Annapurna Circuit Trek via Tilicho Lake – 15 days

Trip Itinerary

• Day 01 Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.

  Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. During the drive, you will get your first glimpse of the city’s lively atmosphere, colorful streets, and cultural charm.

  After check-in, you can relax or explore the vibrant streets of Thamel. The Thamel area is known for its bustling streets, local markets, cafés, souvenir shops, and vibrant nightlife. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and a short trek briefing.

  Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 1,400m (4,600 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Standard Hotel

  • 

    Meals: Dinner

• Day 02 Drive to Dharapani by public vehicle.

  After breakfast, begin a scenic drive from Kathmandu toward Dharapani. Dharapani is one of the popular gateway villages of the Annapurna region. The journey passes through beautiful river valleys, terraced farms, traditional villages, and winding mountain roads.

  Along the way, enjoy stunning views of hills and flowing rivers before arriving at Dharapani. Once you reach Dharapani, spend the evening resting and preparing for the trekking adventure ahead.

  Overnight in Dharapani.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 1,860m (6,100 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Standard Hotel

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Drive duration: 9-10 hours’ drive

• Day 03 Trek to Chame.

  The trek officially begins as you walk through pine forests and charming villages alongside the Marsyangdi River.

  Along the way, you will pass several traditional villages, including Bagarchhap, Danaque, and Timang, where you can enjoy local mountain culture and stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Manaslu on clear days. After walking through more forested trails and the village of Koto, you will finally reach Chame.

  Chame is the headquarters of the Manang district, and a popular overnight stop for trekkers, offering breathtaking views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II.

  Overnight in Chame.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 2,650m (8,760 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 4-5 hours trek

• Day 04 Trek to Upper Pisang.

  After breakfast, continue your trek from Chame toward Upper Pisang. The trail begins through beautiful pine and fir forests along the Marsyangdi River.

  After breakfast, you will continue your walk along a scenic mountain trail toward Upper Pisang. As you walk, the trail gradually becomes more rugged with beautiful Himalayan views all around.

  Along the way, you will pass through small places like Bratang, a quiet stop known for its apple orchards and resting areas. From here, the valley opens wider, with rocky cliffs and dramatic mountain scenery.

  As you gain altitude, the forests slowly fade, and the landscape changes into alpine terrain. The views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak become clearer and more impressive as you go along the trail.

  After a steady uphill climb, you will finally reach Upper Pisang, a beautiful village located on a ridge with stunning panoramic mountain views. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the peaceful sunset over the Himalayas.

  Overnight in Upper Pisang.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 3,300m (10,827 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 4-5 hours trek

• Day 05 Trek to Nawal.

  After breakfast, continue your trek from Upper Pisang toward Nawal via the upper route of the Annapurna Circuit, one of the most scenic parts of the journey.

  The trail climbs steadily out of Upper Pisang and quickly opens up into wide Himalayan views. The valley below slowly fades away as you walk along a ridge with constant views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and Pisang Peak.

  On the way, you pass through the beautiful traditional village of Ghyaru, known for its stone houses, peaceful atmosphere, and one of the best viewpoints of the entire trek. It’s a good spot for a short break and photos.

  From here, the trail continues along an exposed but stunning ridge path, with mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags, reflecting the region’s strong Buddhist culture. The walk is gradual but very scenic throughout.

  Finally, you arrive at Nawal, a quiet and traditional village with incredible mountain views. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

  Overnight in Nawal.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 3,650m (11,975 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 4-5 hours trek

• Day 06 Trek to Manang.

  After breakfast, you will continue your walk from Nawal toward Manang. Today is a shorter and easier trek, giving your body time to adjust to the higher altitude.

  As you walk, you will descend gently into a wide valley with beautiful mountain views. The landscape slowly changes, becoming drier with fewer trees and more open Himalayan scenery.

  Along the way, you will pass through small villages like Mungji and Braka. These peaceful villages are known for their stone houses, prayer flags, and small farms. In Braka, you can also visit an old monastery and experience the local Buddhist culture.

  From here, the trail continues with an easy walk toward Manang. The views open up fully, offering wide views of snow-covered peaks such as Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

  Finally, you reach Manang, a larger and lively mountain village surrounded by dramatic Himalayan peaks. After checking in, you can rest or take a short walk around the village.

  Overnight in Manang.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 3,550m (11,647 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 4-5 hours trek

• Day 07 Acclimatization day at Manang.

  Today is an important acclimatization day in Manang before moving to higher altitudes. After breakfast, you can spend the day resting or exploring the village at a slow, easy pace. Manang is a beautiful mountain settlement surrounded by dramatic Himalayan peaks, and it’s a great place to adjust to the altitude.

  You could walk around the village, visit small bakeries and cafés, or explore local monasteries to learn more about the region’s culture and lifestyle.

  If you are looking for a more active day, a short hike to Gangapurna Lake is highly recommended. The trail is not too difficult and offers incredible views of glaciers, waterfalls, and surrounding peaks. From here, you can also hike up nearby hills for a panoramic view of the entire valley.

  Other short viewpoints around Manang also offer stunning views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak, especially on clear days.

  After a relaxed and scenic day, return to your teahouse in Manang.

  Overnight at Manang.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 3,550m (11,647 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 08 Trek to Tilicho Base Camp.

  Today’s walk is more remote, quieter, and slightly more challenging. After breakfast, you will leave Manang and the main Annapurna Circuit Trail and head toward Tilicho Base Camp.

  The trail slowly goes up from Manang into a dry, rocky area. There are fewer villages and more open mountain land. As you climb higher, the views get more beautiful, with deep valleys and snow-covered mountains in the distance.

  On the way, you pass through Khangsar, a traditional village with stone houses and a strong Tibetan cultural feel. From here, the trail becomes narrower and more rugged. From here, the trail narrows and becomes more challenging in sections. You walk through landslide-prone areas and unstable slopes.

  Finally, after a steady ascent, you arrive at Tilicho Base Camp, surrounded by steep mountains and dramatic alpine scenery.

  Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 4,200m (13,780 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 6-7 hours trek

• Day 09 Early in the morning hike to Tilicho lake and back to Shreekharka.

  Today is going to be one of the most unforgettable days of the trek. You will wake up early and start walking towards the lake.

  The trail from Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake is steep, rocky, narrow, and thin-airy, with loose stones. So, you will walk slowly and steadily. Along the way, you will see that the entire area is surrounded by towering mountains and a very raw Himalayan landscape.

  When you finally reach Tilicho Lake, you see the bright turquoise water sitting quietly beneath towering mountains. It is a perfect place to rest, take photos, and enjoy the moment.

  You will spend some quality time at the lake, and then head towards the Shreekharka. Shreekharka is a peaceful and isolated resting place surrounded by dramatic Himalayan scenery.

  Overnight in Shreekharka.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 4,920m (16,141 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 7-8 hours trek

• Day 10 Trek to Yak Kharka.

  After breakfast, start a short and easy trek from Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka. The trail slowly goes uphill. As you ascend, the views become more open and beautiful. You will see dry hills, wide valleys, and snowy mountains in the distance.

  On the way, you will pass open grazing land where yaks and horses often feed. You may also cross small streams and walk through rocky sections of the trail.

  As you ascend, trees become fewer, and the landscape turns dry and rocky. The fresh mountain air and wide Himalayan views make the journey peaceful and scenic.

  After a few hours of walking, you will reach Yak Kharka, a small settlement surrounded by wide yak pastures and dramatic mountain views. You need to rest the rest of the day, relax, and stay hydrated as your body adjusts to the elevation before continuing toward Thorong Phedi.

  Overnight in Yak Kharka.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 4,020M (13,189 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 3-4 hours trek

• Day 11 Trek to Fedi.

  Today’s trek is short but very important for acclimatization before crossing the Thorong La Pass.

  The trail slowly goes uphill through a rocky mountain path. As you gain height, the air gets thinner, and the walk becomes a bit harder, so it’s important to walk slowly and rest when needed.

  After a few hours, you will reach Thorong Phedi. This is the last stop before the pass. It is a small and quiet spot where trekkers rest, drink water, and get ready for the big climb the next day.

  Overnight in Fedi.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 4,550 meters (14,928 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 3-4 hours trek

• Day 12 Trek to Muktinath (3700M) via Thorong La Pass (5416M).

  This is the most challenging and also the most rewarding day of the trek.

  Start very early in the morning and begin a slow climb toward Thorong La Pass. The path is rocky and tiring at this altitude, so you walk slowly and take frequent breaks. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more barren and dramatic, with wide-open views of snow-covered peaks and endless Himalayan valleys.

  After several hours of steady ascent, you finally reach Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. The top of the pass is marked with prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and on clear days, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas stretching in every direction.

  From the pass, you will do a long descent toward Muktinath. The trail is steep at first and then gradually becomes easier as you lose altitude. The scenery slowly changes from icy mountain terrain to drier, more open landscapes.

  Finally, you arrive at the sacred site of Muktinath, an important pilgrimage destination for both Hindus and Buddhists.

  Overnight in Muktinath.

  • 

    Max. Altitude: 5,416 meters (17,769 feet)

  • 

    Accommodation: Standard Hotel

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Trek Duration: 7-8 hours trek

• Day 13 Drive to Pokhara by public vehicle.

  After breakfast, you will drive through the beautiful Kali Gandaki Valley to Pokhara, which will be a long drive. The Kali Gandaki Valley is one of the deepest gorges in the world, and this drive is going to be especially impressive and scenic.

  You will pass through beautiful river valleys, deep gorges, small villages, and mountain roads with stunning views. As you descend, the landscape slowly changes from dry high mountains to greener hills and warmer air.

  Once you reach Pokhara, you can either rest at your hotel or take a short walk to Lakeside.

  Overnight in Pokhara.

  • 

    Accommodation: Standard Hotel

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Drive duration: 8-9 hours’ drive

• Day 14 Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus

  After breakfast, you will drive towards Kathmandu in a tourist bus.

  Along the way, you will pass beautiful rivers, green hills, terraced farms, small villages, and winding road sections that follow the Trishuli River for much of the journey. There will be short stops for refreshments and breaks, giving you time to stretch and enjoy the surroundings.

  As you approach Kathmandu, the scenery gradually becomes more urban and livelier. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and can relax after the long drive.

  Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • 

    Accommodation: Standard Hotel

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 

    Drive duration: 6-7 hours’ drive

• Day 15 Departure

  Today is your last day in the country of the Himalayas. After breakfast, you might have some extra time left before your departure. So, depending on your flight schedule, you can relax at the hotel, do some last-minute shopping, or enjoy your final moments in the city.

  2-3 hours before your departure, our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport.

  As you head home, you carry with you your memories of mountains, villages, trails, and the incredible landscapes of the Himalayas.

  • 

    Meals: Breakfast (Lunch depending on the schedule)