Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trek 20- Days

Trip Facts

  • Duration 20 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Destination Nepal
  • Transportation Private Vehicle, Public Jeep and Tourist Bus
  • Activity City Tour, Trekking and walking
  • Best Season March- May and Sept- Dec
  • Group Size Mini 1, Max 16 People
  • Trip Start/End Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude 5416m

Highlights

  • Explore the medieval deities of the Kathmandu valley
  • Greenery trail of the Marshyangdi River Valley and cascading waterfalls
  • The antique settlement of the Tibetan Buddhists in Manang
  • Acclimatization hike around Manang to adapt to the alpine altitude
  • Hike the glacial Lake of Tilicho (4919 meters) as a side trip
  • Cross the adventurous and breathtaking Thorong La Pass (5416 meters), which connects Annapurna with the Mustang region
  • Visit the sacred site of the Muktinath temple in Mustang
  • Kagbeni- the gateway to Upper Mustang
  • Explore the district center of Mustang- Jomsom
  • Adventurous drive to Tatopani via Marpha and Tukuche
  • Explore the Ghorepani Poon Hill route redirecting from Tatopani
  • Explore the typical Gurung village of Ghandruk

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trek Overview

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trek - 20 Days is a customized trip that covers the major things to see in the Annapurna and Mustang region at the same time. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a globally recognized adventurous journey with the Thorong-La Pass of 5416 meters altitude in between the route. This trip adds the glacial Lake of Tilicho at 4919 meters altitude, which is a marvelous side trip besides the circuit route. The trial exhibits the beauty of the Annapurna Conservation Area and is further delighted with the combination of the semi-arid landscape of the Mustang region after crossing the Himalayan high pass.

The advantage of doing  20 Days Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trekking is to explore the Annapurna and Mustang region in a single trip. During the trek, you explore the diversities of the alpine landscape, visit the frozen Tilicho Lake, cross the pass, explore the Mustang region, and again connect the Lower Annapurna trail. The ancient monasteries and Tibetan Buddhist villages are remarkable on the route. Spring and autumn allow beautiful trekking weather; however, proper acclimatization is mandatory to achieve the height that crosses 3000 meters. The best views of the Himalayas- Annapurna, Manaslu, Lamjung Himalayas, Tilicho Peak, and Thorong peak make you spellbound. Availability of comfortable accommodations in the Himalayas and places to eat with communication facilities has made Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trek charming to adventurous lovers around the world.

Annapurna -Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Journey connect the world-renowned Annapurna Circuit trail to the exquisite alpine Lake of Tilicho. It is an adventurous trek through the magnificent Marshyangdi River valley and exploring the Tilicho Lake escorts you to the demanding Himalayan pass of Thorong La at 5416 meters. Crossing Annapurna, it connects the trail of Mustang and again reconnects to the Lower Annapurna region of Ghorepani Poon Hill.

After exploring the medieval town of Kathmandu, a 9-10 hours drive takes you to the trekking gateway of Annapurna Circuit- Syange. The Greenhill surroundings and cascading waterfalls on the way make your journey memorable. As higher you walk, the semi-arid landscape occurs, especially around Manang. The antique houses and traditional lifestyles of the Tibetan Buddhist devotees are explore-worthy. Even the monasteries and shortens offer spiritual senses to the trekkers.

With proper acclimatization at Manang, Annapurna Circuit leads you through a landslide trail all the way to a huge icy Lake at 4919 meters. It is a dramatic point too. Then the trek reconnects to the circuit route and crosses the breathtaking high pass of the Thorong La (5416 meters). The splendid views of Mt. Annapurna, Lamjung Himalayas, Tilicho Peak,Thorong Peak, and the surroundings look dramatic on this trek. The adventure experience is world-class and the trekkers long to experience the trek. Once it connects to the Mustang region, you take a drive option to Tatopani exploring the picturesque scenery of the Kali Gandaki River valley and gorge.

The Annapurna Circuit Poon Hill Treks connects the enthralling trail of the lower Annapurna region. Ghorepani Poon Hill and Ghandruk are some of the impressive places where you walk through the magnificent trail dotted by rhododendron and oak trees along with exploration of the ethnic culture and traditions.

Physical fitness and proper acclimatization play significant roles in the successful trek of Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. Trekking from March to May and September to October are regarded as the best seasons to get eye-catching Himalayan views along with favorable walking weather. For more details about the trek and booking, please contact Adventure Club Trek which organizes your trek professionally.

Itinerary

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Welcome to Nepal. A representative from the Adventure Club Trek will receive you upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. After going through your custom formalities (visa and so on), you will be driven to your respective hotel on Adventure Club Trek’s private vehicle. After you take a rest for some time at the hotel suite, you will be called for an orientation session with your trekking guide over a welcome dinner.

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

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.

