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Trip Facts
- Duration 16 Days
- Start FromKathmandu
- Group Size1-10 Pax
- End FromKathmandu
- Trip GradeModerate to Strenuous
- Max Height 5416 m
- AccommodationHotel/Lodge/Teahouse
- TransportationFlight/Tourist Bus/Private Vehicle
Best Season
April to Jun,e September to November.
Trip Highlights
- Relish the vista of the mountains in Annapurna, Nilgiri, and MuktinathHimal ranges
- Visit religious shrines like Braga Gompa and Muktinath Temple
- Explore the Manang village, Jomsom, and other culturally rich villages
- Trek to the Tilicho Lake and cross the Thorung La Pass (5416m)
- Visit the City of Lakes, Pokhara and explore its landmarks
Trip Overview
A classic trekking adventure, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek, is a journey that speaks of natural wonders. The trip spans across the northern part of the Annapurna ranges. Thus, there are plenty of surreal views of the mountains to keep the travelers entertained. Likewise, the cultural richness across these trails is also equally significant. The Tibetan groups, along with Thakali heritage, creates a beautiful artistic ambiance. To sum up, the trek is a mix of both the cultural and natural riches of the Annapurna region.
The trip begins as you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Here, you can prepare for the trek and roam around the local heritage. Then, a long drive will take you to Besisahar. Hereon, the trip continues on a bumpy journey to Chame. From here, the trek will begin as you ascend to Pisang. After crossing Upper Pisang and Pangdi Danda, you start the trek to Manang. Here, you can visit the local landmarks like the Braga monastery and Gangapurna Lake.
As the second part of the trek begins, you trek to Shree Kharka and continue to Tilicho Lake Base Camp. On the next day, you explore the Tilicho Lake and revel in the beautiful environment around the lake. Then, you head Shree Kharka and trek north towards Yak Kharka. The trek on the next day takes you to the top of the Thorung La Pass (5416m). From here, you can enjoy the panorama of the Annapurna, Nilgiri, and Muktinath Himal ranges. This trek takes 16 days to complete. So, Another option for beginner trekkers with limited time Ghorepani Annapurna View Trekking and Mardi Himal Trek would be an ideal choice.
Further, you descend to Muktinath Temple and explore the temple premise. Finally, you trek to Jomsom and drive to Pokhara. Another long drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu brings the trip to a close.
Note: At Vista Treks, we offer the finest services to all our clients. According to your available time, interest and budget can be customized all the trips.
Trip Itinerary
- On this day, you arrive in Nepal and land at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
- A company representative will receive you at the airport and escort you to the hotel.
- You will also attend a group meeting that explains all the parts of the trek in detail.
- Today, the trek officially begins as you get on a drive to Besisahar. The ride will be a long one and continues across the Prithvi Highway for most parts of the trip.
- The drive on the latter stages will take you on bumpy roads, especially after crossing Dumre. At Besisahar, you can make final preparations for the trek.
- From Besisahar, the trip heads north along the Marsayangdi River. The drive will be even bumpier and passes many villages on the way.
- The route first leads to Bahundanda and then to Syange. Next, the drive also crosses Jagat and further continues across numerous lakes and waterfalls.
- For the latter half of the drive, you will go past Dharapani and Koto before shortly arriving at Chame.
- Today marks the official beginning of the trek as you leave Chame and head over to Pisang. The trek heads to Telekhu shortly after leaving Chame and then crosses the Pangdi Danda.
- The trail continues across the Marsayangdi River and leads to Bhratang. Further, the trail enters the Swargadwari region and explores DhikurPokhari (Lake) on the way.
- From the lake, it is a short distance to Pisang. The final part of the trek ascends to Upper Pisang.
- From Pisang, the trail descends to Lower Pisang, and then the path deviates into two to reach Manang.
- The southern route takes you past Humde village and then to Munchi. On the other hand, the northern route ascends to Ghyaru and continues to Ngawal.
- The way takes you across Mani Walls and Chortens to go past Ngawal and rejoin the trail at Munchi.
- Thereon, the trail heads west after crossing several monasteries and Chortens to reach Manang.
- On this day, you will indulge in acclimatizing to the climate and Himalayan weather.
