The Annapurna Circuit has various itinerary variations. Most riders take 14 to 15 days, riding from the trailhead at Besisahar up the Marsyangdi valley to Manang, over the Thorong La at 5,416 m to Muktinath, and down the Kali Gandaki to Pokhara. From that basic shape there are four common variations: the classic guided trip, a longer-distance expedition version, a hike-and-bike version where you trek up and ride down, and a 22-day version that adds Upper Mustang.
The four itinerary options at a glance
Itinerary | Duration | Riding Distance | What Makes It Different | Best For |
Classic Guided Circuit | 15 days | About 200 km | Drive to Besisahar, then ride the full Annapurna Circuit over Thorong La Pass | Most riders; the classic Annapurna Circuit experience |
Expedition | 14 days | 230+ km | Ride directly from Pokhara instead of driving to the trailhead, with a larger support crew | Strong riders who want to earn every kilometre |
Hike and Bike | 15 days | 3 riding days | Trek the ascent and cross Thorong La Pass on foot, then bike the entire descent | Riders who want the circuit without riding the toughest climbs |
Annapurna Circuit + Upper Mustang | 22 days | 300+ km | Complete the Annapurna Circuit, then continue into the restricted Upper Mustang region to Lo Manthang | Experienced riders with extra time seeking the ultimate Himalayan adventure |
Why the Annapurna Circuit is a must-ride MTB trail
The Annapurna region is a paradise for mountain bikers who want adventure, culture and big Himalayan views in one trip. The circuit combines demanding riding, real cultural depth and mountain scenery, running from lush mid-hills through high alpine country to sacred villages. It is not simply a ride. It is a journey through one of the most beautiful parts of the world, under peaks over 8,000 m and past Buddhist traditions that are centuries old.
It is rated among the best high-altitude mountain bike routes in the world because of the variety it packs in. Riders cross:
Mid-hill river valleys: traditional villages, rolling terrain and terraced fields along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers.
Pine-forest foothills: remote villages, apple orchards and rich alpine trails.
Himalayan high passes: snow peaks, glacier lakes and the famous Thorong La.
Sacred and traditional sites: the monasteries of Manang, the temples of Muktinath, and centuries-old chortens.
Whether you are riding along the Marsyangdi, climbing the steep alpine sections, or crossing the Thorong La, every day brings a different mix of geography, local life and riding. The route suits moderately experienced to strong riders who can handle changing terrain, steep gradients and altitude.
How an Annapurna Circuit itinerary is built
Every version of the circuit follows the same underlying shape, and understanding it helps you read any itinerary you are shown.
Arrive in Kathmandu, then travel west to Pokhara, usually with a warm-up ride to check your bike and your legs.
Get to the trailhead. Most trips drive to Besisahar. The expedition version rides out of Pokhara instead.
Climb the Marsyangdi valley over three or four riding days, gaining height steadily through Syange, Dharapani, Chame and Pisang.
Take the high traverse into Manang, through Ghyaru and Ngawal. This is the best singletrack day of the trip.
Stop at Manang for a full acclimatization day. This is not padding. It is the single most important day in any circuit itinerary.
Climb high to Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, the base of the pass.
Cross the Thorong La at 5,416 m, pushing and carrying the bike to the top, then ride the long descent to Muktinath.
Descend the Kali Gandaki toward Pokhara, with the Lupra singletrack as the good line off the main road.
Finish in Pokhara and return to Kathmandu.
The variations come from where you start riding, whether you ride or walk the ascent, and whether you turn north into Mustang at the end.
Option 1: The classic 15-day guided circuit, day by day
The standard trip, and the right choice for most riders. You drive to the trailhead and ride the full circuit.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m). You are met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Thamel. Explore the streets, shops and cafes in the afternoon, then meet your guide in the evening for a briefing on trail conditions, altitude and safety.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Pokhara, 6 to 8 hours. A drive west through the mid-hills, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers past terraced farmland and river villages. Arrive at Pokhara, explore Lakeside, and rest before your first riding day.
Day 3: Warm-up ride around Pokhara. A gentle ride around the valley and Phewa Lake, so your guide can check your riding style and set your bike up for the trails ahead. Use the evening for any last-minute gear. A lightweight cashmere layer is worth picking up before you head into the mountains, as temperatures drop fast above 3,000 m.
Day 4: Drive to Besisahar, ride to Syange (1,100 m). 25 km, 4 to 5 hours. After a four-hour drive to Besisahar you start riding, through forest and past cascading waterfalls to Syange, a quiet village on the Marsyangdi. Your first night in the Annapurna region, with the river running below.
