
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
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day 09Marpha to Tatopani - Epic Downhill Finale (1,190m/3,904ft)
Experience the crown jewel of your adventure with the epic descent from Marpha to Tatopani, dropping an incredible 1,480 meters through some of Nepal’s most spectacular terrain. Navigate technical singletrack, cross suspension bridges, and flow through diverse ecosystems as you descend from apple orchards to subtropical valleys. This legendary descent culminates at Tatopani’s therapeutic hot springs.
Ride Duration: 6-7 hours | Distance: 55km | Terrain: Mixed singletrack and trails, technical descent
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
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day 10Drive to Pokhara - Rest and Recovery Day (820m/2,690ft)
Depart Tatopani by vehicle for the scenic 4-hour drive back to Pokhara. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing by Phewa Lake, celebrating your incredible descent achievement, and enjoying the amenities of this beautiful lakeside city. Optional activities include boating on the lake, visiting the World Peace Pagoda, or simply soaking in the stunning mountain views.
Drive Duration: 4 hours | Distance: 70km
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
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day 11Return to Kathmandu - Farewell Celebration (1,400m/4,600ft)
Travel back to Kathmandu via scenic mountain highway by private vehicle (7 hours) or upgrade to a comfortable 25-minute flight. Reflect on your incredible achievement during the journey back to the capital. Evening features a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner with cultural performances, marking the perfect conclusion to your epic descent from sacred summit to healing waters.
Drive Duration: 7 hours | Distance: 200km (or Flight Duration: 25 minutes if upgraded)
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
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day 12Final departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure, carrying memories of the ultimate downhill adventure experience. Leave Nepal with the satisfaction of having completed one of the world’s most spectacular mountain biking descents, from the sacred heights of Muktinath to the therapeutic waters of Tatopani.
- Meal: Breakfast
What's Included
- Airport pickup and drop-off in private tourist vehicles
- Three-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara (twin-sharing basis with breakfast included)
- Mountain guesthouse accommodation during biking days (twin-sharing basis, no meals included)
- Trial ride and equipment familiarization in Kathmandu Valley with professional guide
- Professional mountain biking guide with first aid certification and mechanical backup
- Support vehicle during biking sections for gear transport and emergency backup
- All necessary permits including Annapurna Conservation Area entry fee and TIMS card
- Pokhara to Jomsom domestic flight tickets
- Private vehicle transportation for Kathmandu to Pokhara and return journey
- Traditional Nepali farewell dinner with cultural performances in Kathmandu
- Basic first aid kit carried by guide
- Government taxes and service charges
What's Not Included
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fees (available on arrival)
- Travel and evacuation insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Mountain bike rental (can be arranged separately or bring your own bike)
- All meals during biking days including breakfast, lunch, and dinner (allows flexibility to choose from local restaurants and teahouses)
- Personal mountain biking gear and clothing
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water
- Personal expenses including laundry, phone calls, internet, and shopping
- Tips for guide, support staff, and drivers (tipping is customary)
- Flight upgrade option from Pokhara to Kathmandu (available at additional cost)
- Additional accommodation before, during, or after the scheduled itinerary
- Excess baggage charges at airports
- Emergency evacuation costs not covered by insurance
Accommodation during the Trip
Hotel Accommodation (Kathmandu & Pokhara)
Three-star hotels with twin-sharing rooms, private bathrooms, WiFi, and breakfast included. Located in Thamel district (Kathmandu) and Lakeside area (Pokhara).
Comfort Level: Modern amenities with reliable hot water, comfortable beds, room service, and 24-hour electricity. Air conditioning or heating available. Clean, western-style bathrooms with hot showers. Restaurants, laundry services, and tour desks on-site.
Upgrade Options:
- 4-Star Hotels: Enhanced comfort with larger rooms, superior furnishings, better dining options, fitness facilities, spa services, and concierge assistance. Swimming pools and garden areas typically available.
