Guided tour · 10 days
Annapurna Circuit Motorbike Tour to Manang
Ride the eastern half of the Annapurna circuit, up the Marsyangdi valley to Manang beneath Annapurna II, III and Gangapurna.
- Duration10 days, 6 riding
- Start / endKathmandu
- Max altitude3,540 m
- LevelModerate–challenging
- Distance~800 km
- Best timeMar–May, Oct–Nov
About this ride
The road up the Marsyangdi valley from Besisahar now reaches Manang, which means a route walked by trekkers for decades can be ridden. It is a rougher, narrower road than the Jomsom road on the Mustang side: rock steps, water crossings and stretches cut into cliff, with the reward of the wide, high valley around Manang and big Annapurna views.
The Thorong La pass (5,416 m) that links Manang to Muktinath is a walking trail, not a road, so this tour returns down the same valley. If you want both sides of the Annapurnas, combine it with the Lower Mustang ride for a 15–16 day trip.
Highlights
- Waterfalls and gorges of the lower Marsyangdi
- The curved rock wall of Paungda Danda
- Manang’s stone houses, prayer wheels and glacier views
- An acclimatisation hike towards Ice Lake
- Lakeside Pokhara to finish
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
Airport pick-up and transfer.
Day 2 Kathmandu: bikes and briefing
Bike set-up, a valley test ride and route briefing.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Besisahar · ~175 km
Prithvi Highway west, then north at Dumre up the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar.
Day 4 Besisahar to Chame · ~65 km · 5–6 hours
The tarmac ends. A rough, rocky road along the river, past waterfalls and through Tal, Dharapani and Timang to Chame (2,670 m).
Day 5 Chame to Manang · ~35 km
Past the great curved rock face of Paungda Danda and through pine forest into the wide, dry upper valley to Manang (3,540 m).
Day 6 Manang acclimatisation day
Walk up towards Ice Lake or the Gangapurna glacier viewpoint, or visit Braga monastery.
Day 7 Manang to Besisahar · ~100 km · long day
Back down the valley the way you came — just as good in the other direction.
Day 8 Besisahar to Pokhara · ~110 km
Easy tarmac to Lakeside for a well-earned rest.
Day 9 Pokhara to Kathmandu
Ride back on the Prithvi Highway, or fly.
Day 10 Departure
Airport transfer.
Cost
Guided tours to Manang typically run USD 2,000–2,800 per rider for 10 days, including bike, fuel, guide, mechanic, ACAP permit, lodging and meals on the route. Manang needs the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and no restricted-area permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ride a motorbike over Thorong La?
No. Thorong La is a high walking pass with no road. Riders reach Manang from Besisahar and Muktinath from Jomsom, but cannot connect the two by bike.
How rough is the road to Manang?
Rougher than the Jomsom road: rocky, narrow and steep in places, with water crossings in spring snowmelt and after rain. Some off-road experience is needed.
Is altitude a problem in Manang?
Manang is at 3,540 m. The tour includes a rest and acclimatisation day there; most riders feel the height on stairs and hills but are fine with a gradual ascent.
Ride to Manang
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