Great Annapurna Round

around Nar-Phu, Tilicho-Tal & Thorung-la

Nepal - Trekking

You have in your hands a proposal that varies the Annapurna Circuit, turning it into a deeper and much more interesting experience, especially for its route into Nar Phu valleys, but no less, through the Tilicho Tal (lake). A very different dimension from the famous Annapurna Circuit.

23 days / 22 nights full trip in Nepal (minimum recommended)

19 days’ trek

Hard. With no technical difficulties

Highest altitude 5416m

Highest altitude overnight 4620m

Local mountain guide English-speaking

Meals and overnight in lodges during the trek

Accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Transfers in private vehicle and domestic flights

$2.105*

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The Nar Phu valleys were opened to trekking in 2002, but remain one of the least visited and most isolated valleys, while the vast majority of trekkers continue to focus on the Annapurna Circuit that runs at its foot. However, Nar Phu maintains a very different spirit that you will begin to feel as soon as you start to ascend following the Nar Khola (river).

Leaving behind the Marsyangdi Nadi valley and the subtropical forests, we will soon enter a landscape of green pastures and pine forests to progressively move into a more and more arid, harsh and breathtaking terrain, walking between rock gorges, under the watchful eye of the Kangaru Himal in the east. But more importantly, we enter a land of an ancient Tibetan culture, where Buddhism settled centuries ago, with pre-Buddhist roots that still prevail today, much like those of Mustang and Dolpo. On your way you will come across spectacular chortens (stupas), manis (votive stone walls) and gompas (monasteries and temples) where you can still see caves of ancient, and perhaps not so ancient, hermits.

Its culture is so ancient and has remained in some ways so isolated that a particular Tibetan language is spoken here, with the presence of a dialect that is not even understood by the inhabitants of the nearby Manang.

Nar Phu is still a world apart, it is perhaps also a journey through time, and a different experience from that of the Annapurna Circuit with which it shares an itinerary.

Leaving Nar Phu behind, we meet Manang, the neuralgic center of the area where the culture and the way of building are already fully Tibetan. From here on the landscape is arid, between frozen mountains peeking out of the side valleys. We enter the Tilicho Tal valley. An impressive valley, cold and lonely, which hosts the largest lake in Nepal at 4929 meters. Frozen most of the year despite its size, its crystal clear emerald green water stands out.

Continuing on our way, we will cross the Thorung-La at 5416 meters, one of the most famous Himalayan passes, and the highlight of this trek, where we can enjoy a coffee or tea in the tiny and very modest highest coffee shop in the world. We enter the Mustang area, with the important set of Hindu and Buddhist temples of Muktinath, the second holiest site in Nepal, and the picturesque village of Kagbeni that we fully recommend you to enjoy.