Tilicho Lake Trek to Annapurna Circuit (Thorongla Pass)

Kathmandu Valley sightseeing/ Trek preparation

Early in the morning, we will visit Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, two sacredly held sites in Kathmandu. Both of them are enlisted in the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO. Pashupatinath is a cremation site for the Hindus devoted to Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction. There are numerous monkeys that roam the temple. The site is managed by the Pashupatinath Development Trust. Similarly, Bouddhanath is a Buddhist stupa established While Pashupatinath is established along the banks of the holy river Bagmati, Bouddhanath is the largest stupa in South Asia.

Thus, both are sites worth including in our itinerary. We will then have a detailed session that revolves around trekking, the dos, and the don’ts after lunch.

Kathmandu to Dharapani (1860m/6102ft) Jeep Drive approx ( 8- 9) hours

It takes around 5 hours to drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu via the Prithvi Highway. The drive through the Prithvi Highway is a pleasant one with the beautiful scenery of hills and the Trishuli River. From Besisahar, we will embark on a 2-additional hour’s drive alongside the Marshyangdi River. The roadway passes through beautiful waterfalls and hills. We will then reach Dharapani, where we will stay at a tea house.

Trek to Chame (2610m/8562ft) walk approx (5-6) hours

We will slowly explore the laps of the Annapurna Region today. We will pass a valley with two settlements: Bagarshap and Denayaque. The climb to Timang village is challenging, but the views of Mt. Manaslu and Peak 29, while we have lunch after arriving, are awesome. We will then descend through the vegetation of fir and pine. Trek through Koto village finally brings us to Chame. The night will be spent in Chame.

 Trek to  Upper Pisang (3300m/10830ft) walk approx (5-6) hours

Trekking through diverse landscapes and scenery brings us to Bhratang. The commercial apple farm in Bhratang produces more than 200,000 kgs of apples annually. The highlight of the trek is the Phaugdi Dada, an impressive sight of the massive curved rock. While the river Marshyangdi is to our left, Phaugdi Dada stands 150m from the river surface. Trekking through rhododendrons and pine vegetation will finally bring us to Dhukur Pokhari. After lunch in Dhukur Pokhari, we will skip the road track and reach Upper Pisang. The day’s activity pretty much ends after we explore a Buddhist monastery.

Trek to Manang via the upper route (3540m/11614ft) and walk approx (6-7) hours

Today, we follow the higher route which helps us acclimate our bodies to the thin air of the mountains. This route leads us via a steep climb to Ghyaru. A gentle climb brings us to Nawal village.

This route offers panoramic mountain views of the Annapurna range. From Nawal, we drop down to the main trail bypassing the pasture fields, and reach the ancient monastery of Braga. We will have a tea break and explore the monastery of Braga. Afterwards, we will follow the undulating trail to Manang. Overnight in Manang.

Acclimatization and Rest Day

Today we spent the day doing a short acclimatization walk around Manang, gently adapting to the thin air. Most trekkers climb the hills behind Manang up to an ancient monastery about 400m from Manang.

The monastery offers magnificent views of the Annapurna range, Ghangapurna icefalls, Gangapurna Lake, and Manang village. Alternatively, we can also walk to Gangapurna Lake for acclimatization. We will return to the lodge and stay the night.

Trek to Shree Karkha (4080m/13386ft) approx (4-5)Trek from Manang to Shree Khark, after leaving Manang village, we have to follow left rather than the Trrail to Yak Kharka alongside Marshyandi river valley.

As the trail ascends, Tilicho Peak (7,134m) gradually makes its appearance. You will also cross the Khangsar River on the way. There is a local monastery sitting peacefully in Kangsar, above Kangsar Village and below Shreekharkha, which is worth a visit. Moreover, you will also witness the Himalayan culture from close. Overnight in Kangsar.

Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4200/13780ft) approx 5-6 hours

After an energizing breakfast, our trek continues through a monastery and pasturelands where Yaks graze. The trail gradually slopes upwards. The higher you reach, the valley below appears even more beautiful.

Two paths lead us to Tilicho Base Camp. Regardless of which path we take, we will ultimately reach a place that has an artificial inscription of the Tilicho Base Camp and its altitude. This marks that we have made it to the base camp. As always, the base camp offers exciting views of the mountains.

Trek to Tilicho Lake and back to Shree Kharka

The journey from the base camp to Tilichi Lake is tough to dominate, especially because the trail is filled with snow and ice. It takes around 4 hours to reach Tilicho Lake from the base camp. Situated at an altitude of 4,919 meters (16,138 ft), Hindus believe that this lake is mentioned in their holy scripture, the Ramayana. The lake is surrounded by the mountains Khangsar, Muktinath Peak, Nilgiri, and Tilicho. The Nepali Department of Hydrology & Meteorology claims that no aquatic organisms live in the lake.

Nevertheless, the view itself is sure to bring you alive. After spending an emotionally satisfying time in the lake, we will return to Tilicho Base Camp, where we will have lunch and follow back to way trail to Shree Khara. Overnight in at Shree Kharka

Trek to Yak Kharka (4030m/13222ft) approx (4-5 hours)

The treeline ends and you exit the Marshyangdi valley. You will also cross a long Mani wall on the way. Yak Kharka is exactly what its name says it is–grazing fields (Kharka) for Yaks. You will get the views of Tilicho Peak (7134m), Khatungkang (6484m), Chulu (6584m), and Annapurna III. Overnight in Yak Kharka.

Trek to Throngla Phedi (4450m/14600ft)  or High Camp ( 4850m/ 15912ft) walk approx (4-6) hours

The territory becomes wilder as we move on. The trek continues to Thorongla Phedi. We will begin descending after arriving in the village of Ledar. We then cross a suspension bridge and the ascent commences.

We will stop for tea at a tea shop. Then, the trail from here to Phedi is fairly undulating. We will go on an acclimatization walk after having lunch in Phedi. This greatly helps you adapt to the changing surroundings. Also, acclimatization walks ensure you sleep peacefully at night.

Trek to Thorang la pass (5416m/14816ft) and descent to Muktinath (3760m/12139ft) walk approx (9-10) hours

This is arguably the most exciting day of the entire trek. Unless you hydrate well and control your pace (i.e. walk slowly), passing this pass takes a toll on trekkers. The day starts early and we will set off with head torches and proper trekking gear. We will hit the summit of the pass at around 9. The peak is marked by prayer flags that beautify the surroundings and waver in the wind.

The mountains stand tall as beautifully as ever to seduce you. We will then trek down to Muktinath. Be extra careful since the slope is steep. We should reach the Muktinath valley by 4 pm. Overnight in Muktinath.

Muktinath Exploration and Drive to Tatopani

Muktinath is a sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrine frequented by Nepali and Indian pilgrims. The temple stands as a symbol of Nirvana and Salvation. Since the trekking trail is the roadway itself, we will take a vehicle to avoid the dust. The roadway takes us from Muktinath to Jomsom, Marpha, Ghasa, and finally to Tatopani. As the name suggests (Tatopani means Hot Spring), Tatopani has a natural hot spring where you can take a bath. The hot spring is believed to relieve trekkers of the tiredness and stress of the trek. Our village is only a few minutes away from the hot spring.

Trek to Ghorepani (2830m/9285ft) approx walk 7-9 hours

The trek from our hotel to the nearest suspension is through the roadway. We will then leave the roadway and take left. The trail is gradually uphill and passes through varied vegetation and sceneries. The trek goes through massive Rhododendron and Magnolia forests during the entire day and it finally brings us to Ghorepani. Ghorepani is the main intersection of numerous treks that channel throughout the Annapurna Region. Overnight in Ghorepani.

Trek and Drive to Pokhara

We will wake up early and go on an uphill hike of 1.5 hours to Poon Hill. Since it is early, the path is illuminated by head torches from numerous trekkers. Poon Hill is an excellent photography site, thus making the early hike worth it. The peaks visible from here are Dhaulagiri I, Dhaulagiri II, Dhaulagiri III, Dhaulagiri IV, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal, and Tukche. We will then return to our hotel for breakfast. Then, you pack your stuff to descend through a jungle and reach a jeep station via Banthati. We will board a jeep to Pokhara after lunch at a nearby hotel.

Free Exploration Day

There are a lot of adventure options in this beautiful city of lakes. There are numerous adventurous activities to choose from. A few of them are Rafting, Bunjee Jumping, Zip flying, and Paragliding. This is a free and self-customizable day, all the team members won’t be at the same location. Thus, after an all-inclusive breakfast, you can have lunch and dinner at a hotel of your choice, something Pokhara has at its best. There are numerous popular restaurants and delicious cuisines to choose from.

Fly to Kathmandu/ Drive via a tourist bus.

It takes 30 minutes to fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. On the other hand, the drive takes about 6 hours. After reaching our hotel, you will have a special dinner with a cultural performance at a nearby hotel. This event is funded by Mercy Holidays itself.

Final departure.