Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake — 17 Days
Duration
17 days
From
$1,850/person
Max Altitude
5,416 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Starts
Besisahar / Kathmandu
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Trip Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary(17 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 4,925 m · Day 10The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake is the definitive version of Nepal's greatest long-distance trek — the classic 14-day circuit extended to 17 days to include the side-trip to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), the world's highest freshwater lake and one of the most arresting landscapes in the entire Himalaya. The lake sits in a glacially carved bowl below the Tilicho Peak massif; on a clear October morning, the ice-blue water reflects a sky of impossible depth and the surrounding 7,000 m peaks in complete silence.
The main circuit covers the same spectacular ground as the 14-day version — the Marsyangdi river gorge approach to Chame, the pine forests and apple orchards of the Manang Valley, the Thorong La crossing (5,416 m) at dawn, Muktinath's eternal flame and pilgrimage atmosphere, and the Kali Gandaki gorge descent. The Tilicho detour branches from Manang village and involves one exposed high traverse (the Tilicho slope, where a cable has been installed on the most vertiginous section) before reaching the lake shore at 4,919 m — a world-record altitude for a natural freshwater body.
Two nights at Manang (3,519 m) are included — one for the acclimatisation walk to Ice Lake (4,620 m), one for the rest before the Tilicho day — keeping altitude gain conservative before the Thorong La crossing.
Is the Tilicho Extension Worth the Three Extra Days?
For anyone doing the Annapurna Circuit once in their life, yes — unequivocally. Tilicho Lake is the single most spectacular non-pass-summit view on the entire circuit route. The three extra days (Manang to Tilicho Base Camp, lake day, return to Manang) are not physically demanding relative to the rest of the trek, but they require the acclimatisation you've already built. Most trekkers who skip Tilicho say, later, that they wish they hadn't.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Tilicho Lake access: Closed in heavy snow (December–February). Max altitude: Tilicho Lake 4,919 m (optional extension to 5,416 m at Thorong La).
What's Included
Included
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Besisahar bus and local jeep to Jagat
- Jomsom–Pokhara mountain flight and Pokhara–Kathmandu tourist bus
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure
Best Time to Go
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Best season. Stable skies, perfect temperatures, dramatic mountain colours. November can be cold at Thorong La — dress accordingly.
Spring (Mar–May)
Excellent. Rhododendrons in bloom on lower sections, good visibility. Pass fully open by April. Slightly warmer than autumn.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Thorong La may be snowed in (5,416 m). Possible for experienced trekkers in good weather windows. Very cold on the pass and Manang plateau.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Not recommended for the circuit. Heavy rain, slippery trails, poor visibility. Consider Upper Mustang instead.
Permits Required
What to Pack
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Customer Reviews(2)
5.0
2 reviews
Layla Hassan
April 2025
I was honestly nervous as a solo female traveler about doing a 17-day trek in Nepal. The team addressed every concern before I booked — female guide option, tea house safety, emergency protocols. Our guide Sunita was incredible. The moment Tilicho Lake came into view — this vast turquoise expanse completely still at nearly 5,000m — I understood why people give up months of their lives to be here. The Thorong La crossing was tough but deeply satisfying. Highly professional company.
Nathan Williams
🇺🇸October 2025
The full circuit with Tilicho Lake is the definitive Himalayan trek and I am so glad I didn't cut corners. Travel Himalaya Nepal added the Tilicho detour seamlessly into the itinerary — that lake at 4,919m was surreal, like a mirror at the top of the world. The crossing of Thorong La at 5,416m after seventeen days of preparation felt completely natural. Our guide Ram was exceptional — particularly his depth of knowledge about Thakali culture in the Mustang section. Perfect trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the Trail
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$1,850
/ person · all-inclusive