In 2002, Hens Ray, a British traveler/cyclist explored this place and promoted it. Thankful to Ray, since then the craze of mountain biking at Annapurna has escalated and is renowned for mountain biking besides adventurous trekking.
Riders will have to exert pressure against cold because the region’s trail will take them up to 5416 m, which is why passing Thorang La is a big deal. If you are thinking of riding all the way through this stone cold place, then it’s inevitable. At times, you will have to follow hike and bike option (1000 m daily for about 4 days) and other times, mostly when you are tired, sharing vehicles will be your best choice.
Cycling trail routes of Annapurna are blended with jeep route, cross-country route, and single route. The paths are very technical because of some downhill areas, which are dusty and gritty as well. To rejuvenate your energy from long loathing travel, every other hour, you will be greeted by waterfalls, greeneries, and Annapurna ranges.
The circuit welcomes mountain bikers of age group 20 and above. Mark your calendars for September, October, and November because climates are very moderate for cycling in these months.
Itinerary
What's Included
What's Excluded
Enqiure
Day 01:
Meet the guide, check your bikes over before starting the ride the next day and have dinner with the riding group.
Day 02:
Kathmandu-Kakani-Kathmandu, preparation ride.
After breakfast the ride will start from either from your hotel or the office. Remember to stay on the left hand side of the road and listen to your guide as there will be busy traffic for about 10-15minute. Today starts with a climb for while then we'll take a tea break. It's then a flat ride to Tinpiple and slow a climb to Kaule and the last 3km is a steep uphill climb to the small village of Kakani. Kakani is located at 1900m. There will be a beautiful mountain view and we'll have lunch here before heading into Sivapuri National Park to the famous mtb biking trail, scar route. This is a natural and flowy trail that is really nice up to Gurju Bhanjyang and a small climb and then downhill to a village called Sangle. Then up and down back to Kathmandu.
Distance - 45km.
Altitude - 1350m.
Day 03:
Kathmandu-Beshisahar (driving) .
It's a 6 hour drive from Kathmandu to Beshisahar. Lunch will be on the way, and there should be time to have a look around to village when we arrive. The bikes will come with us in a Jeep.
Distance - Not covered by bicycle.
Altitude - 765m.
Day 04:
Beshisahar-Tal.
Today starts with up and down riding for a while and it's a climb to Tal. Take it easy as this is the first day of riding on your adventure. You will pass through amazing landscape on your ride. It's 100% off road today. There are some of steep climbs where you will need to push your bike. Lunch will be on the way and there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos. Tal is a cool place to stay overnight. It is located on the bank of Marsyangdi river and has around 20-25 houses in the village.
Distance - 39km.
Altitude - 1700m.
Day 05:
Tal-Chame.
The ride starts with a flat section and then we cross a river via a suspension bridge and then start a climb on jeep tracks. Today there will be some amazing views of landscape, rockfaces and high mountains. Lunch will be local dal bhat and the ride will done by 4:00pm. Chame is quite a big town within this region. There is a small natural hot spring across the river that is free to use.
Distance - 23km.
Altitude - 2660m.
Day 06:
Chame-Manang via upper route.
The track from Chame is up and down and you will have a close view of Annapurna 3 on your left, across the river Marsyangdi. Each day around Annapurna shows you something new. Lunch will be along the way. After lunch we'll go through the villages Pisang, Ghyaru and Nawal, each with their own beauty. To reach Ghyaru there is a pushing section for 30-45 minutes, after this the hard work is done for the day.
Distance - 30km.
Altitude - 3550m.
Day 07:
Manang rest day.
Use this day to have a look around to the village of Manang and rest up. If you feel like a hike, you can go up to “Chorong”, a view point across a river 300m above the village, where there is a breathtaking view of Manang, Gangaurna mountain and Gangapurna lake.
Distance - 0km.
Altitude - 3550m.
Day 08:
Manang-Throng Phedi .
Today about 40% of todays track is pushing work. Like always the view will be great, however to day you will get to see some yaks. There is a nice tea station on the way where we can have a break. There are some of flowy single tracks for a bit as well, enjoy the ride and acclimatise to the high altitude. Make sure you drink enough water. We will reach Phedi by 3pm. It's an nice place with a warm dining hall where many other travellers will be staying. Take it easy and if you feel any altitude sickness please let your guide know.
Distance - 19km.
Altitude - 4450m.
Day 09:
Phedi-Throng-la pass-Muktinath.
