Introduction
Itinerary
Facts
Price
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Ride the Annapurna Circuit, NepalThe Annapurna region has some of the greatest trails in the world, with dramatic scenery and beauty nowhere else to be found. From riding breath taking single track to ridge lines and off road dirt tracks, this trip offers a wealth of variety and terrain.
Riding trough fertile valleys with Hindu temples, sub tropical flora to rhododendrons, oak, laurel and chestnut trees to stunning desolate high altitude landscapes with its Tibetan culture. Our trip follows the alpine scenery of Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki valleys with epic views of the eight-thousanders Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri mountains.
Riding single track at high altitude and several days of uphill sections makes this trip challenging.
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We start our ride from a lower altitude at Besisahar (890m) and follow the route up to Manang (3520m) with with its flat Tibetan-style houses, language and culture. After acclimatizing to the altitude we are heading higher up to Thorong Pedi (4450m). Our most challenging day will be the crossing of the Thorong La pass (5416m). After a breath taking climb to the pass an amazing downhill follows, from high alpine landscapes to the more fertile lower region, you will see the vegetation change again, arriving at one of the holiest places in Nepal, Muktinath (3820m).
After exploring Muktinath's temples we ride down the trails of lower Mustang and Lupra valley with plenty of super fun singletrack to the Kali Gandaki valley and follow another long downhill along the flowing dirt tracks through Jomsom, Tatopani and Beni to Pokhara. |
To make it sure that you will enjoy the riding in this high altitude, during the ride our baggage will be carried by porters to our overnight lodges day by day. Riders carry only a small day-pack with essentials, so that you will be able to focus on the trails and the breathtaking scenery of the himalayas.
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Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu, Airport transfer to the Hotel. We have dinner together and we will introduce details and facts about our tour.
Day 2 - Sightseeing in Kathmandu, our fist destination is Patan one of the 3 ancient Royal cities in the Kathmandu valley which is a centre of fine arts and Buddhist and Hindu culture.
Day 3 - Early Morning van/bus transfer to Besisahar / 823m, about 6-8 hours drive . This is the official starting point of our tour, after we set up our bikes you will get a briefing about next days ride.
Day 4 - Ride Besisahar to Chyamche. Our first riding day is relatively moderate. We are climbing up to Chyamche/1410m on a off-road 4 jeep road by following the valley of the Marsyangdi river. Distance 26 km / 930m ascent.
Day 5 - Ride Chyamche to Dharapani. From Chyamche we ride up on trails cut into the cliffs and enjoy the view of buddhist villages, waterfalls and stupas/choertens. Overnight in Dharapani (1850m). Distance 12 km / 440m ascent.
Day 6 - Dharapani to Chame. Todays riding brings us to our Lodge in Chame (2710m), the administrative centre of the Manang District. Some steeper sections makes the riding challenging and more we climb up, the scenery turns into a alpine Landscape. Distance 19 km / 850m ascent.
Day 7 - Ride Chame to Manang. Riding on forest trails to a beautiful plateau with stunning views of the Annapurna mountains. After crossing the Marsyandi river we follow the trail to the old monastery in Braga (500 years old). Then we continue our short ride to our Lodge at Manang. Distance 23 km / 750m ascent.
Day 8 - Restday in Manang, we use the day to hike or ride up to the Viewpoint at the Gangapurna Glacier Icefall with stunning views to Annapurna III /7937m and Gangapurna / 7450m mountains. Also it is possible to go up towards the trail to the ice lake of Kicho Tal and on the way back just have a second look at the old village and monastery of Braga. Go high, sleep low..it will help us to get better acclimatized to the higher altitude.
Day 9 - Ride Manang to Yak Kharka. We start riding towards Gunsang at the top of a hill. Then we can follow a nice trail passing horse caravans on the way to our Lodge at Yak Kharka/ 4018m. Ride 10,5km / 590m ascent.
Day 10 - Ride Yak Kharka to Thorong Pedi. This morning first we start riding up to Ledar 4200m, passing yaks and overview the Chulu mountain range when we heat up further to Thorong Phedi (Base Camp). After a hot dish at the Base camp we start carrying our bikes up to the Thorong High Camp, 1,5h pushing and carrying up the steep slopes. We will leave our bikes there and go back down to the Thorong Base camp 4450m to sleep at lower altitude. (**Our experience shows us, that for the most people itīs more convenient than to stay over night at the very cold and higher Thorong High Camp 4925m. For the guests who wants to sleep at High Camp, we can stay at the High Camp) Distance 7,5 km / 490m ascent, **plus carrying the bike 490m of evaluation from Base Camp to High Camp. **For customers who donīt want or who are not able to carry the bike up to the Pass, we can arrange additive Porters from Thorong Pedi to carry your bike next morning to the High Camp or even to the summit of the Thorong La Pass/additional fee** Day 11 - Thorong Pedi to Muktinath via Thorong La. Today is our most challenging day, passing the Thorong La (5416m). We will wake up about 03 a.m., and after breakfast we climb up to the high camp, where we pick up our bikes, we left the day before. After a short break with tea and snacks we start pushing and riding our bikes for 3h to the summit of the Thorong La Pass 5416m. After some photos at the highest point of the pass, we start enjoying our amazing downhill of 1600m of descent. Awesome and partly steep trails will lead us to Muktinath / 3800m, a holy place for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims. Distance 16 km / 1020m ascent / 1600m descent.
Day 12 - Ride Muktinath to Marpha. This morning we explore one of the holiest sites in Nepal, the temples of Muktinath. Then we start our downhill section, first following a jeep road and depending on our participants we have awesome single track options down to the Kali Gandaki river by passing Lupra valley. Or we can ride down to Kagbeni 2900m, the gate of upper Mustang, for the lunch. Stunning views to the mountains Dhaulaghiri 8172m and Nilgiri 7060m. After we are passing the Jomsom which has an Airport 2720m, we ride to the more charming Village of Marpha / 2670m, which is known for itīs delicious apple pie and brandy. Distance: 27.5 km / 1250m descent.
Day 13 - Ride Marpha to Thatopani. The jeep track allows us to enjoy the nice scenery between the two himalayan giants summits of Annapurna and Dhaulaghiri. Our todays destination is Thatopani, where we will enjoy the famous natural hot spring after a long descending of more than 1600 metres. Distance 48 km / 1600m descent.
Day 14 - Ride and drive Thatopani to Beni/Pokhara. Our last day on the bike, we enjoy the scenery and follow the jeep track beside the Kali Gandaki river to Beni. From Beni we will transfer you to Pokhara. Ride distance 22.5 km / 250m ascent / 600m descent.
Day 15 - Morning transfer with Van or Bus to Kathmandu
Day 16 - International return flight
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Trip start/end: Kathmandu - Nepal.
Days: 16 days Type of riding: All-Mountain oriented Enduro high altitude ride. On this trip we will ride from a flowy singletrack to jeep tracks. Most of our Riding is above 3000m and higher, the highest point is 5416m above sea level.
Level: Beginner to Expert with a good level of fitness for uphill riding. Moderate to strong cycling with uphills, downhills and flats.
Guiding: From the first day at the airport pickup to the last day airport drop-off you are fully guided, our qualified and experienced guides are with you the whole trip making sure everything goes smooth and you will get maximum amount of time on your bike. Our Nepal guides speak English and German. Includes: All connecting flights: domestic flight option is available for the Pokhara - Kathmandu flight for an extra fee of 140,- Euro Accommodation: 11 nights in Lodges at the mountain and 4 Nights in Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Transportation: airport pickups, hotel transfers, domestic transportation. National Park entry fee ACAP Permits and TIMS Food & drink: every day breakfast Kathmandu / Pokhara / mountain Lodge Porters during the ride Excludes: Departure and return flight from your country or origin Lunch & Dinner Visa (Nepal visa on arrival 25 USD for 15 days / 40 USD for 30 days) Travel Insurance Which kind of mountain bike to bring? Enduro / All-mountain bike. We recommend a full suspension bike as it will be more comfortable and enjoyable for the long downhill rides. But it is also rideable with a Hardtail. What else to bring? Detailed Equipment list as this trip is located in high altitude and remote area: Bike travel bag or box and your bike specific spare-parts as mech hangers, brake pads, chain link etc.
Bikewear: Base-layer - short sleeve and long sleeved cycling top (x 2)
Mid-layer - long sleeved cycling top (x 2)
Outer layer - lightweight waterproof jacket
Fleece/Windstopper jacket
Cycling shorts (x 2)
Warmer cycling tights or tracksters Buff or equal headwear Cycling helmet mandatory
Buff or equal headwear biking gloves plus windstopper/warmer set Eyewear
Cycling Daypack
: Camelbak or another water bag 2-3 litres
First Aid kit Inner tubes and Puncture repair kit
Multi tool
Sun cream Pump
Bigger size backpack or duffel bag: (will be carried by porters from Lodge to Lodge)
Travel and after biking clothes/shoes (warmer clothes for after ride)
Rainpants/Waterproof
Sleeping Bag (Comfort Rating -10°C*)
Warm jacket (lightweight down)
Headtorch / Lamp
Wash bag, toiletries and towel
**sleeping bag for rent is available
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The prices below are for a 16 Day package. It's possible to customize the Itinerary depending on your needs.
2 Person: 2.299,- Euro per person 4 Person: 2.149,- Euro per person 6 Person and up: 1.999,- Euro per person
Single person supplement 599,-Euro
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