Annapurna Trekking 2027 – KATI — Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake

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1530
  • 14 Nights / 15 Days
  • Difficulty : Moderate to Strenuous
  • Highest Point : 5,416 m (Thorong La)
  • Accommodation : Hotel / Trekkers' Lodge
  • Starts / Ends : Dharapani / Muktinath
  • Route : Annapurna · Kathmandu · Manang · Tilicho Lake · Thorong La · Muktinath
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake

This route follows the Marsyangdi valley on foot from Dharapani through Chame and Pisang to Manang. After an acclimatisation day in Manang, the trek turns west through Khangsar, the “Last Village of Nepal”, to Tilicho Base Camp and Tilicho Lake at 4,920 m, sacred in Hindu and Buddhist tradition. It then rejoins the main circuit at Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi before crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) and descending to Muktinath, where pilgrims bathe under the 108 sacred water taps. A drive to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu completes the trip. Eleven trekking days, several at high altitude, make this a route for fit, experienced walkers.

Highlights
  • Tilicho Lake (4,920 m)
  • Crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
  • Muktinath Temple darshan and holy bath
  • Tibetan culture at Manang and Khangsar
Places on This Route
  • Kathmandu — Nepal’s capital, filled with centuries-old Temples and historic courtyards.
  • Besisahar — The district town of Lamjung and the road gateway to the Annapurna Circuit.
  • Dharapani — A Marsyangdi valley village where the Manaslu and Annapurna trails meet, and the trek’s starting point.
  • Chame — The district headquarters of Manang, set among pine forest with views of Lamjung Himal.
  • Pisang — A village below Annapurna II with Tibetan-style stone houses and a hilltop monastery.
  • Manang — The upper valley’s main town at 3,540 m and the acclimatisation stop, near Gangapurna Lake and Braga Monastery.
  • Khangsar — Known as the “Last Village of Nepal”, preserving its old Tibetan culture and architecture.
  • Tilicho Lake — At 4,920 m, sacred in Hindu and Buddhist tradition and claimed to be among the highest lakes in the world.
  • Shree Kharka — A high pasture at 4,080 m on the return route from Tilicho Lake.
  • Yak Kharka — Alpine pastures at 4,018 m where locals traditionally graze yaks.
  • Thorong Phedi — A rocky outpost at 4,450 m at the foot of the pass, the last stop before the crossing.
  • Thorong La Pass — At 5,416 m, one of the highest trekking passes in the world, strung with prayer flags.
  • Muktinath Temple — One of the holiest Hindu and Buddhist shrines, in Mustang, with 108 sacred water taps.
  • Pokhara — Nepal’s lakeside gateway to the Annapurna range, built around Phewa Lake.
Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu (1,337 m)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for personal activities. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 02Kathmandu Trek Preparation

Morning free for personal activities. Packing and pre-departure meeting in the evening. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 03Dharapani to Chame (2,670 m) – 16 km, 5–6 hours

Trek along the Marsyangdi River through pine forests and villages such as Bagarchhap, Danaque and Timang, with views of Manaslu and Lamjung Himal, to reach Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.

Day 04Chame to Pisang (3,200 m) – 14 km, 5–6 hours

Trek through pine forests to Bhratang and past the curved rock face of Paungda Danda, with views of Annapurna II, to reach Pisang village.

Day 05Pisang to Manang (3,540 m) – 18 km, 5–6 hours

Trek via Upper Pisang and Ghyaru for views of Annapurna II, III and IV, then continue through Ngawal and Braga to reach Manang.

Day 06Acclimatisation Day at Manang (3,540 m)

Rest day to adjust to the altitude. Optional hike to Gangapurna Lake or Ice Lake (4,600 m), or visit Braga Monastery and the Manang Mountaineering School.

Day 07Acclimatisation Day at Manang (3,540 m)

A rest day to adjust to the altitude, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle. Optional short walk to Gangapurna Lake, or a longer hike to Ice Lake (Kicho Tal, 4,600 m) for views of Annapurna II, III and IV and Gangapurna. You may also visit Braga Monastery, the stone lanes of Manang and the Manang Mountaineering School.

Day 08Manang to Tilicho Base Camp (4,150 m) – 12 km, 6–8 hours

Cross the Khangsar Khola to reach Khangsar, known as the “Last Village of Nepal” for its preserved Tibetan culture and structures. Continue to Tilicho Base Camp, following a high crest and descending into a side valley.

Day 09Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake (4,920 m) and Shree Kharka (4,080 m) – 14–17 km, 7–9 hours

Start as early as possible, as strong winds can make the walk harder later in the day. Tilicho Lake is considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist mythology and is claimed to be among the highest lakes in the world. After a short exploration, return the same way to Shree Kharka.

Day 10Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka (4,018 m) – 12 km, 5–7 hours

Trek steadily through Tenki Manang, passing the Marsyangdi valley and Jarsang Khola to reach Yak Kharka. In Nepali, kharka means alpine pasture; the name comes from the yaks locals graze here.

Day 11Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) – 9 km, 3–5 hours

Trek to Ledar along the east bank of the Jarsang Khola to Thorong Phedi, a rock-strewn grassland enclosed by cliffs, where snow leopards and blue sheep are occasionally seen. The short day helps acclimatisation before the pass.

