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Addicted to High Altitude Riding in Nepal
Chusang, Mustang, Nepal
I have worked as a professional mountain bike guide in Nepal for over eight years and if there is one thing I have learned, it is that there are few adventures greater (and more challenging) than high altitude riding. With its narrow trails, long uphill climbs, wide open valleys, river crossings, and neverending descents, Nepal is the ultimate destination for any mountain biker. But it is not just the riding that makes Nepal unforgettable, it is the warmth and hospitality of the local people, the breathtaking views, and the incredible cultures that will quickly make you addicted to this tremendous country.
Last October, I had the chance to lead a group of Swiss mountain bikers on one of the world’s most exhilarating high mountain tours through the Annapurna Region of Nepal. Check out the photos below to get a glimpse of what a tour like this has to offer.
All photo credit goes to the talented Michael Jahn.
Wide open valleys, flowy singletrack and breathtaking Himalayan backdrops...and this is just the beginning!
Day one continues on with a leisurely ride to Chaile. Even at 2800m, the terrain will make you feel like you're on another planet.
By day two, you'll really begin to feel the elevation. No better time than this to drop down some technical lines while avoiding that 100 meter cliff at your side.
After surviving the day's long and technical ride, we got the chance to hang out with some incredible Mustangi villagers.
During our rest day in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang's ancient capital, the locals were thrilled to show off their Mustangi mustangs.
They say that passing by a Tibetan Buddhist chorten is good luck. (And we were going to need it since we were about to cross our fifth 4000 meter pass.)
This may not be the image that comes to mind when planning a Himalayan mountain adventure, but the reality is that hike-a-bike is a crucial part of the big mountain experience.
First you climb. Then you rest. Then the real fun begins
Every day we got the chance to ride some super fun sections like this ridge line trail on the way to the Dhi Canyon Valley.
In the remote corners of Upper Mustang, there is little accommodation available. But thanks to our lovely, kind, and hard working Sherpas, we were able to sleep soundly in our own little tent village.
Who said anything about a bridge? A good pair of flip-flops was the only thing we needed to ford this river.
A final glimpse of Upper Mustang, Nepal's Hidden Kingdom. Our next destination was the 5416 meter Thorong La, one of the world's highest passes.
It never gets old looking up from the trail and seeing jaw-dropping 8000+ meter peaks in the distance.
After five hours of steep uphill hiking, we finally reached the top of Thorong La Pass! Time for the obligatory group photo!
With over a thousand meter drop in elevation, the descent from Thorong La is one of the most fun and unforgettable parts of the entire trip.
And so ends another phenomenal trip. All that is left now is to crash for the night and dream about your next trip back to the Himalayas.
Big thanks to everyone behind the scenes at Trip Himilaya, our family owned and operated tour company, who helped us with another successful tour. Do you want to join us on our next tour? Just send me a message.
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Member since Dec 23, 2012
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