Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Tour

On your arrival day, the representative of Nepal Trekking Routes picks you up at the Kathmandu International Airport and escorts up to the hotel booked for your accommodation. In the leisure time, you can take a short stroll aroudn the tourist hub, Thamel and neighbouring areas. NTR organizes a welcome dinner at a typical restaurant around Thamel as a part of reception.

Today, after breakfast, the tour guide of NTR presents at the hotel to take you for guided sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. There are many UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the Capital City waiting for your arrival. You can take a short hike to Swayambhunath Stupa or the Monkey Temple to have a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Kathmandu valley. However, be careful with the monkeys as they can snatch your stuffs and climb up the trees! You can also take a visit to Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Temple to relish the ancient art and artefacts. In the evening, the guide for your Annapurna Circuit off-road bike Tour gives you all the information about the trip.

Early in the morning, you start the journey to Beshisahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit trekking region, in a private jeep by enjoying the Himalayan views and wonderful landscapes. Driving for about seven hours along the Prithvi Highway, you reach Beshisahar and formally begin your cycling tour of Nepal.

Following the off-road, you ride up to Syange for the night station. The trail goes along the Marsyangdi River banks, natural waterfalls, dense rhododendron and pine forests by riding past some small villages. After riding the rugged road for about 4 hours, you reach Dharapani for the night rest.

You begin your trip today by riding along the jeep trail that goes past some small villages, Himalayan forests and a few suspension bridges over the Dudh Khola. By enjoying the serene beauty of the Tamang villages of Thanchowk and Koto, you reach Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang district, for the overnight stay.

Following the uphill  road that winds along some dense forests of rhododendron and juniper bushes, you will ride up to Pisang. Rejoicing the stunning vistas of Annapurna Himalayan Range, Lamjung Himal and other unnamed peaks, you ride past a beautiful village called Dhikurpokhari. Riding slowly by witnessing the ecstatic beauty of the surrounding, you finally reach the Thakali and Gurung Himalayan town of Pisang to end today’s journey.

Today’s ride is quite interesting and thrilling as well because you are going to reach the town of Yetis (abominable snowman that exists in some myths perhaps!). The trail goes along some thick pine forests and villages nearby surrounded by the Himalayas, Buddhist prayer flags, mani walls, chortens and the caravan of yaks and horses, which are the carriers of goods in the high altitude settlement areas. While riding along the comfortable trail on the flat Himalayan valley, you can relish the Himalayan lifestyle, culture and tradition along with your adventure.

As it is the rest day in Manang, you don’t have to worry about reaching a particular destination situated on a higher altitude. You aren’t riding the uphill route any more but will be exploring the amazing cultural and natural heritages of Manang Valley. You can take a short hike to Gangapurna Lake situated at the elevation of 3,500m, which shows you the majestic peaks of Annapurna Massif and other peaks nearby. Similarly, you take side trips to the Buddhist Monasteries and mountaineering school where the adventure lovers are found being trained for peak climbing and mountaineering. You can also try the typical Thakali food item with the fermented green vegetables’ pickle.

The riding of the day is quite tougher because somewhere the bike carries you and somewhere you carry the bike i.e. riding and pushing equally! By meeting with the herds of yaks and horses grazing in the pastureland, you continue the uphill trail. You can see the people going back and forth Yak Kharka on a horseback. The continuous strides of the horses refuel you with more energy to complete the ride as quickly as you can.

Even though you are covering the shortest distance of the entire Annapurna Circuit Bicycle tour, it is a tougher day as well. The trail is hard and rugged that you have to push the bikes in some sections of the road. The route goes along the naked landscapes that are green only in monsoon season. After crossing a small rivulet, you reach Thorung La Phedi (‘Phedi’ means the ‘bottom of the hill’) for the night accommodation at a lodge.

Today is the toughest day of the entire mountain biking tour to Annapurna Circuit as you have cross the highest point of this tour. You reach the top of Thorung La Pass (5,416m) all the way by pushing the bike along the steep dusty road. Once you are on the top, you forget the hardships of pushing the bicycle as the rewards of the picturesque mountains, valleys and human settlement areas are really more valuable than the exercise you do during the journey a little earlier. After you quench the thirst of the most spectacular vistas and recharging your physical and mental strength, you ride downwards to Muktinath. Muktinath is a holy shrine for both Hindus and Buddhists who make the pilgrimage to here. The natural flame that never goes out is the central attraction of Muktinath Temple along with the 108 water spouts which are believed to give salvation if you take a holy bath.

As the ride ahead from Muktinath is easier and more comfortable because you will go downhill on your bike, you don’t have to be more worried. So, you can enjoy the morning view of the snowy peaks shining in the early sunshine and also the crowd of the devotees to take a bath in the water spouts and worship the deity for some time. Then, you start the downhill journey towards Marpha, the ‘Apple Capital of Nepal’ by leaving Lupra Valley far behind. On the way, you can see the peaceful mani walls, chortens and prayer flags that are biding you farewell as you are going to leave their valley and enter into another valley, the Kali Gandaki River Valley. While spending night in Marpha, you can taste the apple products including the local liquor brand ‘Marpha’ sitting in the apple orchards and enjoying the Annpaurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif.

Today is the longest distance you will measure but the duration is short and difficulty is low. Riding along the Kali Gandaki valley, you go past some ethnic villages reflecting authentic Nepali culture and tradition in the best forms. Finally, you reach Tatopani (Hot Water) which is a stopover during Annapurna region trekking famous for natural hot water spring. You can take a shower in the naturally hot water that gives you relaxation from the travel  fatigue and cures skin diseases if any!

You are almost done with the adventurous riding tour around Annapurna region because today is the last  day for riding downhill towards Beni. By riding past some cultural villages of the Kali Gandaki River Valley, you reach Beni which is the gateway to Upper Dolpo region trekking. From here, you catch a bus to Pokhara and keep your bike on the hood of the bus. Now, by taking a nap, you drive to the beautiful lakes city Pokhara for the night station. You can relish the food items of your choice and appetite here in Pokhara. You can also experience the nightlife of Pokhara strolling around Lake Side with your people. You can also celebrate the completion of the adventurous journey to Annapurna circuit trail on your  bike!

Today, you have a scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara by enjoying the astounding view of the snowcapped mountains Annapurna, Masalu, Ganesh and Langtang region unveiling their coat in the morning sunshine. After the plane lands at Kathmandu International Airport, the crew member of NTR accompanies you up to the hotel booked for your rest. After becoming fresh, you can go shopping around the Thamel area to collect the souvenirs and garment items to present to your kin and kith in the home country. In the evening, NTR organizes a farewell dinner party as a part of hospitality to make your trip with us a lifelong bond of friendship!

This is the final day of Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking tour 16 days’ itinerary. So, the representative of NTR escorts you up to the Kathmandu International Airport as per your flight schedule. We wish you a happy and safe journey ahead with a hope to see you next year!