Annapurna Circuit Trek
Explore the beauty of Himalayas

Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

Overview

  • Duration17 Days
  • Trip GradeModerate
  • Arrival CityKathmandu
  • Trip TypePrivate
  • Max Altitude 5,416 m/17,756 ft
  • Best TimeMarch to June and September to December

Highlights

  • Relax in the natural hot spring, Tatopani.
  • Witness the panorama of Himalayan ranges like Mt. Annapurna, beautiful Nilgiri, Chulu West, and Chulu east. Also,Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and IV.
  • Traversing the highest pass of the whole world – the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m).
  • Observe lakes, glaciers, gorges, and waterfalls in the circuit.
  • Savor the view of Snow leopards and blue sheep in Yak Kharka.
  • Explore Tibetan Settlement and Buddhist culture.
  • A mesmerizing hike to Tilicho Lake, the highest in the world for its height at 5,200m
  • Visit a sacred place for Hinduism and Buddhism, Muktinath Temple.
  • Visit the alluring Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang district and Gateway to Upper Mustang Trek
  • Pass through beautiful rhododendron, fir, juniper forests.
  • A perfect cherishable day in Pokhara

What a lovely escapade to wander around the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It is famous for its divine-looking Himalaya ranges. If you are looking for an adventure to cross the highest pass, the Thorang La Pass is there to wave you. And, If you want to visit one of the most important and sacred places for Hinduism and Buddhism followers, then Annapurna Circuit Trek is perfect for you because it has Tillicho Lake. 

Tilicho Lake is the highest lake in the whole world. So be happy! The well-managed trek offers magnificent insights into the majestic Himalayas ranges including, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m) Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m), Mt. Annapurna III (7,555m), Mt. Annapurna IV (7,525m), Mt. Annapurna south (7,219m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,041m), Mt. Fishtail also called Mt. Machhapuchhare (6,998m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441m), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Tilicho peak (7,134m)

You will get to explore the Tibetian settlements and Buddhist culture. Also, visit the largest monastery of Manang and which is Barge Monastery. How amazing! During this amazing hike to Annapurna Circuit trek, you get to observe the beauty of nature like the snowcapped Himalayas, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, along with the villages of ethnic groups like Thakali, where you will be emotionally embraced.

Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is pleasant during Spring and Autumn when there are fewer chances of rainfall and high blossoms that add a bonus satisfaction to the trek. Tour ends in Pokhara. That being stated, you could go down the tourist hub have a great time of your life. Enjoy a bit of tranquil nature and sip some excellent coffee. Or you may even go strolling in the town and chill.

Annapurna Regions is a very popular trekking destination in Nepal. It has offered many different kinds of trekking based on your expectation and available traveling period of time. Besides this Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake, it has got some other very popular and short hikes such as Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, and Mardi Himal Trek are some of the popular trekking trails.

Itinerary

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Upon your arrival at International Airport, Scenic Nepal treks and expedition representative will greet you by showing your beautiful name in front of the airport. After greeting you wil be transfer to the hotel. At your hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities. Overnight at hotel.

    After your early morning breakfast, we take you to the Local Jeep Station from where we take a Long mountain drive to Chamje via Besisahar Lamjung. Witness the highway lifestyle of Nepalese people while driving towards Chame. Trip up to Besisahar is smooth over black topped road but from Besisahar the trip can be bumpy. Hilly postal road might be treacherous but scenic view of mountains, hills and villages will be rewarding.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(2,610m/8,890ft)

    Are you excited!? Because this our first day on foothill trek. We will start our hike in the morning from Chamje after breakfast. We will pass through Tal, Karte, and reach Dharapani. Various waterfalls on the way will tempt us to head further with such scenes. We would be checking in to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) counter. Overnight in Dharapani.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(1,860m/6,200ft)

