Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake and Ice Lake

Once you reach Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the Himalayan Marvel Adventure delegate will receive you from there then check-in in the hotel.

Early in the morning, we will sit together for a meeting with the tour guide and our staff then we will give a brief discussion about our itineraries, accommodation, transportation, services that we include, and exclude, and we provide a cap, T-shirt, and bag with our company logo. 

After the meeting, you can go to Kathmandu sightseeing with our city tour guide. Our city tour guide will take you to many famous places of Kathmandu valley like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Budhanilkantha, Bouddha, Pashupati Bhaktapur, Swoyambhu, Asan -market, and many more according to the time we have.

On the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, we drive up to Dumre, then turn off and take a different highway across the Marsyangdi River, crossing smaller villages and rice fields. After a six-hour drive, we arrive in Besi Sahar, the Lamjung District capital. From Besisahar, we board a local jeep and travel to Syange, the starting point of our trek. From Syange, we walk up to Jagat.

We walk through Oak and Maple forest on our way to Chame, which is the headquarters of the Manang District. Throughout the trek, we can admire amazing views of the Himalayas including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. 

We’ll reach the iconic-shaped rock face through a narrow and steep path via the dense forest. The path is formed into the vertical rock in this section of the Marshyangdi Valley, which is possibly the steepest portion of the valley. The valley opens up with breathtaking mountain vistas after passing this last bit of rock. The valley widens dramatically from here. We walked for a while before arriving in Lower Pisang.

The Pisang village marks the beginning of the Manang district’s upper region. The trek ascends to Braga, a Tibetan-styled village, on this day. The houses are stacked on top of each other, creating verandas with the roofs of each other. The main attraction is the Gompa, which is the largest in the district and is situated on a high crag with a panoramic view of the whole village. After a while, we reach Manang, where we freshen up and spend the night.

On this day, we trek to Ice Lake, one of the main highlights of this trip. The zigzagging Ice Lake trail provides beautiful scenery of the eastern part of Manang valley, Pisang hill, and Swargadwari Danda. When you arrive at the Ice Lake, relax and enjoy the landscape, which is flanked by beautiful peaks. We retrace our steps back to Manang after a while. 

To acclimate, today will relax and explore Manang. The idyllic community of about 500 flat-roofed houses in the rustic set between some spectacular scenery – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna to the south – Tilicho, and the Grand Barrier to the west – Chulu West and Chulu East to the north – Chulu West and Chulu East – Chulu West and Chulu East – Chulu West and Chulu East – Chulu West and Chulu. Visit the Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic after a day of exploring and relaxing in Manang.

Before reaching the creek, our path continues to embrace the side of the mountain in a steady to soak slant after the preceding heavy, drench, flip increase. We encountered yaks and deer in the course of our journey, both above and below our trail. Tilicho Lake, on the other hand, is a large, beautifully situated lake at the foot of Tilicho Peak’s north face. The lake was labeled “The Great Ice Lake” by the founder of the French campaign team. For Hindus, the lake is also significant because it illustrates one of the Hindus’ holiest writings, the Ramayan.

The morning begins after Sri Kharkha with a climb to a ridge with stunning scenery of Gangapurna and Tilicho Peaks, accompanied by a walk through arid and barren landscapes with just a few pines and Burberry thorny plants. The journey to Tilicho Base Camp continues on a winding ledge with a few fast climbs and ups.

The first climb will be challenging. Following the previous hike’s footstep, the trail ascends to a plateau before cutting down the mountainside to Tilicho Lake. The Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar, and Muktinath peaks’ majestic views will remain with you for the rest of your life.  Tilicho Lake’s turquoise blue waters, as well as its beautiful surroundings, can be enjoyed. Seasonally, you can see it in its bluish form with the mountains reflected on it. You may find it frozen. After spending some time here, you’ll return to Sri Kharkha.

We’ll leave Siri Kharka today and travel to Khangsar Village. On the way, we’ll stop at Tare Gumba, a thousand-year-old monastery that’s popular with the locals.  We’ll continue walking along a Khangsar rock wall until we hit a seasonal bridge in the Thorang Khola valley. We’ll climb to a plateau for a while after crossing the river. We’ll walk until we reach Yak Kharka after that.

As we climb along the east bank of Jarang Khola, trekking to Letdar aids in acclimatization to the rising altitude. We eventually arrive at the Thorung Phedi, a meadow surrounded by cliffs. Blue sheep and snow leopards have been seen in the region a few times, but Lammergeyers and griffons are very popular. 

Your ultimate aim would be to cross the Thorong La Bridge, one of the world’s highest passes. Crossing from east to west is the quickest and safest choice. Get up early in the morning and start walking to the top. You will know that your journey was well worth it once you hit the top. You can take some pictures before entering the Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La Pass.

On the last day of hiking in the mountains, we descend to Eke Bhati, on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, for lunch. After lunch, we take a walk to Jomsom. The strong wind and sand blowing from your front side will make walking through the Kali Gandaki river valley difficult. You must be lucky if there is no wind all day.

After breakfast at Jomsom, we say goodbye to Jomsom and take a quick 25 minutes flight back to Pokhara. The remaining time is leisure, you can spend this time as you wish.

Since it’s a long day, we start a day early in the morning. After breakfast at the hotel, we drove back to Kathmandu on the same route which we took previously. After around 7 hrs, we reach the hotel and then check-in and relax.

Or if you fly back to Kathmandu it will take less time to reach there and you also get a chance to explore Kathmandu valley. If you are flying then you will take a morning flight at 7:45 am and by 10 am you will check-in in the hotel. So you will have enough time to do shopping or explore the valley or you can relax the whole day, it’s your choice.

In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner with the trekking crew with a guide, and other staff. Enjoy the farewell dinner, and then have a sound sleep at the hotel of Kathmandu. 

Himalayan Marvel Adventure delegate will drop you at the airport before 3 hrs and return to the respective places. Or you can choose the next program for the next adventurous journey.