Mountain Bike Annapurna Circuit

Upon your arrival in Nepal, a member of our team will meet you at the Airport and transfer you to the Hotel. We have a meet and greet with the Guide for a trip briefing and gear check. We also treat you to a welcome dinner of Nepal’s Traditional dish Dal Bhart (Rice, Lentil Soup and lots of Yummy side dishes).

Join us on a warm up ride exploring some of the best trails in the Kathmandu Valley. Test your bikes and your gear to make sure everything is ready for the journey ahead. In 3 to 5 hours of riding we will cover around 35km at a steady pace exploring the rural parts of the valley, single tracks and sightseeing at some temples and return to Thamel for lunch, last minute bike adjustments and final packing for the trip.

Starting the day at 8am we meet at our workshop for freshly brewed Himalayan Beans coffee and then load up the bikes for the 6 to 8 hour drive to Besisahar. We stop along the way to enjoy the views and take some lunch. On arrival in Besisahar we take some time to explore the town and we also meet our porters and finalize our trip preparations.

Today we ride, a little more than a 1000 meters of uphill. The trail takes us along the Marsyangdi River, it’s a beautiful section of the ride and 100% rideable. In Tal there is some nice scenery with steep sided valleys terraced with farms and small villages. Tal is situated in a deep gorge and you can see cascading waterfalls along the way.

A challenging climb makes this one of the longest and hardest sections along the trekking trail. The terrain is rugged but fun. There is great jungle and river scenery so take this stage steadily and enjoy the ride.

The trail still climbs but becomes more rideable today as it widens back into a jeep track. The jungle opens up into the arid mountain region and you can get great views of the Himalaya as you ride. It’s a good idea to take it steady to allow your body to acclimatize.

Take a day to acclimatize and prepare for the hard days to come. Short hikes can be taken to explore the nearby area, visit high altitude lakes, rest, relax and chill out in Manang, maybe you will not want to leave! From here you will be heading into the true mountain wilderness. Manang is home to the Manangi people and here you can sometimes see the ancient sports of archery and pony racing.

A short and gentle climb today from Manang to Yak Kharka and then on to Throng Phedi, takes time to admire the mountain views. There are a couple of sections to carry your bike but for the most part, the trail is rideable.

Beginning from around 5am in the morning, you have to make the long haul carrying and pushing your bike up more than 1300 meters to Throng La, this is one of the most challenging parts of the ride that will define the true spirit and passion of any mountain biker as you battle the altitude and the cold. But you will not just be gasping from the altitude, but also gasping in awe as this section of the journey proffers excellent rewards with magnificent views from Throng La of the snow capped mountains and superb technical downhill on the other side that will have you grinning from ear to ear, or if you’re a bit nervous perhaps browning your trousers! Alas you will arrive to a warm welcome and rest at Muktinath. 50% carrying, 50% rideable.

Leaving behind Muktinath we traverse the hillside along a small, little used trekking trail, there is a small section of push as we reach up to Dhangla danda from where you get spectacular views of the Himalaya. What follows is an awesome section of switch back single tracks that takes you down to the river bed in Lupra Valley. Rejoin the main trail and head to Jomsom for lunch. In the wind this can be a bit tough riding, but stop and enjoy the views along the way. The trail rolls into Marpha, a lovely old village on the river side. Take some time to explore the cobbled lanes and explore the Thakali culture of the area.

Again we are going downhill today. The trail starts out gentle and flat and meanders in and out of the valley sides, through pine forests and small villages. Following the river, there are good views of the snow capped peaks. Stop at the impressive waterfalls at Rupse Chhahara for lunch. After here the speed picks up as the trail drops some 1000 meters with sweeping curves and plunges, rocky sections and bumps that you will love. Arrive in Tatopani, the cobble lined village famous for its rejuvenating Hot Springs. Once in Tatopani you can enjoy a soothing bath in the Hot Springs and perhaps a local massage will not go astray, or a cold beer for that matter!

A ride of around 25 km on open jeep track, flat for the most part but a few up and down hills as we leave behind the Annapurna Region. From Beni we transfer by jeep back to Pokhara for a well-earned rest and perhaps a beer, a good meal and some fun times out and about!

Midday flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Check into the hotel and have an afternoon of shopping and then get ready for your last night in Nepal.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.