Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake — 18 Days

Today is set aside for trek preparation in Kathmandu. We discuss the eighteen-day route, check your equipment and review the arrangements before tomorrow’s drive to Jagat and the Annapurna region. Use the day to organise your trekking bag and daypack, obtain any missing personal items and discuss the lake hike and pass crossing. Tell us about dietary requirements, previous altitude difficulties or medical conditions. Confirm your porter allowance and keep medicines accessible. Afterwards, rest at your hotel before the early departure for the road journey.

We leave Kathmandu and travel towards Jagat via Besisahar. Today is a road journey into the Annapurna region, with the first walking stage scheduled for tomorrow from Jagat. The journey follows roads through river valleys and cultivated hillsides before the final approach to Jagat. Roadworks, traffic and rough sections can lengthen the drive, so keep water, medicines and a warm layer nearby. On arrival, settle into your teahouse and rest. Your guide discusses the next day’s walk to Dharapani and the morning departure arrangements.

Our first trekking day follows the Marsyangdi Valley from Jagat towards Dharapani. The route passes village homes and cultivated ground, with river crossings and uneven sections as we walk further upstream. Keep a comfortable pace while becoming accustomed to your boots, daypack and the walking routine. The valley route combines climbs with easier stretches, so use breaks to drink and adjust layers. At Dharapani, check into your teahouse and rest. Tomorrow, you continue towards Chame and spend the night higher up.

Leaving Dharapani, we continue towards Chame along the Marsyangdi Valley. Forest paths and village sections accompany the climb, with bridges and uneven ground along the way. You gain sleeping altitude again on today’s walking stage. Walk steadily and allow time for breaks as the route leads deeper into the mountains. Keep rain protection and drinking water accessible throughout the day. On reaching Chame, settle into the teahouse, have dinner and prepare your belongings for the walk to Upper Pisang.

Today’s route continues from Chame towards Upper Pisang, following the valley into higher country. The scenery becomes more open as you approach the village. Uphill sections and uneven paths require a steady pace throughout this mountain walking day. Upper Pisang is around 3,300 m, above the forested stages earlier in the trek. Settle into your teahouse and keep warm layers close for the evening. Tell your guide about headaches, nausea or unusual fatigue before continuing towards Manang tomorrow.

We walk from Upper Pisang to Manang, continuing along the Annapurna Circuit. The day’s trail choice depends on conditions and the programme, with mountain views when clouds clear along the valley. Manang, around 3,540 m, is the base for your acclimatisation day. You spend two nights here before leaving the main circuit towards Tilicho. After reaching the teahouse, take time to rest and eat. Discuss how you are feeling with your guide so tomorrow’s shorter activity suits your progress at altitude.

We stay another night in Manang and use today for acclimatisation. A shorter walk may take you above the village, with the direction and turnaround point chosen according to conditions and how you feel. Return to Manang to sleep at the same elevation. The afternoon allows time for rest and preparation for the Tilicho approach. Avoid treating this as an extra demanding trekking day. Report any altitude symptoms before tomorrow’s walk towards Sirikhark and higher ground.

Leaving Manang, we turn away from the main circuit towards Sirikhark on the Tilicho Lake approach. The path leads into a side valley, with climbing and uneven mountain ground before the overnight stop further ahead. Sirikhark is around 3,900 m, higher than Manang. Keep a measured pace and discuss symptoms with your guide as you gain height. After arrival, rest at the teahouse and prepare for tomorrow’s exposed approach to Tilicho Base Camp. Facilities become simpler along this route.

Today we continue from Sirikhark to Tilicho Base Camp. The mountain path crosses exposed ground where careful footing matters, particularly on loose slopes. Follow your guide’s instructions and allow other walkers space as you approach the overnight stop. Tilicho Base Camp is around 4,150 m, with basic teahouse accommodation. Rest after arrival and prepare warm layers, water and your headtorch for tomorrow’s early departure. Your guide reviews the lake plan according to conditions and how you are feeling.

We start early for the planned Tilicho Lake hike, subject to weather, trail conditions and your health. The route climbs above base camp over steep and uneven mountain terrain. Tilicho Lake lies at approximately 4,919 m. Reaching it involves sustained effort in thin air, followed by a long return. Keep warm clothing and water accessible, and agree a turnaround time with your guide before leaving. After the lake visit, descend past Tilicho Base Camp and continue to Sirikhark for the night. The itinerary returns here, before rejoining the circuit at Yak Kharka.

From Sirikhark, we leave the Tilicho side trail and work back towards the main Annapurna Circuit. The route includes downhill and uphill stretches before reaching Yak Kharka, the next overnight stop towards the high pass. Yak Kharka is around 4,050 m. Although lower than yesterday’s lake visit, it remains a high overnight stop. Walk steadily, eat regularly and tell your guide about symptoms. After checking into your teahouse, rest and prepare for the shorter approach to Thorong Phedi tomorrow.

We continue from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi, the planned overnight stop below Thorong La. Today’s shorter walking stage still gains height, so maintain a comfortable pace and take care on the rocky mountain paths approaching the lodge. Thorong Phedi, around 4,450 m, is your highest overnight stop. Spend the afternoon resting and organising tomorrow’s essentials. Your guide discusses the early departure, weather and pass conditions. The crossing depends on your health and current access along the route.

An early departure begins the climb from Thorong Phedi towards Thorong La. The pass, approximately 5,416 m, is the highest point of this itinerary. Walking is demanding in thin air, with cold conditions possible throughout the long uphill mountain approach. After reaching the pass, descend towards Muktinath on the Mustang side. The descent is lengthy and requires careful footing, especially if snow or ice remains. Muktinath is around 3,760 m, considerably below the pass. Rest at the lodge after completing this demanding walking day.

We leave Muktinath and continue towards Jomsom, completing the planned walking route. The journey descends into Lower Mustang, with village paths and open stretches before reaching the overnight lodge. Jomsom is around 2,720 m, lower than the previous mountain stops. Take care on uneven ground and keep a windproof layer accessible. Once you reach the lodge, organise your luggage for tomorrow’s road transfer. This is the final trekking night before returning through Pokhara and Kathmandu at the programme’s end.

Today we leave Jomsom and travel by road to Pokhara. The journey follows the Kali Gandaki valley towards lower country, with changing scenery as the mountains give way to greener hillsides. Allow a full day for the transfer, as road conditions and traffic affect the journey. Keep medicines and travel essentials in your daypack. After arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel and rest. If time allows, take a short walk near Phewa Lake before tomorrow’s road journey back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast, we leave Pokhara and return to Kathmandu by road. The journey follows river valleys and hillsides, with stops along the way according to the day’s conditions. Traffic, roadworks and weather can lengthen the journey. Keep travel documents and essentials accessible. After reaching Kathmandu, check into your hotel and organise your belongings for departure. Use the remaining time to rest or discuss any arrangements with us.

Your eighteen-day programme ends today. After breakfast, organise your luggage and prepare for the airport transfer according to your flight schedule. Check that your passport, tickets and travel essentials are accessible before leaving the hotel. We transfer you to the airport for your departure from Nepal.