Annapurna Expedition

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive and Ride Helipad Trail

Distance: 27km — Climb: 500m — Descend: 500m

• Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), transfer to hotel and build bikes.
• Join us for an afternoon ride on the Helipad Trail and navigate through the streets of Kathmandu stopping along the way to check out a Buddhist and Hindu temple!
• Mandatory pre-trip meeting with your guides over dinner and drinks.

• We highly recommend arriving one or two days early to catch up on rest after a long flight, experience more of Kathmandu, and just in case of any luggage delays. Talk to us about booking extra nights for you at our preferred hotel.

Day 2 - Transfer to Besisahar (760m), Ride to Ngadi (890m)

Distance: 12.5km — Climb: 280m — Descend: 185m

• After a delicious buffet breakfast at our hotel, we pack our bags and settle in for the long journey to Besisahar, the official starting point of the Annapurna Circuit, stopping for lunch en route. Approx 6 hrs drive on scenic winding roads.
• Upon arrival we’ll have a quick snack and a refreshing cold drink while getting our bikes and bikepacking bags all set up.
• And we’re off! After a fun downhill start to get the adrenaline flowing it’s an easy pedal on undulating dirt roads to our first teahouse accommodation, arriving just in time to get a glimpse of the sun setting over the Himalayas!

Day 3 - Ngadi to Tal (1700m)

Distance: 22km — Climb: 1435m — Descend: 660m

• Our first full day on the Circuit begins! Wake up to the smell of crisp mountain air and fresh Himalayan coffee. Enjoy a casual morning with a warm breakfast and preparations for riding.
• Today is the perfect introduction to what life is like on the Annapurna Circuit. You’ll pass through several small villages and learn about local lifestyle.
• Surrounded by massive cliffs and tight valley walls, we’ll ride past countless waterfalls as we enjoy a good mix of singletrack trails and rugged dirt roads.

Day 4 - Tal to Chame (2710m)

Distance: 23km — Climb: 1450m — Descend: 450m

• The climbing gets steeper today and a little more relentless, but the warm jungle climate and the sights and sounds of the Himalaya will keep your mind off of it.
• We’ll start our morning with a fun singletrack side trail and a short hike-a-bike section before crossing our first suspension bridge of the trip, linking back up with the road.
• Not your typical dirt road, this track is precariously cut in through vertical rock walls and features rocky technical challenges similar to those of your favourite singletracks back home!

Day 5 - Chame to Manang (3540m)

Distance: 28km — Climb: 1210m — Descend: 355m

• The grind uphill continues but it’s mixed with some fun downhills and smoother sections of road along with short bits of side trail and interesting terrain, making for a great day of pedalling.
• You’ll begin to meet people from all over the world today as multiple routes converge into one, before reaching the end of the road in Manang.
• Tonight you’ll rest under the shadows of giants and you’ll wake up to awe-inspiring views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.

Day 6 - Manang Trail Ride / Acclimatization Day

Distance: 10km — Climb: 400m — Descend: 400m

• Today is an important day for acclimatization before we head up to higher elevations.
• Enjoy a casual morning soaking in the sun and indulging in fresh baked goods and western style coffee, before ditching the bikepacking bags and riding some amazing singletrack trails, the likes of which have been featured in Bike Magazine.
• This afternoon we’ll attend a mandatory high-altitude/AMS lecture at the Manang Aid Post, hosted by the Himalayan Rescue Association.

Day 7 - Manang to Tilicho Base Camp (4150m)

Distance: 15km — Climb: 1195m — Descend: 550m

• The road ends in Manang, meaning we’ll be riding only trails for the next several days!
• After another delicious and hearty breakfast we’ll leave our bikepacking bags behind and set off for a two day side trip to Tilicho Lake, where we’ll spend our first night above 4000m.
• This trail features exhilarating singletrack cut in through steep side hills, surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery!

Day 8 - Tilicho B.C. to Tilicho Lake (4920m) to Manang (3540m)

Distance: 24km — Climb: 1210m — Descend: 1810m

• Rise early today for a challenging climb and hike-a-bike up a steep and challenging trail topping out at almost 5000 meters!
• Tilicho Lake is a magical place where crystal blue waters meet the clear blue skies of the Himalaya, seemingly fading into one another - have your camera ready!
• Go for a dip if you dare, and then we’ll ride all the way back down this incredible trail returning to our guesthouse in Manang, stopping for brunch at Tilicho B.C.

Day 9 - Manang to Thorong Phedi (4450m)

Distance: 15km — Climb: 1100m — Descend: 85m

• Strap the bags back onto your bike and we’ll continue to make our way around the Annapurna Circuit and up towards the pass.
• Today’s ride is a challenging one as it features a mix of steep but ride-able sections, and even steeper hike-a-bikes.
• Tonight we’ll be staying at the Thorong La base camp at nearly 4500m of elevation. Enjoy a warm dinner and get to bed early as we’ll be starting bright and early the following day to tackle the pass.

Day 10 - Thorong Phedi to Thorong La Pass (5416m) to Muktinath (3800m)

Distance: 17km — Climb: 925m — Descend: 1710m

• The most challenging and most rewarding day of our trip, today’s the day we cross over Thorong La Pass - the highest navigable mountain pass on earth!
• Entirely a hike-a-bike this morning we’ll be motivated to get to the top, rejoice in our victory, and shred down a steep and technical 1600m singletrack descent into the Mustang Valley.
• We’ll arrive in Muktinath Village around lunchtime where we’ll feast and celebrate, before taking the afternoon off to relax or visit the sacred Muktinath Hindu Temple.

Day 11 - Muktinath to Marpha (2670m), via Lupra Pass (4200m)

Distance: 25km — Climb: 300m — Descend: 1310m

• As if you haven’t already climbed enough, we’ll do one last uphill push to the top of Lubra Pass where we’ll get amazing views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, the 7th highest mountain in the world.
• The Lubra Valley trail is by far the most popular singletrack ride in all of Nepal, and for good reason - it’s one of the best trails we’ve ever ridden, anywhere on earth!
• We’ll finish today’s ride in Marpha, nestled along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River Valley, where we’ll enjoy fresh baked apple pies and homemade apple brandy.

Day 12 - Marpha to Tatopani (1200m)

Distance: 40km — Climb: 325m — Descend: 1775m

• Today we’ll descend from high desert to lush jungle as we roll through the Kali Gandaki Valley, the world’s deepest river gorge.
• We’ll be riding a mix of awesome singletrack trails, rocky jeep roads, and dried up riverbeds.
• Another delicious dinner and a visit to a natural hot spring are a warm welcome for us at tonight’s guest house in Tatopani.

Day 13 - Tatopani to Beni (850m), 18km, shuttle to 1600m, ride to Pokhara (800m)

Distance: 50km — Climb: 420m — Descend: 1965m

• An incredible final day on the Circuit as we descend through thick jungle and pass by ancient temples while making our way to the end of the circuit in Beni, where our private shuttle vehicle and some cold drinks will be waiting.
• We’ll drive up to a high mountain pass on the way to Pokhara and drop in on an unbelievably fun and fast urban descent rolling right into Lakeside Pokhara just in time for a beautiful sunset.
• Reunited with the rest of your luggage, we’ll freshen up and hit the town for a well deserved meal and check out the local nightlife. Get ready to celebrate!

Day 14 - Departure

• After a leisurely breakfast this morning we’ll pack up our bikes and hop aboard a small aircraft flight back to Kathmandu featuring majestic views of the Himalayas.
• Catch your afternoon or evening flights home from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), or choose to stay in Kathmandu.
• Until next time, Namaste!

• If you have the time, we highly recommend spending a few extra nights in Pokhara. It’s a tropical paradise and a great spot to relax and unwind after such an epic trip. Ask us about adding extra nights for you in Pokhara or in Kathmandu.