This expedition travels into Nepal’s Upper Mustang region, a remote Himalayan area located in the rain shadow of the world’s highest mountain range. Once closed to foreigners and still accessible only with a restricted permit and licensed Nepali guide, Upper Mustang remains one of the most culturally intact remnants of historic Tibetan civilization.

Riding through high-altitude deserts above 12,000 feet, participants will experience ancient Buddhist temples, small mountain villages, and the walled city of Lo Manthang, once referred to as the “Forbidden City.” The region’s isolation, preserved culture, and dramatic terrain make it one of the most unique motorcycle destinations in the world.

This expedition is designed as a true motorcycle-based exploration, not a luxury tour. Access to Upper Mustang is neither easy nor comfortable, but the reward is immersion in a landscape and culture largely untouched by modern development.

Join Bret Tkacs, a professional adventure motorcycle training instructor, for a guided motorcycle expedition through Nepal. The route travels from the urban environment of Kathmandu into increasingly remote terrain, culminating in the high-altitude deserts of Upper Mustang.

Motorcycle travel in this region is only possible during a short seasonal window each year. October and November offer the most reliable conditions for weather and road access. Participants will ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, an ideal platform for navigating Nepal’s terrain while maintaining a strong connection to the local culture.

This expedition emphasizes:

• Cultural immersion through motorcycle travel.

• Remote, high-altitude riding environments.

• Team-based travel and shared decision-making.

• On-the-fly adaptability to changing weather and road conditions.

This is not a performance-based riding trip. The motorcycle is the means by which we will travel, not the objective. Riders are expected to approach the expedition with humility, patience, and a team mindset.

Conditions in Nepal are inherently unpredictable. Weather, road access, and regional factors may require itinerary adjustments. While the expedition has defined objectives, flexibility is essential, and participants should understand that not all planned locations can be guaranteed.

What is guaranteed is a meaningful and memorable experience traveling through one of the most unique regions accessible by motorcycle.

Riding Conditions

Riding conditions on this expedition vary widely and may change without notice due to weather, road maintenance, or local activity. Most riding falls within ADV Skill Rating System Levels 1–3, though participants should be prepared to encounter Level 4 terrain on occasion.

Road surfaces commonly include:

• Heavily rutted dirt roads

• Loose gravel and washouts

• Mud and uneven surfaces

• Narrow mountain roads, including main travel routes

Conditions can deteriorate quickly after weather events, and riding days may include long sections of sustained technical terrain.

Exposure and Heights

This expedition includes riding along exposed cliff edges and narrow mountain roads, particularly while entering the Upper Mustang region. Riders should be comfortable operating a motorcycle at height and maintaining focus in exposed environments.

High bridges may also be encountered. Riders who are uncomfortable crossing bridges may request assistance for themselves and their motorcycle.

If you are unable to function safely when exposed to heights, this expedition is not a good fit.

To reduce the inherent risks of remote motorcycle travel, Bret Tkacs travels with the group throughout the expedition. While this is not a formal training course, Bret is available to assist riders with strategies and techniques related to terrain, fatigue, and decision-making.

If a rider encounters a situation beyond their comfort or ability, Bret or a member of the local support team will assist by transporting the rider and motorcycle to a safe location, allowing the expedition to continue safely.

Accommodations are selected to ensure adequate rest and recovery, supporting daily riding safety. Meals are eaten at local restaurants, providing frequent opportunities to engage with Nepali culture and communities.

Bret Tkacs is a teacher and expedition leader, not a tour operator. This expedition is supported by experienced local Nepali professionals who manage permits, lodging, meals, and on-the-ground logistics.

This will be Bret Tkacs’ seventh, and possibly final, motorcycle expedition through Nepal, making this a rare and limited opportunity to experience Upper Mustang under his guidance.

This is a live expedition, meaning the group progresses at the pace of the slowest rider. Emergency medical care in this region is extremely limited and often many hours—or days—away. Based on extensive experience leading groups in remote environments, the following skills and physical capabilities are considered essential.

Required Riding Skills

1. Tight Turning Capability
   You must be able to execute a left U-turn within 16 feet (5 meters) on a Royal Enfield.

   • Nepal Rural Road Standards specify 8-foot (2.5-meter) lanes

   • Inability to complete a tight left turn may result in crossing into oncoming traffic

   • Riders who can perform a 20-foot turn or full steering-lock turn on their personal motorcycle generally adapt without issue

2. Sustained Gravel Road Speed
   You must be able to maintain a minimum speed of 30 mph (48 kph) on maintained gravel roads.

   • Remote travel distances are significant

   • Failure to maintain pace may prevent the group from reaching lodging before nightfall

3. Physical Endurance
   Riders must have the strength and endurance to:

   • Ride off-pavement for up to six hours per day

   • Operate at elevations up to 12,500 feet (3,800 m)

   • Maintain sufficient reserve energy to assist others if needed

Rider Attitude and Decision-Making

The remaining skills can often be managed with support and adaptation. Riders are expected to maintain a humble, cooperative attitude and understand that Bret Tkacs may make riding or logistics decisions on a participant’s behalf based solely on observed riding ability and group safety.

