KE Adventure

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Biking the Annapurna Circuit

The ultimate Himalayan mountain biking holiday - the Annapurna Circuit

The classic Himalaya mountain bike challenge
Bike across the Thorung La
Highest mountain biking holiday in Nepal
Follow the Yak Attack bike route
Hike and bike holiday with an edge

Offering a taste of the best of Nepal's landscapes, from pretty terraced farmland and villages to rugged snow-capped mountains, the route around the Annapurna Massif has long been accepted as one of the world's great treks. With a general improvement of its trails, including new sections of 'jeep road', this stunning circuit is now an increasingly attractive proposition for mountain bikers. Ascending from Besisahar, beside the Marsyangdi River, the first week is undeniably tough, with long sections of carrying and pushing. However, there is also a lot of amazing riding, with fast dirt trails, rocky singletrack and plenty of opportunity to stop for refreshment at the numerous teashops. Accompanied by an experienced KE biking leader and an expert Nepalese biking guide, the group will make use of lodges throughout the circuit and all baggage will be portered between overnight stops. After an acclimatisation day at Manang and a further 2-day approach to Thorung Phedi, the stamina-sapping climb to the Thorung La (5416m) will take everyone's breath away - as much for the gob-smacking views as for the lack of oxygen. From here, it's pretty much downhill all the way and 99% rideable, as we blast through the beautiful Kali Gandaki Valley and onwards to Pokhara - making memories that will last for a lifetime!

If you're unsure if this holiday is for you, or want to learn more about KE world biking, whilst enjoying the best mountain and trail rides in the Lakes - check out our Dirty Weekends in the Lake District.

For some fantastic ideas to extend your holiday in Nepal, from riding elephants in Chitwan to tours in Bhutan or Tibet - check out our extensions.

Trip Guide

FAT TYRE ADVENTURE. With porter support throughout, you're free to ride this classic Nepal Himalaya mountain bike circuit with your usual day-ride gear, plus extra warmwear at times. The Annapurna Circuit provides a real challenge for fit mountain bikers. 80% of the route is off-road and follows the paths that link the villages of the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki valleys. Once we are dropped off at Besisahar, we have no vehicle support until we reach Beni, 11 days later. Porters will carry our main baggage and, because of our need to proceed quite slowly (on account of the uphill nature of the route and the increasing altitude) they will be able to keep up with the bikers until we reach Marpha on Day 11. Beyond this point, we can cover greater daily distances and the baggage transfer will be arranged by vehicle. En route to the Thorung La, we will encounter all kinds of challenging trail conditions and it is important to realise that lots of it will be either too steep or too technical to ride. There is good riding on this part of the route, but it tends to come in relatively short sections. Once we have crossed this high pass, it's all downhill and all rideable, with an initial long and technical descent, then a lot of great riding on broad trails and jeep tracks. We must stress that apart from the emergency tool kit, that you would take on any day ride, plus water and trail food, you will not be required to carry any luggage. At the upper end of our DIFFICULT grade, this our hardest mountain bike holiday and a realistic proposition only for fit and experienced bikers.