Nepal Mustang 16 Days

Day 1 Amsterdam - Departure

The time has finally come - adventure calls! We set off for the magical, rugged and unforgettable Nepal.

Day 2 arrival - Kathmandu

During the morning we land in lively and chaotically charming Kathmandu. Our hotel is right in the beating heart of the city: the bustling Thamel district. You can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring this colorful district at your own pace - a maze of alleys filled with stores, street food, cafes and surprising temples on every street corner. Or... plop down on the hotel's rooftop terrace, order a masala chai or an Everest beer, and let the view of the city slowly sink in.

We stay here for two nights in a comfortable hotel with a great rooftop restaurant, where you literally tower over the chaos of the city.

Day 3 Kathmandu - Accommodation

Today you can wander endlessly among ancient palaces, sacred squares and impressive temples. Indulge in the mystique of Durbar Square, where every stone tells a story and the scent of incense mingles with the sound of temple bells.

An absolute must is the famous Swayambhunath, better known as the Monkey Temple. Located on a hill, this colorful Buddhist temple complex offers not only breathtaking views of Kathmandu, but also a spiritual atmosphere that touches you. Here you will see pilgrims making their rounds, monks absorbed in prayer, and the occasional curious monkey taking a peek.

If you still have time to spare, be sure to visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. This is one of the most important Hindu temples of the subcontinent. Here you will experience up close the power of ancient rituals during the cremation ceremonies, a spiritual experience that is deeply penetrating and long-lasting.

Day 4 Kathmandu - Chitwan

The bikes are roaring - the adventure is really about to begin. First, a little more time through the organized madhouse of Kathmandu: scooters honking their horns, rickshaws popping up from all sides, and people everywhere navigating their way through the traffic. But no worries - if you ride tightly together and keep your focus, you'll maneuver effortlessly through this lively chaos.

As soon as we leave the city behind, we exchange the asphalt for an adventurous mountain route toward Hetauda. This largely unpaved road winds along steep mountain sides and deep valleys. This is where the real work begins: rocky sections, sharp turns and sometimes tough descents that test your concentration - and at the same time reward you with amazing views.

After a hearty lunch in Hetauda, we take the through road toward Chitwan. The asphalt here is still in reasonable condition, so you can take a break and relax after the morning's off-road kick.

Our final destination is right on the river, which forms the border of the vast Chitwan National Park. As you take off your helmet and wipe the dust from your face, you have a chance of already seeing a rhino in the distance or - with a little ( a lot ) of luck - even a glimpse of a tiger showing itself across the river.

Welcome to the edge of the jungle. This is just the beginning.

Day 5 Chitwan - Lumbini

Today looks like an "easy day" on paper - largely following the main road heading south. But make no mistake: even this so-called main road is anything but boring in Nepal. Large sections are unpaved, full of dust, potholes, and with a constant stream of honking buses and heavily loaded trucks demanding every stretch of asphalt. Sometimes you literally have to slalom between boulders and mud to move forward. It's chaotic, intense and ... wonderfully adventurous.

By noon we try to arrive in Lumbini - a place that will give you goosebumps, and not just because of its history. Here, over 2,600 years ago, Siddhartha Gautama - better known as the Buddha - was born.

We ride a tuktuk to the heart of this spiritual place: the building built over its exact birthplace. Ceremonies take place all around, monks walk in silence or chant softly under ancient trees, and the air is full of incense and serene energy. Whether you are religious or not - being here is impressive.

We sleep in a stately Nepali hotel, perhaps a bit dated but full of character, with a pool where you can cool off after a dusty ride and look back on this special day.

Day 6 Lumbini - Tansen

Leaving the warm, flat south of Nepal, today we take a relatively short but surprisingly enjoyable drive to upper Tansen - a hidden gem in the hills of central Nepal.