- 5-Star Hotels: Luxury accommodation with premium amenities, multiple restaurants, full spa facilities, business centers, and personalized service. Panoramic mountain views and executive lounges available.
Upgrade costs vary by season and availability – inquire for current rates.
Mountain Guesthouse Accommodation (Biking Days)
Traditional teahouses with twin-sharing rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Basic but clean accommodation with no meals included. Provides authentic mountain experience with local families in the Mustang region.
Comfort Level: Simple accommodation reflecting mountain environment conditions. Expect basic furnishings, shared toilets and washing facilities, and limited electricity (often generator-powered for few hours daily). Hot water available by request for additional charge. Thick blankets provided but temperatures can be cold, especially at higher altitudes above 3,000m.
Mountain Reality: Thin walls, occasional power outages, and basic heating. Bathroom facilities are shared and may be outdoor pit toilets at some locations. However, spectacular mountain views, genuine local hospitality, and authentic cultural experiences more than compensate for basic amenities.
What to Bring: Sleeping bag liner, personal toiletries, headlamp, and warm clothing essential for comfort during mountain accommodation.
All accommodations are on twin-sharing basis. Single room supplements available when possible for additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How difficult is this trip?This expedition is rated as challenging and requires good to excellent physical fitness and intermediate to advanced mountain biking skills. The trip focuses on downhill riding with an epic 2,500-meter descent from Muktinath to Tatopani. Daily riding involves 3-7 hours of cycling with technical descents, rocky terrain, and river crossings. The highest point reaches 3,710m at Muktinath Temple, requiring basic altitude acclimatization.
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What type of bike do I need?A full-suspension mountain bike is ideal for the technical descents and rocky terrain. A quality hardtail mountain bike is acceptable. Your bike must be in excellent mechanical condition with reliable disc brakes (essential for long descents), wide tires (minimum 2.0"), and low gearing for the climb to Muktinath. Road bikes and gravel bikes are not suitable for this terrain.
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How physically fit do I need to be and how should I prepare?You need good cardiovascular fitness and should be comfortable biking 3-7 hours daily while managing technical downhill terrain. Prepare with:
- Mountain biking training: 3-4 times weekly for 2-3 months
- Cardiovascular training: Running, swimming, cycling
- Strength training: Focus on core, legs, and arms for bike control
- Practice technical descents and braking techniques
- Build endurance for longer riding days
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Do I need to bring my own bike?Yes, mountain bike rental is not included in the package. You can either bring your own bike or arrange rental separately in Kathmandu or Pokhara. We can assist with rental arrangements from reputable local shops. If bringing your own bike, ensure it's properly packed for international travel and consider bringing essential spare parts.
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What about altitude sickness?The trip includes proper acclimatization with rest days in Kagbeni and Muktinath. To prevent altitude sickness:
- Follow the itinerary's acclimatization schedule
- Stay hydrated (3-4 liters of water daily)
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Consider Diamox (Acetazolamide) after consulting your doctor
- Recognize symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue
- Inform your guide immediately if symptoms appear
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What permits do I need and how are they arranged?wo permits are required:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card
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How long do I bike each day?
- Daily biking times vary throughout the trip:
- Day 2 (Kathmandu Valley): 3-4 hours
- Day 4 (Jomsom to Kagbeni): 1-2 hours
- Day 6 (Kagbeni to Muktinath): 3-4 hours (uphill)
- Day 8 (Muktinath to Marpha): 4-5 hours (downhill)
- Day 9 (Marpha to Tatopani): 6-7 hours (epic downhill)
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What about food during the trip?Meals are NOT included during biking days, giving you flexibility to choose from local restaurants and teahouses. Breakfast is included at hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara only. Teahouses offer:
- Breakfast: Porridge, pancakes, eggs, tea/coffee
- Lunch and Dinner: Dal Bhat, momos, noodle soups, pasta, fried rice
- Vegetarian options widely available
- Food prices increase with altitude
- Budget $25-35per day for meals during biking days
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What happens in case of an emergency?
