Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake Trek 17 Day

Trip Facts

  • Duration 17 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Destination Nepal
  • Transportation Private Vehicle, Public Jeep and Domestic flight
  • Activity City Tour, Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season March- May and Sept-Dec
  • Group Size Mini 1, Max 16 People
  • Trip Start/End Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude 5,416m/17,770ft

Highlights

  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley-visiting many UNESCO World Heritage sites like Buddhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupathinath temple, and Durbar Squares.
  • Views of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from Upper Pisang
  • Culture, costumes, and the traditions of the ethnic groups in Ngawal, Bhraka, Upper Pisang, and Khangsar villages.
  • Trek to Tilicho lake, the highest in the world for its size at 5,200m
  • Ascending the Marshyangdi River valley
  • The pilgrimage town of Muktinath
  • Crossing the Thorong La ( a high mountain pass) at 5,416m
  • Scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara with views of the Himalayas

Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake Trek Overview

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek takes you above the tree-lines into snow-laden terrain where breath-taking windows open up to show you massive silver-grey peaks and a lovely river that’s the highest of its kind in the world…ethnic communities & mountain culture coupled with lifestyles and old-world traditions make this trek notebook true stories for the generations to come.

The Annapurna Circuit - Tilicho Lake – with Thorung La Pass Trek is renowned to be one of the most fabulous and integrated treks in the universe. It’s the kind of trek; right from 1000 meters onwards that takes you into lush green valleys with opportunities to explore the length & breadth of the Himalayas from different viewpoints & perspectives. Throughout the course of your hikes in the area, the eco-environment of the surroundings never fails to amaze you in every nook and cranny of the adventure. This trek is a redesigned version that’s an extension of the regular Annapurna Circuit Trek. Tilicho Lake is said to be the highest lake in the world and its clear cold water is thought to get its source from the glacial meltdown of the northern slopes of Annapurna and Thorung Peak. At Tilicho Lake your heart skips a beat as you view the surrounding silver-grey peaks reflected in the clear shimmering water.

The trek takes off from the distinctive midlands of Marshyangdi valley at the bustling town of Besisahar, reaches the remote Manang and Tilicho regions through pleasant areas, and then crosses the snow-covered Thorung-La at 5146m, and reaches the pilgrimage mountain temple of Muktinath, a well-known holy Himalayan landmark for Hindu and Buddhist devotees.

We go off the routine trail in the Annapurna Circuit and instead take the more direct route via Khangsar Village to reach Tilicho Lake. After 2 days hike up to the base camp of Tilicho Lake; we reach the lake at 5200m to enjoy its natural beauties for several hours before heading down to base camp for our second night. We then descend to Yak Kharka and up to Thorung La at 5146 before we make a beeline for Muktinath and then onto Jomsom.

In Kathmandu, we stay in a hotel with warm & pleasant surroundings of your choice, whilst on the trails in the wild, we crash out in pretty comfortable lodges or ‘’teahouses’’ and don’t be surprised by the apple pies after supper…even at such remote outposts.

Itinerary

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Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), you will be welcomed by a representative from Adventure Club Trek. After sorting out your custom formalities (visa and so on), you will be transferred to your respective hotel in Adventure Club Trek’s private vehicle. After resting for some time at your Hotel, you will attend an orientation about your trek led by the trekking leader over a welcome dinner.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsWelcome Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,300m/4,264ft

After breakfast, our city guide will take you to the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Swayambhunath stupa, the famous Buddhist monkey temple is located on the hill from where you can get the picture of Kathmandu valley from a bird’s view. Pashupathinath temple, one of the most important pilgrimages for Hindus, is located in the eastern part of the city. Likewise, Buddhanath is the largest spherical stupas in Asia. You will also visit the Kathmandu Durbar Squire, a centuries-old royal palace, now turned into national museums, temples, and other buildings, with the finest architectures, with fine cuts and wood carvings. In the afternoon, we get our equipment checked by our Trekking leader, get introduced to fellow participants, and discuss our trip  Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfasrt
  • Max. Altitude1,350m/4,429ft

It’s a long drive today. Right after breakfast, we begin to drive, first through the bank of the Trishuli River, then through the Marshyangdi River valley. We reach Besisahar, the district center of Lamjung district. Then we drive further to Chamje via Bhulbhule, Nadi, Syange, and Jagat. Overnight in Chamje. Overnight in Chamje.

Note: if you think driving about 9 hours is too much for you, you can skip the sightseeing day and we drive first to Besisahar and to Dharapani on the following day.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,410m/4,626f

On the first day of the foothill excursion, we pass Tal, Karte, and reach Dharapani. This is also comparatively a long walk, but the fascination of the way makes us feel exciting and we forget the tiredness. Various waterfalls on the way entice us to head further with such breathtaking panoramas. At Tal, we check in to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) counter. Overnight in Dharapani.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,960m/6,431ft

We begin the trek from Dharapani today with a destination of Chame. Here is a stone entrance chhorten, which is culturally touched with the Tibetan Buddhists. Then we reach Bagarchhap, which is surrounded by the apple orchid and crop fields. Ascending to Tyanja, we walk enjoying the views of the waterfalls and pine forest that leads us to Kyupar and finally to Chame, the district center of Manang. The view of Annapurna II is spectacular. You will find the difference in daily lifestyle between the mixed communities and the community here in Chame. Overnight in Chame

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude2,710m/8,892ft

Today the trail continues up and down, passing several rivers and sparsely populated settlements. We walk through a steep and narrow valley to have our first view of the Paungda Danda's rock face, a dramatic curved rock face rising 1500 m from the river. From here, we also gain excellent views of Annapurna 2 to the south and Pisang Peak to the northeast. We descend to the Manang Valley floor enjoying the captivating landscape. Overnight in Pisang.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,300m/10,827ft

As we begin the trek today, we walk through the dry part of the Manang district. As you walk further, there are two routes and they meet in Mugje. The southern route goes through the Humde airstrip and has less climbing up and down. In comparison to the south, the northern route via Ghyaru with superb scenes. But it is quite a challenging trial. Exploring the hidden valley known as Braka, we reach Manang, which is a Tibetan-influenced village. Overnight in Manang.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,519m/11,546ft

After an acclimatizing day at Manang, we head towards the route of Tilicho Lake, splitting from the main trail that leads us to the Thorung Pass. Through the western gate, we descend to the stream and reach Khangsar after crossing it. It is an ancient village of Tibetan Buddhists and is renowned as the last Tibetan village. Overnight in Khangsar .

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,745m/12,287ft

Heading through the newly built trail, we pass a colorful monastery. There are two different trails, but we recommend you take the downward trail. The upward trail goes through a comparatively steep and technical route via Kharka and Top of the Col (4970m) and descends to the base camp. The trail we recommend is a newly developed trail that continues to a high crest and finally, we reach the Tilicho base camp. Overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,140m/13,583ft

After the initial tough ascent, our trail traverses onto a moraine and then cuts along the side of the mountain. However, the spectacular views of Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar, and Muktinath peaks are always close by to cheer us up. Upon reaching Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, we get to admire its tranquil beauty. Sometimes reflections of the surrounding peaks are seen on its turquoise waters, at other times the lake remains frozen. We take a break beside the calm waters and soak in the astounding views before heading back to the base camp. Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,949m/16,238ft

We descend from Tilicho Base Camp to Manang from where the trail ascends to Yak kharka. As we make the climb to Yak Kharka through Tenki Manang, we leave the Marsyangdi Valley behind instead of taking the trail along the Jarsang Khola Valley. Vegetations and herds of yaks are thinner compared to that of Manang. Overnight in Yak Kharka.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,110m/13,485ft

A two-hour-long ascent from Yak Kharka sees the trail descend to a bridge over the river at 4,310m which we cross. The trail then goes up to Thorong Phedi at 4,450m. Overnight stay in Thorong Phedi.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,420m/14,502ft

Strenuous day of trekking ahead! We start the morning in the pre-dawn darkness at 4 am, so we can reach the pass by 9-10 am. After 10 am, strong winds dominate the trail significantly affecting the journey to Thorong La and stopping at the pass. Other than altitude and snow, the route is not tough, but it does require four hours of climbing. At 5,416m Thorong La is a pass that surpasses in altitude of the Everest Base Camp which is at 5,380 m. Enjoy views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks among other mountains from the top. Another four hours of the downhill climb will bring us to Muktinath (translation: a place of nirvana). It is home to the sacred Muktinath Temple, several monasteries, a natural hot spring and an ‘eternal flame’ fueled innately by natural gas. Overnight in Muktinath.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude5,416m/17,770ft

Muktinath, an ultimate destination for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, is a beautiful place. We visit the Muktinath Temple before embarking on the trek ahead. There are water spouts where freshwater pours out channeled from the streams above the temple. As the trail extends we can enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Dhaulagiri. You can even buy a fossilized mollusk, called ‘Shaligram’ as a memento. We move ahead among meadows, cross streams, and hills over to Kagbeni, a village laden with chortens (memorial stupas) and a small monastery. Continue the trek after a lunch break at Kagbeni and over to Jomsom on the Kali Gandaki Valley as the trail cuts through windy areas. Overnight in Jomsom.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude5,416m/17,770ft

We fly to Pokhara after breakfast. The flight itself is spectacular; we fly while looking at views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and over the deepest gorge in the world. The warmer climate in Pokhara will definitely make us feel better. We can take a boat ride in the serene waters of the lake with the reflection of the Fishtail Mountain on its waters. We could also visit Davis falls. In the evening, we can stroll around the lakeside area and buy souvenirs for loved ones. Overnight in Pokhara.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude827m/2,713ft

Another short flight takes you back to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. We can take a rest in our hotel room and spend the rest of the day in leisure. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner hosted by Adventure Club Trek to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast, and Farewell Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,350m/4,429ft

Our Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake Trek 17 Day ends here. A representative from the Adventure Club Trek will accompany you and see you off at Tribhuvan International airport a few hours before the scheduled flight to your home.

Note: If you still have a few days after the trekking schedule, you might be interested to experience other adventurous activities like jungle safariRafting, Bungee jumping, and paragliding. You may contact the Adventure Club Trek for the arrangement.

  • MealsBrekfast

Note: Your safety is of the utmost concern whilst you are traveling with Adventure Club Trek. We will make every effort possible to follow the original itinerary but we reserve the right to change that itinerary if a segment of it becomes a safety issue. Certain mountain regions are remote, natural disasters can happen, weather conditions can decline and there can be illness or an injury. To avoid dangerous situations we may occasionally have to make changes to the itinerary to ensure everyone’s safety. That having been said, Adventure Club Trek will strive to provide you with the best possible trekking experience and to keep your safety our number one priority. We thank you for your understanding.

Cost Details

Price Includes

  • Arrival and Departure transfer by private tourist vehicle.
  • 3 nights’ accommodation in a standard twin shared room at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
  • One night accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star hotel in Pokhara
  • Best available twin sharing Teahouse or lodge accommodation during the trek
  • Surface transfer from Pokhara and Kathmandu by tourist bus
  • Surface transfer from Kathmandu – Beshisahar by private vehicle and from Beshisahar to Chamje by local jeep
  • Jomsom - Pokhara airfare including departure tax
  • Welcome and farewell dinner.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • Government licensed; English speaking guide trained in wilderness first aid
  • Porters to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
  • Assistant trekking guides walking with the group to support as necessary (1 assistant guide for 4 trekkers)
  • Staff costs including their, Food, salary, accommodation, transportation and medicine.
  • Insurance covering all staff, including porters as per state law.
  • Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion).
  • Annapurna Conservation Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking.
  • Complimentary Adventure Club Trek T-shirt, and Trekking map
  • Duffel bag for Trekking
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • Travel and rescue arrangement
  • All Government and Local taxes