Day 12Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) and trek to Muktinath (3,762 m) – 17 km, 7–10 hours

Start early to reach Thorong La Pass, strung with Buddhist prayer flags, with views of the Annapurna range, Gangapurna and Khatung Kang. After a short stop, descend about 1,600 m with views of Dhaulagiri to reach Muktinath, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Day 13Muktinath to Pokhara – 202 km, 8 hours

From the lodge, visit Muktinath Temple, also known as the “place of salvation”, where pilgrims take a holy bath under 108 sacred water taps and complete darshan. Then drive to Pokhara. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 14Pokhara to Kathmandu – 200 km, 6–7 hours

Morning free to explore Pokhara Lakeside Market, then drive back to Kathmandu. Evening at leisure.

Day 15Departure

Conclude your journey. Depart transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for your further destination.

Please note: the itinerary sequence is subject to change based on the availability of accommodation.

Accommodations
DestinationHotel / Lodge
KathmanduDeluxe Hotel
PokharaDeluxe Hotel
Dharapani – Muktinath (trek)Best available Trekkers’ Lodge / Guest House

Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop
  • Kathmandu – Besisahar – Dharapani transportation
  • Experienced trekking guide
  • An assistant guide for groups of 10 pax and above
  • One porter for every two trekkers, with a weight limit of 10–12 kg per person
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee
  • Accommodation and meals on AP basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek, with tea and coffee as per the package
  • Muktinath – Pokhara – Kathmandu transportation
  • Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara on BB basis (bed and breakfast)
  • Entry fees for monuments and sightseeing places
  • Insurance coverage for guides and porters
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Single supplement cost
  • Any personal expenses, such as beverages, hot water and mineral water
  • Trekking gear
  • Hospital treatment, rescue and evacuation costs
  • Extra costs arising from unforeseen or unavoidable conditions
  • Gratuities (tips)
Essential Information

Visa & Entry Requirements

Entry rules differ for Indian and other foreign nationals. All trekkers on these routes also need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which we arrange from the documents you share at booking.

Indian Nationals

No Visa Required
  • Indian citizens need no visa to enter Nepal, by air at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or at any open land border
  • Carry a valid Indian passport, or Voter ID card as an accepted alternative photo ID
  • Minors without a passport should carry a School ID and Birth Certificate
  • Indian currency notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted; ₹500 and ₹2,000 notes are not accepted in Nepal

Foreign Nationals

Tourist Visa on Arrival
  • Most nationals can obtain a Tourist Visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or open land borders; a few nationalities must apply in advance at a Nepali Embassy
  • Visa fee: 15 days USD 30 · 30 days USD 50 · 90 days USD 125
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
  • One passport-size photograph; visa fee payable in cash (USD) or by card

Trekking & Climbing Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is required on all treks and is included in the package cost
  • Permits are issued against a passport copy (or Voter ID for Indian nationals) and one photograph per trekker

Entry, visa and permit rules are set by the Government of Nepal and may change; please reconfirm with us before travel.

Documents

Indian nationals must hold a valid passport or Voter ID card; foreign nationals must hold an ordinary passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity from the departure date, along with a valid Nepal visa. Passport / ID copies and one photograph per trekker should be shared with us at least 7 days before departure so that ACAP and climbing permits can be arranged.

Booking & Payments

A deposit of 25% of package cost is payable at the time of booking confirmation. The remaining balance is payable no later than 7 days prior to the arrival date. Payments are made by bank transfer to our Nepal company account.

Risk & Liabilities

ABC Adventures Pvt. Ltd. and its associates are committed to providing a smooth, safe and memorable journey. We are not liable for itinerary changes due to unavoidable circumstances, such as road blockages, landslides, snowfall, weather, flight delays or cancellations, strikes, or illness and accidents. Any additional costs incurred under these conditions must be borne by the traveller.

Fitness

The Annapurna Base Camp trek (KAAB) is graded Moderate and suits fit walkers able to trek 5–6 hours a day. The circuit treks (KATI, KAAC) are graded Moderate to Strenuous and cross Thorong La at 5,416 m. Travellers with cardiac or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before booking, and regular cardio and hill-walking training before travel is advised for all routes.

Food & Beverage

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with tea and coffee are provided during trekking days. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, meals follow the plan stated in each trek’s inclusions (BB basis for all treks).

Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency helicopter evacuation up to the trek’s maximum altitude is strongly advised for all treks, and is essential for the Thorong La crossing.

Cancellation

All notice of cancellation must be sent in writing by email; verbal cancellation does not qualify for any refund.

TimingCharge
15 days or more prior to arrival25% of package cost
7–14 days prior to arrival50% of package cost
3–6 days prior to arrival75% of package cost
Less than 3 days / no show100% of package cost

Packing List

  • Passport (6+ months’ validity) or Voter ID (for Indians), visa documents for foreign nationals, photocopies and 2 passport photographs
  • Travel insurance policy and emergency numbers
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots and camp sandals
  • Layered clothing: thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket and waterproof shell
  • Warm hat, gloves, buff, UV sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Sleeping bag rated to –10 °C (–15 °C for Thorong La)
  • Trekking poles, daypack, headlamp, power bank and reusable water bottle
  • Water purification tablets, personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
  • Cash in INR (₹100 notes and below) / USD or Nepali Rupees for personal expenses on the trail

Health Notes

All four treks go above 4,000 m, where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a real risk. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, loss of appetite and poor sleep; they usually ease with rest and hydration, but worsening symptoms mean descending without delay. Each itinerary builds in acclimatisation, at Manang on the circuit treks and through gradual stages on the Base Camp trek.

Drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol at altitude, walk at a steady pace and tell your guide promptly about any symptoms. Travellers with cardiac, respiratory or other relevant medical conditions should consult their doctor before booking, and carry any personal prescription medicines.

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