Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek takes you around the amazing Annapurna Massive from west to east! Guiding you through this Himalayan landscape is one of High Route Adventure’s passions. This incredible trekking in Nepal has long been a favorite amongst nature lovers and mountaineers. And no wonder when you get to see around 140 different peaks and mountains from up the Annapurna Himalayas!
Furthermore, this scenic trek in Nepal’s Annapurna Himalayas takes a trip to Tilicho Lake (4,949m/16,237ft), the world’s highest lake! That’s not all, during this trek you’ll also cross Nepal’s highest mountain pass Thorang-La 5,416m/17,764ft. As well, as entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is filled with a diversity of fauna and flora, such as the red panda and the elusive snow leopard! Getting excited? Embark on this amazing trek, and see the best of the Himalayas with High Route Adventure.
The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek consists of a ready-made package with a carefully made itinerary of 17 days. While the actual trek has 10 days of trekking, including one rest day at Manang for acclimatization, this trek can be made longer by combining it with the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the Nar-Phu Valley trek, or even the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Following the standard trekking route of the Annapurna Circuit, this trek takes a different route from Manang and heads to the famous world’s highest lake, Tilicho Lake.
This route adds 3 additional days and heads via Siri Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake. After visiting Tilicho Lake, a mostly downhill trek goes back to Siri Kharka from where it will continue back on the Annapurna Circuit by heading to Yak Kharka. During this trek, no camping is required, and High Route Adventure chooses the best available guest or teahouses during the trek.
Famous mountains to look out for while trekking are; the Annapurna mountains I to IV reaching up to 8,091m/26,545ft, Mt Dhaulagiri 8,167m/26,795ft, Mt Manaslu 8,163m/26,781ft, Mt Gangapurna 7,455m/24,459ft, Pisang Peak 6,091m/19,984ft and Tilicho Peak 7,134m/23,406ft. These are just a few that can be seen amongst all the other mountains and peaks on the trek! Average trekking hours per day are between 5 and 6 hours, going downhill and uphill with a few steep parts.
The trails are well maintained and for the most part comfortable to trek, as well as the guesthouses. Considered one of the best treks in Nepal it is best done during the spring or fall/autumn seasons, as then the weather will be at its best, and you’ll have the most chances to see the most mountains!
Culture, high altitude mountains over 8,000m/26,247ft, authentic Himalayan villages, a visit to the highest lake in the world Lake Tilicho 4,949m/16,237ft, and of course the crossing of Nepal’s highest mountain pass Thorang-La 5,416m/17,764ft. Book today with High Route Adventure on the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek, and get the holiday that you deserve!
Traveler’s note: The airport is just a few minutes away from Thamel, the main touristic area of Kathmandu, where most of the hotels, souvenir shops, and restaurants are located. Try out the Nepalese MoMo, a traditional dumpling and a staple of Nepalese Cuisine!
• Hotel Breakfast and check out
• Drive with a local bus to Beshisahar
• Check-in at the teahouse
• Explore around the market in Beshisahar
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that the way to Beshisahar is mostly along the Trishuli River, up to Dhumbre. From there the road heads into the amazing Marshyangdi Valley!
• Teahouse breakfast and check out
• Drive via 4x4 to Chame
• Pass by Jagat
• Pass by Chyamche (Chamje), Tal, and Dharapani
• View of Annapurna II 7,937m/26,040ft on your left and on your right a part of the Manaslu Range
• Check-in at the teahouse at Chame
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that from the Kundi you can see some of the first views of the Manaslu Mountain Range, just south of Mt Manaslu you can see the Ngadi Himal 7,871m/25,824ft and the Himalchuli 7,893m/25,896ft. A bit to the left you get to see the Lamjung Himal 6,983m/22,910ft! Near Chyamche (Chamje) we get to see one of the longest waterfalls stretching about 202m/663ft! Just before reaching Chame we can see a part of the Manaslu mountain range on your right side, and on your left the first views of the Annapurna II 7,937m/26,040ft and Annapurna massif range.
• Breakfast and departure
• Start the trek by heading up to Bhratang
• Pass by Dhikur Pokhari
• Stop by Lower Pisang
• Continue by crossing the Marsyangdi Khola River
• Ascend from here to Upper Pisang
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that there are two routes leading to Manang, our next day’s destination. The Upper and Lower Pisang route. We follow the Upper Pisang route as it promises the best views of Mt Annapurna and the Pisang Peak!
