Annapurna Circuit Biking

duration 19 days
usd 2,470 All inclusive
difficulty Very Hard
best season Sep-Dec | Mar-May
group size min. 2 pax
max altitude From 4,390 feet at Kathmandu to 17,769 feet at Thorung-La Pass

trip overview

Cycle in the Himalayas at altitudes over 17,000 feet in this thrilling trip around Mount Annapurna. You will be in Manang and Mustang, the legendary region which lies beyond the Himalayas, in one of most arduous journeys there is in the world.

Detail itinerary

day 01
Arrival in Kathmandu.

We will pick you up as you land into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and take you to your hotel in a private vehicle.
- Accomodation: Hotel
day 02
Sightseeing in Kathmandu & Bhaktapur.

Representatives and guides of Mountain Kick will meet with you at your hotel. We will take you around famous landmarks of Kathmandu in a tourist vehicle. Visit royal courtyards, monasteries and temples which have been included in Unesco World Heritage List for their cultural, historical and religious significance.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 03
Ride from Kathmandu to Nagarkot.

We will ride to Nagarkot hill station this day as preparation for our longer trip ahead. We will meet up early and do a final check on your bike and gears before heading east. We ride through the historical town of Bhaktapur, where centuries-old royal courtyards still stand in their former glory. As we pass this town, we have to ride uphill till we reach Nagarkot which offers an excellent view of the Himalayas. The first day is always tiring so rest well in Nagarkot.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 04
Drive from Nagarkot to Sankhu. Then ride to Kathmandu.

We take a vehicle for Sankhu and stop there for lunch. From here, we ride downhill to Kathmandu making our way through vast farmlands in the rural parts of Kathmandu.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 05
Drive to Besisahar.

We drive west to Besisahar in a public bus and it takes about seven hours to get there. You will be treated with beautiful views of Mount Annapurna II, Mount Macchapuchhre and Mount Lamjung from this town.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 06
Ride from Besisahar to Jagat.

Most part of the road to the village of Jagat is pretty good and offers a smooth ride. But there is section of off-road track that runs alongside the Marshyangdi Rivers which is offers an experience of a tough riding in the mountains for the first time in our journey.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 07
Ride from Jagat to Tal.

This will be a tough day of riding and walking uphill. We cycle for about two-thirds the distance in a pretty decent track but then comes a rocky trail through which we have to carry our bicycles till we reach Tal. The panoramic view of the Himalayas will act as motivation for you to carry on.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 08
Ride from Tal to Chame.

We will pass through a Buddhist prayer wall in the beginning of our ride for blessings ahead of the exhausting trip we are about to embark on. We ride through vast farmlands till we reach Danaque from where it is a rocky terrain uphill where we have to carry our bicycles. After making the climb, we can again ride till Chame. There is a hot water spring at Chame that will ease your pain a little.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 09
Ride from Chame to Pisang.

We ride uphill through forests first and then vast farmlands as we pass through several villages to reach Pisang village. Half of the way is very good for riding but the other half is challenging and we will have to walk for most parts.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 10
Ride from Pisang to Manang.

Majority of the day will be spent making thrilling rides on the sides of steep mountains but thank god that almost all of it is ride-able. We will gain quite an altitude as we ride alongside rivers to reach Manang. Here we will ride past world’s highest commercial airport, the Manang Airport, and the ancient Buddhist monastery of Braga.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 11
Acclimatization in Manang.

Spend the day sightseeing in Manang. You will again have to climb more than 1,500 feet the next day so rest well.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 12
Ride from Manang to Yak Kharka.

We will ride uphill to Khusang and this will be a tough climb which will take a toll on your body. However, the forests and the mountains provide a very good distraction from your fatigue. Three-fourths of the track is ride-able.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 13
Ride from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi.

This will definitely put a lot of pressure on your legs but we will pass through several villages and stops to keep you fresh. Consider views of the Himalayan peaks as pain relief.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 14
Ride from Thorong Phedi to Thorung-La Pass. Then ride to Kagbeni.

This is a very long and hard day of cycling. We start before sunrise and ride through a windy trail for about four hours to Thorong-La Pass, the highest point in our travel. A steep downhill trail takes us to Muktinath (3,710 m/12,172 ft) from there. The Muktinath Mandir is one of the holiest shrines for both Hindus and Buddhists as is believed to be the home of the god of liberation, Lord Muktinath (Lord Shiva). A lot of devotees, including holy Sadhus, make the pilgrimage to this place. We again ride downhill to Kagbeni, a village made up of mud houses. The beautiful Mustang Valley below and the Himalayan range above are clearly visible from Kagbeni.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 15
Ride from Kagbeni to Tatopani.

We make a heavy descend today all the way from the Himalayas to the lowlands. The whole road is ride-able as most of it is either cobbled or graveled. We pass through Jomsom, a tourist town that lies on the either side of the Kali Gandaki River. The landscape from Jomsom is all waterfalls and steep mountain ridges alongside the Kali Gandaki River. Further downhill, apple orchards will come into view as we move towards Marpha which is famous for its apple brandy. The Annapurna massif will be on the background throughout the trip as we pass through some more forests and villages to reach Tatopani. “Tatopani”, translates into “hot water” in Nepali, and you will spend the evening in the natural hot water spring here that will heal your body of all the pain of cycling so much.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 16
Ride from Tatopani to Beni. Then drive to Pokhara.

The road is very gentle and moves alongside the river as we move downhill to Beni. From Beni, we will drive to Pokhara in a tourist vehicle. We reach Pokhara in the afternoon and the beautiful city on the bank of the Phewa Lake offers an amazing nightlife to relax you after spending more than two weeks cycling in the Himalayas.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 17
Sightseeing in Pokhara.

There are plenty of places to visit in Pokhara like the Devi’s Falls, the Bat Cave, the World Peace Pagoda, the Phewa Lake, the Sarangkot Hill and many more. Pokhara is a great place to go shopping in the day and partying in the night.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 18
Drive to Kathmandu. Farewell Dinner.

We drive to Kathmandu in a luxurious tourist bus and make stops on the way for lunch and snacks. It takes seven hours and the view of the Himalayas in the distance will surely remind you of your travel there. We will host a farewell dinner for you before you leave.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
day 19
Final Departure.

You will be on a plane back home and we will be there to see you off. Thank you and come again.
- Meal: Breakfast

Included in cost

Receive you from and drop you to the airport or hotel in our company vehicle.
Stay at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfast is provided.
Sightseeing around Kathmandu in a private vehicle with our guide. All entrance fees will be paid.
Stay at guesthouses during the cycling trip on a twin-sharing basis. Meals are not provided.
Local government-licensed guides.
Fees for entering Annapurna Conservation Area and Trekkers’ Information Management System card
We will lend you a down jacket and a sleeping bag for throughout the trek.
Fully paid bus tickets for Kathmandu-Besisahar drive and Pokhara-Kathmandu drive. Other rides in private vehicles included in the itinerary.
A duffel bag, a sun hat and a t-shirt as a souvenir from us.
A traditional Nepali feast with cultural shows as a farewell dinner.
All tourist fees, government charges and other official expenses throughout the trip.

Not included in cost

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. All meals throughout the cycling trip.
Additional stay before, during or after the set itinerary.
Charges at airports or other areas for excess luggage.
Alcohol, hot or cold drinks, bottled water, and other snacks.
Phone calls, internet, laundry, additional porters, and other personal expenses.
Travel insurance. (It is compulsory and covers emergency rescue and evacuation.)
International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Visa fees for entering Nepal.
Trekking equipment.
Other expenses not mentioned in “Included in cost” list.

Accomodation during the Trip

In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 50.Also note that single rooms is easily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

faqs

How do I come to Nepal?

You have to book your own international flight from your country to Nepal and back according to your trip departure dates.
Which is best time of the year to travel?

Most of the biking routes are open throughout the year but September through to December and March to May are the best months to travel.
What travel documents do I need?

As soon as you land into Kathmandu, we take care of all your travel documents required during your trip. You just need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. Tourist fees and permits to enter certain areas will be arranged for by Mountain Kick.
What happens after I land into Nepal?

A chauffeur from Mountain Kick will come receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Representatives of the company will visit you at the hotel itself and brief you on your trip.
Where will I be staying during the trip?

In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. At some destinations, especially in the Himalayas, you will have to stay in a tented camp. If you want to make separate living arrangements, talk to us beforehand and we can arrange single rooms for additional $250. Some guesthouses at very high altitudes and remote places may not have attached washrooms or single rooms.
And food?

All your major meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your biking package except in Kathmandu (where only breakfast is provided for). You will be served local food at all places we dine but you can order anything you like on the menu which you will have to pay for yourself. You will have a range of options so there won’t be a problem if you are a vegetarian or vegan. We make sure you get healthy and hygienic food throughout your travel.
What will a cycling trip with Mountain Kick involve?

You will cycle in the Himalayas in a group of international travellers fully assisted by our guides and local support staff. Travel will involve plenty of sightseeing and mixing with local culture.
Which bike will I get?

You will need a hard tail mountain bike with full suspension for cycling in high altitude. For road biking, you will need a road bike or a hybrid bike. We have several types of high quality bikes for you to choose for the trip. Your rides will be checked by our mechanic before embarking on each journey and will be regularly maintained.
Do I need prior cycling experience?

Not necessarily. But as you have to cycle for hours in rugged mountainous terrain, you have to be in good physical shape. It is, however, expected that you have taken light endurance training especially for longer trips.
How long do I have to cycle each day?

On most days of your trips, you will trek for a couple of hours only. But some biking days require as much as eight hours of cycling in high altitude. However, there will be plenty time each day for rest and acclimatization.
How much help do I get during the trip?

Our guides and porters always put your safety and comfort first. We have English-speaking guides who take you to all major attractions throughout the travel and are happy to answer all your queries. We have local support staff in all villages and camps you reach to assist you in any way possible.
What happens in case of injuries and emergencies?

The guides always carry a professional first aid kit with them to treat with minor injuries. We also have health professionals at villages and camps along the journey. The travel insurance you take (which is compulsory) covers any and all emergency rescue and evacuation.
What if I want to do something beyond the itinerary?

We are always happy to accommodate your wishes during the travel so far as they do not conflict with schedules and other travellers. If you have special plans, you can talk to us beforehand so that we can arrange a customized trip for you.
What equipment do I bring?

You have to bring all travel equipment yourself. Please see the equipment list section for a standard list of required equipment prepared by our guides. Most of the items are easily available in Kathmandu in case if you miss any and we also lend you some of the gears for the duration of the trip for a small fee.
Will I get to communicate with the outer world?

There is internet and telephone connection in all of our stops for the day throughout the journey. You will be able to call back home or post your pictures on Facebook everyday.
What are the modes of transportation for travel mentioned in the itinerary?

Rides for sightseeing and reaching destinations within city limits are done in a private vehicle like a car, a jeep or a microbus. Most of the long distance travel is done in luxurious tourist buses hired exclusively by the company. In some journeys, you may also need to take a public bus but as you will travel in a group with our guides and support staff, you need not worry about your safety or comfort.
How much money do I need to carry during the trip?

Around $50 will be enough to buy you lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. During your travel, you can get by with around $25 a day. But it depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the exchange rate and predominantly rural economy of Nepal, things are pretty cheap in Nepal.
Can I use my credit cards?

Almost all international credit cards are accepted in Nepal. However, not all places, especially during your travel, accept them. There may be a fee involved in processing your card.
Are tips for my guides and porters expected? How much?

Our staff do not expect you to tip them. Generally, travellers tip them if they are satisfied with the service as a means of gratitude. Even when travellers tip the guides and porters, there is no fixed rate. However, if you like to tip them, follow customs of your own country for tipping (which, as we have learned, is 10 to 15 percent of total cost for most western countries).
Where will I get a visa to come to Nepal?

You can obtain a visa at your home country through Nepal’s embassy or consular office. But you can easily get a visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just need two passport-size photographs. A tourist visa with multiple entry for 30 days costs $40 while the same for 90 days costs $100.
How do I book a tour?

Click Book Now to enter your details and we shall contact you. You can contact us directly for any further information or to prepare a customized itinerary for you. For payment information, see our Terms and Conditions.

Trip notes

Please make sure you take a travel insurance at home before arriving here. It is mandatory and you cannot take it in Nepal. Your insurance agent will know which insurance plan suits your travel.
It is advisable that you free up a few days before and after your trip schedule. For reasons beyond our control like flight delays, accidents and natural hazards, the itinerary may have to be altered.
Please inform us and our guides if you have any medical condition that might affect your trip. Please consult your doctor beforehand for any precautions you need to take and always carry medicines if you need them. However, our guides and local support staff have been trained in basic medical intervention and your travel insurance covers any emergency rescue or evacuation.
You may decide to alter your itinerary to some degree as long as there are no time constraints and everyone consents, if you are travelling in a group. Talk to us before embarking on the trip or you may also talk to our guides to see if we can arrange something. One thing we have learned from mountaineering all these years is however good you plan your journey, there are bound to be some improvisations to make our experience richer.

Equipment List

Riding Kits

Helment.
Bike gloves x 3 pairs.
Biking glasses.
Padded cycling shorts (to last at least 5 rides).
Long-sleeved base layers.
Short-sleeved and long-sleeved cycling tops.
Biking socks (at least 5 pairs).
Head torch.
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants.

Feet

Thin, lightweight inner socks.
Thick, warm wool hiking socks.
Hiking boots with spare laces.
Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals).
Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp.
Upper Body.

T-shirts

Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
Fleece jacket or pullover.
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
Down vest and/or jacket.

Hands

Lightweight gloves.
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal).

Accessories

Sleeping bag rated to zero DC.
Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries.
Trekking Bags/Duffel bag.
Basic First Aid Kit.
Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag.
Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches).
Trekking Poles.
Water bottle (2) or camel bag.
Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc).
Ear Plug (who know some people on group are snoring).

Toiletaries

1 medium sized quick drying towel.
Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable).
Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable).
Deodorants.
Nail clippers.
Face and body moisturizer.
Feminine hygiene products.
Small mirror.

Hygeine

Wet wipes (baby wipes).
Tissue /toilet roll.
Anti bacterial hands wash.

Extras/Luxuries

Binoculars.
Reading book.
Trail Map/Guide book.
Journal & Pen.
ipod.
Pencils and small notebooks.
Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble.
Swimming customs (for Kathmandu).
Sleeping Bag and Down Jacket Rental.

Do not forget

Your passport. Passport size photos – three copies.
Airline tickets.
A copy of your travel insurance.

Optional

Munchies (all the walking might make you hungry during your trek).
Camera.
Books or mp3 players (a smartphone is great).
Binoculars.
Hydration bladder. You might also want to carry a thermos.

download equipment list

view all equipment list

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csr

As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.