Annapurna Singletrack Circuit

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu

Our guide will collect you at Tibhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the lively Kathmandu neighborhood of Thamel. Depending on arrival time, you can spend the afternoon exploring the sights of the city, shopping in Kathmandu's many adventure supply stores, or relaxing for the trip ahead. In the afternoon, we'll fit our bikes and prepare for the trip ahead!

International Guest House

Day 2 Kathmandu to Besisahar

An early start to the day, where we'll enjoy some Himalayan-grown coffee before heading out on the 6 hour drive to Besisahar. Outside of busy Kathmandu, we'll get to see the beautiful countryside of Nepal. with it's many green, terraced fields, and there will be time to enjoy the views and have lunch. Once in Besisahar, we'll begin preparing for the next day's ride, as well as meeting our local porters for the trip. We'll have our first welcome dinner and overnight in a cozy teahouse, the first of many on the trip!

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Besisahar to Tal

After breakfast, it's time to set out on our first day of riding. Fresh out of Besisahar and finally onto some real Himalayan singletrack! We'll begin to whittle away at the 1,000 meters of climbing for the day. Our path takes us along the Marsyandi River, and though we're not yet in the highest altitude section of the trip, the views are simply beautiful. We'll arrive in Tal, situated in a deep gorge, and surrounded by terraced farms perched impossibly on the steep slopes of Himalayan foothills. Our overnight is in another local teahouse, where we'll refuel and keep warm.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 37km
+2417m
-1020m

Day 4 Tal to Chame

It wouldn't be a the Himalaya if there was no climbing, and today is no exception as we work our way up. The elevation in Chame, our destination for the day, puts us within the "high altitude" category, of over 2,500 meters. This is one to take slowly, and let your body adjust. Today's route is challenging; with steep uphills on rugged singletrack. Thick jungle surrounds us, interspersed with views of the river. So rests to catch your breath and take in the views are well worth it! We'll overnight in the village of Chame, a key spot on the Annapurna trekking circuit, and we'll be in the company of trekkers and local Sherpa.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 26km
+1641m
-707m

Day 5 Chame to Manang

A beautiful ride today, as we climb higher into the Annapurna region, to the village of Manang. Our track widens as the environment changes from jungle to arid alpine and we finally get the sense of being in the high Himalaya. The ride isn't too technical, but the surface can be soft in some places with loose rock. Combined with the rapidly rising altitude, it's a good idea to take things slow today. At over 3,600 meters, Manang is well beyond high altitude, and we'll feel the effects as we cycle. We'll overnight and acclimatize in a cozy trekking teahouse.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 32km
+1397m
-247m

Day 6 Manang Rest and Acclimitization Day

Today's rest and acclimatization day couldn't be in a better spot. The village of Manang is well-equipped for a cozy rest day with coffee shops and even a movie theater, for those looking to take it easy before the ride ahead. If you're feeling adventurous, there are several short side hikes in the area that will offer breathtaking Himalayan views and help acclimatize to the altitude. Manang is home to the Manangi people, who thrive in the high altitude environment. Lucky travelers get a chance to watch the locals participate in the ancient sports of archery and pony racing. We'll spend another restful evening in a local teahouse, fueling up for another big day.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Manang to Thorong Phedi

Bidding goodbye to Manang, our course points us higher again. We'll take the ride slow, through the village of Yak Kharka, and further to Thorong Phedi, the base camp of mighty Thorong La, at just under 5,000 meters. The trail runs along a small river valley and is mostly rideable, but very rocky in some sections, where carrying will be necessary. It's best to take this section slowly, as the terrain is loose and prone to sliding. Our expert guide will help you navigate the trail safely as we pass difficult sections along with plenty of local foot-and hoof- traffic. Overnight in a teahouse in Thorong Pedi, where we'll dine heartily after a hard days ride. It's best to get to bed early to get enough rest before the big climb on the following day.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 19km
+1404m
-81m

Day 8 Thorong La

Rise very early to set out for Thorong La at 5 AM. This is the Annapurna Circuit's most famous high altitude pass, and the most challenging part of our ride. To reach the top of the pass, more than 1,300 meters from Thorong Phedi, will require several steady hours of pushing in the cold and high altitude. We'll have assistance from local porters, who will carry our bikes for us, but the climb is still a long slog that will test our spirits. Once at the top, at 5,416 meters, we'll take in the view from both sides, a jaw dropping forest of snowy peaks that stretch beyond our line of sight. After that comes the real reward- a superb and technical downhill all the way to our rest at the end of the day in the village Muktinath. We'll share stories of the day's ride over a hearty Himalayan feast.

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 22km
+966m
-1656m

Day 9 Lupra Valley

With the most challenging part of the trip behind us, it's on to some fun! Now that we're primarily losing elevation, we can go much further and we'll cover more ground today than in the past several days combined! We head out of Muktinath, traversing a small hillside trail that's mildly technical. There will be a few sections of push, followed by fun and fast singletrack switch backs all the way down to a valley riverbed. We'll rejoin the main trail in Jomsom and enjoy some tough riding, but with great views, all the way to the lovely traditional village of Tukuche. We'll have some time to enjoy Tukuche, before pressing on further down to Kalopani via a lush jungle singletrack. Overnight in Kalopani after a thoroughly action-packed day!

Local Teahouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 52km
+685m
-2135m

Day 10 Kalopani to Pokhara

Another day of descending, we'll start off along a riverside trail with great views of snow-capped peaks. The river trail passes the impressive Rupse Waterfalls, where we can stop for a tea break near the mist. Gear up for the next section, a swift descent as the trail loses over 1,000 meters on a winding, rocky track with exciting jumps and drops. We ride all the way into the village of Beni, where we'll have some lunch and then load up the bikes for a 3-hour drive into Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city and a great place for relaxing and unwinding after a long trek. Overnight in Pokhara.

Hotel Peace Plaza
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 18km
+473m
-832m

Day 11 Transfer to Kathmandu

Sleep in or enjoy the sights of Pokhara in the morning. This laid back city is a haven for trekkers, and is home to many cozy coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques, as well as local culture like temples. In the mid-afternoon, we'll head back to Kathmandu via a short flight. Once in Kathmandu, we'll have time to relax over one last cup of chai or do some last minute souvenir shopping, before regrouping for a farewell dinner.

International Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Departure

In the morning, we'll transfer you to the airport to catch your flight out of Nepal. Or if you'd like to extend your stay, we'll help you prolong your cycling adventure with more travel arrangements.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.