Altitude: 1,400m (4,600 ft)

Highlights: Thamel, reunion dinner.

Description: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Transfer to the hotel in the heart of Thamel. Since this is an alumni ride, the briefing will be short, focusing on the specific hazards of the Kali Gandaki gorge. Evening reunion dinner to reconnect with old riding buddies.

Distance: 200 KM | 6-7 Hours

The Ride: The Prithvi Highway. Heavy traffic, twisty tarmac.

Highlights: Trisuli River, Cable Car views.

Description: We leave the chaos of Kathmandu early. The ride to Pokhara is a test of patience with traffic, but the tarmac is generally decent. We arrive in Pokhara, the adventure capital of Nepal, situated by the serene Phewa Lake.

Distance: 110 KM | 5-6 Hours

Altitude: 2,480m (8,136 ft)

The Ride: Tarmac ends, adventure begins. "Beni to Jomsom" road (infamous).

Highlights: Riding the deepest gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki), Rupse Waterfall.

Description: The tarmac disappears after Beni. We enter the lower Mustang region. The road is carved into the cliffside, often wet from waterfalls. We stay in Lete, a beautiful village surrounded by pine forests with towering views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

Distance: 60 KM | 3-4 Hours

Altitude: 3,710m (12,171 ft)

The Ride: Windy riverbeds, loose rocks.

Highlights: Marpha (Apple Capital), Jomsom wind tunnel, Muktinath Temple.

Description: A short but intense day. We battle the famous headwinds of Jomsom. The landscape turns arid as we climb to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The view of Dhaulagiri from here is iconic.

Distance: 90 KM | 5-6 Hours

Altitude: 3,840m (12,598 ft)

The Ride: Restricted Area. High desert, dust, glorious isolation.

Highlights: Crossing the "Forbidden" border, Tsarang Monastery, Lo Gekar.

Description: We show our special permits at Kagbeni and enter Upper Mustang. The world changes—red cliffs, caves, and unparalleled silence. We ride past the red cliffs of Dhakmar and arrive at the walled capital of Lo Manthang, the seat of the former Kingdom of Lo.

The Ride: Local exploration (dirt tracks).

Highlights: Chhoser Caves, Kora La (Tibet Border - 4,660m).

Description: A day to explore the extremities. We ride north to the Kora La pass, the border with Tibet/China. We also explore the Chhoser Sky Caves, ancient dwellings carved high into the cliff faces thousands of years ago.

Distance: 90 KM | 5-6 Hours

Altitude: 2,743m (8,999 ft)

The Ride: Descending the high desert.

Highlights: Kagbeni medieval village.

Description: We retrace our steps, battling the afternoon winds. We stop in Kagbeni, the gateway village that looks like a fortress from Game of Thrones, with its narrow alleyways and mud-brick houses.

Distance: 155 KM | 7-8 Hours

The Ride: Long, jarring descent.

Highlights: Tatopani Hot Springs (quick dip if time permits).

Description: A long, physically demanding day descending back to civilization. The warmth and oxygen of Pokhara will feel like a luxury after a week in the high desert.

Activity: Bike maintenance, laundry, massage, chilled beers by the lake.

Description: Mandatory downtime. The bikes need a thorough check before we tackle the Manang side (Annapurna Circuit), which is wetter and muddier than Mustang.

Distance: 110 KM | 5-6 Hours

Altitude: 1,700m (5,577 ft)

The Ride: Tarmac to Besisahar, then hardcore off-road.

Highlights: Entering the Manang Valley.

Description: We ride east to Besisahar, where the road turns into a jeep track. This is the start of the classic Annapurna Circuit. The road is carved into vertical rock faces. Tal is a stunning village located on a flat riverbed, surrounded by waterfalls.

Distance: 80 KM | 5-6 Hours

Altitude: 3,519m (11,545 ft)

The Ride: Steep climbs, pine forests, suspension bridges.

Highlights: Views of Annapurna II, III, and Gangapurna.

Description: The ride climbs sharply through dense pine forests. The air gets thinner and crisp. The arrival into Manang is dramatic, with the massive Annapurna range dominating the southern skyline.

The Ride: Local steep trails.

Highlights: Gangapurna Lake, Chongkor Viewpoint, or ride towards Khangsar (Tilicho Base).

Description: We spend the day exploring the high valley. We can ride up the steep, loose scree to Khangsar, the last village before Tilicho Lake, or hike to the Gangapurna glacial lake. The culture here is distinctly Tibetan.

Distance: 96 KM | 6-8 Hours

Altitude: 760m (2,490 ft)

The Ride: Technical descent. Rocky, muddy, and bumpy.

Highlights: Completing the circuit loop (descent).

Description: What goes up must come down. The descent is punishing on the suspension and the body. We end the ride in Besisahar, the district headquarters. This marks the official end of the motorcycle leg. We celebrate the completion of two of the world's hardest rides in one trip.

Transport: Private AC Van/Bus.

Description: We leave the bikes in Besisahar (to be trucked back) and take a comfortable private transfer back to Kathmandu. It’s a 5-6 hour drive. The evening is reserved for the final farewell dinner and distribution of the "Alumni Expedition" patches.

Description: Transfer to Kathmandu Airport (KTM) for your flight home.