ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT + TILICHO LAKE
Annapurna Circuit is considered as one of the busy trek route which starts with a filthy road extending up to the valley of Besisahar and Khudi and to Torong La Pass. The wild side of Annapurna!
Round Annapurna is considered as one of the busy trek route which starts with a filthy road extending up to the valley of Besisahar and Khudi. We have easy walk in the beginning and then the path connects the valley of the Marsyangdi River with the Kaligandaki. Thorung La (5416m) is the highlight of the trek and one can see gigantic Himalayan and pass through subtropical to alpine region. Diverse ecosystems, cultures and beautiful landscape of lush paddy fields, oak forests, in the Kaligandaki the deepest gorge in the world, which make the Annapurna Circuit trekking one of the most famous trekking route in the world. Also, Around Annapurna trek offers an extraordinary panorama of Annapurna (8,097m) including, Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Lamjung, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Tukuche peak and many other stunning peaks. Besides, you will see 100 varieties of orchids and several varieties of rhododendron forests in the world. Moreover, you can see various wild lives like snow leopards, mountain Thar, jackal, blue sheep; different species of birds including colored Impeyan, kokla, blood pheasant, and varieties of butterflies and insects. In totality, 100 mammals, more than 60 reptiles and amphibians, 450 species of birds, 9 types of Rhododendrons can be spotted in this.
BESTS
- No particular technical difficulties in a spectacular and still little-visited area of Nepal
- Stunning yak villages and pastures in the Budi Gandaki valley, always accompanied by wanderful views of mountains such as the double peak of Manaslu, Larkya peak, Sama peak and countless other perennially snow-capped peaks
- The Larkya La pass at the foot of Manaslu, where fatigue will be rewarded by the breathtaking views of Tibet and the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
- The imposing peaks of Manaslu, Damodir, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri himal and the great pass of Thorong La
- The Gandaki valley, the world’s deepest gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
- Possibility of custom modification of the trip program with other activities or visits as well
COST
1,795 USD per person with 3 participants with local guide
Private trip possible every day. Contact us to receive a customized quote for 1 or 2 people. Contact us to receive a customized quote with European guide speaking English, French, Italian.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
- Day 01. Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 02. Drive to chame (2,710m/8,891ft) 9-10 hours
- Day 03. Chame to Pisang (3,300m/10824ft) 5-6 hours
- Day 04. Pisang to Manang,(3519/11545ft) 6-7 hours
- Day 05. Manang Acclimatization day
- Day 06: Manang to khangsar village(3745m/12,287ft) 4hours
- Day 07: Trekking to tilicho base camp (3900m/12,795ft) 5-6 hours
- Day 08: khangsar village(3745m/12,287ft) to tilicho lake (4,990m/16,138ft) return TBC 6-7hours
- Day 09: Tilicho base camp to Yak Kharka (4,110m/13,484ft) 4-5 hours
- Day 10: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft) 3-4 hours
- Day 11: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) via Thorong La pass (5416m/17764ft)7-8 hours
- Day 12: Muktinath to jomsom (2,670m/8,760ft) 4-5 hours
- Day 13: jomsom to fly pokhara.
- Day 14: Pokhara visit
- Day 15: Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu 35 minutes
- Day 16: Kathmandu Sightseeing And Free Shopping Day
- Day 17: Final departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01. Arrival in Kathmandu
After arriving in Kathmandu you will be picked up from Airport representative and transfer to hotel. We will serve authentic Nepalese cuisine with cultural show in the evening.
Meals included: dinner. Overnight: hotel.
Day 02. Kathmandu to Chame (2,710m/8,891ft) by drive, 9-10 hours
After breakfast we start driving to Chame including the best view of Trishuli river. We will drive to Chame, we reach at Chame the district headquarters of Manang district. You will admire amazing views of Annapurna II/IV and Lamjung Himal.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 03. Chame to Pisang (3,300m/10,824ft), 5-6 hours
After breakfast trek and explore the exotic and rugged mountainous topography of Manang valley on the way, we head up to immerse into the dense and verdant forests of oak and rhododendron. Savoring the natural taste of deep gorges, rivers, aquamarine glaciers, yak pastures and green meadows, we reach the beautiful Marshyangdi valley and Pisang village.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 04. Pisang to Manang (3,590m/11,545ft) , 6-7 hours
Among two routes to go to Manang we will follow the upper Pisang route because of the excellent views of the beautiful mountains including Annapurna, Pisang, best vegetations and the best landscape. We will visit the Barge monastery which is the biggest in Manang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 05. Manang: acclimatization day
We have rest day in Manang today because we need some rest while traveling to mountains. You may keep busy to visit Bhojo gumba, Vraga village or Gangapurna lake.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 06. Manang to Khangsar village (3745m/12,287ft), 4 hours
Today we walk further west along the river Marshyangdi valley instead of taking the normal route of Thorong La. From a village called Tenki Manang, we walk down to the river Thorong Khola and cross the river and continue towards west. It is about 3 hours walk to Khangsar village which is the last settlement towards the Tilicho Lake. People of Khangsar village are following Tibetan Buddhism and it is likely undisturbed and unchanged form of the practice. Overnight stay in the normal standard lodge in Khangsar.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 07. Khangsar village (3745m/12,287ft) to tilicho base camp (3900m/12,795ft) 5-6 hours
We walk today to Tilicho Base Camp where seasonal lodge is available. The trail today is quite long for about 5 – 6 hours (since we mostly take upper route). We pass by the Gompa (Monastery), yak herders hut during the walking. After the hut, the trail forks where the lower one is a bit difficult often dangerous with loose stone pebbles in a steep trail. We take the upper trail which is ideal for acclimatization as well. First we ascend a few hundred meters and then descend again.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 08. tilicho base camp (3900m/12,795ft) to Tilicho lake (4,990m/16,138ft) return Tilicho Base camp(3900m/12,795ft), 6-7 hours
We start early in the morning to explore and enjoy the beauty of this Lake. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4,919 m and taken as one of the highest lakes of the world. Tilicho lake is situated in the lap of Tilicho Peak/7,134 m. / 23,406 ft.). Just on the southwestern side of Tilicho is Khangsar Kang (Roc Noir) which is seen as a rock wall touches Great Barrier. Annapurna I/8,091 m. is just behind this Khangsar Kang. Maurice Herzog and his team who succeeded to climb Annapurna I in 1950 with a record of first-ever climbed 8000 m. the peak of the world checked if they could climb Annapurna I from this route, straight up from Tilicho Lake. Once they reached Tilicho, they found that the Annapurna I is blocked by a long and great barrier. We, enjoy the beauty of the lake and surroundings and return back to the Base Camp.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 09. Tilicho base camp(3900m/12,795ft) to Yak Kharka (4,110m/13,484ft), 4-5 hours
Another short day of walking crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki and continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley. The trail further passes near the small village of Ghunsa. After that the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze, crossing a small river on a wooden bridge we reach small village of Yak Kharka.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 10: Yak Kharka (4,110m/13,484ft) to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft), 3-4 hours
An uphill walk after walking and crossing a suspension bridge we reach Ledar village. We ascend furthermore and pass through towering cliffs before reaching Thorang Phedi, the last village before Thorong La pass. While trekking we can see the best view of Thorung Peak, Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, and Mt. Khatungkan.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 11. Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) via Thorong La pass (5416m/17,764ft), 7-8 hours
After breakfast at Thorong La Phedi we trek to Thorong La pass, one of the highest passes in the world from east to west (Manang to Muktinath) which is the easiest and safest route. We morning around 2.30 am and trek up to the mountain. When we finally make it to reach at top around 6-7 am in the morning. This will be the best day to take pictures of me. After that we defend to Muktinath valley (3,800m/12,467ft).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 12. Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) to jomsom (2743m/8,997ft), 4-5 hours
Muktinath, an important pilgrimage site both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we pay our visit to Muktinath Temple and a Gompa. After the temple visit we will trek down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally arriving at jomsom.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 13. jomsom (2743m/8,997ft) fly to Pokhara (25 minutes)
Muktinath, an important pilgrimage site both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning, we pay our visit to Muktinath Temple and a Gompa. After the temple visit we will trek down toward Kagbeni and then to Jomsom finally arriving at jomsom.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.
Day 14. Pokhara: sightseeing
After breakfast you will have sightseeing around Pokhara. You will visit Bindabasini temple, Mahendra cave, Seti river, Davis falls, Barahi temple and then Afternoon return back hotel.
Meals included: breakfast. Overnight: hotel.
Day 15. Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 6-7 hours drive/ 25 mins flight
After breakfast at a hotel in Pokhara you will drive/fly to Kathmandu. A farewell dinner served in the evening.
Meals included: breakfast. Overnight: hotel.
Day 16. Kathmandu: sightseeing and free shopping day
After breakfast take an excursion visit. Today we will go for sightseeing swyambhunath, Pasupatinath temple, bouddhanath and patan. world heritage site and freely shopping day. evening there will be a typical Nepali dinner organized for you in the typical Nepali restaurant with cultural program.
Meals included: breakfast. Overnight: hotel.
Day 17. Final departure
You will have breakfast and You will be free until your departure. A representative will take you airport for your final departure.
Meals included: breakfast.
INCLUDED
- Arrival and departure airport transfers in Kathmandu by private vehicle
- Night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara including breakfast
- Overnight stays in common lodges during the trek, double room accommodation
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu
- Meals on full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during trekking period in the lodges/restaurants
- Surface transport to and from Kathmandu by private vehicle
- Twin sharing accommodation at the tea house lodges
- An experienced certified guide and one trekking helper between 2 persons
- Personal luggage transport during the trek with porters/yaks/ponies up to 12 kg
- Group medical supplies (first aid kit will be available)
- All required special trekking permits and conservation fees
- Trekking permits (TIMS and ACAP)
- All government taxes and our service charges
- An English speaking experienced trekking guide recognized by Government of Nepal
- Highly experienced trekking porters to carry luggage (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
- Assistance during the trek by qualified staff and 24 hr. telephone with our office staff
- Food, transfers, insurance and equipment for accompanying staff
NOT INCLUDED
- Visa fee for Nepal
- International flight to and from Nepal
- Personal trekking equipment
- Travel and medical insurance (if any rescue and evacuation needed)
- Meals and extra night (more nights than stated in itinerary) accommodation in Kathmandu
- Soft and hard drinks
- Personal insurance and other personal expenses
- Tips for trekking staff (tipping is expected)
- Anything not specified under “INCLUDED”
ON REQUEST
- Single room
- Sleeping bag rental on site
- European guide speaking English, French, Italian
- Travel insurance
- Superior hotel accommodations in town
- Tour extensions