Our own team on the ground. Dutch certified. The best of both worlds.
Deliberately small groups. And personal attention before, during and after your trip.
By hiring local guides and porters, you help them earn a good income. Close to home, not overseas.
In a nutshell
The Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake takes you through one of Nepal’s most varied trekking regions. Over 15 days, the landscape shifts completely: from subtropical river valleys near Chamje to the vast, wind-swept highlands north of the Annapurna massif. Every day looks different from the one before.
From Chamje, we follow the Marsyangdi River upstream through forests, gorges and stone villages with Tibetan roots. The route climbs gradually. Acclimatisation days in Manang give your body time to adjust before the high section begins.
Then comes the detour that sets this trek apart. We leave the main circuit and climb to Tilicho Lake at 4,920 m / 16,138 ft. Ice-blue water, towering rock walls and a silence that stays with you. Most trekkers on the circuit never make it here.
From there, we return to the main route and face the big one: Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft, one of the highest trekking passes in the world. We start before sunrise, move slowly and steadily, and reach the summit as prayer flags snap in the wind. The descent to Muktinath is its own reward.
We end in Pokhara, with the Annapurnas reflected in Phewa Lake and a bag full of memories.
Note: This is a suggested itinerary. Your trip is custom-made to fit your wishes and experience. Tell us what your preferences. And we’ll draft a personalised day-to-day program.
Spring (February through April) and autumn (mid-September through November) are the best seasons for this trek. The weather is stable, the skies are clear and the chance of snow at Thorong La Pass is at its lowest.
Autumn is slightly busier. Spring is a little quieter, with rhododendron forests in full bloom along the route.
You don’t need to be a top athlete, but this trek does ask something of you. Think 4 to 7 hours of walking per day, several days in a row, at altitude. If you’re used to multi-day mountain hikes, you’ll generally be fine. The hike to Tilicho Lake (4,920 m / 16,141 ft) and the trek over the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,770 ft) are the most demanding sections.
Not sure? Just get in touch. We’re happy to look at your experience level together and see whether this route suits you.
This is a suggested itinerary. A plan that shows what a trek like this can look like. Not how it has to go.
Get in touch and we’ll create a trek that fits your level of fitness and experience.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone. Regardless of age, fitness or experience. Even the most seasoned mountain walkers can struggle with it.
The best prevention is ascending slowly. That’s why you never sleep more than 500 metres higher than the night before. This gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Drink plenty of water and listen to your body. Headaches, dizziness or nausea are signals to take seriously. Our guides are trained to recognise symptoms and will adjust the programme if necessary.
And if you do get altitude sickness? Descending is the only right choice. No debate, no hesitation. That’s not failure. That’s wisdom.
Yes. All our Individual Trips are suggested routes, not fixed schedules.
Get in touch and we will put together a personalised proposal that fits your plans.
🌳 Four climate zones in one trek
From the subtropical river valleys below 2,000 m to the high-altitude desert above 4,000 m, the Annapurna Circuit passes through four distinct climate zones in a single journey. Subtropical forest gives way to temperate woodland, then alpine meadows, then the vast wind-swept plateau north of the Annapurna range, where the landscape shifts completely and feels closer to Tibet than Nepal.
What’s included
The price of this trip is per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
Are you travelling solo or with a larger group? We are happy to make you a custom price proposal. Just send us a message and we’ll get back to you with the options.
Included in this trip
- Pre-trip meeting and briefing in Kathmandu
- All required trekking permits
- Licensed English speaking trekking guide (salary, transport, accommodation, meals, gear and insurance)
- Private transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead
- All teahouse accommodation during the trek – 13 nights
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
- Private transport from the trek endpoint to Pokhara
- 24/7 support from the By Mountain People team throughout your trip
- Booking secured through the Calamity Fund
- Booking secured through VZR Garant
- VAT and tourist service charge
Not included
- Porter service (on request)
- Any hot and cold drinks
- Insurance covering rescue and evacuation
- Tips
- All other expenses not listed under 'Included'
Day-to-day program
This is an example itinerary. It shows you how the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is typically structured, day by day. Because we tailor every journey to your wishes and experience, the exact program may vary.
Note: walking times are indicative and depend on your walking pace.
The day before the trek begins. You meet your guide, go through the itinerary and check your gear. Missing something? Your guide will take you to the outdoor shops nearby to get everything sorted.
Got everything you need? Take the rest of the day to recover from the jetlag, explore Thamel at your own pace or venture a little further into the city.
In the morning, we board our jeep to Chamje (1,410 m / 4,626 ft), the starting point of our trekking. The drive takes about 7 to 8 hours. Gradually, the scenery changes: from the bustle of the city to rolling hills, rice terraces, and more rugged nature.
The adventure has begun! We start the trek with a steady climb along the wild Marsyangdi River. After passing through Tal and Dharapani, where the Manaslu and Annapurna routes converge, we hike onward to Bagarchhap (2,160 m / 7,087 ft). A quiet mountain village surrounded by apple trees, dal bhat, and views of snow-capped peaks.
Today, we climb through forests and along the river toward Chame (2,650 m / 8,694 ft). Along the way, we can hear the sound of yak bells, see Annapurna II suddenly loom in the distance, and meet locals with Tibetan roots. In Chame, a small hot spring awaits our tired legs.
💦 Visit the hot spring
Near the riverside of Chame, surrounded by pine trees, there are small natural hot springs. They're basic and small, and mostly quiet. If the water level is high enough, it's a nice place to visit and relax.
We start early, following a rugged path through a narrow valley filled with cliffs, forests, and rivers. Crossing suspension bridges, we ascend to Upper Pisang (3,300 m / 10,827 ft), a quiet mountain village of stone houses, a monastery, and magical mountain views.
🏘️ Lower Pisang versus Upper Pisang
Most trekkers follow the lower trail and pass straight through. By climbing to Upper Pisang, you'll get a completely different experience. The two villages lie on the same mountain, but with a height difference of nearly 200 metres. Stone houses, a monastery, and views of Annapurna II. The lower village has guesthouses and a teahouse. The upper village has silence.
Explore Pisang
Pisang is a beautiful place to explore. From your teahouse it’s a small hike to the Monastery. Well worth the visit!
Visit the monastery
The monastery in Upper Pisang dates back around 250 years and is one of the oldest in the Annapurna region. It sits above the village on a ridge, with views that make the climb up worth every step. Inside, butter lamps flicker in front of ancient thangkas. Time moves differently up here.
We hike through the dry, high-altitude Manang district today. This region lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna massif, which provides clear weather and endless views. We follow one of two routes to Manang (3,540 m / 11,614 ft), situated deep within the impressive high mountains.
Explore Manang
Manang is the capital of the region, so there’s a lot to explore. Want to go for a small walk? Here are some ideas.
Visit the health clinic
The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) runs a clinic in Manang where altitude sickness is the main topic. Every afternoon, trekkers can attend a free talk on the symptoms of AMS, what to do when things go wrong, and how to acclimatise safely. Before you head higher, this is worth an hour of your time.
Watch a movie
Manang has a cinema. A real one. Every evening, a trekking film is shown in a small room with wooden benches. It started as a way to keep trekkers entertained on their acclimatisation day. Today it is a small institution on the circuit. Bring popcorn. Or just a snicker.
Send a postcard
Manang has its own post office. At 3,540 m / 11,614 ft, it is one of the highest post offices in the world. You can send a postcard from here to anywhere on the planet. Proof that you were here, at altitude, before the big pass
We take it easy today. No major elevation gain, but plenty of time to acclimatize. If you like, we can go for a short hike. Or, just kick-back and relax in the village.
Day hike
Going for a hike today? These are 2 great options.
Hike to Gangapurna Lake
On your acclimatisation day in Manang, there is an optional hike up to Gangapurna Lake. It's located at an altitude of approximately 3,700 meters near the village of Manang.
Hike to Ice Lake
Or, choose the more challenging hike to Ice Lake at around 4,600 m / 15,092 ft. It takes about three to four hours to climb and rewards you with a glacial lake and a panorama over the entire Manang Valley.
After our rest day in Manang, we push on toward Tilicho Lake. We pass the quiet village of Khangsar and climb along rugged slopes. By the end of the day, we reach Shree Kharka: cold, silent, and pure. Time to recharge.
We trek higher into the mountains, passing a deserted monastery and crossing a steep ridge. After an exciting descent, we reach Tilicho Base Camp (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Raw, silent, and impressive.
Before you crawl into your sleeping bag, we step outside. At 4,150 m / 13,615 ft, far from any city light, the sky above Tilicho Base Camp is vast and uninterrupted. Stars from one ridge to the next … 🤩
🏔️ The last teahouse
Tilicho Base Camp sits at 4,150 m / 13,615 ft and serves as the overnight stop before the final climb to the lake. There are no teahouses beyond this point, and no accommodation at the lake itself. The base camp exists because the lake is too exposed and too cold to sleep near. What you find here is basic and raw: a few lodges, yak dung fires in the dining room, and a sky full of stars.
We set off early, as the wind picks up quickly here. In about 3 to 4 hours, we climb to Tilicho Lake (4,920 m / 16,141 ft). Ice-blue water surrounded by vast emptiness. Magic. Afterward, we return to Base Camp, where we soak it all in.
🙏🏽 The holy lake
Hindus believe that Tilicho Lake is the ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake, mentioned in the epic Ramayana. The lake is considered sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, and thousands of pilgrims travel here each year. At 4 km long and 1.2 km wide, it is still the lake with the longest diameter at this altitude in the world. Swimming is not allowed. The water is sacred and freezing.
We leave Tilicho and return to the Annapurna route. The path ascends gradually, and the landscape becomes more rugged. Less green, more stone. In the afternoon, we reach Yak Kharka (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), a quiet place amidst yaks, wind, and mountain peaks.
We continue our slow ascent. The air gets thinner, and every step feels heavier. We stop for lunch at Thorong Phedi (4,450 m / 14,600 ft) before climbing further to High Camp (4,850 m / 15,192 ft). Less sleep, perhaps, but a head start on the pass.
Today is the day: we cross the Thorong La (5,416 m / 17,770 ft). Up early, moving slowly but steadily. Every step counts. At the summit, the prayer flags flutter in the wind. We made it!
Afterward, we descend to Muktinath: warm water, more air, and a shared sense of victory.
🙏🏽 Holy Muktinath
Muktinath is one of the only sacred sites in the world revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. For Hindus, it is one of the most important temples of Lord Vishnu and the only one of the 108 Divya Desams located outside India. The outer courtyard has 108 bull-faced water spouts. Pilgrims bathe under each one, the water flows straight off the Himalayas and is shockingly cold. Buddhists know the site as Chumig Gyatsa, meaning "Hundred Waters," and believe that Guru Rinpoche meditated here on his way to Tibet.
Today, we trek down to Kagbeni and then follow the Kali Gandaki river to Jomsom. This is a large town with many facilities. It is also headquarter and official town for the Mustang district, where all the district government offices are present.
We rise early for the jeep ride to Pokhara. Heading toward warmer air, soft beds, and the silhouette of the Annapurnas reflected in the lake. We’ve reached the Tilicho Lake, and we’ve crossed the Thorong La pass!
Cheers to this beautiful adventure and the memories we’ve made. 😁
Walking & pace
We usually start the day early. Breakfast is at 7 AM, and we leave the lodge around 8. The morning hours are when the air is freshest and the views are at their clearest.
We stop for lunch towards the end of the morning. Lunch is freshly prepared, warm and unhurried. It can take a while for the food to come out, but that is part of the rhythm. You sit down, drink something, rest your legs and refuel for the afternoon.
In the afternoon, we usually walk a little further to reach the lodge for the night. By around five, we sit down for an early dinner. We order breakfast for the next morning at the same time, so it is ready when we are.
Throughout the day there is plenty of time to drink water, reapply sunscreen, take photos and simply look around. The mountains are not in a hurry, and neither are we.
Route
Altitude
More information
During the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake, we walk through the heart of the Annapurna region over 13 trekking days, including the detour to Tilicho Lake and the crossing of Thorong La Pass. We walk an average of 6 hours per day. The acclimatisation day in Manang gives our bodies time to adjust before the high section begins. The steepest day is the crossing of Thorong La, which requires an early start and a long descent to Muktinath on the other side.
The trails vary from well-maintained valley paths and stone staircases to exposed high-altitude terrain above 4,000 m. The section to Tilicho Lake and the pass crossing are the most demanding parts of the route and involve crossing a landslide.
Quick facts
- Route type: loop with out and back detour to Tilicho Lake
- Total distance: approximately 175 km /109 mi
- Starting point: Chamje (1,410 m / 4,626 ft)
- Highest point: Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,769 ft)
- End point: Jomsom (2,720 m / 8,924 ft)
- Number of trekking days: 13
- Number of rest days: 1
- Highlights along the way:
- Upper Pisang Monastery
- Manang
- Thorong La Pass
- Muktinathi
- Kagbeni
Practical
Everything you need to know before you go. Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to reach out.
The best preparation is simply walking. Preferably several days in a row, with a backpack and elevation gain. In the months before departure, build up to walking days of 5 to 6 hours. Work on your overall fitness with cardio training (running, cycling, swimming) and don’t neglect your legs: squats, lunges and stair training work wonders.
Just as important: break in your hiking boots in time. New boots in Nepal are a guaranteed recipe for blisters. Ideally, start your training 3 to 6 months before departure.
Once your trip is confirmed, you’ll receive all the practical information you need to leave well prepared. This includes visa information, recommended vaccinations and a detailed packing list.
After arriving in Kathmandu, there’s a pre-trip meeting with your guide. We go through the route, the latest weather forecasts and there’s plenty of room for any final questions. We also do a gear check, to make sure you have everything you need for the trip. Missing something, or not sure about your gear? We’ll head out together to sort it. Kathmandu has plenty of good outdoor shops. 😉
During the trek you sleep in teahouses: simple mountain lodges with firm mattresses, pillows and blankets against the cold, and dal bhat in the shared dining room.
Expect a twin room, a shared bathroom and cold water. A hot shower or wifi is sometimes possible, usually for a small extra fee. Charging your electronics is always possible, sometimes for a small fee. And then there is the warm fire in the dining room, friendly hospitality and views no hotel can match. This is the Himalaya.
PS: even though pillows and blankets are provided, we recommend bringing your own warm sleeping bag. The nights at altitude get cold, and your own bag makes a real difference. After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list that helps you prepare for both the trek and the nights in the lodges.
Yes, always.
The teahouse menu is plant-based by nature and offers plenty of choice. Three warm meals a day are freshly cooked in the teahouse kitchen. Breakfast options include porridge, pancakes, omelette and local bread. For lunch and dinner, expect dal bhat, curry, lentil soup, noodles, dumplings, spring rolls and pasta.
We strongly advise against eating meat on the trail. Ingredients are often carried in on foot and cannot always be kept properly refrigerated. Vegetarian and vegan options are the safer and more reliable choice.
Yes. Our individual trips are custom trips, and hiring a porter is optional and can be added to your booking. Most people travelling as a pair share one porter. The porter carries a maximum of 15 kg (33 lbs) in a duffel bag, which we provide on loan for the duration of the trek.
Hiring a porter is more than a practical choice. It is one of the most direct ways to contribute to the local economy. Portering is an important source of income and often the first step into the tourism sector for young people from mountain communities. It is how most of the guides started out. They learn the trekking routes, work with international travellers, pick up English and other languages, and build the experience needed to become a guide themselves.
If you feel uncertain about hiring a porter, there is no need to. At By Mountain People their work is valued, the pay is fair and the opportunity matters. If you would like to add a porter to your trip or have questions, get in touch and we will put together a proposal.
Nepal Trek – Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake, the Adventure Detour
- A classic high-altitude trek with a special detour: turquoise Tilicho Lake
- Hindu villages, Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan culture in one route
- Cross the legendary Thorong La Pass, one of the highest trekking passes in the world
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