Manaslu and Annapurna Trek with Tilicho Lake

After breakfast, we begin our guided tour to several historic, antique and spiritual site in Kathmandu which are protected by UNESCO world heritage sites. Today, we explore quaint Durbar Square, Pashupatinath (Hindu Temple), Swayambhunath (2,000 years old monkey temple) and Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa). After sightseeing of UNESCO designated world heritage sites, we drive back to hotel and get our trekking gears checked by our trekking leader and discuss about the trip Alpine Kailash’s office.

Meals

Breakfast

We depart early from Kathmandu to Sotikhola. En-route- we enjoy the many countryside villages with verdant hilly sceneries. We drive along the bank of Trishuli River and follow the paved road until Dhading Bensi but the driving route from Dhading Bensi to Arughat is on rough road. We leave behind Arughat and drive further to reach SotiKhola.

Activity & Duration

8-9 hours trek

Highest Altitude

710m (Sotikhola)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we trek beyond Sotikhola, cross the bridge and walk through the dense forest of Sal and then ascend to the forested ridge right above the huge rapid of Budhi Gandaki. We reach the Khursane village and beyond the village the trail weaves its way up and down, traverse rice terraces and tropical waterfalls and climbs up to the Gurung village of Labubesi. The trail further goes behind a rocky outcrop and eventually the valley widens up and the Budhi Gandaki River flows among the wide gravel bars.
Further, we climb down to the sandy river bed and walk for a while to climb over the side ridge. From the ridge, we drop down to the river and cross another suspension bridge to enter into the village of Machha Khola.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

900m (Machha Khola)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Machha Khola to Jagat trail negotiates few ups and downs and move across Tharo Khola to reach Khorlabesi. Further traversing few more uphill and downhill section, we reach a small hot spring in Tatopani. After soothing at hot spring, we ascend over another ridge and cross Budhi Gandaki over a suspension bridge. Afterward, we ascend via well-crafted staircase and walk across a landslide to climb over a ridge to Dovan. Walking across the suspension bridge over Yaru Khola, we ascend for a while through stone stair and descend down to the river before climbing via stone stairs to reach Tharo Bharyang. Crossing the Budhi Gandaki River, we ascend over a ridge and walk alongside of river before climbing to the village of Jagat.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

1410m (Jagat.)

After breakfast, we climb to Salleri via rocky ridge and drop off to Sirdibas. Before, we continue to Ghatta Khola, the valley opens up and the trail follows fairly leveled path. Further climbing via forested route, we cross a suspension bridge before entering into the large village of Philim. The trail follow the Ekle Bhatti Route waking through the lowest house in the village and follows levelled fairly easy path. The route now negotiates steep, rugged and unsettled section. Eventually, we drop off to the grassy land slopes and cross Budhi Gandaki and trek for a while before crossing the river again. Walking through the wide valley, we cross the dense cluster of Bamboo to reach Deng Khola. Further crossing the Deng Khola, we enter into the small but warm village of Deng.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

1804m (Deng)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we leave Deng village behind and cross the river of Budhi Gandaki to climb over the ridge Rana (1,910m). We climb further until the route connects the route trail from Bhi and move west to the Budhi Gandaki valley. Travelling through the forested route and mani walls, we cling that route that join the Ghap. We follow the route of Prok village that bless us with incredible panorama of Siringi Himal. Crossing Budhi Gandaki River several time and walking alongside of several gompas, we start gaining height climbing through the lush and verdant forest. Further dropping off to the narrow gorge, the dense starts disappearing and the trail changed into fairly leveled path. A leveled and easy hike for a while and steep climb at the last section of trail takes us to Namrung.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

2630m (Namrung)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Namrung is famous for awe-inspiring view of Siring, Ganesh and Himal Chuli peaks in the south. Today, we ascend steadily through the forested route to reach Lihi. It is beautiful village dotted with many Chortens and barley fields. Walking through the side village of Simnang Himal and crossing the warm village of Sho, Lho and Shyala village, we reach Sama village. At Lho village, we get privilege to enjoy the excellent view of Mt. Manalsu and famous Ribung Gompa. Shayala village exhibits the gigantic view of Himal Chuli, Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manalsu and massive glaciers. Walking for while through few uphill and downhill section, we reach the village of Samagaon.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

3532m (Samagaon)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is acclimatization and exploration day at Samagaon. We stroll around the village to explore culture and tradition. We interact with locals and discover thousands of mani stones carved with Buddhist texts and pictures. We hike to nearby hill to explore famous Pungygen Gompa. It is popular monastery that displays astounding views of glacier.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we drop down to the Budi Gandaki River and head north to follow the bridge over a side stream. The left trail leads us to the Manalsu Base Camp. We follow the Larkya La Trail walking along side mani walls and after a while, the valley opens up. It is fairly well leveled trail on a shelf over the torrent through the forested route of juniper and brich of Kermo Kharka. We climb down the shelf and cross wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki and climb on to the point where the river splits off. Walking through Kani, we enter into the village of Samdo.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours trek

Highest Altitude

3860m (Samdo)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This is second scheduled acclimatization day of the trek. We suggest you to hike over the trade pass located right back of Samdo village. This trade pass is famous for excellent views of Mt. Manalsu, Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and Kang Guru. En route- you will encounter many herding settlements locally called doksas and discover beautiful Lophophorus (national bird in Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high in the sky. You can also choose to trek over Gya La Pass, frequently used pass by trader.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Walking down the edge of the village, we cross the bridge over Budi Gandaki and continue walking uphill. En route to Dharmasala, we cross two streams, enjoy the view of Larkya Glacier and walk around the valley of Salka Khola. Dharmasala (4,450m) is not a lodge but a small stone shelter as known as Larke Phedi.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4460m (Dharmashala)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Larkya La pass trek involves 800m ascend that takes 3-5 hours and 1,500m that takes 3-4 hours descent to Bimthang. It can be bitterly cold if it is windy and snows and ice can consume more time. A pre-dawn hike starts with easy ascent to the ridge before joining long and arduous climb over the jumbled moraine field. You will discover Pawar Peak on the northern border and Larke Peak on the southern border.
Finally, we walk alongside the moraine of the glacier which become steeper at final section. The pass serves the magnificent views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and huge Annapurna II. The trail to Bimthang is quite longer than usual. We reach to Bimthang with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu.

Activity & Duration

8-9 hours trek

Highest Altitude

5160m (Bimthang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The ridge at Bimthang allows you to enjoy the tantalizing view of Mt. Manalsu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We climb down to Sangure Kharka, cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and forest and narrow trail that leads you to the highest cultivated land valley of Karche (2,785m). We ascend to the ridge and drop down to the riverbank before making a short hike to Gho village. You can overnight at Gho village but better lodges are available at Tilije, so we hike to Tilije for comfortable night.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours trek

Highest Altitude

2300m (Tilije)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we join the main Annapurna Circuit Trail. We climb down for a while and cross a suspension bridge and climb until we reach Thoche village. We then follow well-levelled path and walk across a power house for electricity production in Bagarchhap. From Bagarchhap, we make steep hike through forested ridges and walk across the several landslides to reach Chame. En route- we enjoy the sensational views of Lamang Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft).

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

2710m (Chame)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we make a steep and narrow hike through a dense forest that leads us to the dramatic curved rock face rising 1,500m from the river. The valley opens up and you will be surrounded by majestic Himalayan peaks.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours trek

Highest Altitude

3700m (Pisang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Pisang, there are two routes that joins us to Manang. We choose to trek along the Upper Pisang via Geru, as it ensures the best views of Mt. Annapurna and Pisang peaks. The route to Humde airstrip is less challenging with less uphill and downhill section.
Today, we walk through the dry and cold part of Manang. We make a short visit to Bagre Monastery – the largest monastery in Manang District.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours trek

Highest Altitude

3500m (Manang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we walk beyond Manang and walk across the western gate that follows the trail down to river. We cross the river and follows the southern bank of the river through the forested route towards Khangsar village. The trail then continue towards Siri Kharka and cross a monastery on the way. The ascend today is quit strenuous but Gungang Himal and Mt. Chulu compensates the trek.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4060m (Siri Kharka)

The trail to Tilicho Base Camp mostly goes to downhill section but the landslide portion on the route can be dangerous. The narrow and steep trail might create difficult to walk. We enjoy the astounding Himalayan range and impressive rock formation all along the trail.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4140m (Tilicho Base Camp)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Tilicho Base Camp, we walk up along the moraine ridges and grassy slopes to negotiate some large switchback. We reach the watershed and on the other side is Tilicho Lake, a large and beautiful lake nestled at the foothill of the north face of Tilicho Peak, a snowy wall that was named “The Great Barrier” by 1950 French expedition team. Maurice Herzong, the leader of French expedition team, referred this lake as “The Giant Ice Lake”. This lake is spiritually significant for Hindus as it is mentioned on holy lake “The Ramayana”. We trek back to Siri Kharka via same route.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4949m (Siri Kharka)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The returning trail from Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka falls under the main Annapurna circuit trail and leave the route to Khangsar and Manang. We descend to Thare Gomba and few minute away from Kangsar is a trail junction. We wind left and walk to Old Khangsar. It is small unsettled village with occasional herders. We continue further and cross seasonal Thorong La Khola Bridge. We ascend further until we reach Yak Kharka.

Activity & Duration

3-4 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4420m (Yak Kharka)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Although, Yak Kharka – Thorang Phedi trek is short hike, the thin air is tough to deal with. After breakfast, we start gaining height for couple of hours and then descend towards the River. Crossing the river, we climb up to Thorung Phedi. We can climb up to the High camp if you are fit and acclimatized properly. However, Phedi is the best place to halt for almost every trekker.

Activity & Duration

3-4 hours trek

Highest Altitude

4420m (Thorung Phedi)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Though crossing Thorong La Pass is the toughest and challenging part of the trek, the beauty it offers compensates all the effort.  We start trekking early in the morning to avoid the unfavorable weather.  If we start lake, there is high risk of rock fall and strong wind. It requires 5 hours of climb to reach the top of Thorong La (5,416m). The surreal scenery of snowy peaks like Annapurna, Manaslu, Yakwakang, Thorung Peak and surrounding peaks are magnificent.
After exploration, we descend through the steep trail to Muktinath. Another couple of hours, we walk through the barren hillside and reach to Muktinath temple – the significant pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhist. We then drive to Jomsom.

Activity & Duration

1 hour drive

Highest Altitude

2843m (Jomsom)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we fly to Pokhara. 30 minutes flight to Pokhara is scenic as we fly over deepest gorge in the world with spectacular views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. At Pokhara, we will feel warm and better. We can boat at Phewa Lake that reflects Fishtail Mountain on its waters. In evening, we stroll around the quaint street and buy souvenirs for loved ones.

Activity & Duration

25 minutes flight

Meals

Breakfast

We make an early morning drive in a tourist bus to Kathmandu enjoying the riverside scenery embellished with terraced farms and local village along the way. Upon arrival to Kathmandu, we drive back to hotel and rest for some house. In the evening, you catch a last minute shopping and strolling around bustling city, Thamel. We enjoy a farewell dinner organized by Alpine Kailash to celebrate the successful completion of the trek.

Activity & Duration

6 hour drive

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner