The ancient land of Mustang

September 24^th, 2026

Samar Village, Nepal

Woke early to see if clouds were off the mountain peaks.  There was bit more visibility, but not much better than yesterday, just different peaks.

Laid in bed longer, then woke and got ready.  Geared up and then packed everything so I was nearly ready to go.

Went out and watched clouds and mountains again for a bit, then joined the guide for breakfast in the restaurant.

We then finished packing, loaded the bikes and hit the road.

Nice ride on winding, paved road up the valley, clouds reaching down the mountain sides to blanket them in white.

Rivers and waterfalls were still flowing well, and daily life was going on around us.

Passed a group of sheep being sheered, and other workers doing what they do each day.

As before, plenty of spots on the road where road works slow things down a bit, but not too bad, mainly the oncoming trucks and passenger vans that do not want to get into the rougher road on their side, so drive down the wrong side of the road.

We stopped for coffee in the village area of Marpha.  This small town has very narrow roads going through it that are only for bikes and people, no cars can fit down them.  Even the bikes were a bit tight in spots.

Had to stop twice to show permits as we left lower mustang and entered upper mustang.

The roads started to climb as well, up, then down, and then back up.

We stopped in Kagbeni for lunch and ate at a local place called YacDonalds.  Yeah, you see it too.  Even the logo was a Yak head with two columns forming a stylized M shape.

I had a Yak Burger, which was VERY good.

We sat for a bit, then got back on the road.

This is where the road became a much narrower and beat up track through the mountains.

We soon arrived at a large river and across this bridge starts a series of switchbacks that just goes up!  I counted roughly 25 sharp turns on the way up.

Views from the top were incredible though.

We then continued onward for a short distance and arrived in the very small village of Samar, built way on the mountain side (and road keeps going higher from here).

We stopped at the first of the 3 tea house hotels in town and just as the rain was starting.  It had been spitting on us for last few miles, and now there was a steady light misty rain coming down.

Parked the bikes and took bags inside.

We got into the room and unpacked, and changed.

Some nice views from the hotel of the surrounding area.

I took a partial shower as the water was not very warm, just washing face and head and hands and feet.

I then tried working in the room a bit, but was not easy holding laptop in my lap while laying in bed and I wanted to start editing a new video.

Internet was not working, so would not be able to upload, but at least get the work done.

I grabbed what I thought I would need and went over to the restaurant and sat there where I had access to a power outlet and some nice views out the window.

Worked for a bit there, and after awhile the guide found me there and since it was nearing 5:00 PM, we decided to have dinner.

Ordered our food and then sat and talked while I worked until food arrived.

We both had a Dal Bhat set, a traditional meal here in Nepal, especially in the mountain regions.

A pile of rice in the center, a few sauces, the chicken I ordered (chunks with the bone still in, not easy to eat) and several vegetable options around the large round tray.

I drank a coke, and regretted it.  Maybe it’s the altitude (we are at 3500 meters, or 11,400 feet), but I felt so bloated between that soda and I think the rice.

I stayed at the table till about 8:00 PM when the guide went to turn in and looked like the family running the place were about done with the nightly cleaning as well, so I returned to my room so they could secure the place up.

It is also still raining outside, hopefully it stops overnight, or roads could be interesting tomorrow.

I finished the last hour sitting in the bed, which was not easy, but got the visual components of the video done.  I will work on the audio tomorrow night.

At this point I put everything away and tucked myself into bed under the massive 4 inch thick blanket and fell asleep.

Catch ya down the road.