Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal Overview
- Trip Code: CT-10036
- Package: Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal
- Duration: 17 Day(s)
- Max Alt.: 5,416m/ 17,764ft
- Trip Level:
ModerateRequires some level of experience in trekking with basic physical ability.
- Start At: Kathmandu
- Ends At: Kathmandu
- Transportation: Tourist Bus | Domestic Flight | Private Vehicle
- Accommodation: Hotel | Guest House
- Best Season: March- April- May- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov
- Trip Route: Besi Shahar-Chyamje -Dharapani- Chame- Pisang- Manang- Tilicho Lake- Thorung Phedi- Thorung La – Muktinath-Pokhara
Trip Highlights
- Discovering the enchanting Manang valley
- Conquering the Thorang La Pass, the world's highest mountain pass
- Marveling at Tilicho Lake, the highest lake in the world
- Immersing in the cultural charm of Kagbeni village
- Experiencing the desert-like landscapes of the valley within the Tibetan Plateau
- Gazing at the majestic Himalayan ranges of the Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is renowned as one of the world's finest treks and an ultimate Himalayan adventure in Nepal. Spanning over seventeen days, this trek guides adventurers through the awe-inspiring trails of the Annapurna region, consistently recognized as one of the premier trekking destinations globally. The Tilicho Lake trek, combined with the exploration of the Annapurna Circuit, encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, from lush green valleys to desert-like mountainous terrain, adorned with charming villages and breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
During the Tilicho trek and Annapurna Circuit, travelers traverse through a variety of settlements. Starting from lowland hilly villages predominantly inhabited by the Brahmin, Chhetri, Gurung, and Magar ethnic communities, the journey progresses towards the remote Tamang and Sherpa settlements of Manang, which bear a striking resemblance to Tibetan culture. Along the way, trekkers encounter notable landmarks such as the Thorong-La pass, the highest point of the Annapurna region trek, the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, and Tilicho Lake, the highest altitude lake in the world for its size. The trek offers magnificent views of Nepal's prominent Annapurna Himalayan range, including majestic peaks like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Nilgiri (7,061m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Tilicho Peak (7,135m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Ganggapurna (7,454m), Chulu (6,584m), Fishtail (6,997m), Mardi Himal (5,553m), and Manaslu (8,156m). Three of the highest peaks in the world are located in the Annapurna region.
The Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake expedition falls into the category of moderate to long treks in Nepal, making it ideal for those with sufficient time and endurance. Although the facilities for food and accommodation along the Annapurna Circuit are limited, they are adequate. Moreover, the cost of the Tilicho Lake trek with Annapurna Circuit is considered excellent value for money. Embarking on this trek promises an unforgettable experience, showcasing the natural beauty, cultural richness, and Himalayan splendor of one of Nepal's most captivating destinations.
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Day 01 | Arrival in Kathmandu | 1,350m/ 4,428 ft. (Kathmandu) |
| Day 02 | Kathmandu to Besi Shahar | 830m/ 2,723 ft (Besi Shahar) |
| Day 03 | Besi Shahar to Chyamje to Dharapani | 1,810m/ 5,936 ft (Dharapani) |
| Day 04 | Dharapani to Chame | 2,725m/ 8,938ft (Chame) |
| Day 05 | Chame to Pisang | 3,190m/ 10,463ft (Pisang) |
| Day 06 | Pisang to Manang | 3,500m/ 11,480ft (Manang) |
| Day 07 | Acclimatization at Manang | |
| Day 08 | Manang to Khangsar village | 3,734m/ 12,247ft (Khangsar Village) |
| Day 09 | Khangsar village to Tilicho Lake Base Camp | 4,150m/ 13,612ft (Tilicho Lake Base Camp) |
| Day 10 | Tilicho Base Camp - Tilicho Lake - Tilicho Base Camp | 4,920m/ 16,138ft ( Tilicho Lake) |
| Day 11 | Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka | 4,090m/ 13,415ft (Yak Kharkha) |
| Day 12 | Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi | 4,441m/ 14,566ft ( Thorong Phedi) |
| Day 13 | Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong-La pass | 5,416m/ 17,764ft (Throung La pass) 3,500 m/11,480ft (Muktinath) |
| Day 14 | Muktinath to Jomsom via Kagbeni | 2,743m/ 8,997 ft (Jomsom) 2,804 m/ 9,197ft (Kagbeni) |
| Day 15 | Jomsom to Pokhara | 830 m/ 2,722ft (Pokhara) |
| Day 16 | Pokhara to Kathmandu | 1,350m/ 4,428 ft. (Kathmandu) |
| Day 17 | Departure |
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal Altitude Chart
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
A company representative from Core Treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After that, we'll be taking you to your hotel. After taking some rest we'll meet you at our office or at your hotel and have a short briefing session regarding our travel. Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding the trek. If you want to explore the city we might as well walk around the street of Thamel and it's even possible to do some last-minute shopping. There're no further activities for the day so you might as well check into the hotel.
