Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking

Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking is one of the peculiar adventures admired for the ultimate exploration of the Annapurna region in Nepal. The mountain biking adventure takes you to places widely appreciated for the beautiful villages such as Pisang and Manang and the incredible mountain vistas of diverse facets of majestic Annapurna mountain. During the Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Tour, you will get an excellent opportunity to witness the mindblowing sights of the snowclad Himalayas, diverse terrains, and awe-inspiring landscapes.

The mountain biking adventure in the mountains of Nepal is not new. Though the increasing niches have made it one of the core activities in the Himalayan landscapes, mountain biking in Nepal is reported to be started in the early decades after the legendary Annapurna circuit came into the limelight.

In this mountain biking trip, you will reach elevations above 5000 m. and barren landscapes in the trans-Himalayan zone. The biking trip is challenging as you will be biking on steep terrains, somewhere uphill and downhill and on gravelled and rocky rough surfaces. The drought due to trans-Himalayan properties in the areas of Manang and Mustang is very astonishing, whereas in the lower elevations you will pass through the amazing greenery and explore a wide range of flora and fauna. 

In some parts of the trail, especially when you are gaining elevations, you might have to carry your bikes for hours. And the beauty of biking down the hill while exploring the breathtaking cliffs amid mountains and enjoying the adventure makes the trip what it is. 

The adventuresome biking in the Annapurna circuit provides you with a duality of emotions and an amazing thrill that you may never have explored in other parts of the world. The Himalayas in the sight, and peddling through the rough and rugged terrains is perhaps an adventure affair that is purely connected with nature and the people that worship it. 

Long served as a trade route, the Annapurna circuit is a renowned trekking area in the Annapurna region. The northwestern part of Nepal is full of mountain beauty and is greatly blessed by the authentic natural spectrums that have been kept intact with conservation efforts. You will be biking in the villages of Kaski, Mustang and Manang districts while exploring all the faces of Annpurna Mountain throughout your biking trip. 

The Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking offers a deep peek into the life of people in the remote parts of Nepal. Moreover, it allows you to test your patience and adventure spirit that is greatly accompanied by the snowclad Himalayas. 

Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking Facts

The 220 Kilometer Annapurna circuit activity in Nepal is a mountain biking haven that will take you on an incredible experience while being surrounded by some of the highest peaks on earth. On this trip, explore the culture, tradition and hospitality of people and imagine mountains covered with snow, suspension bridges, pine forests, small mountain towns, and breathtaking vistas in all directions. The descents and ascents during the trip take you up to 5416 meters above sea level which makes the trip the ultimate hard-core mountain adventure that you can ever explore. 

Why Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking trip?

A traditional mountain bike journey to discover the Himalayas' magnificence in the Annapurna region takes you to diverse places in Nepal. Riders passing through traditional villages on the challenging routes of the Annapurna Circuit are rewarded with a breathtaking vista of the Himalayas, including the Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, Tukuche peak and many other neighbouring mountains. 

This magnificent trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for cyclists. You'll go down some of Nepal's most breathtaking and interesting cycling trails on this amazing tour. The Annapurna Circuit Mountain Bike Trip takes us through a varied range of scenery, including rich subtropical rainforest, small and scattered villages, deep valleys, and farmed fields, as well as woody alpine and arid landscapes. During the biking trip, you can also explore the communities, interact with the hill inhabitants, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayan Range.

What is Annapurna Circuit?

Annapurna Circuit is an incredible trekking and mountain biking trail situated in the northwestern part of Nepal. The trail was originally developed by the locals as a trade route to pass on the goods and for the purpose of trade. The original trail was longer and require numerous days to complete. This has somehow benefitted the locals then and provided accessibility in the remote hilly villages. The livestock and domestic products used to be transported from the higher areas to the lower Pokhara and neighbouring small cities through the same trail. 

In 1977, the area's trekking was made accessible to tourists from outside the country after a dispute between the administration and local guerilla organizations was resolved. The original route, which took 23 days, went in an anticlockwise direction from Dhumre to Pokhara, with trekkers crossing the Thorong-La Pass and descending into the Jomsom Valley. However, the route was fragmented with the development of roadways connecting small towns of different villages in the 80s. Although a roadway was developed, the actual trek route didn’t change and people still trek the route to complete the Annapurna Circuit. 

The Annapurna mountain is full of adventure and is also one of the most arduous mountains to climb. As per the traditional epics, the mountain range was given its name in honour of Annapurna. Annapurna is said to be the daughter of Himavat, King of the Mountains and the Goddess of sustenance and nourishment. 

Besisahar

Besishahar, with its subtropical climate and deciduous forest, serves as the starting point for the well-known Annapurna Circuit Trek and Mountain Biking. It is the administrative centre for the Lamjung district and one of the incredible places to explore the culture and nature of west Nepal. The geographical centre of the nation, Lamjung, is located in the mid-hills of Nepal, spanning tropical to trans-Himalayan geo-ecological regions. In addition to the beauty of culture, tradition, religion, and multiethnic people, Lamjung is blessed with a wonderful entrancing view of mountain ranges, verdant hills, rivers and streams, waterfalls, and old hamlets. The mountain vistas including Annapurna II, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal are spectacular from Besisahar. 

Pisang 

Pisang village is one of the most beautiful villages in the Annapurna Circuit. It is divided into two parts. Lower Pisang and Upper Pisang. Upper Pisang is a lovely settlement with both a recently constructed gompa and a 250-year-old gompa, surrounded by crimson patches of early-fall barley fields. You will start to notice the aridness of the Upper Manang region at Pisang, both upper and lower. Once you arrive at Bhakra, the pine and spruce trees will disappear and you will begin to enjoy the arid climate in the Upper Pisang area. Also, the cultural attractions of Gurungs, Ghales, and Manangis are some interesting parts to explore Pisang. It is a part of the Manang District and is rich in Gurung and Manangi culture. You may get a chance to observe customs and traditional attire. There are numerous homestays and guesthouses in both Lower and Upper Pisang that offer accommodation facilities here.

Manang

The Manang district is situated at 3519 meters above sea level. It is a remarkable area because of the magnificent fusion of several mountain peaks, lake, passes, valleys, and human civilization. Gorkha and Lamjung surround Manang in the east, Mustang and Lamjung in the west, Mustang, Tibet, and Gorkha and Lamjung in the north. Parbat, Kaski, Lamjung, and Mustang surround Manang in the south. It is referred to as the territory beyond the mountains. The majority of the population in Manang is Gurung and Ghale. They would relocate to the southern regions of the country during the hard winters. They rely on seasonal tourism and agriculture for their livelihoods.

Lower Manang and Upper Manang are the two sections of the Manang district. Nearly every home has Buddhist prayer flags and other totems from the ancient Bon faith. Manang's upper region is primarily Buddhist. There are numerous chortens and Buddhist flags in the area. It is also an acclimatisation point for the Annapurna circuit where trekkers mostly spend two days and enjoy the surroundings. The ice lake and several other gompas and monasteries can be explored during the acclimatization stay in Manang.

Thorong La Pass

Thorong La Pass is one of the high-altitude passes in Nepal. This pass, which is also known as the entrance to Annapurna, is well-known across the world for its breathtaking beauty and breathtaking views. Its elevation is 5416 meters above sea level. This pass, which is located to the north of the formidable Annapurna, is renowned for its breathtaking grandeur. The Manang district in the east and the Muktinath and Mustang region in the west are connected by this pass. It is also the highest point of the Annapurna circuit. The Thorong La Pass is formed by the two mountain ranges known as Khatung Kang and Yakawa Kang.

The hardest section of the entire Annapurna Circuit Mountain Biking is Thorong La Pass. The day spent traversing Thorong La Pass is also the longest of the entire trek, therefore trekkers and bikers set out early each morning to make the crossing. After a few hours of sunrise, a brisk cold wind blows across the Thorong La Pass, making hiking at those times of day practically impossible. This is also the key justification for leaving early to traverse Thorong La.

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath Temple is one of the popular religious sites in the Mustang of Nepal. The Pagoda-style temple serves as a metaphor for how Hindu and Buddhist beliefs coexist harmoniously. Hindus believe that this is where Lord Bishnu found salvation from the curse of Brinda. He is hence revered as Muktinath- the lord of Salvation. Hindu worshipers bathe in the 108 waterspouts that are placed behind the temple. Buddhists, on the other side, revere Bishnu as Avalokiteshvara. Metal statues of Lord Bishnu, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Janaki, Garuda, Lava-Kusha, and Sapta Rishis are present on the temple premises. It is quite a fascinating sight to explore, as you can witness the Hindus and Buddhists worshipping the temple. 

Marpha

Marpha looks like a beautiful oasis because it is tucked away in a dry area. And it serves as a kind of shelter for trekkers and mountain bikers. The architecture in Thak Khola has changed as a result of the road that was constructed a few years ago. In many villages, old-style homes with stone walls and mud brick roofs make are beautiful. However, at present time, it has become a material of choice as other options are also available. Concrete was first used for roads and is currently the material of choice. Marpha, however, never laid out the road's carpet. Instead, it placed the road far away from it, separated by an apple orchard. That's why Marpha looks like an old place and it’s still preserved in its authentic form.