A morning briefing covers safety protocols, high-altitude riding challenges, and emergency procedures before an afternoon guided test ride through Kathmandu Valley on a loop through Newari villages and temple paths. This warm-up ride is used to fine-tune bike fitting, test all equipment, and identify any mechanical issues before leaving the city

An early departure by private support vehicle through Dhading, Chitwan, and Tanahun districts with the first sustained views of the middle hills and the approaching Himalayan front range. Besisahar is the gateway to the Annapurna Conservation Area and the official start of the biking circuit. Use the afternoon for a final bike check and to meet the support team

The first real riding day follows the Marsyangdi River valley upstream through Gurung villages, suspension bridges, and waterfalls on a mix of jeep track and singletrack. The day involves 670m of net climbing with the first views of Manaslu at 8,163m and Himalchuli at 7,893m beginning to appear above the treeline. Jagat has an ACAP checkpoint where permits are inspected

A shorter distance day but with sustained climbing and increasingly technical terrain as the valley narrows and the trail gains altitude. The steepest section above Danaque requires significant pushing before the trail widens approaching Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang District. Natural hot springs a five-minute walk from the village are the best recovery option after a hard day in the saddle

The trail climbs out of pine forest above Chame and opens into the wide arid Manang valley where the Annapurna massif suddenly fills the southern skyline. The route passes through Pisang, Braga, and Ngawal before the final run into Manang. Braga village, one of the oldest settlements on the circuit, has a 500-year-old monastery worth stopping at before the push to Manang

A mandatory rest day at 3,540m before the higher altitude days ahead. The Himalayan Rescue Association runs a free altitude sickness briefing in Manang that all riders should attend. Short hikes to Ice Lake at 4,600m or Gangapurna Lake are the recommended acclimatization activity. The afternoon is free for bike maintenance and gear checks

From Manang the route heads west on rough jeep track through Khangsar village to Shree Kharka where bikes are stored safely at the lodge. The remaining trail to Tilicho Base Camp is a hike through dramatic high-altitude terrain with views of Tilicho Peak at 7,134m and Annapurna III. An early overnight at base camp prepares you for the lake ascent the following morning

An early start from base camp for the 5km ascent to Tilicho Lake at 4,919m on rocky trail with possible snow ramps in some seasons. The lake is a vast turquoise sheet ringed by Tilicho Peak, Annapurna III, and the Cathedral Glacier. After descending to Shree Kharka the bike ride back to Manang through the Khangsar valley is mostly fast and rideable

Back on the main circuit route heading toward Thorong La. The trail climbs steadily through Tenki Manang, the last permanent settlement before the pass, and up to the high pastures of Yak Kharka. The distance is short but the altitude gain is steady and the air noticeably thinner with every kilometre. An early night is advisable before the high camp push tomorrow

The shortest riding day by distance but among the hardest by effort. At this altitude cycling feels like wading through water and even walking requires deliberate effort. An early arrival at high camp is essential for adequate rest before the pre-dawn pass crossing the following morning. Eat well, hydrate aggressively, and sleep as early as possible

Departure from high camp at 4am is mandatory to beat the dangerous afternoon winds on the pass. The summit push involves 3 to 4 hours of carrying and pushing bikes on steep rocky and often snow-covered terrain to the 5,416m summit. The descent from the pass drops nearly 1,600m through the arid Mustang rain shadow to Muktinath, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the Hindu and Buddhist worlds

The great reward. One of the best descending days on any biking route in the Himalayas, dropping 2,610m through Kagbeni, the medieval gateway to Upper Mustang, and into the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Marpha village and its famous apple orchards and Tukuche with its historic trading houses are both worth stopping at. Natural hot springs wait at Tatopani at the end of the day

The final riding day follows a paved road south through the Modi Khola valley to Kushma, known for Nepal’s highest bungee jump at 228m above the Kali Gandaki gorge. After the ride the support vehicle transfers the group to Pokhara in approximately two hours. A lakeside dinner after two weeks of teahouse food is well deserved

A free morning in Pokhara before the afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Sunrise at Sarangkot and a morning boat on Phewa Lake are both worth the effort after twelve days of consecutive riding. The 25-minute flight offers views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri on a clear day. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu marks the completion of the circuit

Private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport timed to your flight. Your guide issues completion certificates for the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake extension before seeing you off at departures