Day 5: Syange to Dharapani (1,860 m). 18 km, about 5 hours. Follow the Marsyangdi upstream past villages and farmland. The trail steepens and narrows as you climb to Dharapani, at the meeting of the Marsyangdi and Dudh Khola rivers.
Day 6: Dharapani to Chame (2,670 m). 18 km, 4 to 5 hours. Ride through apple orchards, terraced fields and pine forest. The trail climbs steadily past Danakyu and Timang before easing into Chame, the district headquarters of Manang, with views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
Day 7: Chame to Pisang (3,300 m). 17 km, 4 to 5 hours. A climb through fragrant pine forest, past the big apple orchard at Bhratang and the small lake at Dhikur Pokhari, into the drier upper valley where the alpine landscape takes over.
Day 8: Pisang to Manang (3,540 m) via Ghyaru. 22 km, 6 to 7 hours. The best riding day of the trip. A steep climb to Ghyaru (3,730 m) is rewarded with a high singletrack traverse and panoramic views of Annapurna II and IV. Watch for blue sheep on the slopes. Lunch at Ngawal, then down through the Humde valley, past Braga monastery, to Manang.
Day 9: Acclimatization day in Manang. A short hike to around 4,000 m helps your body adjust. Visit the Gangapurna glacier lake, the monastery and the chortens, and call in at the Himalayan Rescue Association post for their daily altitude talk.
Day 10: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,200 m). 10 km, 4 to 5 hours. High alpine riding past grazing yaks on a rocky trail, with snow peaks and glacial valleys opening around you.
Day 11: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,550 m). 7 km, 3 to 4 hours. Short but demanding, on rocky singletrack and narrow paths with a river crossing, up to the base of the pass.
Day 12: Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath (3,810 m). 19 km, 7 to 8 hours. The big day. An early start, then pushing and carrying the bike to the top of the pass for sweeping views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, followed by the long descent to Muktinath, a sacred site whose 108 water spouts are set in a semicircle behind the temple.
Day 13: Muktinath to Kalopani (2,530 m). 48 km, 5 to 6 hours. Climb to the Lupra pass, then descend on a technical and flowing trail into the Kali Gandaki, with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri on either side.
Day 14: Kalopani to Galeshwor (900 m), drive to Pokhara. 40 km, about 5 hours. A long descent through the Kali Gandaki valley, the deepest gorge on earth, then load the bikes at Galeshwor and drive back to Pokhara.
Day 15: Departure from Pokhara. Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.
See the trip: Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Guided Tour, 15 days.
Option 2: The 14-day expedition itinerary
Same circuit, ridden harder. The difference is at the start: instead of driving to Besisahar, you ride out of Pokhara and pedal your way to the trailhead, which pushes the total riding distance past 230 km. It runs with a bigger support crew, and it is a day shorter, so the days are fuller.
The shape:
Days 1 to 2: arrive in Kathmandu, travel to Pokhara.
Day 3: ride out of Pokhara toward Sundar Bazar, a long valley day of around 65 km.
Days 4 to 6: up the Marsyangdi through Syange and Chame to Upper Pisang.
Day 7: the high route into Manang via Ngawal.
Day 8: acclimatization at Manang.
Days 9 to 10: Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.
Day 11: over the Thorong La to Muktinath.
Days 12 to 13: down the Kali Gandaki past Marpha toward Beni, then drive to Pokhara.
Day 14: return to Kathmandu.
Choose this one if you are a strong rider who wants to earn the whole route rather than drive to the start.
See the trip: Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Expedition, 14 days.
Option 3: The 15-day hike and bike itinerary
The most accessible version, and the most different. You trek the entire ascent and cross the Thorong La on foot, then switch to a mountain bike at Muktinath and ride the whole descent.
The shape:
Days 3 to 7: trek up the Marsyangdi from Ngadi through Syange, Dharapani, Chame and Pisang to Manang, walking 15 to 22 km a day.
Day 8: acclimatization day at Manang.
Days 9 to 10: trek to Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi.
Day 11: the big walking day, over the Thorong La at 5,416 m and down to Muktinath, 19 km in 9 to 10 hours.
Day 12: the bikes come out. Ride Muktinath to Kalopani, 48 km, via the Lupra pass.
Day 13: ride Kalopani to Galeshwor, 40 km, then drive to Sarangkot.
Day 14: ride Sarangkot down to Pokhara, 20 to 30 km, after the sunrise.
Day 15: return to Kathmandu.
Choose this one if you want the circuit without riding the hardest climbs, if you are travelling with people who would rather walk, or if you want the gentlest way to acclimatize.
See the trip: Hike and Bike Annapurna Circuit, 15 days.
