Annapurna Tilicho Lake – 22 Days

The Annapurna – Tilicho Tal (Lake) Circuit Trek offers an exciting addition to the standard circuit trek and assists with acclimatization for the high Thorung La route to the Kali Gandaki Valley. However, the Tilicho trail traverses many hours of exposed scree slopes and should not be tackled by anyone who is in any way acrophobic and afraid of ‘heights.’ The trail explores the exotic Himalayan biodiversity and alpine ecosystem along with the possibility of encountering wildlife such as Himalayan Thar, Blue Sheep, Snow Leopards, Blood Pheasants and much more.

After a day exploring Kathmandu, drive west through forest and farmland to Tal for the start of the Annapurna Tilicho Lake trek. The trail and recently built dirt roads follow an anti-clockwise route behind the 50km Annapurna Himal. Lowland Hindu communities gradually give way to Tibetan groups and the architecture changes as the trail rises. The high peaks to the south capture rainfall leaving a rain shadow behind the range which gets gradually drier as you trek westwards. Notable landmarks along the trail include: the Upper Pisang to Braga route which offers fascinating architecture and spectacular views of Annapurna II and IV.