annapurna circuit mountain biking
ANNAPURNA BIKE RIDE
Duration: 14 Days
Best Season: March-May, September-November
Altitude Range: Max 5416m
Difficulty: Strenuous
Group Size: Min. 2 Pax
Average Daily Distance: 30km
Support: Guide with Mechanical backup
TRIP INFO
A complete ride encircles the famous Annapurna mountain. The ride offers great variety sub-tropical plains in the Himalayan. Foothills through the trans-Himalaya Manang and Mustang region. The trip goes through Thorong-La Pass-5416m between Manang and Jomsom, the Kaligandaki valley (the deepest gorge in the world) makes this an excellent trip offering diverse culture and traditional values. An exciting trip and a rare opportunity to bike through the heart of the beautiful Annapurna region, where we follow high ridges, climb rugged mountain passes and descend shady forest trails to the terraced valleys of lakeside Pokhara. Passing through small mountain villages en route and with time in the bustling historic city of Kathmandu, there is plenty of opportunity to meet the incredibly friendly people of this country and absorb their rich culture.
COST INCLUDES: Cycling Guide. Bike hire front suspension hard trail bikes. Trekking permit. Annapurna Conservation Area permit. Porter (One porter for two persons: weight limit 20kg per porter). Private transfer to Besi Sahar. Transfer from Beni to Pokhara by private car and next day to Kathmandu. All Accommodation on twin sharing, basic guesthouse/tea houses on biking trail and Pokhara and Kathmandu on 3 star rating accommodation. Meals as per the itinerary.
COST EXCLUDES: Pokhara – Kathmandu Air fare / approx: US$135 if prefer to fly. Mineral water /Soft and Hard Drinks. Single Supplement: US$375 Emergency Evacuation Fee Insurance.
DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel in Thamel.
Touristy city offering numerous bars, shops and restaurants and an instant taste of Nepali life. In the evening over dinner, there will be a tour briefing. Hand over your passports and return tickets to your guide to make the trekking and biking permits. O/N Hotel. Meals: -/-/D
Day 02: Drive to Besi Sahar and ride to Bulbule.
We check out hotel at 7:30 for Besisahar. Thus please make your bike and luggage ready. If you are going to use porter you can have 10kg each a extra luggage for the porter but if you are carrying things your own, please make sure a light backpack with limited clothing. Pair of T-shirt, under garments, sleeper, lightweight downjacket for evening and morning in the Himalayas and especially while crossing the Thorang Pass. No need to carry any sleeping bag or mattress and probably a light fleece jacket and rain cover for the backpack. Camera and backup batteries, sun glass, sun cream, toiletries, energy bars of your choice, cycling gloves etc. We drive mostly on paved road to Besisahar on our private transport and then ride about 12 km to Bulbule on off road but Jeep track. O/N Guest House. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 840m. Distance: Approx 160km drive and 12km ride on off road. Road Condition: off Rd. 10% Paved Rd. 90%
Day 03: Bulbule to Taal - Altitude: 760m - 1700m Distance: 25km
The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, and follows the course of the Marshyangdi River along the left side of the valley. This jeep track is steep rocky with a final 1km descent into the flat valley surrounding Taal. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 1700m. Distance: Approx 25km
Day 04: Taal to Chame (Manang District)
Leaving Taal, there is a mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left going clockwise. After going through green corn, barley and potatoes field, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Danaqu it will involve a large percent of push / carry with a very steep hard climb out of Danaqu. From here though it becomes more rideable with closer views of snow capped peaks and a wide flowing trail to the finish. After a hard day’s work to reach Chame, competitors can relax by the hot spring on the other side of the Marshyangdi River, enjoy baked bakery product, or even email home from the internet cafe. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 1700m – 2670m Distance: 21km
May 05: Chame to Dhikur Pokhari
The route goes through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses the river via two bridges, one at 2910m and the other at 3030m, the route follows through a wide valley that opens up ahead of us.. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 2670m – 3060m Distance: 33km
Day 06: Dhikur Pokhari to Manang
Today we ride to Pisang Village and then cross the Marsyangdi River and start few pushing section towards Ghyaru village (3670m) and then we have great single track from Ghyaru to Nawal (3660m) and down Braga (3360m) and then to Manang.. It is advised to go slowly enjoying the scenery and culture of this region. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 3060m – 3540m Distance: 30km
Day 07: Manang – Rest day for acclimatise… O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Day 08: Manang to Ledar
Today is a short day for the acclimatise. We have few section carry to Tanki and then ride to Ledar (4200m). Relax and acclimatise. 75% rideable. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 35400m – 4200 Distance: 12km
Day 09: Ledar to High Camp
Today we walk, ride and some hard push the bike especially from Phedi to High camp, thus not rideable (about 2km only rideable 30% ) due to bit rocky, steep steps on the trail. We are staying high camp instead of Thorang Phedi because there are many trekkers staying in Phedi thus next morning will be bit mess and crowd. O /N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 4200m – 4925m Distance: 7km
Day 10: High Camp to Muktinath via Thorong La pass (5416m)
A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La pass: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 3km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snail’s pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to Muktinath. (In total 75% rideable but all uphill till pass tough push) O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D
Altitude: 5416m – 3760m Distance: 15km
Day 11: Muktinath to Tukuche
We’ll ride along the Muktinath ridge and take the suspended bridge over the Kali Gandaki river before following a trail down towards the Lupra Valley, riding over narrow and technical single tracks. If we’re lucky, we may spot wild horses and mountain goats while riding down the Lupra Valley. Once we arrive in Lupra, we’ll continue descending down the Panda Khola to join the main trail. We take some rest at Apple capital i.e. Marpha and then ride further down to Tukuche. O/N Guesthouse. Meals: B/L/D.
Altitude: 3760m – 2670m Distance: 50km
Day 12: Tukuche to Beni and drive to Pokhara
Its mostly downhill exhilarating ride of the tour passing through few rivers and mountain ridge. The views are fantastic both mountain and village. As we descend the temperature increases and the trail becomes less rocky. Its mostly downhill ride on dirt trail to Beni about 25km and then we catch our private transport waiting to transfer us to Pokhara (approx 4hours). Enjoy the beauty of Pokhara Lakeside in the evening. O/N Hotel. Meals B/L/- Distance: 65km. Altitude: 960m
Day 13 : Pokhara to Kathmandu by Bus
In the early morning after breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway. Though it’s 6 hours long drive but nice views villages and rivers. O/N Hotel. Meals B/L/D