Bikepacking the roof of the world – Annapurna Circuit in Nepal

Start your first day of the Annapurna Circuit Trek with a hearty breakfast. Feel free to take an extra generous portion of samosas, sel rotis, curries and other Nepalese specialties. You will need these extra calories.



The first kilometers were on the main road to Kathmandu and through the outskirts of… read more

An early start, the sun is still struggling to break through the thick layer of fog. The legs still feel strong, with more than 1,000 vertical meters on them, but still more than 7,000 meters to go. As soon as the sun rises a little higher, a glorious moment occurs. For the first time you will see the… read more

On the third day, the mountains around get higher and higher. The climbs will be even steeper than on previous days. Directly from the departure from the tea house in Syange is a climb that is so incredibly steep that cycling is impossible. Later in the day there will be more parts where you may have… read more

On the fourth day, another spectacular change of landscape takes place. The tropical vegetation and dusty canyons are gradually giving way to mountain pastures and traditional mountain villages. The first memories of Buddhism soon become visible. Prayer wheels and brightly colored prayer flags decorate… read more

The fifth day of the Annapurna adventure is relatively easy, or rather; less heavy than the previous ones. This ride takes you over the flat plateau around Pisang and Manang, one of the larger villages on the route. Just before Manang, the Nepalese even managed to find a flat piece of land where a runway… read more

Manang is a suitable place for a well-deserved rest day. It is also a good base for an acclimatization hike to 4,000 meters or higher. Rising above this point and then descending again prepares your body to proceed safely. The start of the trail runs through the narrow streets of the old part of Manang… read more

Day seven again promises to be a somewhat shorter day, at least in terms of distance. To climb no more than 500 meters, I could only cover 7.3 kilometers. From Thorung Phedi, tonight's place to sleep, it is also wise to make an acclimatization hike to an altitude of 5,000 meters. You can make good use… read more

Day eight is D-Day. Today the crossing of the famous Thorung La pass is on the program. Because the weather at the top can be quite haunted with heavy gusts of wind and heavy snowfall, you will leave early in the morning. The chance is more stable again in the morning is a bit higher.



The first part of… read more

The ninth stage between Muktinath and Jomsom contains pieces of asphalt. Finally no bouncing and bouncing, but diving hairpin bends at high speed. With the victory of the pass still fresh in the memory, it feels like you can actually fly. Muktinath is a fairly busy place among tourists, mostly local… read more

On day ten you can finally make a good number of kilometers again. The route follows the dirt road that runs parallel to the river. The first part you will find yourself between the honking buses, but after a while a suspension bridge will take you to the other side of the river, away from traffic.



Here… read more

Ride eleven from Tatopani to Nayapul felt a bit like coming back to civilization. Along the way there are again plenty of shops and restaurants selling masala tea and samosas.



The environment again looks a bit like at the beginning of the route: tropical warm, dusty and even with the necessary climbing… read more

The last leg of the Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you back to Pokhara, which is also the starting point. This completes the circle around the Annapurna Mountains. But before you arrive in the country's second city and get a well-deserved rest, one last climb awaits you.



The route is mostly on asphalt… read more