- As such, you will explore the village and head to some of the local landmarks around Manang. In doing so, you can visit the Braga and Boozo gompas, the two most revered monasteries in Manang.
- Alternatively, you can also head to Humde and visit a former airport. The Gangapurna Lake is an ideal destination for an acclimatization hike as well.
- Leaving the rich Tibetan-influenced culture and lifestyle of Manang, you continue on the trek and head west. The trail takes you along the Khangsar River.
- You will cross the Thorung River at Tengi and continue due west to reach Khangsar village. The village houses ancient Tibetan culture and is also known as the oldest village of Nepal.
- The trek sees an increase in monasteries and Buddhist shrines as you make way to Shree Kharka.
- Today is one of the highlights of the entire trek, and you head over to the final stop before the Tilicho Lake.
- The whole trail will be decorated with views of surrounding Himalayas in the Tilicho and Gangapurna ranges. The Om Myurpha Peak (5039m) will keep a close company on the trail to Tilicho Base Camp.
- The base camp is located on the confluence of the Phache River and Khangsar River.
- This is the day that you visit Tilicho Lake. You begin the day early in the morning and indulge in a short hike to Tilicho Lake.
- The trail takes you across glacial moraines and icy paths as you tread on towards the lake. The lake offers a mesmerizing view of the surrounding Himalayas including the Annapurna I (8091m), Khangsar Kong (7485m), Tare Kang (7069m), Gangapurna (7454m), and Tilicho Peak (7134m). After enjoying the views, you will head back to Shree Kharka.
- The second part of the trek begins on this day as you trek to conquer the Thorung La Pass. The trail leaves Shree Kharka and heads east to reach Upper Khangsar.
- Continuing onward, you reach a viewpoint to relish the views of the Annapurna range. From here, the trail will head north for the entire way to Yak Kharka. The trek crosses Karche and follows the Thorung River.
- The final parts of the trek will continue along meadows and pasture lands with looming views of the Gungang Himal range to Yak Kharka.
- Leaving Yak Kharka, the trail heads to a landslide-prone area. Then, you reach a junction that separates the route to Thorung Phedi and base camp of Mt. Chulu.
- The eastern route is taken by climbers who wish to scale the Mt. Chulu West (6419m) or Chulu Central (6584m). Heading north from here, you reach Ledar and continue with short breaks.
- The route continues in the company of the Kone River and settles at Thorung Phedi for the day.
- On this day, you will conquer the Thorung La Pass (5416m). The trek begins early in the morning since high altitudes experience unpredictable weather during the mid-day. The trail leaves Thorung Phedi and heads to the Thorung High Camp.
- Further, you trek to Dharmashala and begin the challenging ascent to the top of Thorung La Pass. The trail to the top is an arid one with snow and plenty of steep sections.
- The top of the pass offers a sublime view of the mountains in the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Muktinath Himal ranges. Later, you descend to Muktinath.
- You will explore the Muktinath Temple at the beginning of the day. The temple is one of the biggest in the entire region and is much revered by Hindu and Buddhist followers.
- The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and houses the 108 holy water taps and eternal flame within the temple premises. After exploring the temple, you resume the trek and head to Jomsom.
- On the way, you will trek past the Lupra village and enjoy the local culture and lifestyle of the village inhabitants.
- You can indulge in having breakfast and enjoying the local culture at the beginning of the day. Then, you get on a drive to head to Pokhara. The drive will first head south along the Kali Gandaki River.
- On the way, you can also witness the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge. For the latter half of the drive, you will drive across the Pokhara-Baglung Highway and settle at Pokhara.
- You can explore the Lakeside area and boat on the Phewa Lake to begin the day. Then, you will get on a vehicle and head back to Kathmandu on a long 6-hour drive.
- The drive will take you along the Prithvi Highway as you go past many villages and road-side settlements on the way. The company of the Trishuli River will cheer you on the way to Kathmandu.
- This is the final day of your stay in Nepal. As such, you can schedule a shopping spree to buy local handicrafts, gifts, and souvenirs.
- After shopping, the company staff will accompany you on the drive to the airport. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again!
Cost Includes
- Pick up and transfer by car from Airport-Hotel-Airport.
- 2 nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and one night in Pokhara with breakfast as per the itinerary.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.
- Local lodges accommodation during the trek.
- Government licensed guide,plus experience porters ( including their food, salary, accommodation, equipment, medicine & insurance).
- All local transportation by bus as per the itinerary.(Jeep driving from Besisahar-Chame and Jomsom-Pokhara, tourist bus to Pokhara -kathmandu)
- All necessary permits and entry fees.
- Medical kit box.
- Rescue assistance.
- All government taxes.
- Necessary equipment (sleeping bags, down jackets etc. if needed).
- Our service charge.
Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu & Pokhara.
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa fee ($40).
- Your travel insurance (should include your medical and rescue).
- Any personal expenses.
- Any kind of hot and cold drinks
- Staff & driver tipping.
Trip Gallery
Trip Map
Useful Info
About Accommodation.
In Kathmandu, we will accommodate you at Hotel Sapana Garden. Local lodges accommodation provided during the trek on twin sharing basis. Hotel in Kathmandu comes with private bathroom , however in mountain, toilet and shower will be on sharing basis. In the busy months, (October/November & April/ May) you may have to share the room with other traveler as some villages have limited number of local lodges .
About Meal
You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental , Italian, Indian and Tibetan. Dinner and breakfast serve at the teahouse where we stay and lunch will be served on the way to next destination. In Kathmandu, only breakfast is provided. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, no worries, Nepal is such a easy place to get several vegetarian options.
About Staff:
A Guide and a porter assist you from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. In a group with more than 8 guests, 2 guide will be provided. A porter provided for 2 trekkers, and carries between 15 to 20 K.G.
About Equipments
Following Equipment list is recommended to bring for the trek.
Down Sleeping Bag, Down Jacket, Long sleeved shirt, Jumper or fleecy jacket, T – shirts, Trekking shoes or boots, Comfy shoes for around the camp, thick and warm woolen socks, Light cotton socks , A day bag to carry your valuable, Sun hat, Woolen hat, Gloves, rain coat, Sun block, lip balm , Goggles or sunglasses, Long underwear, Thermal wear, Nylon windbreaker, Nylon wind pants, Water bottle, Sewing kit, Medical & first aid kit, Flash light, Batteries and bulbs, Swiss army knife, Towel and toiletries etc. Please kindly check our Equipment list for complete details.
About Temperature.
Temperatures vary as per the elevation and season in Annapurna. Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to December) is quite warm below 3000m that you can walk with t-shirts and shorts during day. Above Manang, day time temperature is around 5-10 °C and night time temperature is below 0 °C. Above Manang and Tilicho Base Camp is generally cold through out a year and night time temperature can reach up to–20 °C in winter. There are no heating system inside the room in guest houses, therefore it is important to prepare warm clothes and sleeping bag for the trek.
Physical Fitness and experience
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is a challenging trek which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours ups and downs in a day carrying own day bag. Some days are even longer with 7- 8 hours of walking, therefore this is not suitable for the beginner. This is high altitude trek which demands more physical fitness, However if you are strongly determined and have excellent health and average physical fitness can complete this trek. Few weeks prior to the trip, doing some physical exercise is better . No technical skill is needed however past experience also helps . If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or for blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to Vista Trek P. Ltd.
About Insurance,
You have to obtain the travel insurance which should cover emergency evacuation and medical expenses. Some Insurance policy’s cover only up to 4000 meter, so please kindly confirm with the insurance company before you purchase it.
About Seasons
Spring and autumn seasons are the ideal seasons for Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek. This is also known as rain shadow area, which is located right behind of Annapurna Mastiffs having least amount of rain compare to other area of Nepal. Therefore Raining season (June/July/August) is also good time for Annapurna Circuit Trek. Winter (December to February ) is generally not suitable for this Trek as the temperature is extremly cold and Thorang la Pass is also cover by heavy snow.
About Bus Drive
Highway in Nepal are safe, however sometime transport can be halted due to landslide , strike or by political issues. In such case trip itinerary will be affected. Thus, we would like to request you to add few days extra in Kathmandu. If you complete your trip smoothly, then you can enjoy your time with other activities like sightseeing, White water rafting. Jungle activities or more.
Please cheque our FAQs for various issues of the trek.
