Nepal > Mountain Bike Tours

Jomsom Muktinath Mountain Biking

Trip Length: 9 Days

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The pilgrimage biking to the holy Muktinath temple is reminiscent of an era lost in time. Translated as the ‘temple of soul liberation’, Muktinath sees Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims flocking from as far as south of India to pay homage to the deity. Enjoy spectacular views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tukuche peaks as you ride along the laps of the Himalayas.

Top off a tiring biking day with a sip of the famous locally brewed apple brandy at Marpha, feel the chilly headwind in Jomsom with its cultural majesty, and reward your adventurous soul with a relaxing dip in Tatopani hot springs.

The short and splendid Jomsom-Muktinath trip packs nature, culture, adventure and relaxation into one.

Trip Facts

Max Altitude
Difficulty Easy
Best Season All Year
Accommodation Hotels

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival in Kathmandu. Some sightseeing and trip briefing

Our staff will welcome you at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu upon your arrival and transfer you to the hotel on a private vehicle. The evening can be spent exploring Thamel, a tourist hub offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants, followed by the old palace complex at Basantapur Durbar Square, which gives you an instant taste of Nepali life. Later at the hotel, we will brief you on trip details, safety, preparation and essentials for the adventure.

DAY 2

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Sightseeing in Pokhara

Early in the morning you will be transferred to the bus station for a 5-hour scenic drive to Pokhara on a tourist bus. Once you reach Pokhara, get awestruck by the lakeside city’s natural beauty. The city lies along the banks of the gorgeous Phewa Lake and sports panoramic views of Machapuchure, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. Pokhara is much more laid back and less hectic than Kathmandu, which makes it perfect for relaxation and adventure activities alike.

We’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the picturesque Pokhara Valley which offers wonderful natural and cultural points of interest for sightseeing. These include boating on Phewa Lake, exploring Seti River gorges and Gupteshwar Cave, visiting Tibetan Refugee Camps and Barahi temple. The Peace Pagoda is also quite a spectacular hike with an amazing view of the valley below and the Annapurnas at a distance.

DAY 3

Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Bike from Jomsom to Kagbeni

We pack up and head to the airport for our flight to Jomsom. There are several flights from Pokhara to Jomsom in the morning before the high winds in Jomsom pick up late morning. Upon landing, we assemble our bikes and spend some time riding through the cobbled streets of the bustling town. We then head off to Kagbeni, riding the relatively flat section along the river trail. In Kagbeni, you can enjoy a fantastic mix of scenery and native lifestyle. The lively Tibetan culture in the village is sure to give you a warm welcome.

DAY 4

Bike from Kagbeni to Muktinath

After an early morning breakfast, we start riding uphill and gain almost 1,000m in elevation. The region is dry and arid, almost desert-like, with awe-inspiring sceneries of the mountains at the horizon. We will come across trekkers and pilgrims, flocking from as far as India, on their way to Muktinath, one of the most revered Hindu temples in the world. Once at Muktinath, we’ll explore the religious site and see the eternal flame that burns on natural gas source. “Mukti” means liberation and “nath” means a holy temple, so Muktinath is considered to be a temple of soul liberation. Besides Hindu hermits and pilgrims, we’ll see some Tibetan traders as well.

DAY 5

Bike from Muktinath to Tukuche

From Muktinath we ride along a very enjoyable downhill track descending to the Kaligandaki River valley floor. We’ll make a quick pit stop at Marpha, a village with legendary apple orchids. Make sure to taste some Marpha Brandy and a range of apple products like apple pie and dried apple skin. We call it a day at Tukuche village, an ancient Thakali tribe settlement, and spend some time exploring the region and learning about the culture and history of the village. Tukuche lies right beneath the Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri, with amazing views of Mt. Nilgiri and icefalls of Dhaulagiri’s east face.

DAY 6

Bike from Tukuche to Tatopani

We begin riding from Tukuche to Tatopani through some fantastic downhill sections. Tatopani translates to “hot water” and rightly so, the hot springs at Tatopani are quite a treat. This is a fabled place to relax your mind and body, so pamper yourself after a great day of biking in this fantastic region. Located besides the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, the hot dip amidst the surrounding natural beauty in Tatopani will definitely unwind your muscles.

DAY 7

Bike from Tatopani to Beni, and drive to Pokhara

After a relaxing time at Tatopani, we ride for about 1.5 hours on jeep tracks to reach Beni, a small but vibrant market town. We’ll spend some time exploring the town and then drive back to Pokhara on a 4-hour drive. It’s a bumpy drive and you can enjoy the scenic views you get along the away. Once we reach Pokhara, we can do some boating on the Phewa Lake and have a pleasant time reflecting on our thrilling adventure in the Annapurnas.

DAY 8

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening

Our staff will take you to the bus station for an early morning drive to Kathmandu, and transfer you to the hotel. We’ll have some time for some shopping in late afternoon. In the evening, you’re invited for a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant. We toast a round or two of locally brewed drinks to celebrate our trip achievement and to good health!

Holidays should never have an ending date. So extend your trip and whet your appetite for adventure with a host of activities including trekking, bungy jumping, mountain flight, rafting, hiking, Chitwan jungle adventure, and Lumbini heritage trip. These can be arranged before or after the biking adventure.

DAY 9

Flight departure from Nepal

The trip concludes today. Our staff will drop you off at the Tribhuwan International Airport and wish you bon voyage for onward journey.

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Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off at Tribhuvan International Airport
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom
  • Tourist bus and private vehicle transportation as per itinerary
  • Guided mountain biking tour to Muktinath Temple and nearby areas
  • Sightseeing, trip briefing, and farewell dinner
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Excluded

  • International airfare and Nepal visa fees
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Personal biking gear and equipment
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses and tips for guides
  • Optional adventure activities or extra services