Arrival in Kathmandu and Hotel/Hostel transfer

Thank you for choosing Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho as your next adventure destination! On this day you arrive to Kathmandu and we transfer you to your accommodation. You rest and rejuvenate for days to come. You can as well explore the surrounding and get to know a little about the country and culture.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Kathmandu ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast only

Trek preparation and shopping

You will meet your trek leader on this day and he would brief you about trekking in Nepal and your chosen destination. Meanwhile, the back office staff will prepare all required permits for your trekking. later in the day, you will do the last minute shopping for your trekking along with your guide. While our back office staff get ready preparing permits from the government offices, our guides help you get acquainted with the country by taking you to the most happening market in Kathmandu.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Kathmandu ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast only

Kathmandu – Beshi Sahar  – Khudi (1100m/3,609m) 5 hours, 2 hours

We should have our breakfast early in the morning in order to leave Kathmandu by 8:00 a.m and board our vehicle early. If you are acquainted with the Nepalese terrain you will not think for another second to pull your camera out, as the bus ride is equally enthralling. We make our way through one of the prime highways, with major tributaries Trishuli and Marsyangdi never leaving our way one after another. By the time we reach Besisahar it is around 2 p.m in the afternoon. In case of public vehicle we usually make a transfer at this very point for Khudi.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Khudi - Sirung (1,854m/4,692ft) 6- 7 hours

If we make it to Khudi we can enjoy couple of things - one getting refreshed on the banks of Marshyangdi  and second taking opportunity to soak ourselves in the natural hot spring. On this very first day walking on the lush green hills, we will see the mountains in the Annapurna in the distance. This route is less populous and very tranquil. The lush green forest of pine and orchid is home to some rare species of birds. It is as well advised to keep your eyes open for snow leopards. It is mostly an uphill walk on the very first day to cover 1000 meters. Overnight in Sirung.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Sirung - Chamje

We leave behind the rice terrace of Sirung and embark on the trail that traverses through subtropical forest and ferns. This forest is well known for housing beautiful species of birds. In between we usually stop at Syange for lunch, before scaling to Jagat. After Jagat we make another ascend for almost an hour to reach Chamje. Overnight at Chamje.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Chamje – Dharapani(1,860m/6,102ft) 5 - 6 hrs

We leave the small yet beautiful, cliffside village of Chamje early. Soon you will realize this section of the trek is very beautiful and on a clear day you will enjoy walking through the forest. The lush green hills on this section houses beautiful and rare species of migrant birds, waterfall, barren cliffs and plenty of bee hives. After few tough incline we reach Tal which also the entry village to Manang district but very busy. Tal has hefty amount of teahouses and we usually stop here for our lunch. After Tal the trail has couple of stiff and couple of easy incline until Dharapani. Overnight at Dharapani.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Dharapani – Chame(2,670m/8,760ft) 5 - 6 hrs

From Dharapani the trail is technical and strenuous as we ascent fair amount of altitude within 5-6 hours of time. Immediately outside Dharapani we notice sparse trees and barren cliffs and less greener. Initially we make our way through the forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and oak. The trail is steep, narrow and we stroll on the trails through landslide prone region as well. This section of the Annapurna Circuit Trek offers a beautiful view of the Annapurna Massif. After the first half of today’s trek the trail gets more gradual and the inclines are somewhat easier. Once we make it to Chame we can as well rejoice the small hot springs. Overnight in Chame.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Chame – Pisang(3,200m/10,500ft) 5 - 6 hrs

We make 600m ascents from Chame to Pisang within 4-6 hours. The first couple of hours we walk on crisply pine scented trail. We go past the deserted village of Bhartang where trekkers stop by for tea. Further down the trail, we go past apple orchard and furthermore the memorial of Japanese trekker who died in the avalanche trying to cross Thorung La. With the transitory view of Manaslu, Annapurna II, Himchuli and Ngadi Chuli, we make our way through Tibetan communities and beautiful manis; prayer apparatus of Buddhist followers and fields of Buckwheat. Overnight in Pisang.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Pisang – Manang (3,540m/11,614ft) 6 - 7 hrs

Today we leave early in the morning after breakfast, to ascent 600 meters through a mediocre difficult trail. From the very first day Marsyangdi river never leaves the trail and does the same for this day. We start strolling on a relatively flat ground in the beginning and then gradually climb upwards. The first noticeable village on this day is Humde - the only village in Manang with airport. After crossing Humde the landscape gets more barren but the views get more better. The views of Annapurna III and IV on one hand and the barren cliffs on the other is captivating. We usually stop for lunch in Mungi. one and half hours easy uphill walk after lunch we make it to Manang. We traverse through various terrain and through the fields of buckwheat, barley and potato and pine. On this day we make our way through remarkable Kani’s (gate) to rustic settlements of Tibetan community namely Manange. Overnight in Manang.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Rest Day

Today is set aside as acclimatization where we will rest and adapt to the altitude. We have an opportunity to walk around and observe the life and culture of Manang-pa; people of Manang, explore the archaic monasteries and thangkas that dates back to some 500 years, we would also hike short for a glacial lake named Gangapurna. Manang also has hotels and restaurants, which would cater fix for your desires to have coffee and bakery.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Manang - Tilicho base camp

