Self-Launched Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek — 15 Days
15 days · Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking charges £1,265
No-markup version: ~£620 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 15-day Annapurna Circuit with the Tilicho Lake side trip. Instead of a fully guided group tour, you'll arrange your own TIMS card and ACAP permit, use local buses and shared jeeps, and stay in teahouses along the trail. You can tackle this independently — the route is well-marked and well-trodden — or hire a licensed guide/porter locally in Kathmandu or Pokhara for a fraction of the tour price. Costs are estimates for a budget/backpacker style trip, excluding international flights and trekking gear.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Take a pre-paid taxi to Thamel (approx £4-5, negotiate or use the official counter). Check into a budget guesthouse in Thamel. Spend the afternoon sorting your permits — buy your TIMS card and ACAP permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office (Exhibition Road) or via the TAAN counter; both are needed for this route. If you want a guide or porter, this is the time to arrange one locally (guides ~£20-25/day, porters ~£15-18/day). Stock up on snacks and cash — ATMs are scarce on the trail.
🚌Pre-paid airport taxi to Thamel ~£4-5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu (dorm or twin ~£8-14)
- →Nepal Tourism Board office — TIMS card & ACAP permit
- →Thamel gear shopping (down jackets, poles, crampons for Tilicho)
- →Arrange local guide/porter if wanted
Kathmandu to Besisahar
Besisahar
Board an early local bus from Kathmandu's Gongabu (New Bus Park) to Besisahar — around 7-8 hours through the Himalayan foothills via Dumre. Book the day before or just turn up early. If you are travelling as a small group, a shared jeep can be a faster, comfier option. Overnight in a guesthouse in Besisahar. Note: most local buses now terminate at Besisahar rather than further up, so you'll jeep-share onwards tomorrow.
🚌Local bus Kathmandu to Besisahar ~£5-7 (7-8 hrs)
🛏Guesthouse in Besisahar (~£6-10)
- →Scenic drive through Himalayan foothills
- →Walk to the Marsyangdi riverbank
- →Prepare permits for the checkpoint
Besisahar to Dharapani, trek to Danaque
Dharapani / Danaque
Share a jeep from Besisahar up to Dharapani (about 6-7 hours on a rough road; ~£12-15 shared, or negotiate). From Dharapani, start trekking to Danaque via the Tamang village of Thanchowk with its distinctive stone houses and slate roofs, continuing past Tibetan-influenced Koto. Keep an eye out for Manaslu (8163m) and the Annapurna peaks. You will likely notice some road sections between Besisahar and Chame — many trekkers jeep these and start walking higher up. Overnight teahouse in Danaque.
🚌Shared jeep Besisahar to Dharapani ~£12-15
🛏Teahouse in Danaque (~£5-8 per person, twin)
- →Shared jeep Besisahar to Dharapani
- →Trek Dharapani to Danaque via Tamang village
- →Views of Manaslu and Annapurna peaks
Danaque / Chame to Pisang
Chame / Pisang
Trek from Chame up to Telekhu with views of the Annapurna ranges and Mt. Pisang (6091m). Cross the long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River and climb through pine forest into the upper Manang Valley. The walking today is moderate but you're gaining altitude, so keep the pace steady and drink plenty of water. Overnight teahouse in Pisang.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Pisang (~£5-8)
- →Trek Chame to Pisang
- →Marsyangdi River suspension bridge
- →Annapurna range views
Pisang to Braga / Manang
Braga / Manang
A shorter, scenic day trekking to the Tibetan village of Braga (just above Manang). Visit the hilltop Gompa (Buddhist monastery) above Braga, one of the oldest and most atmospheric in the district. Take it easy and use the afternoon to rest and hydrate, as you're now at roughly 3,400m. Overnight teahouse in Braga or Manang.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Braga or Manang (~£5-8)
- →Trek Pisang to Braga
- →Visit Braga / Manang Gompa
- →Afternoon rest for acclimatisation
Acclimatisation day at Manang
Manang
A vital acclimatisation day — do not skip it. Take the standard acclimatisation hike up to Khangsar (3756m) or the closer Gangapurna Lake and Chongkor viewpoint. Climb high, sleep low. If you start to feel symptoms of altitude sickness, rest and descend if needed. Overnight back in Manang.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Manang (~£5-8)
- →Acclimatisation hike to Khangsar (3756m)
- →Gangapurna Lake viewpoint
- →Trekker's altitude briefing
Manang to Khangsar
Khangsar
A relatively short trekking day to Khangsar village, known for its traditional stone houses and slate roofs. Enjoy views toward Kang Guru Peak (6981m). Khangsar is the gateway to the Tilicho side valley. Overnight in Khangsar — note the teahouses here are basic, so bring your own snacks and a warm sleeping bag for the higher stops.
🚌On foot
🛏Basic teahouse in Khangsar (~£5-7)
- →Trek Manang to Khangsar
- →Village walk through Khangsar
- →Kang Guru Peak views
Khangsar to Tilicho Lake and Sri Kharka
Tilicho Lake / Sri Kharka
The big side-trip day. Long, high walk up to Tilicho Lake (approx 4,919m) — around 5-6 hours of steady ascent, depending on your trailhead. Views of Tilicho Peak (7134m) and, in season, yaks and possibly deer. This is a demanding altitude day, so start early and be prepared to turn back if conditions or your health are poor. Descend to the Tilicho Base Camp / Sri Kharka area for the night.
