Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

You will land at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. You will be then taken to the hotel after customs clearance and claiming luggage. The representative of Step on Himalaya will accompany you to the hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Welcome dinner by Step on Himalaya in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel

Besisahar is approximately 175 km from Kathmandu which takes around 7/8 hours’ drive depending upon the traffic situation. It will be either a tourist bus or jeep or car depending upon the size and budget of the group. Besisahar is the gateway of Annapurna Circuit Trekking. You will enjoy the road trip to Besisahar enjoying the beautiful greenery with scenic mountains, waterfalls, terraced farmlands, and stunning landscapes.  Once you arrive at Besisahar, you will be taken to the designated hotel/tea house. Overnight stay at Besisahar.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The distance between Besisahar to Chame Manang is about 65 Km. It takes around 4/5 hours in a 4-wheeler jeep. The road is quite rough and bouncy. On the way to Chame, you can stop by for lunch as well as click some pictures of the beautiful Himalayas, villages, and waterfalls. It is always recommended to take a jeep drive from Besisahar to Chame as you will start walking the next day and it will let you be prepared. After arriving at Cham, you will go to the tea house and then rest for the day. Overnight stay at Chame.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will pass through a dense forest walking on a steep and narrow road. You will ascend the vertical rock. Possibly this is the steepest part of the Marshyangdi valley. After crossing this last part of the rocky trail, you will arrive in the open land of the Marshyangdi valley surrounded by the magnificent Himalayas. The Paungda Danda is another slope that escalates towards 1500m. /5,000 ft. You will then reach Lower Pisang to stay overnight.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will continue your journey towards Manang from Lower Pisang after having breakfast. You will follow the trail leading towards Upper Pisang via Geru. En route, you will see the picturesque views of the gorgeous snow-capped peaks like Mt. Annapurna, Pisang, etc. The unique landscape and the lush vegetation are superb with a little harsh environment. The Barge Monastery here in Manang is the largest monastery in Manang District. You can take short breaks to maintain your pace as you are walking to a higher altitude. Lunch midway. After walking for about 6/7 hours, you will finally reach the destination i.e. Manang village. Overnight stay at Manang.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Acclimatization day is a leisure day to let your body relax. This day is for relaxing your muscles and getting prepared to go to higher elevations and adjust accordingly. You can still opt for a short hike to Gangapurna Lake or Bhojo Gumpa. Let yourself enjoy the cool environment of the Annapurna Himalayas. You can also visit Braga Village if you have leisure time. But make sure, you will be fully prepared for the next day's walk. The choice is yours: hike or rest. There is the Himalayan Rescue Association where you will get some information about the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This is helpful and very supportive to go further in the trek. Overnight stay at Manang.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

After breakfast, the trek will commence with ascent crossing the Manang village and then descend to the riverside until we will cross a suspension bridge. You will then pass through the dense forests of pines and reach the Khangsar village which is predominantly dwelled by the Tibetan community. Lunch break here and then continue walking until today’s destination, Siri kharka. Overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Breakfast is the start of the day. You will start the trek walking through the landslide area. As you walk on, you will be stunned by the impressive unique rock formations at the Tilicho base camp. After reaching the camp, you can have mesmerizing views of Tilicho Peak and adjoining snowy peaks. Rest for the day and enjoy the panoramic views of the chilling alpine climate. Overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tilicho Lake is considered to be the lake at the highest elevation in the world i.e. at an altitude of 4,919 meters (16,138 ft). You will be climbing up gradually until you reach Tilicho Lake. An early day hike is exhausting but worthy enough to have the beautiful morning view of Tilicho Lake. The panoramic view is so impressive that you will want to stay there for a longer time. After visiting Tilicho Lake and spending some time there, you will walk down to Siri kharka and rest for the day. The whole trekking might take around 5/6 hours depending upon your pace. Overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We follow the rugged pathways down to Khangsar village. You can see many beautiful monasteries and ancient gumbas on the way. You will hike up for a few hours until you reach the height of Yak kharka. This is one of the best viewpoints for the mighty Annapurna and Gangapurna Himalayan ranges. Rest for the day and then overnight stay at Yak kharka.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Yak Kharka is the vantage point for the enchanting views of the mighty Himalayas. The alpine climate is chilling and crispy but enjoyable as you will be ascending further to Thorong Phedi. You will be continuing the trail crossing through the dense forests and bubbling rivers until Thorong Phedi. Phedi means the base. So by this meaning, the Thorong Phedi is the base of Thorong La pass which is another highest point to be attained during this Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake. Overnight stay at Thorong Phedi.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is quite a long walk which will surely be tiring but also interesting as you will reach the highest point of this Annapurna Circuit Trek. After having breakfast, from Thorong Phedi, you will head towards Muktinath today. The Thorong La Pass is one of the highest passes in the world situated at an elevation of 5416m. You will cross from East to West i.e. Manang to Muktinath. You will wake up around 3 a.m. and then start walking up so that you will reach Muktinath before dusk. Stop by the midway for Lunch. When you reach the top of the mountain, you will realize your achievement is worth it. Happiness is unmeasurable. After spending some time at Thorong La pass, you will descend towards the Muktinath Valley at the base of Thorong La pass. Overnight stay at Muktinath.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You can opt to visit the Muktinath temple early in the morning. This is an optional visit. Muktinath temple is a pilgrimage that many pilgrims visit yearly as there is the belief that visiting this temple and bathing in the water of this temple lets you wash out your sins. Anyone can visit this temple. There are no restrictions but mainly Hindu pilgrims visit for their religious beliefs. Then after having breakfast, the drive will begin from Muktinath to Tatopani in a local jeep or bus. The road is rough and follows the Trail of Kali Gandaki River which is famous for Shali grams. You will enjoy the road trip as the scenarios of the Himalayas and landscapes are overwhelming. After reaching Tatopani, you will head to the Tea house for an overnight stay. It will take around 5/6 hours to reach Tatopani from Muktinath. As per the name Tatopani meaning hot water, there are hot springs where you can enjoy a hot water bath. Overnight stay at Tatopani.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The driving distance between Tatopani and Pokhara is about 317 km. It takes approximately 6/7 hours to drive from Tatopani to Pokhara in a local bus or jeep. This is still a mountainous road trip so it will still be jumpy and jagged but as you approach Pokhara, the road will be leveled and coal-tarred. After arriving at Pokhara, you will head to the hotel. Rest for the day. Evening walk or cycling if you want. Overnight stay at Pokhara.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Today after having breakfast, you will head back to Kathmandu in a well-air-conditioned tourist coach enjoying the greenery, aspiring Himalayan views, waterfalls, juggling rivers, and the terraced farmlands. It will take around 6/7 hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara. Lunch at the highway restaurant. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest and overnight stay in Kathmandu. Preparing for the next destination or home country the following day.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

The final day in Nepal if you don’t have any other trips. After having breakfast, you will head to the Tribhuwan International Airport in a private comfy vehicle depending upon the schedule of your flight.

Meal: Breakfast