Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and a Local Guide, 14 Days

The Annapurna Circuit runs around a large Himalayan massif and links the Marsyangdi valley with the Kali Gandaki valley. The current trip begins with a transfer to Dharapani, because the lower section of the traditional route now runs along a road. The walking part climbs gradually through Chame and Pisang to Manang, then branches off to Tilicho Lake and returns to the main line at the Thorong La pass.

The main strength of the circuit is how quickly the natural and cultural zones change. Forested valleys and rivers give way to a dry high-altitude plateau, and the settlements of the different districts show the influence of Tibetan and Nepali traditions.

Tilicho Lake at 4920 m is a separate out-and-back objective. The climb from the base camp takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, and after the visit the group descends to Khangsar. The stony slopes require the group to stay compact and to follow the guide's instructions because of the risk of falling rocks. Whether the outing takes place is determined by the weather and the condition of the trail.

The Thorong La pass, 5416 m, is the highest point and the longest day. The group leaves Thorong Phedi before dawn, crosses the pass and then makes a long descent to Muktinath. Acclimatisation in Manang, the night at Tilicho and the consecutive stages above 4000 m prepare the body but do not rule out an altitude reaction. Guidance on the prevention of altitude sickness is worth studying before the trip.

The route suits people of average to good physical condition who can walk for 5 to 7 hours several days in a row. A horse with a handler can sometimes be hired on individual sections, but the availability and safety of that service are confirmed locally. It is not a way to skip acclimatisation and it does not guarantee that the pass will be crossed.

The price includes the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which spares the group a long return road journey. For a shorter route without a pass above 5000 m, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is sold as a separate trip.

This listing is the local-guide format, run with a local Nepali guide. The composition of the local team, the working language and the ratio of participants to assistants are confirmed before booking. A trip with a leader from the Mountain Guide team is sold under a different package and can be quoted individually on request.

Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu.

Participants make their own way to Kathmandu. A team representative meets the group and arranges the transfer to a hotel in the Thamel district. After check-in there is an introduction to the local guide, an equipment check and a briefing on the high-altitude stages. In the evening there is dinner and rest. Night in a hotel.

Day 2. Transfer from Kathmandu to Dharapani, 1995 m.

The group travels by road to the start of the walking section. The modern road makes it possible to drive beyond the traditional starting point at Besisahar and avoid spending a walking day on the low road section, which gives no meaningful acclimatisation. On arrival participants check in and prepare their day packs. Night in a lodge.

Day 3. Trek from Dharapani to Chame, 2710 m.

In 5 to 6 hours the group passes through broadleaf and coniferous forest, mountain villages and the river valley. The gradual height gain helps the group settle into a working rhythm without a sudden climb. In Chame participants rest and monitor their wellbeing before going above 3000 m. Night in a lodge.

Day 4. Trek from Chame to Pisang, 3300 m.

The stage of 5 to 6 hours crosses the river and passes through the Bhratang area, after which the trail climbs towards Pisang. The terrain and the vegetation change gradually and views of Annapurna II and the neighbouring peaks appear. The day forms the next acclimatisation step. Night in a lodge.

Day 5. Trek from Pisang to Manang, 3500 m.

In 6 to 7 hours the group walks among high-altitude fields, forests and traditional settlements. Views of the Annapurna massif and Gangapurna accompany a large part of the route. On arrival in Manang participants check in for two nights, which allows preparation for going above 4000 m. Night in a lodge.

Day 6. Acclimatisation in Manang.

The group stays at the same altitude and makes an acclimatisation outing, which the local guide chooses according to the weather and the condition of the participants. Walks in the direction of the Gangapurna lake and visits to local monasteries are possible. The main purpose is adaptation, recovery and a check of readiness before the route to Tilicho. Night in a lodge.

Day 7. Trek from Manang to Tilicho base camp, about 4200 m.

The route passes through Khangsar and Shree Kharka and then climbs to the base camp. From Manang to Khangsar the stage takes about 2 hours, and from Shree Kharka to the camp a further 2 to 3 hours. On the remote upper section the conditions are more basic and the cold and wind are more noticeable. The night at 4200 m creates the altitude step before the early start for the lake. Night in a lodge.

Day 8. Tilicho Lake, 4920 m, and descent to Khangsar.

The early climb to the lake takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and crosses stony slopes. On individual sections there is a risk of falling rocks, so the group moves on the local guide's instructions and does not linger in dangerous places. After the stop at the lake participants descend to Khangsar, losing a substantial amount of height for recovery. Night in a lodge.

Day 9. Trek from Khangsar to Yak Kharka, 4150 m.

In 4 to 6 hours the group returns to the main line of the circuit and gains about 400 m. The vegetation thins out and high-altitude pastures appear. The stage returns participants to a consistent height gain before Thorong Phedi. Night in a lodge.

Day 10. Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi, 4600 m.

The stage takes about 3 to 4 hours and leads into high-altitude desert with stony slopes. The group spends the night in Thorong Phedi rather than in the upper camp, which keeps conditions more acceptable. After arrival participants rest and prepare warm clothing, torches and water for the early start. Night in a lodge.

Day 11. Thorong La pass, 5416 m, and descent to Muktinath, 3800 m.

The start is before dawn. The group climbs steep and possibly snow-covered sections to the pass and then makes a long descent to Muktinath. This is the hardest day of the route: after the highest point it is necessary to keep strength and concentration for the descent. The local guide may change the start time or turn a participant back because of weather or wellbeing. Night in a hotel.

Day 12. Transfer from Muktinath to Pokhara.

Before departure, if time allows, the group visits the sacred complex of Muktinath. Participants then travel by jeep along the mountain road through the Kali Gandaki valley to Pokhara. The transfer completes the active part and gives an opportunity to recover after the pass. Night in a hotel.

Day 13. Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

The group takes the internal flight, which is included in the price, and checks into a hotel in Kathmandu on arrival. How much free time there is depends on the schedule and on any delay to the flight. An independent trip to Bhaktapur is possible only if there is enough time in reserve. Night in a hotel.

Day 14. End of the trip.

After breakfast there is a transfer to the international airport at the agreed time. Participants check in on their own. The international ticket should be chosen with possible changes to the internal Pokhara to Kathmandu flight in mind.

• A Nepali guide
• Meeting and seeing off at Kathmandu airport
• Accommodation in a four-star hotel in Kathmandu, 2 nights
• Accommodation in lodges and hotels according to the confirmed itinerary
• Group equipment: a first-aid kit and a satellite navigator
• A soft duffel bag for personal belongings, provided locally
• The permissions, permits and entry fees required for the confirmed route
• The transfer to the start of the trek in Dharapani
• The transfer Muktinath to Pokhara
• The internal flight Pokhara to Kathmandu

• International flights to Kathmandu and back
• A Nepal visa
• Medical insurance covering trekking to an altitude of at least 5416 m, search and rescue operations and helicopter evacuation
• Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
• Meals during the trek
• A personal porter for a participant's baggage
• The transport costs of a personal porter
• The services of a horse and its handler
• Single occupancy
• Early check-in, late check-out and additional nights
• Tips for the local team
• Costs arising if a participant ends their participation early
• Additional costs caused by delays, weather or forced change to the itinerary

How you are accompanied. The price shown on this page is the format with a local Nepali guide. Their name, experience, working language and the make-up of the assistant team are confirmed before booking. A Russian-speaking leader from the Mountain Guide team can be requested separately; availability depends on the dates and the size of the group.

The Annapurna Circuit can be run for a family, a group of friends, a club or a corporate group, with no outside participants joining. Dates, Russian-speaking support, personal porters, the standard of town accommodation and extra days in Kathmandu or Pokhara are all agreed individually.

The route can be adapted to a private group's pace, but the day in Manang, the sequence of overnight stops before Thorong La and the high-altitude stages towards Tilicho cannot be shortened without a risk assessment. A horse is confirmed separately and is not used as a substitute for acclimatisation. Any change to the plan is decided by the guide.

A Russian-speaking leader from the Mountain Guide team must be confirmed before booking.

Prepare your documents before you buy non-refundable tickets. The trip includes an international flight and the domestic Pokhara-Kathmandu flight, so the given name and surname on every booking must match your passport exactly.

