Annapurna with Tilicho Lake Trek

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Swayambhunath Stupa, a revered Buddhist site atop a hill. Next, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a historic hub in the city center, where you can enjoy traditional Nepali or international cuisine. Later, head to Patan Durbar Square to admire its stunning Newari architecture and ancient temples.

Swayambhunath Stupa: Swayambhunath Stupa, fondly dubbed the "Monkey Temple," is a spiritual beacon perched above Kathmandu. Its gleaming white dome and all-seeing eyes radiate serenity, while mischievous monkeys add playful energy. Pilgrims spin prayer wheels, incense swirls in the air, and the hilltop offers breathtaking valley views, a perfect blend of devotion and natural beauty.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu Durbar Square is a living museum of Nepal’s royal legacy. Ornate palaces whisper tales of Malla kings, while the Kumari, a living goddess, peeks from her carved wooden balcony. Temples like Taleju rise in tiered splendor, their intricate details a testament to Newar artisans who turned stone and wood into poetry.

Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square is a symphony in brick and bronze, where every corner hums with artistic mastery. The stone Krishna Mandir stands like a frozen melody, while the Golden Temple glows with sacred light. Courtyards hide hidden dragons, and the Patan Museum’s treasures make history dance before your eyes, a feast for wanderers and dreamers alike.

Hotel

B

After an early breakfast, depart Pokhara for a breathtaking drive through Nepal's Himalayan foothills. Wind along dramatic mountain roads past terraced fields, roaring waterfalls, and traditional villages. As you ascend, watch the landscape transform with towering peaks emerging around every bend. Arrive in Chamje by afternoon, where the cooler mountain air signals your arrival in the Annapurna region.

This charming stone village marks your gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. Spend the evening acclimatizing while listening to the Marshyangdi River's thunder below. Prepare your gear as tomorrow brings your first trekking day, with suspension bridges, forested trails, and ever more spectacular mountain vistas awaiting.

Driving: 6-7 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Today's adventure begins with a scenic hike from Chamje to Dharapani, weaving through dense forests and crossing thrilling suspension bridges over the roaring Marsyangdi River. The trail steadily ascends, treating you to spectacular mountain views while testing your endurance with occasional steep climbs. Keep an eye out for fellow trekkers; this shared journey often sparks new friendships amid Nepal's breathtaking landscapes.

Arriving in Dharapani, you’ll be charmed by its traditional stone houses and vibrant prayer flags dancing in the breeze. This cultural gem invites exploration, wandering through the village, visiting the serene monastery, and connecting with welcoming locals. As the day winds down, soak in the peaceful Himalayan atmosphere, rejuvenating for the trails ahead.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The trail unfolds like a Himalayan storybook as you leave Dharapani, each step carrying you deeper into Annapurna's embrace. Winding through fragrant pine forests and past traditional villages, the path crosses singing suspension bridges that dance above the Marsyangdi's turquoise waters. Watch as the landscape transforms before your eyes - terraced fields give way to rugged cliffs, and the first snow-capped giants peek through the valley's curtain.

As the administrative heart of Manang District reveals itself, you're greeted by dramatic canyon walls framing the majestic Lamjung Himal. Chame's bustling market overflows with colorful local wares and the chatter of trekkers swapping stories. After wandering through this mountain hub, settle into a cozy teahouse, where steaming dal bhat warms your spirit and the call of higher adventures lingers in the air. Tomorrow, the trail climbs higher - but tonight belongs to Chame's starry skies and the comforting hum of the Himalayas.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Leaving Chame behind, the trail winds upward through fragrant pine forests and across swaying suspension bridges over the Marshyangdi River. With each step, the mountains rise taller, revealing sweeping views of jagged peaks and emerald valleys. As the air thins, the landscape shifts, lush greenery gives way to rugged, sunbaked slopes, a reminder of the high-altitude world you’re entering. By afternoon, Pisang appears, perched at 3,200 meters, its stone houses framed by the towering Annapurna II and the striking Pisang Peak.

After a day of awe-inspiring trekking, the warmth of a teahouse awaits. Savor steaming dal bhat, share stories with fellow trekkers, and soak in the quiet majesty of the Himalayas. Rest well, tomorrow’s trails promise even greater adventures.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The morning presents a choice: ascend the Upper Pisang trail for heart-stopping Annapurna vistas that stretch into Tibet or wander the Lower Pisang route through Humde’s timeless alleys, where ancient monasteries hum with monk chants. Both paths weave through a cinematic landscape, past juniper groves, across glacial streams, and over golden plateaus where yaks graze against a backdrop of ice giants.

Arriving in this high-altitude haven, you’re greeted by a labyrinth of stone houses and prayer wheels spinning in the wind. Explore 15th-century gompas adorned with tantric murals, barter for yak wool in the bazaar, and sip sea buckthorn tea as the sun dips behind Gangapurna’s razor-edged summit. Here, thin air carries thick history, every cobblestone whispers of Silk Road traders and Buddhist pilgrims.

Hiking: 6-7 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The trail climbs alongside the Marshyangdi River, unveiling striking shifts in the landscape with every step. Towering peaks and rugged cliffs dominate the horizon as lush valleys give way to arid, rocky terrain, a striking reminder of the Himalayas' raw beauty. The air grows thinner, and the sparse vegetation signals your steady climb into higher altitudes.

At 3,740 meters, the remote village of Khangsar offers a peaceful retreat with its timeless charm. Here, traditional Tibetan culture flourishes, and the genuine warmth of the locals offers a heartfelt insight into their timeless way of life. As evening falls, settle into a cozy teahouse, savor a hearty meal, and soak in the tranquility of this high-altitude haven, preparing for the adventures ahead.

Hiking: 2-3 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Today’s trek pushes higher into the Himalayas as you leave Khangsar for Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m), the gateway to the legendary Tilicho Lake. The trail climbs steadily through increasingly rugged terrain, where scree slopes and windswept cliffs replace vegetation. With every step, the air thins, but the reward is immense: panoramic views of glacial peaks and sheer mountain walls that make you feel truly immersed in the wild heart of the Annapurna range.

Arriving at the remote base camp, you’ll find a stark yet stunning high-altitude sanctuary. Take this moment to rest, drink deeply, and absorb the solitude. The adventure to Tilicho Lake, a breathtaking high-altitude wonder, starts at dawn.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Today’s trek is the crown jewel of your adventure, the ascent to Tilicho Lake (4,919m), one of the world’s highest and most stunning alpine lakes. The challenging trail winds through steep, rocky slopes, but every step is rewarded with jaw-dropping views of glacial peaks like Tilicho and Khangsar Kang. As you crest the final ridge, the lake’s turquoise waters appear, shimmering under the Himalayan sky, a sight so surreal it feels like stepping into a dream.

After soaking in serenity, you’ll descend to Tilicho Base Camp, retracing your steps with a fresh perspective on the rugged landscape. Back at camp, savor a warm meal and relive the day’s magic; this is a moment you’ll carry forever.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The morning begins with a careful descent from Tilicho’s stark heights, your boots skimming over loose scree as you leave the icy realm behind. With each downward step, the air thickens, alpine meadows reappear like old friends, then give way to juniper shrubs and the first stunted trees. By midday, the Marshyangdi Valley unfurls beneath you, its emerald pastures dotted with the dark silhouettes of grazing yaks.

Arriving at this high-altitude grazing outpost, you’re greeted by the deep bells of yaks—the original mountain custodians. Their breath hangs in the cold air as they lumber past stone corrals, while shepherds’ smoke curls into the twilight. Settle into a lodge carved from ancient timber, where the night’s silence is broken only by the stars cracking open above the Annapurna massif. 

Hiking: 4-5 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The thin morning air hums with anticipation as you ascend into the Marshyangdi upper reaches. Each switchback reveals more dramatic vistas, glacial moraines like frozen waves, and peaks so close you could touch their icy flanks. The trail steepens near Ledar village, where stone tea houses mark the last comforts before the pass. By afternoon, Thorong Phedi emerges: a cluster of sturdy lodges clinging to the mountainside beneath the pass's looming shadow.

At this altitude, every movement requires deliberation. Drink ginger tea to soothe the thin air's bite, watch sunset paint Dhaulagiri crimson, and pack by headlamp; tomorrow's pre-dawn start will lead you to the roof of the Annapurna. The mountains whisper their challenge through the starry silence.

Hiking: 3-4 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Today brings the ultimate test and triumph of your trek: crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416m). Starting before dawn, you'll ascend through thin air and steep switchbacks, your headlamp cutting through the darkness as snow-capped peaks emerge with the rising sun. The final push to the pass is demanding but reaching the wind-swept summit rewards you with 360-degree Himalayan vistas spanning Annapurna and Mustang, a moment of pure exhilaration.

After celebrating at the top, descend through rocky valleys to Muktinath (3,800m), a sacred pilgrimage site where Hindu and Buddhist traditions intertwine. Visit its ancient temples, rest your legs, and reflect on conquering one of trekking's greatest challenges.

Hiking: 7-8 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Muktinath's spiritual aura leaves behind, today’s trek descends through Mustang’s dramatic desert landscapes, where wind-sculpted cliffs and ancient villages tell stories of the Trans-Himalaya. The trail winds down to Kagbeni, a medieval-feeling village of narrow alleys and whitewashed houses, standing guard at the gateway to Upper Mustang.

By afternoon, you’ll reach Jomsom (2,720m), a lively hub where apple orchards meet mountain commerce. Here, hot showers, cozy lodges, and the buzz of fellow trekkers await. Wander the bazaar, sample local apple brandy, and celebrate your journey’s milestones. Tomorrow, the mountains release you toward Pokhara’s lakeside warmth.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Your Annapurna adventure culminates with an aerial spectacle, a breathtaking morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. As your plane soars between snow-capped giants, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, their peaks glowing in the dawn light. In just 25 minutes, you’ll trade the rugged Mustang landscapes for Pokhara’s lush lakeside serenity.

Arrive in Nepal’s adventure hub, where Phewa Lake’s glassy surface and lush warmth embrace you like a long-lost home. Celebrate your trek’s end with a lakeside feast, a sunset stroll, or simply by savoring the comfort of a soft bed, your body may have left the mountains, but the memories will stay forever.

Flight: 30 Mins

Hotel

B

Your final morning in Pokhara begins with one last glimpse of Machhapuchhre reflection dancing on Phewa Lake as you board the flight to Kathmandu. The aircraft climbs over terraced foothills, and then suddenly, there they are, the entire Annapurna massif sprawled beneath the wings like a crumpled white tapestry. That ridge you crossed at Thorong La now is just a wrinkle in the snow. Those trails you blistered on. Tiny brown threads weave through the peaks.

Touch down in the whirlwind of the capital, where honking motorbikes and incense smoke replace yak bells and mountain silence. Drop your pack at the hotel, that faithful companion now battered with stories, then lose yourself in Thamel's labyrinth. Let the clang of temple bells and sizzle of momos in the alleyways remind you: while the trek ends today, the mountains have rewired you forever.

Flight: 30 Mins

Hotel

B

Your last day begins with free time to relax in Kathmandu. As your flight approaches, we’ll transfer you to the airport, ensuring a smooth departure for your next adventure.

B

Ø  The best time for this trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for pleasant weather, clear skies, and blooming rhododendrons.

Ø  This trek is moderately challenging and recommended for trekkers with some prior experience. Experience with high altitudes is beneficial.

Ø  While not mandatory, having a guide is recommended for navigation, safety, and cultural insights. They can also assist with the logistics of side trips to Tilicho Lake.

Ø  You will need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card, and a local permit for Tilicho Lake. Your trekking agency can arrange these for you.

Ø  A good level of physical fitness is necessary for this trek due to its length, high altitudes, and steep ascents. Cardiovascular training and strength are beneficial.

Ø  Essential items include warm clothing, a good pair of hiking boots, a down jacket, a trekking pole, a daypack, and a sleeping bag suitable for cold weather.

Ø  Highlights include reaching Tilicho Lake, crossing the challenging Thorong La Pass, visiting traditional villages, experiencing local culture, and enjoying panoramic mountain views.

Ø  Some customization is possible. You can add side trips, explore specific locations, or extend your stay in certain areas. Discuss these options with your trekking agency.

Ø  Yes, altitude sickness is a concern, especially when crossing Thorong La Pass and visiting Tilicho Lake. Proper acclimatization and monitoring are essential to minimize the risk.

Ø  Teahouses and lodges are available along the trail, providing basic but comfortable accommodation and meals. However, facilities at Tilicho Lake are more limited.

Ø  It's best to book through a reputable trekking agency before your trip. They can assist with permits, accommodations, and logistics for this exciting journey.

Ø  In case of an emergency, there are helicopter rescue services available in the region. However, it's crucial to have proper travel insurance that covers such emergencies.