Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

The Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is a classic Himalayan journey enhanced with a side trip to the stunning Tilicho Lake, one of the world’s highest altitude lakes. This 16-day adventure is a perfect blend of natural grandeur, cultural exploration, and high-altitude trekking, offering you the best of Nepal's Annapurna region.

Your journey begins in Kathmandu, where you explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, immersing yourself in the rich art, architecture, and culture of the capital city. From there, a scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway and through the Marsyangdi River valley sets the stage for your trek into the Himalayas.

As you follow the legendary Annapurna Circuit trail, you’ll pass through charming villages like Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, and Manang, each offering a unique glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the Gurung and Tibetan-influenced communities. The acclimatization day in Manang allows for necessary rest while enjoying majestic views of the Annapurna range.

A major highlight of the trek is the excursion to Tilicho Lake (4,949m), believed to be the highest lake of its size in the world. Nestled beneath snowcapped peaks, this surreal alpine lake is a breathtaking reward for adventurous trekkers.

Rejoining the main trail, you’ll ascend to Thorong La Pass (5,416m)—the highest point of the trek—offering unmatched panoramas of the Manaslu, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri ranges, all above 8,000 meters. The descent brings you to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, and then on to Jomsom, a charming town nestled between the high mountains and the windy Kali Gandaki valley.

The journey concludes with a scenic flight to Pokhara, Nepal’s beautiful lakeside city, followed by a comfortable drive back to Kathmandu.

This trek is a fantastic option for those seeking the full Annapurna experience—with remote high-altitude beauty, spiritual landmarks, and diverse cultural encounters—all made smooth, safe, and memorable by the professional team at Amazing Nepal Trek & Expedition. 

Trip Highlights – Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake

• Discover the cultural wonders of Kathmandu Valley, including visits to iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Enjoy a scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway, following the beautiful Marsyangdi River valley into the Annapurna region.
• Trek through diverse and picturesque villages such as Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Khangsar, Muktinath, and Jomsom, experiencing local mountain culture and warm hospitality.
• Spend an acclimatization day in Manang, with incredible views of Annapurna and Gangapurna.
• Explore the breathtaking Tilicho Lake (4,949m)—considered the highest-altitude lake of its size in the world.
• Cross the challenging yet rewarding Thorong La Pass (5,416m), one of the highest trekking passes in the world.
• Witness magnificent views of three 8,000-meter peaks—Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and Dhaulagiri (8,167m)—along with countless other snowcapped peaks.
• Visit Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Experience the dramatic landscapes and cultural richness of the lower Mustang region.
• Take a scenic mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, with spectacular aerial views of the Himalayas.
• Complete a route that covers nearly all major highlights of the classic Annapurna Circuit, with the added beauty and adventure of the Tilicho Lake side trip.
• Travel with the expert guidance and care of Amazing Nepal Trek & Expedition, ensuring a safe and unforgettable Himalayan experience.

If the suggested itinerary is not up to the mark, we can even customize your trip as per your need with a special group discount. Kindly contact us at [email protected] for detail information. You can also contact us by calling at +977-9851116042 for 24/7 support. We speak English, Hindi, and Nepali.

Airport Transfers and Assistance

• Private vehicle pickup from the airport upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.

• Private vehicle transfer to the airport for your final departure.

Accommodation

• Kathmandu: 3 nights in a quality 3-star hotel on a Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan.

• Pokhara: 1 night in a quality 3-star hotel on a Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan 

• During Trek: 12 nights in cozy tea houses/lodges along the trekking route (twin-sharing basis).

Guided Tours and Transportation

• Guided city tour in Kathmandu.

• Kathmandu to Dharapani by private jeep.

• Jomsom to Pokhara flight.

• Pokhara to Kathmandu by deluxe tourist bus

Meals and Drinking Water During Trekking

• 12 Breakfasts: Enjoy Tibetan bread, pancakes, porridge, eggs, toast, tea, and coffee.

• 11 Lunches: Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables), noodles, momos, fried rice, pasta, soups, and more.

• 11 Dinners: Hearty meals such as dal bhat, Sherpa stew, pizza, spaghetti, and traditional Nepali dishes.

• Drinking Water: Purified drinking water treated with Ef-Chlor tablets.

Permits and Entrance Fees

• Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit
• TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card

Guides and Support Staff

• Experienced, licensed English-speaking trekking guide trained in first aid.

• Assistant guide for groups larger than six trekkers.

• One Porter for every 2 Trekers

• Salaries, food, accommodation, and insurance for all trekking staff.

Trekking Essentials Provided

• Annapurna region trekking map.

• Trekking poles (on request).

• Sleeping bag rated for -20°C conditions.

• Duffel bag (70-80L capacity).

Emergency Preparedness

• Comprehensive first-aid medical kit

• Insurance for all Nepali staff.

• Assistance with emergency rescue arrangements (requires your personal insurance coverage).

Extra Benefits

• Official certificate of trek completion.

• Complimentary luggage storage at Amazing Nepal Trek’s office during your trek.

• Amazing Nepal Trek T-shirt as a Trekking souvenir.

• Welcome & Farewell dinner at a top-rated restaurant hosted by Amazing Nepal Trek & Expedition.

Not Included

❌ International Flights and Nepal Visa

• Airfare to/from Kathmandu.

• Nepal visa fees: USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days), USD 125 (90 days).

❌ Accommodation and Meals in Kathmandu

• Additional hotel nights due to early arrival, late departure, or early return from the trek.

• Lunches and dinners while staying in Kathmandu.

❌ Travel Insurance

• Personal insurance covering medical emergencies, high-altitude evacuation, trip cancellation, and unforeseen situations (mandatory).

❌ Personal Porter Service

• Personal Porter available at an additional cost of USD 220 per porter (up to 25 kg carrying capacity).

❌ Personal Expenses

• Hot showers, extra meals, Wi-Fi, charging electronic devices, and upgraded accommodations during the trek.

• Bottled water, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, coffee, and other personal drinks.

❌ Personal Equipment and Gear

• Personal clothing, trekking equipment, and personal medications (see our recommended packing list).

• Toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tissue paper, etc.

❌ Special Permits

• Drone permits, professional filming fees, and other special permits (if applicable).

❌ Tips and Miscellaneous

• Gratuities for guides, porters, and staff.

• Any other expenses or services not specifically listed in the “Includes” section.

Accommodations

As we are conscious of accommodation is the first thing that needs to be managed properly for our energization. Thinking so, being based on your budgets and wishes, the Amazing Nepal Trek offers Apsara Boutique Hotel or Hotel Blue Horizon in Kathmandu, and teahouses and lodges during the trek. Mostly you will be offered twin-shared bedrooms during accommodation. No problem, single bed also can be managed but it costs more than having double beds. Moreover, the room offered by Amazing Nepal has attached bathroom in many places; however, teahouses and lodges in the hiking area have shared toilets and bathrooms. To remain true to ourselves, the single room is only available in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but we cannot find facilities in high elevated trekking zone as much as in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Meals

When you are staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara, we offer you authentic Nepalese foods as well as more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian etc.). However, teahouses and lodges do not offer you foods as your intention; but they offer you breakfast and dinner. The management of breakfast is not available everywhere except Kathmandu and Pokhara. Moreover, Amazing Nepal Trek offers welcome and farewell dinners for guests.

Is this trek appropriate for me?

Our company ensures Annapurna Circuit Terk with Tilicho Lake Trek is a fairly challenging trek. Therefore, it might not appropriate for all. It has high possibilities of suffering from high altitude and thin air but we adopt some measures preventing it. It requires us having inspiration and passion, which makes your trek successful. You must require your positive attitude and strong determination that can help to accomplish this trek. For making comfortable walking, adjusting to changing climate, our package manages the facility of acclimatization in needed place as well as 5-6 hours walking per day. If you have already accumulated hiking and jugging experiences that will be beneficial to adjust with the situation. Amazing Nepal Trek & Expedition cordially requests to have medical checking before you plan to start long trekking and hiking.

Briefing of the Tour:

You will be briefed about the trek, you will be given an information file, and importantly introduced with your guide.

Trekking Crews:

We will provide government registered, well-trained English Speaking guide, who holds enough knowledge about responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism

We will also provide an assistant guide who is ready to help you with every situation.

We will provide a porter is provided to every two of you, and he will be carrying not more than 25kg.

We get our crews’ life get insured.

Certificate:

After the trek is over, you will be provided with ANTE adventure certificate.

Size of Group:

Trekking Group Size of our group can range from two people to ten people. In case you want to travel alone, do not hesitate to write to us. We will plan accordingly. In case, you more than ten people, please do let us know so that we can develop and improvise plans and itinerary.

Acclimatization:

Trekking to the Annapurna Region is as much difficult as it is technical. We give special priority to its technical sides as well. For this, we have designed an itinerary to allow you to get acclimatize naturally. We know the particular location you need to stay for rest, and the particular distance you need to walk slowly and so on. In case you get high altitude sickness, we have crews who know how to deal with it effectively and smartly.

How to respond to Altitude Sickness?

Please do carry a first aid box

Please consult your physician

Please do keep on informing our crews if you feel uneasy

Please do walk in the group so that you can help each other

Travel Insurance:

We would like to recommend you to get your trekking insured. Since you are trekking in probably one of the wildest and challenging routes, you need to be cautious of anything inevitable. You may need helicopter evacuation and get your trip canceled. You may get injured and get your baggage theft and so on. Hence, we would like to recommend you to get your trekking insured.

Permits and fees:

The government local body charges some small amount of fee for every you make to the World heritage sites, Conservation areas, National Parks, and restricted areas along climbing. The price we charge includes all the fees.

Flight Delay in JOMSOM

Twin Otter and Dornier is the primary mode of transport from the airstrip at Jomsom. This service is fairly dependable. Sometimes, flights may be canceled due to mountain weather conditions or other technical problems. In such case, Amazing Nepal will organize the alternative available road transportation to ensure you are on schedule for your international flight.

The expense of the road transport will be managed from the reimbursement received from the flight ticket after the deduction of cancelation charge. So please note that there will be no refund of the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara if the alternative road transportation is consolidated.

If you want to book a trekking package with Amazing Nepal Trek and Expedition and still wondering about the essential equipment for your trekking journey, here we are more than happy to offer our checklist for your references. Please make necessary amendments to our checklist as per your need and convenience. For some case, if you couldn’t get any of these listed equipment/gears in your hometown or you’re in a rush before you fly to Kathmandu, don’t worry! The listed necessary items mentioned below can be easily purchased here.
Except for your day pack, all luggage will be carried by porters. A porter is available for two people who will carry maximum up to 25 kg. So, You have to be careful while packing your Bag or luggage.
 
Moreover, There is an allowance of 15kg per person on the domestic flights. Additional personal items are not needed for the trekking portion of the trip which can be kept in the hotel’s storage room without extra cost.

Below is the checklist of equipment that are required for the trek:
 
HEAD

• Buff headwear /neckwear
• Sun hat or scarf
• Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
• Sunglasses
• Head Torch

UPPER BODY

• Cotton T-shirts or Thermals
• Fleece jacket
• Waterproof/windproof jacket
• Down filled jacket  (Your own Down Jacket is strongly recommended, but Amazing Nepal Trek also supply complimentary down jacket which is needed to be returned after the completion of trek)

LOWER BODY

• Lightweight cotton pants (long)
• Waterproof Pants
• Thermal underwear

FEET

• Thin inner socks
• Thick and warm wool hiking socks
• Comfortable Hiking boots
• Sneakers /slippers

HANDS

• Gore-tex gloves

ACCESSORIES

• Sleeping bag rated to - 20°C (Your own sleeping bag strongly is recommended, but Amazing Nepal Trek also supply complimentary sleeping bags which is needed to be returned after the completion of trek)
• Trekking bags/duffel bag (Amazing Nepal Trek will supply complimentary water and windproof duffel/kit bag, but one extra big duffel bag/suitcase is necessary for items that are left at the hotel in Kathmandu)
• Large plastic bags (For keeping items dry inside trek bag)
• Trekking poles (Optional, Recommended)
• Water bottle or camel bag
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Sewing Kit
• Insect repellent, sunscreen, and lip balm
• The first-aid kit; should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea
• Re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking if any particular
• Wet wipes 
• Reading or writing material