The first few kilometers can still be a bit crowded with chaotic traffic and the usual mix of honking buses, tuktuks and cows running loose. But once we leave the urban area behind, the scenery becomes more interesting. We dive into the hills and tackle adventurous dirt stretches here and there that wind between small villages, rice terraces and dense forests. It's a ride that demands both focus and enjoyment.

Tansen itself is a charming mountain town on a ridge, with narrow streets, colorful stores and a relaxed atmosphere. An ideal place to do some exploring before the sun disappears behind the mountains.

Our hotel is centrally located, with a nice view of the old town - a nice place to end the day with a cup of tea or something stronger on the rooftop terrace.

Day 7 Tansen - Baglung

Today we head further north, deeper into the mountains. As soon as we leave Tansen behind, the road soon becomes quieter - no more chaos, but winding mountain roads that slowly wind their way up. We drive along narrow, unpaved trails where the dust blows up behind us, with breathtaking views at every turn.

The air becomes fresher, the mountain peaks more impressive. As we climb, the first snowy giants of the Mustang area come into view. It's a drive where you almost forget to shift gears because you are constantly surprised by the views.

Our destination for today is Baglung, a simple mountain town that serves as a gateway to the higher Himalayan range. Here we spend the night in a simple but neat guesthouse, where the charm lies mainly in the quiet, fresh mountain air and the feeling of "being on the road.

Day 8 Baglung - Muktinath

Today begins perhaps the most epic part of this trip: we are preparing to trek to the magical Lower Mustang. The permits are arranged, the bikes are eager, and so are we. Soon we leave the last bit of inhabited world behind and begin the climb - largely over rugged, unpaved mountain roads that wind their way higher and steeper into the Himalayas.

We rise slowly but surely to over 3,700 meters. The air becomes thinner, the wind sometimes cuts past your face, and the landscapes become more impressive by the mile. The barren, arid mountain landscape feels otherworldly - rugged, mysterious and unprecedentedly quiet. Between the dusty mountainsides, the first white-snow peaks of the Annapurna massif appear, like sentinels over this sacred region.

We stop often. Sometimes to take pictures, sometimes just to be still and watch. Because this is no ordinary motorcycle trip - this is a trip to the roof of the world.

Day 9 Muktinath - Accommodation

We are now over 3,700 meters above sea level in Muktinath - a rugged mountain village at the end of the world. This is not only a base for impressive trekking, but also a holy place for Buddhists and Hindus alike. The famous Muktinath Temple attracts pilgrims from far and wide. Many come here to cleanse themselves in the ice-cold holy water - a once-in-a-lifetime experience that symbolizes purification and spiritual liberation. Just watching it is impressive.

For those seeking even more adventure: with a local guide, you can take a rugged day trip through the mountains to surrounding villages and remote monasteries. Here time seems to stand still and you imagine yourself in another world, far away from modern civilization. Driving or walking along dusty paths, past mani walls and spinning prayer wheels, you will feel the power of the Himalayas in every fiber of your body.

Day 10 Muktinath - Kagbeni

Today we drive only 25 kilometers, but make no mistake: this is perhaps the most memorable day of the entire trip. Each kilometer cuts through a wild and desolate landscape that becomes increasingly mystical and impressive. The road winds along steep cliffs, overlooking deep valleys and the mighty snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the background.

Our final destination is Kagbeni - a medieval village that seems to be frozen in time. Narrow alleys, old stone houses and mani walls with prayer stones instantly take you back to days gone by. If possible, we spend the night here in a 500-year-old monastery, today transformed into an extraordinary guesthouse, still run by monks. The manager, a man full of stories, is happy to share about the rich history of this monastery and the spiritual life of the village.

In the evening, we sit cozily by a crackling wood stove - the temperature here can easily drop to minus six degrees - while outside is the silence of the mountains. This is one of those places you never forget.

Day 11 Kagbeni - Pokhara

We rise early as today we slowly descend from the rugged heart of the Himalayas. The motorcycles roar as we ride back along the unpaved mountain roads, past deep gorges, suspension bridges and mountain streams. With each kilometer, we feel the chill of altitude give way to warmer, moist air.

