Cycling On The Apple Brandy Trail

“I was lucky enough to live in Nepal for several years, and got to experience a lot of the incredible mountain biking the country has to offer, and I have to say, this is one of the very best trips!!! In fact, I enjoyed it so much that even though there are a million different things to see in the country I used some of my precious leave time to go BACK and do it AGAIN!

The culture of Mustang is one of the biggest draws for people coming to the region, and you get a big dose of it on this trip, even though you don't actually enter the "forbidden kingdom" itself (saving lots of money). The trails are a mix of single track and jeep track, swoopy and fun. If you ride up to Muktinath (as we did), it is a bit killer, but the ride back down is worth every pedal stroke up the road. the scenery takes your breath away around every turn... but because you never go THAT high, the altitude doesn't (which is a good thing).

One thing I will say is how important it is to go with a good company, and Himalayan Singletrack is definitely the best! You see a lot of people "going it alone," and while it is possible (though technically not allowed, you must have a guide in the conservation area), you would end up on main roads, and never find the sweet bikeable trails. You also would certainly never find the hidden gems of tea houses and hotels. Even if you did book a local guide, most of them have no biking knowledge, and would have no idea where these tracks and trails are. Mountain biking is also, as we all know who do it and love it, risky. An unexpected rock or sudden corner could result in a serious accident. You want to be with someone who a) is trained in how to respond to accidents and injuries, b) knows the lay of the land, and can advise you on the risks of the day to reduce potential for accidents, and c) can help fix your bike so you can get back to riding!

Himalayan Singletrack planned fun-filled days that were tailored to my group's riding ability. Our guide was savvy and flexible enough to make last minute itinerary changes as conditions changed. they made sure we were booked into the best hotels (even in high season, when places get booked out early), and made sure we were looked after every step of the way.

one final thought - do NOT miss out on the hot springs at Tato Pani... it isn't the prettiest spot, but man that warm water is wonderful on your sore muscles!

PS - the apple brandy is a bit of an acquired taste...”