Mountain Bike Tour to Annapurna Circuit

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Annapurna Circuit is renowned as one of the finest trekking trails globally, often ranking in the top ten must-visit places in the world. However, embarking on a biking tour along the Annapurna Circuit transcends mere adventure; it offers an exceptional journey through a landscape rich in biodiversity and captivating scenery. From enchanting waterfalls to pristine rivers, serene lakes to deep gorges, and from Buddhist monasteries to world-famous temples, the circuit is a treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders. Cycling along the trail provides unparalleled opportunities to engage with local communities and gain insights into their way of life. Stretching between 160 to 230 kilometers, depending on your starting and ending points, the circuit promises a memorable exploration. Embarking from Bhulbhule, situated at 840 meters above sea level, in an anticlockwise direction is a practical route choice. This approach ensures a gradual altitude gain each day, following a scientific progression. As you ascend, passing through oak, pine, and rhododendron forests, as well as Buddhist villages, the journey unfolds amidst breathtaking landscapes. A side trip to Tilicho Lake, the world's highest freshwater lake, adds another dimension to the adventure. While biking beyond Manang presents its challenges, the rewards come in the form of unparalleled scenery. Riding to and beyond Thorong La, the circuit's highest point at 5416 meters, is not just a thrilling adventure but a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Despite its intangible health benefits, the trip carries inherent risks due to its rugged topography. However, the stunning vistas of the Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Fishtail, Gangaputra, Tilicho Peak, Chulu West, and other towering peaks above 6000 meters serve as a constant source of inspiration, keeping your spirits high. Undoubtedly, Annapurna Circuit mountain biking isn't tailored for luxury seekers. Yet, it remains the ultimate choice for adventure enthusiasts and mountain biking aficionados alike. If you count yourself among them, we stand ready to curate a world-class mountain biking tour for you. Get in touch with us for further details about our programs and packages.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. — Food Dinner Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be greeted with flower garlands/Khadas. Our representative will then take you to your hotel. If time prevails, you will visit office for paperwork. Stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 2: Trip preparation and city tour of Kathmandu or Patan and Bhaktapur. — Food Breakfast Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 Today, you will visit popular world heritage monuments in Kathmandu including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath, and Pashupatinath. Alternatively, you can choose Bhakatapur and Patan sightseeing. By late afternoon you will drive back to your hotel. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge After early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is paved road and from there to Bhulbule is graveled. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 4: Ride from Bhulbhule to Tal takes about six hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 1700 When you arrive in a wide plateau at the village of Tal, a site of an ancient lakebed, there is a fantastic waterfall along the way and you will definitely enjoy the scenery despite of the first day riding pain. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 5: Ride from Tal to Chame that takes about 4-5 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2670 Your bike riding is completely on jeep track. The ascending trail passes though pristine forest, prayer mani wall and local settlements. Chame is the capital of Manang district where you can find bakery and spend some time on internet surfing. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 6: Ride from Chame to Manang that takes about 5-6 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3540 Today is your another great day of riding that follows Bhratang (2850m), Dhikuri Pokhari (3060m), Lower Pisang (3300m) and Humde (3280m) before reaching Manang. There are a several monasteries along the way and the famous Barga Monastery is worth to visit. Distinct landscape and vegetation have made an ancient Manang village a unique and mysterious. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 7: Today is an important rest day for acclimatization before crossing the Thorong La Pass. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Today, we will clean our bike and lubed it well for the rest of our journey. Manang has plenty to offer for sight excursion. There are optional walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley as well as visit Hundred Rupees Lama Monastery and hike to Gangapurna Lake. If you want to explore Tilicho Lake, then you need two additional days. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 8: Ride from Manang to Yak Kharka takes about three hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 4350 This morning the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang village (3960m). Despite ride-able trail, you will find today’s riding quite difficult because of altitude gain. En route, you can see panoramic mountain views all day long. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 9: Ride from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi takes about 3 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 4450 Today’s trail first slightly descends and cross Jorsang River at 4,310m before ascending steeply. Along the trail, we cross several small wooden bridges over lively streams, and ride through a narrow path towards Thorung Phedi. Phedi is a Nepali word that means base of any peak or mountain. Day Day 10: Ride from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (4200 m) via Throng La Pass (5416 m) takes about 6 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 4200 Today is the most challenging day and consumes lot of your energy. You will start your journey early morning to avoid afternoon wind at pass. You are required to push and carry your mountain bike mostly until you reach the pass. The trail becomes steep immediately and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you see chorten and prayer flags fluttering from the Thorong La pass. Thorong La pass is one of the highest passes in the Annapurna region. After the pass, second part of the day begins, and the effort you made earlier is well rewarded with a spectacular 1600m descend down into Muktinath on technical single track. Muktinath is one of the most sacred places in the Himalaya for both Hindus and Buddhists. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 11: Ride from Muktinath to Marpha takes about 4-5 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2667 Today your riding includes mostly on jeep track. Today’s trail passes through small villages with typical Tibetan style and after about two hours of pure downhill fun on the valley floor, you reach Jomsom for lunch. You will continue descend down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Marpha is famous for apple and local strong apple brandy. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 12: Ride from Marpha to Tatopani takes about 4-5 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 1190 First, you will ride from Marpha to Ghasa, crossing Thakali villages such as Tukuche, Larjung, Kalopani and Lete. From Ghasa, the trail gradually descends to Tatopani passing through forests along with one of the most beautiful and longest Rupchechahara waterfalls. Tatopani is a natural hot spring where you can take hot water bath and relax. This is a wonderful place to relax your mind and body and pamper yourself after a great biking on Annapurna trail. Locals believe the hot spring provides therapeutic treatment for those suffering from skin diseases. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 13: Ride from Tatopani to Pokhara via Beni takes about 3-4 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 900 The trail from Tatopani to Phokhara is off road and from Beni you will ride on well paved road. Beni is a small town where we stop for lunch and make some sight excursion. Then, we will continue our riding to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara. Day Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu — Food BLD Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours..Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 15: Departure — Food Breakfast As per your flight schedule, our airport representative will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your final departure.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE