Round Annapurna & Tilicho Lake MTB TOUR

16-Night / 17-Day

The Round Annapurna and Tilicho Lake Mountain Bike Tour is one of the most
spectacular high-altitude adventure cycling journeys in the world, combining
thrilling trails, diverse landscapes, and rich Himalayan culture. This 16N/17D
expedition challenges riders with technical climbs, rugged descents, and
sections where bikes must be pushed or carried, while rewarding them with
breathtaking views and unforgettable cultural encounters.

Overview
Duration: 15 days / 16 nights
Highest Point: Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
Key Highlight: Tilicho Lake (4,920 m), the highest lake of its size in the world
Route: Besisahar → Tal → Chame → Manang → Tilicho Lake → Thorong La
Pass → Muktinath → Marpha → Tatopani → Beni → Pokhara

Landscape
The tour takes riders through dramatically shifting landscapes:
Subtropical foothills (800–1,500 m): Lush green valleys, rice terraces,
waterfalls, and suspension bridges.
Mid-hills & alpine forests (1,500–3,000 m): Pine, rhododendron, and oak
forests; deep river gorges; scenic villages like Chame and Pisang.
High alpine desert (3,000–4,000 m): Dry, windswept valleys in Manang and
Mustang, with views of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and Dhaulagiri.
High passes & glacial zones (4,000–5,400 m): Snow-capped peaks, barren
ridges, prayer-flag-draped passes, and the turquoise Tilicho Lake.
Descent into Mustang & Kali Gandaki (2,600–850 m): Rocky canyons, apple
orchards in Marpha, ancient Tibetan-style villages, and finally subtropical
river valleys leading to Beni and Pokhara.

Culture
The journey is as cultural as it is physical:
Lower Marsyangdi: Hindu Brahmin and Gurung communities with terraced
farming villages.
Chame & Manang: Tibetan Buddhist influence; monasteries, chortens,
prayer wheels, and stone-built homes. Manang serves as a cultural hub
with yak herders, traders, and a mix of modern and traditional lifestyles.
Tilicho & Shree Kharka: Spiritual landscapes where locals believe the gods dwell.
Muktinath (Mustang): Sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, with eternal flames and water spouts symbolizing purity.Marpha & Kali Gandaki Valley: Thakali culture, known for hospitality, apple orchards, and centuries-old monasteries.

Adventure Highlights
Riding through constantly changing terrain, from jungle to alpine desert.
Tilicho Lake excursion, a challenging side trip into a remote, stunning alpine basin. Conquering Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), one of the highest rideable passes
in the world. Experiencing both the Marsyangdi Valley and the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge on earth. Relaxing in the natural hot springs of Tatopani after days of rugged riding. Immersing in Himalayan cultures with tea house stays, monasteries, and encounters with locals.

Experience
This ride is demanding: trails include rocky singletracks, technical switchbacks, river crossings, steep climbs, and long downhills. Some sections require carrying or pushing bikes, especially on the approach to Tilicho and during the Thorong La ascent. The altitude adds another level of challenge, making acclimatization days essential. But the reward is incomparable: cycling among some of the world’s tallest peaks—Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Nilgiri—while experiencing cultures that have remained unchanged for centuries.

Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival Kathmandu 1,300–1,400 m.
Upon your arrival in nepal, a member of our team will meet you the airport and transfer you to the Hotel. We have a meet and greet with the Guide for a trip briefing and gear check . We also take you to a welcom diner of nepali’s traditional dish Dal Bhat ( Rice ,lentil Soup and loys of tasty side dishes)
Accommodation: Hotel (3 star Hotel (BB)

Day 2 — Warm-up ride (Kathmandu valley) 1,300 → 1,400 m
Approx km: 20–35 km; Time: 1.5–3 hrs (easy to moderate loop).Purpose: check bikes and gear, brakes & suspension; evaluate group fitness and fit adjustments.
Accommodation: Hotel (3 star Hotel (BB)

Day 3 — Drive Kathmandu → Besisahar (private vehicle)~760–1,150 m
Transfer: 6–8 hrs by private van/jeep depending on road & traffic.
Final Bike and gear check ; start of mountain approach next day.
Accommodation: Hotel (3 star Hotel (BB)

Day 4 — Ride Besisahar → Tal ( ≈ 1,600–1,800 m )
Approx km: 35–45 km (mostly upvalley jeep track / dirt road).
Riding hours: 5–8 hrs depending on road condition and stops..
Highlights: riverside riding, terraced villages, first sustained climbs; cultural interaction.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 5 — Tal → Chame (~2,600–2,700 m)
Approx km: 25–40 km (mixed jeep track / singletrack).
Riding hours: 4–7 hrs.
Highlights: widening mountain views, first alpine scenery.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 6 — Chame → Manang (~3,500–3,520 m)
Approx km: 25–35 km; Riding hours 5–8 hrs (sustained climbing).
Highlights: Big Annapurna peaks on clear days, traditional Manangi culture, stone villages.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 7 — Rest / acclimatisation in Manang
Activity: short hikes (Ice Lake, Gangapurna viewpoint or Lake and Cave), bike servicing,
hydration & rest. Why: Manang is an essential acclimatisation stop before Tilicho/Torong approaches. Monitor for AMS.

Day 8 — Manang → Tilicho Base Camp (bike as far as possible) (~3,540–4,150 m)
Approx km: 20–30 km of mixed trail (may require long pushes & carrying bikes).
Hours: 5–8 hrs depending on conditions.
Notes: route becomes more alpine, rocky; daylight & weather crucial.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 9 — Hike to Tilicho Lake and return → bike to Shrekharka (4,150-4080m)
Hike: Tilicho Lake ≈ 4,920 m (roundtrip hiking time 3–6 hrs from base camp depending
pace & acclimatisation). Do not bike to the lake — it’s a foot-only high-altitude hike.
After descent: remount and ride/descend toward Shrekharka (also spelled Sher Kharka /Shrekharka) — expect a long combined day; may split if group is slow.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 10 — Shrekharka → Ledar (4080-4200m)
Approx km: 20–35 km depending on exact route; Hours 5-6 hrs.
Purpose: move toward the Thorong La approach, keep acclimatisation conservative.
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 11 — Ledar → Thorong La high camp (4200-4925m)
Approx km: 10–25 km (short distance but heavy elevation gain).
Hours: 5-6 hrs (slow, steady ascent; may include pushing bikes).
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 12 — High camp → Cross Thorong La early → descend to Muktinath (4925-3760m)
Start: very early (pre-dawn) to cross the pass in safer conditions.
Pass altitude: Thorong La ≈ 5,416 m — summit marked by stupas and prayer flags.
Distance/hours: long, high day — 6–10 hrs depending on conditions and whether you push/scramble sections. Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 13 — Muktinath → Marpha (3760-2670m)
Approx km: 35–50 km (largely downhill/rolling on Lupra village to Ekle bhatti
Hours: 4–7 hrs. Highlights: Mustang landscape, Marpha’s apple products & local architecture.(pleasantly lower, apple orchards, Thakali culture).
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 14 — Marpha → Tatopani (hot springs) (2670-1190m)
Approx km: 30–45 km depending on chosen road; Hours 4–7 hrs.
Highlights: relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani (great recovery).
Accommodation: guesthouse / hotel near springs.

Day 15 — Tatopani → Beni → drive to Pokhara (1190-820m))
Morning: ride/transfer to Beni 22km
Transfer: private vehicle from Beni to Pokhara (2–4 hrs) 81km
Accommodation: Hotel (3 star Hotel (BB)

Day 16 — Flight Pokhara → Kathmandu
Domestic flight PKR → KTM included.
Afternoon/evening: sightseeing, bike packing, souvenir time.Accommodation: Hotel (3 star Hotel (BB)

Day 17 — Departure from Nepal
Airport transfer to Tribhuvan International for international flight home.
Route km & time summary (approximate totals)
Typical stage km/day: 10–50 km depending on terrain (higher altitude days are shorter
distance but slower). Expect many days where average speed will be 6–8 km/h on rough mountain tracks; flat/down days can be faster. Total cycling + hiking km (very approximate): ~350–550 km of mixed terrain + Tilicho hiking ~10–14 km roundtrip — final totals depend on exact trail choices and variations.

17 Day Trip Pricing
2 pax US$2,427.26
3-5 Pax US$2327.26
6Pax or More US$2227.26

Price inclusions
Nights: 3 hotel nights Kathmandu,
1 hotel night Pokhara,
12 teahouse nights in mountains
Meals: you listed Breakfast 16, Lunches 15, Dinners 16
Drinks: water & tea/coffee with meals only (extra drinks paid by guest).
Transfers: 4 airport transfers; domestic flights KTM–PKR–KTM included.
Staff & logistics: 16-day qualified guide, private transport as listed, porters for luggage, permits and entry fees.

Price Exclusions
International Airfare
Personal Insurance
Personal Expenses
Visa Fees
Extra Activities
Drinks Beyond meal inclusions
Extra Accommodation beyond included nights,

Tips
Safety & medical considerationsHigh altitude risk: Tilicho (~4,919 m) and Thorong La (~5,416 m) are high-altitude exposures — ascend slowly, hydrate, monitor for AMS signs and be conservative. Bring or be prescribed acetazolamide if indicated and consult a physician before travel.
Evacuation: helicopter evacuations are available from high villages but are expensive —
travel insurance covering helicopter rescue is strongly recommended. Guides carry first aid kits and typically have radio / limited satellite comms; mobile coverage is patchy above certain altitudes.

Recommended bike & rider gear (short checklist)
Mountain bike (hardtail or full-suspension), tubeless 2.2–2.4" tyres, strong brakes
(hydraulic). Tools/spares: multi-tool, spare tubes, pump, sealant, derailleur hanger, chain links, mini-spare brake pads. Clothing: layered system (base, mid, warm insulated down jacket, waterproof shell), warm gloves, sunglasses, sun protection. Hiking items: lightweight crampons or microspikes in shoulder seasons if snow expected, trekking poles for Tilicho hike. Documents: passport, travel insurance (with high-altitude & rescue cover) Logistics & operations notes what I’d confirm when creating final quotes.

Group size (affects per-person pricing and number of porters).
Travel month (affects weather, road conditions and snow risk at Tilicho/Thorong).
Bike rental vs self-bring (rental availability in Kathmandu and Pokhara).
Max luggage per porter (typical 12–15 kg per porter).
Medical conditions or need for extra acclimatisation days.

Final short checklist & reminders
Book travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude rescue / helicopter evacuation.
Bring layered clothing and an insulated down jacket for evenings above 3,500 m.
Expect to push/carry bikes on the Tilicho approach and some Thorong approach sections
— plan accordingly.
Confirm permit & TIMS fees are included in your booking.Allow flexibility in daily plans — weather and rider condition will determine final pace.