Are you ready to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime? The Annapurna Circuit Trek is undoubtedly one of the most epic hiking itineraries in all of Nepal, with mountain scenery to rival any trek on the planet. This is a land of steaming jungles, temperate pine forests, and wind-blasted ridgelines with jaw-dropping views of some of the tallest mountains in the Himalayas. During the course of our Annapurna Circuit Trek, you’ll come face-to-face with snow-covered giants like Machapuchare, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and the mighty Annapurnas themselves. You’ll cover a distance of approximately 130 kilometers, or about 80 miles—and you’ll do it under the power of your own two feet. While this is a long trek requiring a reasonable level of fitness, no special climbing experience is required to enjoy everything the Annapurna Circuit has to offer.
Annapurna trekking is all about adventure, and our two-week itinerary is no exception. You’ll experience all the highlights of the Annapurna Circuit, from the soaring heights of the mountain pass of Thorong La to the high-altitude Tilicho Lake. We’ll even visit the fascinating Muktinath Temple, which is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. During the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you’ll also explore the scenic villages of Kagbeni, Manang, and Marpha, where you’ll discover narrow streets lined with traditional homes and peaceful monasteries surrounded by terraced fields. When you join Iconic Himalaya Adventure on a trek to Tilicho Lake and beyond, you can expect to find cultural insights like these around every bend in the trail.
That’s why the best treks in Nepal involve staying at warm and cozy guesthouses where you can look forward to enjoying traditional teahouse accommodations. It’s here that you’ll discover traditionally cooked food like dal bhat, all the tea you can drink, and the world-famous hospitality of your friendly Nepali hosts. The people in the Annapurnas belong primarily to the Gurung ethnic group, and their way of life has links to both Tibetan and Chinese traditions. And while the mountain scenery of the Himalayas is nothing short of unforgettable, it’s often the friends you make in Nepal who will really make a lasting impression. Your guide from Iconic Himalaya Adventures will be the first of these friends, and they’ll be able to interpret both the natural world and the cultural nuances of the monasteries and religious iconography you’ll find on the Annapurna Circuit. Our goal is to ensure that each and every trek exceeds even your wildest expectations—and we’re confident that our Annapurna Circuit Trek will do just that.
Route Overview
When you go trekking in Nepal with Iconic Himalaya Adventure, you’ll experience the best that our bespoke hiking packages have to offer—and our Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is an excellent example of this philosophy. We’ve carefully designed an unforgettable trekking itinerary, drawing upon our years of experience to ensure that you won’t miss a thing during your two weeks in the Himalayas. Your adventure starts and ends in Kathmandu, and there’s plenty of adventure in between. From the trailhead town of Besi Shahar to the high-altitude mountain pass of Thorong La, you can expect to encounter all of the highlights that have made the Annapurna Circuit one of the best treks in Nepal, including the frozen waters of Tilicho Lake.
But we’ll also introduce you to some of the lesser-known features of the Annapurna Circuit. As we wind our way west and south from the heights of the mountains, you’ll have the opportunity to visit cultural museums and lonely monasteries. And before we end our trek with a brief stopover in Pokhara, we’ll also visit attractions that some treks in the Annapurnas skip altogether, like the natural hot springs at Tatopani and the marvelous viewpoint of Ghorepani Poon Hill.
Highlights
- Enjoy a thrilling trek in Nepal’s Annapurna mountains, where no two days are the same
- Get up close and personal with the stunning turquoise waters of the alpine Tilicho Lake
- Climb to 5416 meters above sea level to reach the snow-covered mountain pass of Thorong La
- Explore the incredible scenery and culture of the once-forbidden Mustang District
- Beautiful mountain scenery with Muktinatha pilgrims’ temple, where two religions, Hindu and Buddhist gurus (priests and monks) worship at the same time and the same deity
- Witness the deep gorge of the Kali Gandaki River and the tallest Rupse Chhahara (waterfall)
- Trek two different regions of Nepal, Manang and Mustang, along the Marsyandi and Kaligandaki river valleys
