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 NOMADIC ADVENTURES                                                   TILICHO LAKES ANNAPURNA BIKE TOUR

 

Location: Nepal

Total Tour Duration: 15 Days

Accommodation: Hotels and Tents/Lodges

Minimum Group Size: 1

Departures: April to October

Maximum Altitude: 4237m

 

Notes

Not recommended for beginners as you will have to carry or push your bike for about 35% of the trail. Note that this tour includes a “rideable rating,” e.g. if a route is 80% rideable it means that 20% of the time you will be pushing or carrying your bike.

 

Tours

Kathmandu to Pokhara

Everest Base Camp  

Poon Hill Trek

Annapurna

Dhaulagiri

Mera Peak

Mountain Bike Tour

Annapurna Mountain Bike

Everest via Gokyo Lakes

Island Peak

Island Peak and Base Camp

Ice Col Trekking

Click on the image below for more Annapurna Photo's

Travel Insurance

 

ANNAPURNA TILICHO LAKES CYCLE

 

 

ITINERARY - ANNAPURNA TILICHO LAKES MOUNTAIN BIKE

 

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu overnight at the Hotel

 

Day 02: Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu and some preparations for the climb.

 

Day 03: Drive: Kathmandu / Besishar (760m) / Khundi (790m)

After breakfast, we drive via Besisahar to Khundi by our private vehicle. This can take up to seven hours. Your adventure vacation truly starts the moment you reach Khundi. We stay overnight in local Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 04:        Khudi / Bhaunadanda (1310m)

Total Cycle: 19km, 4 hrs

The changes in the valley's ecosystem and its physical characteristics quickly become evident. The incredible Himalchuli summit rises to the the east.  After crossing the river, we head to the east bank and pass through the village of Bhulbhule and then head north to Ngadi at 930m asl. We then continue to the ridge top settlement of Bahundanda  at 1311m.  The name of this village literally means "Brahmin Hill".  Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 05: Bhaunadanda / Tal (1700m)

Total Cycle: 12km, 600hm, Rideable 45%, Time: 6 hrs

We descend to the valley floor and then, after crossing the river, we climb steeply up a ridge to follow a trail which has been carved out of the rock wall of the valley.  We pass through Khani Gaoon and Ghermu until we reach Sangye. From here, we continue along the West Bank of the Marsyangdi River through the village of Jagat to Chamje where we will cross the river to its eastern bank to enter the Manang District at the village of Tal.

 

 As we head up river, we will begin to notice the changes in the people as well as the land, architecture and culture.  You will  notice that there is a concentration of people of Tibetan origin, their houses are built of rock, the vegetation is less tropical and the culture is predominantly Tibetan. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

 Day 06: Tal / Chame (2670m)

Total Cycle: 21.8km, 985hm, Rideable 60%, Time: 7 hrs

The trail from Tal crosses the Marsyangdi Khola to its West Bank after the village of Karte and continues towards the village of Dharapani.  From Dharapani we continue up the river valley past the Gurung village of Thonje to the village of Bagarchap. Bagarchap means "Butcher's place". Continuing along the left bank, we climb up the heavily wooded Manang Valley past small settlements with excellent views of Manaslu and the peaks above Larkya La. We stay at the village of Chame, administrative headquarters of the region and the last major market before Jomsom.  Chame also has a police check post and bank.  Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 07: Chame /  Pisang (3300m)

Total Cycle: 16.4km, 600hm, Rideable 48%, Time: 6 hrs

From Chame the trail condition changes, somewhat. The ccontinuing trail is not as well maintained as the one up to Chame.  We pass through pine forests, over fairly level ground, through the village of Taleku to Bhratang.  Like all villages since Dharapani these predominantly Buddhist villages have an entrance chorten and an exit chorten.  Annapurna II can be seen to the south and you are now behind the main Himalaya peaks in their rainshadow area.  After crossing a series of wooden cantilever bridges we enter a spruce and fir forest that eventually gives way to a pine forest.  After days in the gorge the forests provide a welcome change. Crossing the river to its left bank we reach at the village of Pisang. You may want to visit the village before dinner. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 08:  Pisang / Manang (3540m)

Total Cycle: 17.2km, 400hm, Rideable 95%, Time: 5 hrs

We are now in the dry arid region of Manang called Nyesyang. Since this area falls in the rainshadow area of the Himalaya it seldom rains in the summer months, though it snows in the winter and the snow remains on the gorund for a long time.  The population is mostly farmers and traders. People in this area keep comparatively less domestic animals and the consumption of  meat is very limited

 

There are two routes leading leading out of Pisang towards the Manang valley.  The one we will follow keeps to valley floor, on the left bank.  Spectacular views of Annapurna III and IV along with Gangapuran and Tilicho peaks abound.  This is possibly the best day for viewing mountains.  You will pass through the village of Hongde where there is a STOL airfield servicing the Manang district. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 09:  Manang / Khangsar (3,750m)

Total Cycle: unrecorded, Rideable 50%, Time: 5 hrs

Today we will take a side trip towards Tilicho Lake. The route is rarely used by bikers. The terrain is difficult but is exquisitely beautiful. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 10:   Khangsar / Tilicho Lake Base Camp (4,200m)

Total Cycle: unrecorded, Rideable 55%, Time: 4 hrs

Today we head along a single-track past Khangsar which will take us to the Tilicho Base Camp, surrounded by high snowy peaks. This section of the trail is narrow and requires careful concentration. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 11:    Early morning ride to the Tilicho Lake and back to Khangsar (3,750m)

Rideable 40%,

The adventure never stops as today, we cross the 5000m altitude barrier. We ride up the rocky terrain and seemingly endless snow rampstoward the magical Tilicho Lake and then head back to Khangsar for overnight stay. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 12:  Khangsar / Manang (3540m)

Total Cycle: unrecorded, Rideable 50%, Time: 4 hrs

We follow the same route back to Manang except. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 13: Continue to Letdar (4200m)

After Manang, the trail climbs steeply to the village of Tenki, which is the last permanent settlement, this side of the Thorung La. We climb a little further and then contour slowly past various pastures to Yak Kharka (literally meaning Yak Pastures) to stay at Letdar. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 14: Letdar / Thorung Phedi (4450m)

Total Cycle: 19km, 910hm, Rideable 75%,

Today we continue through the, which eventually give way to a high arid desert at Phedi, at the base of Thorung La. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 15: Cross Thorung La (5416m), Continue to Muktinath (3800m)

Total Cycle: 22.4km, 966hm, Rideable 60%,

After leaving the river valley we set out early in the morning provided the weather is good and it is not snowing.  From Phedi we ascend to an outcrop and the turn left towards Thorung La.  A chain of rocks marks the pass. Beyond the pass you enter the river valley of the Kali Gandaki River. The descent from the pass to Muktinath is steep but not difficult.

 

Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists who flock there annually for their respective festivals.  A rest day here allows you the opportunity to explore the area and the ancient shrines. Of particular interest is the temple of the Hindu God Vishnu and the one hundred and eight waterspouts where devotees bathe.  From Muktinath there are beautiful views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m). Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 16: Muktinath to Jomsom (2710m)

Total Cycle: 25.6km, Rideable 95%,

We cycle along a level but rocky trail through juniper thickets to Jomosom. In the late afternoon it gets very windy and so face masks are required.  Take care to guard your eyes and cover as much of your skin surface as possible. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 17: Jomsom / Kalopani (2530m)

Total Cycle: 26.2km, Rideable 90%, Time: 7 hrs

We cycle by the side of the Kali Gandaki river passing through the villages of Thakali, Marpha, Tukuche and Larjung. Then it is easy riding from here on in as they have built a jeep track to Kalopani. This is a beautiful village right below the base of Dhaulagiri mountain. The place is ideal to see panoramic views of the mountains including Nilgiri peaks and Annapurna I. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 18:Kalopani / Tatopani (1190m)

Total Cycle: 24.4km, Rideable 75%, Time: 6 hrs

We enjoy the downhill before negotiating a technical section. We ride past a suspension bridge and continue through the dense pine forests. When we reach Ghasa there are some really good lodges. The trail ahead is steep until the Ruptse stream. Though it is early, we stop for a relaxing lunch and enjoy the scenery knowing that the trail ahead is much easier. We ride past the Dana village and after seemingly endless ricefields finally reach Tatopani. It is a small town at the north bank of Kali Gandaki River, famous for the hot springs and of course cold beer if you like.  Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 19:  Bike until Beni Baazar ( 830m). Drive to Pokhara (79km)

Total Cycle: 24km, , 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. Overnight Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 20:  Fly to Kathmandu (1310m)

After breakfast, we will return to Kathmandu (just half an hour). Our bikes will be sent back by jeep. Overnight Hotel. (B)

 

Day 21: Kathmandu. Free day for shopping, etc

On the remaining time you can relax, shop or go sightseeing. Evening we invite you on a farewell dinner at Rum Doodle Bar. Stay overnight at Hotel. (BD)

 

Day 22: Fly back

After breakfast, we transfer you back to the airport for your onward departure flights.

 

End of services

 

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Difficulty

Very long days with steep paths, boulders , rock and ice. Glaciers and snow will be encountered at high altitude. Increased presence of rocky glacial moraines and ice ridges. Climb entails some technical sections where ropes, crampons and ice picks may be needed. No prior Technical experience is helpful but not required. Snow gullies and ridges of around 45 degrees. Altitudes up to 6000m. High risk of altitude sickness.

 

Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials.

 

Destinations

Tanzania

Kenya

Uganda

Rwanda

Vietnam

Cambodia

Laos

Peru

Argentina

Chile

Ecuador

Guyanas

Cuba

South Africa

Bhutan

Tibet

Nepal

 

 


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Last modified: August 10, 2010