KTM Nepal Ride Experience: Sandeep Nair and his KTM Adventure 390

KTM India organised its 2nd edition of KTM Pro-XP Upper Mustang, Nepal Adventure Tour in November, 2024. Registration was open to all KTM 390 Adventure riders from India and many enthusiastic riders signed up for it as well. One such rider is Sandeep Nair, a passionate rider who hails from Kerala. And In this article, we will talk about Sandeep’s experience at the KTM Pro-XP Upper Mustang, Nepal Adventure Tour.

The KTM Pro-XP Upper Mustang, Nepal Adventure Tour was a pretty long ride covering almost over 1,400km in the duration of 12 Nights and 13 Days. The ride started from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh and went to Lumbini, Nepal via the scenic and challenging routes of Pokhara, Lo Manthang and Manang. The route involved various terrain like tarmac, broken tarmac, forests, water crossings, slush and even sand. This ride was led and managed by KTM Pro-XP experts - Nilesh Dhumal, Bikesh Shrestha, and Nabin Shrestha, who is an off-road riding marshal.

Sandeep’s Experience at the Nepal Ride

Sandeep is an avid rider who loves touring, he previously owned a Himalayan 411, which he felt was not that refined and a bit underpowered for his style of riding, because of which he upgraded to the KTM 390 Adventure in April, 2021.

After receiving the delivery of his KTM 390 Adventure, Sandeep started attending KTM Pro-XP Rides and Adventure academies which boosted his confidence and made him sign up for the second edition of KTM Pro-XP Upper Mustang, Nepal Adventure Tour which was going to be one of his most memorable adventures ever. A few of Sandeep’s riding buddies also participated in the ride. 

Sandeep told us that the Nepal ride was a dream come true for him. He happened to miss the opportunity to participate in the 1st KTM Pro-XP Upper Mustang, Nepal Adventure Tour in 2023 due to a few financial constraints. But in 2024, he was prepared for it and was determined to make it happen.  Sharing his experience, Sandeep said, “Riding into Nepal felt like an international adventure and a milestone for me. The journey included stunning landscapes and challenging terrains. My KTM Adventure 390 performed flawlessly throughout, handling icy mornings and tough trails without any issues.”

When we asked Sandeep about the biggest challenge on this ride. He told us, “Off-roading was definitely challenging and risky. A slight imbalance could land you in a river or down a valley. The terrain required constant focus and energy, but that’s what made it an adventure. But you know, when you start enjoying something, it doesn’t feel like a challenge anymore—you start loving it.”

He further told us how even a few older riders were determined to complete this thrilling yet challenging ride, “Off-roading is definitely demanding. It requires a lot of standing, riding, balancing, and manoeuvring through tricky paths, which drains your energy. You need good stamina and mental strength. This ride wasn’t a race; it was about completing the journey, embracing the challenge, and achieving a sense of accomplishment.”

Moreover, KTM handled everything perfectly, from hotels to food and other essentials, even in remote areas. KTM provided mechanics, spare parts, ambulance support and a doctor, ensuring all the riders could focus on riding without any worries.

Sandeep described his experience as a “Must-try, once-in-a-lifetime adventure”. He added, “The scenery, the weather, the people—everything is extraordinary. As a rider, the experience with KTM is unparalleled. You get to connect with new people who share your passion.” This ride gave Sandeep memories that he will cherish forever. After talking to Sandeep some more, he told us that he is planning to do the Upper Mustang and Nepal ride with KTM once more. 

If you love motorcycles and want to explore new places on an unstoppable bike like the KTM 390 Adventure, then you should also join the upcoming KTM Pro-XP rides. If you wish to go on such adventurous and memorable rides, where you meet great people, explore new places and disconnect from your everyday life and the outside world for a while, then check out the KTM India website for more details.