Price Excludes

  • Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days and USD 50 for 30 days).
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • International air fares/flights (fares and flights can be arranged upon the request)
  • Personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, bottled water, cold drinks)
  • Personal travel insurance and medical bills
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for guide, porters, and drivers (tipping is expected, but it is not mandatory)

Useful Info

Meals 

All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — will be provided during the trek, and breakfast will only be provided in Kathmandu and Pokhara. We host welcome and farewell dinners for our guests. During the trek, we have breakfast and dinner at tea-houses or lodges where we spend nights while there will be lunch at tea-houses on the way. You have the option to choose from Nepali, continental, Tibetan, and Indian cuisines. As we take care of our guests, we ensure that you are getting healthy food. We prioritize locally produced organic food and also provide you with seasonable fruits. During the climbing session, hygienic, freshly-cooked food will be provided.

Note: If you are a vegetarian, let us know in advance so that we could make proper arrangements for food as per your wish during the trek 

Accommodations 

You will be accommodated in a three-star standard hotel in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the best available teahouses during the trek. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional. Please note that since you will be trekking in remote regions, the services in the teahouses/guesthouse will be pretty basic. We will try our best to arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however, teahouses in some places do not have attached bathrooms.

Drinking-Water

Adventure Club provides all the meals on the trek but doesn't provide water. The best option is to treat the local water either with chlorine/iodine tablets or use a steripen. The tea houses will give you good quality free water and, you can also get along the trail but, you will need to treat it. If you are using the tablets make sure they dissolve completely (about 30 mins). On most treks, you can buy mineral water along the trail. A liter of mineral water at lower elevation tea houses costs around USD 1 but at higher elevations can cost up to $4 so the cost can add up.

Acclimatization And High Altitude Sickness 

The acclimatization planned during the trip helps trekkers adapt to the environment with less oxygen. Our body needs time to adjust to the higher altitudes. Rushing to the higher elevation without acclimatization may result in acute mountain sickness (AMS) which could be fatal. The trekkers may suffer from AMS above 2,400m/7,875ft as the amount of oxygen becomes less and less with the increase in elevation.

We can categorize AMS into three categories with its symptoms. The trekker suffering from normal AMS feels giddy, gets headache, Nausea, and is out of breath, and is suggested not to worry as it disappears after the body gets used to less amount of oxygen. Likewise, trekkers suffering from mild AMS show symptoms of dizziness, muscular pain, insomnia, headache, vomit, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Mild AMS can be treated with anti-headache medicines. A person suffering from serious AMS shows heightened symptoms including shortness of breath even while taking rest. The trekker with serious symptoms can barely walk and fluids may start building up in the lungs. The trekker having serious AMS has to be taken to the lower altitude immediately.

Advanced cases of AMS

If AMS is not treated in time, it can be life-threatening and lead to edema, a condition in which fluid is accumulated in the tissues of the body. Following are the two serious altitude sicknesses caused at high altitudes.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

In HACE, the brain gets swollen which can lead to coma and even death. Its symptoms are paralysis on one side of the body, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination, and confusion. Descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of the condition.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Fluid is accumulated in the lungs which also increases the capillary pressure. Its symptoms include severe shortness of breath at rest, dry cough that later leads to producing pink frothy sputum, and fatigue. Important Note: Severe cases of AMS are pretty rare. All our guides at the Adventure Club Trek, are aware of the symptoms of AMS and can handle it with care. We prioritize acclimatization, talk about the use of Diamox beforehand and counsel all our trekkers on the risk and preventive factors before and during the trip. Your safety is our main concern.

First-Aid Kit

Our guides and porters are equipped with a basic first-aid kit during regular treks. For expeditions that take on the isolated and off the beaten trekking paths, a comprehensive first-aid kit is compulsory, the same goes for climbing expeditions as well.

  •  A bandage in case of sprains.
  • Plasters/ Band-aids and antiseptic ointments for simple cuts
  • Iodine or water filter (optional) instead of buying bottled mineral water
  •  Moleskin/Second skin in case of blisters.
  •  Aspirin/Paracetamol -painkiller.
  • Oral rehydration salts-Nava Jeevan or Jeevan Jal (orange-flavored ORS)
  •  The broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin).
  • Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
  •  Diarrheal stopper (Imodium - optional).
  • Diamox 250/500mg (for altitude sickness).
  • Gel hand cleaner/sanitizer.

Note: We can add medical supplies as per the special needs of the trekkers to the first-aid kit given above.

Equipment And Packing List 

We recommend that you bring the items to the list below. If your trek is longer or shorter than that, appropriate adjustments can be made, reflect the specific requirements, season, and length of the trip. The items marked with an asterisk (*) will be provided by Adventure Club Trek at no additional cost. You are welcome to use your own such articles if you already have them and prefer your own. Many of the trekking items can be bought cheaply in the Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu; quality will vary, with the items imported from China often being of higher quality. There are also several high-end shops in Kathmandu which carry well-known brands. Since your pack will be carried by our porters, please remember the weight limit is 20kg (40 lbs since there is nothing there but some prayer flags. Also, please note that you did not send me any list of gear.

* The Adventure Club Trek will lend each trekker a set of down Jackets, sleeping bags,s and duffle bags.

* Our main guide, trained in wilderness first aid, will carry a comprehensive medical kit.

Important Documents And Items 

  • Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets.
  • Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepali visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and purchasing your own drinks and gifts.
  • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc.

HEAD

  • Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
  • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
  • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

UPPER BODY

  • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket *
  • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

LOWER BODY

  • non-cotton underwear briefs
  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
  • 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

FEET

  •  2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
  • 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
  •  Cotton socks (optional)
  • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

HANDS

  •  pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
  • 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

TOILETRIES 

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  •  Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  •  Deodorants
  •  Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  •  Female hygiene products
  •  Small mirror
  • Personal Hygiene
  •  Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  •  Tissue /toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial handwash

SLEEPING 

  • 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
  • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
  •  Rucksack and Travel Bags
  •  medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
  •  large duffel bag *
  •  A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
  • Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
  • 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

  • Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
  • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  •  Cough and/or cold medicine
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylpolyamine
  • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.
  •  Water purification tablets or the water filter
  • Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
  • Extras/Luxuries
  •  Reading book
  • Trail map/guide book
  • Journal and pen
  •  Binoculars (optional)
  • Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
  •  Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

Visa And Entry Procedure 

Everyone needs a visa to enter Nepal except Indian nationals. Citizens of the SAARC nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan do not require visass for a period of 30 days. Fortunately, getting a Nepal visa is an easy process. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at the international airport and official overland entry points. However, travelers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia are not issued visas on arrival. After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will find electronic kiosks that will assist your visa processing. Taking the completed form and paying the visa fee, you need to stay in the long immigration queue for your visa on arrival.

Visitors can now apply for online visa within15 days of their arrival date in Nepal. For this, you will need your Nepal hotel address and a digital passport-sized photo that needs to be uploaded to the online application. After submitting the form online, you need to print out the confirmation page which has to be furnished at the immigration section in Kathmandu airport along with your passport and the required visa fee. You can apply for your online Nepal visa here.

Tourists can also apply for a Nepali visa at the local Nepali Embassy or Consulate located in their respective countries. Or, they can even mail their visa application to the visa office near their location, but well ahead of time to allow sufficient processing time. Nepal visa information for all categories of travelers and their correspondence cost can be very handy, so for more information and contact details of the Nepali Embassies and Consulate around the world, you may CLICK HERE.

Whichever way you enter Nepal, you will be given a 15/30/90 day visa as per your requirement. The general Nepal tourist visa fee on arrival for multiple entries is:

15 days – US$30, 30 days – US$50, and 90days – US$125

Tourist visas can be extended for a maximum of 150 days in a year and these extensions are granted only at the department of immigration offices at Pokhara and Kathmandu. For more information on Nepal visas, visit our visa information page.

Our Trekking Guides/Leaders 

Here at Adventure Club, our staff is like family. We only use locals to support their communities and we train our staff rigorously to be the best they can be – for you! 

