Himalayan Grand Circuit – Mountain Madness

Overview

There is no road over Thorong La, so the circuit rides Manang first, comes back through Pokhara and then heads up the Kali Gandaki to Mustang. Going to Manang first means you are used to the altitude before Upper Mustang. Expect long days, rough roads and the best mountain riding in Nepal.

• Manang (3,540 m) under Annapurna II, III and Gangapurna
• Muktinath temple and the old village of Kagbeni
• Two nights in the walled city of Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang
• Sky caves at Chhoser and the red cliffs of Dhakmar
• The Kali Gandaki gorge and Tatopani hot springs

Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1

   Pokhara to Dharapani via Besisahar

   • ~150 km
   • 7 to 8 hrs
   • 1,860 m
   • Stay: Dharapani

   Prithvi highway to Dumre, up to Besisahar and onto the Marsyangdi dirt road.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Dharapani to Pisang via Chame

   • ~35 km
   • 3 to 4 hrs
   • 3,200 m
   • Stay: Pisang

   Short day for acclimatisation, past the Paungda Danda rock face.

3. 3

   Day 3

   Pisang to Manang

   • ~17 km
   • 1 hr
   • 3,540 m
   • Stay: Manang

   Easy ride, then a hike to Gangapurna Lake or Braga monastery.

4. 4

   Day 4

   Acclimatisation day in Manang

   • Optional ride to Khangsar
   • Stay: Manang

   Hike towards Ice Lake or Milarepa's cave, or ride to Khangsar (3,730 m) on the Tilicho road.

5. 5

   Day 5

   Manang to Besisahar

   • ~100 km
   • 6 to 7 hrs
   • 760 m
   • Stay: Besisahar

   The long ride back down the Marsyangdi.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Besisahar to Beni via Pokhara

   • ~190 km
   • 6 to 7 hrs
   • 830 m
   • Stay: Beni

   Mostly paved roads through Pokhara and up the Kaligandaki corridor to Beni.

7. 7

   Day 7

   Beni to Muktinath via Tatopani and Jomsom

   • ~115 km
   • 7 hrs
   • 3,710 m
   • Stay: Muktinath

   The full Kali Gandaki gorge in one day, up to Muktinath.

8. 8

   Day 8

   Muktinath to Charang via Kagbeni

   • ~75 km
   • 6 hrs
   • 3,560 m
   • Stay: Charang

   Restricted area check at Kagbeni, then through Chele, Samar and Ghami.

9. 9

   Day 9

   Charang to Lo Manthang

   • ~12 km
   • 1 hr
   • 3,840 m
   • Stay: Lo Manthang

   Afternoon tour of the walled city, monasteries and palace.

10. 10

    Day 10

    Side trip to Chhoser caves

    • ~30 km return
    • Stay: Lo Manthang

    Jhong sky cave, Nyiphu and Garphu monasteries.

11. 11

    Day 11

    Lo Manthang to Marpha via Kagbeni and Jomsom

    • ~95 km
    • 6 to 7 hrs
    • 2,670 m
    • Stay: Marpha

    Past Dhakmar and Ghami, down to the apple orchards of Marpha.

12. 12

    Day 12

    Marpha to Pokhara

    • ~165 km
    • 8 hrs
    • 822 m
    • Stay: Pokhara

    A long last day down the gorge, a stop at the Tatopani hot springs, and back to Lakeside.

Distances and riding times are approximate. They change with road works, weather and photo stops.

What's included

Your quote confirms exactly what is included. Self-ride without a guide is possible on routes that do not need one.

Permits and good to know

• This is for experienced riders. Expect about 1,000 km of mixed and rough roads in 12 days.
• Days 6, 7 and 12 are long. We start early to avoid afternoon wind in the Kali Gandaki.
• Spare days for weather or road closures are worth adding; ask us.