23-Day Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with Tilicho Lake and Muktinath

23 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Sign up for the Great Annapurna Circuit of Nepal to see mountains like Boudha Himal and Langtang Himal, trek through rhododendron forests, and follow the Marsch...

Duration: 23 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Hard · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Pokhara, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Besisahar, Ghorepani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Tatopani, Muktinath, Dharapani, Ghandruk · Languages: English, German

About Chame

Nepal

Chame

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What's Included

Pick-up and transfer by inland typical vehicle
Welcome dinner
Entrance fees for all mentioned sightseeing places
Required TIMS and permits
Touristic hotels and rooms on a bed and breakfast basis in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara
3 meals on trekking days
Bilingual professional guide
1 porter for two people
Insurance for guide and porters

Not Included

Visa for Nepal (EUR 35,- or USD 40,-)
Sightseeing not described in the programme
Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, snacks, etc.
Vaccination and travel insurance
Extra payment in case of illness, rescue, changes to the programme because of acts of nature beyond control, and additional expenses for overnight accommodation resulting from this

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Meet your tour guide upon arrival and transfer to the hotel in Bhaktapur. You will be provided with a typical Nepalese dinner as your welcome in Nepal by evening. Discuss your trip programs, ask your guide, and get clear about the trip you have booked. Overnight:- Three Star Touristic Hotel (B/-/D)
2

Day 02

Seightseeing in Bhaktapur

Have breakfast early morning and you will be given time by your guide for sightseeing around the old city Bhaktapur. Walk around the old city to see and get knowledge about wood crafting and stone crafting culture. Peacock windows and various other historically important Buildings. Overnight:- Three Star Touristic Hotel (B/-/-)
3

Day 03

Besisahar - Jagat

Drive through the busiest highway Prithivi Highway for almost 8 hrs. See the various landscapes of Nepal and if the weather is clear you will also see mountains like Boudha Himal and Langtang Himal Ganesh Himal. Once you reach Besi Sahar, see mountains in the Mansari range like Nadi chilli, Himal Chuli and Lamjung Himal. Once you reach you will change your transport and drive further up to Jagat. Overnight in a lodge in Jagat (1,300 m) (B/L/D)
4

Day 04

Jagat - Dharapani

Start early in the morning and explore the impressive mountain backdrop through villages and rhododendron forests, over the Marschyangdi River, rocks, and narrow paths up into the valley. The open plateau invites you to take a lunch break. In the afternoon, the landscape transforms every step: the higher we go, the more evident the country's Buddhist heritage becomes. The appearance of the fields, buildings and people changes. Oak and mixed forests line our path to the left and right. Pass magnificent waterfalls here and there. After crossing the river several times, we will reach Dharapani, surrounded by rolling barley fields and is already in the Manangi residential area. Hike: approx. 6 hours (+530 m/-210 m) Overnight in a lodge in Dharapani (1,860 m) (B/L/D)
5

Day 05

Trek - Chame(2670m)

Today, cover several meters of altitude. First, we will go to the village of Bagarchhap at 2,160 m. Here we can expect typical Tibetan architecture and a magnificent view of the mountain giants Annapurna II (7,937 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m) and Manaslu (8,163 m). The trail continues through mixed forest to Tamang and Lata Marang villages, passing fields and fruit trees. In the afternoon, we will reach today's stage destination Chame, the region's administrative centre. Hike: Approx. 5-6 hours (+550 m/-200 m) Overnight in a lodge in Chame (2,670 m) (B/L/D)
6

Day 06

Chame - Pisang

Trek across the valley to Bhratang village, further through spruce and pine forests to Dhukure Pokhari. Have our lunch break with a view of Annapurna II (7,937 m) and the spectacular, almost vertical face of Paungda Danda (4,986 m). In the afternoon, the path leads into a deeply cut gorge, where we explore the area and visit the colourful monastery in historic Upper Pisang. Hike: Approx. 6-7 hours (+750 m/-150 m) Overnight stay in a lodge in Pisang (3,200 m) (B/L/D)
7

Day 07

Pisang - Managng(3500m)