🚌On foot
🛏Basic lodge at Tilicho Base Camp / Sri Kharka (~£6-9)
- →Trek to Tilicho Lake (4,919m)
- →Tilicho Peak views (7134m)
- →Wildlife spotting — yaks and deer
Sri Kharka to Thorong Phedi
Thorong Phedi
Descend from Sri Kharka back down to Khangsar, then over to Tare Gumba (3870m) monastery and through the Thorong Khola Valley. Pass the abandoned village of Old Khangsar on the way. Today's walking is long but mostly downhill before you settle in at Thorong Phedi (around 4,450m) to position yourself for the pass. Eat well and sleep early.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse at Thorong Phedi (~£6-9)
- →Descend to Khangsar
- →Visit Tare Gumba monastery
- →Old Khangsar abandoned village
- →Overnight at Thorong Phedi
Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass
Muktinath
The crux of the trek. Start around 4-5am with a headtorch to cross Thorong La Pass (5416m) — the highest point on the circuit. Grand views of Annapurna, Gangapurna, Khatungkang (6484m) and, on the far side, Dhaulagiri. The long descent to Muktinath is knee-taxing — bring poles. Muktinath is a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists; there is a temple complex and the famous 108 water spouts. Overnight in Muktinath or nearby Ranipauwa.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Muktinath/Ranipauwa (~£6-9)
- →Cross Thorong La Pass (5416m) at dawn
- →Annapurna, Gangapurna, Khatungkang and Dhaulagiri views
- →Visit Muktinath temple complex and 108 water spouts
Muktinath to Tatopani
Tatopani
Take a shared jeep from Muktinath down to Jomsom (around 2 hours), passing through the apple-growing district around Marpha — stop for apple pie and local cider if time allows. Continue by shared jeep or local bus via Ghasa to Tatopani. In the late afternoon, soak in Tatopani's famous hot springs — the perfect recovery for tired legs. Overnight in Tatopani.
🚌Shared jeep/bus Muktinath via Jomsom to Tatopani ~£15-20
🛏Guesthouse in Tatopani (~£6-10)
- →Shared jeep Muktinath–Jomsom
- →Marpha village and apple orchards
- →Tatopani hot springs
Tatopani to Ghorepani
Ghorepani
A long but rewarding climb from Tatopani up to Ghorepani — the biggest single-day gain after the pass. Cross a suspension bridge, climb through dense rhododendron forest (spectacular in spring bloom), and pass the villages of Ghara and Sikhar. Along the way you'll get views of Nilgiri South, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak. Overnight teahouse in Ghorepani.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Ghorepani (~£5-8)
- →Trek Tatopani to Ghorepani
- →Rhododendron forest
- →Nilgiri South, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak views
Ghorepani to Pokhara via Poon Hill
Pokhara
Pre-dawn start to climb Poon Hill (3195m) for sunrise — arguably the best 360-degree mountain panorama of the whole trek: Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Machapuchare (Fishtail), Himchuli and Annapurna South all in one sweep. Descend back through Ghorepani, walk down through forest past Bhanthati and Ulleri, then take a shared jeep from Nayapul/Hille to Pokhara (3-4 hours). Celebrate with a well-earned dinner by Phewa Lake. Optional extras if you have time: paragliding, boating on Phewa Tal, or a stroll through Lakeside.
🚌Trek down to Hille/Nayapul + shared jeep to Pokhara ~£4-6
🛏Budget guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (~£8-14)
- →Sunrise from Poon Hill (3195m)
- →Descend via Ulleri to Nayapul
- →Shared jeep to Pokhara
- →Optional: Lakeside dinner, Phewa Tal boat trip
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
A travel day. Take the tourist bus or local bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu (6-7 hours, ~£6-10), or braid together a faster option with a domestic flight if budget allows (flights are frequently delayed, so allow buffer time). Arrive back in Kathmandu, check into your Thamel guesthouse and enjoy a final dinner. Optional add-on: bus out to Chitwan National Park for a jungle safari — you can easily extend your trip here with a local safari package (from ~£70-90 for 2 nights full board).
🚌Tourist bus Pokhara to Kathmandu ~£6-10 (6-7 hrs)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu (~£8-14)
- →Bus Pokhara to Kathmandu
- →Optional: extend to Chitwan National Park safari
- →Optional: Bhaktapur or Patan day trip
Departure from Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Last morning in Kathmandu. Depending on your flight time, you could squeeze in a guided walking tour of old Kathmandu (Durbar Square, Swayambhunath) or a final gear-and-tea shopping morning in Thamel. Take a taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) — allow extra time for Kathmandu traffic. Trip ends.
🚌Taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport ~£4-5
🛏—
- →Optional: Kathmandu Durbar Square walking tour
- →Optional: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition & Trekking | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£620 | £1,265 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £645 per person (51%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Sherpa Expedition & Trekking-style trips? Check them out here.~£620
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek — 15 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £620 per person for 15 days in Annapurna Circuit, Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Sherpa Expedition & Trekking?+
Yes — Sherpa Expedition & Trekking charges around £1,265 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £620 — a saving of roughly £645 (51%) per person.
How long is the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Annapurna Circuit, Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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