Manaslu and Annapurna Trek with Tilicho Lake

Our Manaslu and Annapurna Trek with Tilicho Lake connect the trek around Manaslu with the Annapurna paths and thereby visit the Jomsom valley. We even cross the Larkya La Pass (5,135meters), the highest point on the Manaslu Circuit and Thorang La Pass (5,416meters), the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, and explore the magnificent Tilicho Lake (4,949meters), one of the highest lakes in the world, which also has great cultural and social meaning for the Hindus. The journey starts in the wonderful city of Kathmandu and it will bring you up into the mountains where you will have the amazing views of many of the highest mountains in the world.

Trekking around Manaslu provides a remarkable opportunity to learn a fairly untouched region of Nepal, while the Annapurna area is one of the most renowned trekking destination in the world.Combine all of these with a visit to Tilicho Lake, and you’ll get our special Manaslu and Annapurna trek with Tilicho Lake itinerary. Even, this trek leads you from just 710meters to 5416 metres where you get to be part of the rich variety of natural scenery and cultural identity that Nepal showcases so prominently.

Aslo check our 12 days Manaslu Circuit Trek Package

Day 01: Drive to Sotikhola via Arughat.

Your trip to Manaslu Circuit Trek starts in Kathmandu. You start the day early after breakfast. You will take a direct local bus from Kathmandu, Gongabe Bus Park to Soti Khola, which is 160 km away by drive. You’ll take a drive from Kathmandu to Arughat on a nice, paved road enjoying the views of the hilly areas. From Arughat to Soti Khola is a 2 hour drive away where the road is quite dusty and bumpy with a view of the Buddhi Gandaki River. Overnight at the Soti Khola teahouse

Day 02: Trek to Machha Khola

From Soti Khola, Machha Khola is 15 km far and it takes about 5 hours to get there. Further out from Soti Khola, there exists an army camp in Lighting, and walking further from there will take us to a place called Khursani Baari. You can also see a 100 m long waterfall from the opposite side of Khursani Baari. Walking on the same side is going to bring you to Machha Khola. After the massive earthquake of 2015, you’ll get a shocking view of the landslide in the region. Nowadays, road facilities have been built that were little disrupted by the earthquake. The residence in the area is less than 20-30 houses can be found in the entire area. There are also four famous hotels. Stay overnight at the Macha Khola

Day 03: Trek to Jagat

You’ll enjoy a hot breakfast at the Macha Khola teahouse. From Macha Khola, you can start walking along the trekking path on the banks of the Budi Gandaki River and the suspension bridge. After a few ups and downs, you’ll find a famous hot spring, Tatopani. Some areas, the trail is quite exposed and difficult. After spending a few moments here, you’re going to dohan for lunch. You will approach the small village of Yaru from where you will pass a long cantilever bridge to reach Jagat, where we will spend the night.

Day 04: Trek to Deng

We begin our trek to Deng early in the morning after the Upper Jagat check-in permit. It’s about seven hours of walking to the village of Deng, which is made up of only four houses and three hotels. After 40 minutes of walking, on your way to Saleri, you need to cross a river and see the glimpse of the milky flow in the valley. You will see two hydro-powers (one new and one old) before the fall. On the way, you can travel from Saleri to Sirdibas, which is populated by the local Gurung Mountain, which is called Siring (7239 m). After crossing the bridge and walking for 15 to 20 minutes, you can enter Philim, where there are numerous administrative offices, land revenue offices, police stations, and many more. We’re going to Chisapani from Philim. After having lunch in Chisopani, we follow the path to Naykphedi and then to Pewa, which will take about an hour and a half to get there. In Pewa, you’re going to cross the suspension bridge two times, which is a nice experience. It’s going to take Deng 45 minutes from Pewa.Stay in the camps overnight.

Day 05: Trek to Namrung

After the sun rises, you’ll have breakfast at the tea house. Today the Deng path brings you along the winding path to Rana and the suspension bridge to Bihi Phedi. The path continues to the village of Ghap through several landslide areas, where you should be cautious when walking. You will walk across the Ghap through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forests. Namrung is the best view for Siring Himal, Ganesh Himal and Mt. Himal Chuli. Namrung provides you the best tea shops, a restaurant and a tea house with fresh bakery, coffee and Wi-Fi.

Day 06: Trek to Smanguan

You will carry through Banjam, Lihi, Sho, Lho and Sayla to enter Samagaun from Namrung. On the way, before you enter Lho, you will see a monastery that is acknowledged as one in the area. More than 200 monks study in this monastery, all of whom are boys. The path to Lihi is steep and walking will give you a view of Ganesh Himal, north of Himchuli and Naike on the right. We resume our trip to Sho and in the corner, we find two paths, one leading to the Hinayang Monastery and another leading to Manaslu Larkya Pass. It’ll take 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Lho and 2 hours to get to Sayla from Lho. It will take 1 hour from Sayla to enter Samagaun. From the syala, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the north of Himalchuli, Nadi Chuli Manaslu, north of Manaslu, Nike Peak, Saula Himal, and Siringi Himal. Real yak view is also a great satisfaction. It is the largest village that migrated 200 years ago from Tibet. It’s a popular spot for business and it’s the way to Manaslu Base Camp.

Day 07: Samagaon to Pungyen gompa return to Samagaon

We enjoy the day in Samagaon for both rest and acclimatization. Today, we get to learn the rich culture of Sherpa. We love the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and images, and the Sherpa women wearing traditional clothes and ornaments. The old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier, is located on a small hill near the village of Sama. Named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good representation of the two peaks. This was demolished a year after the first failed attempt by Japan to climb Manaslu. The locals claimed that the climb was offended by the gods, and when the Japanese returned a year later, they met with a great deal of opposition that they had to give up their mission. In 1959, they were completely successful.

Day 08: Trek to Samdo

You can reach the destination after 4 hours of a hike on the steep uphill and flat terrain. On the journey, views of Syaula Peak, Naike Peak, Manaslu, Himchuli, Larke peak, and Cho peak can be seen. The west and north-Himchuli add additional spark. It is the tiny young village, 3800 m high. The site has electricity facilities as it has its own Micro Hydropower Project operating in the region. The route to get there is straightforward, except for a few minutes of steep walk, which can be done with good walk. Overnight in Smado

Day 09: Acclimatization Day

It’s another day allocate for better acclimatization. There are two choices for us today. The alternative that we definitely recommend is a climb up the valley right at the back of the community of Samdo. This walk will bring us to one of the trade routes to Tibet for an incredible view of Mt. Manaslu along with several other Himalayan peaks including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and probably Kang Guru under the pass. On the way to these landmarks, we travel through several seasonal herding communities called doksas and see some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (Nepal National Bird), Lammergeyer and the Himalayan Griffin rising high above us. Another choice for today might be a trip to the Gya La (‘Great Pass’) north of Samdo, a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. Still, this is a much longer hike (the whole day) and could be a little tiresome.

Day 10: Trek to Dharamsala/Larkya B. C.

Also today, we step down the underside, pass the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and keep walking upwards. Upon passing two streams and seeing the Larkya Glacier, we walk round the Salka Khola valley and ascend again to the stone guest house (4450 m), which isn’t a lodge but a sort of shelter called Dharmshala, also called Larke Phedi. Today’s short walk also leaves longer for acclimatization and relaxation within the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala

Day 11: Trek to Larkya la and to Bhimthang

We enter a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers after a short ascent from where we can appreciate amazing views of Cho Danda and Larkya Mountain. Eventually, we walk around the glacier’s moraines, rendering a gradual ascent that only becomes steeper in the last pass section. Through the pass, there are incredible views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the massive Annapurna II. Bimtang is a longer day than normal, but walking into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu coming nearby is an exciting experience. Overnight to Bhimthang

Day 12: Trek to Tilije

From Bimthang ridge we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. We cross a high field (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through the rhododendron forest and follow a path through a narrow valley until we reach Karche’s maximum cultivated ground, 2785 meters. We cross fields before ascending a steep ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a broad, sweeping arc to 2580 m river bank. A short distance from Gho’s home because of yesterday’s tiredness, we could spend the night at Gho, but better lodges are available in Tilije, so we suggest staying in Tilije

