Mar 31 - Apr 10, 2024 | Change

Annapurna Circuit via Marpha, via Tilicho Lake, and Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill trek (11 days)
Annapurna Region, Nepal

Rating: |

Highlights: Ghyaru, Manang, Tilicho Lake, Thorung High Camp, Thorung La, Muktinath, and Marpha

Difficulty: strenuous
Annapurna Circuit
Starting at $503 usd
For 1 person -Guide & Permits
Includes guide and all required permits & entry fees
$31.03 /day per person for guide
+ $30 per person for guide's insurance
+ $47 per person for guide's transport
+ $35.75 per person for vat tax
+ $48 per person for permits

Teahouse lodging, food, & transportation paid separately.

Sherpana prices are based on group size. We refund you the difference if more people join your trek.
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Included Services
  • Permits ACAP and TIMS Card
  • Guide Guide's wages, food, lodging, and insurance
  • VAT Tax 13% Nepal Government Tax
  • Guide's Transport
Optional Services (Porter)
  • Porter Each porter may carry no more than 20 kg (44 lb). One porter is usually enough for 2 people's gear. Government required insurance covers the porter in case of an accident while on the trip.
    $20 per day per porter

    + $30 per porter for porter's insurance
    + $2.21 per day per porter for vat tax (porter)

This trip has optional side trips. Would you like to see the options?

While the new road offers the possibility of shortening this classic trek, it still provides one of the most diverse trekking experiences in Nepal. Starting at Chame, or the traditional starting point of Besi Sahar, the trail runs through lush forest and passes through villages to Manang. From Manang there is an option to take the spectacular side trip to Tilicho Lake, or continue directly over the Thorung La (5416 m) descending to the pilgrim town of Muktinath, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. From Muktinath, you have the option to take a jeep via the wide valley of lower Mustang to Jomson, where both flights and buses to Pokhara can be arranged, or trek via the traditional village of Kagbeni, gateway to upper Mustang. While the road has taken some of the charm out of this classic trek, the advantage is that a trip can be tailored around one’s interests and time constraints. Whether you do the epic full circuit from Besi Sahar to Ghorepani, or take off a bite sized chunk around the Thorung La, the Annapurna Circuit still has plenty to offer.

Side trip via Tilicho Lake: If you only have time for one side trip off the main Annapurna circuit, make time for the jaw-dropping vistas of Tilicho lake. Nestled against the backs of the Annapurna peaks, this brilliant blue lake at 5000m is a sight not to be missed. The trail to the lake is scenic but challenging, winding along loose eroded cliff sides to the Tilicho Base Camp lodge. From the lodge, there is a steep hike up to the lake and viewpoint that’s well worth the effort.

Side trip Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill: If you'd like to finish the trek with a climb to the panoramic view point of Poon Hill and wave goodbye to the 8000 m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, but not walk the road section you can cut out a few days by taking a bus between Jomsom and Tatopani.

Side trip via Marpha: The picturesque village of Marpha sits in the shadow of Dhaulagiri. It’s a far more appealing place than nearby Jomsom, with its whitewashed Tibetan style homes and Niyingma monastery dominating the village. A pleasant place to linger after a long trek.

Weather Conditions in March

change start

March is the start of the ‘Spring Season’ when temperatures begin to rise from their winter lows. By the end of March, temperatures are significantly warmer at lower elevations and hot air from the valleys tend to create clouds in the mountains during the afternoons. Mornings are generally clear, with the clearest weather coming just after sunrise. At high altitudes, while generally warmer than the previous months snow is still possible, and heavy snow storms in March are not unheard of. Mornings and nights are still cold.

At a glance
On average there are 4 days with precipitation in March. The highest point on the trek is Thorung La at 5416 m. During March, expect high temperatures of around 0.9°C (34°F) and lows down to -16.1°C (3°F) at Thorung La.

Annapurna Circuit via Marpha, via Tilicho Lake, and Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill Trek
(Elevation Profile)

Available Side Trips

Add side trips by clicking '' in the itinerary below.

Extra rest days and overnights can be added once the itinerary is created. However any side trips must be added in this step before the itinerary is created.

Sun Mar 31 (day 1)

Kathmandu (1337 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 25.4°C (78°F) and lows of about 8.4°C (47°F) in March.

Kathmandu
Public bus from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $6.00
Travel time: about 6 hours
Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)

Besi Sahar (800 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 28.6°C (83°F) and lows of about 11.6°C (53°F) in March.

Rating: | 2 reviews
Highlights: Bahundanda
Difficulty: challenging
Before the road existed, trekkers would start their journey around Annapurna from the market town of Besi Sahar. This journey takes you from lush rice paddy clad hills to the ice and rock of the Thorung La. To experience the full range of Nepal’s diverse mountain ecology, begin your trek at this classic start point.

Difficulty: moderate
Start from Chamje/Jagat. If you only want one day of travel by road this is about as far as you can get but make sure to leave Kathmandu early if you want to make it to Chamje the same day.

Mon Apr 1 (day 2)
Shared vehicle from Besi Sahar to Chame (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $30.00
Travel time: about 8 hours
Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)

Chame (2710 m)

From May through early October it is sometimes not possible to reach Chame by road due to landslides caused by rains. In that case you may have to start walking at an earlier point and the trek may take an extra day or two so make sure you plan accordingly, and pay your guide and porter for any extra days they work beyond the time you booked.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 20.1°C (68°F) and lows of about 4.1°C (39°F) in April.

Chame
Tue Apr 2 (day 3)

Pisang (3240 m)

About 5-6 hours from Chame
Expect typical high termperatures of about 17.0°C (63°F) and lows of about 1.0°C (34°F) in April.

Pisang

Upper Pisang (3300 m)

About 20 min from Pisang
Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.6°C (62°F) and lows of about 0.6°C (33°F) in April.

Upper Pisang
Wed Apr 3 (day 4)

Ghyaru (3670 m)

About 2 hours from Upper Pisang
Expect typical high termperatures of about 14.4°C (58°F) and lows of about -1.6°C (29°F) in April.

Ghyaru

Ngawal (3650 m)

About 45 minutes
Expect typical high termperatures of about 14.5°C (58°F) and lows of about -1.5°C (29°F) in April.

Ngawal

Braka (3500 m)

About 45 minutes from Ngawal
Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.4°C (60°F) and lows of about -0.6°C (31°F) in April.

Braka

Manang (3540 m)

Acclimatization wise it is also possible to spend the 2nd night at Khangsar instead of Manang if you wish and the group agrees
Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.2°C (59°F) and lows of about -0.8°C (31°F) in April.

Manang
Thu Apr 4 (day 5)

Manang (3540 m)

Fri Apr 5 (day 6)

Khangsar (3745 m)

About 2-3 hours from Manang
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.9°C (57°F) and lows of about -2.1°C (28°F) in April.

Khangsar

Shree Kharka (4080 m)

About 2-3 hours from Khangsar
Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.9°C (53°F) and lows of about -4.1°C (25°F) in April.

Shree Kharka

Tilicho Base Camp (3900 m)

About 6-9 hours from Manang, about 4-6 hours from Khangsar, or about 2-3 hours from Shree Kharka
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.0°C (55°F) and lows of about -3.0°C (27°F) in April.

Tilicho Base Camp
Sat Apr 6 (day 7)

Tilicho Lake (4919 m)

About 2-4 hours up to the lake and about 1-1.5 hours back. While it's possible to see Tilicho Lake in the morning and make it to Yak Kharkha the same day it's more leisurely to add an extra rest day. This option would also give more time to explore the lake.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 6.9°C (44°F) and lows of about -9.1°C (16°F) in April.

Tilicho Lake

Shree Kharka (4080 m)

About 2 hours from Tilicho Base Camp
Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.9°C (53°F) and lows of about -4.1°C (25°F) in April.

Shree Kharka

Yak Kharka (4020 m)

About 5-6 hours from Tilicho Base Camp, or about 4 hours from Shree Kharka
Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.3°C (54°F) and lows of about -3.7°C (25°F) in April.

Yak Kharka
Sun Apr 7 (day 8)

Ledar (4230 m)

About 1 hour from Yak Kharkha
Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.0°C (52°F) and lows of about -5.0°C (23°F) in April.

Ledar

Thorung Phedi (4540 m)

About 1-3 hours from Letdar
Expect typical high termperatures of about 9.2°C (49°F) and lows of about -6.8°C (20°F) in April.

Thorung Phedi
Mon Apr 8 (day 9)

Thorung High Camp (4830 m)

About 1 hour from Thorung Phedi
Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.4°C (45°F) and lows of about -8.6°C (17°F) in April.

Thorung High Camp

Thorung La (5416 m)

About 3-6 hours from Thorong Phedi
Expect typical high termperatures of about 3.9°C (39°F) and lows of about -12.1°C (10°F) in April.

Thorung La

Muktinath (3800 m)

About 3-5 hours from Thorong La
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.6°C (56°F) and lows of about -2.4°C (28°F) in April.

Muktinath

Rating: | 2 reviews
Highlights: Kagbeni and Muktinath
Difficulty: easy
Kagbeni is the gateway to the upper Mustang Valley. The longer route to Kagbeni via Jong passes through monastic villages reminiscent of those in Upper Mustang. It would be a shame to miss this picturesque village set in a spectacular landscape of dry eroded valleys and high snow-clad peaks in your rush to get back to Pokhara or Kathmandu. If you have the time, stop and take a break in Kagbeni.

Rating: | 3 reviews
Highlights: Kagbeni, Marpha, Muktinath, and Poon Hill
Difficulty: challenging
For the satisfaction of doing the full Annapurna circuit, continue through the villages of lower Mustang and follow the rushing Gandaki River down from arid Mustang into the green middle hills. Finish the trek with a climb to the panoramic view point of Poon Hill and wave goodbye to the 8000 m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

Highlights: Charang (Tsarang), Chogo La (Marang La), Chusang (Chuksang), Dhakmar, Geling, Jhong Cave, Kagbeni, Lo Manthang, Muktinath, and Nyphu Gompa
Difficulty: moderate
Follow the ancient trade route once dominated by the Kingdom of Lo. Few regions offer this spectacular mix of cultural and geographic treasures. The spectacular eroded canyons of the trans-Himalayan landscape are a kaleidoscope of colors set beneath the distant snow-clad peaks of the Annapurna Range. Throughout this arid colorful landscape are the shrines, monasteries, caves and villages built by the devout Buddhist population. The highlight of the region are the monasteries and caves around the fortified walled city of Lo Manthang.

Tue Apr 9 (day 10)

Jomsom (2760 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.8°C (68°F) and lows of about 3.8°C (39°F) in April.

Jomsom

Marpha (2780 m)

About 4 to 4.5 hours from Kagbeni or 1 to1.5 hours from Jomsom, reachable from Muktinath in one long day (about 7 hours of walking) but preferable to break it up into two days.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.7°C (67°F) and lows of about 3.7°C (39°F) in April.

Marpha
Wed Apr 10 (day 11)

Jomsom (2760 m)

About 1 to 1.5 hours from Marpha
Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.8°C (68°F) and lows of about 3.8°C (39°F) in April.

Jomsom
Public bus from Jomsom to Pokhara (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $18.00
Travel time: about 12 hours
You may have to change buses in Ghasa and/or Beni and possibly overnight in Beni.
Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)

Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $130.00
Travel time: 30 minutes

Pokhara (827 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 31.4°C (89°F) and lows of about 15.4°C (60°F) in April.

Pokhara
you can add extra rest days after the itinerary is created

by Samuel (Australia) on Oct 26, 2019

Annapurna Circuit Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Tilicho Lake, and Classic Start from Besi Sahar led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

The magnificent sights, cultural diversity and environmental changes of the circuit make the trek live up to its expectations! Although there are parts where the road now replaces the trekking track, the vast majority of the trek there are no cars. We caught a bus part of the way after Jomson, which allowed us to do some better trekking for the last days of our itinerary rather thank walking on the dusty road, which worked out really well. We would love to do this trek again one day!

by Emma (Canada) on Apr 29, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

by Elsa (Canada) on Apr 15, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa

by Dominik (Germany) on Feb 17, 2019

Annapurna Circuit led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

by Lisa (Australia) on Jan 20, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

Great trek, attempted the 10 day version in Jan 2019 but due to altitude sickness in the group turned around at Manag. Even though the road runs all the way to Manag we rarely saw vehicles after Chame, probably considering its the quiet season and the weather is verrry cold this time of year!

by Tania (Canada) on Dec 18, 2018

Annapurna Circuit Classic Start from Besi Sahar and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Dawa Sherpa

Amazing views of the Annapurna range! The sidetrip to Tilicho lake is 100% worth the effort and will help with acclimating for the ascent up to Thorung La. Lots of people on the trail at Manang and up to the pass. The trip between Jomsom and Tatopani should not be missed. Do this stretch on the east side of the river. It is clearly infrequently travelled and had some of the most interesting trail sections of the entire trip. Just make sure to bring snacks in this stretch because villages are fewer and farther between.

by Dylan (France) on Apr 10, 2018

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake led by Nima T Sherpa

by Nee (Malaysia) on Oct 25, 2017

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

this trek is not preferred due to heavy construction on some parts of the trail and also most parts of the trek are motorway, which is not conducive for trekking.

by Timothy (UK) on Jun 16, 2019

Nar Phu via Thorung La, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

by Elsa (Canada) on Apr 15, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa

by Samuel (Australia) on Oct 26, 2019

Annapurna Circuit Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Tilicho Lake, and Classic Start from Besi Sahar led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

Great start to the trek, really enjoyed the town of besi sahar.

by Tania (Canada) on Dec 18, 2018

Annapurna Circuit Classic Start from Besi Sahar and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Dawa Sherpa

This is unfortunately bypassed by a lot of folks. The scenery is unique the villages feel more authentic because they are less visited by people. Climbing through the different eco-systems and landscapes is interesting, you'll have plenty of time to acclimate, and your first site of the snow capped peaks is that much more special. Also, there are lots of opportunities for taking alternate trails to avoid the road. Make sure you buy a good map and plan out your routes otherwise you can be stuck walking on the road.

by Samuel (Australia) on Oct 26, 2019

Annapurna Circuit Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Tilicho Lake, and Classic Start from Besi Sahar led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

Some great views from Poon Hill, we were unlucky with the weather but the views were still spectacular!

by Tania (Canada) on Dec 18, 2018

Annapurna Circuit Classic Start from Besi Sahar and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Dawa Sherpa

Poon Hill is worth the 30 minutes sidetrip from Ghorepani and will feel easy after all of the uphill on the first half of the trip. Most people got up early to be at the top for sunrise. I do not recommend this unless you want to share the viewpoint with hundreds of people. Sleep in, have a nice breakfast and enjoy the people free views later in the day.

by Nee (Malaysia) on Oct 25, 2017

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

by Samuel (Australia) on Oct 26, 2019

Annapurna Circuit Classic finish via Poon Hill, via Tilicho Lake, and Classic Start from Besi Sahar led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

Tilicho lake was a great side trip. It can be quite a strenuous day if coming from Manang and climbing Tilicho on the same day, but it's definitely worth it!

by Elsa (Canada) on Apr 15, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa

This part of the trek was much more challenging and dangerous than I expected however it was very rewarding and worth the effort! Pasang was, of course, a most excellent leader!

by Nee (Malaysia) on Oct 25, 2017

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake and Classic finish via Poon Hill led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

great view and worth all the efforts!

by Timothy (UK) on Jun 16, 2019

Nar Phu via Thorung La, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

by Elsa (Canada) on Apr 15, 2019

Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa