Arrival Kathmandu

• Altitude(Kathmandu): 1,400 m/ 4.600 ft.

Our journey begins in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, you will need to complete your customs formalities, including obtaining a visa. Our representative will be waiting for you at the arrival gate with a Trek The Himalayas sign to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Kathmandu immediately impresses with its vibrant cultural atmosphere. Hotel check-in is at noon, allowing you some time to relax and freshen up. In the evening, we'll hold a briefing about the upcoming trek, where essential information, safety measures, and what to expect will be covered. This is also a perfect opportunity to meet your fellow trekkers and the expedition team.

With some free time available, you can explore the lively city of Kathmandu. Discover ancient temples, bustling markets, and vibrant street scenes. Take the chance to purchase or rent any necessary trekking gear from the numerous shops and markets. As you explore, sample the diverse cuisine, from traditional Nepali dishes to international options. Remember to drink only bottled water, as tap water is not safe, and be cautious with street food to avoid any stomach issues.

Kathmandu to Besisahar and drive by jeep to Dharapani

• Altitude(Dharapani): 1860 m/6100ft.
• Drive Distance: 200km | 8-9 hour.

Drive from Kathmandu for about 7-9 hours by Private tourist bus toward Besisahar, a beautiful town in the mid-hills of Nepal and is the gateway to the Annapurna circuit trek. Drive further to Dharapani by local Jeep and stay in a Tea house. On the way to Dharapani, you will see many beautiful villages, farms, and fast-flowing rivers.

Dharapani to Chame

• Altitude(Chame): 2650 m/ 8600 ft.
• Trek Distance: 12km | 6-7 hours.

Today we will head towards Chame, the headquarters of Manang. The district is beyond the Himalayas, as it is famously known in Nepal. You will, undoubtedly, enjoy your stay in the mountains. The entire route to Chame runs along the west bank of the Marsyangdi River. You know you are close to Chame when you arrive at the Chame Waterfall. The walk today is about five hours and offers you some breathtaking views. The village of Chame is full of fluttering prayer flags, chortens and stupas. Check into the guest house in Chame. Overnight stay is at a tea house.

Chame to Pisang

• Altitude(Pisang): 3,300 m/ 10824 ft.
• Trek Distance: 12 km | 6-7 hours.

After a good night’s rest at Chame, we start our trek towards Pisang. A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. This is probably the steepest part of the Marshyangdi Valley, so steep that the trail is carved into the vertical rock. After passing this last bit of rock, the valley opens up with majestic vistas. The massive Annapurna II looms on the horizon all along the trek. Right where the valley widens stands the Paungda Danda, a massive sloping rock face that rises over 5,000ft (1500m) above the trail. It is also locally known as the ‘Great Wall of Pisang’. Today also you will cross suspension bridges, these are quite common in Nepal. Another notable feature in today’s trek is the Dhukure Pokhari or dove pond, the shape of which resembles a dove. We trek for a while before reaching Lower Pisang where we spend the night. Pisang is the true epitome of a mountain village with prayer flags, mani stones, Yak pastures, and wooden houses with firewood lining the houses. Overnight stay is arranged at a tea house.

Pisang to Manang

• Altitude(Manang): 3520 m/ 11500ft.
• Trek Distance: 16km | 8-hour walk.

Today we walk beginning with a gradual flat, then we climb about 1 hour to Ghyaru village and then we walk through Gradual road to Nawal village. We stop here for lunch then we walk Gradual down uphill to Manang. Not too far into the trek you will notice a dramatic change in landscape from that in Pisang. The trek starts with greenery before turning into a brown hue as you inch closer to Manang. About five hours into the trek you reach the mountain villages of Manang where you can see the prevalent Tibetan Buddhist culture. The walk itself offers a magnificent view of the mountain peaks like the famous Annapurna range. The Serene Mountain atmosphere is an additional bonus for your walk overnight at the tea house.

Acclimatization Day at Manang

Take a day’s break from trekking in Manang to acclimatise to the altitude. Explore the local area of Ganggapurna Glacier and Ganggapurna Lake. Be Comfortable adjusting in the high altitude Climate. Stay in Manang overnight at a tea house.

Trek from Manang to Sirikharka

• Altitude(Shirikharka): 4060 m/ 13300 ft.
• Trek Distance: 10km | 5-6 hours.

The trek from Manang to Siri Kharka is an easier one, Mt Gangapurna and its glacier keep you company on the trek. What waits outside the village of Manang is pure beauty. The bright green fields, the river snaking its way through the landscape, the brownstone houses, and the towering snow-capped mountains create a stunning and humbling scene. We take the upper route that leads down to a river, which we will cross, and then continue on a path that takes us through the coniferous forests. We will cross a cable bridge on our way. Half an hour after crossing the bridge, we find ourselves on a broad road again, greeted by a metal gate that says ‘Welcome to Khangsar.’ Twenty minutes beyond the gate, we reach the village of Khangsar, where numerous tea houses offer hot tea and snacks—a perfect spot for a break. In this region of Nepal, archery is a popular sport. You might spot men dressed in white robes with bows and arrows if you're around during archery competition season. Football is another favoured sport, with local boys in jerseys representing their villages, competing on vast open fields. These matches attract a diverse audience of locals, tourists, and trekkers. We will continue our journey forward to reach Shiri Kharka. After leaving Khangsar and walking for another half hour, we encounter another split in the trail—a broad road to the left, used by vehicles, and a narrow trail that ascends steeply. We take the narrow trail, which, though steep for about 200 metres, is shorter than the broad road. Despite the trail markers indicating the broad road, the narrow path leads to the same destination. After a forty-minute climb and a short walk further, we reach our destination for the day. On the trails, we will get to see gorgeous views of Gungang Himal and Mt.Chulu.

The trail to Shree Kharka is stunning, especially after the bridge. The mountains ahead seem so close that it feels like you're walking directly into them. The dirt trail is narrow, with bushes and wildflowers on both sides, requiring you to place one foot in front of the other. It's a short and easy day, with the exception of the final ascent, which is manageable. Temperatures drop to 6-7 degrees by evening and even lower at night, but the tea houses are cosy, with comfortable beds, warm meals, and thick blankets to keep the cold at bay. Take a walk around the village and explore some trails on the dry, brown mountains to acclimate to the new environment and altitude.

Trek from Sirikharka Tilicho Base Camp

• Altitude(Tilicho Base Camp ): 4150 m/13600 ft.
• Trek Distance: 10km | 5-6 hours.

On our eighth day, we will leave Siri Kharka in the morning and trek towards Tilicho Base Camp. The path should be easy, but it passes through landslide-prone areas. However, although the trail is quite manageable today it presents its own challenges with playful blue sheep and mountain goats. Their antics on the loose, arid mountains can send rocks of all sizes tumbling down at you. While these creatures are adorable, their playfulness can be hazardous, so stay alert! Their natural camouflage against the barren brown landscape makes them tricky to spot. The mountains here are dry, dotted with massive termite mound-like pillars of mud, adding drama to the landscape. The route beyond the bridge is tricky, climbing a crumbling mountain with a sheer drop into the gorge. This precarious section lasts only 50 metres before we reach a safer, sturdier trail.

Today's trek is along narrow, sliding paths at the very edge of the crumbling mountainside. The trails get slimmer, the mountains grander, and the views more breathtaking. We’ve now entered a stark, rocky, dry zone where the mountains boast a hundred shades of brown and provide little firm footing. Walking among the towering mud pinnacles we've admired from afar in previous days, it feels like stepping into a lost civilization. One fascinating aspect of Nepal is its cultural and linguistic diversity—a true global melting pot. By now, you’ll start recognizing familiar faces along these unfamiliar trails. People from different backgrounds who began as strangers now feel as familiar as the mountains themselves. After ascending nearly 400 metres, we expect to reach the deserted mountains of Tilicho Base Camp by 11 AM. Though the day's trek is relatively short, take time to explore the trails on these barren mountains to better acclimate for the upcoming days when we’ll continue to climb higher. From the trails, we get to enjoy the impressive rock formations along with magnificent snow peaks - including Tilicho Peak. Overnight stay at a tea house.

Visit Tilicho Lake then back to Sirikharka

• Altitude: Tilicho Lake 4850 m/ 15900 ft | Sirikharka 4060 m/ 13300 ft.
• Tilicho Base to Tilicho lake: 3-4 hrs, 6km.
• Tilicho base to Sirikharka: 10km | 3-4km.
• Trek Distance: 14-15km | 7-8 hours.

