The best time for the Upper Pisang Manang Biking Adventure
No rider wants to be in trouble during a biking adventure due to weather, trail conditions, and a lack of essential equipment. To avoid such obstacles, you should wisely choose a package in an ideal season to make it perfect without any panic attacks. However, there are no exact times to embark on adventures, as every season offers advantages, featuring unique environments with distinct temperatures and landmarks.
Most adventure seekers prefer to set the plan for autumn ( September to November) and spring ( March to May), as the weather is stable with clear skies and a mild temperature. In the spring season, you get a golden opportunity to ride on trails encircled with green vegetation and blooming wildflowers. Similarly, you can enjoy the great vibes of autumn because of national festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, etc. This provides you with the opportunity to participate in different endurance activities and enhance your knowledge regarding the local communities of the Himalayan region.
You should be more cautious before embarking on the Upper Pisang Manang Biking Adventure, as it’s a journey in the Himalayan region where weather is unpredictable and paths are demanding. There may be many challenges due to slippery paths in the monsoon season and ice terrain in the winter season. Therefore, it is better to plan a trip in the autumn and spring seasons with essential travel equipment, making it once in a lifetime.
Upper Pisang Manang Biking Adventure Permits
It’s impossible to plan any journey in Nepal without permits, such as a TIMS ( Trekking Information System Management ) card, as per the law of the nation. Particular sections of Nepal are restricted and require special permits to enter. Those restricted places were closed before for foreign tourists to preserve the natural characteristics of the environment and the authenticity of cultures and traditions.
In a similar vein, even though these places are open for tourists, the governments have designated special permits to monitor and manage tourism systematically, as well as control the number of tourists. Another reason is to protect fragile ecosystems, which are flora and fauna that exist in dense jungles of conservation and national park areas.
Upper Pisang and Manang are not restricted areas of Nepal, such as Upper Mustang, Tsum Valley, and Manaslu region. Therefore, this biking through Annapurna only requires two permits (TIMS card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) as it goes through conservation areas. Riders should not disturb wildfires and destroy vegetation as well as any natural structure during the journey. If you do any offensive activities, you may get punishments under the law of Nepal and pay a penalty.
Accommodation and Food for the Upper Pisang to Manang Biking Adventure
The off-road biking adventure of Upper Pisang Manang follows the routes of the Annapurnaurna Circuit Trek, which is popular among several destinations for adventurers in Nepal. Therefore, you can find comfortable hotels, lodges, or teahouses along the Upper Pisang trails. As you ascend to the elevated and isolated parts, rooms may be basic with limited facilities, featuring a blanket, bed, bedsheet, pillows, and some furniture.
Nevertheless, enjoy the environment of teahouses with striking views of Pisang Peak, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, etc. In addition, you fall in love with local people who provide warm hospitality delightfully and keep big smiles on their faces. Manang is the iconic icon stop for a biking adventure, which is larger and more developed with a wide range of hotels and lodges, including wifi and hot showers. If you love to camp in jungles near the majestic peaks, carry a sleeping bag with a warmer but lighter blanket.
Most explorers cherish having Nepalese cuisines like Dal, Bhat, Dhido, Gundruk, and other vegetables. Besides these, you can also get to taste some Tibetan foods like Tibetan bread, soup, thukpa, and Tsampa (bread made of barley). In addition, there are a variety of Western items available, such as pasta, pancakes, noodles, pizza, and sandwiches. As a snack, you have healthy things like roasted grains, boiled potatoes, and chocolate bars.
Ginger tea, lemon tea, and black coffee are common beverages during the Himalayan biking adventure through Annapurna. In the lower parts, meals are easily available at an affordable price but due to the difficulty of transportation, you may need to pay more for the same food in the high-altitude and remote areas.
Difficulty level of Upper Pisang to Manang Biking Adventure
Upper Pisang trails are moderately challenging as they pass through lush valleys to desert-like terrain, consisting of steep and offbeat paths. Riders should have the skill to handle bikes on grueling ascents and fast, technical descents with rugged trails, occasional sharp turns, and loose gravel. You need more caution while driving through narrow paths, especially in high-altitude terrain.
Similarly, altitude sickness is another reason that makes a journey difficult while riding on high, elevated paths exceeding 3,000 m. Riders should ensure that their guide knows the medication process for acute mountain sickness and whether he carries a first-aid kit or not. Before suffering through worse conditions, bikers should listen to the body and give sufficient time to acclimatize or descend to the lower points when symptoms appear.
You should be prepared physically and mentally before embarking on a Himalayan biking adventure, as you have to involve yourself in long-riding for many days with challenges on rough terrains of thin air and unpredictable weather. Due to the changing weather in the Annapurna region, bikers might get sudden rains or snow and chilly winds that require suitable gear for facing any obstacles.
To sum up, riders need experience in riding in high-altitude areas and handling technical parts. Moreover, it’s beneficial to have basic knowledge about bike repairs on isolated paths in the region. Novice or casual riders find it more demanding and need training before planning this adventure of Upper Pisang Manang Biking.
Altitude Sickness
The high possibility of altitude sickness is in the Himalayan terrains above 2500 m to 3000 m. Every rider may not suffer from it but some should be careful, having had this experience in previous adventures. As Upper Pisang Manang Biking Adventure is a high-altitude biking tour, you should prepare to handle the situation. Be sure that your guide has expertise in medication for acute mountain sickness with an essential first aid kit.
- Before ascending to higher altitudes, you establish a rest routine that aids in your body's adaptation to the new environment.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
- You must quickly descend to a lower altitude and get medical help if you suffer from any of the symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Always be aware of your body and stay alert.
- You might come across medical facilities during the biking odyssey, but ensure to have communication in case of an emergency.
Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, breathing problems, loss of appetite, confusion, coughing, sleeping difficulty, blue or gray lips, and fingernails.
Travel Insurance
Off-road biking adventure is no joke since it reaches landmarks of elevations exceeding 3000 meters, including steep ascents and fast technical descents. Riders need medical treatment while getting injured due to falls. Sufficient insurance ensures access to essential medical care without paying large amounts from one's funds. Moreover, make sure that your travel insurance covers helicopter rescue for emergency evacuation, which is essential, especially in remote areas such as Upper Pisan and Manang.
This insurance also covers all possible aspects of mountain biking endurance and is important. Natural calamities or personal emergencies break your entire journey more often than not. The depriving moment in such cases is the insurance that helps you get compensated in terms of non-refundable expenses. In the same manner, insurance is required for theft and damage to personal belongings, including biking gear, to gain financial protection during the journey.