It's an early morning start in the dark so please use your head lamp. Till we reach the Throng pass it's 98% of carrying and pushing. The pass is 5416m high, the highest point of a trip, with the potential of snow. There will be lots of hikers along the way. In the peak season around 300 people pass through Thorang-pass. Remember to take it easy, don’t push your limits as we're at a very high altitude. We'll stop at the top for about 15 - 20 minutes, plenty of oppurtunities for photos! Then it's a 2000m descent to Muktinath. If you're comfortable with downhill you can ride all the way down to Muktinath, it's all single track with loose gravel and 100 switchback till the base camp and a flowy single track to Muktinath. Muktinath is a historical Hindu temple in the Mustang region, a temple of Lord Bishnu. It's quite a nice town with a view point and a temple just a small hike away to see with your guide.
Distance - 23km.
Altitude - 3600m.
Day 10:
Muktinath-Lubra-Marpha.
The ride starts with a flowy single track for bit and then a climb for about 300 to the Lubra pass. We'll stop for 10 minutes to take some photos and rest before the 1400m desent to Lubra valley. It's a single track with loose gravel and some flowy sections as well. After the steep part you will drop down to the river section which is fun and flowy. Then it's all up and down to Marpha. We'll have lunch in a town called Jomsom. Jomsom is a major town of the Mustang district, there is an bank with an ATM and a small airstrip too. After lunch the ride will be more scenic. Marpha is famous for it's himalayan apple. You can have apple cider, juice, pie, custard and much more. Have a look around to the town, note the white painted houses, Tibetan influence and wood panelled houses.
Distance - 29km.
Altitude - 2600m.
Day 11:
Marpha-Tatopani.
The day starts on undulating jeep tracks and crossing a suspension bridge. We'll ride through Tibetan refugee camps, pine forests, the world's deepest valley and deepest gorge, the biggest waterfall in nepal, two 8000m+ mountains up close and another 7-8 suspension bridges over about a 1600m of descent. The tracks today vary however after lunch you will be mostly riding on jeep tracks so please listen to your guide. It's really enjoyable and challenging riding on jeep tracks; we call them jeep tracks but the track is like a wide downhill track with rocky sections. The ride will be done by 3-4pm, then we can get into a hot-spring with a chilled beer and relax.
Distance - 47km.
Altitude - 1100m.
Day 12:
Tatopani-Beni-Pokhara.
This is the last day of your ride. It's not an all day ride. It's kind of a short morning ride on up-down jeep tracks for about 2-3 hour. Then we take a 2-3 hour drive to Pokhara via van. It's a chilled out evening with an outside dinner.
Distance - 20km.
Altitude - 850m.
Day 13:
Pokhara-Kathmandu.
Enjoy the morning in Pokhara, we have an afternoon flight. We'll have a dinner together back in Kathmandu.
Day 14:
Kathmandu-Home.
Transportation to the airport can be arranged if required.
Meet the guide, check your bikes over before starting the ride the next day and have dinner with the riding group.
Day 02:
Kathmandu-Kakani-Kathmandu, preparation ride.
After breakfast the ride will start from either from your hotel or the office. Remember to stay on the left hand side of the road and listen to your guide as there will be busy traffic for about 10-15minute. Today starts with a climb for while then we'll take a tea break. It's then a flat ride to Tinpiple and slow a climb to Kaule and the last 3km is a steep uphill climb to the small village of Kakani. Kakani is located at 1900m. There will be a beautiful mountain view and we'll have lunch here before heading into Sivapuri National Park to the famous mtb biking trail, scar route. This is a natural and flowy trail that is really nice up to Gurju Bhanjyang and a small climb and then downhill to a village called Sangle. Then up and down back to Kathmandu.
Distance - 45km.
Altitude - 1350m.
Day 03:
Kathmandu-Beshisahar (driving) .
It's a 6 hour drive from Kathmandu to Beshisahar. Lunch will be on the way, and there should be time to have a look around to village when we arrive. The bikes will come with us in a Jeep.
Distance - Not covered by bicycle.
Altitude - 765m.
Day 04:
Beshisahar-Tal.
Today starts with up and down riding for a while and it's a climb to Tal. Take it easy as this is the first day of riding on your adventure. You will pass through amazing landscape on your ride. It's 100% off road today. There are some of steep climbs where you will need to push your bike. Lunch will be on the way and there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos. Tal is a cool place to stay overnight. It is located on the bank of Marsyangdi river and has around 20-25 houses in the village.
Distance - 39km.
Altitude - 1700m.
Day 05:
Tal-Chame.
