Compact Annapurna Circuit: Epic Biking Adventure in the Himalayas!

Sunday April 13 - Tuesday April 15: Kathmandu After arrival on Sunday we will be transferred to our hotel Kathmandu Guesthouse. This hotel is a legend in Nepal. All important mountaineers have stayed here. With a beautiful park-like courtyard, it is quietly yet centrally located in the Thamel district. From here we can explore the old town with the markets and Durban Square together. Monday we do a bike and equipment check together. We will now customize your rental bikes and have a 40km, 800m elevation trip with nice views on Kathmandu from atop. Afterwards, explore the city with a local English-speaking guide and visit the absolute highlight, the Boudhanath Pagoda. The colorful hustle and bustle around the holy site in the evening will certainly leave a lasting impression on you.

Tuesday, November 4: Kathmandu -Besisahar From Kathmandu we and our bikes get transferred almost 5 hours by jeep to Besisahar (580m). The route is quite bumpy in places, but we are compensated by the impressions of everyday Nepalese life on the side of the road. In Besisahar we stay in the best hotel available, the Himalaya Gateway (pool).

Wednesday, November 5: Besisahar - Tal Now it's finally time to get on the bike. The first stage takes us varied, with constant ups and downs, all day above the Marshyangdi River through nice little villages from Besisahar to Tal (1.700m). The road ist partly quiet steep, but the bike can easily be walked in this short sections. 38km, 1.400m up, 600m down.

Thursday, November 6: Tal - Chame The nice thing about MTB is - we start after the hikers and arrive before them! The valley narrows, the landscape becomes more impressive, we cross suspension bridges as soon as the oncoming mule caravans allow us to. The views of the river below become even more phenomenal. After having done most of the climbing for the day, we stop for tee in Timang (2.740m), a pitoresque village with many brightly colored guesthouses. The rest of the trip is fun part and easy going to Chame (2.800m). 25km, 1.450m up, 530m down,

Friday, November 7: Chame - Upper Pisang This stage to Upper Pisang (3.200m) is quite short and rewards us with trails and increasing views of the ice giants. After arrival we have time to take a short hike to a monastery in Upper Pisang below Pisang Peak (6.091m). From there we enjoy the fantastic view and can attend the monk ceremony (5pm). 15km, 800m up, 200m down

Saturday, Apri l19: Upper Pisang - Manang Instead of taking the gravel road to Manang (3.540m)in the valley, we choose the trail further up. We are rewarded by stunning views to the Annapurna Himal and by flow trails down to Manag after lunch in Ghyaru. 17km, 470m up, 310m down Sunday April 20: Manang Manang at 3.540m is ideal for a rest and acclimatization hikes. We stay here for 2 nights in the Himalayan Lodge. Once more, the best place in town with a great kitchen /try Yak steak!) and attached bakery (they actually serve apple pie, cinnamon rolls and cappuccino). Monday we will hike to the Ice Lake (4.600m) with stunning views to Annapurna and Gangapurna. (13km, 1.100m up and down). We will be well acclimatized for the next days in higher altitude.

Monday, April 21: Mamang-Thorong Phedi Basecamp Trails, easy-to-drive serpentines, a gigantic panorama. This characterizes the route from Mamang to Thorong Phedi. There are a few small stretches to be overcome. Thorong Phedi is not an actual village, but rather consists of the houses of the Thorong Basecamp Lodge (4.540m). However, this simple accommodation has the advantage that we sleep better than in the very basically equiped High Camp. But, we will surely do the 1h walk up there on this day (climb high-sleep low!). 2.5 km, 430m up/down Now we are sufficiently acclimatized to tackle the Thorong La (La means pass) and reach the highlight of the tour. Next day. Today we will decide who wants to walk his bike to the pass by his/her own the next day, or hires a porter (50$). This can be worthwhile, because you probably enjoy that day much more and start more relaxed into the long downhill from Thorong La to Mukthinat. 17km, 1.300m up, 400m down

Tuesday, April 22: Thorong BC - Muktinath via Thorong La Since we can do the long descent to Muktinath by MTB, we set off after the hikers. After Thorong Phedi Highcamp the path is not very steep and has no steps. We will still go slowly, due to the altitude. After 3-4h hours we reach the highest point of our tour, Thorong La (5.416m). Surrounded by countless prayer flags, we take our mandatory photo in front of the small stupa and the stone tablet. Now begins a 10km long trail fun with 1.600 descent and constant views of the Himalayan giants that are close enough to touch. Alpine meadows soon begin, the trail and the serpentines becomes narrower. For the last half hour we glide easily until we reach Muktinath (3.690m). 16km, 870m up, 1730​ down

Wednesday, April 23: Muktinath - Kalopani We don't have to take the gravel road on which many hikers get transferred in jeeps back towards Pokhara. 1.000 meters of downhill with a super flowing trail descent through the Lubra Valley, are now almost hiker and mule free. This in front of a mountain backdrop that you can't get enough of, including the Dhaulagiri (8.172m). From Jomsom we take the gravel road to Marpha and the trails on the left side of the Kali Gandaki valley to Kalapani (2.500 m). 42 km, 430m up, 1.780m down

Thursday, April 24: Kalopani- Pokhara On the back of the Annapurna we can really take advantage of the advantages of the MTB. The route leads through the beautiful Kali Gandaki valley, which is initially wide but soon narrow and wild to Beni. Here is the orchard of Nepal, mainly growing apples. Today we should be able to roll along pretty easily, mostly downhill. Than the road narrows and becomes a gorge above the rushing Kali Gandaki, some of which are adventurously carved into the rock. We drive up and down the Kali Gandaki valley, mainly on side roads and tracks, up to Baglung (800m). From there we escape the increasing traffic and are transferred the remaining 80km to Pokhara by jeep. Soon the view opens up with a breathtaking panorama back to the Annapurna massif and Machapuchre and we bump down to Pokhara at Phewa Lake (820m). We can complete the tour on the shore of the lake with numerous small restaurants.​ ​The KGH-Waterfront Resort in Pokhara is ideal for a relaxing day by the lake. It is quiet and a bit out of the way. The lake promenade with its many restaurants can be easily reached in a 10 minutes walk. The lake view pool is a real highlight in Pokhara. 70 km, 370m up, 2050m down

Friday, April 25: You and the bikes will be transported by Jeep back to Kathmandu. Optionally you avoid the 8hours roadtrip by choosing to fly (at your own expenses) from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Your bikes will be brought to the bikeshop, be cleaned and put back into the transportboxes. We will stay once mor for one night in Kathmandu Guesthouse. Saturday, April 26: After three strenuous, eventful and impressive weeks, we fly back home.