Explore a much drier, almost desert-like area that awaits us today, strongly reminiscent of the "roof of the world": Oasis villages with typical Tibetan houses, characteristic buckwheat fields, and the bleating of goats are our companions. The path first takes us along the eastern side of the Marschyangdi River, past chortens (Tibetan cult buildings) and mani stones. Travel to Ghyaru. The latter are stones with sacred texts or traditional prayer formulas for Tibetan Buddhists. Across a suspension bridge and after a steep climb, we reach the old Tibetan village of Ghyaru. A great panorama awaits us when the weather is excellent: the Annapurna range (8,091 m) and countless ice-covered peaks. We will continue along a long mountain trail to the village of Ngawal and further to Braga (3,440 m), where we spend the next two nights acclimatising. The silhouettes of the mountain peaks Annapurna (8,091 m) and Gangapurna (7,454 m), which are now only a few kilometres away, dominate this high valley. The mighty icefalls of the glacier seem close enough to touch—an ideal place to enjoy the landscape and rest. Hike: Approx. 7 hours (+820 m/-300 m) Overnight in a lodge in Manang(3,500 m) (B/L/D)
8

Day 08

Acclimatization and exploration day around Manang

Today, you will rest and make yourself comfortable acclimatising yourself for the following days. We can explore Manang and get used to the altitude, and nearby gompas and hills are perfect for the acclimatisation point. Overnight in a lodge in Manang (3,500 m) (B/L/D)
9

Day 09

Trek from Manang to Siri kharka(4060m)

Today, plan a leisurely hike. It takes us to Khangsar, the last village after Lake Tilicho. After Manang, it is a gradual uphill, then downhill to Khangsar Bridge and back up to Khangsar village. Walking further up to the Village of Srikharka makes us very tired. Before reaching Siri kharka, we will be climbing up a hill for almost an hour and overnight in a small hotel in Siri kharka(4060m). If you still feel like it, you can go on another hike in the area in the afternoon to acclimatise. Hike: approx. 6 hours (+850 m/-140 m) Overnight in a cabin/lodge (B/L/D)
10

Day 10

Siri kharka - Tilicho Base Camp

Trek the trail from Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp. It isn’t very steep, but it might be tiring as you will have to walk on narrow paths in loose stones and a landslide-prone area. This trail offers you a panoramic view of Tilicho Peak. Tilicho Base Camp is located at 4140 meters from sea level, and this is the last place where mountain lodges are available before Tilicho Lake. Overnight at Mountain Lodge Hike: approx. 4 hours (+400 m/-300 m) (B/L/D)
11

Day 11

-Tilicho Lake - Siri Kharka

Today you head out to Tilicho Lake in the early morning when there is less wind. As the day progresses the winds tend to increase. The initial climb is slightly tough. Then the path continues to pester along the side of the mountain in a gradual steep rise before reaching the watershed. On the way, you can enjoy yaks and deer grazing along our path. On the other side is Tilicho Lake, a large spectacular lake nestled at the foot of the north face of the Tilicho Peak. The lake was referred to by the leader of the French expedition team as ‘The Great Ice Lake’. The Lake also holds an important place for the Hindus as this holy lake is featured in one of the holiest texts of the Hindus, The Ramayana. After spending some time at the lake, we will retrace our steps and return back to Siri Kharka. Hike: 6-7 hours (+100/850 m) Overnight in a simple lodge (B/L/D)
12

Day 12

Srikharka - Yak kharka

Take the short or the long way over a pasture. Our trekking tour passes through the village of Khangsar again. It's uphill again, first along a river, then small, old villages. Before reaching Gunsang village, look at the mighty Manaslu (8,163m) and Peak 29 (7,871m). Continue to Yak Kharka across green meadows with grazing yaks and curious horses. Today's slightly shorter hike is ideal for helping our bodies acclimatise. Hike: 5-6 hours (+705 m/-350 m) Overnight in a lodge in Yak Kharka (4,050 m) (B/L/D)
13

Day 13

Yak kharka - Thorong Phedi

Make way to the highest sleeping place of the entire tour. The path continues to climb and turns northwest into a side valley. With a bit of luck, we can observe the herds of the “volatile” blue sheep here. To acclimatise, depending on time and condition, we will climb a little or up to the High Camp (4,925 m) of Thorong La today to be well prepared for tomorrow's crossing of the high mountain pass. Hike: Approx. 5 hours (+520 m/-130 m) Overnight in a lodge in Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) (B/L/D)
14

Day 14

Trek from Thorang Phedi to Muktinath(3,760m)

