Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake
This is a magnificent trek taking in two different river valleys, encircling the Annapurna Massive and crossing Thorong La, the highest pass on this trek. You will experience the culture of Buddhist and Hindu villages as you pass through the magnificent landscape of the incredible Himalayas.
This is a moderately graded trek, with occasional steep sections on the mountain path, and can be taken at any time of the year except severe winter when the Thorong pass gets blocked by snow.
- Starts In: Kathmandu
- Ends In: Pokhara
- Duration: 12 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Demanding
Highlights
- A classic trail with a twist
- Visit the high altitude Tilicho Lake at 4450m
- Cross the Thurong La High Pass 5400m/17700f
- Lush jungle trails to high alpine terrain
Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Chame
We will leave Kathmandu early in the morning in a comfortable air-conditioned jeep that takes us to the town of Besisahar, which marks the start of the Annapurna Circuit trek. Here you will have some lunch and have the opportunity to get some fresh fruit and other snacks for the long drive. We will then continue the journey altogether, in a sturdy 4WD and a very skilled driver will take us to Chame from where we will start your trek the following day. If you expect a metaled road, don’t be fooled. Driving on this trail is a real adventure as it takes us along the old Annapurna Circuit trek through amazing gorges and meanders past (or even through) stunning waterfalls. We arrive in Chame just before nightfall and enjoy a good meal in a comfortable lodge.
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 02: Trek from Chame to Pisang [3190m]
With Lamjung Himal [6893m] sparkling in the morning sun, we set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as we climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. We continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff.
From this point, the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. In the past, this was the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolution, but the dilapidated buildings are all that remains of that era. A short climb from the village brings us to a rock-strewn area where we cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again.
We now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista before us. We can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak to the northeast. Continuing on, we come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Trek from Pisang to Manang [3520m]
Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge which affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak. Descending past Manang’s airstrip at Hongde, we come to a level area from where the northeast face of Annapurna III rises majestically above us. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV [7525m] also becomes visible. Just beyond this point, we cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marsyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Bryaga with its splendid monastery. Large chortens and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak [7134m]. After a short steep climb, we reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region.
Walking time: Approx 5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Rest day in Manang [3520m]
An important rest and acclimatisation day today before crossing the Thorung La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous ice-fall coming down from the Annapurnas, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid post in the village which makes an interesting and educational visit.
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek from Manang to Khangsar Village [3700m]
After acclimatising at Manang we continue our on the trail bound for the stunning Tilicho Lake. From Manang, we head out through the western gates and then follow the path down to the river. After crossing the Khangsar Khola on the bridge below Khangsar we ascend the slope to the village, a village still in the old Tibetan style and which is also known as the ‘last village of Nepal’.
Walking time: Approx. 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp [4200m]
This morning we continue on from Khangsar on a large, recently built path past a Gompa (monastery) and on up towards a high ridge. We reach an intersection of the new trail and the old trail – and we take the new trail and climb to a high crest before descending on switchbacks carved out through the scree slopes. We reach a side valley and, crossing the little stream at the bottom, we come to a building known as Tilicho Base Camp.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Visit Tilicho Lake, Return to Base Camp
We get an early start this morning as we have a great but long day hike ahead of us. It is about 3-4 hours to the Tilicho Lake, a stunning body of bright turquoise water, claimed to be the highest lake in the world. We are hiking through the high alpine landscape, with plenty of bare rock and snow and it is so incredible to come upon the vibrant color of the lake in this less than colorful landscape! How long we spend at the lake is determined by how long it took us to walk there and our energy levels; we don’t want to leave it too late to return to Base Camp.
Walking time: Approx. 7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka [4000m]
Returning from Base camp you can keep high and follow a track 400 meters or so above Khangsar village passing through the ruins of old Khangsar and follow an unmarked trail which will lead you around and down to cross the river on an old log bridge between Gumsang and Yak Kharka.
Walking time: Approx. 4 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi [4500m]
Leaving Yak Kharka, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable scree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi and a free afternoon to either hike up to the lodge at High Camp for some acclimatization, or an afternoon of reading and chatting with other trekkers in the sunny, all-glass dining area of the lodge.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath [3800m] - via the Thorung La Pass
Up early for the four-hour walk to the top of the Thorung La at 5400m, where we are treated with spectacular views over Mustang and the surrounding peaks. The descent is almost as demanding as the ascent to the top of the pass, so a cup of chai and a snack at the local tea house at Chabarbu, at the bottom of the descent, is a required stop. And on to the lower Mustang, which we have actually reached just after the pass, and the serene temple complex of Muktinath.
Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus situated in a tranquil grove of trees and contains a wall of 108 waterspouts in the shape of cows heads spouting sacred water, the Jwala Mai temple with a perpetual spouting flame, and the pagoda-style Vishnu Mandir, all of which make up the auspicious combination of earth, fire, and water. We bed down for the night, finally, at the Royal Mustang Lodge, with a great dining area and hot showers.
Walking time: Approx. 9-10 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom [2710m] via Lupra
Today you will trek down to Jomsom via Lupra village (2790) where there is a Bonpo Monastery. While we have to go up the mountain again for away in order to reach the trail, it is a great route that trekkers on the Annapurna circuit don’t normally use, so we will be far away from any crowds and the jeep trail to Jharkot and Muktinath.
Bonpo is an ancient pre-Buddhist religion not represented by many monasteries these days, so it is a rare and special chance to learn about this ancient animist religion while taking a stunning alternate route back to Jomsom. We reach Jomsom by mid-afternoon with plenty of time to have a shower and relax before we celebrate the end of our trek in style in the evening.
Walking time: Approx. 6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Bid farewell to the Mustang as you head back to the greenery of the middle hills. You’ll have an early start to prepare for your spectacular 30-minute flight to Pokhara. After you land, spend the day however you like: there are myriad water activities (boating, kayaking, paddle-boating), yoga studios, and funky shops. Try paragliding if you’re feeling fearless or relax with a cocktail during happy hour at a café overlooking Phewa Lake.
Accommodation: None
Meals included:
Breakfast
Gallery
Included In Price
- Tea house accommodation while on trek
- Meals as per the itinerary (all meals on trek, with filtered drinking water)
- Transportation as per the detailed itinerary (includes private overland transport to Chame and Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara)
- Your trekking guide, sherpas and porters, with all their transport, equipment, insurance, meals and accommodation
- A first aid kit with basic supplies appropriate for the group size and trek route – if you require or are taking specific medications it is critical that you discuss this with us prior to your trip departure
- Trekking permits and registration fee
Please note: Your guide will provide filtered water for you to drink which is preferable environmentally to buying mineral water since the bottles are not recycled. We recommend that you take two x 1-liter water bottles which can take boiling water (one is nice to have at your toes on a cold night, while the other cools down for the morning!)
Note: The local tea houses are basic but clean and they do not often have attached bathrooms or hot showers. The price is based on twin shares and does not include any extra charge that lodge owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) or for battery charging. We can’t know in advance what they may charge for such things in the different lodges along the way, so we prefer to leave this cost out, rather than pass along an estimated charge to you. The meal inclusions on the trek are breakfast (one set breakfast and a tea or coffee), lunch (one main meal and a tea or coffee), and dinner (soup, main and dessert with a tea or coffee)
Not Included In Price
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice
- International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
- Any excess baggage charges
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
- Rescue/evacuation costs (to be covered by your insurance)
- Additional nights, single supplement, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the details above
- Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
- Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
- Tips for your trekking crew, city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc
- Costs incurred due to changes in programs and reservations due to unforeseen events (eg landslides, strikes, fuel shortages, etc)
