Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour
Trip Overview
Overview
The Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour is a thrilling adventure that takes cyclists through some of the most stunning landscapes of the Himalayas in Nepal. Spanning approximately 300 kilometers, this iconic route offers a diverse and challenging experience, blending breathtaking mountain views, charming villages, and cultural encounters. The journey typically begins in the bustling city of Kathmandu, where bikers make their way to Besisahar, the starting point of the circuit. The initial stages lead through lush lowland forests and terraced fields, gradually ascending towards the towering peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. As cyclists pedal upward, the scenery transitions from subtropical vegetation to alpine forests, and finally, to arid landscapes at higher altitudes. The trail passes through quaint Himalayan settlements, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and hospitality of the Gurung, Thakali, and Manangi communities. Teahouses dot the route, providing a comfortable resting spot for tired bikers, as well as an opportunity to savor traditional Nepalese cuisine. The highlight of the journey comes when reaching the Thorong La Pass, standing at a staggering altitude of 5,416 meters. Conquering this high mountain pass is both physically demanding and rewarding, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks that are second to none. After the pass, the descent begins, leading to the serene and sacred Muktinath Temple. From there, the landscape changes dramatically as riders traverse the arid Mustang region, with its unique barren terrain and ancient monasteries. As the trip draws to a close, the route eventually loops back to Besisahar, where the adventure started. Along the way, cyclists will have created memories of a lifetime, captivated by the majesty of the Himalayas and the warmth of the Nepalese people.Conclusion and Summary
The Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour is not for the faint of heart, requiring a good level of fitness, determination, and an appreciation for the raw beauty of nature. The best time to undertake this epic journey is during the spring and autumn seasons, when the weather is most favorable, and the views are at their breathtaking best. Whether you are an avid mountain biker or an adventurous soul seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour is a bucket-list adventure that promises to leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul.Trip Highlight
- Annapurna Circuit Cycling Tour, lifetime experience of adventurous cycling crossing highest Himalayan pass Thorong La (5,416m)
- Cycling in the shadow of the highest peaks on the earth, the unspoiled Himalayas and kindhearted peoples.
- Stay at Local guesthouses and use foods prepared by locals.
- Professional guide com mechanic and porters to carry your goods from Friendship World Treks
Itinerary
Representative from Friendship World Treks pickup you from Tribhuban international airport and transfer to hotel. Is it about 7 kilometers from airport to hotel and it takes 25 minutes. If time permits, check your bike.
After breakfast in Hotel, our tour guide will lead you in Kathmandu valley sightseeing. Visit Bhaktapur durbar squire, Bauddhanath and Pashupatinath temple. Back to hotel and test ride with your bike around with guide. final preparation and pack your bike for tomorrow to start your trip.
It is drive with local bus or by private jeep. Road from Kathmandu to Besisahar is highway with paved road and Besishahar to Khudi is rough road. You can plan to drive with local bus or with private jeep with your bikes at the roof.
The first day of riding is short riding on jeep track following Marshyangdi River. Entire way is lush green valley and some beautiful waterfalls. We stop at lodge by lunch our today, to get used to with bikes and landscape.
The trail winds gradually uphill to Tal today. Riding path is beautiful with green valley and waterfalls. We enter at first village of Manang Tal. Valley start to been lush and start rising elevation from here. Tal village offer you picturesque scenery with terraced fields and local houses.
Today is considered as first hardest day of riding. The trail follows the Marshyangdi River bank. Climbing towards Timang (2,360m) continue onwards pine and fir forest. View from on the way is incredible of valleys and stunning Himalayas. Annaurna II(7,937m), Mount Manaslu (8,156 and other peaks.
through the dense forest along with bank of Marshyangdi River enter narrow valley. The scenic view of crops land and mountains during this walk. Reach at Upper Pisang. Village is surroundings with some of the old monasteries.
Ride through big hills, Jungle and wetland. Cross small Budhhist stupa, Monasteries and Lama’s School on our walking and reach Manang. Manang is biggest village in the Trans Himalayan range of Nepal. Ethnic Gurung and Ghale peoples from here called Manangis. Minorities of Buddhist Lamas who came here from Tibet, Dolpo and Mustang are the inhabited of Manang
We spend a day acclimatizing in Manang by doing some walks or cycling and sightseeing around the village with your guide. We will visit Monastery and go to Gangapurna Glacier Lake during our walk. Towards the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a night’s rest at Manang
Leave Manang and then start climbing towards Yak Kharka (4,010 m). Continue to ascend to higher altitude. Cycling becomes a very hard work due to elevation. So, go slowly. Enjoy the scenery and culture of the region. It is important to remain physically and mentally prepared for the highest ascent of the next day to cross highest mountain peak Thorong La
Start very early for the 4 am, which is necessary to cross Thorong La Pass. The trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the pass (approx 3 km). You will have to carry your bike to get there. The climb is demanding, the effects of altitude can be felt more and more as you ascend but you will be awe-struck by the spectacular views of the landscape. Once at the top, rest, enjoy the feeling of getting to the highest point of Annapurna Circuit and be ready for the amazing downhill ride. After 45 minutes of technical riding, you will be in Muktinath (3,760 m).
Today is the long day and down hill riding to Kalopani from Muktinath. we start quite earlier. it is fun riding down via typical villages like Marpha, Jomsom and others. we stop several times to explore local villages, monastery and eating Lunch. Riding path is all jeep track along the bank of Kaligandaki River.
