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Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake – 17 Days

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake – 17 Days

One of the world’s highest lakes, then over the Thorong La

5.0/5 · 6 reviews From $1,099 per person
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Duration
17 Days / 16 Nights
Region
Annapurna Region
Max altitude
5,416 m (Thorong La)
Difficulty
Challenging
Best season
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Group size
Up to 15

Overview

A journey through the Himalayas

The classic Annapurna Circuit with a side trip to Tilicho Lake (4,920 m), a glacier-fed lake under the north face of Tilicho Peak. The detour adds high country, better acclimatisation and one of Nepal’s great lake views before you cross the Thorong La (5,416 m).

From Dharapani you walk up the Marsyangdi valley through Chame and Pisang to Manang, with a rest day there. You branch west to Tilicho Base Camp, visit the lake, rejoin the circuit at Yak Kharka, sleep at Thorong High Camp and cross the pass to Muktinath. The trail finishes down the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom, then on to Pokhara and Kathmandu.

Distances, times and bridge counts are approximate and change with your pace, the weather and trail conditions. Landslides sometimes shift road and trail sections. It suits fit trekkers comfortable with 5–9 hour days and a very long pass morning. Good second or third trek; strong first-timers can do it with training.

Why book with us: licensed local guides who speak English or Spanish, daily oximeter checks, a full rest day in Manang and flexible transport between Jomsom and Pokhara.

Highlights

What you will see and experience along the way

  • Visit to Tilicho Lake, one of the world’s highest lakes
  • Crossing Thorong La (5,416 m) after the lake side trip
  • High camps toward Tilicho Base Camp
  • Marsyangdi valley into Manang and the arid upper circuit
  • Views of Annapurna, Gangapurna and the Tilicho peaks
  • Buddhist culture of Manang and surrounding villages
  • Extended Annapurna Circuit with a true high-altitude highlight
Difficulty & fitness Challenging

Long days and high passes. Some previous hiking experience recommended.

Day By Day

Your itinerary

Trek route Tap a pin for the day stop
Altitude profile Highest point: 5,416 m
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 Day 1: 1,400 m 1 Day 2: 1,860 m Day 3: 2,670 m 3 Day 4: 3,300 m Day 5: 3,670 m 5 Day 6: 4,600 m Day 7: 4,150 m 7 Day 8: 4,920 m Day 9: 4,018 m 9 Day 10: 4,850 m Day 11: 5,416 m 11 Day 12: 2,810 m Day 15: 1,400 m 15 Day 16: 1,400 m Day 17: 1,400 m 17 5,416 m

Highest point reached each day, taken from the itinerary. Gradual gains give your body time to acclimatize.

Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Meet your guide, check your gear and rent anything still missing in Thamel. Confirm TIMS and ACAP permits, then an early Nepali dinner.
  • 1,400 m
  • Hotel in Thamel
About 230 km and 9–10 hours by jeep via Besisahar, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers through terraced fields and bazaars. The road turns rougher higher up. Dharapani is a small Gurung and Tamang village with the first Buddhist feel of the trek.
  • 1,860 m
  • Teahouse in Dharapani
  • B, L, D
About 15 km and 5–6 hours through Bagarchhap, Danaque, Timang and Koto, with pine forest, suspension bridges and early views of Manaslu and Annapurna II. Chame is the Manang district headquarters, with hot springs and a long mani wall.
  • 2,670 m
  • Teahouse in Chame
  • B, L, D
About 15 km and 5–6 hours past pine forest, apple orchards at Bhratang and the huge curved rock face of Paungda Danda. Upper Pisang has a monastery and a strong view of Annapurna II. The people here are Manangba, Tibetan-style Buddhists.
  • 3,300 m
  • Teahouse in Pisang
  • B, L, D
About 17 km and 6–7 hours on the upper route through Ghyaru (3,670 m) and Ngawal (3,660 m). Wide views of Annapurna II, III and IV, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak as the valley turns dry and high. Manang is a lively Nyeshang town with bakeries and a monastery.
  • 3,670 m
  • Teahouse in Manang
  • B, L, D
Rest day with short hikes: Gangapurna Lake, Praken Gompa (about 3,900 m, ~1.5 hours) or Ice Lake (4,600 m, 5–6 hours round trip). Join the altitude talk at the Himalayan Rescue Association post, drink plenty of water and sleep early.
  • 4,600 m
  • Teahouse in Manang
  • B, L, D
About 16 km and 7–8 hours. Leave the main circuit at Khangsar (3,740 m), climb past Shree Kharka (4,050 m) and continue to Tilicho Base Camp. Dry hillsides, landslide sections and chances of blue sheep and yaks. The lodge is simple and cold, with a huge view of Tilicho Peak.
  • 4,150 m
  • Teahouse at Tilicho Base Camp
  • B, L, D
About 15 km and 8–9 hours round trip. Start early for the steep climb to Tilicho Lake, one of the world’s highest lakes under Tilicho Peak, Nilgiri and Khangsar Kang. Spend about an hour at the shore, then descend carefully on loose rock to Shree Kharka. Bring a windproof layer.
  • 4,920 m
  • Teahouse in Shree Kharka
  • B, L, D
About 13 km and 6–7 hours along high slopes back to the main circuit near Gunsang or Yak Kharka. A bare, windswept landscape of yak pastures — Yak Kharka means “yak pasture” — with Manangba herders along the way.
  • 4,018 m
  • Teahouse in Yak Kharka
  • B, L, D
About 7 km and 4–5 hours via Ledar (4,200 m) and Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) up to High Camp (4,850 m). Cross the Jarsang Khola and a steep, sometimes landslide-prone section. Walk slowly, drink water and sleep early — tomorrow starts around 3–4 am.
  • 4,850 m
  • Teahouse at Thorong High Camp
  • B, L, D
About 16 km and 7–9 hours. Start at 3–4 am with a headlamp, climb 2–3 hours to the Thorong La (5,416 m), then descend about 1,600 m on long switchbacks to Muktinath. Views open to Dhaulagiri and dry Mustang. Muktinath is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 water spouts and the eternal flame at Jwala Mai.
  • 5,416 m
  • Teahouse in Muktinath
  • B, L, D
About 22 km and 6–7 hours on foot, or around 2 hours by jeep, via Jharkot and Kagbeni (2,810 m) along the Kali Gandaki. Dry cliffs, apple orchards and Thakali lodges. Jomsom is the main town, with an airport and a proper hot shower.
  • 2,810 m
  • Teahouse in Jomsom
  • B, L, D
About 160 km and 8–10 hours by jeep through Marpha, Tukuche and Tatopani, along the deep Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna (a ~20-minute flight is possible when planes fly). Rest by Phewa Lake in Pokhara.
  • 820 m
  • Hotel in Pokhara
  • B, L
A free day by the lake. Optional boat ride on Phewa, the World Peace Pagoda or sunset at Sarangkot.
  • 820 m
  • Hotel in Pokhara
  • B
Return to Kathmandu by road in about 6–7 hours along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi valleys, or fly in around 25 minutes.
  • 1,400 m
  • Hotel in Thamel
  • B
Free day for Pashupatinath, Boudhanath or Swayambhunath, or shopping in Thamel for souvenirs and trek gifts.
  • 1,400 m
  • Hotel in Thamel
  • B
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
  • 1,400 m
  • B