Kathmandu to Besi Shahar
We start the day early with a long drive to the town of Besi-Shahar. The drive goes through the beautiful hilly highway which will take about 7 hours. The highway passes through several small towns and market areas as we drive along. Upon arriving at Besi Shahar we rest as the next day our trip to the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake trek begins.
Besi Shahar to Chyamje to Dharapani
After having our breakfast, we start our travels with a drive for about 2 to 3 hours furthermore towards the village of Chyamje from where we begin our trekking. We make our way to the Dharapani village and the walk will take us 5-6 hours. We walk through the forests and terraced fields before reaching the village of Dharapani.
Dharapani to Chame
The walk today might be a bit challenging but the mesmerizing views of the mountain range like Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and IV will make up for it. The trail involves some steep ridge walking and landslide crossing. After about 7 hours of trek, we reach the village of Chame where we'll be resting for the night.
Chame to Pisang
Upon having breakfast, on this day we make our way towards the village of Pisang. We'll be walking through the trails of dense forested area and reach towards the front of a rock face which rises above the river and we then enter into a beautiful valley from where amazing views of the mountain ranges can be savored. We'll call it a day upon reaching Pisang.
Pisang to Manang
This day should be a lot of fun to walk. There are two different routes we can take which are via the Upper Pisang or via Geru. Beautiful views of the mountains follow us throughout the trek. Later we encounter a famous monastery called Barge monastery which is a unique experience in itself. Finally, we reach Manang and our journey comes to an end for the day.
Acclimatization at Manang
This day is set apart for acclimatization as it is necessary to get our bodies adjust with the high altitude of the Himalayas. We can do some hiking trips to Bhojo Gompa or to Gangapurna Lake which will help us to adjust to the high altitude even more.
Manang to Khangsar village
We head down to the path of the river as we head out from Manang towards the west. We continue our walk through the coniferous forests crossing the river as we head towards the Khangsar Village. Following these trails, we reach Khangsar village and that will be the end of the trek upon reaching there.
Khangsar village to Tilicho Lake Base Camp
On this day we'll be passing through the village of Siri Kharka and then towards the Tilicho Base Camp. The path is fairly easy but it can be technical sometimes as we have to walk on narrow paths in loose scree. Our path goes on through the middle of a landslide zone so following the guide's instructions is always a good idea while walking through here as they know it the best.
Tilicho Base Camp - Tilicho Lake - Tilicho Base Camp
This day is going to visit Tilicho Lake. The lake is also known to be the lake at the highest altitude on earth based on its size. We'll be walking alongside mountainous terrain in a gradual steep incline before reaching the lake. Tilicho Lake is a beautiful place to be as travelers can see the Tilicho Peak at the north face. After spending some time at the lake we head back to Tilicho Base Camp.
Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka
We descend towards the Khangsar village after having breakfast. We'll also be passing a thousand-year-old monastery called Tare Gumba which is a unique experience in itself. From Khangsar we walk further towards the Thorong River valley. Upon crossing the Thorong River we ascend for some time through the plateau and finally reach Yak Kharka where we'll spend overnight.
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
We further descend as we cross the river and then ascend towards Thorong Phedi which lies at an altitude of 4,420m. We'll rest after reaching Thorong Phedi as we have a strenuous walk ahead of us the next day.
Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong-La pass
The trail leads us through the Thorong-La pass today as we make a steep climb along the trail. The high altitude might take a toll on our body and sometimes it is even more time-consuming if the pass is covered with snow. The view however is amazing from the top of the pass which will make us forget the difficult walk we had to make even if it is only for some instance. We descend down towards Muktinath. This is also a place that holds sacred importance for Hindu and Buddhist people as it is also one of the prime pilgrimage destinations. There is a temple called "Muktinath" and hence is the name of this place.
Muktinath to Jomsom via Kagbeni
After visiting the Muktinath temple and some other religious sites of the Hindu and Buddhist communities we start our trek towards Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a beautiful village in the Manang Valley and travelers can really enjoy the serene beauty of this place. From there we head towards Jomsom which is also one of the windiest valleys in Nepal. Strong winds sweeping across the valley are sure to hit every traveler during the afternoon. We'll spend our night here at Jomsom as we've come to the end of our trekking journey.
Jomsom to Pokhara
We take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and spend the rest of the day in this beautiful lakeside city. There are tons of activities that can be done in this city. If you're not feeling like getting physical then activities such as boating in the lake, food hunting, or experiencing the city's nightlife could be great options.
Pokhara to Kathmandu
We'll return back to Kathmandu via the mode of transportation of your choice (i.e. by air flight or by drive). We'll drive back to Kathmandu and back to your hotel. After resting for a bit, we'll be organizing a dinner party for our fellow guests where you'll be taken to a traditional Nepalese cuisine restaurant.
Departure
Our travel journey has now come to an end as we say our goodbyes and take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport 2 hours prior to your flight time. We'll come to pick you at your hotel and a representative will drive alongside you up till the departure gate at the airport.
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal Cost Mentions
Trip Includes
- Airport transfers by Private Vehicles.
- Standard twin- sharing accommodation in a three starts hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara, breakfast included. (3 Nights).
- Twin sharing accommodation during trek. (13 Nights).
- Kathmandu – Besi Shahar & Pokhara – Kathmandu by Luxury tourist bus (If you want both ways private vehicle & flight also available on additional cost).
- Besi Shahar to Chymje (Trekking start Point) by local transport.
- From Jomsom to Pokhara by flight.
- Three daily meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
- TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System & Annapurna Conservation area permit (Please bring 2 passport size photos).
- One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide. Porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary and equipment. Accident insurance for all staff
- Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances.
- Personal care & attention.
- Local and government taxes.
Trip Excludes
- All kind of beverage including mineral water, Phone calls, laundry, hot shower during Trek
- Travel and Rescue Insurance
- Tipping to crew.
- Personal mountaineering gears
- Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
- International airfare and airport departure tax
- Visa fee, you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu
- Do not mention the services apart from the services mentioned in "Cost Included services"
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek in Nepal is considered as a moderate level trek. It requires some level of trekking and mountaineering experience but is not mandatory. For those with no experience of mountaineering at all, we hold a brief training session that will equip you with the necessary guidance for the hiking.
Yes, it is completely safe to trek to Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake in Nepal. It is recommended to take a professional guide along with you in order to stay top on the location information and safety precautions.
During the trip, expect to explore the beautiful Manang valley crossing the Thorang La Pass, the highest mountain pass in the world. You will travel along the highest lake in the world, Tilicho Lake, the Kagbeni village, Deseret albeit landscapes of the valley within Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan Ranges of the Annapurna region.
The food is generally our traditional Nepali lunch which is Dal (Lentil Soup), Bhat (Boiled Rice), Tarkari (Veggies), and Achar (Pickle).
For the accommodation there are specially Hotels & Lodges, Tea houses, and Camping facilities. However due easy accessibility of hotels & lodges throughout the trial, camping is usually avoided during the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Trek in Nepal.
To book the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek in Nepal, CoreTreks offers you a number of booking options including:
- Online booking,
- Wire transfer OR,
- Cash on arrival
We recommend you to go through our booking policy before you head to the payment. In case of further inquiries please feel free to contact us.
Additional Information
Equipment And Gears
To prepare for your trek in Nepal, it's essential to consider both the specific route and the time of year. Here is a Nepal trekking packing list to help you pack wisely. Here’s our Nepal Trekking packing list.
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek In Nepal Reviews
We fell in love with Nepal
From: Australia | On: 12 May, 2019
As a newly married couple we were looking for a decent destination to travel. We both love trekking so decided why not go trekking, that’s how we decided to visit Nepal.
We are glad that we chose to trek to Tilicho Lake in Nepal. The water waves of the lake is really peaceful and soul touching. We enjoyed every moment in Nepal.
It was a really great way to kick off our marriage. Thanks to Nepal and special thanks to the team at CoreTreks for helping us through almost everything during our trek to Tilicho Lake.
We booked at the last minute but still they went an extra mile to make this trip happen. I definitely recommend CoreTreks if you plan on visiting Nepal.
Peaceful country Nepal
From: Germany | On: 22 Nov, 2018
I loved how peaceful the country was. The city is a bit busy I have to say but as soon as we got outside Kathmandu, it was quiet and peaceful.
I’m the type of person who does not like crowd and traffics. I’m glad I chose Nepal for my trekking trip to Tilicho Lake. I took some amazing pictures and mediated on the lap of the mountains.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to CoreTreks and the professional team who guided me throughout the trek informing different things about the vegetation of Nepal. I really enjoyed the trip and will definitely come back for a visit.
Love the Nepali cuisine
From: United Kingdom | On: 18 Oct, 2018
Personally, I love food and there’s no question that Nepali cuisine is one of my favorite from now on. That was the best part of my whole trip.
The trekking to Tilicho Lake went well, thanks to the professional guiding team at CoreTreks. They were really helpful with everything and understood our needs. They did not hesitate to take an extra step in order to comfort us.
I highly recommend that you book your trip to Nepal via CoreTreks. They offer a range of adventure package as well. Until next time, see you Nepal.
Happy and satisfied with the trek
From: Korea, Democratic People | On: 26 Oct, 2016
I and my family are really satisfied with the trek. My children had been asking to visit Nepal for about a year. I’m glad they finally got the chance to explore and visit Nepal for our holiday.
They loved the Manang valley and of course the world’s highest lake, Tilicho lake. We are looking forward to visit again later this year. Let’s see if we can fit something into our schedule. However, a great trip and I’m fully satisfied.
We are happy with all the services provided by CoreTreks and the team. It is really difficult to handle everything when travelling as a family but the team at CoreTreks were kind enough to take care of most of the things. I recommend this particular company if you are looking to visit Nepal anytime soon.
