PRIVATE EXPEDITION
PRIVATE EXPEDITION
When Bill mentioned a desire to return to Nepal, there was little question where he should go next. Knowing it would be a reprise visit for some in the group and a first time journey for others, the exotic natural and cultural landscapes of Upper Mustang had to be the destination.
The former kingdom of Lo Manthang was once a distant outpost of greater Tibet. For more than a millennium its location made it an auspicious waypoint for pilgrims, traders, warlords, and explorers as they passed through the narrow Mustang Valley to cross through the Himalayas. On this trip, we will follow those very footsteps. We will journey into and through the world’s largest mountains to travel onto the vast Tibetan Plateau.
The history of the Kingdom of Lo Manthang is steeped in mystery, legend, and fantastical lore. It is a place where tales of warrior monks once vanquished man-eating demons. It is a kingdom that exists between two dimensions, one earthly, one otherworldly. On countless hilltops sit the ancient ruins of Tibetan fortresses and Buddhist monasteries which speak to an era that still evades the passing of the ages. The heavy gates of the walled city of Lo Manthang, built 800 years ago to defend against raiding Mongols, were locked every sunset until just a few years ago. The Kingdom of Lo is a fascinating journey - back in time.
What is most amazing is that this time capsule, a living example of old Tibet, was only first visited by westerners in 1964. Earning the title of “The Forbidden Kingdom,” it was closed to outsiders until 1994. A civil war in Nepal locked the gates again until 2006. It is only recently that explorers, archeologists, anthropologists, and historians have returned to rediscovered this far away place.
And we want to take you there.
A BESPOKE EXPEDITION
Although we are passionate about Upper Mustang and visit often, the experience Bill asked us to create is one of deep cultural immersion. Mileage will be modest and the terrain as challenging as the team cares to tackle. Our pace will be slow and organic to insure ample time to interact with the region’s cultures, past and present.
For this bespoke outing we have chosen the most comfortable and authentic accommodations. Simple where necessary and luxurious when needed to rest travel-weary bodies, everything about this particular journey has been curated for the most enriching experience.
WE TURN DAYDREAMS INTO EPIC MEMORIES
TRIP FARE INCLUSIONS
We believe the best way to enjoy the moment is to never feel a need to reach for your wallet. Our all-inclusive fares include:
All accommodations, meals, and ground transportation including your arrival and departure hotels
Royal Enfield 411cc Scram Motorcycles - and fuel
Full support staff including expedition leader, lead guide, mechanic, medic, cook, logistics manager and support vehicle driver
All meals, museum visits, and permits (The Upper Mustang permit is included at a cost of $635 per person)
Rescue and medical services including helicopter rescue resources (Travel insurance required)
THROUGH THE HIMALAYAS & ONTO THE TIBETAN PLATEAU
THE ROUTE OVERVIEW
Our journey begins in Kathmandu with a tour of Bhaktapur, home to the Newar people and one of the city's seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The following day we fly to Pokhara and immediately ride towards the mouth of the Mustang Valley. By the following day we are deep in the Himalayas riding between the 7th and 10th tallest mountains on earth. After twp exciting days of exploring rugged roads known to few, we finalize our acclimatization for the next big ascent. Rising from 8,000 feet to 12,000 as we enter the heavily restricted Upper Mustang region, the landscape changes dramatically.
It is there we again slow our pace of travel and immerse ourselves in Tibetan culture. Three full days around the walled city of Lo Manthang allow ample time to visit hidden corners even we have not had a chance to experience. The return to Pokhara goes quickly but also allows for more time in the lush foothills below towering Himalayan summits. One last flight from Pokhara puts us back in Kathmandu for a celebratory dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Questions?
Have questions about what to pack, how this all works, or what to expect of Nepal? Visit these pages to learn about our amazing experiences in the Himalayas.
Lo Manthang
We turn daydreams into memories
FOUR AMAZING EXPERIENCES IN ONE EXPEDITION
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KATHMANDU
It’s the ancient gateway to the Himalayas and one of the most exotic cities in the world. It’s also the starting point of every Far Xplorer journey and we get to experience it through the eyes of our award-winning cultural guide and Kathmandu native.
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LO MANTHANG
Very few visitors to Nepal get the chance to visit Upper Mustang and experience the rugged beauty of this high mountain environment. Lost to time for centuries, it is a vast and otherworldly place and in many ways a living museum.
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POKHARA
At the tail end of our ride into the Mustang Valley, we get a chance to spend a full day relaxing in Nepal’s famous resort town of Pokhara. Also known as Nepal’s “Adventure City,” it’s an ideal place to end our expedition with other mini adventures.
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GREAT HIMALAYAS
Our route takes us right between Dhaulagiri (26,975 ft), the 7th tallest summit in the world, and Annapurna (26,455 ft) the 10th tallest. The world’s biggest mountains will play backdrop to our travels for the final four days of our journey.
THE JOURNEY TO LO MANTHANG
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Royal Enfield Scram 411cc
For this ride we will all travel atop the iconic motorcycle of the Himalayas, the RE 411cc Scram. Plucky and capable, they are a perfect match for this ride.
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Fully Supported & Guided
Our support system includes two support trucks for the camping team and one dedicated 4x4 for the ride team. This allows us to travel light and swift.
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Hotel and Lodge Accommodations
On this trip, comfort is easily achieved with the newest and most authentic mountain lodges and quaint teahouses. We only use the best hotels on this trip.
THE SKY CAVES
In the early 1990s, a group of archeologists commenced the first excavations of the 10,000 caves carved into the cliffs of Lo Manthang. What they found forced a collective evaluation of what was originally known of Himalayan history. Originally carved as burial chambers, the oldest caves contain artifacts dated to more than 4000 years ago. The contents of some caves came from as far away as Sri Lanka, Persia, and northern Japan. We will spend a portion of our time exploring the Sky Caves.
The Last Yak Herding Nomads
In the not so distant history of Lo Manthang, it was said people could walk from one valley to the next on the backs of yaks. So numerous were yak herding nomads, that much of the region’s culture was, and still is, anchored to these docile and robust beasts. Gone are they days when hundreds of yak herding clans dotted the arid valleys of Lo. Now, there are but four families still tending to stocks of yaks. On this journey we venture into the unknown in search of these wandering herders to visit life in old Tibet as it was for centuries.
Be the adventure
Itinerary
At Far Xplorer an itinerary is at best a starting point. We consider it a theme, not a blueprint. Changes are not only common, we expect and encourage them in pursuit of organic adventure. Rather than strictly adhere to a pre-written plan, we always let the road take us where it wants us to go.
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We spend our first day resting from long flights and visiting the sites of Kathmandu with our award-winning cultural guide.
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A sunrise start and a 30-minute flight to Pokhara gets us to our bikes for the first ride to Baglung at the mouth of the Himalayas. Along the way we will traverse the massive bridges near Kusma.
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An exciting ride puts us in the Mustang Valley beneath the world’s biggest mountains.
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We use this day to acclimatize and visit some of the small villages and roads in the valley. It’s a casual day of exploration.
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Another day of short rides and fascinating explorations allows us to see the best of Lower Mustang with our hotel lodge right on the edge of Upper Mustang.
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After a couple of nights at 8,000 feet, we’re ready to push on to the walled city of Lo Manthang. This is a beautiful ride in an other worldly place.
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We go slow at these elevations and spend the day north of the walled city just three miles from China.
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An early morning has us up with the sun to seek out our friends, the last of the yak herding nomads. In the afternoon we look for new roads to explore a d finish the day visiting the ancient monestaries and palaces nearby.
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We quickly drop down to Lower Mustang and the small village of Kalopani. This is our biggest day but the abundance of oxygen and availability of hot showers makes for a great day.
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With new blacktop under our wheels we are back in Pokhara at the best resort in Nepal. Owned by our dear friends Dorje and Jen, their spacious villas, terraced pools, and full service spa will work out any kinks we have at journeys end.
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A midday flight puts us back in Kathmandu for more sightseeing and souvenir shopping.
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Since most flights don't depart until late afternoon, most people will have time to relax or see more sights.
4x4 Overland Option
Since our inception we have always offered options for non-riders to join the fun. With space for two travelers, our 4x4 vehicle option includes an English-speaking driver. Never far from the two-wheeled action, our truck travelers get the same experience as the rest of the team. It’s a fun way to share the thrill of backroad adventures in the Himalayas.
What’s it like to ride in Nepal and how do I grab a spot on this trip?
As a private excursion we require a minimum group of six with a maximum of nine travelers. A deposit of $3,800 secures each reservation. Each month leading up to departure day you will receive an email newsletter with planning tips, fun information about Nepal, and information to keep you excited for your journey.
Still have questions? Give us a call or visit our various information and planning pages.
Let’s talk adventure
Still have questions? Want to customize your trip? Drop us a line and our expedition leader and co-founder, Christophe Noel, will get in touch with you in a matter of hours. christophe@farxplorer.com
Ready to book your trip? Click the link below to complete your online booking form. We will confirm your spot within 24 hours and get you on the road to big adventure!