Annapurna Circuit & Tilicho Lake Trek

A day sightseeing tour is a good thing to have, before beginning an exciting journey in the mountainous terrain. There are plenty of places to go in this capital city full of heritage. Although it does not seem like it at first, mainly due to the chaotic traffic and the hullabaloo, there are gems of places hidden inside the valley. Take a vehicle of your choice and stay in the comfort of air-conditioning while you visit places of luxury and pampering. You can go to a premium spa to prepare the muscles and relax, have a sumptuous lunch at a five-star hotel, or simply indulge in shopping. You can customise a day-trip with us as you see fit. Kathmandu Valley has the biggest concentration of World Heritage Sites, and it’s only fitting not to miss them while you’re staying in the valley itself.

n the morning, begin a winding drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit. For about eight hours you will see views of the Nepalese hilly terrain, including terraced paddies and countless valleys. Except where the highway is under construction, the ride is comfortable. After a brief refreshment at Besishahar, you will take a shared jeep to Jagat. Along the long winding way, you will enjoy the beauty of rivers, waterfalls, and villages. Spend the night at a teahouse in Jagat.

As you begin your first day of the trek, you will head towards Dharapani. Walking out of Jagat, you will reach Chamje and cross a suspension bridge over Marsyangdi River. From there, the trail climbs steeply, offering stunning views of waterfalls, lush forests, and terraced fields. Still going uphill, you will come to the village of Tal before reaching the larger village of Dharapani for the night. The trek today is around six hours — that includes going through rugged paths with frequent ascents and descents. The day is challenging yet rewarding, with beautiful landscapes. Scenic views of local villages will keep you on the track. Dharapani, today’s stopover, is a village at the convergence of Annapurna and Manaslu Circuits.

After breakfast you will begin the trek from Dharapani to Chame, a journey of about six hours. You will begin by descending through dense forest of pine and fir until you come to Bagarchhap. From here you will do a steep climb to the hamlet of Danaque. As you trek along through several other villages you will have splendid views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu. The route will begin to get colder, reflecting the change in altitude, and the transformation of landscape to alpine region — the change in climatic zones being the strong characteristic of Nepal’s wonderful diversity. Arriving in Chame, you will end the day with a well-deserved dinner and rest, enjoying breathtaking vistas of the Annapurna range. 

Today, you will set out on the challenging journey to Upper Pisang. The trail winds through pine and rhododendron forests, gradually ascending along the Marsyangdi River. By midday, you will reach an expansive apple orchard. Lunch today will be at Dhikur Pokhari, with scenic views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak. With the thinning air, your stamina will be tested. Crossing suspension bridges and navigating rocky terrain,  you will push on. As the day grows, fatigue will begin to set in; and in the evening the trail brings you to Upper Pisang. You’ll arrive here exhausted, but will be exhilarated with the thought of food and rest at this picturesque village located right beneath the Annapurna range.

Wake up with the rising sun over Upper Pisang, and embark on the challenging journey to Manang. You will trek through a scenic route with a steep incline, making your muscles burn with exertion. By mid-day, you’ll have had many breathtaking views of the Annapurna Range and Lamjung Himal. Lush forests will have transformed to barren plains dotted with wildflowers. Crossing suspension bridges, you will pass through crystal-clear lakes with reflections of snow-capped peaks. In the evening, you will see stacked houses and an ancient monastery. Exhausted, you will reach Manang at night — and crash in a lodge after a quick dinner.

A day is set aside today for the purpose of acclimatisation. Before ascending further in the coming days, you will explore nearby villages, hike to the serene Gangapurna Lake, and enjoy its crisp, cool air. For hardy trekkers, a more challenging adventure to the Ice Lake is waiting with its pristine views. This acclimatisation day is essential to prevent altitude sickness, as adjusting to higher altitudes is key to a safe trek. In the evening, you will have an early dinner and go to bed.

After breakfast, your trek from Manang begins with a climb past the village, and immediately taking a higher route descending to the riverside. After crossing a suspension bridge and walking through lush pine forests, you will reach Khangsar after a  couple of hours. Khangsar is a Tibetan village, where you will have lunch and visit the ancient Tasab Gompa monastery. After a brief rest, you will continue on the trail that continues upward through a stark, sandy landscape to Shrikharka. The trek is challenging, with a steep ascent above 4,000 metres. With potential high-altitude issues, you have to be careful and should stay hydrated. Despite the difficulties, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Chulu and other peaks before going to bed in a lodge.

You begin the trek from Shrikharka, travelling through landslide-prone areas and rock formations. In this challenging path you will have stunning views of Tilicho Peak and surrounding snow-capped mountains. As you ascend through barren terrain and cross streams, the trail becomes more steep and rocky, reaching a col at 4,970 metres. From there you will begin a gradual descent to Tilicho Base Camp at 4,150 metres. The journey takes a little less than six hours, passing through grassy meadows and ancient monasteries. Trekkers have even sighted blue sheep. Past the monasteries that are adorned with prayer flags, you will stay for the night in a teahouse amid strenuous trail and magnificent vistas of Tilicho Mountain.

