Annapurna Circuit, Nepal mountain bike tours

The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is a classic route that will take you through stunning scenery, from Besisahar at 800m to the Thorong La, a high mountain pass at 5416m, and down through the lower Mustang region of Nepal, past stunning mountains and charming villages.

The trip is supported by porters, so no need to carry your overnight gear with you on your bike. You’ll stay in a cozy teahouse in the mountains, with a bed, bathroom and sometimes a hot shower!

This trip is challenging with 5-6 hours of riding each day. The first few days include about 4000-5000 ft of climbing each day. Riders should be confident in technical skills and fitness and ready to have a trip of a lifetime!

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Annapurna Circuit mountain biking trip dates in 2024

• October 20 – November 2, 2024

Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact us for custom trip dates!

Skill and fitness level requirements

Fitness level: ● ● ● ● ●
Skill level: ● ● ● ○ ○

What do these ratings mean?

What to expect after you’ve booked your trip

• Once you’ve booked your trip, you will get a confirmation email through our booking system and a trip information sheet for your trip.
• Please hold off booking your flights until we confirm that the trip has enough participants to run. We will send out an email to let you know.
• Once the trip is confirmed, please go ahead and book your flight and upload your flight information into your WeTravel account (this is the account you will have booked your trip through).
• If you plan to extend your visit on either end of the trip, please let us know and we can help arrange for extra nights at the hotel if needed.
• Make sure to read through your trip information sheet, and always feel free to reach out with any questions to Julie!

Day 1

Arrival in Nepal and transfer to the hotel. Your guide will be at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel. Sleep off the jet lag and build up your bike if you have the energy!

Accommodations: Wood Apple Hotel

Day 2

Today, we will build up our bikes and ride through the streets of Kathmandu to the foothills for a ride on Helipad trail. This ride will help you to beat the jet lag with a nice climb and fun descent through Shivapuri National Park. After the ride, we will have traditional Dal Bhat for dinner and discuss the upcoming trip.

Accommodations: Wood Apple Hotel

Day 3

We will leave Kathmandu today and make the drive to Besisahar, our starting point for the Annapurna Circuit. Enjoy the scenery along the way as we will start to see the mighty Himalaya in the distance.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 4

Today we start the Annapurna Circuit! We will head out of Besisahar and begin to make our way to Taal. The ride has between 4000-5000 ft of elevation gain and takes us through magnificent scenery. We will be riding through a river valley and will spot some waterfalls along the way.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 5

On this day, we will continue our journey with another challenging day to Chame. The scenery begins to change as we go deeper into the mountains. Enjoy the sights and sounds of villages as we pass through.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 6

Today, we will make our way even further up into the mountains to the village of Manang. We may be getting tired, but we know that we have a rest and acclimatization day tomorrow!

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 7

Rest day in Manang. Sitting at just over 11,000 ft, we will spend the day adjusting to the elevation and resting our legs after three challenging days. If you choose, you can join the group in a hike to a beautiful lake just above town. Wander through the small village and enjoy a rest day well earned.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 8

From Manang, we will take singletrack out of the village and make our way up to Thorong Phedi. Take your time and don’t push too hard because the air continues to get thinner. Arrive in Thorong Phedi, drink some tea and get ready for tomorrow’s big push over the pass.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 9

Today is the day we will make our way over Thorong La Pass! We will start well before dark to beat any incoming wind and weather. The push to the pass is a challenging one, which only makes it that much more rewarding. Just wait until you see the prayer flags that mark the high point- it is an incredible feeling! Once we get to the pass, we will descend almost 6000 ft of amazing singletrack all the way to Muktinath.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 10

Our bodies should we well acclimatized after going up and over the pass. We will start the day with a short climb that will take us to one of the best descents in Nepal- Lubra Valley. This flowing singletrack is very fun and has some of the most breathtaking views! We will descend all the way to the river valley below and make our way to Tukuche to enjoy some apple brandy and apple desserts.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 11

We will make our way through the valley, on a combination of singletrack and jeep roads to the village of Tatopani. Here, we will enjoy soaking in some natural hot springs.

Accommodations: Tea House

Day 12

Our last day of the ride will take us to our finishing spot of Beni. We will celebrate with a delicious lunch and then make our way to Pokhara for some lakeside relaxing.

Accommodations: Hotel in Pokhara

Day 13

Enjoy the morning in Pokhara, a beautiful lakeside city that has many adventure options. Walk around the city, rent a boat to get out on the lake or just relax before flying back to Kathmandu.

Accommodations: Hotel in Pokhara

Day 14

Today, we will say our “see you laters” as we depart Kathmandu. We will transport you to the airport to catch your flight home.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Download our Nepal Trip Info Sheet for a more detailed trip overview.

• All accommodations, including comfortable hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and tea houses in the mountains
• Airport pickup and drop off, as well private transportation within Nepal
• Flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu
• All meals on the Annapurna Circuit
• Porters to carry your gear while on the Annapurna Circuit
• An experienced and certified guide!

Price – $2895

Book more than 90 days in advance and get a pair of World Ride Nepal socks and a hat! A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Deposits are non-refundable and can be put toward any other World Ride trip in the future.

The remainder of the cost of the trip is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip and can be made in payments. Trips require a minimum of four people in order to run. Please check with us to confirm your trip before you book your flight.

Fundraise for your trip

Fundraise for your trip! We can set up a personalized fundraising page for you. We offer $100 off your trip costs for every $1000 that you raise, up to the cost of the trip.

The money you raise supports World Ride in building bike and gear libraries and offering guide training and certification in the countries we work with.

Get in touch with us for more details on the fundraising process.

Usha started mountain biking for fun and then it gradually became a bigger part of her life. Usha was featured in the film Moksha, which was the project that kick-started World Ride. She is a PMBIA Level 1 Certified mountain bike skills coach, certified MTB and trekking guide and is the Nepal 2023 Downhill and XC National Champion.

Usha’s favorite thing about mountain biking is that it helps her get to beautiful places and meet many people from around the world. Her favorite trail in Nepal is the descent from Thorong La Pass and Lubra Valley—from the high point of the Annapurna Circuit down into the valley below!

Nepal is a warm and welcoming country, but like anyplace in the world, you will need to be cautious of your valuables during the trip. The bikes will be securely stored throughout the trip.

Please see the US State Department website for any other travel safety information.

For any travel related vaccines and health questions, be sure to check the CDC website and consult your doctor.

Wondering what clothes to pack, how many pairs of underwear to bring, or what charger you’ll need for Nepal? We’ve got you covered! Check out the lists below and take a look at the Nepal information guide for more details.

More insights into your Annapurna Circuit mountain biking tour

• A tale of the Annapurna Circuit
• Why going on a World Ride mountain biking trip is the best way to support our mission

Other things to explore in Nepal

There are many sights to see in Nepal! Depending on when you arrive and depart for your trip, here are some suggestions for Kathmandu. You’ll also find this information included in your trip information sheet.

Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple)

Sitting above Kathmandu, this Buddhist temple is a must see while in Kathmandu. Its more common name is the Monkey Temple because you are sure to see some monkeys
hanging around the temple complex. Since this temple sits above the city, it
has some fantastic views of the Kathmandu valley.

Boudhanath Stupa

This giant Buddhist stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. It is one of the most visited sites in Kathmandu and is a short taxi ride from where we stay in the Thamel area.

Other treks

Are you looking to extend your stay in Nepal? We are happy to organize treks for you into other regions or more mountain biking as well!