- Guides carry first aid kits and have basic medical training
- Support vehicle available during biking sections
- Medical posts available in larger villages
- Helicopter evacuation possible to Kathmandu for serious emergencies
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude evacuation is mandatory
- Mobile communication available in most areas
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What additional expenses should I budget for?Daily expenses during biking days:
- Meals: $25-35 per day
- Hot showers: $2-5 per shower
- Wi-Fi: $2-5 per day
- Battery charging: $1-3 per device
- Snacks and drinks: $1-5 per item
- International airfare
- Nepal visa fees ($30-$125)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Mountain bike rental (if needed)
- Personal biking gear
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except breakfast)
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How much cash should I carry?Carry enough Nepalese Rupees for the biking portions as ATMs are limited:
- ATMs available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Jomsom only
- Exchange currency before starting the mountain portion
- Budget approximately $30-40 per day for meals and extras
- Carry small denominations and keep money secure
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What is the tipping etiquette?Tipping is customary and appreciated:
- Recommended amount: 10-15% of total trip price
- Tips are typically pooled and distributed among guides and support staff
- Tip at the end of the trip in Kathmandu
- Local currency (Nepalese Rupees) preferred
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What communication options are available?
- Mobile coverage: Available in most villages but can be unreliable
- Wi-Fi: Available at most guesthouses and hotels for $2-5 per day
- Local SIM cards: Available in Kathmandu (NCell and Nepal Telecom)
- Signal strength varies, especially in remote mountain areas
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What's the visa process for Nepal?Tourist visa available at Tribhuvan International Airport:
- 15-day visa: $30 USD
- 30-day visa: $50 USD
- 90-day visa: $125 USD
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Can I customize my trip?
- MountainKick offers flexible customization:
- Private departures with your chosen dates
- Itinerary modifications to add/remove days
- Extensions to include other Nepal experiences
- Accommodation upgrades in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Additional activities in Pokhara
- Contact us with your preferences for a customized itinerary
Essential Trip Information
Biking Difficulty and Requirements
- Grade: Challenging (difficulty rating focused on technical downhill terrain)
- Requires intermediate to advanced mountain biking skills and good to excellent physical fitness
- Epic 2,500-meter descent from sacred Muktinath Temple to Tatopani hot springs
- Bring your own mountain bike in excellent mechanical condition – bike rental NOT included
Medical Consultation
- Medical consultation essential before your trip – consult with a doctor regarding high-altitude travel and any medications
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude mountain biking up to 12,200 feet and emergency evacuation is mandatory
- Diamox (Acetazolamide) commonly used for altitude sickness prevention – consult your doctor about proper dosage
Vaccinations
- Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza
- Consult your healthcare provider at least 4-6 weeks before travel
Spare Days Essential
- Plan 2-3 additional days beyond the standard itinerary to avoid missing international flights due to unpredictable Himalayan weather
- Schedule your international departure at least 2-3 days after planned trip completion
Day Activities
- Optional paragliding and other adventure activities available in Pokhara
- UNESCO World Heritage Site tours available in Kathmandu before or after your expedition
- Rest day in Pokhara included for recovery and optional lake activities
Group Discounts
- Special rates available for groups booking together
- Contact us for specific pricing based on your party size
Packing Checklist
Mountain Biking Equipment
- Mountain bike (full-suspension recommended, hardtail acceptable) – rental NOT included
- Bike helmet (mandatory)
- Bike gloves (minimum 2 pairs for grip and protection)
- Cycling glasses/goggles with UV protection
- Padded cycling shorts (minimum 3 pairs for comfort)
- Cycling jerseys – short and long sleeve
- Bike shoes (clipless or flat pedal compatible)
- Bike repair kit (tubes, tire levers, multi-tool, chain tool)
- Bike pump or CO2 cartridges
- Water bottles or hydration system
- Bike lights (front and rear for early starts)
- Bike lock for overnight security
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
Customize your trip single
csr
As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.
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