Check the current visa requirements and the passport validity you need on the website of the Nepal Department of Immigration. Mountain Guide does not arrange visas and does not sell international air tickets.

Documents

• A passport that meets Nepal's current requirements
• A tourist visa or another valid entry permit
• International air tickets
• Confirmation of the domestic Pokhara-Kathmandu flight
• An insurance policy covering trekking to at least 5416 m, rescue and helicopter evacuation
• Your policy number and the insurer's 24-hour emergency contact details
• Your booking confirmation and the organisers' contact details
• Documents for a participant under 18, where these apply
• Digital copies of your passport, visa, tickets and insurance
• Waterproof document wallet

The permits for the confirmed trekking route are arranged by the local team. The current rules on TIMS and on guiding requirements are published on the website of the Nepal Tourism Board.

The route is usually planned for the periods of steadier visibility before and after the summer monsoon. The circuit crosses several climate zones, so rain in the lower valley can go together with snow and wind on Tilicho or the Thorong La.

The trail to the lake crosses a stony slope where the state of the scree and the risk of rockfall depend on rain and on freezing. On the pass you can meet snow, ice, strong wind and poor visibility. Whether additional equipment is needed is decided by the guide according to the conditions at the time.

The road journeys and the domestic flight also depend on the weather and on the state of the roads. The guide may change the start time, drop the out-and-back leg to Tilicho, or turn the group back before the pass. Finishing safely matters more than completing the plan.

Two nights in a 4-star hotel are provided in Kathmandu. Hotels or lodges are used in Pokhara, Muktinath and on the walking section, as set out in the itinerary. The team picks the best of what is available, but the specific properties and room types are confirmed for your travel dates.

Standards on the Annapurna route are on average higher than on Nepal's remoter treks, but a private bathroom, a hot shower, panoramic windows or a heated bed cannot be treated as guaranteed until a particular property has been confirmed. A higher standard of accommodation is planned in Muktinath to help you recover after the pass; the details are given before the trip.

Meals on the trek, and lunches and dinners in Kathmandu, are not included. Participants order from the menu and pay for their own meals. Choice can be limited at Tilicho and Thorong Phedi. Tell us about any dietary restrictions in advance.

Showers and water. A hot shower is available in many villages, sometimes for a charge, but neither its availability nor the water temperature is guaranteed at the higher stops. Conditions are simpler at Tilicho Base Camp and Thorong Phedi.

Toilets. The type of washing facilities depends on the particular lodge. A room with its own bathroom is provided only where one is actually available and has been confirmed. You will need a head torch at night.

Power and charging. Charging your devices may cost extra or be limited. You will need a power bank, your own cables and spare batteries for your torch.

Internet and phone signal. Wi-Fi and a mobile signal are found in the villages, but may be absent on the Tilicho and Thorong La sections. Phone coverage depends on the weather and on the local infrastructure.

Laundry and drying. Do not plan on doing proper laundry above Manang. In the cold, clothing dries slowly, so bring spare socks and underwear and keep a dry set sealed in a waterproof bag.

The standard route does not require constant use of a helmet, harness or ice axe. You bring all of your own personal equipment. Your footwear, sleeping bag and any additional kit for the snow pass should be agreed with your guide according to the conditions on your particular departure.

Documents

• Passport
• Air tickets or e-ticket receipts
• Medical insurance with altitude cover and evacuation
• Digital copies of your documents
• Waterproof cover

Baggage and personal equipment

• Rucksack of 30-50 litres
• Soft duffel bag, provided locally
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating no higher than -5 °C
• Two trekking poles with baskets
• Waterproof rucksack cover
• Dry liner bags for clothing and electronics

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in waterproof trekking boots
• Light footwear for towns and lodges
• Waterproof shell jacket and waterproof trousers
• Fleece jacket or fleece set
• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Down jacket with a hood
• Thick and thin gloves
• Buff or bandana
• Warm hat
• Warm trekking socks
• Gaiters

Useful extras

• Head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life
• Power bank
• Sunglasses
• Rain jacket
• Vacuum flask or water bottle, 1 litre
• SPF 50 sun cream
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage or a personal support brace
• Personal toiletries and a quick-drying towel
• Toilet paper