ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT WITH TILICHO LAKE TREKKING

On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be received by our guides and staff and then transferred to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city.

After getting refreshed, join in with other members of Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Trekking, where our guide will brief you regarding trekking, do’s and don’ts, Nepalese culture, lodge on route trek with full information to make your stay with us enjoyable and memorable, evening welcome dinner at typical Nepalese restaurant with folk-cultural program as entertainment during dinner.      

Morning by 9 a.m. after breakfast for sightseeing tour within heart of Kathmandu around old Durbar (royal palace and courtyard) square, of historical importance includes Temple of Kumari (Living young virgin Goddess) Kastamandap Temple where Kathmandu name derived from, a temple built with the wood of a single tree, tour of old palace during the reign of Malla and late Shah kings.

Tour leads to famous landmark of Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years old a Buddhist Chaitya or Stupa with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.

Afternoon visit holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath adorned with silver doors and golden tiers roofed pagoda a popular and famous temple where thousands of pilgrims visits every year in the month of February on Shiva Rartri (Lord Shiva birth anniversary). From Pashupatinath a short drive to Bouddhanath with Asia’s largest domed Stupa with four cardinals eyes of Buddha surrounded with prayer wheels and small market with interesting stores, shops and restaurants, the place is also known as Little Tibet due to strong hold of Tibetan influenced tribe and peoples.

After an interesting and exciting tour of world heritage sites return back to hotel for Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Valley Trekking preparation and last minute briefing from our guides and staff.

Morning overland journey on main busy highway of Nepal heading towards Mid West zone around Lamjung and Manang districts, drive leads through Himalayan foothills within warmer areas past many farm villages and town.

From Besisahar, we will drive towards Chame.

After Jagat, on winding path to Chamje to join back at Marshyangdi River crossing the river heading into forested area, with super views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges.

As it continues reaching Tal Besi, from here another few hours' drive leads to an overnight stop at Chame village.

From here onwards feel the cool and fresh mountain air, morning walk leads through enchanting alpine forests of rhododendron and pine tree lines following the Marshyangdi River upstream with several ups and downs to Bhratang village, after this small village walk follows uphill’s through the woodlands at Dukure Pokhari with couple of teahouses overlooking views of Chulu’s and Pisang peak and of Pisang village, after a break here descending to reach the lower Pisang village for overnight stop.

Morning walk leads you towards Manang main village, on route with short stop at Humdre and at Braga villages before reaching at Manang village after a great scenic walk of the day.

Morning views of mountains, from Pisang walk leads facing Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu’s and Pisang peak.

Walking on flat valley at Hongde village with its small airstrip, from here onward easy pleasant treks then reaching at main Manang village for overnight stop in the comfort of nice and cozy lodges.

Before Manang, visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches at Manang village.

A rest day in this nice traditional Manang village for acclimatization and short hike to a view point hill below massive Mt. Gangapurna Ice falls and glaciers above Manang emerald colored lake, afternoon explore Manang village of great interest with Buddhist tradition and culture.

After a nice stop in Manang village, morning our route diverts from the main trail of Annapurna circuit to reach the village of Manang at Shri Kharka for overnight stop which is on route to Tilicho Lake.

From Khangsar walk leads down and ups with gradual winding path on soft scree and rocks into windswept dry and arid country facing stunning views of Ganagapurna Himal with Tilicho peaks at close distance as walk brings at Tilicho Base Camp for two overnight stops in this beautiful surrounding of serene environment.

Today, a fresh morning walk of few hours to reach at Tilicho Lake as our route leads around dry and arid country, heading downhill for some time, then uphill to reach Tilicho Lake where you can immerse within amazing scenic surroundings of mountains and lake with glaciers.

Tilicho Lake a holy spot for both Hindu's and Buddhist religions, offering wonderful views of snowcapped peaks after a fascinating time back to Shri Kharka .

