The Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking trip covers the full 300km circuit in 16 days with a dedicated support vehicle, a Tilicho Lake side trip, and a crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. The route runs from Besisahar through subtropical river valleys, pine forests, high alpine desert, and ancient Gurung and Thakali villages before descending through the Kali Gandaki gorge to Pokhara.
Roughly 35 percent of the route above Besisahar is paved or compacted road. The rest is unpaved jeep track, loose gravel, rocky singletrack, and above 4,500m, sections where carrying and pushing the bike is unavoidable. The Thorong La Pass crossing requires 3 to 4 hours of bike carrying on steep rocky terrain before a 1,600m descent to Muktinath. This trip is rated hard and is suitable only for experienced mountain bikers with strong technical skills, excellent cardiovascular fitness, and prior experience at altitude above 3,000m.
A dedicated support vehicle travels with the group from Kathmandu to Besisahar and from Beni to Pokhara. Above Manang where the vehicle cannot follow, porters carry overnight luggage. All meals are included from Day 3 at Besisahar through to Day 14 at Pokhara. Kumar answers personally if you have questions before booking.
For a shorter introduction to Annapurna biking see our Muktinath to Pokhara Downhill Biking Adventure. For riders who want to go deeper into the Mustang region the Upper Mustang Biking Adventure is the natural next step.
A MountainKick representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Your guide runs a comprehensive pre-trip briefing covering the full 16-day route, daily expectations, altitude protocols, and bike setup. The evening is free to explore Thamel and pick up any last-minute gear or supplies
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
Accommodation
In Kathmandu and Pokhara you stay in comfortable hotels in the main tourist areas, both on a bed and breakfast basis with twin-sharing rooms. Along the circuit from Besisahar to Tatopani, accommodation is in clean teahouse guesthouses. These are simple but adequate, with private or shared bathrooms, hot showers (available at most stops for a small fee), basic Wi-Fi, and electricity for charging. Standards decrease at higher elevations above Manang where accommodation is more basic. Tilicho Base Camp guesthouses are the most basic overnight of the trip. Single supplement is available on request throughout but cannot be guaranteed at very high altitude stops.
Meals
All meals are included from Day 3 (Besisahar) through to Day 14 (Pokhara arrival). In Kathmandu and Pokhara only breakfast is included at the hotel. A farewell dinner is included on Day 15 in Kathmandu. Fresh fruits are provided during riding days as part of the support vehicle supplies. Meals on the circuit are served at teahouses and guesthouses along the route. Expect dal bhat, noodle soups, fried rice, momos, eggs, and pasta. Vegetarian options are available everywhere. Above Manang food choices narrow and prices increase as everything is carried in by porter or mule. Budget for personal drinks, snacks, and any extras outside the included meals.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara you stay in 3-star hotels on twin-sharing basis with breakfast included. Rooms have private bathrooms, hot water, and Wi-Fi. On the circuit from Besisahar to Tatopani you stay in teahouse guesthouses with basic twin rooms, shared or private bathrooms, and simple facilities. Hot showers and Wi-Fi are available at most stops for a small extra charge. Standards decrease with altitude. Above Manang expect more basic conditions with limited electricity and no reliable hot showers. Tilicho Base Camp guesthouses are the most basic overnight of the trip with minimal facilities at 4,150m. Thorong High Camp at 4,925m has very basic shared accommodation with limited heating. Single supplement is available on request throughout but cannot be guaranteed at very high altitude stops above Manang.
Hotel Vistara
Trip Grade
Hard. Suitable only for experienced mountain bikers with strong technical skills, excellent fitness, and prior experience in remote or high-altitude environments. See the full grade notes in the overview section.
Permits Required
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card are both required and are arranged and included by MountainKick. You will need to carry your passport and permit at all checkpoints along the route.
Support Vehicle and Porters
A dedicated support vehicle travels with the group from Kathmandu to Besisahar and from Beni to Pokhara. Between Besisahar and the circuit, the vehicle supports at accessible road points. Above Manang where the vehicle cannot follow, porters carry overnight luggage. You ride with a light daypack throughout.
Best Season
September to December and March to May. Post-monsoon autumn gives the clearest mountain views and most stable conditions on the pass. Spring is slightly warmer at lower elevations. The Thorong La Pass can receive heavy snow from November onward and is sometimes closed in January and February. We do not operate this trip during the monsoon months of June through August.
Altitude and Health
This trip reaches 5,416 metres at Thorong La and 4,919 metres at Tilicho Lake. Altitude sickness is a genuine risk. The acclimatisation day in Manang is mandatory. Inform your guide immediately of any symptoms: persistent headache, nausea, loss of appetite, confusion, or difficulty breathing beyond normal exertion. Diamox (Acetazolamide) is commonly used as a preventative measure but must be discussed with your doctor before travel. Descent is always the treatment if symptoms become serious. Helicopter evacuation from the circuit to Kathmandu is the standard emergency response and is why comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.
Travel Insurance
Mandatory for all participants. Must cover high-altitude mountain biking above 5,500 metres and emergency helicopter evacuation. We will ask for proof of insurance before departure.
Tilicho Lake Note
Bikes are ridden to Shree Kharka and stored safely at the lodge. The trail beyond Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp and the lake is a hike. This section involves a landslide traverse and rocky high-altitude trail. Crampons or microspikes may be needed in heavy snow conditions and are rentable in Manang. Your guide will advise on conditions closer to the trip date.
Thorong La Pass Note
Departure from Thorong High Camp is at 4:00 AM. This is not negotiable. Afternoon winds on the pass are dangerous and the pre-dawn start allows maximum time for the crossing and descent. The summit push involves 3 to 4 hours of carrying and pushing bikes on steep rocky and often snow-covered terrain. Come prepared mentally for this section.
Vaccinations
Consult your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel. Commonly recommended for Nepal: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
Customisation
This itinerary can be adjusted on request. Use our trip customisation page or contact us directly. We also run the standard Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking without the Tilicho extension for those with less time.
Mountain Biking Equipment
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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