Good To Know

What's included

Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • 3 nights in a Kathmandu hotel and 2 nights in a Pokhara hotel, with breakfast
  • Jeep Kathmandu – Dharapani
  • Jeep Muktinath – Jomsom – Pokhara (flight optional when available)
  • Tourist bus or flight Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Licensed trekking guide (English or Spanish)
  • 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
  • Teahouse rooms on the trek, twin sharing
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek
  • Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card
  • First-aid kit and pulse oximeter
  • Staff wages, food, gear and insurance

Not included

  • International flights
  • Nepal visa
  • Travel insurance with helicopter rescue (required)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and charging
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Optional Jomsom – Pokhara flight upgrade
  • Extra nights from weather or road delays

Best Time To Go

When to trek

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • Best
  • Possible
  • Monsoon, not ideal

Recommended: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. We run this trek on the dates you choose. Tell us when you would like to go and we will check conditions for you.

Make It Yours

Tailor this trek to you

This itinerary is a starting point. Tell us what matters to you and we will shape the trip around it.

  • Private departure on the dates you choose
  • Extra rest or acclimatization days
  • Your choice of hotel level in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • A guide who speaks Spanish or English
Customize this trek

Read before you go

Guides related to this trek

On The Map

Full route map

Day stops and the trail overview for this package. Exact paths on high trails can vary with conditions.

Open in Google Maps →

Watch

The journey in motion

Questions

Before you go

One section crosses a loose landslide slope. It is safe in dry weather if you walk steadily and do not stop under it; your guide decides whether to go after rain or snow.
Yes. You can rest in Manang and walk straight to Yak Kharka, which shortens the trek by two to three days.
It is usually frozen from December to April and open water in October and November. Both are worth seeing.
This itinerary uses the road by default (about 8–10 hours). A short mountain flight is possible when planes are flying; if weather cancels flights we continue by jeep, so the trip is not stuck in Jomsom.
Yes. Strong groups can shorten the Pokhara or Kathmandu rest days, or sleep at Thorong Phedi instead of High Camp. Tell us your dates and fitness and we will reshape the plan.

Reviews

What our travellers say

Rated 5.0 out of 5 by 6 travellers

My trekking experience in Nepal was absolutely incredible. From arriving in Kathmandu to the mountains of the Himalaya, everything was perfectly organised. The guides were professional, attentive and very knowledgeable about the region. I felt safe at all times, even travelling alone. Without a doubt, I recommend this...
C Carlos Martínez Spain
I went on a solo trekking adventure to the Everest region with Unique Nepal Treks and Expedition, and it was life-changing! The itinerary was perfectly planned, and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. From arranging flights and hotels to transportation and trekking support, everything was seamless. I felt safe...
R Rohan Sharma Delhi, India · Everest Region
From the moment I landed in Nepal, everything was taken care of with professionalism and warmth. As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe and supported throughout the trek. The landscapes were breathtaking, and the experience was life-changing. I highly recommend this agency — they are truly the best in Nepal...
Sophie Laurent Sophie Laurent France
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