When Luca Schätti arrives in Nepal with three friends – Finn Treudler, Maxime L'Homme, and Dario Lillo – he knows one thing above all: he wants to consciously end the hectic year immersed in nature. For the European XCC champion and fourth-place finisher at this year's World Championships in Switzerland, it was a deliberate step away from the daily grind of competition: "After a long racing season, I like to do a few bike or gravel tours. I love discovering new things and traveling to new countries on my bike." This time, he chose Nepal and the legendary Annapurna Circuit – a loop around the Annapurna massif, climbing high over the Thorong La Pass and descending deep through centuries-old valleys.

A route – full of extremes

The traditional Annapurna Circuit is an incredible blend of culture, elevation gain, and scenic diversity. Away from classic cycling routes, the trail winds its way along partly rideable tracks and partly challenging terrain: from the subtropical beginning in the Marsyangdi Valley, through blooming rhododendron forests, up into arid alpine landscapes, and over the snow-covered Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m – the highest non-motorized pass in the world, which Luca crossed without difficulty and is particularly proud of.

Luca and his crew covered around 300 km and approximately 13,000 meters of elevation gain in 7 days and 25 hours of pure biking time – an impressive feat even for fit racers. The tour led not only through spectacular scenery, but also through traditional villages like Manang and Ghyaru, and past hidden lakes, monasteries, and breathtaking views.

Challenges and low points

The trip was anything but easy. Even while packing, the athletes faced the question of how they would cope with the extreme climatic differences: "Down at 800 meters, it was around 30 degrees Celsius, and up at over 5,000 meters, it could drop below freezing at night. We had to be prepared for anything!" Luca explains. Despite perfect preparation, there were tough moments: On the way to Ice Lake, they had to carry their bikes over frozen snow, and the eagerly anticipated descent turned out to be a treacherous hike after the thaw.
And yet – it is precisely these challenges that make it so appealing: "I have never experienced such silence on the snow-covered pass in my entire life. It was truly fascinating."

Encounters that shape you

Luca vividly remembers an encounter in the small mountain village of Ghyaru, at an altitude of around 3,700 meters. As he rolled into the village, a little boy named Gurkha came running up to him – curious, open, and completely uninhibited. His eyes widened as he examined the bike, reaching for the shifters, dropper post, and lockout levers, laughing at every whir, every click, every movement. Luca let him be, finally helped him onto the bike – and in that moment, joy exploded. The boy's face lit up, he hardly wanted to get off, and for a moment, he forgot everything around him. This lightness, this pure enthusiasm, was contagious. Amidst the altitude, the exertion, and the silence, he realized how little it takes to experience true joy – a moment that gave him more than many meters of summit climbs before. And on the last evening, there was another surprise in store: the Nepalese Cross Country Champion appeared and told them that it was an honor for him to meet them – and even cleaned all the bikes sparkling clean as a sign of his hospitality.

Nature as an energy source

And that's precisely what adventures like this are all about: recharging your batteries by surrendering to nature and finding yourself. For Luca, it wasn't just the riding itself, but the experience in the valley, surrounded by eight-thousanders, that gave him energy: "Riding in a valley and seeing two eight-thousanders to the left and right was unique."

Inspiration with respect

The Annapurna Circuit is not a race. It's an expedition that demands physical preparation, respect for the altitude, and a realistic assessment of one's own abilities. More so than on a bicycle, you're riding against wind, weather, and your limits – and learning how rich life can be beyond your comfort zone.

In conclusion: For anyone who wants to do more than just rack up kilometers on their bike, but rather experience stories, the Annapurna Circuit is a unique trip – an experience that inspires, challenges, and changes perspectives. And Luca is certain: One day he wants to experience all seven continents by bike, thus completing a life project that extends far beyond sporting ambitions.