  •  Full first aid training
  • Guide Training (trekking)
  • English and other common languages (as requested) 
  • Village and land Conservation 
  • Mountaineering (for specialty expedition or climbing treks)

All our guides are carefully trained for leadership as good leadership is vital for your trek to be enjoyable, safe, and successful. Most of our guides grew up in Sherpa country or other mountainous parts of Nepal. Their pride in their region shows itself in the way they lead treks and interface with you. 

Porters Care

On any team, courtesy and respect are fundamental for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Our porters are an essential, integral part of each trekking team, and as such, they are well-treated and well-paid. At the conclusion of your trek, we believe you will find that they have fully earned your gratitude and respect. We do expect all trekkers to keep the weight of their baggage under 22kgs/40lbs. Adventure Club Trek maintains a full commitment to the rights of our porters, providing them with appropriate clothing, gear, and lodging. In case of serious accident or sickness, they receive the same care as anyone else employed on the trekking team, even including evacuation by helicopter at our expense if appropriate. We fully support the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group), which strives to maintain and improve our porter's working conditions.

Experience Required 

The Annapurna circuit route is the longest route in this region and is a complete circling of the Annapurna massif. Comparatively, it is considered to be harder and longer in duration than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is because hikers will be walking across the high-altitude Thorong La Pass at 5,416m (17,764ft.). Besides the altitude, what really makes this trek hard are the steep climbs and long distances along with pared-down amenities. The route usually remains closed during the winter season due to the heavy snow accumulation on the trails. As it is a long trek, you need to be in the great shape of physical fitness so that you can walk for at least 5 to 7 hours each day. Even beginners can do this trek provided that they train themselves at least 3 months prior to the trek. Cycling, swimming, acrobatics, hiking, jogging, and cardiovascular exercises are some ways to get your body trained for a successful journey in the Himalayas.

Best Time to Travel 

Autumn (Sept -Nov) and Spring (March-May) are the best seasons for the Annapurna Base Camp. The weather is sunny and warm with outstanding views. Trekking in Summer or Monsoon (July to Aug) will be affected by rain but a summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist.

Travel Insurance 

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialist travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment, and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you have definite proof you can pay for it. Adventure Club Trek has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. They pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism or you may have a difficult time settling a claim.

Electricity, WIFI, And Battery Recharge 

During the trek, electricity is available at all the teahouses where you will spend the night. You can recharge your phones, laptop, or iPads from micro-hydropower and solar panels by paying a nominal charge. Regarding Wi-Fi, there are no free hotspots along the trekking trail, so we do not encourage carrying your laptop. Some teahouses do offer paid Wi-Fi services on an hourly basis but don’t expect high-speed connectivity on the remote trails.

Communication 

On the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal, the internet service will be available at lodges with some extra service charge. You can contact your family and friends from the guesthouses, but as we reach higher altitudes, the communication will be through the phone for safety purposes. We communicate with all our valuable clients through the team leader at least once a day to make sure you are fine and enjoying the trip. The Adventure Club Trek office in Kathmandu will constantly be in touch with you for the help you may need during the trek. Depending on the network you use, there could be a poor signal to network before the high altitude. Upon your request, we can provide you with a separate local sim card to better the network. Many places have WIFI service available at an extra cost.

Group Size And Team Composition 

We always try to form a small group of like-minded people to give them a wonderful and perceptive travel experience. It provides opportunities to interact and share with each other in a fun-filled environment when out in the wilderness. Generally, our travel group comprises a maximum of 14 members. We need at least two participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, the number of group members do not apply. We always strive to form a team ensuring that the members are comfortable with one another.

Tipping 

Tipping is not mandatory in Nepal as most services include a service charge. However, if you want to express your gratitude, you are free to offer a tip to drivers, and hotel staff among others. People usually welcome such generosity. When it comes to tipping your porters or trekking leaders, use your discretion as per the quality of the services. Tip money does not form a part of our employees’ wages. However, you can use tipping as a way of showing appreciation for excellent service at the end of the trip.

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