    We will commence our trek from Dharapani to reach Chame. There we will pass a stone entrance chhorten, which is culturally associated with the Tibetan Buddhists. Then we will arrive at Bagarchhap, which is environed by the apple orchid and crop plots. Scaling to Tyanja, we will walk, savoring the views of the falls and pine forest that will guide us to Kyupar and finally to Chame, the district capital of Manang. The panorama of Annapurna II is magnificent. Overnight to Chame.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude2,610m/8,890ft)

    Our trek will start with a tasty breakfast. Today we will cross through thick woods and traverse through a suspension bridge. We will cross a local village called Bhartang Village. Overnight to Pisang.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(3,115m/10,200ft)

    By embracing the beautiful dawn, we will hike through the dry valley of Manang. Today will be a very challenging and arduous trek because the trail is a bit extreme. We will see the beautiful panoramas of mountains from the hike tracks. Overnight in Manang after a tiring day.

     

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum AltitudeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    During high-altitude trekking, proper acclimatization is most necessary. For acclimatization, we will do short hiking trips. Walking around Manang is also the best way to acclimatize as well as understand the geography and culture of people. Bhojo Gumba and Gangapurna Lake are usual short hiking destinations on this day.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum AltitudeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    After a resting day at Manang, we will go towards the path of Tilicho Lake. This trail splits from the chief trail that guides us to the Thorang La Pass. From the westernmost gate, we will decline to the stream and arrive at Khangsar after traversing it. Khangsar is an antique village of Tibetan Buddhists and is famous as the last Tibetan village. Overnight in SriKharka. 

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(4,060m/13,320ft)

    We will start off the day with breakfast, then we will be trekking through the brand new trail, which opened recently. We will be hiking through vivid monasteries. We will ditch the upward path and catch the downward track because the downward one is easier and less steep. After the exhausting walk, we will reach the Tillicho Base Camp.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(4,060m/13,320ft)

    Early morning we will accommodate you with a delicious breakfast. We will ascend to the lake situated at the highest altitude in the whole world. Yeah right! Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake is very chilling, wonderful, tranquil, and serene. Enjoy the azure water of Tilicho Lake and enjoy the moment.  Later we hike down to Sri Kharka for our Overnight. 

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(4,060m/13,320ft)

    Today we will be declining from Srikharka to Manang towards where the trail scales to Yak Kharka. While we will be climbing to Yak Kharka from Tenki Manang, we will leave the Marsyangdi Valley back instead of trailing beside the Jarsang Khola Valley. The adequacy of flora and fauna in this region is way less than in Manang. Overnight in Yak Kharka.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(4,060m/13,320ft)

    After the night in Yak Kharka and tasty breakfast. We will be ascending from the Yak Kharka and descend towards the suspension bridge. It is going to be a two-hour-long arduous trek. The trekking route then goes up to Thorong Phedi at 4,525m. Overnight in Thorong Phedi.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(4,525m/14,525 ft)

    We will start our trek at pretty dawn at 4 am, reach the Thorang La Pass at 9 am. Usually, after 10 am, mighty winds control the trail influencing the trekking route to Thorang La and halt at the pass. The trekking path is not arduous, but we have to hike for four hours. The scenery of magnificent mountains will be following you on your strenuous trek. Another four hours of downhill climbing will guide us to Muktinath (interpretation: a temple of nirvana). It is house to the divine Muktinath Temple, numerous monasteries, a natural hot spring, and an ‘eternal flame’ fueled naturally by natural gas

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(3,760m/12,623ft)

    Say goodbye to hard trekking days! It is over, now the trails are flat. The trekking route declines to the Ekle Bhatti and will shift to smooth as we move along the Kaligandaki River till Jomsom. Jomsom is a fun town contrasted to what we have seen so far in this hike. Jomsom is the headquarter of the Manang district. It has some modern facilities compared to other places in the Manang district. Fun pubs, hotels, lodges are easily found in Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom.

    • Accommodation Tea House Lodge
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • Maximum Altitude(2720m/8923ft)

    Wake up! We have early day aviation to Pokhara. The scenic flight will last for 30 mins. Enjoy your panoramic flight. After you reach the Pokhara, we will find you a hotel if you want to rest. If you want to stroll around the city, our representatives will take you to Lakeside, Gupteshowr Mahadev, Davis Fall, etc. Overnight in Pokhara.