We have lunch in the mountain town of Beni, where the dust of the ride can settle for a while and we can stretch our legs.

After lunch, we set course for Pokhara. First some tough off-road sections before we reach the main mountain road. But make no mistake - even this "main road" requires your full attention, with sharp turns, unexpected potholes and the always fascinating Nepali traffic.

Pokhara feels almost like a world unto itself. A laid-back lakeside town, popular among adventurers, yogis, paragliders and trekkers. Here we can let our muscles relax and wash off the dust of adventure. The hotel is located in the bustling downtown area, with a pool and spa - the perfect place to recover after all that unpaved violence.

Day 12 Pokhara - Gorkha

Today a long, adventurous ride is scheduled - a real riding day for those who love off-road and remote trails. We leave the hustle and bustle of Pokhara and dive deep into the mountains. Soon we trade asphalt for rugged gravel and dirt tracks that take us through forgotten villages, steep mountain sides and green valleys. Here people still live as they did centuries ago - a greeting, a smile, a puzzled look as we ride by on our roaring machines.

Lunch is simple but pure, somewhere in a village square where life seems to stand still. Then we follow the fast-flowing Marsyangdi River, a silver ribbon that winds its way through the jagged landscape. The finale of the day is a tough climb: hairpin after hairpin we trek up to Gorkha, the historic heart of Nepal.

Up above, a reward awaits us - a luxury hotel, perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the valleys and mountains. A refreshing pool and a cold drink in your hand complete the picture. Up early tomorrow for the sunrise? Count on it being worth it.

Day 13 Gorkha - Nuwakot

We may be out of the Mustang area, but make no mistake - the adventure is far from over. Today we meander along endless dirt roads through quiet, remote mountain villages where life is slow and traditional. It's a ride full of surprises, with steep descents, dusty trails, shaky bridges and views that take your breath away. Every turn reveals a new panorama, a forgotten valley or a group of children waving enthusiastically at us.

In the early afternoon we arrive in Nuwakot, a special place with a rich history and a spiritual peace that you immediately feel. And right here, nestled among the foothills of the Himalayas, is our accommodation for the night: The Famous Farm. A 250-year-old Newari Manor House, lovingly restored to its former glory. Like stepping into a living museum, but with comfort.

The colorful gardens, the rustic courtyard, the smell of wood fire and freshly cooked Nepalese food - this is the place to pause, unwind and reflect on all the impressions that make this trip so special. And with the traditional village right on your doorstep, there is still plenty to explore.

Day 14 Nuwakot - Kathmandu

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It may be a short ride today, but don't underestimate it. The final kilometers to Kathmandu also give us another solid dose of adventure. We follow narrow mountain roads, where we can enjoy one more time the rugged landscape and unpolished charm of the Nepalese countryside.

Dust clouds, deep gullies, winding mountain trails - these final hours in the saddle are a worthy conclusion to an insane motorcycle adventure. And then, suddenly, Kathmandu reappears on the horizon. It feels almost unreal to return to the hustle and bustle after all that quiet mountain country.

We arrive early in the afternoon, so you still have plenty of time to pop into the center for those last souvenirs, a tasty dal bhat or just one more time to get lost in the maze of streets in Thamel.

The engines may be at a standstill - but the stories you take with you will continue to rattle in your head for a long time.

Day 15 Katmandu - Departure

A journey never to be forgotten. We don't want to leave. The smell of dust, incense and adventure is still in our clothes. The roar of the engine still echoes in our heads. What an experience - rugged, intense, magical.

But alas, the moment has come. Our bags are packed, the engines are stopped, and the plane is waiting for us. Reluctantly, we say goodbye to magical Nepal. But one thing is certain: this adventure will stay with us forever.

Namaste, Nepal

Day 16 Arrival - Home