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

We have quite a long drive to make today through the Prithvi Highway and following the Marshyangdi River valley. For this reason, we begin to drive early from Kathmandu getting the terraced hillside sceneries during the road trip. Half of the way, we are on the Kathmandu Pokhara Highway and eventually skip it and drive towards Besisahar. The green hill surroundings look brilliant. Passing the district center of Lamjung, we follow the adventurous road of the countryside all the way to Syange.

Note:If you don't prefer to take such a long drive in a single day, you can shorten it by skipping the sightseeing day in Kathmandu

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahosue
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,080m/3,543ft

Welcome on the very first day of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking with Tilicho Lake. Having breakfast, we begin the trek exploring the waterfalls towards Jagat. The trail follows the Marshyangdi Riverbank and passes through the fields. We get the cascading waterfalls on the way before Chamje. Crossing a bridge, we walk through the steep stone trail and reach Tal. It's a beautiful village close to Riverside, where we have our lunch today. Then we proceed ahead enjoying the views of the waterfalls all the way to Karte and finally to Dharapani

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

Dharapani is a place where the Manaslu Circuit Trekkers arrive after crossing the Larke La Pass. After breakfast, we kick off the journey by passing Bagarchhap. Now, we are on the route where Tibetan Buddhists have settled down. Passing Danakyu and Timang, the trail leads us through the pine and oak forest. We stop at Thanachowk for lunch today, which is quite an enchanting location. Then we continue the journey via Koto all the way to Chame. We get impressive views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and IV.

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

A beautiful morning at Chame brings a bustling setting in Chame, which is a district center of Manang. We explore the town for a while after having breakfast, which allows you an opportunity to witness the Himalayan lifestyle. Then we head through Talekhu. Eventually, we get to see a huge rock face of Pangdi Danda (hill). It is a rock face rising 1500m from the river. Continuing the excursion, we reach Bhartang and climb further to Dhikur Pokhari, where we stop for the lunch. Then a short walk escorts us to Upper Pisang. The Annapurna II and Pisang Peak can be seen exclusively.

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

Leaving Upper Pisang in the morning after having breakfast, we catch the trail via Ghyaru. We can explore the north face of Tilicho peak, Pisang Peak, Annapurna II, and IV from this point. The journey further is quite tough due to the increasing altitude and rough terrain. But we get an opportunity to get incredible sights of the Tibetan Buddhist settlements and some of the monasteries on the way. We pass through Ngawal (after stopping for a lunch), Sher Gompa, and Braga Gompa. Braga Gompa is an antique and ancient monastery in the Manang district. Hiking for half an hour, we reach Manang, a beautiful village on dry land.

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

Our body requires acclimatization when we walk in the alpine altitude. Manang is such a wonderful town to spend an acclimatization day with a hiking option nearby Gangapurna Lake. It makes your breathing easy and also gets relief from the tired muscle. The further walk will be even at a higher altitude, so altitude adaptation is the most. During the hike, we get impressive scenery of Tilicho peak, Annapurna III, Chulu, and Pisang peak. Then we back to the hotel and take a rest with hot meals.

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

After an acclimatization day, we prepare to depart Manang right after having breakfast. We skip the main trail which leads to the Thorong La now but we follow the same route retracing from Tilicho Lake. Hiking through the sacred land of the Tibetan Buddhists, we cross Khangsar Khola and reach the village. Exploring the traditional village, we climb to Siri Kharka. Although we have a short walk from Manang, we do not move ahead of it as we need altitude adaptation.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahosue
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude4,060m/13,321ft

We begin the trek from Siri Kharka passing a monastery on the way. The path further is quite recently mended which leads to the ridge. We continue to hike through a new route (there was also an old route but is more challenging). The switchback route descends towards the Khangsar Khola through the landslide area and soon guides us to the Tilicho base camp. It has made the trek accessible with comfortable accommodation and allows you to explore Tilicho Lake in a single day.

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

It is important to begin the hike to Tilicho Lake early in the morning to avoid the chilling wind. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach the Lake, which is located at an altitude of 4919 meters above sea level. Due to the altitude, there is no aquatic organism in the Lake. It has been spread over 2.5 miles with 0.75 miles in width. The surface area is about 5 kilometers and the average depth is 85 meters). It is also possible to cross the Mesokanto La Pass and trek down to Jomsom. But we spend a wonderful photo session and retrace to the base camp. First, we have lunch over there and stretch our journey to Siri Kharka.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahosue
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude4,060m/13,321ft

From Siri Kharka, we leave the route towards Manang, rather than catch the trail which leads us to Yak Kharka. During the trek, we get astonishing views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and the enchanting landscape of the surroundings. We can see some of the juniper bushes because only the meadows exist above this altitude. We reach Yak Kharka heading through the trail above the river and take a rest. Arriving early, we take a walk in the surroundings.

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

From Yak Kharka, we head gradually towards the foot of the adventurous Thorong La Pass. First, we reach the ridge and hike down to the Marshyangdi River. Crossing a bridge, we follow the enchanting trail, which is isolated and does not include any human habitations nearby the route. Instead, we usually get to see some of the yak herding groups. Welcome to Thorong Phedi, and we prepare to acclimatize for a huge and adventurous climb on the following day.

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

Beginning the trek early in the morning, we face the chilling snowy air, which brings the challenge on the trip. We commence to climb up through the slope targeting the high pass. As we march higher, the excursion becomes tough due to the lack of oxygen in the air. We head further at a slow pace to the pass, which offers exclusive scenery of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna chain. Taking group pictures, we make a long descent all the way to Muktinath, which is a remotely located antique town in the Mustang region. Now we are in the Himalayan rain shadow area, thus the landscape is semi-arid.

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

In the morning, we visit the globally renowned Hindu pilgrimage destination- the Muktinath Temple. It is believed that your sins will be washed away if you pay homage with a pure heart and take a holy bath there. However, it's too chill. Then we back to our hotel and take a jeep drive through the magnificent Kali Gandaki River valley. The ancient town of Kagbeni, the windswept valley of Jomsom, the apple orchid of Marpha, and Tukuche are some of the incredible sceneries on the way. We also get an enticing view of the Rupse waterfall near Tatopani, which is our last stop of today's drive. Well, a natural hot spring awaits you to take a dip and relax your muscle there.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahosue
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,200m/3,937ft

We leave the remarkable town of Tatopani on the Highway and stretch our leg towards the isolated route crossing the Kali Gandaki River. The trail is enchanting through the lush woods of oak and rhododendron. On the way, we encounter a couple of villages- Sikha and Chitre. The rest of the route is peaceful till we reach the outstanding hamlet of the Magar people- Ghorepani, somewhere in the middle of the woods

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/Teahosue
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude2,850m/9,351ft

The early morning hiking takes us to the spectacular hilltop, known as Poon Hill (3210 meters). It is an excellent Himalayan viewpoint, especially that of the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. After the sunrise, the dazzling sceneries of mighty Annapurna peaks, including Mt. Annapurna, Machapuchhre (Fishtail), Himchuli, and Dhaulagiri summit look mind-blowing. After the photography session, we hike down to Ghorepani and have breakfast. The trail further is genuinely jig-jagged, offering you a unique experience. We have lunch at Banthanti and proceed further with a few steep climbs up and down to Tadapani

  • Accommodation3,210m/10,532ft
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude3,210m/10,532ft

Beginning the trek right after breakfast at Tadapani, we follow the trail through the rhododendron forest. You can also catch the trail to Annapurna Base Camp (4130 meters) from here, but we trek towards Ghandruk. Some of the sections are steeply downhill till the glimpse of Ghandruk appears. This is a picturesque town of the Gurung ethnic community. Local people dream to join British Army and they are proud of it. As we stop for the lunch in Ghandruk, we also explore the cultural beauties of the village and visit the museum. Then the downhill trek takes us to Syauli Bazaar and follows the Modi Khola River bank all the way to Nayapul. We conclude the trek here and drive to Pokhara, which is a trip of 1.5 hours. Note: you can directly take a jeep drive from Ghandruk, which shortens the trek by 3 hours. Please, let us know if you prefer the driving option.

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

We catch the tourist bus in the morning around 6.30 at Pokhara. It leaves at 7 am and the 7 hours Highway drive begins. First, it follows the Marshyangdi River and later the Trishuli River valley. Although the distance is just 200 km, due to the Highway bending, it takes a long time. A couple of breaks on the way offer us time to have lunch and get refreshments. Arriving at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, the Adventure Club Trek will host a farewell dinner for you in a typical Nepali restaurant.

Note: A half an hour flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu deducts the long journey and allows you extra time for rest and shopping in Kathmandu. However, you need to cover the extra cost of a flight ticket).

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

Our Annapurna Circuit Trek 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.

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

  • MealsBreakfast

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.
  • Standard twin-sharing Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, and Pokhara with breakfast as per the itinerary. 
  • Best available twin-sharing guesthouse accommodation during the trek
  • Surface transfer from Kathmandu – Beshisahar by private car/van and from Beshisahar to Syange by local jeep
  • 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 walk with the group to support as necessary
  • Staff costs include their, Food, salary, accommodation, transportation, and medicine.
  • Insurance covers 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 (15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD,and 90 Days – 125 USD)
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • International airfares/flights (fares and flights can be arranged upon request)
  • Personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, bottled water, cold drinks)
  • Personal travel insurance and medical bills
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for guides, 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 headaches, 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, to 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, and snacks, and buying 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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