Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake Trek and Poon Hill

After breakfast, we begin our guided tour to several historic, antique and spiritual site in Kathmandu which are protected by UNESCO world heritage sites. Today, we explore quaint Durbar Square, Pashupatinath (Hindu Temple), Swayambhunath (2,000 years old monkey temple) and Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa). After sightseeing of UNESCO designated world heritage sites, we drive back to hotel and get our trekking gears checked by our trekking leader and discuss about the trip Alpine Kailash’s office.

Meals

Breakfast

Kathmandu – Saynge route is long drive so it is better to start early. After breakfast, we drive from Kathmandu first through the bank of the Trishuli River and then through the Marshyangdi valley until Beshisahar, the head-quarter of Lumjung district. Further, we drive to Syange via Bhulbhule and Nadi.

Activity & Duration

9-10 hour

Highest Altitude

1100m (Syange)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This is the first day of our foot excursion. Today, we enter into the Manang district crossing large bridge near Tal. Treading through the cultivated field of barley, rice and potato and several waterfalls, we cross Jagat, Chamje and Karte to reach Dharapani. At, we check-in to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

Activity & Duration

7-8 hours

Highest Altitude

1960m (Dharapani)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail route to Chame negotiates few hours’ steep forested ridges along with several landslides. We cross stone entrance Chhorten which represents Tibetan Buddhist culture. We walk through the Bagarchhap, which is surrounded by the apple orchid and cultivated fields. Further, we climb up to Tyanja, enjoying the mesmerizing vistas, waterfall and pine forest that takes us to Kyupar and finally to Chame. It is district head-quarter of Manang. En route, we come across small hot spring where soothe to relax our aching muscle. The view Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and Annapurna IV from Chame is incredible.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

2710m (Chame)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we hike through the deep forest in a steep and narrow valley and cross suspension bridge to have first look of Paungda Danda rock face. It is dramatic rock face rising 1,500m above the river. Enjoying the great view of Annapurna II and Pisang peak, we cross another suspension bridge to reach Pisang.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

3300m (Pisang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Pisang, there are two routes that joins us to Manang. We choose to trek along the Upper Pisang via Geru, as it ensures the best views of Mt. Annapurna and Pisang peaks. The route to Humde airstrip is less challenging with less uphill and downhill section. Today, we walk through the dry and cold part of Manang. We make a short visit to Bagre Monastery – the largest monastery in Manang District.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Highest Altitude

3500m (cManang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

To acclimatize properly, we keep ourselves active today with hiking around the village. We have some choice of hiking that includes the hike to either Bhojo Gumba or Gagapunra Lake. If time and energy permits, we can even visit Varga village where we explore Himalayan Rescue Association. It provides us information about Acute Mountain Sickness.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Manang, we hike join a trailhead to Tilicho Lake, splitting from the main trail that takes us to Thorung Pass. Hike through the western gate, we climb down to the steam and enter into village of Khangsar. It is quaint Tibetan Buddhist village and known as last permanent Tibetan village.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours

Highest Altitude

4060m (Khangsar village)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we head through the newly built trail and cross colorful monastery. There are two trail to Tilicho but we choose to take downward trail. The upward trail is challenging with steep and technical route at Kharka and Top of the Col (4,970m). The trail we follow goes through the high crest and finally to Tilicho Base Camp.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

4140m (Tilicho Base Camp)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The initial part of the trek negotiates the tough, steep, switch backed ascend and continues to climb until the watershed. En route, we enjoy the yaks and deer grazing all over the meadows. You will be overwhelmed with the appealing beauty of Tilicho Lake. It is nestled at the lap of the north face of Tilicho Peak. The French expedition named this lake as “The Great Ice Lake”. The lake holds great spiritual importance to Hindu as this sacred lake is mentioned in Hindus text book – The Ramayana. After exploration, we retrace back to Khangsar village.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

4949m (Khangsar village)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we retrace the route for a while and follow unmarked trail and descend to the river. We further an ancient bridge between Gunsang and Yak Kharka before climbing up to the village of Yak Kharka.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours

Highest Altitude

4040m (Yak Kharka)

Meals

Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner

Although, Yak Kharka – Thorang Phedi trek is short hike, the thin air is tough to deal with. After breakfast, we start gaining height for couple of hours and then descend towards the River. Crossing the river, we climb up to Thorung Phedi. We can climb up to the High camp if you are fit and acclimatized properly. However, Phedi is the best place to halt for almost every trekker.

Activity & Duration

3-4 hours

Highest Altitude

4420m (Thorung Phedi)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Though crossing Thorong La Pass is the toughest and challenging part of the trek, the beauty it offers compensates all the effort. We start trekking early in the morning to avoid the unfavorable weather. If we start lake, there is high risk of rock fall and strong wind. It requires 5 hours of climb to reach the top of Thorong La (5,416m). The surreal scenery of snowy peaks like Annapurna, Manaslu, Yakwakang, Thorung Peak and surrounding peaks are magnificent.

After exploration, we descend through the steep trail to Muktinath. Another couple of hours, we walk through the barren hillside and reach to Muktinath temple – the significant pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhist.

Activity & Duration

7-8 hours

Highest Altitude

3800m (Muktinath)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You can choose to trek down to Tatopani through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world or take an adventurous road drive. We suggest you to drive for Muktinath. Driving through the stunning gorge is the life changing adventure. After reaching Tatopani, we soothe in natural hot spring to relax our tiring muscles.
Overnight in Tatopani
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Activity & Duration

7-8 hours

Highest Altitude

1200m (Tatopani)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Tatopani, we embark north through the forested route of rhododendron and pine trees. In spring, the entire flowers are in state of bloom which adds up more color to the trek. Finally, we reach Ghorepani that is located at the lap of Poon Hill.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Highest Altitude

2850m (Ghorepani)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we make a pre-dawn hike to the ridge of Poon Hill, the famous viewpoint in Nepal after Kalapatthar. The Poon Hill ridge offers the mesmerizing view of Mustang, Pokhara, Upper Dolpo and multiple mountainous peak. After capturing photos, we descend back to Ghorepani and head east to climb the nearby ridge. We climb down through the rhododendron forest and several waterfalls to reach Tadapani.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Highest Altitude

2700m (Tadapani)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is the last day of our trek. We descend through the dense and dark forest to reach Ghandruk. The forested route is filled with magical rhododendron trees. After arrival at Ghandruk, we explore the local museum and village to learn about the local culture and tradition. We further continue to trek until Nayapul where we catch car to drive back to Pokhara.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

827m (Pokhara)

Meals

Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu on tourist bus or private van. En route – we enjoy the best view of mid hill scenery, cultivated fields and quaint villages. After reaching Kathmandu, we take a rest day off and catch last minute shopping in the evening. We attend farewell dinner organized by Alpine Kailash at typical Nepali restaurant with cultural show.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You journey in Nepal ends today. You will be escorted to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. If you wish, you can plan your next Nepal adventure.