Annapurna Circuit Via Tilicho Lake

Detail Itinerary

DAY 01: Kathmandu (1300m)
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport look for your guide with Sherpa Backpackers’ display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to the hotel. After you check in you have sometime to explore the city and then preparing for your next day adventure is must. Your guide will introduce you to rest of the team member and brief you about the trip in the evening. Provided there is time after the meeting we may as well go out for a group dinner to a traditional Nepali Restaurant.

DAY 02: Drive to Chame via Besisahar, 2800 m (5-6 hours drive to besisahar,
Today we make an early start as we have a long journey of driving. After the breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7am and nearly after 5-6 hours’ drive we reach Besishahar. Enroute we see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. However, the condition of road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road to Besishahar is coal-tarred road, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and coarse though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding sceneries through the windowpane. Overnight stay at Basisahar.

DAY 03: Drive to Chame (2800m)
After breakfast we drive to Chame via beautiful villege of Jagat, Dharapani, Taal and many other small villeges. We will stop for lunch on the way and then finally settle down in the tea house after a long and tiring off road jeeep ride. Overnight in Chame.

DAY 04: Chame- Pisang (3,300m) 5-6 hours
A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. Upon walking through these wonderful sites we reach at Pisang. Overnight at Lower Pisang.

DAY 05: Upper Pisang-Manang (3,500m) 6-7 hours
Today, we will have disjuncture of two routes that we follow. If taken upper route i.e., the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, we will have outstanding sceneries. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We experience a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today. On the way, the cold and dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Our short visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang will be memorable. Overnight at Manang.

DAY 06: Manang: Rest day
Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized with the altitude. The upcoming next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. Further, we pay an easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, upon wherre we will be at a village’s monastery. At this site, we also visit at the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight at Manang.

DAY 7: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4150m
After breakfast we leave Manang after breakfast for Tilicho Base Camp. It’s a 6 hours walk today. Walking through the next village Tanki after Manang we now bead towards Khangsar 3745m where we stop for tea break. 2 hours max from Manang. After tea we head to Shree kharka for another 1and half to 2 hours for lunch. We now have very steep gravel slope almost all the way to Tilicho Base Camp. Be careful of falling rocks. It’s 2 and half hour walk from our lunch place to our destination today. There are only 3 lodges at base camp which you can spot just as you get closer to the last corner toward base camp.
DAY 8:Tilicho Lake in the morning and to Srikharka
Today we have an early start to the lake as the weather usually is better in the morning. We have an early breakfast andnkeave by 6 or also can take pack breakfast with us and have it at the top or along the way to the lake. It’s 5 hours walk max there and back. It’s all uphill until we get to the view point where the tea shop is. Local walk with their horse just incase someone needs it. The trails goes Zig zag all the way. The views are just stunning. You can also see Manang village far down in the valley. Can be cold at the top so carry your down jacket or wind proof with you. Spend sometime and have tea at the top then descend down to the lodge pack your things have lunch and leave from Shree kharka. Today can be bit tiring as it’s an early start and lost of up and down.

DAY 9: Trek to Yak kharka 4110m

It’s a 4 to t hours walk to Yak kharka from Shree kharka. You don’t have to walk down to Manang to go to Yak kharka instead you take the left hand trail through bushes and scrubs. The views are just breathtaking as you walk through hill. You will also pass by some of the summer hut of old upper Khangsar. Today we have lot of opportunity of taking good great pictures looking down to Manang and Khangsar and many mountains over it. After walking for couple of hours you will then have to descend all the way through the trees to cross the river throng khola. You can have tea here or lunch if you are hungry. Foods are very basic though. After crossing the bridge walk up to catch the main trekking tarik to throng base camp. It’s another 1 and half to 2 hours easy walk to Yak kharka 4110m

DAY 10: Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi (4,600m)3-4 hours
Today we make our way to the foot of the pass,Throng Phedi. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers like us use this point as a base camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them. But,your team leader does not advise for this. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep sound rather than a risky sleep in higher altitude at High Camp. Overnight at Thorong Phedi.

DAY 11: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5416m) to Muktinath (3,800) 7-8 hours
We reach the climax of our Annapurna circle trek today. It will be a lifetime unforgettable experience- crossing the famous high pass, Thorong La (5416m/17764ft). An early start is important to complete the mission. Each moment we have to work hard today through the icy high-altitude trail. But the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. Upon setting sun we will be at Muktinath. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist. The area hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby. Muktinath itself demonstrates the religions harmony in Nepal. Overnight at Muktinath.

DAY 12: Muktinath to Jomsom (2720m) 6-7 hours

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we pay our visit to Vishnu Temple and Gompa. Descending from Ranipauwa village down the steep and barren hillside, we tumble down toward Kagbeni and stop there for lunch. After lunch it’s a gentle walk to Jomsom or given an option you can drive to Jomson.And overnight in Jomsom.

DAY 13: Fly to Pokhara : 25 minutes

After breakfast we take a flight to Pokhara. After getting there to Pokhara you can relax for the rest of the day.If you still have some energy then you can explore the lake side for shopping,visiting good restaurant and also can get involved outdoor activities like paragliding, bungy jumping, zeepline, boating etc.The other option would be visiting International Mountain Museum, Davi’s fall, guptswori cave etc.Going for a boat ride for an hour in the lake will be awesome in the evening with the sunset view highlighting Annapurna range.

DAY 14: Drive Back to Kathmandu 6Hours
Today, we drive back to Kathmandu early for the long bus journey. Once you are in Kathmandu your guide will help you check in to your hotel. Once checked in you have all afternoon free to yourself to explore more of the cities / have rest / body massage enjoy spa etc. After all you deserve to have all of them. If you are still keen on exploring any other areas in Kathmandu,you can talk to your guide and he/she will organize it for you accordingly.

DAY 15: Final Departure
The journey within the mountains of Nepal comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedules you can wander around Thamel and relax before your flight. Your guide will see you off to the airport for your flight back home. You should be leaving the hotel 3 hours prior to your flight time.