Upper Mustang Himalayan Motorcycle Adventure, 16 Days

Upper Mustang sits behind the Annapurna range in its rain shadow: high, dry country of Tibetan villages, cave monasteries and red cliffs, closed to outsiders until 1992 and still entered on a special permit. This tour gives it the time it needs. Three days of riding bring you up through Pokhara, the Tatopani hot springs and the Kali Gandaki gorge; then it is off-road through Ghami to Lo Manthang at around 3,800 metres, with a full day there for the Jampa and Thubchen monasteries and the Chhoser caves. The way back runs through Muktinath, the apple orchards of Marpha, Pokhara, and a homestay night in Rumsi village near Bandipur. Fuel, three meals a day and permits are all included, and a single room is USD 1,000 extra for the whole trip. The price is per rider and depends on group size: USD 9,000 each for a group of four on the Himalayan 411, falling to USD 7,800 for eleven or more. Honda CRF250 and Hero Xpulse 200 are also available. Runs on request for private and group departures of up to 40 riders, with fixed 2027 dates to follow.

Sixteen days from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the old Kingdom of Lo, on Royal Enfield Himalayan 411s. Up the Kali Gandaki gorge into restricted Upper Mustang, two nights in Lo Manthang, and home via Pokhara and Bandipur.