You begin after an early breakfast from Tilicho Base Camp. The challenging seven-hour trek to Tilicho Lake, is steep and rugged, winding through rocky terrain and offering stunning views of Lake Gangapurna, Tarkeghyang, and Khangsar Kang villages. Lake Tilicho, surrounded by the majestic peaks of Tilicho Peak, Annapurna Range, and Mt. Nilgiri, is a breathtaking panoramic sight with its frozen, crystalline surface. The reflections of white peaks make the view more attractive. Its significance is profound in Hinduism, mentioned in the Ramayan as a sacred site. After savouring nature’s beauty, we will descend back to Tilicho Base Camp, where we will have a  brief rest before continuing to Shrikharka. The route winds through a suspension bridge, forests, and hamlets, before arriving at the village for the night.

The trek today begins with a descent through picturesque landscapes and ancient monasteries. First you will cross a river via an ancient-looking bridge and then ascend to a plateau-like landscape. As you journey on, you will cross the tranquil village of Khangsar and the historic Tare Gumba, a monastery with historical significance. After a brief rest here you will continue on the trail across a stream and a Mani wall, with captivating views of the Annapurna and Gangapurna ranges. Reaching Yak Kharka, at 4,110 metres, you are greeted by expansive pastures dotted with grazing yaks — with majestic peaks of the Annapurna Range. The route to Yak Kharka is challenging but once you reach here, you will spend the night in a lodge with warm food and comfortable bed.

Begin your trek from Yak Kharka early in the morning, headed towards Thorung Phedi. You will cross a historic Mani wall and pass through the village of Ledar. From there, the trail ascends steadily through a rocky and arid landscape. As we climb you might encounter challenging weather and face increasing altitude, which will make the trek feel more strenuous and tiring. After three hours, you can opt to stop at Thorung Phedi or continue for an additional hour to reach Thorung High Camp. Wherever you stay, you will have stunning views of Chulu West, Mt. Gangapurna, and Thorung Peak. The terrain becomes harsher and less populated, so maintaining a steady pace and staying hydrated is crucial. Today you will rest well to prepare for crossing the Thorung-La pass tomorrow.

Today’s challenging trek is a remarkable journey from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath. You will start by climbing steeply to Thorung-La Pass, at 5,416 metres. The path is challenging, with strong winds and thin air testing your endurance, but the spectacular views make it worthwhile. From the pass, you’ll see the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, along with the Nilgiri and other majestic peaks. Spend some time at this pass and capture images and videos. The descent is long but an easy one. Now that the hardest part of the trek is over, you will be heading through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge, to arrive at the sacred site of Muktinath Temple.

Muktinath is a revered destination for Hindus and Buddhists. It has a temple with 108 holy water sprouts, and a sacred continual flame at the Jwalamai temple. This remote and tranquil site is believed to cleanse one of their past sins. After the trek, you will hop in a lodge in Muktinath and celebrate the day’s achievements.

After breakfast, you will begin your descent to Jomsom, which takes about two hours. The trail leads you through dry, barren landscapes, charming villages, and the expansive Kali Gandaki River Valley. En route, you will pass through Kagbeni and encounter ancient stone cairns — reminding you of the region’s rich religious heritage. The path is mostly downhill and unpaved. It can get rough, particularly as you approach Jomsom, the windiest place in Nepal. Here, you will have stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. The strong winds here can make the trek challenging, affecting your balance and pace. Upon arrival in Jomsom, you can explore local markets, visit monasteries, and soak in the unique atmosphere of this remote valley before hopping for dinner and sleepover.

Early in the morning, you’ll catch a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Jomsom, nestled along the Kali Gandaki River, serves as a key transit point and boasts an airport that handles flights despite its notorious wind. The thrilling take-off from Jomsom Airport is an adrenaline-pumping experience due to the area’s strong gusts, making the flight both exhilarating and challenging. As you ascend, you will enjoy sweeping views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Look carefully, and down below you will spot trekking routes leading to Tatopani and Ghorepani. The 30 to 40-minute flight will bring you to Pokhara, where you can unwind for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, we will begin the scenic eight-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Right after embarking you will have final glimpses of the majestic Annapurna mountain range coming out of Pokhara. The route is scenic, with mesmerising views of the changing landscapes, but the ongoing construction and expansion in the highway means the trip will be a slow one. Leaving behind the serene beauty of Pokhara, you will have plenty of time to reflect on the remarkable adventure you had in the past weeks. Later, upon arriving in Kathmandu you will immediately notice the vibrant energy of the city — a stark contrast to the peaceful trails you just travelled. In the evening, you can explore around, visit shops for souvenirs, or simply relax in a session of massage. Later, as we gather for the dinner, we will share stories of our unforgettable trip in the Annapurna Region.

After breakfast or depending upon your flight schedule we will transfer you to the airport. As your plane takes off from the runway in Kathmandu, your journey to Nepal comes to an end for this time — until you decide to visit again for some memorable and soul-searching trip in the Himalayas.