    • Accommodation Hotel
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch
    • Maximum Altitude(820 m/ 2,690 ft )

    The fresh morning will charm you with a delicious breakfast. Be ready for the six-hour-long scenic ride on Prithivi Highway, which is fun. So enjoy the drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.

    • Accommodation Hotel
    • MealsBreakfast
    • Maximum Altitude(1,350 m/4,450 ft)

    We believe you had a fabulous time in Nepal. To surprise you, we have a grand Nepali cuisine to savor on your last day in Nepal. Our agents will take your bags and wave you farewell at the airport. Please visit Nepal and choose us again. Have a great flight.

    • Accommodation None
    • MealsBreakfast
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    What’s Included

    Included

    • Sharing ​2​/​1​ ​Nights Tourist  ​Good ​Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with Breakfast
    • All Airport transfers by Private Bus
    • Transfer by Tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu
    • ​Good ​Tea-house Lodge during the Trekking
    • Local Bus to Besisahar from Kathmandu 
    • Domestic Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara 
    • ​An ​Experienced, Government Licensed English-speaking Guide and all his expenses
    • All your standard Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trekking as per menu.
    • Farewell Nepali Cultural Dinner 
    • TIMS Card ( For your Safety) & Annapurna Conservation Fees
    • Staff insurance, medication, and equipment,
    • Good Sleeping & Duffel Bags by Scenic Nepal Treks (Need to return) ​
    • Adventure Certificate By Company
    • First Aid Kit​ ( Medicine Recommended to use you own)​
    • All Govt. and Local Taxes

    Excluded

    • Early Arrival or Late departure Accommodations in Kathmandu and Mountain due to Flight delayed or cancellation
    • Personal Travel/Trekking insurance
    • International airfare
    • Nepal entry visa. You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US$ 40 or equivalent in foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US$ 100. Please bring 2 passport-size photos.
    • Soft drinks including water, Your Tea & Coffee during the Trek 
    • Snacks and other personal expenses
    • Personal trekking equipment
    • Wi-Fi internet and phone call unless it’s free.
    • Porter to Carry your Bags ( US$ 290 for a Porter- 1 porter can be shared by Two Person)
    • Single room in the mountain
    • Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

    Useful Info

    Accommodation & Meals during the Trek:

    Annapurna Circuit Trek offers you Basic Good Lodge accommodation except for some of the places. During the trek, you will be accommodated in a twin sharing room unless you are a Solo hiker. There will be 2/3 beds in a room with sharing Bathroom. 

    In the program, Your Three meals  ( Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) are included. For the Food, you can choose by menu. and you can have Western, Indian, and Nepalese dishes.  You will be provided  1 item for every meal, f you like to have any extra you can purchase directly from Restaurant. Overall Annapurna Circuit Trek facilities basic good Accommodation and Meals compare to Manaslu Circuit Trek

    Guide and Porter:

    All our Trips will be lead by an Experience Sherpa English Speaking Trekking Guide.  However, Porter is not Included in your program. If you like to have someone to carry your bags during the trekking, please do let us know before your arrival in Kathmandu. We arrange a Porter at the additional price of US$ 390 for a Porter who carries a maximum of 25 kg. 

    Insurance for Annapurna Circuit Trek:

    It is very necessary to have Insurance to attend this trek. Please make sure Your insurance will cover all your expenses such as Air Ambulance, Helicopter Rescue, and treatment Cost. We Scenic Nepal Treks does not sell any Insurance policies but we would be happy to suggest to you some of the most regular policies at your request. 

    Equipment & Packing List

    • This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Also, understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg.
    • Important documents and items
    • Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
    • Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
    • Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
    • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc.

    Head

    • Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
    • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
    • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
    • Sunglasses with UV protection
    • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

    Upper Body

    • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
    • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
    • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
    • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
    • Down vest and/or jacket *
    • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

    Hands

    • 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
    • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
    • 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

    Lower Body

    • Non-cotton underwear briefs
    • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
    • 1 pair of Hiking trousers
    • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
    • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
    • 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

    Feet

    • 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
    • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
    • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
    • 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
    • Cotton socks (optional)
    • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

    Sleeping

    • 1 sleeping bag (Scenic Nepal Treks will provide you)
    • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
    • Rucksack and Travel Bags
    • 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
    • 1 large duffel bag ( Scenic Nepal Treks will Provide you)

    Medical

    • Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
    • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
    • 1 skin-blister repair kit
    • Anti-diarrhea pills
    • Anti-headache pills
    • Cough and/or cold medicine
    • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide
    • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
    • Water purification tablets or the water filter
    • 1 set of earplugs
    • Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

    Toiletries

    • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
    • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
    • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
    • Deodorants
    • Nail clippers
    • Face and body moisturizer
    • Female hygiene products
    • Small mirror
    • Personal Hygiene
    • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
    • Tissue /toilet roll
    • Anti-bacterial handwash

     

     

     

    FAQs

    Q1. How do I get visa to Nepal?

    It is very easy to obtain a visa to Nepal. Either uou can get Arrival Visa at Kathmandu airport or You can apply at Nepal Embassy in your Home town or nearby.

    Annapurna Circuit Trek is considered as one beautiful as well as an easy-moderate trek. You don’t need to have any special training but you have to be an experienced, Hiker. During this trip, you will be crossing one of the highest Mountain Pass Thorang La Pass. So please make sure you are fit enough and able to walk 5/7 hours each day.

    It is good to have a porter since you are going on a moderate trek such as Annapurna Circuit. You can carry your own bags too, but you may have very high chances to get AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Therefore, we suggest you take Porter. It is optional in your program. You can have a porter with an additional Charge which is US$ 280 for a Porter. 1 Porter can be shared by two-person and max 25 Kg in total.

    Annapurna Circuit Trek ( ACT) offers you overall good Tea house Lodge accommodation except for some of the high altitude places such as Thoranag Phedi and Tilicho Lake Base Camp.
    During your trekking, you will be provided Twin sharing (Unless you are Solo) Tea house Lodge. These lodges are very basic with sharing Bathroom. There will be a proper Bed with blankets. Scenic Nepal Treks provide you with Sleeping bags as well.

    will be having your Meals at the Local Restaurant and Lodge. There will be Western, Indian, and Nepalese dishes including Rice and Curry, sandwiches, Noodles soup, etc. If you like to have any extra meals besides your 3 meals (Each time, one item), you can purchase directly from the restaurant.

    You can have a Bottle of Water, Purified refuel Water, or Tap Water. We would suggest you get Purified Refuel Water from your Tea house Lodge. Each refuel may cost you 1-3 US$ depending on your location. When you go higher altitude, the price becomes more.

    Most of the Tea houses in the mountain have a Wi-Fi connection but the connection is not that Strong as City. You need to pay (Unlimited US$3-4 at each stay) to Tea Houses to obtain a Wi-Fi password. We would also suggest you buy Nepalese Data by Phone and Ncell is the best for the internet. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, one of our representatives/Guides can assist you to buy.

    Mostly Tea house lodge offers you a Bucket shower for a few US$. Laundry is not available during the trek.

    Yes! It is possible to change this program upon your request. We are happy to make Good plans for you based on your available time and physical fitness. We are happy to hearing from you, please drop your email here

    Actually, nobody knows who may get altitude Sick because altitude sickness is very unpredictable. Sometimes our Local Guides and Porter also get suffered from it. Let’s say 94% of trekkers do this Annapurna Circuit Trek successfully.

    Yes, you can charge your phones and other gadgets at the tea houses with charges ranging from USD3- USD 5 per device. Normally the charging point is located at the tea house’s reception counter.

    Annapurna Circuit Trek can be done at any month of the year. However, we highly recommend you to do a trek between September and May.  Generally, from June onwards until the end of August it’s Monsoon season with lots of rain showers and unpredictable weather. 

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