The Manaslu, Nepal mountain bike tour is definitely one for riders looking for adventure. Big sections of push and carry and basic accommodation make this mountain bike tour suitable only for the very intrepid, but the feeling of total escapism from the beaten track are more than payback for the rigours.
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
You will be met at Tribhuvan International airport by our representative and taken to the hotel which is located in the heart of the tourist district of Kathmandu, Thamel (approximately a 30-minute drive).
Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to explore the streets, sights and shops of Thamel or to relax after your journey, before joining your guides for an early evening welcome meal, where they will explain more about the coming days tour and activities.
Day 02 Preparation Day
Following a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, someone from our team will come to meet you. There will then be time to check over the bikes, with our crew member on standby to assist with any mechanical issues.
The afternoon will be free for a relaxed sightseeing ride around some of the sights and cultural points of interest that Kathmandu has to offer.
An early evening group meal will leave ample time for packing, ready for the early start the following morning.
Bike bags and luggage that are not required for the tour can be left at the hotel.
Day 03 Transfer Day
Whilst you enjoy your breakfast, the luggage and bikes will be loaded onto the tour vehicle by the MTB-WW crew for the transfer to Aarughat.
The journey is approximately 122km and will take approximately 6 to 7 hours. On arrival you will check into the hotel, leaving time in the late afternoon and evening to stretch the legs and explore the town.
Day 04 Aarughat to Machha Khola: 25km Ride, 1000m Ascent
Leaving Aarughat you will start to ascend. The first 13kms are very rocky, and after this there will be some push and carry sections. As the trail ascends towards your final destination remember to take in the beauty of your surroundings! To the right you will see the Budhi Khola and to the left steep mountain sides, dotted with villages and interspersed with waterfalls.
The accommodation will now become more basic as you start getting to higher and more remote locations in the mountains.
Day 05 Machha Khola to Jagat: 25km Ride, 1050m Ascent
Upon leaving Machha Khola the trails will be approximately 80% push and carry and 20% riding. The trails are rocky with some steep climbs. The landscapes are beautiful! On both sides there are big rocky hills with the narrow Budigankdaki river flowing through.
Day 2 will be harder than the first day due to the long non-rideable sections.
Day 06 Jagat to Dyang: 25km Ride, 1100m Ascent
There will be 50% riding and 50% pushing in today’s climb to Dyang. The landscape will be similar to the previous days but with the addition of some small forest sections containing some great single track. The first 12kms after leaving Jagat will be the hardest with lots of push and carry.
After Philim the trail improves, becomes more rideable and it is an awesome track to the nearby hotel. Dyang is a very small village with few houses.
Day 07 Dyang to Namrung: 20km Ride, 1250m Ascent
Day 7’s trails are all single track with 60% riding and only 40% pushing and carrying. The views are amazing with many waterfalls. Namrung, your final destination, is a small village with views of the Lugar Himal.
DAY 08 Namrung to Samagaun: 17km Ride, 1200m Ascent
Heading towards Samagaun, the trail passes through beautiful villages with fantastic views of the Manaslu Himal. About half way there is a large monastery that is open to visitors. Arriving in Samagaun, there will be internet access again after 4 days of being technology free and the hotel is slightly less basic. Although please don’t have your hopes up for high speed!
Day 09 Samagaun to Dharamsala: 13km Ride, 1000m ascent
Leaving Samagaun, the first 4km of track is rideable, but then it’s push and carry to a place called Samdo and a well-deserved lunch stop.
After lunch there will be a total distance of 6km, which is all climbing. Most sections will be rideable, but it will become increasingly difficult due to the altitude. In fact, the final 6km could take as long as three hours!
Dharamsala is very basic and due to very limited accommodation you may have to stop in a tent.
Day 10 Dharamasala to Bhimthang via Larke Pass (5136m): 14.5km Ride
The hardest day of the whole trip! Riders will need to be on the trail at 5.00am for the ascent over Larke Pass (5136m). The route up to Larke Pass is 6.5km with 700m of climbing which can take more than 3 hours due to the effects of the high altitude.
All the effort will be worth it, as from the summit there are brilliant views of Larke Pick, Mount Manaslu, Ratna Chuli and many other mountains. After Larke Pass, there is 8km of trail with a rapid 1400m of downhill descents to Bhimthang. The first 2.5km of the descent is very steep with lots of rocks and icy sections but after this the trail become easier to ride and there will be great views of ice lakes and 7000m+ mountains.
A large percentage of the route today will be push and carry with only a few sections that are rideable. On arrival to Bhimthang the hotel is slightly more comfortable than Dharamasala and is surrounded by panorama views of towering snow-capped mountains.
Day 11 Bhimthang to Chyamche: 32km Ride, 600m Ascent
Day 11 will invariably be the longest, distance wise, of the trip. The first 8kms are very rocky and will involve mostly pushing and carrying the bikes. The trail turns into flowing, long single track through forests descending to Tilcho
After Tilcho the trail crosses a suspension bridge and turns into jeep tracks all the way to Dharapani. This is the point where the Manaslu trail joins the Annapurna Circuit route where another 12km of fast undulating track leads to Chyamche.
Day 12 Chyamche to Besi Sahar: 32km Ride, 700m Ascent
The trails to Besi Sahar will be wide jeep tracks, mainly downhill, which could be busy with other vehicles. The ride will be comparatively easy today compared with those at altitude, with all of the tracks being totally rideable.
Upon arrival in Besi Sahar the MTB-WW crew will load the luggage and bikes onto the return vehicle whilst riders enjoy a well-earned meal and cold drink. It will take approximately 6 hours to arrive in Kathmandu along the sealed but scenic main highway.
In the evening there will be a farewell dinner for all riders and crew.
Day 13 Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to international airport or continue on with own itinerary.
| City | Night (s) | Hotels / Camps |
| Kathmandu | 02 | Mulberry Hotel |
| Aarughat | 01 | Camp |
| Machha Khola | 01 | Camp |
| Jagat | 01 | Camp |
| Dyang | 01 | Camp |
| Namrung | 01 | Camp |
| Samagaun | 01 | Camp |
| Dharamsala | 01 | Camp |
| Bhimthang | 01 | Camp |
| Chyamche | 01 | Camp |
| Besi Sahar | 01 | Camp |
– Meeting and assistance by our representative.
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– 12 Nights hotel accommodation.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– Supply of refreshments Water, Juice, Cold Drinks, Sweets, Candies, Fresh Fruits, Muffins during the bike ride.
– All other services required during the BIKE RIDE.
– Farewell Gala Dinner.
– Accompanying English-speaking guide, assistant staff, marking staff.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions as per the program by private vehicle.
– Entrance fees to monuments.
– Transport, Parking, Gasoline & Toll ways.
– All present government taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.