After B.F we will continue our journey via Upper Khangsar and then reached at Yak Kharka,
an interesting morning walk with grand views of snowcapped mountains, on crossing a small stream reaching at Yak Kharka, a small and remote settlement of Manang villagers where in early days used to be a Yak grazing land.

After short walk from Yak Kharka we will reach Ledar and Stay over night there.

From Ledar we will  continue towards base of Thorang-la pass, on crossing a bridge with a climb along Jarjung River, final day walk leads at Thorang Phedi with 3-4 lodges and then with short rest an hour steep climb reaches you at Thorang High Camp for overnight stop.

Today, highlight of the adventure crossing over Thorang-La, after an early breakfast walk leads to a long climb to reach on top Thorang-la on winding steep path.

Thorang-La Pass above 5,416 m and 17,700 ft the top festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags, with a sign board of Thorang-La and its specific heights.

From here facing grand view of snowcapped peaks, a long descends takes you at holy Muktinath around Lower Mustang area.

On reaching Muktinath for overnight stop, one of the holiest of all holy spot for Hindu religion and as well for some Buddhist, the word Muktinath literally means ‘place for Nirvana or Liberation’.

From Muktinath, rest of the journey is easier (due to motorable road with few trekking path) taking a jeep drive to shorten the adventure, an exciting ride with big drop of 1,200 m as the trail descend to Kaligandaki river valley to reach at Jomsom.

Jomsom headquarter town of Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, an interesting country around Kaligandaki River valley within dry and arid country with incredible views of windblown hills and canyons.

From Jomsom a short drive to Marpha village one of the most charming village with whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well kept lodges.

This Kaligandaki area famous for delicious apples and its products, here celebrate with local apple products cider, brandy and juices. Kaligandaki area is also famously known as Apple Pie Trail. 

From Marpha enjoy ride following Kaligandaki river downstream, reaching at Tukuche another beautiful village, located beneath Tukuche peak and massive Dhaulagiri Mountain range with Mt. Nilgiris, from here back into tree line of pines, oaks and rhododendron, and then reaching a lovely area in Kalapani village, as the drive continues to Lete with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri.

From Lete onwards leads to dramatic change in landscapes and temperatures, in between two high peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna turning this narrow valley into world deepest gorge of Kaligandaki.

Drive continues to reach at Ghasa village the end of Mustang district dominated by Thakali tribe from here an hour ride to Tatopani (Hot Spring) village within sub-tropic climate area.

Tatopani another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.

From Tatopani, enjoying its refreshing hot spring, our walk continues to cross a bridge over Kaligandaki River and then route diverts towards uphill climbing high onto terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages.

After a steep climb into dense alpine forest reaching Chitre, and then to our overnight stop at Ghorepani village.

Ghorepani offers super views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar also known Annapurna Fang.

Early before sunrise hike to the top Pun Hill to catch the striking sunrise over range of Himalayan peaks of world 7^th highest Dhaulagiri-10^th highest Annapurna with range of peaks includes world 8^th highest Manaslu with towering Machhapuchare peak “Fish Tail”.

After an enjoyable and exciting time with eye catching views from Pun Hill, head back to Ghorepani and continue downhill walk into lovely forested area for an hour and then reaching at Ulleri village with long descend to Tirkhedhunga for overnight stop in warmer areas.

Our last day walk of this marvelous adventure leads downhill to much warmer temperature walking past farm fields and terraces with interesting traditional Gurung villages to reach at Bhirethati with beautiful cascading waterfalls, from this nice village following Modi River for short while to reach at the end of the trek in Nayapul, for the drive back at picturesque Pokhara by the serene Phewa Lake after an hour of exciting drive.

After a wonderful time in the high mountains and hills, taking a morning driving journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after 5-6 hours of nice interesting drive, transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.(Options by air 30 minutes flight back to Kathmandu with great views)

Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan Mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable time on Annapurna Circuit & Kaligandaki Valley Trekking with amazing experience, as per your international flight time our staff transfers you to airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries.