Upper Mustang Biking

Ace has a reputation for successfully leading treks with knowledgeable leaders and staff taking care of all your travel needs. We are a certified sustainable travel company that also endorses the idea of giving back to the community by participating in various philanthropic activities. Here are 17 reasons why you should choose Ace the Himalaya for your next adventure!

Indeed, Nepal is entirely open. Fully immunized travelers are welcome in Nepal without restriction. Arriving travelers can obtain a visa on arrival at the Kathmandu airport as well. Please visit Covid-19 travel protocols 2022 for up-to-date information.

• A vaccination card or certificate showing verification of receiving the entire COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to carry before traveling to Nepal.
• A PCR test isn’t mandatory. However, check with your airlines and any country you are traveling through to see if it’s a requirement.

We suggest you look at the Nepal immigration site https://www.immigration.gov.np for the most up-to-date information.

• Two passport-sized photos (2×2 inch) to give to our office staff
• A copy of your international flight ticket to give to our office staff
• A copy of travel insurance to give to our office staff

The best course of action is to add a day or two before and after your intended trek days in case of flight delays or cancellations. It also gives you time to buy clothing equipment and gear required before your trip. Please be aware that Ace the Himalaya is not responsible for any inconveniences or missed international flights resulting from unforeseen events like airport changes, flight delays or cancellations, etc.

Our guides are fluent in English. All the guides that we assign speak and understand English. They’ll share with you the fascinating stories, traditions, and folklore of the mountains. The guides will also help you communicate with the locals since many shopkeepers and hosts of teahouses don’t speak English.

• COVID-19 vaccination (Negative PCR report in case of unvaccinated travelers.)
• Typhoid vaccination is recommended but not required

We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.

Either hard-tail or full suspension mountain bikes will do fine. In some parts of the routes, you can take downhill shortcuts for which we strongly recommend full suspension bikes. (Your guide will let you know if there are any shortcuts you can take.)

All the brands we provide are properly serviced and fully functional standard hardtail rentals best suited for the trips. We provide full suspension bikes (if preferred by our clients) for an additional charge.

• Trek: 3-, 4-, 6- and 8-series
• Cube: Comp, LTD, CMPT, Reaction
• Giant: ATX, Tralon
• Other brands: Capic and V-Ket8

Yes, bikes can be hired at the time of booking. The bike’s frame size has to match your height, and since there is a limited number of each size, we strongly suggest you provide us with this information well ahead. In case of any damage incurred to the bike or the equipment, the client will be liable to pay for the repair and replacement, depending on the nature of the damage.

We provide a helmet, a pump, a spare tube, a water bottle and a repair kit with a rental bike.

Cycle computer and a GPS unit for USD 2 and USD 5, respectively, per day per person. You can see more in the equipment section.

Yes, it is highly recommended that you have your bike thoroughly serviced before coming on the trip. Spare parts are available in Kathmandu, but may not always be compatible with your bike.

Most airlines are quite used to people traveling with bikes, and if a bike is properly boxed and within the luggage allowance, it is a relatively hassle-free experience. On arrival at your destination, you will be met by your leader, and you will just need a baggage trolley to take your bike as far as the transfer vehicle.

Make sure the bikes are properly packed. You may do it yourself (here’s a guide or if you’re not sure, you could have a local bike shop pack it for you.

We take every care to ensure your bike is well treated, but it is normal for a bike to sustain minor scratches, resulting during the daily ride as well as loading and unloading from support/transport vehicles.

Your bike is part of your baggage allowance on the plane, details of which are shown on your flight ticket, and maximum weights are usually between 20 and 25 kgs. A boxed bike weighs around 16 kg, so you need to pack carefully. Put heavy items in your hand baggage, wear your heavy/bulky jacket when you check in. Ace the Himalaya will not be liable for any excess baggage charges brought by the airline as a result of your exceeding the baggage allowance, whether you have a hire bike or take your own bike. In practice, excess luggage charges are rare for those who pack sensibly, even if you are a little over the specified limit.

Few airlines impose specific standard bike carriage charges. All such charges are beyond our control, and to be paid by the client. Where we know of a bike carriage charge in advance, this will be added to the relevant trip notes. In the unlikely event of any of your luggage and or bike being misplaced or damaged while in the care of the airline, a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) must be filed with the appropriate airline on arrival. This is essential if you subsequently wish to make a claim against the airline or on your travel insurance. This must be done at the airport where your baggage arrived or should have arrived.

The support vehicle (where available) and the guide will carry the required repair tools and spares. We do recommend you carry some basic tools and spares (like a puncture kit and Allen keys). Our guides are also qualified mechanics and have ample experience maintaining bikes on the trips.

Safety and comfort are what you’re looking for here. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need for the trip:

• Cycling helmet (included with the bike rent)
• Touring shoes
• Cycling gloves
• Cycling shorts (1 to 3 pair)
• Socks – wool or synthetic (2 or 3 pair)
• Leg warmers or tights for riding
• Short-sleeved shirts (2)
• Light, long-sleeved shirt for layering and sun protection
• Windcheater, rain gear, jacket and pants
• Waterproof shoe covers

It is recommended that you carry a backpack with your valuables like camera and passport. Panniers are not suitable for the trips.

Yes. All the bikes are compatible with customized bike parts. The support team accompanying the group will be able to help with any bike alterations or damage to the bike along the entire trip. Please inform us in advance if you plan to bring your own saddle and pedals.

The best time for the Upper Mustang Mountain Biking is from March to November. It is not very advisable to bike during the winter season (December, January and February)

Yes, you can obtain a Nepal visa upon your arrival at the airport. There are kiosks in the arrival hall that you use to complete the necessary forms.  The cost is USD 30 for a 15-day tourist visa, including numerous entries, or USD 50 and USD 125 for a 30-day or 90-day tourist visa including numerous entries respectively. You should carry cash (USD) with you to pay your visa fees quickly and easily, as digital payments are frequently unavailable.

Our staff will be waiting for you outside the airport terminal with our signboard (Ace the Himalaya). You will be accompanied to a hotel in a private tourist vehicle.

It depends on your spending habits. Generally, in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can allocate USD 20 for a lunch and a dinner. USD 7 to 10 a day will be enough to buy bottles of water, chocolates and a few drinks during the trekking.

In the cities, yes – to some extent. Once you are out of the cities, all you need is cash.

When you book, you must pay a 30% deposit to secure your itinerary. The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival at Kathmandu or before arrival. US Dollars cash and credit cards (Visa, Master, and American Express) are accepted once in Nepal. Please note a 4% transaction fee will be added for all credit card transactions.

You can make payments via US Dollars cash or credit card (Visa, Master, and American Express). A 4% transaction fee is added if paying with a credit card. Thus, we encourage you to pay with USD cash if you are planning to pay upon your arrival in Kathmandu. We prefer you pay with larger bills (USD 50 or 100).  Please note that the cash should not be older than 2009 and in good condition, as banks do not accept worn, torn, or crumpled bills.

There are ATM and money exchange facilities almost every few meters in Thamel, where you will be staying in Kathmandu. So, you can easily use your cards to cash out limited sum of money to which a minimum charge is deducted by the ATM facility itself. You can easily exchange your foreign currencies in currency exchange centers for an exact rate.

Long cycling days and tougher terrain (for both on and off the road trips) require a certain degree of experience of more demanding and technical riding for the Upper Mustang  Biking Trip. Vehicle support may be limited. You should be very confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills.

No. The guide will carefully pace the ride to include rest and refreshment along the way. Where available, the support vehicle will accompany you and you can always hitch a ride if you need a break.

After making the deposit, one of our staff will email you for further information. We will require a copy of your passport photo page and your arrival/departure flight details. We will also provide you with additional trip information.

You can find the necessary items to pack for the trip on the Equipment section. Gear and equipment can be bought or rented upon your arrival in Kathmandu. If you plan on buying or renting gear in Kathmandu, please allow extra time.

Bring copies of your passport, insurance papers, and other essential items in your carry-on during your flight. If you need to take medications daily, keep them in your daypack with your other essential possessions.  You can store other non-trekking essentials in the office of Ace the Himalaya or at the hotel in Kathmandu.

We use standard rooms at two or three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast.

Along the biking route, teahouses/lodges generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. We usually provide single and double rooms, or occasionally a dormitory. Dining will be around a bonfire when possible. In tea houses, food will be prepared in the kitchen which you should not enter without permission. The toilets in tea houses provide essential and basic facilities.

Most teahouses (lodges) below Upper Mustang (Kagbeni, Muktinath, Tatopani) cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian fare. Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, dhal bhat, bread, soups, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season), and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization – eat some every day. Each day dinner and breakfast will be at a lodge you’ll stay at while lunch will be taken on the way to the destination.

In most places below Upper Mustang, bottled water is readily available. If you wish to drink normal water, we do provide Katadyn water filters

These facilities will be available in most of the places in your hotel/lodge reception by paying some service charges. Remember to bring travel adapters!

There will be very limited charging facilities during your camping so please bring the enough spare batteries.

We provide licensed trekking guides with fluent English. Our guides are certified by the Hotel Management and Tourism Center after receiving 45 days of training. Similarly, the guides receive high-altitude training from Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP).

Our guides are well trained and certified in first aid. Throughout the journey, our guides will evaluate your condition and your oxygen level using an oximeter. Our head office receives continuous updates on your condition and location through the guides. In places without a phone signal, your situation will be updated through a satellite phone during emergencies.

Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal docment page to view insurance details.

• COVID-19 vaccination (Negative PCR report in case of unvaccinated travelers.)
• Typhoid vaccination is recommended but not required

We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.

This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 20 to USD 1000 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters thanks for their help. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide.

There are telephones in some villages along the trekking routes from which you can make international calls. Internet and international calls are readily available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

A holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. Along your trek we can add days at your request with additional costs to cover guides, porters, accommodation and food.

Yes, you can extend your holiday. Ace the Himalaya offers many options and alternatives for your holiday extension. For more information, you can visit our Day trips pages.

Yes, you must book your international flights. We are a local agency and do not make international flight arrangements. You can easily browse through flight tickets in airlines sites to book ones most feasible for you.

Ace the Himalaya is all about providing you with local insights, lifestyle as well as adventure. Depending on the nature of the travel, the transportation to and from the destination varies from domestic flights to vehicular transportation. You have the option of flying to Pokhara from where we again take a flight to Jomsom, which is the starting point of our biking trip. We provide you only those options, which enhance your local experience while allowing you to bike comfortably and efficiently. We use private tourist vehicles for sightseeing, city tours and pickups. Depending on the group size we use cars, minibus, vans or alternatively 4WD jeep, more maneuverable traveling along the narrow and bumpy roads of Nepal. All the vehicles are usually air-conditioned unless we are traveling in cooler areas.

While in the mountain we use vehicular transportation whereas possible. We also use porters, Yaks and Donkeys to carry the equipment and meals during the camping trip.