Annapurna Circuit With Tilicho Lake Trek

This is one of the most rewarding treks in the Annapurna region that lets you experience Himalayan flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, holy temples & monasteries, stunning waterfalls, varied climate regions, diverse culture, high passes, deep gorges, and the Tilicho Lake (one of the world's highest lakes).

Annapurna with Tilicho Lake is a beautiful trek combination in the Annapurna region. The Tilicho Lake (4,919m / 16,138ft), one of the world's highest lakes, and Thoronga La Pass (5,416m/17769ft) are two major highlights of this trek. You can view the Annapurna Circuit Trek map included in the map section below.

Annapurna Circuit hike with Tilicho Lake trek allows you to see more than a dozen of glorious mountains - 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), and Tilicho peak (7,134m).

Annapurna Circuit in Nepal trek allows you to pass through several climatic regions, and the vegetation changes accordingly. You will pass through paddy fields, subtropical forests, glacial zones, and rural farmlands. In the highlands, you might encounter high-altitude animals, such as blue sheep, snow leopards, and yaks. The natural hot springs bring diverse people to enjoy the warm baths together. Similarly, Muktinath Temple, as a sacred site between

Region
Nepal
Duration
26 days
Level
moderate
Max Altitude
5,416m
Daily Activity
5,416m
Season
March, April, May, September, October,november
Starting From
$ 2600
Cost will offer Nepal New Generation Trek more then 4 people
Brief Introduction

Another vital part of Annapurna Circuit trekking is Thorong La Pass (5,416m/17769ft), one of the highest passes in the world. The views from the Thorong La Pass are mind-blowing. The major part of Annapurna Circuit's difficulty lies in crossing the Thorong La Pass.

Your trek starts with an early morning bus ride from Kathmandu to Besishar and then to Jagat while enjoying the views of beautiful villages, terraced farms, and mountain region views.

The trek starts from Jagat (1,300m/4,265ft) and ends at Dharapani (1,860m/6,200ft) on the second day. The third trek starts from Dharapani to Chame (2,610m/8,890ft) - the headquarters of the Manang district. From the way, you will get to enjoy incredible views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna III. After spending a night at Chame, you will head to Pisang (3,115m/10,200ft), through the trial that lets us see the Paungda Danda Rock face.

The fifth-day journey takes us from Pisang to Manang (3,540m/11,300ft). From the path, you will see Tibetan-style settlements and giant high peaks, including Gangapurna, Tilicho, and Pisang Peak. You will spend a day in Manang acclimatizing and then head to Siri Kharka (4,060m/13,320ft) the next day.

On our eighth day, from Siri Kharka, you will trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,150m/13,583ft) and spend the night there. The next day will be special as you will reach majestic Tilicho Lake, also called "The Great Ice Lake" itself. From Tilicho Lake, you can enjoy the fantastic views of pristine lake water and superb snow-capped high mountains that are incomparable to anywhere in the world. Tilicho Himal, Annapurna Range, and Nilgiri Himal surround Tilicho Lake as if they are hiding nature's gems. After reaching Tilicho Lake, you will return to Siri Kharka to spend the night.

The following morning you will wake up at Siri Kharka and start the trek to Yak Kharka (4,060m/13,020ft) - the destination for this day. Yak Kharka is famous for its blue sheep, and if the time is right, you can even see a snow leopard. You will spend a night at Yak Kharka, and on our eleventh day, you will reach Thorong Phedi - a small settlement optimally placed for a successful Thorong La Hi-Pass (5,416 m/17,756 ft) crossing. If the situation is favorable at Thorong Phedi, we might trek to High Camp for the night.

To prepare for the Thorong La Hi-Pass crossing, we wake up very early at Thorong Phedi and push against the icy air and high-altitude fatigue to reach Thorong La Pass. From the Thorong La Pass, you will see the Himalayas stretch up north to Tibet and the Annapurna mountains to your south. You will cross the Thorong La Pass and descend to Muktinath(3,760m/12,623ft) - a Buddhist and Hindu holy site. By the time you reach Muktinath, you will be tired, so we will be spending the night at Muktinath.

After a night at Muktinath, we will take local transport to Tatopani (1,200m/3,940ft). On the way, you will pass Jomsom - a bustling market in this region. Tatopani means hot water in Nepali, and at Tatopani, you will get a chance to take a dip in the naturally warm water.

Annapurna Circuit With Tilicho Lake Trek
  • Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meter
  • Tilicho Lake (4,949m) - one of the highest lakes in the world
  • Blue sheep at Yak Kharka
  • Spectacular views of Mt. Annapurna, Thorung Peak, Nilgiri, Chulu West and East, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV
  • Relaxing in Tatopani hot springs
  • Magnificent lakes, glaciers, gorges, and waterfalls
  • Muktinath - a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists
  • Manang district and embrace the beauty of the place
  • Barge Monastery - the largest monastery in the Manang district
Itinerary

Seeking for a real adventure? Our travel itinerary is based on years of trekking expertise, ensuring that you have a fun and safe vacation. However, like with all such risky excursions, there may be instances where we must change the schedule, possibly without much notice. While we make every attempt to stick to the timetable, we humbly ask for your patience and flexibility if unforeseen circumstances like weather or unforeseen natural events come into play. You may be sure that our knowledgeable guides will adjust as needed to make your tour as enjoyable as possible.

Schedule for each day
Days: 1 - Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)  
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and s/he will be displaying an Nepal New Generation signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Note: If you happen to arrive after 4 pm you would be briefed about the trip by our guide, this will be the pre-trip meeting for you, so please make sure that you ask all the questions. But if you arrive earlier than 4 pm, your pre-trip meeting would be on that very day at our office. During the meeting, we will introduce your trek leader/guide. For the meeting, please make sure you bring the passport, three copies of passport-size photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear the due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. Overnight at a hotel. No meals included.
Days: 2 - Guided Sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley  
After a hearty breakfast, at 8.30 am your sightseeing trip will start. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. Today we will visit some heritages listed below: Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Though you are not allowed to go inside the temple as it is strictly for Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth which is famous all over the world. Boudhanath Stupa: Boudhananath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. It was built in the 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels. Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupatindra Malla, famous five-storied temple of Nyatapola in Pagoda style Batsala temple, Bhairavnath temple, Duttatraya temple, Pujari Muth and Palace of 55 windows.The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area for trekking essentials. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.
Days: 3 - Drive to Besisahar (830 m) in a Public Bus and Take a Jeep to Syange (1,100 m) - 8 hours  
Today we will take a public bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar and from there we will take a jeep to Syange. We will witness beautiful landscape, rivers and waterfalls on the way. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 4 - Trek to Tal (1,700 m) – 5 hours  
Now tighten up the shoes laces. We will start walking gradually following the beautiful Marsyangdi River. This walk will be slightly ascending and we will come across the beautiful waterfalls on this walk. We will rest at Tal tonight. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 5 - Trek to Danaque (1,860 m) – 5 hours  
This will be our exciting day. We will leave Marsyangdi River behind and continue our journey to witness Annapurna II and Pisang Peak and beautiful landscape and old villages. Don’t miss an opportunity to take beautiful pictures as we observe mountains, waterfalls and countryside life style of Nepal. We will rest at Danaque. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 6 - Trek to Chame (2,670 m) – 4 hours  
We will continue our walk enjoying the view of mountains, and waterfalls on the way. Today will be an easy day. After 4 hours of walking, we will reach Chame, the headquarter of Manang. It’s a beautiful little town with more facility than our previous days. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 7 - Trek to Upper Pisang (3,300 m) – 6 hours  
After breakfast, we continue our trek to Upper Pisang. On the way, we will walk through the dense forest, Marsyangdi River and come across the beautiful panoramic views of meadows and mountains. During this walk, we will see the first view of gigantic Paungda Dada rock face, which is curved like a bowl shape. Eventually, after 6 hours walk, we will reach Upper Pisang from where we can see Majestic Annapurna II standing high on our south and we will rest here today. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 8 - Trek to Ngawal (3,660 m) – 5 hours  
Today, wake up early in the morning, watch the beautiful sunrise and first ray of sun on Annapurna II. After breakfast, we will continue our trek towards Ngawal. The trail to Ngawal is about 400 m higher than the lower trail but you will have great opportunities to witness high altitude flora and fauna, beautiful gorges, Annapurna II and III and Pisang Peak. We will take rest in Ngawal. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 9 - Trek to Manang (3,500 m) via Bhraka (3,360 m) – 3 hours  
We continue our trek walking through the big hills, jungle and wetlands. On the way, we can see beautiful landscapes, stupas and lama school. After 6 hours of walking, we will reach Manang, one of the happening places of the trek. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 10 - Acclimatization Day at Manang Village  
We spend a day acclimatizing in Manang by doing some walks and sightseeing around the village. We will visit a monastery and go to Gangapurna Glacier Lake during our walk. Towards the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a night’s rest. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 11: Manang to Kangsar (3745 m) 2-3 hours walk  
After breakfast, the trek continues up to the village of Kangsar, as you walk ahead the trail cuts down through a gorge and the Tilicho Peak can be spotted shrouded in clouds far above. Experience the natural beauty of the Annapurna range all along the way. Plus, you will also pass small scenic settlements, the Tore monastery, and the view of the Khangsar River and the grand barrier. Overnight in Kangsar.
Days: 12: Kangsar to Tilicho Base Camp (4140m) 5-6 hours walk  
As you commence the trek from Kangsar to Tilicho Lake Base Camp, you will come across wide grassy fields and after making a slight climb up a small hill, witness the glorious views of the entire valley. After trudging down a steep inclination, you now enter the Tilicho Base Camp. Camping is the only option as there are not many lodges out here. Overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.
Days: 13: Visit Tilicho Lake (4,949m) then trek back to base camp 5-6 hours  
After the initial tough ascent, the trail traverses onto a moraine and then cuts along the side of the mountain. However, the spectacular views of Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath peaks are always there. The tranquil Tilicho Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world as sometimes the reflection of the surrounding peaks are seen on the turquoise waters, at other times the lake is literally frozen. Take a break beside the calm waters and soak in the astounding views of the place before you head back to the base camp. Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp/Kangsar
Days: 14: Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka (4040m) 4-5 hours walk  
When returning from the Tilicho Base Camp, the trail leads out of the Marsyangdi valley and the abrupt change in surroundings can be noticed as the trees are left behind and replaced with more alpine vegetation. The trail continues some three to four hundred meters over Khangsar village and through the ruins of the old Khangsar village, until you cross the log bridge over the river between Gumsang and Yak Kharka from where you see the breathtaking views of Annapurna III. The typical Himalayan village is an accolade to its name, as lots of yaks can be seen grazing and standing around. Overnight in Yak Kharka.
Days: 15 - Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) – 5 hours  
After a two-hour ascent, the trail descends to cross the river at 4,310 m. We then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4,450 m where decent guesthouses have been built in the recent years. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 16 - Trek to Muktinath (3,800 m) via Thorung La Pass (5,416 m) – 8 hours  
Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach the pass by 9-10 am. Otherwise weather conditions (strong winds) will greatly affect the journey, particularly at the Thorong La Pass. We climb steeply on a regular route which is quite easy to follow. However, some problems may arise due to altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by heavy snow. After four hours of climbing to the pass marked by the chortens and prayer flags, we will be rewarded with stunning views from the top of the pass. Another four hours of walking will take us to the holy town of Muktinath. Muktinath means place of nirvana and is home to the Muktinath Temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows we feel are relieved when visiting the Temple. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The prime pilgrimage month is September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple which has a gorgeous natural spring and an eternal flame fueled by natural gas. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 17 - Trek to Jomsom (2,710 m) via Lubra Pass (4,020 m) – 8 hours  
So now, we are at the other side of the Thorong La Pass, most of the land we see will be dry and looks somewhat like the desert. We will continue our trek walking by the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Most of the time, we will descend with closer view of stupas and old traditional houses and civilization of Mustang. Jomsom is a large town with many facilities. It is also the headquarter and official town for whole Mustang district where all the district government offices are present. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 18 - Trek to Kalopani (2,530 m) – 7 hours  
We descend through the valley following the Kali Gandaki River. On this trail, we will have an opportunity to view Annapurna I and beautiful landscapes. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 19 - Trek to Tatopani (1,190 m) – 6 hours  
We still continue to descend through Kali Gandaki River Valley. On the way, we will encounter the world’s deepest gorge, Kopchepani. Tatopani is famous for its hot springs. This is the best place to relax our body after a long trek. We will spend another day relaxing at this spot. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Days: 20 - Rest Day at Tatopani  
Take a shower, dip into the natural hot springs, enjoy drinks and local food. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 21 - Trek to Ghorepani (2,810 m) – 6 hours  
Today is another big day. It will take about 7 hours to walk from Tatopani to Ghorepani. We climb about 1,620 meters up. From Ghorepani, we will be able to see Annapurna South, Himchuli and Tukuche Himal. We will pass a couple of Magar and Gurung villages on the trail. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days: 22- Hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) and Trek to Tikhedunga (1,570 m) – 5 hours  
Very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at an elevation of 3,210 m – a brilliant spectacle. This vantage point provides unobstructed views of the early morning sunrise over the high Himalayas, weather permitting. There we spend about an hour. We return to Ghorepani where we take a hot breakfast at the hotel. We trek down towards Tikhedunga, walking down along the ridges and through rhododendron forests before finally reaching Tikhedhunga. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.
Days: 23 - Trek to Nayapul (1,010 m) and Drive to Pokhara – 4 hours  
After some light trekking, we reach Nayapul (1,010 m). An hour drive takes us to Pokhara. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.
Days: 24- Guided Sightseeing in Pokhara  
After breakfast, a full day sightseeing tour of Pokhara city begins. There will be a professional city guide and a private tourist vehicle at your disposal. You will visit the following sites: Bindhabasini Temple: The temple lies in the center of the religious old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, another manifestation of Shakti. The park grounds offer a fine picnic and relaxing area. Davis Fall: Locally known as Patale Chhango and located in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley, it is where the stream flowing from Fewa Lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gorge, leaping through several potholes. This is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike. Gupteshwor Cave: The revered Gupteshwor Cave is situated 2 km from the Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Davis fall and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-sized rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all four. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. Seti River Gorges: Carved by the Seti Gandaki River, it is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. K.I. Singh bridge at Bagar, Mahendrapool and Prithivi Highway Bridge near bus park provide a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water. Tibetan Refugee Camps: The Tibetan village Tashiling in the south and the Tashi Palkhel village in the north of Pokhara are renowned for the production and trade of woolen carpets and other handicrafts. The original Tibetan settlers in this region migrated to Nepal in the ‘50s. World Peace Pagoda: World Peace Pagoda, also known as Pokhara Shanti Stupa, is a Buddhist pagoda-style monument. It is the shrine built as a symbol of peace. The spot is situated at the height of 2,100 meters on the Ananda Hill. Nepal has two of the eighty peace pagodas in the world i.e. Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. It also provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Pokhara city and Fewa Lake. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.
Days: 25 – Drive or flight Back to Kathmandu (1,400 m) in a Tourist Bus – 7 hours  
We will be driving back to Kathmandu in the morning. If you are interested in extending the trip, there are many options such as Chitwan jungle safari, river rafting adventure, Kathmandu shopping tour, mountain biking and other activities. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and farewell dinner included
Days: 26 - Transfer to the International Airport for Your Final Departure  
The trip concludes here. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal. Breakfast included.
Reservation & Date
Monday
01 Jan 2024
Tuesday
31 Dec 2024
$0 Off
$2600
$2600
12 Seats
Available
Inclusion/ Exclusion
  1. Don't bring Cotton Clothing while trekking to mountains: Its bad idea to carry the Coton clothes along with you while you are in trek to the higher moutains. Cotton clothes are quite heavy and when you are sweating, it makes you cold. This may make you sick at higher altitude/elevations.
  2. Carry Merino wool clothing if possible: When you are trekking to the higher Himalayas like Annapurna circuit region, we highly recommend you to carry the Merino Wool clothing as this absorbs odors incredibly, ventilates the body and dries up very easily. This clothing is very useful when you are travelling for a week or longer without washing it. Although this clothing is abit expensive, it's the best clothing to be used for trekking or hiking.
  3. Carry headlamps and PowerBanks: Its wise to carry the headlams and power banks during your trek to the remote himalayas of Nepal. The remote area may occur electricity problem. So we highely recommend you to carry Powerful PowerBank to keep your electronic, cameras and mobile phones up and running.
  4. Toiletaries and Papers: The teahouse in the trekking trails may not have proper toiletries and hence we recommend you to carry these while trekking to Annapurna Circuit region.
Services Included
  • • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Biratnagar with breakfast as per the programme.
  • • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) with hot beverage and snacks whilst on trekking.
  • • Cosy guesthouse accommodation whilst on trekking.
  • • Kanchanjunga Conservation Area permit fees.
  • • An experienced fluent English speaking guide, trained and licenced by Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation.
  • • Highly experienced trekking porter.
  • • Staff food, accommodation, clothing, salary & insurance.
  • • All necessary ground transportation.
  • • Airport transfers.
  • • All governmental procedure.
  • • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at typical Nepali restaurant.
Services Excluded
  •  Meals at Kathmandu.
  • • Personal nature expenses.
  • • Bar and beverage bills.
  • • Your Travel Insurance.
  • • Rescue & Evacuation.
  • • Gratitude (tip) for staff.
Frequently Asked Questions

The answers to your questions regarding the Nepal New Generation Trek, what this trip entails, and what is needed can be found in the following frequently asked questions. If your question isn't addressed there, don't hesitate to contact us.

The Annapurna circuit trek with Tilicho Lake, organized by Makalu Adventure is pretty safe and you don't need to worry much as we will take care of everything you need during the trek. As Annapurna Circuit trek is a circular route through the Annapurna Massif, you will pass through the valleys and trekking trails in the Annapurna range, feel relaxed, safe, and comfort during the trek.

The Annapurna Circuit lies in the Western region of Nepal i.e. Annapurna region, This trek will take you to the Lake situated at the world's highest altitude "Tilicho Lake" and at the Thorong La Pass (5416 m).

The Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake usually takes about 15–20 days, starting from Kathmandu with a free day at Pokhara before returning to the Kathmandu. The trail to Annapurna Circuit is moderate to fairly challenging and continues with numerous river crossings over steel and wooden suspension bridges.

160 km-230 km, depending on where motor transportation is used and where the trek ends.

The best season for Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is from October to November and mid-March to mid-April. Spring and Pre-monsoon (Feb, March, April, and May) are considered a fairly perfect time for trekking in the Annapurna region offering a clear view of the mountain ranges and sceneries. Autumn (Post monsoon) is another great season for going on an adventure in the Annapurna Circuit route.