Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trekking

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner. 

Start early morning after breakfast for long and interesting drive from Kathmandu towards Nepal Mid-West Himalayas. Overland journey takes you on the main Kathmandu / Pokhara highway for some hours, heading through farm villages and towns, and then our route diverts from the main road towards low farm area in Lamjung district. As ride continues to Besisar town and headquarter of Lamjung district. After a refreshing break drive continues following Masrsyangdi River to reach Syange.

From Syange farm village, then head towards winding up on hilly rough tracks to Jagat village for first overnight stop of the adventure, a nice village with views of beautiful water-falls.

After first overnights at Jagat village, enjoy the breakfast and then start the morning with our first day walk above from Masrsyangdi River with gradual climb to Chamje village.

From Chamje onwards where you can notice more of Buddhism religion and culture. As walk progress cross a small bridge over Masrsyangdi River then into cool shade of mixed forest, and then a short climb to a high ridge as walk takes you to lunch stop at Tal Besi, a nice village situated on a valley within the entrance of Manang district.

Afternoon walk follows with slow climb and then on gentle winding path to Dharapani for overnight stop, from here onward within alpine region as air gets much cooler. Dharapani village located on the junction of Annapurna and Manaslu circuit routes.

From Dharapani village, morning walk starts heading further North West as walk leads into nice woodland of blue pines, rhododendron and fir trees to Bagarchap and Danque villages. A nice place growing apples with many orchard gardens, enjoy views of Annapurna II and III with Lamjung Himal and Manaslu range of peaks. As walk leads to a steep up reaching at Timang, a lovely large village of mixed community hill tribes with Magar, Gurung and some Hindu Chettries and Bharamins.  

At Timang possible lunch stop, facing grand views of Annapurna and as far towards Manaslu range with Lamjung Himal. Afternoon walk of few hours to Chame for overnight stop, Chame a headquarter town of Manang district.

After an enjoyable overnight stop in Chame, walk to cross Masrsyangdi River following a pleasant trail within cool shade of lovely forest of tall pine and rhododendron trees.

As walk continues to Bhratang village and then over a bridge with gradual climb to a ridge at Dukari Pokhari with few nice lodge and restaurants. A nice lunch spot facing views of Annapurna, Chulu and Pisang Peaks. After an enjoyable stop head downhill to a flat valley towards Pisang village for overnight stop. Where scenic and beautiful Manang valley starts, the village located below with the same name Pisang Peak. 

Enjoy morning clear views of Pisang and Chulu peaks with Annapurna IV and II, after a nice breakfast, a pleasant walk for a while and then climb towards a high ridge within lovely woods filled with firs and rhododendron trees.From the ridge top enjoy panorama of Annapurna II, III, and IV with Gangapurna Himal, Chulu's and Pisang peaks towards north. After a grand views downhill to Hongde village with a small airstrip. After a short refreshing rest carry on trekking as snow-capped mountain follows you all the way to Manang village.Before reaching main Manang village, on route visit an old Braga monastery enriched with old relics of Buddha and famous gurus, from the high side of the Monastery enjoy super views of Annapurna and Chulu Himal range. After a lovely views then an hour reach you at Manang village for overnight stop.

Manang main village, an interest and large with typical Tibetan style houses where most of the big houses serves as excellent lodges and restaurants.

An important and necessary to have a rest day for acclimatization purpose before moving towards high Thorang-La pass. On this free day enjoy exploring around this scenic village, best morning walk head down to Masrsyangdi River. Cross a bridge with short climb to reach a high ridge, where you can look at massive Ice-Fall and glaciers of Gangapurna Himal along with close views of Annapurna II and III, as well towards north of Chulu peaks.     

Afternoon at leisure visit around this nice village, where most houses are built in Tibetan tradition, the local native of Manang migrated from Tibet more than 400 years back, as you can notice colorful culture and custom similar to Tibetans.

From Manag, morning starts with climb towards a high hill overlooking grand close views of Gangapurna Himalaya and Tilicho Peaks, as our morning exciting walks progress within complete wilderness of barren windswept landscapes, with few short vegetation of juniper and Burberry prickly bush. The path on scree of small rocks with narrow trail and then climb to overnight stop at Tilicho Base Camp. An amazing spot of few small cozy lodge facilities for visitors, where views of high towering looks much closer.

Finally adventure reach you towards our main highlight climbing to a steep ridge made of rocky dune and then down to the shore of magnificent turquoise colored Tilicho Lake, a scenic spot encircled by high snow peaks of Tilicho and Gangapurna Himal with Nilgiris southward direction. Enjoy short walk by the lake or just relax and marvel the glorious scenery, Tilicho Lake considered as holy by Hindu as well one of the highest lake around the Himalaya. Hindus also believes that Tilicho Lake is the ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake mentioned in the epic Ramayana. The sage Kak Bhusundi believed to have first told the happenings of Ramayana to Garuda - king of birds, near Tilicho Lake. From here walk back on the same route with short climb and then on gradual level path to reach overnight stop Siri-Kharka, after a great wonderful day hike to Tilicho Lake.

Enjoying the adventure and scenic views around Tilicho Lake, from shri kharka walk back to the main trail to Ghunsang a small settlement and then reach Yak Kharka for overnight stop.

Yak Kharka a summer grazing field for Yaks and other cattle, due to mass flow of trekkers over the years, Manang people has made a temporary settlement with fine houses serving as lodges and guest houses, a scenic spot with grand views Chulu West and Gangapurna with Tilicho peak. At Yak Kharka for lunch and overnight stop, with free afternoon for leisure walks and rest.

Another short day walk, but due to altitude gain makes the morning trek quite longer, as you leave Yak Kharka and reach Ledar another small place having few good lodges. From here walk on gradual path and then down to a stream with short climb as walk continues on gentle path to Thorang Phedi. Phedi the bottom of the pass, here for refreshing stop and then last hour climb reach you at Thorang High Camp for lunch and overnight stop.

A Big day, having early breakfast then head towards the highest point of the adventure, walk follows on gentle path for sometimes and then a climb on winding ups to reach a small glacial ponds. From here another hour of good tough climb reach you on top Thorang-la Pass at 5,416 m / 17,700 feet.

At the top feeling tired and excited on reaching the highest spot, the pass is marked with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags and a sign board with the name of the pass and the height.

Enjoy dramatic panorama of all Chulu Himal peaks with Damodar Himal, includes great views of Annapurna Himalaya and Dhaulagiri Mountain range. From the top on achieving our goal and the toughest day of the adventure, then a long downhill takes you at the bottom of Thorang-La around the district of Mustang. The Phedi on this side with few small shades serves as tea-houses, after a rest and probably for simple lunch stop, then a slow pleasant walk reach you at Muktinath area at the height of 3,800 m for overnight stop. 

Muktinath, a holy place for Hindu pilgrims as well for Buddhist followers, the word Muktinath means a place for ‘Nirvana or Liberation’. Having time for short tour of holy premises and walk towards the village for overnight stop in the comfort of nice cozy lodge, facing excellent views of Tilicho, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountain range. 

After your visit to the sacred Muktinath temple, you will start the drive to Pokhara. The 4-hour journey takes you through the beautiful Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the arid landscapes of Mustang and transitioning into the greener regions as you descend. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri peaks, as well as charming villages like Jomsom and Marpha.

Once you reach Pokhara, you will check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the peaceful lakeside, visit Phewa Lake, or simply relax.

Morning after a good breakfast an overland on the same scenic highway, where drive takes you past farm country, villages and towns as journey continues on leaving the Trisuli River behind where drive takes you on winding up to reach the suburb of Kathmandu valley. Enjoy the last hour drive as you enter into hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities. (Option by air from Pokhara to Kathmandu a 30 minutes flight facing tremendous views of Himalaya range of peaks).

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable and fabulous adventure on Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trekking and around amazing Nepal.