It short riding to Tatopani today. Most of the cycling track is downhill involving some interesting monuments. Beautiful waterfalls, typical cultural villages, scenic mountain, wide Kaligandaki River valley and many more. Reach at Tatopani by Lunch time. Enjoy bath at natural hot spring.
About 20 kilometer rough road and down hill reach at Beni Bazzar. Riding road at the bank of Kali gandaki River is in between two high hills. Afre beni it is riding on paved road (highway) up to Kushma Bazzar. Local villages, greenery landscape and peoples activities on the way is interesting. we also have option to ride and half way drive to reach Pokhara by today evening.
It is day to reach Pokhara again. Riding section via main highway with mix up of flat, up and down hill. Annapurna Himalayan rages are scenic from on the way. The most beautiful Pokhara valley and surrounding are scenic from top of the villages. back to Pokhara and check in Hotel. Evening walking at Lake side.
After your breakfast in Hotel, start sightseeing in Pokhara. International mountain museum, David fall, Gupteswor Mahadev cave and boating at fewa lake. Afternoon drive with private transportation or fy back to Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel. Evening fair well dinner at Typical Nepali restaurant with cultural dance and Nepali foods.
Till departure time, free and we drop you to international airport for your final departure. It is important to reach at airport before three hours from your original flight time
Departures & Availability
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Check Available Dates
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All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.
Price include
- Arrival and departure arrangement
- Accommodation in Kathmandu and in Pokhara, 3 star category hotels on twin sharing
- Sightseeing in major highlights of Kathmandu and Pokhara valley
- Cycling guide come mechanic for entire trip
- Porter to carry your bags during trip (2 Cycling = 1 Porter)
- Guide and Porters salary, foods, accommodation, equipmet and insurance
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card
- Accommodation in local tea house
- Three times meals during Cycling Annapurna
- Arrangement of cycle hiring
- First Aid kit box
- Cycle maintenance tool box
- Management of emergency evacuation in case of need
Price Excludes
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
- Personal gears, cost of cycle in hiring
- Bottled drinks including drinking water and bar bills
- Cost of changing gears in cycle
- Personal insurance, medical expenses, cost of emergency evacuation in case of need
- Any tipping
- Upgrading your accommodation in main cities
- Any extra activities
Gears And Equipment
The Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour is a legendary adventure that takes cyclists through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Here’s detailed trip information for a biking tour along the Annapurna Circuit:
Duration: The duration of the Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour typically ranges from 10 to 14 days, depending on the specific itinerary and stops along the route. Some tour operators may offer shorter or longer options to accommodate different preferences and fitness levels.
Route: The tour follows the iconic Annapurna Circuit, a classic trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Cyclists usually start the tour in either Besisahar or Pokhara and complete a loop around the Annapurna massif, passing through diverse landscapes, traditional villages, and high mountain passes before returning to the starting point.
Difficulty Level: The Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour is suitable for intermediate to advanced cyclists with off-road biking experience. The route involves challenging terrain, including rough trails, steep ascents and descents, river crossings, and high mountain passes. Cyclists should be prepared for long days in the saddle and varying weather conditions.
Highlights:
- Spectacular Scenery: The Annapurna Circuit is renowned for its breathtaking mountain views, including close-up panoramas of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and other towering peaks. Cyclists will ride through lush forests, terraced fields, deep valleys, and high alpine landscapes, with awe-inspiring vistas at every turn.
- Cultural Immersion: Along the route, cyclists will encounter diverse ethnic communities, including Gurungs, Thakalis, and Manangis, each with their own distinct cultures, traditions, and architectural styles. Villages such as Manang and Marpha offer opportunities to experience traditional Nepali hospitality, sample local cuisine, and explore ancient monasteries and temples.
- Thorong La Pass: One of the highlights of the tour is crossing Thorong La Pass, the highest navigable pass in the world at an elevation of 5,416 meters (17,769 feet). This challenging ascent rewards cyclists with panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks before descending into the arid landscapes of Mustang.
- Natural Hot Springs: After a long day of riding, cyclists can relax and rejuvenate tired muscles in natural hot springs located along the route, such as in Tatopani. These hot springs provide a soothing and therapeutic experience amidst the stunning mountain scenery.
- Support Services: Experienced guides, porters, and support staff accompany the tour, providing logistical assistance, route guidance, and vehicle support as needed. Accommodations are typically arranged at teahouses or guesthouses along the route, offering basic amenities and a comfortable place to rest after a day of cycling.
Recommended Packing List:
- High-quality mountain bike or hybrid bike suitable for off-road riding
- Helmet, gloves, and other protective gear
- Cycling clothing suitable for varying weather conditions, including layers for cold temperatures at higher elevations
- Sturdy shoes suitable for biking and walking
- Hydration pack or water bottles
- Snacks and energy bars for on-the-go fuel
- Basic bike repair kit and spare parts
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sunhat
- Camera or smartphone for capturing memories
- Personal toiletries and medications
Safety Precautions:
- Cyclists should be aware of altitude-related risks and acclimatize gradually to avoid altitude sickness. It’s essential to stay hydrated, take breaks as needed, and listen to your body’s signals.
- Follow the instructions of guides and support staff, and adhere to safety guidelines while riding, especially on steep descents and technical sections of the trail.
- Respect local customs, wildlife, and natural surroundings, and minimize environmental impact by practicing Leave No Trace principles.
Overall, the Annapurna Circuit Bike Tour offers an unforgettable adventure through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, combining epic mountain scenery, cultural immersion, and challenging biking trails for an experience of a lifetime in the Himalayas.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Traveler Reviews
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