Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake - 22 Days

It’s time to start our adventure in the Annapurna Mountains, and we’ll set out right after breakfast in Kathmandu. Our destination today is the town of Besi Shahar, which takes about six or seven hours to reach using a standard tourist bus. We can also arrange for private transportation in a Jeep, which will reduce the time of this drive by about an hour or two. No matter which option you choose, you’re sure to enjoy your first scenic glimpse of rural Nepal along the way. You’ll spend the night in Besi Shahar, right on the doorstep of the Himalayas.

Leaving the tourist bus behind, we’ll embark upon the next leg of our journey into the Annapurnas by Jeep. Our route follows the Marsyangdi river as it rises into the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, where you’re about to start one of the best treks in Nepal. The road climbs along steep hills where sparkling waterfalls cascade across sheer cliff faces before arriving in Dharapani after about four or five hours. Here in town, you’ll get your first taste of traditional Nepali teahouse accommodations as you enjoy some authentic local cuisine and settle in for a night in the mountains.

At long last, it’s time to start your Annapurna Circuit Trek! We’ll set out from Dharapani in the morning, gaining elevation as we climb across alpine meadows and ascend along old stone staircases carefully carved into dramatic hillsides. Soon we’ll start to catch glimpses of the mighty Himalayas: Manaslu, Annapurna II, and the Lamjung Himal. Along with our change in elevation comes a change in the mountain scenery; after a few hours, we’ll start trekking amongst shaded pinewoods in the constant company of birdsong. After about six or seven hours on the trail, we’ll arrive in Chame and select the best available guesthouse for tonight’s accommodations.

As we embark on the next stretch of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you’ll discover a feature common to many treks in Nepal: Mani walls. These are comprised of many small stones, each engraved with Buddhist mantras. Remember to pass them on the left in accordance with local traditions. Throughout today’s hike, you’ll also earn magnificent views of Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, and the trekking mountain known as Pisang Peak. Crossing over the Marsyangdi River some hours later, we’ll arrive in Pisang. The settlement is divided into Lower Pisang (3240m) and Upper Pisang (3310); we’ll choose the best teahouse available here. We’ll also pay a visit to the colorful monastery in Upper Pisang, which is lavishly decorated with Buddhist iconography.

At Iconic Himalaya Adventure, we tend to favor the scenic route to Manang, which rounds out the first phase of the Annapurna Circuit with some of the best views you’ll find on any trek in Nepal—but if you need more time to rest and relax, a shorter route is also available. No matter our choice, today’s hike brings us through green woodlands clustered against steep mountainsides and along winding paths where soaring mountains like Annapurna II and III are sure to keep your camera busy. We’ll reach Manang after no more than six or seven hours on the trail.

As we reach serious alpine elevations, our bodies will need more time to acclimatize to avoid contracting any symptoms of altitude sickness. It’s for this reason that we’ll spend an extra day in the scenic surrounds of Manang—but that doesn’t mean we won’t be hiking today. In fact, climbing to the high viewpoint of Chongar or the remote little monastery of Praken Gompa before returning to Manang will make for a great excursion that will also help us with the acclimatization process. Later, we’ll return to our guesthouse for a traditional meal as the sun sets over the Annapurnas.

Our trek in Nepal continues today as we leave Manang behind and set out through coniferous woodlands and pastoral fields, crossing a suspension bridge before continuing in the direction of Khangsar: a small traditional village and a great place to stop for lunch. From here it’s just a short hike to Siri Kharka, or Shree Kharka. The village commands breathtaking views across a snow-covered stretch of the Annapurnas, and it sits comfortably beyond the reach of the Annapurna Circuit’s recent road construction projects. We’ll spend a pleasant evening here at our guesthouse after savoring the town’s fabulous Himalayan panoramas.

Our Annapurna Circuit Trek continues today as we hike for another four hours, drawing ever closer to Tilicho Lake. We’ll depart from Siri Kharka after breakfast, following a trail which passes seasonally occupied herders’ shelters and descends into a picturesque valley. Next, we’ll need to choose between a shorter, more treacherous path and a longer, steeper one. At Iconic Himalaya Adventure, we tend to prefer making a steep climb in order to skip the most unstable section of the trail. We’ll stop for the day at the Tilicho Base Camp Hotel, which sits alongside the rubble of a glacial moraine.

Today’s adventure is a long and challenging one—but it also comes with some of the most rewarding mountain views you’ll find on any trek in Nepal. We’ll get started before the day has fully dawned, climbing along the glacial moraine to reach an elevation of more than 5,000 meters. It’s here that we’ll find the stunning azure waters of Tilicho Lake, or Tilicho Tal: an often-frozen alpine lake that’s sure to take your breath away. While some trekkers camp here, we’ll make the extra push back to Siri Kharka this afternoon to spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse.

From Siri Kharka, we’ll enjoy fabulous Himalayan views as we descend through a birch forest before gradually climbing across pasturelands where our only company will be the occasional train of pack-laden mules. As we approach the settlement of Gunsang for lunch, we’ll discover a fine sight indeed: the towering peaks of Annapurna II and IV. Moving on, our path leads across multiple suspension bridges before arriving in Yak Kharka. While it’s possible to push a little further, we generally prefer to stop here in Yak Kharka—and we can even add on an optional acclimatization hike to Ledar and back.

