Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake trek, an adventure of a great interesting combination. Where you will enjoy fascinating time around high Manang valley and its lovely villages enriched with the age-old heritage of Buddhist culture and religion.

Although a long 19 days adventure on Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake trek but worth every minute of the scenic moments, where our wonderful journey leads you into scenic Manang valley enclosed by high mountains of Annapurna with Chulus towards the north, truly this fabulous walks will grasp you with its beautiful views and local Buddhist cultures.

Overview

Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake trek starts with the long exciting drive to reach Nepal Mid-West around low warm areas of Lamjung district at Besar town, where our adventure commences on high cooler hills covered within green tree lines of rhododendron and pines.

On this walk where you can explore nice mountain villages of Jagat-Dharapani-Bagarchap and Timing along with superb views of Manaslu-Lamjung and Annapurna peaks, then slowly entering into the scenic and high Manang valley after walking past the town of Chame.

On route visit of Pisang village lined with great prayer bells and religious walls then a tour of old Braga Manang of great interest with an awesome panorama of Chulus and Annapurna range of peaks.

Walk enters the main Manang village with time to acclimatize with rest days to explore its beautiful surrounding enclosed by high peaks and visiting its traditional village enriched with colorful Buddhist culture.

Moving for Tilicho Lake Trek

With pleasant and wonderful time at Manang village, then heading towards our main highlight and destination heading towards picturesque country around Tilicho Lake.

At Tilicho Lake having glorious time within Nepal highest and holy lake, where walk leads to join on the main route of Annapurna Circuit trail to cross the highest point of the adventure at above 5,416 m high, facing overpowering views of high mountains with Dhaulagiri, Chulus, Damodar Himal and as far towards Mustang Himal due west direction.

From the highest spot of the adventure than on easy gradual walks around Kaligandaki River Valley within the windswept country of Mustang area, where our route leads past sacred Muktinath to reach Jomsom and the charming village of Marpha.

As our adventure enters Kaligandaki River valley in between towering peaks Dhaulagiri and Annapurna forming the world deepest gorge of Kaligandaki, then slowly walk leads into warmer paddy fields area to reach a nice Tatopani village, where you can refresh in its warm and hot natural spring.

After Tatopani back into cooler alpine hills at Ghorepani a scenic village facing grand views of snow-capped peaks, the village famous for its scenic hilltop Poon Hill offers 360° wide panorama of Dhaulagiri-Nilgiri’s, Annapurna, Manaslu with Machhapuchare or Fish Tail peaks with striking sunrise.

From Ghorepani, our adventure slowly comes to an end taking the downhill route to warmer farm areas after a great walk into enchanting rhododendron forest, and then completing our overwhelming journey Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake trek at beautiful Pokhara by its calm Phewa Lake in the shade of Annapurna Base Camp.

Outline Itinerary Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

Day 01: Drive to Bulbule (840m/2755ft) and trek to Nagdi (930m/3051ft.) – 5/6 hrs drive and 1 hrs hike.
Day 02: Trek to Jagat (1300m/4265ft.) – 4/5 hrs.
Day 03:  Trek to Dharapani (1860m/6102ft) –  4/5 hrs.
Day 04:  Trek to Chame (2,670 m/8759ft )- 05 hrs.
Day 05:  Trek to Pisang (3, 230 m/10597ft) – 05 hrs.
Day 06:  Trek to Manang Village (3,450 m/11318ft ) – 05 hrs.
Day 07:  Rest day at Manang for local hikes(Ice lake4600m/15091ft) and acclimatization.
Day 08:Trek to Khangsar(3734m/12250ft) – 04 hrs.
Day 09:  Trek to Tilicho Base Camp(4150m/13615ft) – 04 hrs.
Day 10: Visit Tilicho Lake(4920m/16141ft) and trek Back to Siri Kharka(4000m/13123ft) – 6/7 hrs.
Day 11:  Trek to Yak Kharka (4,110 m/13484ft ) – 04 hrs.
Day 12:  Trek to Thorong High Camp (4,600 m/15091ft) – 04 hrs.
Day 13:  Muktinath (3,800 /12467ft)  via Thorong-La Pass (5,416 m/17769ft) – 07 hrs.
Day 14:  Trek to Marpha (2, 670m/8759ft) via Jomsom (2,715 m/8907ft) – 6 hrs.
Day 15:  Trek to Lete (2,480m/8136ft) – 06 hrs.
Day 16:  Trek to Tatopani (Natural Hot spring)(1,190m/3904ft) – 06 hrs.
Day 17:  Trek to Ghorepani (2,880m/9448ft) – 06 hrs.
Day 18:  Trek to Poon Hill 3210m/10531ft and trek to  Nayapul 1,100m/3608ft and drive to Pokhara( 860m/2821ft) –  6/7 hrs.
Day 19:  Drive or fly back to Kathmandu (1300m/4265ft).

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Drive to Bulbule(840m/2755ft) and trek to Nagdi(930m/3051ft.)5/6 hrs drive and 1 hrs hike

Morning from Kathmandu an interesting drive to reach Nepal Mid-West around Lamjung district at Besisar town and then to Bulbule village, where the walk starts for a short hour to reach at Nagdi village for an overnight stop.

Day 02: Trek to Jagat(1300m/4265ft.)4/5 hrs.

From Nagdi taking an old trekking trail with the climb to Bahun Danda and then downhill to Syange by the bank of Marysangdi River, from here climb for few hours to reach a nice village at Jagat for overnight stop after a good first-day walk.

Day 03:  Trek to Dharapani(1860m/6102ft). 4/5 hrs

After a refreshing stop at Jagat starting the morning walk on a gradual winding trail to Chamje, and towards Marysangdi River crossing the eastern bank leading into a forested area, with superb views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. The walk continues to Tal Besi village, another 3 hours walk brings at Dharapani village for an overnight stop.

Day 04:  Trek to Chame(2,670 m/8759ft)– 05 hrs.

Morning walk leads along winding path into rhododendron, pine forest through Bagachap and Danque village, then to Timang village. From here onwards into Buddhist culture area with a view of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft. From Timing village a few hours trek leads to Koto and then to Chame town for an overnight stop, a large and major town and headquarter of Manang area.

Day 05:  Trek to Pisang (3,230 m / 10,597ft) - 05 hrs.

The adventure continues into the cooler area from here onwards closer to mountainous region, trekking through nice alpine forests of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhratang village. From Bhratang village walk follows uphill through alpine woodland overlooking Chulu’s and Pisang peak, after lunch break at Dukuri Pokhari walk descends to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop.

Day 06:  Trek to Manang Village (3,450 m /11,318 ft) - 05 hrs.

Pisang village with great views of mountains walks leads through woodland with short uphill and views of staggering Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulus and Pisang peak. As the walk leads to Hongde village, from here tree lines disappear for barren, landscapes with cold, dry arctic climate. Before Manang, visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics and then an hour walk brings at Manang village. The houses here built in traditional Tibetan style and Manang people are known for their rich culture and traditions.

Day 07:  Rest day at Manang for a local hike (Ice Lake 4,600 m/15,091ft) and acclimatization.

A necessary rest day for acclimatization before heading higher elevation, explore Manang village, located beneath Annapurna and Gangapurna mountain range and Manang glacial Lake or one can take a long high uphill to reach Ice Lake above Manang valley.

Day 08:  Trek to Khangsar (3,734m / 12,250 ft) - 04 hrs.

From Manang, our route leads off and away and beyond Manang Valley to reach Tilicho Lake, on leaving the main Annapurna Circuit trail heading into the complete wilderness and getting closer to high Himalayan peaks. The walk leads through Manang village where our path diverts heading due south to reach first at Khangsar village for an overnight stop, a remote and last settlement of Manang on route to Tilicho Lake and towards Mesokanto-La pass.

Day 09:  Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,150 m / 13,615ft)-04 hrs

After a peaceful and quiet overnight at Khangsar, where morning leads to a climb up a hill facing tremendous views of Gangapurna and Tilicho Peaks at close distance, as our morning progress walking into the sheer wilderness of arid and barren landscapes, with few bushes of juniper and Burberry prickly plants. The walk leads into a narrow trail with short climb and ups to reach our highlight destination with an overnight stop at Tilicho Base Camp facing a panorama of snow-clad peaks at near distance, with afternoon free to marvel the beauty of surrounding peaks and dramatic landscapes.

Day 10:  Trek to Tilicho Lake (4,920m / 16,141 ft and walk to Siri-Kharka (4,000 m / 13,123 ft)-5-6 hrs.

Today, where morning takes you to our main highlight of the adventure as walk, leads towards steep climb for short-while and then descends to the shore of beautiful turquoise colored Tilicho Lake, a magnificent spot surrounded by high peaks of Tilicho and Gangapurna Himal. Enjoy a hike around the lake, regarded as a sacred spot by both religions Hindu and Buddhist, truly a most mind-blowing experience to visit this lovely emerald lake of Tilicho. With glorious scenic moments at Tilicho Lake, where afternoon walk leads to a climb and then on a gradual level path to reach our overnight stop at a small and isolated place at Siri-Kharka, after a great marvelous day.

Day 11:  Trek to Yak Kharka (4,110 m/13484ft) - 05 hrs.

On completing our visit on the other side of Manang valley around Tilicho Lake area, morning walk leads towards Khangsar village on uphill path then on near level trail to reach at a nice place in Yak Kharka for overnight stop, an interesting high altitude Yak grazing pasture at Yak Kharka with some good lodge to stay where you can catch tremendous views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks.

Day 12:  Trek to Thorong High Camp (4,600 m/15091ft) - 04 hrs.

Morning heading high area, to the base of Thorang-la after a climb along the river bank, walk leads at Thorong Phedi, from here an hour of steep climb brings at Thorang High Camp for an overnight stop.

Day 13:  Cross Thorong-La Pass (5,416 m / 17,769 ft) and to Muktinath (3,800 /12,467ft) - 07 hrs.

The main high day of the adventure, with early breakfast trek follows a long climb up to Thorong-la with steep haul on the winding path to Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m / 17,700 ft. The highest point of this trip, the pass offers super views of awesome sceneries of snowcapped peaks after feeling high reaching the main highlight, and then a long descent leads to Muktinath at 3,800 m. On reaching Muktinath for an overnight stop, a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.

Day 14:  Trek to Marpha (2,670m / 8,759 ft) via Jomsom (2,715 m / 8,907 ft) - 06 hrs.

After Muktinath, rest of the walks is moderate walks with a big drop of 1,200m downhill to Kaligandaki river valley, and to Jomsom headquarter town of Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River. From Jomsom a few hours walk reaches Marpha, one of the most charming villages of all Himalaya regions with whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well kept lodges. Marpha village is famous for delicious apples where you can celebrate with local apple products like cider, brandy, and juice.

Day 15:  Trek to Lete (2,480m/8136ft) - 06 hrs.

From Marpha an enjoyable walks following Kaligandaki river downstream, reaching Tukuche village, beneath Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri with Mt. Nilgiri’s, from here back into tree line of pines, oaks, and rhododendron, and then to a nice Kalapani village, after a short stop walk to another lovely village with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiri’s and Dhaulagiri, a short downhill brings at Lete village for overnight stop.

Day 16:  Trek to Tatopani (Natural Hot spring)(1,190m/3904ft)-06 hrs.

From Lete onwards leads to a dramatic change in landscapes, walking between two high peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna forming world deepest gorge. From Ghasa village a southern end of Mustang area, dominated by Thakali people and then heading at Tatopani (Hot Spring) village with sub-tropic climate. Tatopani another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.

Day 17:  Trek to Ghorepani (2,880m / 9448ft) - 06 hrs.

After Tatopani, morning walk leads across a bridge over Kaligandaki River and then our route diverts heading uphill on terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages, after a steep section through dense alpine forest reaching at Chitre and to Ghorepani- village with superb views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Vara-Shikar also known Annapurna Fang.

Day 18:  Trek to Poon Hill 3210m/10531ft and trek to Nayapul 1,100m/3608ft and drive to Pokhara (860m / 2,821ft) -07 hrs.

Morning an hour hike up to Poon Hill at 3,210m, offering stunning sunrise views over chain of mountains including majestic Mt. Machhapuchare “The Fish Tail”, after a wonderful time at Poon Hill our last day walk of the adventure takes through beautiful rhododendron forest on gradual trail and then a long descend from Ulleri village all the way to Tirkhedhunga. From here, last day walk of the adventure leads through many farm villages and terraces into the warmer area and ending walk on the road connecting Baglung-Pokhara at Nayapul town, from here a few hours drives to famous scenic Pokhara after a wonderful time up in the high mountains.

Day 19:  Drive back to Kathmandu (1300m/4265ft).

After a wonderful time on high mountains and hills with adventure on Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake, depart from Pokhara with morning overland journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after 5-6 hours of a nice interesting drive then transfer to your respective hotels, with afternoon free for shopping souvenirs and handicrafts. 

Cost Information

Equipment

White Hill Adventure Treks and Expedition will send necessary equipment for different kind of activities in Nepal For Travel, we have a different packing lists. Some equipment suitable for tour won’t be applicable for trekking and climbing activities. Equipment for trekking will not be used for a tour and other purposes. Necessary equipment for trekking will be carried out by our guide. High altitude trekking and climbing activities might require these lists for smooth trekking in Himalayan region.

For Head

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sun glasses and Head light

For Upper Body

1. Water Proof Jacket
2. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
3. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

For Lower Body

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant

For Hand

1. Gloves

For Feet

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

Other Accessories

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toiletpaperetc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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