This is a 22-day expedition of Annapurna Circuit and Upper Mustang. It links the classic circuit, over the 5,416 m Thorong La, straight into Upper Mustang, the restricted former Kingdom of Lo, and rides all the way to its walled capital, Lo Manthang, and the ancient sky caves.
First you ride the full Annapurna Circuit, climbing the green Marsyangdi valley through village after village to Manang, then crossing the highest pass of the whole trip to the temple of Muktinath. Then, where most trips head home, you turn north instead, across the permit line into Upper Mustang, a high Himalayan region. You ride old salt-trade trails to Lo Manthang, a walled city that has barely changed in six hundred years, explore the mysterious sky caves, and come back out down the deepest gorge on earth.
This is the most complete Annapurna trip you can do by bike, and a serious undertaking for experienced, time-rich riders who want far more than the standard circuit.
Trip at a glance
The ultimate Annapurna trip: two great rides in one
This expedition is really two headline rides joined into one continuous journey, and it falls into three parts:
Part one: the Annapurna Circuit, climbing to and over the Thorong La at 5,416 m to the temple of Muktinath.
Part two: north into Upper Mustang, the forbidden kingdom, to the walled city of Lo Manthang and the sky caves.
Part three: the long descent home down the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth, finishing with a Sarangkot sunrise.
The result stacks Nepal's most famous pass-crossing circuit onto its most exotic restricted kingdom, in one ride.
Who this trip is for
This is a premium expedition for the serious, experienced mountain biker who has the time and wants the ultimate Annapurna trip. It suits fit riders with real off-road skill and stamina, who are comfortable on long days, technical descents, high passes and plenty of hike-a-bike, and who are drawn as much by the culture and the remoteness as by the riding.
It is not a first Himalayan trip, and it is not for nervous or beginner riders. But if you want to ride the classic circuit and then keep going into a Tibetan kingdom almost no one reaches, this is the trip.
Permits: ACAP and the Upper Mustang restricted permit
This trip needs more than the usual permits, and that is part of what makes it special. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so by law it can only be ridden as a guided trip booked through a registered Nepali agency, which is exactly what we are. We arrange everything for you:
The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit.
The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit).
A TIMS card if required, plus a licensed guide, which is mandatory in the restricted area.
You need to hassle for the permits and documents; this package covers all the permits and restricted area fees.
How hard it is
This is one of the challenging trips we run. Over 22 days you ride more than 300 km, cross the Thorong La at 5,416 m, and ride and push over a string of high Mustang passes up to around 4,200 m, with real stretches of hike-a-bike, especially on the remote exit through Yara and Tangye. You are at altitude for weeks, on rough, remote trails a long way from any help.
It suits fit, experienced riders with good stamina and solid off-road descending skills, who are used to long days and thin air. You do not need to be a professional, but this is a demanding expedition, not a first big trip.
Safety and Support
On a route this long and remote, safety and support are built into every stage of the journey.
Experienced guides: Licensed local guides lead the expedition, monitor weather and altitude, and are trained in first aid.
Altitude management: A gradual itinerary, including an acclimatization day in Manang, helps reduce altitude risks.
Mechanical support: Guides carry essential tools and spare parts for most trailside bike repairs.
Support crew: Porters and support vehicles assist where roads allow, with remote sections completed by bike and on foot.
Emergency response: Guides follow established emergency procedures, including descent and helicopter evacuation if required.
Travel insurance: Comprehensive insurance covering mountain biking up to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation is mandatory.
Tell us about any health conditions before you book, so we can plan for them.
Packing list
We provide the bike, helmet and riding gear, serviced and ready. Because this trip runs from warm valleys to a subzero pass and cold desert nights, pack in layers. Here is what to bring.
Riding kit
Padded riding shorts and a couple of jerseys.
A warm mid-layer and a windproof, waterproof riding jacket.
Riding gloves, plus a warmer pair for cold mornings.
Riding glasses or sunglasses, and knee pads if you like them.
Warm clothing
An insulated jacket for the pass and the cold Mustang nights.
A warm hat, and a buff or face cover for the dust and wind.
Thermal base layers, trekking trousers, and enough socks for a long trip.
Footwear
Kit and extras
A small backpack or hydration pack, and a reusable water bottle.
A headlamp with spare batteries, and a power bank for charging up high.
High-factor sunscreen and lip balm, and personal toiletries.
A quick-dry towel and a light sleeping-bag liner for the simple lodges.
Health, documents and money
Personal medication, and any altitude medication your doctor advises.
A small personal first-aid kit.
Your passport, permit photos, insurance policy and emergency numbers.
Enough cash in Nepali rupees for personal extras, as there are few working ATMs high up
Accommodation and food
You stay in hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Sarangkot, and in local teahouses and guest houses on the trail, including simple lodges in the Upper Mustang villages. Rooms up high are basic, usually twin-share, with a warm shared dining room. All meals on the trip are included.
Expect hearty local food. The staple is dal bhat, a plate of rice, lentils and vegetables with free refills, along with noodles, potatoes, eggs and simple Western dishes, and the famous apples of Marpha on the way home. Drinking water should be boiled, filtered or purified rather than bought in plastic bottles.
Why Ride Annapurna Circuit and Upper Mustang Mountain Bike Tour
Nepal Mountain Bike offers expert guides, high-quality bikes, and complete logistics support. Riders can focus on adventure while guides handle permits, accommodations, and trail insights. Daily surprises include monasteries, caves, and breathtaking landscapes.
What you get with us:
A registered Nepali agency and licensed guides, which the law requires for the restricted Upper Mustang area.
Local expert guides who know both the Annapurna Circuit and the remote Mustang trails, and speak English.
Guides who are first-aid trained and carry tools and spares for a long, remote route.
All the permits, flights, transfers and logistics handled for you.
Safety and acclimatization put first over 22 days at altitude.
A booking made directly with the Nepal team on the ground.
Route Map
The tour spans 300+ km across Nepal’s diverse Himalayan terrain. Trails include river valleys, high passes, deserts, and villages. Nepal Mountain Bike guides provide GPS support, trail maps, and real-time updates to ensure a smooth and safe adventure.
The Annapurna Circuit and Upper Mustang Mountain Bike Tour is a 22-day high-altitude adventure across Nepal, covering 300+ km. Riders experience Thorong-La Pass, Annapurna & Dhaulagiri ranges, Upper Mustang’s arid landscapes, and Tibetan-influenced villages. Nepal Mountain Bike organizes permits, guides, and logistics for a safe and immersive journey.
Book Annapurna Circuit & Upper Mustang MTB Tour
