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 dirt track to Syange via Bhulbhule and Ngadi. Beyond Syange, we are on the trekking trail which will involve some carrying. We overnight at Chamje (1410m). Total distance 26 km of which around 18 km is rideable. Overnight in a lodge.
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 a lot of carrying as we climb up to Tal and on to Dharapani (1960m). Total distance 18 km of which just 2 or 3 km is rideable.
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 of which 7 km is rideable.
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/pushing today and lots of good riding with longer downhill sections than in previous days. Total distance 30 km of which at least 20 km is rideable.
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 of which around 4 km is rideable.
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 of which around 2 km is rideable.
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 of which around 8 km is rideable.
Day 11: Mostly downhill on jeep-able road (with singletrack options) to Jomsom, which we can do in an hour and a half. There is a STOL airstrip here and the once small village is now a large and important town. We continue for another 30 or 40 minutes to the attractive village of Marpha (2670m). Total distance 23 km which is all rideable.
Day 12: Mostly downhill on a rough road, with the possibility of one or two carries across landslide debris. We are back in the forest today and it is much warmer as we descend the Kali Gandaki Valley as far as Tatopani (1190m) with its hot springs. Total distance 44 km which is almost all rideable.
Day 13: 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 30 km which is all rideable.
Day 14: 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 60 km, all rideable.
Day 15: 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 16: KE Land Only package services end after lunch. Airport transfers are provided.