The ride starts with a flat section and then we cross a river via a suspension bridge and then start a climb on jeep tracks. Today there will be some amazing views of landscape, rockfaces and high mountains. Lunch will be local dal bhat and the ride will done by 4:00pm. Chame is quite a big town within this region. There is a small natural hot spring across the river that is free to use.
Distance - 23km.
Altitude - 2660m.
Day 06:
Chame-Manang via upper route.
The track from Chame is up and down and you will have a close view of Annapurna 3 on your left, across the river Marsyangdi. Each day around Annapurna shows you something new. Lunch will be along the way. After lunch we'll go through the villages Pisang, Ghyaru and Nawal, each with their own beauty. To reach Ghyaru there is a pushing section for 30-45 minutes, after this the hard work is done for the day.
Distance - 30km.
Altitude - 3550m.
Day 07:
Manang rest day.
Use this day to have a look around to the village of Manang and rest up. If you feel like a hike, you can go up to “Chorong”, a view point across a river 300m above the village, where there is a breathtaking view of Manang, Gangaurna mountain and Gangapurna lake.
Distance - 0km.
Altitude - 3550m.
Day 08:
Manang-Throng Phedi .
Today about 40% of todays track is pushing work. Like always the view will be great, however to day you will get to see some yaks. There is a nice tea station on the way where we can have a break. There are some of flowy single tracks for a bit as well, enjoy the ride and acclimatise to the high altitude. Make sure you drink enough water. We will reach Phedi by 3pm. It's an nice place with a warm dining hall where many other travellers will be staying. Take it easy and if you feel any altitude sickness please let your guide know.
Distance - 19km.
Altitude - 4450m.
Day 09:
Phedi-Throng-la pass-Muktinath.
It's an early morning start in the dark so please use your head lamp. Till we reach the Throng pass it's 98% of carrying and pushing. The pass is 5416m high, the highest point of a trip, with the potential of snow. There will be lots of hikers along the way. In the peak season around 300 people pass through Thorang-pass. Remember to take it easy, don’t push your limits as we're at a very high altitude. We'll stop at the top for about 15 - 20 minutes, plenty of oppurtunities for photos! Then it's a 2000m descent to Muktinath. If you're comfortable with downhill you can ride all the way down to Muktinath, it's all single track with loose gravel and 100 switchback till the base camp and a flowy single track to Muktinath. Muktinath is a historical Hindu temple in the Mustang region, a temple of Lord Bishnu. It's quite a nice town with a view point and a temple just a small hike away to see with your guide.
Distance - 23km.
Altitude - 3600m.
Day 10:
Muktinath-Lubra-Marpha.
The ride starts with a flowy single track for bit and then a climb for about 300 to the Lubra pass. We'll stop for 10 minutes to take some photos and rest before the 1400m desent to Lubra valley. It's a single track with loose gravel and some flowy sections as well. After the steep part you will drop down to the river section which is fun and flowy. Then it's all up and down to Marpha. We'll have lunch in a town called Jomsom. Jomsom is a major town of the Mustang district, there is an bank with an ATM and a small airstrip too. After lunch the ride will be more scenic. Marpha is famous for it's himalayan apple. You can have apple cider, juice, pie, custard and much more. Have a look around to the town, note the white painted houses, Tibetan influence and wood panelled houses.
Distance - 29km.
Altitude - 2600m.
Day 11:
Marpha-Tatopani.
The day starts on undulating jeep tracks and crossing a suspension bridge. We'll ride through Tibetan refugee camps, pine forests, the world's deepest valley and deepest gorge, the biggest waterfall in nepal, two 8000m+ mountains up close and another 7-8 suspension bridges over about a 1600m of descent. The tracks today vary however after lunch you will be mostly riding on jeep tracks so please listen to your guide. It's really enjoyable and challenging riding on jeep tracks; we call them jeep tracks but the track is like a wide downhill track with rocky sections. The ride will be done by 3-4pm, then we can get into a hot-spring with a chilled beer and relax.
Distance - 47km.
Altitude - 1100m.
Day 12:
Tatopani-Beni-Pokhara.
This is the last day of your ride. It's not an all day ride. It's kind of a short morning ride on up-down jeep tracks for about 2-3 hour. Then we take a 2-3 hour drive to Pokhara via van. It's a chilled out evening with an outside dinner.
Distance - 20km.
Altitude - 850m.
Day 13:
Pokhara-Kathmandu.
Enjoy the morning in Pokhara, we have an afternoon flight. We'll have a dinner together back in Kathmandu.
Day 14:
Kathmandu-Home.
Transportation to the airport can be arranged if required.
