Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek

Welcome to Nepal! As you land at Kathmandu airport, finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal, you will find our representative waiting to greet you. Holding Accessible Adventure signboard and your name. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private vehicle. Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, a private vehicle picks us and we head towards Syange, a small village with magnificent waterfalls nearby via Bensishahar, the district headquarter of Lamjung district. Leaving Kathmandu, the blacktopped Prithivi Highway follows the riverbed of Trishuli River. Leaving Prithivi Highway, we follow the next turn and twisting road at Dumre and drive further-reaching Bensishahar passing several hillsides, past the streams, smaller settlements, and lush valleys en-route. Catching a local jeep, we reach Syange-our day destination following a bit bumpy and windy road. From the windows of the jeep, one can sightsee magnificent sceneries, dazzling waterfalls, and cultivated lands with some settlements. Spending 8-9 hours in total, we reach Syange from Kathmandu

We start early after breakfast. A rising and falling trail leads to Chamje, after which we cross a suspension bridge and climb through oak forest. We will notice a dramatic change in the landscape today as the valley narrows to a very deep gorge, and cascading waterfalls as the one here across the valley are a common sight in the feature for the next few days. The trail then emerges into a level valley where ‘Tal’, the next village is situated at the foot of a grand waterfall (1700m). Further we walk ahead past some mani stones Just after Tal Village. The local custom is to walk on the left-hand side of the Mani walls. We cross Marshyangdi river over suspension bridges couple of times before reaching Dharapani. Walking Time: 6-7 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D.

It is a very gentle climb from Dharapani to Bagarchap, here we will be rewarded by sight of Annapurna II (7937m) looking up the valley. As we continue through Danakyue and climb up to Temang one cannot help but stop and look back to enjoy the view of the Manaslu Range. You will notice a general change in the vegetation today to pine and fir. The trail is fairly level from here for about an hour until after emerging out into a clearing which has a couple of tea houses and fields. We then descend to cross a bridge and climbing out we pass through Thanchok Village with its apple orchards. We reach Koto in about thirty minutes from Thanchok village and another thirty minutes to Chame, the headquarter of Manang District. Walking Time: 5-6 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D

We spent the rest of the morning trekking through rich forest of blue pine and fir keeping alongside the river to Brathang. The old Brathang village used to be a Tibetan resistant camp fighting Chinese occupation of Tibet by making raids over the border. Today you see only an apple orchard with a couple of tea houses. We carry on walking through the forest, the trail clings on a cliff side for a while and as we cross the bridge, looking back the view of the huge rock face of Mui Tscho (Paunde Danda) is breathtaking rising about 1500m from the valley floor. After climbing steeply through the forest, there is a sudden change in the landscape as we enter the Upper Manang District. The valley becomes very broad and vegetation mainly pines, Juniper and berberis shrubs is very sparse. A beautiful and easy hour of walking in the shadows of Annapurna II brings us to Lower Pisang. By this point you would have trekked around to the north side of the Annapurnas and Pisang Peak Chulu East to

Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks and raise crops for a part of the year. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails form the north and the south of the Marshyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip at 3,325m, involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru and Ngawal villages. For better views, we take the northern route, i.e. through upper Pisang that follows the northern bank of the river. We come across a very picturesque village clinging on to a cliff side where the houses appear to be stacked on top of each other. Its Bragha village dominated by the oldest monastery of the region which is more than 500 years old. Upon reaching Manang, the rest of the day can be spent walking around the village and visiting the monastery and enjoying the view

We spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. It is recommended to stay active and take short walk to higher altitude is suggested to get acclimatized with the altitude. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and viewing the magnificent sights around the village. The upcoming next two days will be very demanding and tiring trek for us with swift gain in altitude. We should never be too confident with the altitude and should always be watchful. Bodzo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. Manang village houses Himalayan Rescue Association. Volunteer western doctors work here during the trekking seasons helping educate trekkers and researching on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). An altitude talk is held here every afternoon, which is definitely worthwhile attending

From Manang we head out through the western gates and then we follow path down to the river. We cross the river and continue on the south side of it through coniferous forest towards Khangsar. One section is across a steep and exposed scree slope. Cross the Kangsar Khola on the bridge below Kangsar and ascend the slope to the village

Continue from Kangsar on a large path. Pass a Gompa (monastery). The route ahead goes on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep scree; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the scree slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as Tilicho Base Camp

From Tilicho Base Camp the path covers that route. Continue along the shore to a little plain. Leave the lake here and aim for a small saddle in the ridge above. The path is rather steep and there is plenty of lose scree and boulders. The first pass Reach and descend to a valley on the other side. Follow it upwards and step on to a flat glacier. It has no crevasses and is safe. Follow its left (south) side upwards. Leave it where an obvious saddle westward is visible. Go through this watershed. There is a little lake. Continue ahead on a faint path, lose a little altitude, and then gain another saddle. On the other side, one descends in to a small valley that turns south. Coming out of it one has reached the western shore of Tilicho Lake. We spend some time exploring the lake and we trek back to Tilicho Base Camp for overnight