The trek to Tilicho base camp takes no longer than 6 - 7 hours and except for one noticeable uphill towards the beginning everything is just a normal trek. Most of the trail is on exposed hills and is very barren and dry but the views on the other hand is top. Later on reaching Khangsar, which is as well dry and desolate is a very popular rest area for trekkers heading to Tilicho lake. The place offers very basic fooding and lodging options. With a beautiful views of tilicho peak right outside the doorstep, we embark on the trails after lunch at Khangsar and leaving our heavy backpack. The land is arid and the trails are dusty and in almost an hour we make it to desolated Gompa namely Tara. Past Gompa and over almost 2 hours of walk we reach at a point from where landslide prone area begins. It is advised to follow instruction of the guide while walking in this region of Tilicho lake trek. This landslide prone area is a little challenging. After an hour of walk past the landslide region we make it to Tilicho base camp. Overnight at Tilicho base camp.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Tilicho Base Camp - Tilicho Lake - Khangsar

With surreal views of Tilicho peak from the base camp, we buckle up early for Tilicho lake. Since we return to the same spot later in the day we would walk further with only day pack and leave rest of the luggage back. Most of the land today as well is arid and dusty but however really easy than a day prior. It would take almost 4 hours if we are easy on the knees and walk observing the magnificent ambiance. After spending brief moment at the lake observing the surrounding, taking pictures and eating our snacks, we head back to Tilicho base camp. We have our lunch and trace back our way to Kangsar. Overnight at Khangsar.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Tilicho base camp – Yak Kharka(4,018m/13,182ft) 3 - 4 hours

From Khangar on today we take the other trail that leads towards Yak Kharka. The views of mountains are top and en route we get the views of desolated village of Khangsar, distance views of Manang. Keep your eyes open for wild deer, it may be the only wildlife you may spot in your entire trek. Through the entire trail today you will only see some highland bushes in the forms of plant. After walking over 4 hours with frequent breaks in between you will see a pasture land and at the foot of it the village of Yak Kharka. Overnight at Yak Kharka.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Yak Kharka – Thorung High Camp(4,450m/14,600ft)  4 – 5 hours

From what looks like an old cowboy town of Yak Kharka we get ready for strenuous hike of 600+ meters, which includes some steep and sheer trails up and down hill. The first initial climb of two and half hours is painstaking but however the surreal view of the surrounding, blue ships and wild Yaks will help you forget all that. Furthermore we keep inclining through narrow and barren trails exposed to the slopes and crossing the wooden bridge we make to Thorung phedi. There are very few pine plants towards the Yak Kharka end but towards the Thorung high camp the land is more barren and the only plant seen is silver birch. Thorung phedi is a valley, which is not inhabited year around but offers a very uncanny view of surrounding cliffs and mountains in the Annapurna. We hike uphill further for an hour until we reach Thorung High pass where we rest for the night and acclimatize before we ascent to Thorung-La pass.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Thorung Phedi – Thorung La – Muktinath (4:00 am and out by 5:00 am) (3760m/12,336ft) 5 -6 hours

We rise and shine early and head out of Thorung Phedi for the longest day of Annapurna circuit trek. Furthermore, this is the most difficult section of the trek but equally beautiful that helps us forget all the slogging and hard work. Most of the day’s walk is sheer and uphill, on barren cliffs with wild Yaks. The initial climb from Thorung Phedi connects with Thorung high camp and further around 3 hours of uphill, we would reach Thorung la. The main idea behind starting the day early is to make sure that we cross Thorung – La pass before the sun is up and at its best. We ascent 650+ meters to Thorung – la which is one of the highest passes in the world, from where the view of the mountains in the periphery is as well of the premier quality. From Thorung – La we make a sheer drop 1600 meters toward the holy shrine of Muktinath.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Muktinath – Marpha(2,670m/8,727ft) 7 – 8 hours

From Muktinath we further descend down to Jharkot and watch Kagbeni from the ridge and make our way towards Jomsom. We take jeep track all the way to Jomsom; a beautiful mountain settlement placed on the laps of Nilgiri Mountain. Jomsom also has an air strip which serves the entire region on everyday basis. Further down on jeep track dodging it time and again we reach Marpha. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and apple brandy distillery and also homes one of the oldest distilleries in the country. Marpha is the center of Thakali community, which is famous for making apple cider and apple pie amongst trekkers.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Marpha – Kalopani(2,530m/8,300ft) 5 – 6 hours

We start early on this day and we trek easy jeep trail along one of the major tributaries Kaligandaki. We stroll through 2 remarkable settlements of Tukuche and Larjung until we reach Kalopani. On this day we make a transition from arid landscape to lush green knolls.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Kalopani – Tatopani(1,190m/3,904ft) 5 - 6 hours

We further head downward and majority of the trail include unfrequented jeep track. From Ghasa we enter the district of Myagdi from Mustang. The inevitable attraction of this section in Annapurna circuit trek is the 3rd largest waterfall named Rupse, in Dana. Finally we make it to Tatopani which mean hot water; this place holds one of the best natural hot springs. Usually trekkers are found enjoying this natural hot springs after a long aching trip.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Tatopani - Beni - Pokhara (6-7 hours)

Since most of the walking has to be don on the newly opened jeep track and on a very rugged trail, we opt to take bus. The bus through the off road from this point onward is very thrilling and not very dangerous. We reach Beni in around 1 and half hours and make transfer to another bus to Pokhara. The road from Beni to Pokhara is relatively very good and black topped. The coiled and hilly terrain ride will take around 4 hours before dropping us at the Pokhara - Baglung buspark. Overnight in Pokhara

Accommodation

• Hotel in Pokhara( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 2 times meals during the trek  - Breakfast and Lunch only - (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Pokhara - Kathmandu

Another day on road but better and broader. The bus ride takes around 7 hours to Kathmandu. The bus traverses through beautiful lush green hills and views of mountains (only in season). Once we reach Kathmandu we transfer you to your accommodation and hence officially come to the end of Annapurna circuit trek.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Kathmandu ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast only