Annapurnas circuit and Tilicho Lake

Yoga Massage Trek = 20 days

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Highlights of Annapurnas and Tilicho

- Discover the Annapurna region by following a new interesting route
- benefit from the experience of Eric Lon and get yoga classes every day
- good acclimatization process with yoga breathing

Learn yoga massage which combines the benefits of yoga and massage
several detours: Milarepa cave, 4000 m. Icelake, 4600 m. Tilicho Lake, 4920 m.

Trip facts

Dates

Outline itinerary

Price (per person on double occupancy): coming soon

The price includes:

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation in Lodge during the trek
Jomsom/Pokhara/Kathmandu airfare
Kathmandu/Besi Sahar transportation on private vehicle with driver
English speaking local expert guide, porters
Masseur physiotherapist proposing yoga session every day and massage class
Annapurnas National Park fees permit
5 nights accommodation at hote, Kathmandu, on double sharing with breakfast
All guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and entry fees.
Airport transfers and escort
Insurance of the guide and porters

The price excludes:

International flight & departure tax
Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
Tips, any expenses of personal nature, client's insurance.

Individual treatment are not included in the price. Please discuss with Eric for any additionalservice during the trek.

Detailed itinerary

Day 2: Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century Palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath.

Day 3: Day trek at Shivapuri National Park, near Kathmandu
As a certified medical masseur and physiotherapist, Eric Lon is aware of the importance of the body warm up at the beginning of any Himalayan trek. No other Nepalese trekking agency than us is offering such muscle clean up with yoga and trekking at Shivapuri national Park.
This park is located at the north of Kathmandu valley. His top, 2720 meters above sea level, offers a wonderful panorama of the snow capped Langtang range. His greenish forest protects many species of plants and animals, and it gives birth to several crystal clear rivers. When you are looking at the Bagmati river' spring, you cannot believe it will be changed in a black drain crossing Kathmandu.
Trekking at Shivapuri National Park is like taking a Jouvence bath for rejuvenating your cells.
During this first day trek Eric Lon will start teaching you some Himalayan yoga techniques in order to activate your acclimatizing, and the basis of yoga massage which will be taught during the whole trek.
It will start early morning. By evening you will be back to your hotel, at Kathmandu.

Day 4: Drive to Besi Sahar: approx 6 hours
Some trekkers may start from Besisahar, around height hundred meters above sea level, but our choice is to drive further by the road, to the village of Syange. From Kathmandu, in function of the traffic, it may be a day drive. One hour trek only is possible by evening. Better to get a nice accommodation in a river lodge and to enjoy evening yoga to stretch and relax the body. Trekking the next day will be easier.

Day 5: Trek to Dharpani:1920 meters.
It is a day trek which will start with a morning Himalayan yoga session. The trail is following the river, offering different kinds of landscapes, crossing several villages. We are entering the Buddhist part of the Annapurnas. The trail is wide and well maintained: it is a star trail with "chortens" and "mane", prayer walls along the path. Accommodation at lodges all around the circuit.

Day 6: Trek to Chame: 2630 meters.

We skirt through a narrow field from the village. The Dudh Khola, which originates from the south face of Manaslu, and then Marshyangdi, veers to the left. Sinuous trails of the. Annapurna II becomes visible as we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhotia village with colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. As we continue ascending through forests of pines and oaks, we pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall. Further on, the Marshyangdi river enters a gorge and the trails follows rock-strewn path.

We can pause for a while and take in the splendor of the picturesque Manaslu. When the steep incline ends, we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons and continue on a gently rising path. We cross a stream before entering a pine forest. We then enter the pristine hamlet of Kotho, from where we can capture the most enchanting view of Annapurna II. Treading further, the route reaches a large white gate with a corrugated iron roof, which is the entrance of Chame. Chame is the administrative headquarter of Manang district. There is electricity, wireless station, schools, shops, health post, post office, police check post, hotels, lodges and banks in Chame. The hot springs are the major attraction of this place.

Day 7: Trek to Pisang: 3190 meters.
After a mesmerizing sight of the glowing Lamjung Himal [6893m], we head off for Pisang. En route, we cross a large suspension bridge along Marshyangdi and approach houses and lodges on the northern side of the river. Our trekking trail meanders through barley fields leading to Teleku at 2775 meters. As we leave the undulating mountain passes, we enter fascinating apple orchards near a bridge, around 2840 meters. On crossing the bridge, the pristine hamlet of Bratang appears. History has it that Bratang used to be a Khampa settlement.

After leaving the forested village, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape. Before us, the Annapurna mountain range rears up. Further on, we continue our steep rock-strewn trails to the south side and cross a long suspension bridge at 3040 meters. At this vantage point on the bridge, we get to view Paungda Danda rock rising more than 1500 meters from the river. En route, we capture splendid views of Annapurna II rearing up on the east and Pisang Peak on the north-east. We cross a bridge and enter the village of Pisang.

Day 8: Trek to Manang: 3520 meters.
As we continue with our trek, further a field from Pisang we head along a steep ridge savoring beautiful sights of the Manang valley and the Tilicho peak towering above 7132 meters. As we descend through Manang's airstrip, we come to Hongde lying beneath the gigantic Annapurna III on the north-east face. The route further leads to the wide plain of the Sabje Khola Valley from where we get the majestic view of Annapurna IV [7525m].

Further on, we cross a wooden bridge, as the Marsyangdi Khola gushes below us. We enter the beautiful village of Mungji. We continue treading along the cultivated fields and after a while we arrive at the village of Bryaga with a splendid monastery. On trekking down to Manang, we enjoy the majestic views of the Annapurna range - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and Tilicho Peak [7134m].

Day 9: Exploration around Manang: 3520 m to 4000 meters.
Steep trail with gorgeous landscapes. We are heading closer to Annapurna III and enjoy breath-taking landscapes and views from a viewpoint located at 4000 meters high: Milarepa cave. We are very close to the glacier of AnnapurnasIII. Photos on Flickr. We stay at manag for the night.

Eric Lon provides yoga teachings on the way and at the arrival to develop new skills for relaxation after trekking.

Day 10: Exploration of Ice Lake: 4600 meters.
Today, we trek high to a beautil lake located at 4600 meters. Steep trail: take it easy to be adapted to the hight. Georgeous landscapes and two lakes where swimming is stritcly prohibited. As yesterday, we have plenty of time for yoga.

Day 11: Trek 4900 m to sleep at Tilicho base camp: 4150 meters.
After looking at Gangapurna Lake, 3500 meters, we are follow the high trail, 4900 meters, to go to down to Tilicho Lake Base Camp. Gorgeous landscapes and huge filelds of rolling stones. We stay at the last Lodge.

Day 12: Trek to Tilicho Lake, 4920 meters and back to Tilicho base camp
Early morning, we go up to the lake surrounded by ice falls on the side of " the grand barriere" and Tilicho peak: a pure beauty. Tilicho Lake is 4 km long and more than 1 km wide. It is a windy place. Eric will teach you how to strengthen the body and warm it up quickly and efficiently before swimming in icy water, but swimming is not to your program.
In the afternoon, we head back down to the base camp.

Day 13: Trek to Yak Karka: 4000 meters.
We trek far from the main trail, with beautiful panoramas. In order to further improve our acclimatisation, we walk only in the morning and have plenty of time in the afternoon to relax and explore the surrounding areas. Eric Lon will teach you various technics to get back your energy faster and more eficiently.

Day 14: Trek to Thorong Phedi: 4540 meters and to High Camp: 4850 meters.
As yesterday, we only walk up for half day to allow our body to acclimatize. Stay at Thorong Phedi lodges: 4540 meters. If you feel fine, you can add a trek to 4850 meters and back to 4540 meters.

Day 15: Trek over Thorung La: 5416 meters, to Muktinath : 3800 meters.
This is your highest trekking day. 200 trekkers are crossing this pass during the peak season. Eric Lon has already crossed Thorong La 13 times. We have an early start today. Make sure you have good shoes, gloves and warm clothes.The trail becomes steep immediately but as the local people have used this trail for long, the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, we reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. We will have a look to the highest lakes where Eric Lon took several baths. Have a look to his yoga and swimming Flickr photos at Thorong La. He also skied on snow and rocks around Thorong La... Panoramic view from Thorong La: snow-covered mountains, the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang, which spread out before us. We are facing a dramatic tableau. The descent to Muktinath is a 1600 meters trek down. Take it easy: there is no rush. Visit of the main Hindu and Buddhist temples on our arrival at Muktinath: 3800 meters.

Day 16: Trek to Kagbeni: 3800 meters.
Since 3 years a road links Muktinath to Kagbeni. It is very useful to the pilgrims who are not fit enough to trek to the shrine, but the trekkers are not so pleased to walk on a gravel road with 4X4, trucks and bikes generating dust.
Our option is to trek down by the other side of the river, crossing small villages where very few trekkers are used to go. The trail offers gorgeous views from unusual angles like the exploration of the ruins of a village which collapsed in a earthquake and the hermit caves located on vertical cliffs.
Kagbeni is a medieval village with the ruins of a fort and a Buddhist monastery.
Kagbeni is the border between Lower Mustang, where we are trekking, and Upper Mustang, a restricted area where a special permit is required for trekking. We are also proposing to trek in Upper Mustang and yoga services can be added.

Day 17: Trek to Jomosom: 2800 meters via a high Buddhist cave: 4000 meters.
Most of the trekkers are following the Kali Gandaki River with the 4X4, trucks and bikes. It is not pleasant any more, except for people tired or in a hurry. Our option is to cross the river at Eklabati bridge and to trek trough three villages where few trekkers are used to go. It is the best way to know more about the traditional way of life. Above them there is a holly Buddhist cave with many yak skulls and Tibetan prayers hang on the ceiling of the cave. This holly cave is located at 4000 m.
Our way down to Jomosom, 2800 meters is to stay on that side of the "wind' valley" to get other panoramas than the usual ones.

Day 18: Flight Jomsom/ Pokhara/ Kathmandu.
We take an early morning flight to Pokhara. It is a spectacular flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge and provides wonderful views of both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. If there is enough time before the departure of our flight to Kathmandu, we can enjoy a glance of Phewa Lake. Flying and looking from up: relaxing flight. Free afternoon in the Nepalese capital.

Day 19: Kathmandu.

We have saved this day in case of delay at Jomosom due to weather conditions in the mountains, which are unpredictable. If a flight is delayed, better to have 24 hours to get the next flight and to reach Kathmandu in time to catch your international flight.

Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu: Namaste, see you again...
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. If you prefer to stay longer in Nepal, you can go for short tours around Kathmandu, visit National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking... etc.... ask us.

Contact: ericlon@hotmail.fr and info@lacompagniedesguidesdekathmandu.com