Day
01: Pick up from the International Airport,
transfer to hotel and welcome dinner.
Day 02: Sightseeing in the Kathmandu
valley.
Day 03: We take a bus from Kathmandu
to Besisahar (177 km, 5-6 hrs) taking lunch on the way
and then staying overnight in a hotel at Besisahar.
At Besisahar there are shops and a bank, and the entrance
to the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Day 04: Our trek starts with a ride
to Bahundanda (18km, 650m altitude gain to 1310m, but
some covered by jeep). The biking includes single trails
and a technical crossing of a river tributary on a bamboo
suspension bridge. We then bike through extensive rice
terraces with views of Himal Chuli, Buddha Himal and
Manaslu, the ninth highest mountain in the world at
8156m.
Day 05: To Tal Manang (12km, 600hm,
1700m, about 40% ride-able). The first section from
Bahundanda is a very technical trail with rocky ups
and down. Several times you will need to push or carry
your bike. But the journey is through a beautiful landscape
of waterfalls, cliffs and gorges of the Marsyangdi River.
At Tal there are lodges and shops.
Day 06: To Chame Manang (20.6km, 985hm,
2670m, about 55% ride-able). We continue uphill along
a technical trail to reach Bagarchhap (about 8km), beyond
which the trail heads through a fine area of jungle.
Chame is a district headquarters of the Manang district
and has offices, shops, and lodges.
Day
07: To Lower Pisang village (15.2km, 600hm,
3260m, 80% ride-able). The biking is easier today, following
a trail beside the Marsyangdi River which goes through
pine forest with views of the Annapurna Himal. We still
need to push the bikes as we approach the Wave Rock,
a huge rock weathered to look like a wave. Beyond it
the going is easier along a lovely trail through pine
forests. At Lower Pisang there are lodges and after
a rest, and some tea or coffee, we can visit Upper Pisang
which has a 15th century Monastery and amazing views
of the Annapurna range and Pisang Peak.
Day 08: To Manang village (16.7km,
400hm, 3450m, 95% ride-able). A mostly flat trail, with
more fine views of the Annapurna range and Pisang Peak.
Day 09: Today we rest at Manang to
acclimatise, enjoying the village and perhaps visitng
an old Monastery.
Day
10: (90% ride able). Today we bike past Braga,
an unbelievably compact settlement where the old monastery
has a marvelous statue of Buddha. Opposite the village
are the glaciers from Annapurna III and IV, and the
peaks of Gangapurna and Khangsar Kang. We continue on
a broad, ride-able way to return to Manang. The village
of solid stone houses is a real surprise in such a desert
environment. Overnight accommodation in tents at 3500m.
Day 11: (50% ride able). We now leave
the Round Annapurna trekking route and bike to Tilicho
Base Camp. This route is rarely used by trekkers and
the country is a little inhospitable, but offers an
exciting tour. A super single-track trail leads past
Kangshar (3770 m) to a desert landscape backed by high,
snow-clad peaks. Now the way is rocky and sometimes
narrow, and demands the highest concentration. Overnight
accommodation in tents at Tilicho Base Camp (4200m).
Day 12: (50% ride able). Today we reach
5000m for the first time so we must take it slowly and
concentrate: there must be no mistakes at this height.
Suddenly the fairy-tale Tilicho Lake emerges before
us. The lake lies in beautiful mountain country: the
Cathedral Glacier flows straight into the lake. Tonight
we camp on a meadow beside the lake at 5010m and enjoy
the marvelous, changing colours of the mountains as
evening approaches.
Day 13: (50% ride able). We cross a
pass east of the lake. The ascent to the pass, at 5300m,
is very steep and not ride-able. The pass is also sometimes
snow covered, which makes for an exciting ride. We then
descend to Tilicho Camp 2. where we overnight in tents
at 5100m.
Day 14: (40% ride able). Today, after
a short ascent (which is very rocky and cannot be ridden)
we reach a unique lookout point, a 5200m pass from where
we can see into distant Tibet and into the red landscape
of Upper Mustang. We can also gaze at the enormous wall
of Nilgiri and at Dhaulagiri, which, at 8137m, is the
seventh highest mountain in the world. From the pass
the way is downhill all the way to our overnight camp
at 4300m.
Day 15: (90% ride able). Today the
entire ride is downhill and not very technical. So it
is a very pleasant day, and one with superb views of
Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Our destination is Jomosom,
the main town of the area. Jomosom is famous for its
fruit orchards, the apples and apricots being the finest
in Nepal. Jomoson has an airfield with daily flights
to and from Pokhara, but these are usually only in the
morning as in the afternoon the wind can prevent flying.
After we arrive there is time to enjoy the town life,
sauntering through the streets and lanes. We can also
have a very welcome hot shower and a well-earned rest
after the exertions of the last few days. Hotel accommodation
at 2900m.
Day 16: To Kalopani (24.8km, 2530m,
85% ride-able). At first we follow the Kali Gandaki
river through the villages of Thakali, Marpha, Tukuche
and Larjung. The next section is easy riding, following
a jeep track to Kalopani, a beautiful village set below
the Dhaulagiri Himal. From the village there is a panoramic
view of Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiri peaks and Annapurna
I.
Day 17: To Tatopani, (23km, 1190m,
75% ride-able). Downhill at first, then a technical
section where we cross a suspension bridge and ride
through pine forest to reach Ghasa where there are several
lodges. From here the trail goes steeply down to the
Rupse waterfall, one of the biggest on the route, where
we have lunch at a restaurant with a fine view of the
falls. Beyond, the trail is much easier, going through
Dana village and crossing rice paddies to reach Tatopani,
a small town on the north bank of Kali Gandaki River.
This is a great place to stay as there are hot springs
and cold beer.
Day 18: To Beni Baazar (24km, 830m,
90% ride-able). The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River
through the world’s deepest gorge to reach Beni.
This is a fun day, with an excellent trail and a section
of new road. Beni is the headquarters of Parbat District
and has many shops and hotels. From here we take a bus
for the 78km to Pokhara.
Day 19: A free day top explore fascinating
Pokhara. We could even explore it by bike.
Day 20: We take the bus for the 200km
drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 21: Free day for shopping in Kathmandu.
Day 22: Departure for home.