These decisions are informed by 27 years of full-time experience training motorcyclists and are made in the interest of safety and expedition success.

Motorcycle boots and riding gear are required for participation in this expedition. Riders must review the gear list prior to arrival. Riders arriving without appropriate gear may not be permitted to ride. If you have questions, please contact Bret Tkacs in advance.

 It's arrival day. You will be greeted outside the airport by your driver (holding a sign with your name) who will take you to Patan Durbar Square to your hotel. Here you can settle into your room, meet your travel buddies and recover from your long flight(s). This location is filled with opportunities to get out and stretch your legs as you begin to take in the local sites, smells and sounds.

Your hotel is located in Patan Durbar Square a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is your rest day for adjusting to the new time zone as you explore the area rich in history. Located only a short walk down ancient narrow roads are the Taleju Temple (a magnificent Hindu temple), the Sundari Chowk (a water tank built in 1647 for the king), the Patan museum and many other things that feel like discoveries. Local shops with traditional religious paintings and artwork are worth exploring as well.

Patan is located outside the busy tourist areas of Kathmandu offering an immediate immersive experience into Nepal. Enjoy local foods (The only place to try Newar cuisine!) and sites, or hang out at our quaint hotel with an adjoining coffee bar and rest up. It is important for your safety that you are rested and ready to go when we finally get on the bikes.

It doesn't make sense to travel halfway around the world and not see everything you can. It's not mandatory, but we have arranged to tour the most interesting sites in Kathmandu. We will see the popular "monkey temple", the burial site of Pashupatinath and more. You will also start learning about traffic patterns and local "rules" that will be critical to your safety once you enter traffic. This is our last day in Kathmandu so you will need to packed up and ready to go for the morning.

Our flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is supposed to be a short easy flight, but... this is Nepal. Expect to have a delay in Kathmandu that will turn an easy commuter flight into an all day adventure.

Once we arrive in Pokhara you will meet your guides and support team, get to know your bike and relax by the lake or enjoy food and shopping before getting your ride briefing.  This will be the last day you travel without your motorcycle until we return to Pokhara.

"Trial By Fire" is the theme for the day. All your observations of traffic are now going to be put to use. We will ride out of Pokhara through "chaotic" traffic as we work towards the winding rivers and quaint villages ahead. Today's route is the perfect training ground to build confidence in your riding as you bond with your new steed.

As we ride towards the gateway to the Upper Mustang (Jomsom) we will likely cross multiple suspension bridges enroute and will traverse along many high cliff roads, shared with buses and Jeeps. This will test the resolve of even the most fearless rider. Have no fear... if you don't feel safe riding, you can walk the bridge and one of your guides will take your bike across for you. However you must get to the other side... this is the way to Jomsom!

Climb to the famous Vishnu temple of Muktinath, perched at 12,000' (3700m) in the Annapurna. The thin air will keep your bike gasping for air as it slowly climbs its way up the mountain. At the top you will need to park the bike and finish the journey on foot as you climb hundreds of stone steps to the temple (also gasping for air).

After a bite to eat, we will drop back to a lower altitude (Kagbeni) where we will rest for the night and allow our bodies to adjust to the altitude.

We ride to the very end of the road - any farther and we'll end up in China. Lo Manthang is an ancient Tibetan city, built in the 15th century and restricted from visitors until 1992. It has preserved its remote Tibetan culture and language. Along the way, we will pass along the world's deepest gorge (Kali Gandaki Gorge), an alpine forest, and into the high-altitude deserts that lead us into the ancient, walled, forbidden city of Lo Manthang.

This is a free day and you get to choose how to spend it. Explore the authentically-preserved medieval city by getting some butter tea and meeting the locals. If you still feel like riding your bike, there will be a short expedition to Chhosur Caves. These sky caves are five stories tall with 40 rooms hand-carved out of the rock. Various "windows" offer an unparalleled view of the valley as you contemplate what it must have been like to live here.

A day of rest or a day of exploration... your choice.

Today we start our trek back towards Pokhara as we follow the trail of the mythical demons and dragons towards the natural red cliffs of Dhakmar. Ancient and functioning monasteries dot the region and you will ride along the longest Mani, or prayer wall in the Mustang region before arriving to our accommodations in Ghami.

Pokhara is a modern expat city with a huge variety restaurants that are the perfect end to one of the best adventures money can buy. You will have arrived as an individual but you will depart as friends - some of our groups are still chatting to this day.  Celebrate your accomplishments, laugh over the challenges, and get a massage to finish the trip of a lifetime.

Though it is nothing like the local towns you have been immersed in, Pokhara is a place to find any souvenir you could want to share your memories with your friends and family. Freshen up in a hot, modern shower and get your mind ready to return home.

We will head to the airport in the afternoon as a group to fly back to Kathmandu - once again, enjoy the delays and uncertainty of transportation but now you will be well-versed in hurry up and wait. Settle into your hotel and we will have one final dinner together as we say our goodbyes.  Christina and I will have a special thank you that you won't forget. 

We will ensure you have a ride to the airport well in time for your departure flight. The airport is easy to negotiate although lines can be long at certain times of the day. Say goodbye to your new friends, have one final Nepali coffee and set your sights back home.