• Duration16 Days
  • Diffculty-LevelStrenuous
  • Max. Altitude5,416 m
  • Best SeasonSpring & Autumn
Based on 2 reviews

Overview

Annapurna Circuit Among 10 Must-Visit Destinations On Lonely Planet 2020, Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is the ultimate trek in the Annapurna region, Nepal. The trek explores all the wonders of the western Himalayas, crosses challenging Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), explores gorgeous Tilicho Lake, and spends nights in picturesque remote villages. Given the difficulty of the trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is not for beginner trekkers. 

We have combined two adventurous ventures in the Annapurna region- Annapurna Circuit Trek and Tilicho Lake Trek to make this trek. The trail ascends through the Annapurna Conservation Area, where you will come across a range of flora and fauna. High mountains like Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m), Mt. Manalsu (8,163 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m), Tilicho Peak (7,134 m), Pisang Peak (6,091 m), and many others enhance the trail with their mighty presence. 

You will walk in dense forests and along mountain ridges. The trail also passes by apple orchards, green meadows, and beautiful narrow alleyways. The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek further explores Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, and takes you to one of the holiest temples of Hindus, Muktinath Temple (3,750 m). Annapurna Circuit, October and November, or April and May are widely considered to be the best times for trekking. The full Annapurna Circuit trek (starting in Bhulbule and finishing in Nayapul) is 260 km/161 mi. Nowadays not many hikers walk the full circuit.

The breathtaking landscapes along the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake are heavenly. And the heartwarming hospitality of the locals will win your heart. You will see a fantastic cultural blend of Hindus and Buddhists along the route. Many stupas, temples, mani walls, and shortens appear along the route. The Annapurna Circuit is a trek within the mountain ranges of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies between 160–230  km (100-145  mi), depending on where motor transportation is used and where the trek is ended.

Trek in Nepal Annapurna and experience once-in-a-lifetime trekking in the Himalayas. We have designed our Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake itinerary adding ample acclimatization days that allow trekkers to adjust with the altitude as they gain elevation. Moreover, our professional crew will make the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek attainable and smooth. 

To know more about this trek, please go through our Useful Information section. so feel free to get in touch with us anytime to book the trip.

Also, check out our other famous treks in the Annapurna region- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and Jomsom Muktinath Trek.

You'll see and experience

  •  
  • Scenic drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu, the beginning point of the trek
  • Adventurous trekking route that ascends through dense forests of rhododendron, crosses suspension bridges and passes by remote villages
  • Trek on rugged, steep, and rocky paths, narrow alleyways, and gorges
  • Spend nights in picturesque villages
  • Close interaction with locals and observe their mountain lifestyle
  • Visit ancient monasteries like Tare Gumba, Ghar Gompa, etc along the route
  • Explore stunning Tilicho Lake
  • Cross challenging Thorong La Pass
  • Visit holy Muktinath temple
  • Pass by apple orchards
  • Witness breathtaking landscapes and outstanding views of snow-capped Himalayan mountains
  •  

Itinerary & Map

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  • Accommodation:Apsara Boutique Hotel
  • Meals:Welcome dinner

Meet with our airport representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport. He will welcome you on the team's behalf and escort you to the hotel. Rest and get freshen up. In the evening, you will meet with the rest of the team members at the welcome dinner organized by the company. There will be a small briefing session by your guide. He will explain to you about the trail and assist in the final packing.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:Kathmandu 1,300 m & Besisahar 760 m

Besisahar is the starting point of the trek. From Kathmandu, it will take 6 to 7 hours to drive there. The route follows the beautiful river and offers gorgeous views of lush green hills, terraced farms, and small villages. The views of the top of the hills covered with scattered clouds will be breathtaking. 

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:2,610 m

After having breakfast, you will drive from Besisahar to Chame. The driveway passes by Jagat and Dharapani. Likewise, there will be many other small settlement areas along the route. You will see a glimpse of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and Lamjung Himal on the way.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:3,115 m

Today is your first day on the trek. The trail from Chame goes through a steep and narrow valley. You will soon get the first view of Paungda Danda's rock face. It is a curved rock face rising 1,500 meters from a river. In the south, you can see a clear view of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak in the northeast. Further, the trail follows a downhill path to the Manang Valley floor and takes you to Pisang.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:3,540 m

Following the Upper Pisang trail via Geru, you will begin trekking towards Manang village. There is another route that leads to Manang, but this one offers stunning landscapes. You can see breathtaking panoramas of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and Mt. Gangapurna along the trail. 

As you ascend, the climate will turn cold and dry. Passing by a Tibetan settlement area, you will come across an ancient Barge monastery. Further, continue trekking towards Manang village to spend the night.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:4,600 m

Today is our first rest day in Manang village for acclimatization. To get used to the altitude, we will go on a short hike to Gangapurna Lake and Gangapurna Base Camp. The stunning view of the lake with surrounding snow-capped mountains is mesmerizing. Later, you can roam around the village and explore museums and shops. Manang has quite a range of facilities from cinema to ATM. You can eat freshly baked pastries and enjoy delicious coffee.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:3,700 m

It will be a short trek from Manang to Khangsar village. Khangsar village is a Tibetan settlement area. From Manang, you will continue trekking following an upper route that further descends to a river. Crossing the river, you will pass by lush coniferous forests to reach Khangsar. You can see a striking view of the massive Great Barrier and Annapurna II on the way.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:4,150 m

You will trek for one hour to reach Shiri Kharka (4,060 m). The trail further offers excellent views of Mt. Chulu and Gungang Himal. You will pass by the landslide area and trek towards the Tilicho Base Camp. The trail will be steep and rugged, so walk carefully.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:4,920 m

From the base camp, you will continue trekking along a steep ridge of a mountain and reach the watershed. You may come across yaks and deers along the way. Tilicho Lake is located on the other side at the foot of Tilicho Peak. Tilicho Lake is also known as the Great Ice Lake and has significant religious values to Hindus. Soak the heartwarming views of the lake and descend to Tilicho Base Camp to spend the night.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:4,060 m

After having a warm breakfast, we will begin descending towards Khangsar village. On the way, you will pass by a thousand years old monastery called Tare Gumba. Further, following a rock wall, come out of Khangsar and drop down to Thorong Khola. Crossing the river, you will ascend to Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka offers remarkable views of the Annapurna range and other mountains.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:4,525 m

Follow a downhill route to a river at 4,310 meters. Crossing the river, you will continue ascending towards Thorong Phedi. The trail will be rocky and steep. Thorong Phedi is a small, busy village. Enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Syagang, Mt. Khatungkan, and Thorong Peak.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:5,416 m

Today, you will walk on the most difficult part of the trek and cross the famous Thorong La Pass. It is one of the highest passes in the world and very challenging to cross. Following the guidance of your trek guide, you will begin ascending on a steep route covered with loose boulders. 

The cold air and high altitude do make things worse. However, upon reaching the top of the pass, you will be blessed by the heavenly views of mountains. The trail then descends to Muktinath. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal.

  • Accommodation:Teahouse
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Altitude:2,743 m

Before leaving for Jomsom, you will visit Muktinath temple early in the morning to explore and get blessings from the deities. You will see 108 water taps in the shape of a cow's head around the temple and two small ponds. As per the belief of the locals, if you bathe under all 108 taps, you will be free from all of your sins, which you committed in your past life. 

After exploring the temple, you will begin walking towards Jomsom. The trail goes through Jharkot village. You may have to face strong winds along the way.

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast only

From Jomsom, we will take a morning flight back to Pokhara. In case the flight gets canceled or delayed, then you will drive to Pokhara. Spend the day in Pokhara relaxing. You can visit the spa and get a massage to relax your sore muscles. Likewise, explore the Lakeside Market and enjoy a gorgeous sunset at the shore of tranquil Phewa Lake.