• Breakfast and departure
• Head for the Upper Pisang trail
• Pass by Ghyaru
• Reach at Nyawal
• Continue on to Braga
• Visit Braga and Braga Monastery
• Trek a bit further uphill to Manang
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that that Braga has the biggest monastery in the whole Manang district? As you enter the Manang region you’ll quickly notice a dryer and colder climate!
• Breakfast
• Acclimatization hike
Option 1: hike to Bhojo Gumba
Option 2: hike to Gangapurna Lake
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
• Breakfast and departure
• Trek via the western gate down the river
• Cross the river and continue along its southern bank
• Pass by Kangsar Village
• Continue uphill to Siri Kharka
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that while trekking to Siri Kharka you get to see views of the Gungang Himal and Mt Chulu!
• Breakfast and departure
• Head for Tilicho Base Camp
• Follow the narrow trails leading gradually up to Base Camp
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that before reaching Tilicho Base Camp we pass by a landslide area, trek with caution and always listen to safety advice from your High Route Adventure trekking guide!
• Breakfast and departure
• A steep climb starts the day off
• Follow the side of the mountain until reaching an incline
• Visit Tilicho Lake
• Retrace back all the way down, back to Siri Kharka
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Tilicho Lake is the highest lake in the world and that there are no known aquatic lifeforms in the lake! Particularly special to Hindu’s is that Tilicho Lake is mentioned in the Ramayan Saga of the Hindu’s Sanskrit Holy text book
• Breakfast and departure
• Retrace back downhill to Khangsar
• Continue on to the Thorang Khola Valley
• Ascend further to Yak Kharka
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: did you know that Khangsar is only populated during festival times when yak herders gather for the festivities! Today’s views are incredible and you’ll quickly notice yak herds grazing in the valley.
• Breakfast and departure
• Trek uphill towards Thorang Phedi
• Pass Ledar village and ascend furthermore
• Traverse through towering cliffs to reach Thorang Phedi
• Explore around Thorang Phedi
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Today you can enjoy the views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak, and Mt. Khatungkan among others!
• Breakfast and departure
• Head up to the Thorang La pass, one of the highest passes in the world
• Cross the mountain pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath)
• The trail becomes more barren and the landscape becomes more of a Wild West
• Continue on the downhill to Muktinath
• Arrival in Muktinath
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that the Thorang-La Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in the world! Muktinath famous for its Temple with 108 water sprouts is said to have a healing and cleansing effect to all who take a dip in its holy water. This pilgrimage site is visited a whole year long by both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Breakfast and departure
• Visit the Muktinath temple with its 108 water sprouts
• Start to trek by descending downwards
• Head to the Kali Gandaki River to reach Kagbeni
• Follow the Kali Gandaki river southwards to reach Jomsom
• Dinner and overnight stay at the teahouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Kagbeni and Jomsom are famous for their apple orchards, depending on the season you’ll get to see these apple trees in full bloom!
• Breakfast and check out
• A morning flight takes us to Pokhara
• Hotel transfer
• Enjoy the amazing sights and activities in Pokhara
• Overnight stay at the hotel
Traveler’s note: While in this package there are no activities in Pokhara included, High Route Adventure is more than happy to arrange some for you, such as bungee jumping, paragliding, ultra-light flying, boating on Phewa Lake or a city sightseeing tour! Just request us during your booking.
• Breakfast and check out
• Transfer to the tourist bus park
• Drive via tourist bus back to Kathmandu
• Hotel check-in
• Review of your trip
• A complimentary farewell and thank you dinner is planned with a culture show
• Overnight stay at your hotel
Traveler’s note: It is also possible to fly back to Kathmandu, this will give you more time to spend back in Kathmandu as the flight just takes 25min, compared to the 6-hour bus ride.
Two nights in Kathmandu is in a luxurious hotel, one night in Pohara, and twelve nights in teahouse accommodation on the Trek
Accommodations in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and on the path area unit this within the package price. You will be staying at 3-star deluxe hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara located within walking distance from the major city and international airport. The hotels feature free Wi-Fi, clean air-conditioned rooms with clean bathrooms, a restaurant, an eating place, and a bar.
While trekking, twelve nights’ accommodation at the simplest offered teahouses. This area unit passes by native families, warm hospitality, and an area unit supply of sustenance for mountain communities. As this is a lovely new trekking route the teahouse offered basic facilities like a bed, shared washroom, and cozy dining room. You need to pay extra for using the Wi-Fi, mineral water, hot shower, and battery charging.
Accommodation is organized on a twin-sharing basis. If pressure group solo, you get to share the area with a fellow individual of constant gender. a private room is offered for the asking, at an additional price. It’s attainable to induce one area in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and at lower elevations while trekking. However, at higher elevations, their area unit few lodges and single rooms aren't offered during tourist season.
In all treks including the Annapurna Himalaya region, good food is very important to keep all the members fit and healthy throughout the trip.
Meals are served in a large dining hall, some higher cold places furnished with the pot-bellied stove to keep the dining room warm and cozy. Items of foods can be ordered by choosing two types of a la carte or set menus, for a la carte with wide listed food and drink menu from Farmers, American or simple breakfast to Lunch, Dinner, and light snacks.
Most tourists standard average lodge, managed and run by family members including cooking, the menu is laden with popular and famous Nepalese meals, known as Dal-Bhat (boiled rice, lentil soup to add with mild seasonal vegetable curry), Continental, and Chinese to Tibetan with Indian as well Italian and Mexican dishes. In some good lodges on route trekking Korean and Japanese foods are also available.
Fresh meat products and items are rare in most areas of trekking, however in some lodges in a high country like Manang and Kaligandaki Valley, one can enjoy Yak steaks and other meat dishes. Fresh bakeries items are also available in major villages on route trekking.
Nepal, has four main seasons, namely spring (mid-February to May), summer as well the monsoon and wet times (June to August), autumn/fall (September to November), and winter (December to mid-February).
One can travel around Annapurna Himalaya nearly all months of the year, the best time is spring from March to May and autumn/fall to pre-winter seasons. Depending upon your choice of interest and destinations, likewise for a short moderate trek, one can visit during winter months also.
For treks that involve high passes of above 5, 000 m like Thorang-La Pass, on the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek, winter times can be quite risky due to heavy snow on higher trails and at the pass.
Springtime and autumn/fall, are the peak season for treks and other adventures around Nepal Himalaya, including the Annapurna region. The other best time is autumn/fall which is also a high season.
The symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, nausea, difficulty in sleeping, fatigue, and headache. You can also experience loss of appetite, rapid pulse, and shortness of breath. If you feel any of the mentioned sicknesses then immediately inform your tour guide or someone responsible and start climbing down to lower altitudes if you can.
The symptoms can have varying effects on different people. The most commonly felt symptom is shortness of breath. So, be mindful and keep out of these symptoms.
Trekkers joining Annapurna Circuit need to take precautions as it involves high altitude walks, walking at a slow pace with plenty of short rest with acclimatization days at certain heights, our guide and as per the itinerary will advise and inform you regarding rest days, like in Manang at 3,600 m or any other high places, where rest day will be necessary before heading higher ground.
Preventive measures against AMS using Diamox or Acetazolamide tablets as per your doctor and guide advice. The major problem is when one catches symptoms of HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) which is water in the brain and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), a symptom with some water in the lungs. Where the victim needs rescue or immediate evacuation for proper medical treatment.
All trekkers require to obtain trekking permits known as TIMS (Trekking Information Management Service), for the Annapurna region. Issued and controlled by TAAN (Trekking Agent Association of Nepal).
Entry Permits TIMS will be collected by your guide from High Route Adventure, associated as well lifetime member of TAAN.
The entry permits TIMS, will be kept by your guide as it needs to be registered at every check-post in major villages on route trekking.
The TIMS card will be handed to you at the end of the trip, as a good memorable souvenir of the treks. The other permit required is the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) entry fee ticket, which will be obtained by the company in Kathmandu, or at the first entrance of the ACAP check post. These are the main entry permits required on a trek around the Annapurna Himalaya region. The permits are important to ensure and safeguard all trekkers from safety, especially for individual or solo trekkers if they are lost this will help to track the missing person on route trekking.
To get the permits you need to provide the following documents and information
