Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley Trek & TIlicho Lake – 17 Days

17 Days
Moderate

Max. Altitude

5240m

Best Season

Oct-Dec & Mar-May

Activity

Trekking

Start / End Point

Kathmandu/Kathmandu

Overview of Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley Trek & TIlicho Lake – 17 Days

The Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit is a challenging high-altitude trip. It is one of the toughest treks in the Himalayas, a region known for its beautiful beauty and vibrant culture. Nar Phu is a priceless gem that offers trekkers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness untouched valleys, undisturbed Himalayan nature, and ancient Buddhist heritage.

The Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake trek offer a fantastic payoff because of their rich biodiversity and variety of resources. You will experience a breathtaking tour that passes through several historic towns, terraced fields, and alpine woods.

In the Nar Phu valley, you may experience authentic Tibetan culture and customs. You can also spot musk deer and snow leopards in the Manang and Tilicho Lake regions.

This is a one-of-a-kind Annapurna circuit journey that takes us off the main route to rural villages and the highest lakes and hills of Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake. In this trek, we should first discover Nar Phu Valley, next to Tilicho Lake.

Then we proceed with our journey along the Annapurna Circuit, passing Thorong La Pass (5416 m). The trek involves high hills, glaciers, narrow canyons, gorges, meadows, miraculous rock formations, and Tibetan ethnic cultures.

Highlights of Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley Trek & TIlicho Lake – 17 Days

• Explore Tibetan culture and customs, monasteries, and Chortans in Nar Phu valley.
• Views of one of the world’s highest lakes, the beautiful Tilicho Lake.
• Cross two high passes, Kang La and Thorong La, both of which are over 5400 meters.
• Stunning mountain flights in Pokhara and Jomsom.
• The Muktinath temple and monuments, as well as its 108 brass water fountains.
• Facilitated by the Himalayan mountain range, which includes Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna.

Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley Trek & TIlicho Lake – 17 Days Itinerary

day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu valley.

One of our representatives will welcome you at the Tribhuvan international airport upon your arrival. Then you’ll be directly transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu. After dropping you off, you will have the whole day to explore the city.

In the meantime, you can explore the valley’s main charm Swayambhunath which is near Thamel. You can also choose an alternative destination in the city such as Boudhanath stupa and Pashupatinath temple and explore other places along with the help of our guide.

After the sightseeing, we’ll take you to one of Kathmandu’s top restaurants for a welcome dinner later in the evening.

Maximum Altitude

1,400 m.

Meals

Dinner

Accomodations

3 Star Hotel

day 02 Drive to Koto from Kathmandu.

We will drive for straight 6 hours from Kathmandu to Besishahar. Before continuing north to Besisahar, you will pass via Kurintar and Bandipur.

After finally reaching Besi Shahar you’ll travel upwards to the Koto which will be a challenging route to accomplish. But it’s worth it, you’ll capture some of the mesmerizing scenery while on the route.

You’ll cross through breathtaking waterfalls and fantastic gorges as you drive along the classic Annapurna Circuit trek route. You’ll then get there in time for dinner in the village of Koto.

Maximum Altitude

2,600 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Lodge

Transportation

8-9 hrs Jeep ride

day 03 Trek from Koto to Meta.

We’ll wake up early, have breakfast, and move forward today because we have to cover much of the trails. We will enter the Nar and Phu valley by crossing the river. As you trek forward you’ll see charming scenes and incredible vistas just like towns nearby the Annapurna circuit.

You’ll travel through forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron along the journey, as well as modest cave shelters and resting sites for pilgrims.

As you approach Meta’s final segment, you must climb a big incline, from where you can see some of the region’s immense snow-capped peaks in breathtaking detail.

Maximum Altitude

3,560 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 - 8 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 04 Trek from Meta to Phu.

We’ll leave for the Phu walk after breakfast. There you’ll see Tibetan flags, stupas, and chortens, allowing you to discover Buddhist culture. These things make Nar and Phu famous for trekking.

You will arrive at Chyaku fields after additional hiking through lovely canyons, gorges, and suspension bridges. After this, you could get your initial sight of the three nearby villages, along with an old dzong (fortress in Tibetan architecture) and the ruins of two more forts, all of which is majestically perched above the surrounding plains.

Well before coming over the bridge into Phu, the area is dotted with beautiful chortens. After taking a rest and having a snack we will take a short walk up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa. We will ascend to the well-known Tashi Lhakhang Gompa after a little rest and snack. Stay the night at Phu Goan.

Maximum Altitude

4,080 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 - 8 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 05 Phu Exploration Day.

It is safe to acclimatize on this day at Phu village. So it’s better to adjust to the surroundings at a high altitude than to unwind there. It is very important to adapt your body to the environment.

When you wake, you may enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst taking in the scenery. Spend some time strolling around the village’s narrow lanes.

Additionally, getting to know the inhabitants and taking a stroll around the yak and sheep pastures would be fantastic chances to learn about their way of life. You may watch the preparation of mustard paste, oil, and wool.

Maximum Altitude

4,080 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Lodge

day 06 Trek from Phu to Nar Phedi.

You will be traveling from Phu to back down towards Meta. Then after you’ll locate the Nar Phedi Monastery where you’ll spend your night.

The monks will welcome you wholeheartedly and usually, they keep the room and the kitchen very neat and clean. You can also watch them cook in a modest fireplace.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 - 6 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 07 Trek from Nar Phedi to Narvillage.

Since you’ll be traveling from Nar Phedi to Nar village, today’s trip will be simple and brief. After eating breakfast in Nar Phedi, you will ascend through Nar Valley to leave the region.

To reach Nar settlement farther ahead, you must cross the suspension bridge across the Labse River. As you approach the old village, you will see a row of stupas with bamboo roofs and beautifully painted stupas. Although Nar is not far from the Annapurna trail not many visitors come here to visit.

So, many people miss the chance to witness the scenes from this place. Despite being smaller than Phu village, Nar village has a comparable environment.

The community is highly active; you could see residents moving their livestock to feed in fields and ladies knitting woolen fabric.

Maximum Altitude

4,110 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

3 - 4 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 08 Trek to Ngawal via the Kang La Pass.

It’s going to be a long and challenging day today. Nevertheless, it is worth it as we cross the Kang La pass. Although it isn’t a challenging pass, the impact of the height might make the day tiresome.

Once at the top of the pass, you can take in a breathtaking vista of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II. Then we descend an hour-long grassland trail to Ngawal after crossing the Kang La hill. A place to stay the night will be offered

Maximum Altitude

5,240 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

8 - 9 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 09 Trek from Khangsar to Tilicho base camp trek.

On this day, you are traveling the Annapurna Circuit trek as you descend to Khangsar village. You’ll start your ascent along the trail leading to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery.

The new path and the old trail meet at this juncture as you ascend towards a high peak. Follow the new route and climb to a high peak before descending.

After crossing a tiny stream, you’ll ultimately arrive at Tilicho Base Camp, where you’ll spend the following two nights. Stay the night in Tilicho Base Camp.

Maximum Altitude

4,919 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 - 6 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 10 Visit Tilicho lake and Return to Base Camp.

You’ll have early breakfast on this day before moving onto the highest lake in the world. Your day will start before dawn as you make your way over the rocky, perilous route to Tilicho Lake, towards the cliffs.

This one of the highest lakes in the world is accessible in around 3-4 hours and has crystal-clear, brilliant blue water which also reflects the nearby Tilicho peak and Mesokanto peak, and other Peaks.

You can enjoy your lunch here at the lake, but don’t remain there for too much time. Head back to the Tlicho base camp for the night stay.

Maximum Altitude

4,919 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 - 6 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 11 Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka.

As you leave the woods behind and enter a region with very little vegetation, this route will take you out of Marsayangdi Valley. The route ascends beside Thorung Khola after passing past the town of Khangsar.

Walk an unlabeled track from here that descends to a classical log bridge between Gumsang and Yak Kharka, where yak herders bring their animals to graze. Overnight stay in Yak Kharka.

Maximum Altitude

4,010 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 - 6 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 12 Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorung Phedi.

After breakfast in the morning, you’ll take a stroll in the direction of Thorung Phedi. The walk eventually brings you to a ridge from where you may enjoy breathtaking views of the Mountains.

Then you will descend to Marshyangdi, where a wooden bridge will allow you to cross the river. Then after, you will ascend the mountain path on the right bank for a few distances before taking a winding way down to Thorung Phedi.

Upon reaching there you can either hike up to the lodge located at the high camp for acclimatization or spend the day resting. Overnight at Thorung Phedi.

Maximum Altitude

4,450 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 - 7 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 13 Trek from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath via Thorung La.

In the early morning, you’ll move towards Thorung la pass which is the highest pass in the Annapurna conservation area. You’ll be walking for four hours to reach Thorung La, making this day the longest and most difficult of the expedition.

When you arrive, you’ll be delighted with breathtaking vistas of the Kaligandaki and Mustang valleys. From the peak, you can see Tilicho Peak, the Annapurna massif, and the Dhaulagiri mountain range up close.

You will descend to a tea house in Chabarbu after enjoying the surroundings. You will then return to the peaceful settlement of Muktinath by making your way down a long, grassy hill through a series of bends and toward the lower Mustang.

One of the most sacred Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimages is held in Muktinath, which is encompassed by the Dhaulagiri Himal. Another spectacular sight awaits you there. Stay the night at Muktinath.

Maximum Altitude

3,760 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

8 - 9 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 14 Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom.

On the 14th Day of Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho lake trek, you may visit the Muktinath temple after eating breakfast at your teahouse. A large number of tourists come from all over the world because this temple is well-known and important to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Before beginning the hike, you will get a chance to explore the main shrine and its grounds. Return to your lodge to gather your stuff after acquiring the blessing from the temple before making the walk back to Jomsom. You may now start the simple, downhill walk down from Muktinath to Jomsom from this point.

On the way, you can have good views of Mount Dhaulagiri as you reverse your route. You may stop at a monastery along the road and enjoy the scenery, which includes old caverns and mountains covered with snow.

When you get to Jomsom, you will see residents selling apples and other goods for profit. Stay the night in Jomsom.

Maximum Altitude

2,715 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Trek Duration

5 - 6 hrs

Accomodations

Lodge

day 15 Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara

After an early breakfast, we’ll prepare all the luggage before taking it out for Pokhara. Our exciting 30-minute flight will get us to Pokhara.

The flight will give us stunning views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs, two of the largest mountains in the Himalayas. When you get to Pokhara, check into your accommodation and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

You can wander around local shops in the valley and check out the cool cafes and restaurants around the neighborhood. You may also go out to the neighborhood bar or club in the evening or at night to have fun. Stay the night in Pokhara.

Meals

Breakfast

Accomodations

3 Star Hotel

Transportation

25 min Flight

day 16 Pokhara to Kathmandu Flight.

You may take it easy on this day in the morning, explore the area around Phewa Lake, take photographs of the stunning sunrise, and enjoy coffee at one of the city’s coffee shops.

Then, you will be picked up by the driver to take you to the airport as your flight time approaches. When you arrive in Kathmandu, you may shop and visit the nearby tourist sites in Thamel and other areas of the city. After that, we will have a farewell meal with our trekking group in the evening.

Meals

Breakfast

Accomodations

3 Star Hotel

Transportation

25 min Flight

day 17 Final departure.

As your trip to Nepal draws to a close today, you are bidding goodbye to the Himalayas! You will say your final goodbyes to our staff members and tour guides before flying out of Kathmandu’s international airport.

Keep in mind the amazing experience you had seeing the Annapurna circuit’s rural towns, breathtaking lakes, and interesting places.

Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

Airport pick up and departure transfer
Private jeep ride from Kathmandu to Besisahar.
Kathmandu 03 nights 03-star Hotel BB plan.
Pokhara 02 Night 03-star Hotel BB plan.
Lodge Accommodation throughout the trek
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner throughout the trek from the Lodge menu
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Nar Phu valley
Annapurna Region trek map
First Aid Kit
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Besisahar to Koto by sharing jeep transfer
All the government taxes and company service charges
English-speaking guide during the Nar Phu Valley trek and all his expenses like meals, and accommodation. salary, insurance, and transfer.

What's Excluded

Meals not quantified in the ‘Meal Inclusions’ in the itinerary’
Travel Insurance
International airfare
Tips to guide porter and others
Nepal entry visa charge.
All beverage and other personal expenses.
Snacks and other personal expenses
Hot shower during the trek.

Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley Trek & TIlicho Lake – 17 Days - Essential Information

Best season for Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Trek Via Annapurna circuit:

The months of spring (March, April, and May) and autumn(September, October, and November) are the ones that see the most trekkers for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. These two seasons offer some of the greatest trekking opportunities because of a decent quantity of sunlight and little likelihood of rain.

During these times, you may expect nice weather and breathtaking scenery. However, both seasons are cooler at high altitudes.If you compare these two seasons, spring is the runner-up, while some people rank it first. The Nepali mid-hill area comes to life in the spring when rhododendron and flowers bloom.

Warm and happy weather accompany spring. Trekkers may look forward to bright days after what felt like an endless winter. Although it won’t be particularly warm right away, the weather will get warmer. The cold makes the paths frequently empty in March and busy in April.

We consider the autumn season the best time to trek around on this route. Generally speaking, autumn is the ideal season for hiking in Nar Phu Valley since the weather is pleasant and windy.

Although Annapurna Circuit continues to be chilly, most of the region may expect mild days. When temperatures reach 15 degrees Celsius, daytime is typically warmer than night.

If you have the correct gear and have planned for the walk, you may also do the Nar Phu Valley Trek in the winter months of December, January, and February. The same holds throughout the summertime.

Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty

The Tilicho Lake Trek is somewhat difficult. The walk comprises a path with several steep ascents and descents, difficult terrain, and surfaces that become frozen and treacherous in the winter and during wet seasons.

Altitude sickness might hurt while trekking here in thin air; this is the main challenge. Trekkers can prevent some types of altitude sickness by keeping regular ascents, consuming enough fluids, dressing in warm clothing, and balancing meals.

Also with a knowledgeable guide, you could lower your risk of developing AMS. The second difficulty in this walk is the difficulty of the paths and the sections with the most frequent stone falls. The last challenge is the likelihood of severe snowstorms and significant snowfall throughout the expedition.

The trekker can complete the journey with average physical fitness and decent overall health. Before beginning the expedition, careful planning and direction are necessary.

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Tripadvisor Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 218 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Experience78263 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Experience with Life Himalaya Trekking
Excellent Experience with Life Himalaya Trekking – Highly Recommended! A big thank you to the entire team at Life Himalaya Trekking Pvt Ltd for organising such a wonderful experience for us. We arrived in Kathmandu on 12 October 2026 and completed our 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp. Everything was organised very well from start to finish, and the team looked after us throughout the journey. A special thank you to our guide, Birsha Rai, who communicated with us so well. His English was excellent and easy to understand. He was friendly, professional and very flexible, making sure we were comfortable along the way. Our two Sherpa porters were also incredibly kind and helpful. We also appreciated the warm welcome and the lovely farewell ceremony with lunch. It was a beautiful way to finish our adventure. Thank you to Shiba, the Managing Director, and the whole Life Himalaya team for making our Everest Base Camp trek such a memorable experience. We are from Australia and would happily recommend Life Himalaya Trekking to anyone planning an adventure in Nepal. You can book with confidence! Thank you again for everything! 🇦🇺🏔️
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lea M 
 
 
 
 Verified Stunning mountain views and adventurous trails
This is our second time booking with Life Himalaya Trekking and we were nothing but happy with the entire experience. Our two week trip started with the meetup in Kathmandu and travelling to Lukla for the meeting of our guide Pramod and our Porter Lilaraj - everything was organized perfectly. From then on we were in great hands throughout our tour, always well taken care of and always looked after. Pramod was full of knowledge and insight of the area and the surrounding mountains. Lilaraj helped us with our bags and made the trip feel a little lighter for us. We are so thankful to both of them for supporting us on our trip - it would not have been as much fun and as comfortable without both of them! We really enjoyed the EBC trail as well - the weather was fantastic and the views of the mountains on this trail are phenomenal. But be prepared for quite a busy trail and definitely some exhausting parts along the way. But with the support of Pramod and Lilaraj, we made it to our goal to reach the EBC and we are very proud of the achievement. It would not have been possible without all the help from Life Himalaya Trekking - we cannot wait to come back for our next tour!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lea M 
 
 
 
 Verified Big thanks to Life Himalaya Trekking for a wonderful EBC trek!
We went recently on the EBC trek for 14 days with Life Himalaya Trekking - and everything was organized perfectly. From the communication ahead of the trip to the hike itself - we were well taken care of. Shiba, the head of the company, made sure our trip started and ended smoothly. Our guide Pramod was so kind and very well informed, we got the best possible information while trekking. Our porter Lilaraj supported us along the whole trek. We have nothing to complain about and we look forward to visiting beautiful Nepal again. And we look forward to our next tour with Life Himalaya Trekking!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   peter m 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing
Amazing experience. Guide was knowledgeable and I always felt safe and well looked after.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jessica M 
 
 
 
 Verified An Incredible Trek with the Best Team!
I completed the Manaslu Circuit with Saugat and Aunil, and it was an absolutely incredible experience! The trek was breathtaking, the organization was perfect, and the views were simply stunning. Saugat’s knowledge, professionalism, and expertise as a guide, together with Aunil’s help, kindness, and support as a porter, made the whole experience even more special. I couldn’t have asked for a better team! I will definitely come back to Nepal, and I will choose this agency, Saugat, and Aunil again without hesitation. 10 stars for my new friends! Thank you both for making this adventure unforgettable!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Louis L 
 
 
 
 Verified Outstanding experience with Life Himalaya Trekking
We have just returned from a 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp with Life Himalaya Trekking (plus 3 days in Katmandu). From start to finish, Shiba—the owner of this prestigious agency—delivered service that far exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Birsha Rai, provided exceptional support throughout what is a very demanding trek. We were consistently impressed by the quality of his guidance, his attitude, and his services; we truly appreciated how fortunate we were to have his support every step of the way. The trek turned into an exceptional human experience. Louis L.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Scott F 
 
 
 
 Verified Outstanding Everest base camp experience
Outstanding trekking company. Shiba was great to work with. He handled all our questions and changes in our itinerary with no problem. We had the best guide and porter anyone could ask for. We enjoyed all the places we stayed. I would highly highly recommend this trekking company. If you wanna trek to Everest Base camp.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Andrew T 
 
 
 
 Verified Mardi Himal Trek
A life changing experience! Milan and Bhim were the best guide and porter for our very first trek in the Himalayas. Although the weather wasn’t always on our side, we got to see the most spectacular views, stayed in the best hotels/ camps and definitely got to tick off an item on the bucket list. Thank you Milan, for your wealth of knowledge and for guiding us safely through some rather wet and rainy conditions. We will definitely be back!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Stefano G 
 
 
 
 Verified Beautiful travel experience
Excellent, serious, and reliable agency. We did a private Upper Mustang trek combined with a visit to Kathmandu. Everything perfect. Fantastic guide Badri with experience and great professionalism. Porter Dan was very good. Furthermore, they always showed great empathy. Very good
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sharon D 
 
 
 
 Verified Dream EBC + exceptional visit to Kathmandu.
Thanks to Life Himalaya Trekking, my husband and I were able to realize a dream. From the moment of organizing from Italy, Shiba proved to be extremely available and quick in communications. And, once here, we were able to immediately verify how efficient the entire team that makes up the company is. Shiba is infinitely sweet and friendly; he pampered us, guiding us through all the organizational aspects of our trip, from the trek to Everest Base Camp to cultural visits in Kathmandu and surroundings, covering all types of transportation we needed. Thanks to him, we had the pleasure of spending our time in Nepal with unique people, who allowed us to get to know this wonderful country and its inhabitants up close. Tika was our guide during the hike to EBC, and thanks to him and our porter Podam, we experienced a wonderful and authentic adventure! Both very knowledgeable, they were excellent at taking care of us, thanks to their attention to even the small things, the advice and information they provided us, but especially due to their friendliness, which allowed us to approach even the most difficult situations with ease. Tika is an exceptional entertainer and a great photographer; he was our family for more than a week, and we are very grateful to him. The entire experience of reaching Everest Base Camp was all-encompassing; it captivated us in every aspect, both scenic and human. It was exciting to reach the destination after a journey that lasted about a week. But it was equally incredible and moving to fly by helicopter from Gorak Shep to Lukla, retracing from above every step taken and every place experienced during the previous days. We would like to thank Promot, Raj, Rajan, and especially our exceptional tour guide Ajya, who accompanied us through the most iconic places in Kathmandu, sharing their history and every cultural aspect. The passion and love for one's work allowed us to immerse ourselves in a world that, otherwise, we would have understood and experienced only halfway. Thanks also to all the other members who contributed to the success of our trip. This is a goodbye; we look forward to returning to Nepal!
  
 
  
  
 
 
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