Annapurna Circuit is a world class finest trekking trail often included within top ten list of must visit places in the world. Biking tour in Annapurna Circuit is an exceptional trip more than just an adventure. The area is rich in bio-diversity, eye catching landscapes, amusing waterfall, clean river, beautiful lakes, deep gorges, Buddhist monasteries, world famous temples, apple farms, wild berries and so on. Cycling on Annapurna Circuit trail provides you the best opportunity to interact with local people and know their lifestyle. The total length of circuit is 160 to 230 kilometers depending on from where you start and end.
We start biking from Bhulbhule, located at an altitude of 840m above the sea, in anticlockwise direction. It is a more practical route because daily altitude gain is slower and quite scientific. We gradually go higher elevation day by day passing through oak, pine and rhododendron forests as well as Buddhist villages. It is also possible to make a side trip to Tilicho Lake which is the world’s highest located fresh water lake. Biking above from Manang is not that easy but rewarded with outstanding scenery. Riding to and after Thorong La, the highest point of Annapurna Circuit, located at 5416m is not only thrilling adventure, but also a lifetime experience. This trip has intangible health benefits but also a quite risky because of its topography. Stunning views of the Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Fishtail, Gangaputra, Tilicho Peak, Chulu West and other numerous peaks more than 6000 meters keeps your stamina in a good shape.
Obviously, Annapurna Circuit mountain biking is not a trip suitable for those who prefer luxury. But, it has certainly been the best choice for all adventure seekers and mountain biking lover. If you are one of them, we are ready to arrange world class mountain biking tour for you. Contact us for further details about our program and packages.
On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be greeted with flower garlands/Khadas. Our representative will then take you to your hotel. If time prevails, you will visit office for paperwork. Stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Today, you will visit popular world heritage monuments in Kathmandu including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath, and Pashupatinath. Alternatively, you can choose Bhakatapur and Patan sightseeing. By late afternoon you will drive back to your hotel. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
After early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is paved road and from there to Bhulbule is graveled. Stay overnight at lodge.
When you arrive in a wide plateau at the village of Tal, a site of an ancient lakebed, there is a fantastic waterfall along the way and you will definitely enjoy the scenery despite of the first day riding pain. Stay overnight at lodge.
Your bike riding is completely on jeep track. The ascending trail passes though pristine forest, prayer mani wall and local settlements. Chame is the capital of Manang district where you can find bakery and spend some time on internet surfing. Stay overnight at lodge.
Today is your another great day of riding that follows Bhratang (2850m), Dhikuri Pokhari (3060m), Lower Pisang (3300m) and Humde (3280m) before reaching Manang. There are a several monasteries along the way and the famous Barga Monastery is worth to visit. Distinct landscape and vegetation have made an ancient Manang village a unique and mysterious. Stay overnight at lodge.
Today, we will clean our bike and lubed it well for the rest of our journey. Manang has plenty to offer for sight excursion. There are optional walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley as well as visit Hundred Rupees Lama Monastery and hike to Gangapurna Lake. If you want to explore Tilicho Lake, then you need two additional days. Stay overnight at lodge.
This morning the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through Gunsang village (3960m). Despite ride-able trail, you will find today’s riding quite difficult because of altitude gain. En route, you can see panoramic mountain views all day long. Stay overnight at lodge.
Today’s trail first slightly descends and cross Jorsang River at 4,310m before ascending steeply. Along the trail, we cross several small wooden bridges over lively streams, and ride through a narrow path towards Thorung Phedi. Phedi is a Nepali word that means base of any peak or mountain.
Today is the most challenging day and consumes lot of your energy. You will start your journey early morning to avoid afternoon wind at pass. You are required to push and carry your mountain bike mostly until you reach the pass. The trail becomes steep immediately and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you see chorten and prayer flags fluttering from the Thorong La pass. Thorong La pass is one of the highest passes in the Annapurna region. After the pass, second part of the day begins, and the effort you made earlier is well rewarded with a spectacular 1600m descend down into Muktinath on technical single track. Muktinath is one of the most sacred places in the Himalaya for both Hindus and Buddhists. Stay overnight at lodge.
Today your riding includes mostly on jeep track. Today’s trail passes through small villages with typical Tibetan style and after about two hours of pure downhill fun on the valley floor, you reach Jomsom for lunch. You will continue descend down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Marpha is famous for apple and local strong apple brandy. Stay overnight at lodge.
First, you will ride from Marpha to Ghasa, crossing Thakali villages such as Tukuche, Larjung, Kalopani and Lete. From Ghasa, the trail gradually descends to Tatopani passing through forests along with one of the most beautiful and longest Rupchechahara waterfalls. Tatopani is a natural hot spring where you can take hot water bath and relax. This is a wonderful place to relax your mind and body and pamper yourself after a great biking on Annapurna trail. Locals believe the hot spring provides therapeutic treatment for those suffering from skin diseases. Stay overnight at lodge.
The trail from Tatopani to Phokhara is off road and from Beni you will ride on well paved road. Beni is a small town where we stop for lunch and make some sight excursion. Then, we will continue our riding to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours..Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
As per your flight schedule, our airport representative will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your final departure.
Pablo Sepulveda
Thanks a lot Nava and Nepal Environmental treks team.Hari, Krishna, Gopal, Ratna and Santoshi for one month adventure in Nepal. -Everest Base Camp Trek 2 weeks - Around Annapurna by Mountain Bike (Thorong- La Pass included 2 weeks) Very good support and friendly service. Also good Dhal, Bhat with my hand.