From Tilicho Base Camp we trek down to Kangsar and continue towards Yak Kharka. The trail passes through ancient old Mani walls in a pleasant meadow and then reaches a river. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge and walking for some amount of time we reach small village of Yak Kharka. Little but gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight at Yak Kharka

From Tilicho Base Camp we trek down to Kangsar and continue towards Yak Kharka. The trail passes through ancient old Mani walls in a pleasant meadow and then reaches a river. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge and walking for some amount of time we reach small village of Yak Kharka. Little but gradual ascent is the key to avoiding altitude problems. Overnight at Yak Kharka

We make our way to the foot of the pass, Thorong Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers like us use this point as a base camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them. But, Himalayan Glacier’s team leader does not advise for this. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can sleep sound rather than a risky sleep in higher altitude at High Camp. Walking Time: 3-4 hours

From Thorung Phedi, we start early and climb gradually towards Thorung La Pass, which is one of the most strenuous and longest trekking of this entire trekking passing the High Camp here. Before ascending over the challenging pass we trek past through a number of false summits and increasingly high altitudes. As we reach the top of the pass at 5416m, we have breathtaking scenery to witness. However, the enticing extraordinary excellence of the Himalayas makes certain to keep us spurred. Despite the fact that the climbing needs great exertion, passing Thorung La, the world's greatest Pass would stay in your memory for eternity. As the height is high, the lethargic walk is suggested

Spiritual essence circulates around our atmosphere as we shall visit the holy temple of Muktinath early in the morning today. We shall have our breakfast and walk gradually downhill to Ekley Bhatti. It is quite a steep walk down the trails, so careful and proper use of trekking poles along is required. Take one step at a time, don’t rush; simply enjoy the serene surroundings around and comfortably reach Ekley Bhatti. Further, we push ourselves towards Jomsom, a very windy place where you need to have a full face mask and wind stopper jacket to avoid windblast. Wind forming across the Valley Mountain and gorges blow even more strongly in the afternoon; therefore we try to cross the downstream of Kaligandaki and arrive at Marpha before noon. This local village of Marpha is popular for apple products and we shall surely taste a few

After celebrating apple day at Marpha, we make our way along few local tea shops commonly called bhattis. Tasting a few apple brandies, tea or coffee would be a better choice over there. In this similar manner, while comfortably walking on a flatter surface, we also get quite splendid views of nearby Dhaulagiri Himalaya. Further, we cross Tukuche village and see the famous Dhaulagiri icefall where we might stop for a while to take some pictures and enjoy beautiful landscape settings. Our walk then continues towards Largung and Kobang village on a more or less flatter surface trail to Kalopani. If you are interested then we can also do some industrial visits to Tikuche Distillery that supplies the drinking water to nearby villages and towns

We shall get wonderful views of Mt. Annapurna I and other surrounding peaks from Kalopani. Today we will however move towards Tatopani which is more than 1000m down in elevation. Firstly we have our early meal and descend to Dana where we shall be stopping for lunch and we get to see the deepest Kaligandaki gorge of the word. Further trekking mostly downhill for 3 hours takes us to Tatopani. From here also, we get to see nice views of Nilgiri and other surrounding peaks. There is a natural hot spring at Tatopani and we shall take a dip there for relaxation. Later we return to our local lodge at Tatopani

Trekking around Nepal Himalayas brings us lots of ups and downs. And as are at 1190m of elevation today, we take a challenge to ascend to 2780m hike to Ghorepani. This challenge we are taking also brings lots of cultural and natural influences along. Basically, we cross the villages of Ghare, Shika, Phalate, and Chhitre today where most of the local inhabitants are from Magar and Gurung communities with few mixed groups. With quick stops in the middle of trails, jungle walks, narrow paths, we also get fine views of Annapurnas today, however, the best view is seen the next day from the Poonhill viewpoint. We go to bed a little early as we need to wake up before sunrise tomorrow.

Today we hike up early in the morning towards Ponnhill viewpoint before sunrise to see panoramic views of the same Annapurna Himalayas. The views will be from different sides and give us a new beautiful perspective to snow-capped peaks. After approximately 45 minutes to hours of hike to the top of the hill, we wait eagerly for that magical moment to happen. Then the sun rises slowly above the Annapurna Himalayan range and is worth watching it. A few moments later, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue our trek towards Nayapul. We shall follow the popular route of the popular Ghorepani Poonhill trek via Ulleri, Tikhedhunga, Birethanti, and finally to Nayapul. Upon arrival at Nayapul, we will catch a jeep that takes us to the city of Pokhara. We stay overnight at a comfortable hotel in Pokhara

With take a tourist bus ride to Kathmandu today early in the morning around 7 to 8 AM and arrive at Kathmandu, just in front of Icicles Adventure Office. You can then visit our office and share your Annapurna Circuit adventure or our office representative will assist you in hotel transfer (check-in). Later you are welcome to join our farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant in Thamel. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu

After 20 amazing days of your Nepal trip with Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trekking adventure, the time comes to leave this beautiful country and fly to your onward destination. Today we will transfer you from your hotel to TIA airport in Kathmandu 3 hours prior to your scheduled international flight. And finally, we hope that we have been successful in offering you wonderful travel memories, see you again soon. Farewell. Included Meals: Breakfast