Mountain Biking in Annapurna Circuit

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel in Thamel. Thamel is a popular touristic setting which offers convenience of food, beverages, hotels and entertainment at your doorsteps. Depending on the time of your arrival in Kathmandu, a tour briefing and introduction with your guide will be arranged. Later in the evening, along with completion of necessary paper works for the permits we as well will enjoy our dinner. Hotel SH Altitude: 1340 meters

After an early morning breakfast in Kathmandu, we head due north into the Kathmandu valley. You will explore fantastic trails encompassed by the surroundings in Kathmandu and at a very leisurely pace. Behind the scenes, our mechanic and team will take opportunity on this ideal day to give a final rundown on bike maintenance and checks as well as make the required permits and pack necessary logistics. SH (B) Cycling Distance: approx. 20 kilometers Altitude: 1340 meters

Your Annapurna Mountain biking trip begins on this day by boarding a bus to Besisahar. The drive takes approximately 6 hours and we begin our journey only after breakfast. It is advised to carry light snacks and water for the journey, although the bus will make multiple stops for lunch and refreshments. Upon arrival in Besisahar, you will check in to a guest house and rest your bags. Depending on your arrival time, you will either explore the town or go for a small warm up ride in the countryside. Guest House SH (B & D) Total Distance: 187 kilometers Duration: approx. 6hrs Altitude: 760 meters

After breakfast you will set off for the first time on bike, on the Manang-Dumre Jeep track, following the Marsyangdi River upstream. Once you reach Bhulbhule the road inclines gradually until Syange. From Syange steep uphill section starts and continues all the way to Chemche. From here on you will have to be cautious of the vehicles and caravans of mules that ply on this mountainous road until you reach Chamche. You will furthermore continue on the Jeep track, this section of the trail is the longest uphill section of the day, which is as well a landslides prone region. Soon after this arduous section you will be welcomed by a rustic gate of Taal. From this point onwards you are in the district of Manang. It is in Taal where we would call it a day and unpack ourselves.  Guest House BH (B, L & D) Cycling Distance: 37 kilometers Altitude: 1700 meters

The road to Chame is uphill from Taal and much of your energy will be sapped during the last three hours of ride. It is important not to forget to fill up your camel back and pack some energy bars. It is strongly advised to keep by the wall at all times from here onwards. Furthermore, keep close attention to passing by caravans as they are notorious and well known for changing their course suddenly. After a long tedious ride you catch your breath in the village of Timang. But, before you reach Timang you will have to burn all your energy to overcome 35 degrees gradient inclination of a forested trail. From here your rest stop is another good 3 to 4 kilometers ride but easier on the legs. You reach Chame which at 2630 meters and check into the Guest House. BH (B, L & D) Cycling Distance: 23 kilometers Altitude: 2670 Meters

Fresh smell of alpine forest immediately after you cross the steel road bridge at Chame village gives you a hunch of slowly being in the altitude. Right out of the village and you will make your way through dense Pine forest to reach beautiful village of Pisang. You leave behind the main trail that leads to Humde and fork right to follow the trail to upper Manang, towards the village of Ghyaru. Soon after you cross the bridge at Pisang, you will enter terrain with shrubs which further leads to a stunning turquoise lake on your right. Time and again you will play hide and seek in the pine forests which opens to the suspension bridges and better views. You will start to feel the first affect of altitude from here on. Nevertheless, a well marked trail continues to snake up to the village of Ghyaru, which is situated at an altitude of 3670 meters. At Ghyaru, you will be rewarded with the views of beautiful Marsyangdi valley down below. On the other hand, the towering peaks of Annapurna in the south and a flat axe like shaped mountain called Swarga Dwari (Heaven's Gate) in the east set up the show. On the side note, the village of Ghyaru originally was famous by the name of YAK RU, which as per the folklores was named by a wandering Lama from Tibet. Guest House BH (B, L & D) Distance: 33 kilometers Altitude: 3670 meters

If the weather permits, early sunrise and the panoramic view of mountains is eye pleaseing. The primary inhabitants of Ghyaru are believed to be the descendants of Tibet and you will see them doing their chores while pushing the bike through the icy paths before the trail becomes ride able again. You will continue to ride the trail and go past the 600 years old ruins of Bandi Lhama Durbar . The all ride able downhill trail brings you to the village of Perkyung. The trail further flats out to the village of Braka. Here you will meet the main road that leads to Manang. The broad jeep road follows the beautiful Marshyangdi River. Another one and half miles ride from Braka takes you to the village of Manang, where you check into a Hotel and call it a day. For you information, Manang village has almost all the modern amenities you need, such as internet cafe and bakery. Yes, a Bakery shop! You can quench your cravings for sweet deserts or few freshly baked rolls and breads right here in this village. Guest House BH (B, L & D) Distance: 16 kilometers Altitude: 3540 meters

We take an additional day in Manang and get acclimatized before ascending to the higher grounds and towards Thorong-La. This is well deserved rest day in Manang and without any activities. However, we encourage you to take a short hike up the Gangapurna Lake and the surrounding peaks. These small trips to higher altitude help you in the acclimatization process. A restful but an active day will certainly help you gain confidence and comfort to push your pedal on days to come. The rest day provides an amazing opportunity to capture your journey on camera lenses. You may not want to miss this opportunity as you are surrounded by 8000 meter peaks on today’s day. Guest House BH (B) Altitude: 3540 meters

Past Manang you will see altitude picking up more rapidly, so you need to be more cautious riding beyond this point. A steady climb of 2 kilometer after Manang brings you to Ghusang, at 3900 meters. Keep your feet steady as you will start to feel real pressure on your legs as you maneuver slippery icy uphill trails, almost all the way to Thorong Phedi. It is a short distance to Thorong Phedi but has been the most difficult for a lot of riders as a result of not getting along with riding in the altitudes. You have to watch for any early signs of AMS at this stage. It is absolutely important to ride the bikes on energy saving mode as you would require plenty for the next day ascend to Thorong-La pass. We highly recommend you hydrate well and hit the sack early and get proper rest. Guest House BH (B, L & D) Distance: 22 kilometers Altitude: 4450 meters

You will start the earliest of all days while on the trail and in the morning, around 4:00am. The before dawn ritual is to cross Thorong-La Pass (5416m) which takes long and which is technically challenging. The idea is to cross the pass by the dawn, otherwise the wind gust is strong in the late morning which adds salt to the injury. The first 5 kilometers ascent to reach the top of Thorong-la is painfully slow and arduous as you will have to carry your bike on your back and in the dark. After a quick photo sessions (most likely selfies), you descend down the steep slopes to Muktinath. Although it is downhill, this section of the trail until you reach the bottom of Thorung – La is very technical and exhilarating. From the bottom until the holy site of Muktinath, it is a tog gear race. You ride further on the wide and winding motor able track to Kagbeni, which is our pit stop for the day. In Kagbeni, you would get opportunity to enjoy some of the modern facilities and even drink a fresh cup of 'Cappuccino'. Guest House BH (B, L & D) Distance: 22 kilometers Altitude: 2800 meters

This section provides one of the fastest and best downhill rides. Keep close eye on the vehicles passing while negotiating bends, as they may be carrying heavy load of construction materials. After one heck of mostly downhill ride you will reach the destination of the day. Tatopani, means hot water in Nepali and sure enough there is a natural hot water spring waiting for you at the end of the day. It is believed that dipping yourself in the hot water pool and staying there for a while wears off the fatigue and helps you reinvigorate yourself. Guest House BH (B, L & D) Distance: 92 kilometers Altitude: 1190 meters

You will begin a hot and dusty ride towards the tropic of Beni, which is somewhat challenging after getting along with riding high up in the mountains. The option to start early in the morning is because we will not have to suffer much from the scorching heat of the day. Once you reach Beni you will take a local bus to transfer to the tourist town of Pokhara. Hotel SH (B & L) Cycling Distance: Approx 22 kilometers Driving: 4 hours Altitude: 820 meters

You will take an early morning tourist bus to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel. Farewell dinner in the evening. Guest House SH (B) Distance: 200 kilometers Driving: Approx 6 -7 hours Altitude: 1340 meters