Day 13: Trek to Chame

Through here we follow the Annapurna road. We first descend from Tilije, then cross a suspension bridge and climb to Thoche village. We follow a relatively straight path and find a Power House for electricity production in Bagarchhap village. On the way from Bagarchaap to Chame, we navigate several steep forest ridges along with some road landslides. Nonetheless, note to look up because you will be greeted with stunning views of some of the major Mountain ranges such as Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7,525 meters). Overnight in chame

Day 14: Trek to Pisang

The trek trail initially crosses through the old habitation of Chame slowly climbing to Telekhu and then a walk through the woods to Brathang. Moving ahead catch a glimpse of the beautiful Paungda Danda, Overnight in Pisang

Day 15: Trek to Manang

This trek length is covered slowly up to Bryaga village. Moving ahead will find a very arid countryside with cliffs of rock lining along the trail till you reach Manang which presents a panoramic view of Mt. Manaslu. Overnight in Manang

Day 16: Trek to Siri Kharka

From Manang, we pass through the western gates and pass down to the water. We cross the river and start walking on the river’s south side through coniferous forest to Khangsar village. From Khangsar we push on to Siri Kharka, passing a monastery on the way. The uphill walk can be tiring, but to keep us entertained we’ll have Gungang Himal and Mt. Chulu in the background.

Day 17: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 

From Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp, mainly downward but there are landslide areas that can be risky. They’re not hard to walk, but they’re really narrow. The trail runs through the landslide zone. The road’s rock formations are remarkable. Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp

Day 18: Visit to Tilicho Lake then back to Siri Kharka

From Tilicho Base Camp, the trail continues along moraine ridges and grassy slopes to some large switch-backs cut from the cliff. Instead we hit watershed. At the other hand is Tilicho Lake, a large spectacularly set lake nestled at the foot of Tilicho Peak’s north face, part of the snowy wall the 1950 French expedition team named The Great Barrier. French team member Maurice Herzog named Tilicho Lake The Great Ice Lake. The Lake also holds an important role for Hindus as this holy lake appears in one of Hindus’ holiest books, The Ramayan. We go back and return to Siri Kharka. Overnight in Siri Kharka

Day 19: Trek to Yak kharka

Upon returning from Tilicho Lake, this path from Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka on the main cicuit trail prevents backtracking to Khangsar and Manang. We descend from Siri Kharka to Thare Gomba and enter a trail junction in just minutes. Once, after a stroll, we stay left and enter Old Khagsar. Khangsar is uninhabited in holidays, save for seasonal herders. We follow Khangsar’s rock wall north. We walk on to a seasonal bridge in the Thorang Khola Valley. We cross the river to the east band and scale a plateau for a bit. We move on towards Yak Kharka. Overnight in Yak Kharka

Day 20: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft): 3 – 4 hours

It’s a steep walk to Thorang Phedi. After trekking for a while, we pass a suspension bridge and hit the village of Ledar. We a little farther climb and cross through towering cliffs before hitting Thorang Phedi, the last village in front of Thorong La Pass. On this journey we will be rewarded with one of the best views of Mt. Gundang, Mt. Syagang, Thorung Peak and Mt. Khatungkan. The word Phedi in Nepal is referenced to as the foot of a mountain. Overnight in Thorong Phedi

Day 21: Trek to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) via Thorong La pass (5416m/17764ft) then drive to jomsom: 7 – 8 hours, 1 Hour Drive

Today Passing Thorong La Pass, one of the highest passes in the world, will be our ultimate goal today. We’re going to cross the pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath) which is the easiest and safest direction. We get up about three o’clock in the morning and hike up the mountain. When we eventually get to the top, we recognize that our trip was worth it. We can make a couple of photos before moving to Muktinath Valley at the foot of Thorong La Pass. Next, drive to Jomsom a Himalayan village famous for its delicious apples. Overnight in Jomsom

Day 22: Today Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara: 25 minutes

Today we are flying to Pokhara, the town of the lake in the soonest possible flight. After check-in at our hotel, we can take a rest or visit the Lakeside area in the outskirts of Lake Fewa. Here, we can buy several souvenirs or taste some local delights. Explore Pokhara on own….Overnight stay in Pokhara

Day 23: Drive back to Kathmandu and finish Our Trek

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Pokhara’s stunning northern skyline, and head towards Kathmandu. Free evening for your own leisure activities or shopping or exploring the tourist market of Thamel, etc Overnight in Kathmandu