Biking the Annapurna Circuit
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 2: We drive across country on the Pokhara road, stopping for an early lunch at Mugling, then follow the Marsyangdi River to the roadhead at Besisahar (823m). We check in at a lodge and have some time to make sure our bikes are in good order.
Day 3: After breakfast, we set off, following the Marsyangdi River on the newly built jeep road to Syange via Bhulbhule and Ngadi. Beyond Syange, we are on the trekking trail which will involve some carrying. We overnight at Chamje (1410m) in a lodge. Total distance 26 km (16 miles) with 930 metres of ascent and 260 metres of descent.
Day 4: We start the day with a steep descent to a suspension bridge over the raging river. There is a lot of technical ground today and rather more carrying and pushing than riding, as we climb up to Tal and on to Dharapani (1960m). Total distance 10 km (6 miles) with 740 metres of ascent.
Day 5: After crossing a spur, a (relatively) level ride through pine forest brings us to Bagarchap, before climbing to Danaque. We then enjoy some pleasant riding to Chame (2710m) the administrative centre of Manang District. There are shops, hot springs, a bank and even an internet cafe here. Total distance 13 km (8 miles) with 800 metres of ascent.
Day 6: We have an easier day of riding to reach Manang (3540m). As we ascend the valley the forest becomes more sparse and there are spectacular views of the Annapurnas. We have less than 2 hours of carrying or pushing today and lots of good riding with longer downhill sections than in previous days. Total distance 30 km (19 miles) with 1000 metres of ascent.
Day 7: A day for rest and acclimatisation. We are now above 3000 metres (10,000 feet) and must take care not to ascend too quickly. We can hike on the trail towards Tilicho Lake, back-track to Braga to check out its stunning monastery or simply enjoy the facilities of Manang.
Day 8: After an initial, short section of riding, the trail becomes narrow and rocky and we are back to pushing and carrying to the top of the hill at Gunsang. There follows an up and down section to our lodge at Churi Lattar (4250m) with some riding. Total distance 10 km (6 miles) with 750 metres of ascent.
Day 9: We can ride most of the first 3 kilometres, then it's a mix of riding, pushing and carrying as we cross the valley and negotiate a section that traverses a steep scree slope, up to the lodges at Thorung Phedi (4450m). Total distance 4 km (2.5 miles) with 280 metres of ascent.
Day 10: Today we cross the Thorong La (5416m). This is the hard day, with a 5-hour carry up to the pass. The reward for the effort is an amazing downhill ride on a mix of terrain including sections of technical singletrack. It will take around an hour and a half to reach our lodge in Muktinath (3800m). Total distance 13 km (8 miles) with 1000 metres of ascent and 1650 metres of descent.
Day 11: Mostly downhill on jeep-able road (with singletrack options) to Jomsom, which we can do in an hour and a half. Then, we continue to the attractive village of Marpha (2670m) and onwards to Ghasa. Total distance: 57 km (36 miles) with 1790 metres of descent.
Day 12: We have a mostly downhill ride again today, on a good dirt road that passes through several villages en route to Beni. Here, we meet the main Pokhara road and follow this to Baglung. Total distance 65 km (41 miles) with 500 metres of ascent and 1620 metres of descent.
Day 13: We end our ride with a pleasant section on a good, tarmac road to the lakeside town of Pokhara. In the evening, we will go out to one of the town's famous bars to celebrate the completion of our epic ride around the Annapurnas. Total distance 65 km (41 miles) with 300 metres of ascent and 500 metres of descent.
Day 14: We transfer to the airport and take the spectacular flight along the Himalayan range to Kathmandu. After checking in at the group hotel, there will be time for sightseeing or souvenir buying before going out for a final celebratory meal. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 15: KE Land Only package services end after lunch. Airport transfers are provided.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