Start between 02:30 and 03:30 in the morning and climb up to Thorong La (5,416 m), the geographical highlight of our trip. A rush of heights under prayer flags whose mantras carry the winds in all directions, chortens and a breathtaking view of Annapurna (8,091 m), Gangapurna (7,454 m) and Yak Gawa (6,484 m) await us. Far below us is the Kali Gandaki valley, and further north is the rocky peak of Thorungtse (6,144 m). Begin the descent to Muktinath (3,760m), located in the former Kingdom of Mustang. Due to its numerous sacred springs and temples, Muktinath is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Hike: Approx. 9-10 hours (+1,000 m/-1,700 m) Overnight in a lodge in Muktinath (3,760 m) (B/L/D)
15

Day 15

Tatopani

Today we move motorised. A whole new world awaits us, full of grazing water buffalo, ripening banana trees, green bamboo and giant ferns. Through narrow and deep gorges, past mighty waterfalls, we reach our destination, the village of Tatopani. Translated, it means "hot water". Rightly so. We will relax and recharge our batteries with a soothing bath in the hot thermal springs. Tip: take your bathing suit with you. Driving time: approx. 6-7 hours Overnight stay in a lodge in Tatopani (1,190 m) (B/L/D)
16

Day 16

Shikha

Leave the dreamy village of Tatopani and cross the Kali Gandaki River. It is the source of one of Nepal's four most significant rivers. From here it's uphill again. Drive from Kali Gandaki Gorge through small villages and an attractive landscape towards Sikha. Hike: approx. 4 hours (+845 m/-90 m) Overnight in a lodge in Sikha (1,935m) (B/L/D)
17

Day 17

Trek to Ghorepani (2860m)

After breakfast, head towards the village of Ghorepani. Hike in the shade of magnificent rhododendron forests, in between views of the snow-capped peaks coming closer and closer. The last part is steeply uphill. We will finally reach our destination Ghorepani. Hike: approx. 4 hours (+945 m) Overnight in a lodge in Ghorepani (2,860 m) (B/L/D)
18

Day 18

Tada Pani

Experience the sunrise on the famous Poon Hill (3,210 m) in the early morning - after a hike of about one hour. The sun's rays dance across the peaks, ridges and gorges of the Annapurna range, slowly illuminating the protagonists Annapurna (8,091 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), time seems to stand still for a moment. Getting up early is worth it. The rest of the day, we will hike down and up. Over hundreds of stone steps, we will reach Tadapani. Hike: approx. 4 hours (+819 -1080m) Overnight in a lodge in Tada Pani (2,610m) (B/L/D)
19

Day 19

Trek to Ghandruk (1940m)

Begin your trek to Ghandruk, also known as the 'Switzerland of Nepal'. This is a more leisurely journey than on previous days, so relax as you go downhill along these gentle slopes. First, head to Bhise-Kharka and then continue along forested trails to Ghandruk (6,400 feet/ 1,950 m), where you will stop for lunch. This terraced mountain village is populated by Nepal's ethnic groups: the Gurung people. Explore the maze of village stairs that connect cafés, shops, and teahouses while admiring the peaks of Annapurna South, Himchhuli, and Fishtail in the distance. Visit the Gurung Museum and learn about traditional textiles and equipment used by the locals. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon on your own. (if time allows) Trekking time: 3-4 hours Overnight in Simple Lodge. (B/L/D)
20

Day 20

Nayapul - Pokhara

Have breakfast and drive to Pokhara. On the way, we will be watching our neighbour village Landruk and behind will be Fishtail and Annapurna. Drive off-road till Sauli Bazar for almost 1 hr and then continue to Nayapul on the comfortable blacktopped road. Once we are at the end of Nayapul, we will be driving through Beni Baglung highway till we reach Pokhara. The evening is free, and you can explore on your own. Duration 3 hrs. (B/-/D)
21

Day 21

Drive to Kathmandu

Drive after your breakfast for almost 6 to hrs on Prithivia highway bring us to Kathmandu. There is also the fastest way to arrive in Kathmandu from Pokhara by taking a flight. Overnight in Three-star Touristic Hotel. (B/-/D)
22

Day 22

Kathmandu Sightseeing

Explore around Kathmandu, and by evening, we will be visiting Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, both Hindu and Buddhist Hub for the whole world. In the evening, after your sightseeing tour, you will be treated to a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese Restaurant. Overnight in Three Star Touristic Hotel. (B/-/D)
23

Day 23

Departure

Have your breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Airport and departure to home Country.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), International Terminal, Kathmandu, Nepal · Tour start: Ring Rd, काठमाडौँ 44600, Nepal — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.