This is one of the special days of the trek as we will be viewing Tilicho Lake itself. But we start our day early in the morning at Tilicho Base Camp to avoid afternoon wind. We start as early as possible. The trail ascends through dry mountains of mud and gravel, with a river below and snow-clad peaks opposite. Depending on the previous night's temperatures, you might find morning dew frozen solid on the few blades of grass and the last purple flowers you’ll see today. The air and terrain are equally dry. As the sun rises behind you, it’s magical—the sudden illumination of the trail and defined rays from behind the mountains bring the surroundings to life. Landslides have made parts of the trail slippery and tricky, with rolling stones adding to the challenge. After navigating endless hairpin bends, we enter the snow zone about 2.5 hours in. Following a steep and continuous ascent, gaining 800 metres, we reach a signpost indicating the way to Tilicho Lake. The blue and white pole marking the path brings hope, but the lake is still an hour away. The terrain flattens but is covered with shin-deep snow, sculpted by fierce winds into frozen waves. It's a mesmerising yet endless white landscape until we reach the lake. Depending on the season, you’ll either find an electric blue lake or a massive ice field, hinting at the lake beneath. Either way, the beauty is breathtaking. The path is quite steep, and after labouring for two to three hours, we will reach Tilicho Lake - one of the highest lakes in the world. A well-known French expedition team referred to Tilicho Lake as The Great Ice Lake. Tilicho Lake sits surrounded by the majestic peaks - Tilicho Himal, Annapurna Range, and Nilgiri Himal.

After some time at the lake, we head back to base camp via the same route. The descent is quicker, taking less than two hours. We rest, freshen up, have lunch, and dry off by the fire after our early morning adventure. Tilicho Lake has been a delightful detour, but it’s time to return to the main trail around the massif. We leave base camp, aiming for Shree Kharka, 7 km away. The familiar route takes a bit over 2 hours since we're losing altitude. Remember from Day 8, the trail had ups and downs, so we’ll climb the same downs we descended earlier. It might feel tiring after the morning's exertion, but it’s manageable. The narrow, dusty trail requires caution; give space to climbers coming the opposite way. The towering mountains on these trails are awe-inspiring, so close you can’t take them all in at once! After a long day, rest well tonight—we have a long journey ahead in the coming days. Overnight stay is at a tea house.

Trek from Sirikharka to Yak Kharka

• Altitude(Yak Kharka): 4070 m/ 13350 ft.
• Trek Distance: 9km | 4-5 hours.

From Siri Kharka, we descend to the uninhabited Khangsar Village. On the way, we pass Tare Gumba, a thousand-year-old monastery, but our journey continues following a rock wall that takes us out of Khangsar and leads us to Thorong Khola Valley and finally to Yak Kharka. The gradient isn’t steep, but the altitude makes it challenging. Half an hour in, after a 120-metre ascent, we reach an abandoned village, now just ruins of what was once a thriving settlement. From here, we move towards greener pastures, with terraced fields and herds of wild yaks, horses, and blue sheep dotting the landscape. An hour and a half into the trek, we reach the top of a hill offering a breathtaking view. Below, a winding river snakes through lush green fields arranged in geometric patterns, with peculiar termite mound-like structures adding to the unique scenery. The valley stretches out before us, with Gangapurna and Annapurna II, III, and IV standing tall in the distance. From this vantage point, we descend steeply for half an hour, losing all the altitude we gained and then some. At the bottom, we cross a long swinging bridge over the river, and then it’s all uphill again. A few tea stalls provide a welcome break to regain energy. After an hour and a half of ascent, we reach Yak Kharka. The trail is well-marked with coloured stripes on rocks, so there's no chance of getting lost. Yak Kharka and Ledar were once just abandoned stone shelters, overlooked by trekkers heading to Thorang Phedi. However, as altitude awareness has increased, these spots have become recognized as essential stopovers, now boasting comfortable lodges and decent cafes. From Yak Kharka, you can get glorious views of the Annapurna mountain ranges. If you are lucky, you may also get sight of blue sheep or even a snow leopard. Overnight stay at the tea house.

Yak Kharka to Thorongphedi or High Camp

• Altitude( Thorongphedi): 4400 m/ 14500 ft.
• Trek Distance: 6km | 4-5 hours walk.

After having breakfast in the morning, start your walk of the day to Thorongphedi - the base of the Thorong-La pass. The initial ascent involves a steep ascent. Following this climb, we encounter a brief descent and then a flat trail for 10 minutes. Make sure to pause and look back to catch the mesmerising view of Annapurna III and Gangapurna bathed in the soft hues of a Himalayan sunrise. The route is well-marked with red and white stripes on rocks at regular intervals. At the 50-minute mark, the trail diverges. Both paths lead to the same destination, but one takes you down to a suspension bridge. If you enjoy the thrill of crossing swinging metal bridges, this route is for you. After crossing the river, both paths involve a steep 35-metre incline. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and ridges, Thorang Phedi, meaning "bottom of the pass” in Nepalese, offers some lodging options. However, it's advisable to push on to High Camp to reduce the distance and altitude gain for tomorrow. This also aids in better acclimatisation by preventing a sudden elevation gain. Both Thorang Phedi and High Camp offer similar quality food and accommodation, so your decision should be based on other factors. The climb to High Camp is a 310-metre steep incline on a well-defined, but crumbly trail through the last boulder area of the day. It takes less than an hour. Reaching Thorang Phedi early gives us ample time to leisurely ascend to High Camp. A 5-hour slow-paced walk takes you to the place where you are staying overnight today. Enjoy the cool mountain environment. You can take a short acclimatisation walk to prepare for tomorrow's climb to the pass and to get a feel for the mountain wind at this altitude. Overnight stay at the tea house.

Thorongphedi or High Camp to Thorong pass

• Altitude: Thorong pass- 5416 m/ 17750 ft | Muktinath- 3800 m/ 12500 ft.
• Trek Distance: 20km | 10 hour.

Today is a day-long walk and the highlight of this trip. Wake up very early in the morning to start your Adventure towards the highest pass- Thorong Pass. A slow-paced uphill walk takes you about 4-5 hours to reach the pass. When you are at the top, you Feel Like you have conquered everything and the view from there makes you forget all the effort and difficulties you went through to make it there. You have conquered the highlight of this trip. Now, you walk and start descending towards Muktinath for about 6 hours once in Muktinath at a Tea house.

Muktinath to Jomsom via Lubra village

• Altitude(Jomsom): 2770 m/ 9100 ft.
• Trek Distance: 12km | 6-7 hour.

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. In the morning we visit Vishnu Temple and Gompa. After breakfast, we start the trek via Lubra village. After a quick breakfast, we head out on our journey. The trek starts with a flat walk and a gradual uphill path with beautiful Dhaulagiri Mountain View. The sight of Gangapurna and Annapurna III glowing in the sunrise is awe-inspiring. The ascent is steep and continuous, so setting a steady pace is essential. As we progress, the dusty, fragile mountains give way to snow in various patterns. The view keeps us motivated despite the cold. The final stretch to the pass can be frustrating due to false summits. Always respect the altitude and listen to your body. Look for a mound of stones adorned with prayer flags. When you feel the icy, deafening wind, you've reached the Thorang La Pass. Here, the wind is fierce, so a brief celebration, some photos, and hot tea at the tiny tea house are in order. Don’t linger too long; exposure to the wind at this altitude can be dangerous. Then descending to Lubra village down the steep and barren hillside. We tumble down toward Kaligandaki River and then to Jomsom finally arriving at Jomsom. The trail today is quite surreal as we trek along a plateau above Kali Gandaki, the world’s Deepest gorge. The barren landscape of this area resembles Tibet. Jomsom is also famous as the apple capital of Nepal where one can enjoy different items made from apples. The Local apple brandy of Jomsom and Marpha is famous all over Nepal. Stay at a tea house in Jomsom.

Fly back to Pokhara- Kathmandu( Connecting flight)

After breakfast, we fly from Jomsom to Pokhara then take a connecting flight to Kathmandu. At Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can relax in the afternoon or you can go sightseeing.

Departure Day

Your journey in Nepal comes to an end. We hope you enjoyed the trek. Our team will assist you with airport transfer.