Getting around · Nepal
Annapurna Circuit by Motorbike: Riding the Loop
Can you ride the Annapurna Circuit? Yes — the Besisahar–Manang–Muktinath–Jomsom loop is now motorable. Here's the route, road, permits and the right bike.
The Annapurna Circuit was once a pure trek, but roads now climb most of the way around the massif, and riding it has become one of Nepal's great motorbike adventures. The loop threads up the Marsyangdi from Besisahar to Manang, then around to Muktinath, Jomsom and Beni before dropping back to Pokhara — rough, high and spectacular. This guide covers the route, the riding, permits and timing. For the wider picture, start with our motorbike tours in Nepal hub.
The short answer
Yes, you can ride the Annapurna Circuit, and it is a bucket-list trip for confident off-road riders. The standard route is Besisahar → Chame → Manang → Muktinath → Jomsom → Beni → Pokhara, usually on a Royal Enfield Himalayan or similar dual-sport bike over 5–8 days. You'll need an ACAP permit and a TIMS card, and you should ride in autumn or spring. One thing you do not do is ride over the Thorong La — at 5,416m it is a trekkers' foot pass, so riders reach Muktinath on the western road instead. If you'd rather not organise it all yourself, a guided group with a support jeep takes the pressure off.
The loop route and direction
The ride begins where the trek does, at the trailhead town of Besisahar, reached on a half-day drive from Kathmandu or Pokhara. From there the route climbs the Marsyangdi valley through Chame to Manang, the high heart of the eastern arm and the natural place for a rest day.
Because the Thorong La (5,416m) is a trekking pass and not a motorable road, the loop is ridden as two arms linked by the road network around the massif rather than driven straight over the top. After Manang, riders work around to the Kali Gandaki side to reach Muktinath, then ride down through Jomsom and Beni to Pokhara. That western, Mustang-side leg overlaps with our Mustang motorbike tour, and many riders combine the two into one longer trip. Most people ride the loop anti-clockwise (up the Marsyangdi first) to gain height gradually.
Road conditions, difficulty and the right bike
This is an adventure ride, not a cruise. Beyond Chame the track turns to rough, dusty jeep road with loose rock, stream and river crossings, landslide scars and steep, exposed sections — and you're doing it in thin air, where both you and the bike lose power. Above Manang especially, genuine off-road experience matters.
The default machine is a Royal Enfield Himalayan or a similar dual-sport bike with decent ground clearance and knobbly tyres; you arrange one through the motorbike rental shops in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Carry basic spares, a puncture kit and plenty of water and warm layers. If you want to build confidence on rough mountain tracks first, warm up with some Kathmandu Valley motorbike day rides. Less experienced riders should join a guided tour with a support vehicle rather than tackle the upper sections alone.
Permits and paperwork
The Annapurna region sits inside a conservation area, so you carry the same permits as trekkers:
- ACAP — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
- TIMS card — the Trekkers' Information Management System card.
Arrange both in Kathmandu, Pokhara or Besisahar before you set off, and bring passport photos and copies. As a foreigner you should also hold a valid home motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), obtained before you travel — see our driving in Nepal guide for the licence and insurance details. Permit fees change, so check current rates when you apply.
Season and acclimatisation
Time the ride for the dry seasons: autumn (October–November) is the prime window for clear skies and stable roads, with spring (March–April) a strong second. Avoid the monsoon (June–September), when landslides and washouts make the high tracks dangerous, and expect snow and bitter cold up high in deep winter.
Altitude is the real hazard. The route climbs fast, and altitude sickness is a genuine risk above Manang, so plan to spend at least a night in Manang to acclimatise before pushing higher — our Manang acclimatisation guide explains how. Ride slowly, hydrate, and turn back if symptoms appear. For how this loop compares with other great Nepali drives, see our scenic road trips of Nepal guide, or weigh up walking it instead with the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ride the Annapurna Circuit on a motorbike?+
Yes. Roads now reach deep into the Annapurna Circuit, so it is one of Nepal's classic adventure rides. The usual route runs Besisahar to Chame, Manang, then around to Muktinath, Jomsom, Beni and Pokhara. The one part you do not ride is the Thorong La itself (5,416m), which is a trekking pass, not a motor road — riders reach Muktinath by the western road instead.
How many days does the Annapurna Circuit take by motorbike?+
Most riders take roughly 5 to 8 days for the full loop from Pokhara or Kathmandu and back, including a rest day to acclimatise in Manang. Rushing it is the main cause of altitude sickness, so build in spare time for weather, breakdowns and the slow, rough sections above Chame.
How difficult is it and what bike do I need?+
It is a demanding off-road ride — rough, dusty, landslide-prone tracks with river crossings and thin air above Manang — best suited to experienced riders. A Royal Enfield Himalayan or similar dual-sport bike is the standard choice. Beginners should join a guided group with a support vehicle rather than ride solo.
What permits do I need for an Annapurna Circuit motorbike tour?+
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) plus a TIMS card, the same permits as trekkers. Foreigners should also carry a valid home motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Bring passport photos and arrange the permits in Kathmandu, Pokhara or Besisahar before you ride.