  • Accommodation:Apsara Boutique Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast & farewell dinner

After breakfast, you will either drive or fly back to Kathmandu. Both ways offer scenic views. Spend the rest of the day in Kathmandu strolling on the bustling streets of Thamel and shopping. In the evening, join the team over a farewell dinner.

  • Meals:Breakfast only

Time to say goodby and fly back to your home country. One of our team members will drop you at the airport. 

Cost Details

Includes
  • Welcome and farewell dinners
  • Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
  • 4-star hotel accommodation in (3 night)Kathmandu and (1 night) Pokhara with breakfast
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • All ground transportation as per the itinerary
  • An experienced, English-speaking, and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
  • Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food, and accommodation
  • Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
  • Mystic Adventure Holidays trekking bag/duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map are yours to take
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes
  • An achievement certificate and company souvenir
Excludes
  • Nepalese visa fee
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Domestic flight (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s) 10% of You Pay and driver(s)

Departure Dates

We also organize tailor-made/private Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek. You can customize the itinerary and departure date as you need.

Additional Info

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek terrain & difficulty 

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is a difficult trek. You will be walking on steep, rugged, and rocky paths. The daily walk ranges between 6 to 7 hours. Therefore, the trekkers have to be physically strong. Likewise, you will be traveling in a remote area, where you will barely get modern facilities. So, preparing yourself mentally is also important.

This trek is not for beginner trekkers. The trek crosses challenging Thorong La Pass and involves glacial climbing. To prepare for Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trekking, you can include aerobic and strengthening building training into your routine. Go on frequent hikes and get used to high altitudes if possible. 

Talking about altitude sickness, of course, there is always a risk of it during the trek. Our trained crew will take care of the trekkers during the trek. You can know more about altitude sickness here.
 

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek permit

You will need Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and TIMS Card for this trek. Both of these permits are available in Nepal Tourism Board- Kathmandu and Pokhara.

ACAP permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. USD 30)

ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

TIMS permit per person in a group: 1,000 NPR (Approx. USD 10)

TIMS permit per person for independent trekkers: 2,000 NPR (Approx. USD 20)


*Note: We arrange all the necessary permits for our guests in advance. During the booking, we will ask you for the necessary documents to book the permits. 


Best time to go on Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek

The best time for Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is from March to April and October to November. It means spring and autumn are the perfect time to explore the wonders of the Annapurna region.

These two seasons have stable weather, which is much needed for a pleasant trek. Likewise, a moderate climate and clear views make the trek fantastic. The temperature ranges from 5°C to 18°C and can get colder in the early days of spring and late days of autumn.

Morning and night are relatively colder, so we advise you to pack a few warm clothes too. Beautiful rhododendrons and other vegetation decorate the trail in the spring season. And colorful autumn leaves and the biggest Nepali festival add a zest of coziness to the venture in autumn.

Winter and monsoon are the off-season for Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake. The trail gets risky, and the route gets blocked at a higher level. Neither the weather remains stable, nor the views are clear. 


Food & Accommodation 

Teahouse and lodge will be the accommodation during the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake. We will book you clean and comfortable places along the route to spend the nights. The accommodation service is pretty basic, so do not accept anything like a city. You will get a decent twin bedroom with an attached washroom. 

Some places may have a common washroom at a higher elevation. The rooms will be small and humble. You will get a blanket, but that will not be enough to keep you warm, so carry a sleeping bag.

Meals are served as per the menu of the teahouse/lodge. The menu will have extensive options like pizza, pasta, sandwich, porridge, soup, rice, curries, veggies, eggs, toast, oatmeals, chapati, muesli, Tibetan bread, thenduk, thukpa, noodles, momo, etc. Drinking water is available to refill in all water stations throughout the trail.


Tips to make the journey smooth

  • We highly recommend you to use old trekking boots during the trek. New boots will only make the walk difficult for you. If you get the new boot, then wear it a few times before and get used to it.

  • Double-check all the gears before the beginning of the trek.

  • You don't have to bring everything from your country. You can buy high-quality trekking clothes, gear, and other essentials in Nepal at an affordable price. 

  • Include emergency air evacuation and medical bills in the travel insurance. 

  • Carry a solar charger or extra batteries. You can charge electronic devices, but it may cost you a few extra batteries.

  • Pack your favorite snacks and beverages. The same thing can cost double or triple the amount on the trial. 

  • There's no ATM on the trekking route, so withdraw enough cash to use during the trek.

  • WiFi or cellular networks both get unstable above 3000 meters. So, get ready to spend some time without your cell phone.

  • Keep yourself hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.

  • Carry reusable water bottles. Plastic water bottles are way more expensive.

  • If you get confused about tipping, then follow this advice- USD 100 to the guide & porter, USD 5 to the tour guide, and USD 2 to the driver (by each member of the group).

  • Locals are very friendly, so don't get shy talking to them.
     

FAQs

  • Q1. How long does it take to trek the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek?

    Our Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary is 16 days long. Depending upon your physical fitness and previous trekking experience, you can also do this trek in fewer days. 

  • Yes, Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is worth it. We guarantee it will be one of the best treks of your life, both adventure and views-wise. 

  • Yes, you can do Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek alone because you can obtain the permits on your own. However, we do not recommend doing this alone, even if you are an experienced trekker. As the elevation increases, the trail gets isolated and challenging. There are not many facilities available along the route, and crossing Thorong La Pass on your own is very risky.

  • Yes, you will need a sleeping bag during the trek. Even in the peak season, the night and morning usually get cold, so a sleeping bag will keep you warm. Blankets provided in the teahouses are not sometimes enough to keep yourself warm throughout the night.

  • The teahouses along the Annapurna Circuit with the Tilicho Lake Trek trekking route offer basic lodging and meals. Operated by locals, you will get a private room with an attached washroom. The facilities will be limited.

  • Yes, Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is safe for trekkers. The villagers along the route are very friendly and welcome thousands of trekkers every year. Likewise, if you are trekking alone in the peak seasons, then you will come across several groups along the way. The thing you have to be careful of is the terrain.

  • You can expect stunning views of snow-capped mountains, densely forested paths, remote villages, welcoming locals, rich cultural heritage, gorgeous lakes, caves, ancient monasteries, holy temples, and adventurous trails during the trek.

  • Tilicho Lake is situated at 4,919 meters. It is 4 km long, 1.2 km wide, and approximately 200 meters deep.

  • Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) has held the position of the highest lake in the world for the longest time. Later, the Kajin Sara Lake was discovered in 2019 at 5,020 meters in Manang district, Nepal, which makes it now the highest lake in Nepal and the world.

  • Tilicho Lake is famous for its altitude and stunning views. The sparkling blue color of the lake surrounded by white snow-capped mountains and barren hills has won the heart of thousands of travelers from around the world.

  • Due to inaccessible shoreline and cold temperature, any activity like boating or swimming is not possible on Tilicho Lake. Moreover, there is no public facility around the lake. 

Reviews

Add Your Own Review

Great trip - great guide - great guy

I did a trip on the Annapurna with Ramesh and others back in 2016. It was unforgettable. The region is of breathtaking beauty, and the guides were very fun, caring and helpful throughout the whole trip. Ramesh is made of a rare and pure goodness. I recommend him & his company.

S
SarahCountry: BelgiumDate: March 09, 2020

Great and Flexible Guide

Ramesh and his expertise has made this trip unforgettable and he is very knowledgeable and friendly.

I unfortunately caught food poisoning during the Annapurna Circuit and he was extremely caring and very flexible on how we go about doing the itinerary. However, due to circumstances we had to abandon the pass but Ramesh was able to come up with other treks to do around the area and he was very accomodating with my requests.

If I were to visit Nepal again, I would definitely work with them again with no hesitation.

S
SmodgieCountry: SingaporeDate: January 02, 2020
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