Setting out from Yak Kharka, we’ll pass Ledar before making strides in the direction of Thorong Phedi and the famous Thorong La. You can expect to see herds of grazing yaks wandering beneath the marvelous face of Annapurna III as we trek. Passing through the village of Ledar, we’ll follow the course of the Jarsang Khola River before crossing over its waters to approach Thorong Phedi itself. Before we arrive, we’ll stop for a snack at the Deurali Teahouse, giving us the extra fuel we need to reach this unusually scenic spot in the Himalayas of Nepal.

Are you ready for an exciting day on the Annapurna Circuit Trek? Today’s hike begins with a series of steep switchbacks, following the course of time-worn yak trails to reach what’s known colloquially as High Camp. From here, it should take us between four and five hours to reach Thorong La itself. This is a high mountain pass of spectacular beauty, where you’ll see the snow-covered summits of the Annapurnas, Gangapurna, and other Himalayan giants as colorful prayer flags snap in the cold mountain air. From the pass, we’ll be able to reach Muktinath and its spectacular local temple after about three or four hours of careful descent.

After yesterday’s stunning accomplishment at the heights of Thorong La, it might be tempting to spend the morning in bed. But we’ve still got a lot of ground to cover on the Annapurna Circuit, and we’ll be on the trail for seven or eight hours today. Our path will bring us past nunneries and monasteries that will be of particular interest for trekkers fascinated with Buddhist culture, and the arid landscape is relieved with an occasional splash of color from terraced green fields. Many Annapurna treks pause in Kagbeni or Jomsom, but we’ll go a bit further to reach Marpha.

As we climb down from the heights of the Himalayas, you’re sure to notice the return of lush greenery to the landscape. This welcome change will only become more obvious as we descend from Marpha’s apple orchards into a world of conifers and gentle streams, where few other trekkers can be found on the trail. We’ll pass through the historic trading hub of Tukuche before winding our way into Kalopani after about six or seven hours of trekking. With fabulous views of Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiri Himal, and Tukuche Peak, as well as a cultural museum and a few first-rate lodges, Kalopani is one of the Annapurna Circuit’s best-kept secrets.

Our first stretch of today’s trail abuts the road, which can make for dusty hiking—but your expert guide from Iconic Himalaya Adventure will opt for scenic side trails wherever possible, and before long we’ll reach the village of Ghasa. This village is cradled in an especially scenic bowl of Himalayan foothills, where Nepal’s subtropical climate begins to reassert itself and the beautiful mountain Dhaulagiri towers above traditional stone-built homes. From here, we’ll trek for another few hours to reach Tatopani, where we’ll enjoy a dip in its natural hot springs before settling in for the night at our guesthouse.

While the high pass of Thorong La is firmly in our rearview mirror, there’s still plenty of climbing to be done on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Today’s ascent brings us past small farms and traditional homesteads, following meandering paths and steep stone staircases to bustling villages and rhododendron forests nestled in the lap of the Himalayan foothills. After a long day on the trail, we’ll find ourselves pulling into Ghorepani for the night. This village is most famous for its Poon Hill: a popular mountain viewpoint for locals and travelers alike. We’ll select the best guesthouse here for tonight’s accommodations.

On our last full day of trekking in Nepal, we’ll visit Poon Hill at first light to watch the incredible spectacle of the sunrise as it breaks over the mountains of Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare, and the Annapurnas. There are few finer sights in these foothills, and it’s sure to impress you even after trekking in the midst of the mountains themselves. For the rest of the day, we’ll hike gradually downhill through little villages and into shaded forests as we approach Ghandruk. There’s a little more trekking to be done, but we’ll save the last stretch of the trail for tomorrow.

After more than two weeks on the Annapurna Circuit, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the trails of the Himalayas. As we descend into warmer weather and more populous villages, we’ll continue to enjoy fine views of forested hillsides and charming villages. When we arrive in Nayapul after about three hours of hiking, our trek in Nepal has come to its end. We’ll catch a bus to Pokhara, where you’ll spend one night in a hotel near the shores of the alluring Phewa Lake. There’s a lot to love about Pokhara, from its colorful monasteries to its fine restaurants.

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Pokhara and travel along the Prithvi Highway to return to Kathmandu. Now that we’re out of the trekking zone, you’ll be returned to the bucolic scenery of rural Nepal, where hard-working farmers can be found in fields of rice and millet. But you haven’t seen the last of the Himalayan Mountains: they’ll continue to peek at us as we travel our easterly route along the banks of the Trishuli River. When we arrive in Kathmandu, you’ll have plenty of time to spend the evening shopping and dining in the city.

No trek in Nepal would be complete without devoting some time to exploring the many historical sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Right here in Nepal’s capital, you’ll discover a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Buddhist stupas known as Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath, and the wonderful architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square. This is also a great opportunity to sample the flavors of authentic Nepali cuisine at Kathmandu’s many mouthwatering cafes and restaurants. After exploring to your heart’s content, you’ll return to your hotel to spend one last night here in Kathmandu.

We hope you’ve enjoyed hiking the Annapurna Circuit and visiting Tilicho Lake with your team from Iconic Himalaya Adventure. It has been our honor and privilege to share the cultural and natural wonders of Nepal with you. Today, the team will transport you back to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your departing flight. We hope to see you again!