Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Tour

Annapurna Circuit Biking Tour - 17Days

Group size 1 - 12 pax
Max-Altitude: 5416m / 17768.81ft
Destination : Nepal
Fitness level : Moderate
Arrival on: Kathmandu
Departure From: Kathmandu/Pokhara

Trip Highlights

An amazing ride like nowhere in the world
Legendary pass and challenging trails
High altitude ride
Thorong-La Pass 5416 meters
Pine forest, Apple orchard
Wow moments each day as we ride through diverse terrain and topography
GangaPurna Glacier Lake
Temples and Monasteries with colorful prayer flags
Waterfalls, flora and fauna
Jaw-dropping views
Natural hot spring to soak in as a retreat therapy after a long ride
Meeting locals and embracing their lifestyle

Trip Description

The Majestic Annapurna Circuit has been considered one of the best high altitude mountain biking destinations for mountain biker from all over the world. In recent years, the construction of jeep track accessing the majority of the Annapurna Circuit has brought many changes to the region affecting trekkers and good access to mountain bikers. Most significantly for us, as avid mountain bikers and MTB tour operator, we have gained access to high altitude biking trails that cannot be matched anywhere else on the earth. This stunning bike trip takes us to some of the most beautiful places in the world and it is not hard to see why it has become a mountain bike riders dream Circling the spectacular Annapurna massif of numerous 6000-8000m peaks, the biking trails pass through two geographically and culturally distinct river valleys, which are separated by the Annapurna range. This mountain biking heaven will offers high Himalayan trails, dessert, and pine forest and foothills trails of Nepal. We’ll ride through subtropical jungle, encountering towering cliffs, waterfalls and pristine mountain villages along with temples and monasteries. This unique route also includes a Mani wall and prayer wheels, apple orchards, natural hot springs, and a variety of flora and fauna along the way through various terrain and landscapes. We promise an awe-inspiring experience on this mountain bike journey.

Average ride distance: 25 to 35 Km in a day

Flexibility, safety and customer care: we are proud to be the local company that allows us freedom to offer more flexibility in our itinerary and dedicated to our customer care and service. In our 17 years of mountain biking tour operator history there is no single recorded history of severe altitude sickness and major injury/accident. Our priority is taking good care of our clients to make sure every client are safe, sound and having fun each day while in the trip.

Fitness and skills level: good level of cardio fitness, endurance stamina in physical and rocky, sandy, switchbacks and single track riding skills in technical sections and also bike pushing /carrying skills may required.

IS this trip right for me? People who are physically, mentally fit and who does mountain biking/hiking regularly average rides at least once in a week at home. Who are daring to go through high altitude ride and high passes!

Length of the trip: our standard trip is designed for intermediate riders that are why it’s longer than any other companies’ itinerary. Also our standard itinerary is altitude friendly, we believe whatever takes longer is better! We recommend riding slowly in Mountain. However we also can organize the Round Annapurna circuit trip in shorter version for 10 to 12 days to those who have short holiday and higher level of fitness in Physical and technical. If you would like to create shorter trip please contact us.

Food, accommodation and internet: there will be 3 star hotels in Katmandu and Pokhara and local tea houses and home stay in Mountains. It will be nice and clean room with hot water and Wi-Fi access in most of the places. You can choose the different food each and every day. We are open to book the 5 star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per your wish and budget.

Guides and crew: all our guides are full time employee passionate riders; dedicated to the job have intense local knowledge of the region and all our guides have been holding national and international license in their respective discipline as a Mountain bike guide and trekking guide.

Female MTB guides: we are the company training and empowering youth and girls into mountain biking and outdoor tourism. We also have ladies guides if our female riders like to have female guides come along.

Optional trip: there are plenty of trails to take you on your biking holiday. We can combine Annapurna and Upper Mustang trip to those who like to have longer holidays in Himalayas for 3 weeks. Also the anti-clockwise Hiking and Mountain biking Round the Annapurna circuit.

Is this trip for a road biker? Yes! We have been organizing this trip even for road bikers as well. Our previous cyclist from road cycling background well handled the trip and learned the skills of mountain biking in this holiday.

Proposed Trip Itinerary

Please keep in mind; this is only an outline/sample itinerary. We understand that every rider is different, so we design each trip to cater to the specific needs of the group/individual. Easy, Moderate, Advanced, faster, chilled, or cruising…. Whatever your style – it’s your holiday/vacation/trip not a boot camp! We are here to listen, consult and understand your needs. We believe on your day you decide!

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu

Our representative will come to receive you at the Tribhuwan international airport then transfer to your hotel. This is the day to get relax in your hotel or wonder around just to get to know how Kathmandu streets look like! Our team will meet and speak with further plan of your holiday.

Day 02 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley

Kathmandu is the city with great history of Kings, culture, architect, temples, monasteries and many more…. We really like to saw you the best of the Kathmandu that has to offer in history. There are Museums, monasteries and temples we can visit. Or if you like to stretch your body and legs we also can take you to ride in Kathmandu valley. Choices up to you we have many options to celebrate your 2nd day in Kathmandu.

Day 03 : Drive to Pokhara (800m)

Our trip starts after the breakfast in the Hotel, leaving the Kathmandu behind our journey start to Pokhara. We will drive on a private van through Midhills and along the river by observing the beauty of landscapes and amazing views of the Himalayas. We will also have option to fly to Pokhara if individually or groups like to fly. Our driving journey will take 6 to 7 hours.

Day 04 : Biking in Pokhara Valley (800 to 1500m)

It’s really an amazing day because we will start our ride here in Pokhara Valley which is our home playground. It’s a warm up ride, getting familiar with your bike, guides and gears, also to stretch your muscles to be ready for the big adventure which starts next day. We will ride 4 to 5 hours that will cover approx 25 to 35 km which is going to be enough warm up for the next day. We will also prepare and recheck all the stuff, meeting guides, porters, driver and all the crews.

Biking time: 3 to 4 hours

Biking distance: 35 to 45 Km

Day 05 : Driving and to Besisahar then Biking to Syange (1100m)

We will start our driving Journey to Besisahar which is the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. After reaching the Besisahar we will start our riding after the light lunch to Syange. We will stick with Jeep track along with Marshyangi riverbed which allows us to enjoy the amazing views or Himalayas and landscapes.

Driving time: 3 to 4 hours

Biking time: 3 to 4 hours

Biking distance: 29 approx km

Day 06 : Biking from Syange to Dharapani (1860m)

It’s going to be a great day as the more climb better sceneries passing through villages; river, waterfalls and we will wet many locals along the way as well as some trekkers. We will take it easy by stopping in the view points to enjoy the amazing sceneries and at the same time to breath in the fresh air to take energy.

Biking time: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 18 approx km

Day 07 : Biking from Dharapani to Chame (2670m)

It’s another interesting day of our journey to the big adventure. We will ride bike through many different villages and forest trails that will allow us an opportunity to see the Himalayas by closer in distance. The Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu and other peaks that will make our tired leg stronger by motivating us to ride further. We will reach in the Chame village which is the administrative town of Manag district. The Thorong-La 5416m is situated politically in Manang district.

Biking time: 4 to 4.5 hours

Distance: 18.5 approx km

Day 08 : Biking from Chame to Lower Pisang (3250m)

We are already into the alpine topography since we reached the Chame, the climate, weather and breeze will be difference that you can feel. We will be riding through pine forest trails with amazing views once we reach to the Dhikur Pokhari then the trail will be nice and flat. We will see the terraces and paddy where people grow their foods. We will be staying on the real lap of the Annapurna tonight.

Biking time: 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 19 approx km

Day 09 : Biking from Pisang to Manang (3540m)

Mountain biking from Pisang to Manang is one of the best day of our entire trip as you are surrounded by pine forest, Himalayas, Stupa and temples, prayer flags, horses, yak and yetis (who knows perhaps we might spend more days to look after). Trails is nice and flat and smooth, you will have opportunity to see the real Himalayan life, culture and your adventure. You so much delighted to be there on your bike, happiness and pleasure will overcome through your smile entire day.

Biking time: 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 19 approx km

Day 10 : Rest in Manang and exploration to get acclimatized.

We would like to re-assure that our itinerary is longer than any other companies because we believe in acclimatization so that any of our guest and the crew should not get altitude problem. Our trips allow longer days to get acclimatization to get used to the Himalayan territory to our lungs. Though we will not riding, we can explore Ice Lake, Monasteries, Manang villages and Himalayan Recues Association of Nepal. We will get information regarding High altitude sickness and managements. If anyone like to ride of the group please consult with guide or team leader and make a plan.

Day 11 : Biking from Manang to Yak Kharka (4050m)

We are heading to the real Himalayan trails as we leave the forest and low altitude behind. So be prepared for the less oxygen and harder track. Trails will be harder comparatively to the previous days but take it easy and enjoy to beauty of the Himalayas. It’s an immense opportunity of your life to admire the glory of mountain. We will take is easy and slowly get used to with altitude ride. We will see the grazing Yaks on the way to Yak Kharka.

Biking time: 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 10 approx km

Day 12 : Biking from Yak Kharka to Phedi (4450m)

It’s shorter in distance but harder trails to go due to altitude and narrow rocky trails. We will ride through single trails and rock section with amazing views something that different then previous days. It will be hard to see greenery unless you are in monsoon time. You may need to get off from bike push and carry in some parts which are a part of your day. After crossing a little river then we push a climb that will take us to the Thorong-la Phedi. Phedi means the bottom part of the climb.
Biking time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 7 approx km

Day 13 : Pushing/Biking from Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong-La Pass 5416 m

Today is the day you will wake up very early in the morning around 3 Am then start your push and carry your bike up to the highest pass in the Himalayas. Be prepared for the hard day and the best day to celebrate your holiday on the top of the Himalayas. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and glory of mountain. It’s a once in a life time experience and you will get amazed by the feeling you will get and the views of the mountains. It will be hard but take it easy and insist the glory of mountain and your achievement. Once we reach on the top, you will be rewarded by the panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, GangaPurna and other peaks and the Tibetan plateau of Upper Mustang. Enjoy the beauty of surrounding and be delighted by the effort you have done to reach on this amazing place. After the celebration in a while we will ride down toward Muktinath all the way superb downhill. This is the hair rising switchbacks downhill with some technical sections.

FYI, if any one likes to hire a pony or porter to carry their bikes will be possible in an extra cost. If anyone like to do pony trek from bottom to the top of Thorong-la pass (5416m) can be organized.

Biking time: 7 to 9 hours

Distance: 19 approx km

Day 14 : Biking Muktinath to Marpha (2670m)

We will visit the Muktinath which is very popular and keep precious value for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage. We will have opportunity to see the culture, belief and practice of local people. Today is the best day of your ride if you are single track lover. We will ride through one of the best single track that Himalayas has to offer. We will have optional ride that individual can choose their ride according to skills and fitness. We will stay in Marpha town which is one of the Apple capitals of the district. We can celebrate your holiday with apple pie, cider and locally produced apple brandy. We will get difference architect of the medieval era.

Biking time: 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 30 approx km

Day 15 : Biking from Marpha to Tatopani (1190m)

We will ride all along the Kali Gandaki River the deepest river gorse. We will have optional ride which trail to take either fun filled single track or smooth Jeep track whatever the trails is the scenery is stunning. Our ride will be mostly downhill through ethnic villages, our rides allow us to diversity of the trails from pine forest, Midhills and subtropical topography, and we can eat apple and orange in the same day. In the evening we will be soaking you to treat our tired muscle into the natural hot spring in Tatopani.

Biking time: 5 to 6 hours

Distance: 45 approx km

Day 16 : Biking from Tatopani to Beni then drive to Pokhara.

Today is the day your face have smile each and every moment as simple ride and the achievement you have achieved through this trip is an awesome experiences. We will start our journey along the Kaligandaki Jeep track in a subtropical green and lush forest. We will pass one of the very famous pilgrimages called Galshower Mahadev. We will reach Beni where our vehicle will be waiting for us. After the lunch we will drive to Naundanda then ride down to Pokhara through super beautiful trail.

Biking time: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 32 to 36 approx km

Driving time: 3 to 3.5 hours.

Day 17 : Drive or fly back to Kathmandu or extend holiday.

This is the day you have peace in mind and happiness in your spirit. You can be either relax and plan next holiday or rush back to home. Let us know what you like to do we are here to make a facilitation.

If you like to make your own customized itinerary please contact us with many questions.

Important Notes

Above mentioned itinerary is just an outline and will be flexible day to day based on our daily physical demands and wishes. Please send us an email if you like to make changes as per your plan and schedule.

In the event of unexpected circumstances such as natural calamities, bad weather, political issues PMTBA reserves the right to modify the program in order to keep our guests safe, sound and happy.

Cost Includes

Airport Pick up on arrival and drop off after the trip
Mountain bike and gears (please ask specification after letting us your bike size)
Mountain Bike Guide and Porter
Food and accommodations (first day dinner to final day breakfast)
TIMS and Permit
All the transportation
Safe drinking water
Food, accommodations, salary, insurance and transportation for supporting staff

Cost Excludes

Visa fee to Nepal
Flight to and from Nepal
Domestic flights
Alcoholic drinks
Dual suspension bike( 350 euro extra for the biking trip)
Beverage/soft drinks and mineral water in mountains
Travel, activity, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
Tipping for guides, porters and supporting staff

Dates and Cost

Our given dates are 100% guaranteed to departure and the cost is per person basis, if we have more than five people in the group there will be 5% discount on the given price. If you like to make your own private group on your preferred dates please write us an email. We will be happy to customize the trip according to your wish and budget.