Plan Nepal

Annapurna circuit with Tilicho lake trek

from 3 reviews
Best Price
Duration
22 days
Max. Elevation
4131m
Group size
2-10
Level
DIFFICULT
Transportation
All ground transportation as per the itinerary.
Best Season
spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November)
Accomodation
3 star Hotel in Kathmandu/ Lodge and Teahouses during the trek
Meals
Breakfast in Kathmandu and Lunch and dinner during trip.
Starts at
kathmandu
Ends at
kathmandu
Trip Route
Naubise-Galchi-Malekhu-Kurintar–Muglin–Abu Khairini-Dumre-Besisahar-Bulbule.

Highlights

    • Hike through the world's deepest gorge (the Kali-gandaki gorge)
    • Get to witness and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, like Mt.Annapurna, Thorung Peak, Nilgiri, Chulu, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, and others.
    • On the route, get to wander through magnificent lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls.
    • visit the temple muktinath 
    • Get across the two river valleys, the Kali-Gandaki River Valley and the Marshyangdi River Valley.
    • Enjoy the stunning sunrise and sunset views.

Overview

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most renowned and classic trek routes in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It is encircled by mountain ranges in central Nepal and follows the Kali-Gandaki River between the two majestic peaks, passing through the world's deepest gorge. Thorung La Pass (5,146 m) is the highest point on the trek and one of the best trekking routes in Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit Trek offers a trip over four ancient trails and across a distinct landscape.
You'll witness the multiple beautiful cascades falling into the mainstream river and learn about the lifestyles of the local ethnic groups, i.e., the Thakali and Gurung people. The walk will be exciting as we go down the Kali-Gandaki Valley to Muktinath, a Hindu and Buddhist temple. From the settlement of Hindu and Buddhist locals in the beautiful foothills to Tibetan Buddhist communities in the extreme west, this trek provides great geographical and cultural diversity that'll fascinate you, along with the best hospitality you'll get to experience from the locals here, like you've never experienced anywhere before.
You'll embark on your 20-day trip after the drive from Kathmandu to Bulbule hits the road. It starts with your hiking towards Bahundanda. From Bulbule, the actual trek begins, with a suspension bridge spanning across the gorge formed by the Marshyangdi River until you reach Manang, the route's largest settlement. An acclimatization day is spent here to prepare for the passage of the Thorung La Pass,the trek's highest point at an altitude of 5416m. The trip concludes at Hile.

Things to know before traveling

  • Don't do anything else than what is instructed or mentioned outside of the itinerary.
  • Do not capture pictures and videos of restricted areas or around religious sites.
  • Do not point at things with your finger at people because it is not considered polite.
  • Always follow the dress code of the place you visit so that it doesn't provoke the cultural respect of the particular region or society in general with the dress code.
  • Do proper research about the weather and pack your clothing items accordingly.

Important Note

TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY WHILE TRAVELING.

It's very essential to be in touch with friends' families and colleagues during the trip to provide frequent updates on travel. To do so, the supply of energy to charge the devices to do the web access is very much required, which is very much necessary to save energy.

Following are some tips to save energy:

For the camera, get some spare batteries.

  • A power bank with a power range of 5,000 mah to 10,000 mah.
  • The solar chargers as well as the solar lamp are both eco-friendly (lumin-AID lamps).
  • Using a gadget with lower brightness, GPS, and wi-fi turned off as much as possible and only using it when needed also helps save energy.

Trip Itinerary

When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, you'll be greeted by one of our delegates, who will guide you to your accommodations, after which you'll check into the hotel. In the evening, our guide will give you a quick synopsis of the trip. We'll have dinner and a night at the hotel. 

Max. altitude

1400

Accomodation

3 star Hotel

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

The trip starts with the drive from Kathmandu-Pokhara. highway to Bulule, then a rough path alongside the river Marshyangdi. After 6 hours of traveling by bus, we'll arrive in Besisahar, Lamjung District's capital. The drive to Bulbule begins and after reaching there we'll be served dinner and stay overnight.

Max. altitude

(840 m/2,760 ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Today we'll be walking past the villages down the road and to the edge of Marshyangdi River. We'll keep heading upwards for about 5–6 hours to reach our last destination for that day, the Brahmin village of Bahundanda, where we'll spend the night and eat dinner at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(1310m/4300ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

lunch and dinner

From Bahundanda, the trek path descends to Syange and crosses the Marshyangdi River on a suspension bridge. It then climbs sharply and crosses the cliff face to the stone settlement of Jagat, where you'll have lunch. Today's walk should take around 4-5 hours. The path then declines before ascending through the junction to Chamje. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge are to follow.

Max. altitude

(1430m/4,691ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

lunch and dinner

On this day we'll begin our trip ahead, which we'll do by crossing the suspension bridge over the right bank of the Marshyangdi River. After hiking to Tal, noted for its valley, views, and waterfalls, we'll reach the Manang district.  After passing Khotro, the road keeps going through the fields of barley, rice, and potato farms, as well as pine forests. The new route continues through the settlements of Kare and Nache, with a ceremonial entrance to Dharapani provided by stone kani. At the lodge, you'll be served dinner and spend the night.

Max. altitude

(2100m/6889ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

 we'll head for Chame, the administrative center of the Manang district. From Chame, we'll climb the slope to Bagarchhap, passing through the forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple, and oak trees. when we proceed through the woods to Danaque, a valley lined with apple trees. The trail ascends the mule road into the larger oak and maple trees.  Dinner will be served at the lodge where we'll be spending the night.

Max. altitude

(2710m/8891ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

After breakfast, we'll head out past the mani walls to the buckwheat field `in the small hamlet of Telekhu, with Lamjung Himal shining brightly in the early light. You'll get a long, smooth time to stroll through the beautiful forests, with some stunning views along the route. At Pisang, the path crosses the river valley and offers spectacular views of Pisang Mountain and the east summit of Annapurna II. The dinner will be served at the lodge, where we'll also stay overnight.

Max. altitude

(3356m/11,010 ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Soon after breakfast, the road takes a left turn into a charming village painted by mandalas. then we hike across grazing pastures and a variety of crops. The path to Ngawal climbs a tough slope on the right bank of the Marshyangdi River Valley. Along the way, we'll come across a pine forest, an agricultural terrace, and large Tibetan settlements that offer spectacular views of Mt. Annapurna and Gangapurna. Dinner and overnight stays will be facilitated at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(3519m/11,545ft)

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Since tourists are getting into a new environment, they'll face environmental changes to which their bodies have to adapt, which takes a certain amount of time. When it comes to hiking and trekking to higher elevations, not just outsiders but anyone going for the trip requires adaptation, for which we'll have a day for acclimatization, and to help travelers acclimate to the upcoming higher elevations, you'll be guided on a trip to Throng La Pass. On the trip, you'll get to see the admirable and breathtaking views of the Millennium Blue Glacier at the foot of the majestic Ganagapurna Icefall, as well as lush landscapes, silvery mountains, chortens, monasteries, and ancient stone monuments. We'll also visit Khangspur village, Kecho Lake, or Milarepa Cave to learn about their unique cultural life. After the activities of that day are completed, we'll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge

Max. altitude

(3,519m/11,545ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Post-breakfast, you'll be hiking up an ascent track and crossing the suspension bridge over the Manang River on the way to Shri-Kharka. You'll ascend a pine-forested path that leads to Khangsar village, which is surrounded by a snow-capped peak from all directions. From Khangsar, you'll continue on a steep track to Shri-Kharka. The trip for the day concludes with dinner for the night and a stay at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(4000m/13,122ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Today we'll be heading for the Tilicho basecamp after breakfast. Since you're only going to be climbing for a short distance, today's walk will not be as strenuous. However, you should take caution as the path passes through areas where landslides can occur. On the way, you'll pass by impressive rock structures. Once you reach the base camp, you'll get to enjoy the stunning views of the mountains that surround you. Dinners will be served at the lodge, where you'll be served dinner and spend the night.

Max. altitude

(4150m/13,614ft)

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

The most important day of our trip starts now. We'll climb to Tilicho base camp after breakfast, as the wind might disrupt us if we're late. The Tilicho Trail starts in a side valley and ascends a moraine. From there, you may see Tarkeghyang, Gangapurna, and Khangsar Kang. The world's tallest lake, Tilicho, offers a stunning view with its turquoise water and occasionally reflects the peak, but it is usually frozen solid. After spending some time at Tilicho Lake, we'll return via the same route. After spending some time there, we'll walk for 8–9 hours. during which you'll be served dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(4,919m/16,141ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

We'll ascend gradually to the summit of a hill, then descend to the mainstream of the Marsyangdi River and crossover on a covered wooden bridge. We then briefly ascend along the road on the right bank, take a shortcut across the unstable high slopes, and descend to the Thorung La high camp. Before climbing the Thorung La Pass, that'll be the final camp. At the lodge, you'll be served dinner and provided with an overnight stay.

Max. altitude

(4,533m/14,872ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Today we'll have to rise early to traverse the beautiful Thorung La Pass. But the start of the trip route is going to be steep as soon as we leave the camp to go ahead. but even if it's steep, the trail is well-marked, as people have been on the route using it for several years. Eventually, the slopes ease, and after nearly 4 hours of ascent, we reach the prayer flags at the pass. The views are amazing, ranging from the snowcapped mountains above to the head of the Kaligandaki River below., to the brown and purple hills of the Mustang that stretch out before us. The descent to the Muktinath is difficult, but the beautiful views of Mt. Dhaulagiri offer a welcome diversion. The night will be spent at the lodge after dinner.

Max. altitude

(5,416m/17,769ft)

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

Lunch and Dinner

Today we'll be heading out of Muktinath to Jomsom, starting the trip with an amazing descent through the valley of Kali-Gandaki, through the dry land in the same geological and climatic zone as Tibet. We'll pass through the traditional Tibetan villages of Kharkot and Khingar, and then follow the valley floor for the majority of the journey, enjoying good views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. Jomsom is a sprawling town that runs parallel to the Kali-Gandaki River on both sides. You'll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(2,743 m/8,999ft)

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Today we'll depart Jomsom for Kalopani, walk for 7-8 hours, and have lunch at Marpha. We'll then cross the river and walk to Chokhepani, passing through the Tibetian refugee camp in Chairo. The trip from Tukuche is sloping; we'll pass through the small villages of Sauru, Kobang, and Larjung. After crossing the river, we'll continue down to Kalopani. After dinner, the overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(2,505m/8,218ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and dinner

Today we'll leave Kalopani and head to Tatopani, which means ''hot water'' in English translation, where we can use the two hot springs before the walk is over to give as much as needed breaks to our legs. The dinner will be served at the lodge, where the overnight will be spent. Today we'll be approaching one of the major highways, so we can divert the main path and follow the river until we reach Ghasa. Most of the day will be spent descending, including crossing a river just before Tatopani.

Max. altitude

(2,474m/8,117 ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and Dinner

On this day, we'll set out for our trip to Ghorepani, working our way through the woods until we reach Shikha. The trail will take us approximately 7-8 hours. From the altitude we're at, the wonderful views of the Dhaulagiri mountain can be seen, along with the Kali-Gandaki valley. We'll then continue through the rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, where we'll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

Max. altitude

(2,858m/9,376ft)

Accomodation

lodge

Meals

Lunch and Dinner

Today we'll wake up early and make it to Poonhill before dawn. We'll also climb to Poonhill, which is the highest panoramic viewpoint in the Annapurna Region and offers a stunning view of the rising sun and its rays cascading over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri hills. After you've taken the shot, head back to the Ghorepani for delicious morning tea. This hike is strenuous, with beautiful scenery along the way. Your jeep will be waiting for you to get to the Hile, and you'll be driven for 3–4 hours to Pokhara, where you can check into your hotel, go for a stroll around Lakesides, or go for a trail run. At the hotel, we'll have dinner and stay overnight.

Max. altitude

(800m/2,624ft)

Accomodation

hotel

Meals

Lunch and dinner

After breakfast, you can go paragliding or sightseeing in Pokhara. Then you can enjoy a complementary meal before taking a 30-minute flight to Kathmandu, where you will be met and helped through the check-in process. After a while, you can go for a stroll around Thamel and go shopping. The flight includes dinner and a bed at the hotel.

Max. altitude

(1,400m/4,592 ft)

Accomodation

hotel

Meals

breakfast, Lunch and dinner

On this final day of your trip, breakfast will be served for you at the Bouddhanath. We'll take Stroll through the Kathmandu Valley, see Durbar Squares, or go shopping, and then meet your guide for a farewell lunch later that evening.

Max. altitude

1400 m

Accomodation

3 star hotel

Meals

breakfast, farewell lunch

The 22-day trip finally comes to an end. Today will be your last day in Kathmandu. After a healthy breakfast, our delegate will have a few brief conversations about the trip before driving you to the airport on your private ride three hours before your flight.

Max. altitude

1400

Meals

Breakfast
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Includes

    • Arrival and departure
    • welcome dinner / farewell dinner
    • food and lodging (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    • permits: All required documents: ACAP permit and TIMS card charge
    • All government and local taxes, if necessary
    • insurance
    • comprehensive medical kit
    • guide: a government-licensed Guide (English speaking ) during the trek
    • insurance of guide and porter
    • Member transportation: Road transportation: From Kathmandu to bulbule and Hile to Pokhara.

Doesn't Include

    • Airfare: International flight airfare (from and to Kathmandu).
    • Nepal tourist visa fee.
    • Extra nights in Kathmandu: Extra nights' expenses in Kathmandu. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking due to any reason.
    • personal insurance: Travel and high altitude insurance. *Mandatory 
    • Personal expenses: telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery charge, personal medical kit, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, or any alcoholic beverages.


best trek experience

One of the best destinations ever visited in a lifetime. The team and its members were very cooperative and gracious. Thank you for the service

andy
United Kingdom

unique blend of beauty

I've got to be honest from my heart. The trip was a unique blend of highlands and lower levels. The serenity of Nepal is rarely matched with any other place in the world and makes a visitor feel like heaven on earth. A traveler must consider giving s shot at visit to Nepal

mace monroe
Bahamas

peace

I have no words to describe the trip and the beauty of the place. I visited one of the lakes at the highest altitude, the vicinity was so calm and refreshing that would clear any mind and give peace, overall I loved the trip and was one of the best trip of my life.

amy laine
Luxembourg
See more reviews

Equipment List

Trekking Gears and Equipment

Aside from having a strong mentality, a capable leader, and finances to support you on your trip, there are a few other things to support you. There are certain points and certain things to support you before you think about starting your trip to Nepal. Trekking in Nepal ranges from easy to strenuous, depending on factors like the trekking region, trekking weather, group or solo, with or without an assistant. Trekking in Nepal is a trip of numerous days in the highlands of Nepal since Nepal is a mountainous region that comprises 8 out of 10 of the highest peaks in the world. since it's a mountainous country and you're going on a trekking trip. You should be properly equipped with all the necessary gear and equipment.

Below are some of the essential items you'll need while trekking in this part of the mountains of Nepal:

clothing:

  • Trekking/hiking boots: You'll need a good-quality pair of trekking boots, as you'll be hiking through rugged terrain for several days. In the upper hills and Himalayan region, particles are easy, lightweight, flexible, and breathable to prevent blisters or any skin complications on your foot.
  • Down jacket: It's better for you to always have nice, thick-down jackets with you, ones that can resist temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius since the upper regions of the peaks constantly experience cold weather.
  • windproof jacket: whenever you're trekking in Nepal Whenever you traverse through the geography of Nepal, you'll get an excellent opportunity to experience the variations in a wide range of climatic conditions compared to others.  You'll get to experience changes and variations in weather and climatic conditions, with a slight alteration in altitude from place to place. It may be hot and dry in lower altitudes, but as soon as you ascend the altitude a little further, you might need to put on thick jackets and warm thermal wear inside to protect yourself from the cold breezes.
  • woolen sweater and caps: The upper regions of Nepal, where the majestic Himalayas lie, have extremely harsh weather, and to protect yourselves from that, you'll need to put on clothing that'll shield you completely from the cold weather. Putting on down jackets and windproof jackets might be a good way to resist the wind, but to make the body retain its temperature and warmth, you'll need to put on inner thermal outerwear that'll help you retain something about your body from the inside.
  • Socks: Since you're on your feet most of the time, your feet are the only part of the body that deals with all the lower temperatures from the groin surface of the snow and ice surface. So to keep your feet safe, avoid any possible frostbite. You'll need to put on nice pairs of thick socks that'll help you retain the warmth of your feet and possibly your whole body.
  • Trekking track: Trekking tracks of good and durable quality must be chosen that are lightweight and comfortable. so it makes the walk easy and comfortable during the trip.
  • T-shirts and shorts (long-sleeved and short-sleeved): One can hike up to elevations of up to 3700 m, except in the winter months. so it's advised travelers to travel wearing the regular t-shirt, either long-sleeved or short-sleeved, as per their comfort experience.
  • Woolen scarves and woolen caps: A woolen cap is preferable when it comes to shielding your head and ears from the cold when you move among the higher regions of hills and mountains, but if you're traveling among the lower elevations, it's better you put on a Yankee cap to shield your head from the intense sun, which might cause you to get sunstroke if you don't put on one, or you could even put on a bandana, which will help you fight the scorching heat of the sun that directly hits on your head.
  • Underwear and cotton vests: undergarments are among the most important linen items one should think about while packing the stuff. These things directly come into contact with the body and are very heavily impacted when the body sweats, and they can develop allergic reactions if left unchanged for a longer duration. So it's advised to travelers to pack at least 3 pairs of undies and cotton vests for hygiene purposes.
  • Trekking poles/sticks

Trekking poles and sticks are not necessarily required but would be of great assistance if had on the trip, as they ease the trek and make it much easier to march on the trip by reducing the pressure on the shoulders, lower back, and feet while walking on gravel, off-road, steep uphills, and steep downhills. Also, the matter of fact is that it saves energy by providing support, which is one of the major aspects to take into consideration.

  • Backpack: Anywhere from a 20-liter carry-on that can fit a water bottle, photography accessories, and occasional calories and confections, light wear, and a bit of extra space is enough to get your stuff. Otherwise, you'll need to carry an average of 50–70 liters of luggage to fit all your items.
  • Torch/head torch: These are just a few of the most important items that come with a trekking expedition. Occasionally, trails and attraction points may be through small passageways and channels that even daylight cannot reach, so torches and head torches can help illuminate the way. Another common use for torches is to view the sunrise and sunset. Since it is imperative to reach the viewing location before the sun sets or rises, it is obvious that the trail will be obscured by shadows, so a torch or head torch can be quite helpful for navigating these areas.
  • UV protection goggles: It's wise to use UV protection goggles since the sun in the region of the upper Himalayas and mountain ranges is very bright, which might cause temporary blindness. So to prevent it, it's very wise to use goggles with UV protection.
  • Crampons: Crampons are not often necessarily required while you're traveling in the winter, but they are required if the landscapes and grounds are covered with thick ice sheets, which might cause slippage, and the crampons might help to improve stability both uphill and downhill.
  • camera, spare batteries, tripod for cameras, and camera cases and bags: It's better if you get the stuff mentioned since you might need to record the trip and make documentaries, and in the process, you might run out of batteries, which might not be a good situation to face while on the trip. So to avoid such situations, it'd be better if you got the mentioned accessories and stuff.
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping mat: A sleeping bag and sleeping mat are some of the most essential things that contribute greatly to the trip if you're a FIT and an adventurous traveler who loves to spend nights under the open sky in the outdoors.
  • Tents: youths among travelers, especially those who are FITs, are more adventurous and outdoor-loving, and they might love to spend nights outdoors on camp rather than in lodges and homestays.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the walking ability and pace of every individual trekker but usually 3 hours of walking is done per day on the route.

You'll spend around $30–$50 per day on the road, which includes your lodging and meals. If you travel with us, your itinerary will include three meals per day as well as lodging. as a result, you should include in personal expenses such as; refreshments, snacks, and hot water, Wi-Fi and other charges.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit. (ACAP Permit).
  • Tourist Information Management System (TIMS Card)

Water is available everywhere in the region but should be properly boiled, simmered, and purified before drinking. Mineral waters can also be purchased with a certain amount of charge.

Teahouses are very good, and they serve a diverse range of cuisine. The rooms are very spacious and cozy, with two beds and comforters. There is a western lavatory on site, as well as steam for showering.

While trekking, any sorts of disturbances or activities that act as distracting factors for the wildlife should be avoided. Putting on loud music or consuming intoxicating or alcoholic stuff should be avoided at all costs.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most strenuous treks in the Annapurna region, but if you are mentally and physically prepared and determined to complete this expedition, you'll have no trouble completing it.

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal