The journey begins with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar (about 6-7 hours). Along the way, you’ll pass through the scenic Trishuli River Valley, lush forests, and small villages. Once you reach Besisahar, the road becomes rougher, and you'll continue on a jeep or bus ride towards Chame, passing through Dharapani (1,960m).
As you ascend towards Chame (2,710m), the landscapes start to shift, with pine forests and views of the Lamjung Himal in the distance. The journey offers a gradual introduction to the beauty of the Annapurna region.
Overnight stay in Chame, a small village that serves as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit trek.

After breakfast Walk through pine forests, Marsyangdi River, and Tibetan-style villages.
Today's trek follows a narrow, steep valley with views of Paungda Danda, a spectacular rock formation. As you ascend, the trail opens up, revealing stunning views of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak. You will reach Upper Pisang, a scenic village with a monastery and traditional Tibetan-style houses.

Today’s trek takes you through the culturally rich villages and dramatic mountain landscapes of the upper Manang Valley. You can choose between two routes to reach Manang. The lower route is shorter and easier, while the upper route is highly recommended for its spectacular views and traditional Himalayan villages.
The upper trail passes through the charming settlements of Ghyaru (3,670 m) and Ngawal (3,660 m), offering breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurna range, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. Along the way, you will experience the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture of the region, with ancient monasteries and traditional mountain villages adding to the journey.
Manang, the largest settlement on the Annapurna Circuit, is a lively mountain village with bakeries, cafés, and even a small movie hall—making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Himalayas.

Today is set aside for acclimatization in Manang, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude before continuing higher into the Annapurna region. You can choose from several scenic side hikes depending on your energy level and interests.
A popular option is the hike to Gangapurna Lake (3,900 m), a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, including views of Annapurna III and Gangapurna. For a more challenging adventure, you can hike to Ice Lake, while a visit to the historic Braga Monastery, believed to be more than 500 years old, offers a fascinating insight into the region's Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The day provides an excellent balance of acclimatization, exploration, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery.

Leaving Manang (3,540 m), the trail gradually climbs toward Khangsar (3,760 m), a traditional Tibetan-style village surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. From here, the route continues through Siri Kharka (4,060 m), where the landscape becomes increasingly rugged and barren, with impressive views of Tilicho Peak (7,134 m).
The final section to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200 m) is more demanding. The trail crosses narrow ridges and rocky, landslide-prone terrain, requiring careful footing and a steady pace. Tilicho Base Camp is a small settlement with basic teahouses, providing a simple place to rest before the early-morning hike to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) the following day.
Caution: As the altitude increases, the rocky terrain and challenging trail conditions require a slow and steady pace. Take your time, stay hydrated, and follow your guide’s advice.

Start early in the morning for the challenging hike to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), one of the world’s highest lakes. The steep, rocky trail takes approximately 2–3 hours to reach the lake, with spectacular views of Tilicho Peak and the surrounding Annapurna range along the way.
After spending time enjoying the breathtaking scenery at the lake, retrace your route and descend carefully to Siri Kharka (4,060 m). The descent can be demanding on the knees, so take your time and watch your footing. You will spend the night at a basic teahouse in Siri Kharka.

Leaving Siri Kharka (4,060 m), the trail descends gradually to Khangsar Village (3,760 m) before joining the main Annapurna Circuit route once again. Along the way, you will pass ancient Mani walls, traditional yak pastures, and beautiful high-altitude landscapes.
From Khangsar, the trail gradually climbs toward Yak Kharka (4,050 m). The route offers spectacular views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak, making this a scenic section of the trek.
Although the elevation gain is moderate, the high altitude requires a steady and comfortable pace. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and follow your guide’s advice to help reduce the risk of altitude-related problems. You will spend the night at a teahouse in Yak Kharka.

Leaving Yak Kharka (4,050 m), the trail gradually climbs through alpine meadows and rugged mountain terrain. The route passes small streams, rocky sections, and areas prone to landslides before reaching Ledar (4,200 m).
From Ledar, the trail continues toward Thorong Phedi (4,450 m), the final settlement before crossing the famous Thorong La Pass. Along the way, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.
At this altitude, the thin air makes the trek more demanding, so maintaining a slow, steady pace and staying well hydrated is important. You will spend the night at a teahouse in Thorong Phedi.
Some trekkers choose to continue to Thorong High Camp (4,880 m), which shortens the climb to the pass the following morning. However, staying at Thorong Phedi allows for better rest and can be a more comfortable option for acclimatization.

Today is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. You will begin before dawn and ascend toward Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,769 ft), one of the highest trekking passes in the world. The climb from Thorong Phedi takes approximately 3–4 hours and involves steep sections at high altitude. As you reach the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
After celebrating your achievement at the pass, the trail descends steeply for several hours toward Muktinath (3,800 m). This sacred pilgrimage site holds deep spiritual significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. You can explore the famous Muktinath Temple, the 108 sacred water spouts, and the eternal flame shrine.
After this long and demanding day, enjoy a well-earned rest and spend the night in Muktinath.

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive from Muktinath (3,800 m) to Pokhara (827 m). The journey follows the dramatic Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through the arid landscapes of Mustang and the traditional villages of Jomsom, Marpha, and Tatopani.
Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges as the landscape gradually changes from the dry, high-altitude terrain of Mustang to lush green hills and subtropical valleys.
The journey may take approximately 7-9 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful lakeside city after completing your Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek.

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus. The journey follows the Prithvi Highway, winding through river valleys, terraced hillsides, traditional villages, and beautiful countryside.
As you travel east toward Kathmandu, the landscape gradually changes from the peaceful lakeside surroundings of Pokhara to the busy urban environment of Nepal’s capital city. The drive usually takes around 6–7 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will have the rest of the day to relax, explore the city, or do some last-minute shopping. This marks the end of your memorable Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek.