MTB Annapurna Circuit

The Classic MTB Circuit

Annapurna

The Annapurna Circuit by mountain bike is one of Nepal’s true classic rides, a big Himalayan journey that climbs from the lower river valleys into high alpine landscapes before crossing the legendary Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. It is a ride of huge contrasts: lush valleys, suspension bridges, waterfalls, pine forests, dry Mustang-style landscapes, prayer walls, yak pastures and some of the most dramatic mountain views in Nepal. By bike, the circuit becomes more than a trekking route. It becomes a challenging, beautiful and constantly changing cross-country adventure through the heart of the Annapurna region.

This is not a generic bike tour. It is a proper mountain biking journey that rewards good fitness, steady climbing legs and confident bike handling. The early days build the rhythm as you climb higher through villages and changing terrain, while the crossing of Thorong La delivers the big mountain moment. From there, the descent toward Mustang and the Kali Gandaki Valley is unforgettable. Along the way, you stay in local teahouses, experience high-altitude culture and ride through landscapes shaped by centuries of trade, pilgrimage and mountain life. Our classic Annapurna Circuit MTB itinerary can also be adapted with extensions to places like Tilicho Lake, Naar Phu or Upper Mustang, creating a ride that is as personal as it is iconic.

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Day by Day

Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Nepal (Kathmandu 1,400m)

Touch down in Kathmandu and step into the chaos of Nepal’s capital. One of our crew will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. In the evening, we’ll gather for a trip briefing, meet your guide team, and do a gear check to make sure you and your bike are ready for what’s ahead. Dinner is a traditional Nepali Dal Bhat feast, rice, lentils, and endless side dishes, fuel that will become your best friend on the trail.

Day 02Warm-Up Ride in Kathmandu Valley

Before we head for the high Himalaya, we spin out into the Kathmandu Valley for a warm-up ride. A steady climb into Shivapuri National Park, winding through jungle and terraced fields, delivers some fun singletrack and a good sweat. We finish the ride at Boudhanath Stupa, one of Asia’s largest Buddhist monuments, for lunch and a bit of cultural immersion. This ride helps the legs loosen up, the lungs wake up, and gives you a taste of Nepal’s mix of riding and living culture.

Day 03Drive Kathmandu to Ngadi (760m)

After Himalayan coffee at our workshop, we load the jeeps and set off west. The drive is long, 6 to 8 hours, winding past rice paddies, villages, and river valleys. We stop for roadside lunch at the Barasingha Brewery before rolling into Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. From this bustling district hub, we head a further 9km up the road to the quiet town of Ngadi where we stay in a well ran local teahouse. Here we meet our porter team, finalize trip prep, and take a wander through the small town, or just enjoy the garden. This is the last proper urban stop before we head into the high valleys.

Day 04Ride Ngadi (760m) to Tal (1,700m) | 37km

The pedaling begins in earnest. Today is a long, hard push with over 1,000m of climbing along the Marsyangdi River. The jeep track is rideable but relentless, winding through steep-sided valleys carved with farms and dotted with small villages. Cascading waterfalls thunder down sheer cliffs, a dramatic counterpoint to the grind of climbing. Tal sits deep in a gorge, perched by the river, with its name meaning “lake”, a fitting resting place after a full day’s uphill effort.

Day 05Ride Tal (1,700m) to Chame (2,670m) | 22km

This is one of the toughest stretches of the whole circuit. The jeep road gets steeper, rougher, and the air begins to thin above 2,000m. Every turn of the cranks feels heavier, but the jungle scenery, waterfalls, and riverside views soften the blow. Chame greets you with a tall gateway stupa, prayer wheels, and a cozy teahouse atmosphere. By now you’ll notice how altitude changes the game, slower pedaling, deeper breaths, sharper mountain air.

Day 06Ride Chame (2,670m) to Manang (3,540m) | 29km

The valley broadens and the riding feels less claustrophobic. Pine forests give way to drier, arid landscapes, and the Himalaya open up around you. The gradients are kinder today, with rolling climbs rather than endless slogs. The cultural shift is obvious too, prayer flags flutter, monasteries appear, and the Manangi culture becomes part of the landscape. Every turn offers a new view of the Annapurna giants.

Day 07Acclimatization in Manang (3,540m)

This is where patience pays off. To set yourself up for the pass, you’ll need to slow down and let your body adjust. Manang is the perfect spot for a rest day: hike to nearby high-altitude lakes, explore ancient monasteries, or simply relax with hot tea and watch the mountains. The Manangi people keep centuries-old traditions alive here, archery, pony racing, and salt trade history. Soak it in, because from here on, the riding gets rawer and wilder.

Day 08Ride Manang (3,540m) to Thorong Phedi (4,450m) | 19km

A shorter but serious stage. The climb to Yak Kharka is steady, but beyond that the trail narrows, and you’ll likely shoulder the bike through some tighter sections. Above 4,000m, the world changes: snow-dusted ridges, a narrower valley, and less oxygen in every breath. Thorong Phedi is basic, cramped, cold, and bustling with trekkers and bikers all eyeing the pass. It’s not luxury, but it’s the edge of the adventure.

Day 09Thorong Phedi (4,450m) to Muktinath (3,750m) via Thorong La (5,416m) | 22km

The queen stage. A pre-dawn start, headlamps on, and the long push begins: over 1,300m of hike-a-bike in thin air. This is where the expedition truly earns its stripes. Thorong La (5,416m) is brutal to reach, but standing on the crest of the Himalaya with prayer flags whipping in the wind is an experience like no other. The descent? Wild, rocky, technical, and grin-inducing, a hard-earned drop into the sacred town of Muktinath. Expect equal parts suffering and euphoria.

Day 10Ride Muktinath (3,750m) to Marpha (2,670m) via Lubra Valley | 32km

From Muktinath, the trail traverses across to Dhangla Danda ridge with staggering views. Then comes Lubra Valley, a legendary single track descent of loose switchbacks and riverbed riding. It’s raw, technical, and exposed in places, demanding sharp focus. Lunch in Jomsom resets the day before we spin on to Marpha, a beautiful Thakali village of apple orchards, whitewashed lanes, and centuries-old culture.

Day 11Ride Tukuche (2,590m) to Tatopani (1,190m) | 42km

A dream day for downhill lovers. The trail meanders out of the valley, with pine forests, suspension bridges, and mountain villages. We stop for lunch at Rupse Chhahara, where waterfalls thunder down beside the trail. After that, gravity takes over, a 1,000m vertical drop on rough jeep track, sweeping turns, and rock gardens all the way to Tatopani. Reward: hot springs, local massages, and ice-cold beers in this riverside village.

Day 12Ride Tatopani (1,190m) to Beni (830m) | 25km, Drive to Pokhara (822m)

The final ride is a fast and mostly flat spin along jeep tracks, rolling through farmland and small hamlets. At Beni, we load the bikes and drive back to Pokhara, where the lakeside comforts, hot showers, and BBQ dinners feel like pure luxury after days of dirt and dust.

Day 13Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu

A short midday flight returns us to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for shopping, exploring, or simply enjoying a final massage before your farewell dinner.

Day 14Departure from Nepal

Airport transfer for your outbound flight. You’ll leave with tired legs, dusty gear, and the memories of crossing the Himalaya by bike, the kind of ride that stays with you forever.

Annapurna

Itinerary

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