Option 4: The 22-day Circuit and Upper Mustang itinerary
The full version. You ride the circuit, then instead of turning for home at Muktinath, you head north across the permit line into Upper Mustang, the restricted former Kingdom of Lo, and ride to its walled capital.
The shape:
Days 1 to 3: Kathmandu, Pokhara, warm-up ride.
Days 4 to 6: Besisahar to Syange, Chame and Manang.
Day 7: Acclimatization at Manang.
Days 8 to 9: Thorong Phedi, then over the Thorong La to Muktinath.
Day 10: Muktinath to Kagbeni, the gateway village where your Upper Mustang permit is checked, and on to Chele.
Days 11 to 12: north through Ghiling to Charang on old salt-trade trails.
Days 13 to 14: reach Lo Manthang, the walled capital, and ride out to the Chhoser sky caves.
Days 15 to 17: a wilder route back out through Yara and Tangye and over the Pa Pass at around 4,200 m.
Days 18 to 20: down the Kali Gandaki past Marpha and the Tatopani hot springs to Beni, then drive to Sarangkot.
Days 21 to 22: ride down to Pokhara, then fly to Kathmandu.
Choose this one if you have the time and want the ultimate Annapurna trip. Note that Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so it needs a special permit and must be ridden as a guided trip.
See the trip: Annapurna Circuit and Upper Mustang, 22 days.
Which itinerary should you choose?
Choose the classic 15-day guided circuit if this is your first Himalayan trip and you want the standard, well-paced version of the route.
Choose the 14-day expedition if you are a strong, experienced rider who wants more distance and does not want to be driven to the trailhead.
Choose the hike-and-bike if you are not confident riding the entire ascent, if you want more time in the villages, or if you want the safest acclimatization. You still get the big descents.
Choose the 22-day Circuit and Upper Mustang if you have three weeks and want to add a restricted Tibetan kingdom to the trip.
Two things are the same in every version: the Thorong La is crossed on foot with the bike, and the acclimatization day at Manang stays in. If an itinerary you are shown anywhere skips that rest day, treat it as a warning sign.
What a typical day looks like
Days start early with breakfast at the teahouse and a briefing from your guide on the distance, the climb and the trail conditions ahead. Distances look short on paper, but the climbing and the altitude make them long: a 20 km day high on the circuit can take most of the day, while a descent day covers far more ground. You stop for lunch at a village teahouse, arrive in the afternoon, and spend the evening in the lodge dining room over dal bhat before an early night. The pass day is the exception: a pre-dawn start, a long push to the top, then the biggest descent of the trip.
The Annapurna Circuit is not just a ride. It is a journey through the geography, culture and natural beauty of Nepal, from river valleys and pine forests to alpine meadows and a Himalayan pass. Whichever itinerary you choose, the shape is the same: climb slowly, respect the altitude, cross the pass, and enjoy one of the great descents on earth.
Pick the version that suits your riding and your time, and talk to our team if you are not sure which one fits. For the full route guide, background and preparation advice, read our complete Annapurna Circuit route guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Annapurna Circuit by bike?
Most guided trips take 14 to 15 days. Ten days is possible but tight, and 22 days if you add Upper Mustang. The extra days mostly buy you acclimatization and a safer, more enjoyable pace.
What is the standard Annapurna Circuit bike itinerary?
Arrive in Kathmandu, travel to Pokhara, drive to the trailhead at Besisahar, then ride up the Marsyangdi through Syange, Dharapani, Chame and Pisang to Manang. Take a rest day, climb to Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi, cross the Thorong La to Muktinath, and descend the Kali Gandaki to Pokhara.
Can the itinerary be shortened?
Yes, by driving further up the valley or by shuttling sections, and some trips run in 10 to 12 days. What you should not shorten is the acclimatization day at Manang.
Which direction do you ride the circuit?
Anticlockwise, up the Marsyangdi valley and down the Kali Gandaki. That gives you a gradual climb to the pass, which is much better for acclimatizing, and it puts the big descent on the western side.
Do you ride over the Thorong La?
No. The final climb to 5,416 m is pushed and carried on foot on every version of the itinerary. From the top, you ride the long descent to Muktinath.
Which itinerary is best for a first-timer?
The classic 15-day guided circuit. If you are not confident riding the full ascent, the hike-and-bike version is the gentler way in.
How far do you ride each day?
Usually 20 to 25 km a day on the climb toward the pass, and 40 km or more on the descent days.
When is the best time to go?
Autumn (late September to November) is best, then spring (March to May).
What permits does the itinerary need?
ACAP and a licensed guide, possibly TIMS, and for the 22-day version, the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit are all arranged as part of our booking. Check our booking information.
