A thrilling 15-16 hour Jeep journey from Kathmandu to reach Koto village, nestled in Nepal's Manang District amidst the majestic Annapurna Conservation Area. Along the renowned Annapurna Circuit trek route, Koto sits at an altitude of approximately 2,600 meters (8,530 feet), offering spectacular view of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. Surrounded by verdant forests, terraced fields, and cascading waterfalls, Koto creates a tranquil haven with its serene atmosphere, making it a perfect retreat for trekkers and nature enthusiasts alike.

After registering our restricted area permits at the police check post in Koto, we set off along the banks of the Soti Khola. The trail winds through enchanting pine forests, crosses several suspension bridges, and passes by cascading waterfalls, leading us to Dharamshala in about five hours. As we continue from Dharamshala, the forest begins to thin, revealing expansive vistas. We trek for another hour and a half through the woods, ascending steeply to reach Meta village on the Tibetan Plateau, where the views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal are truly spectacular.

After registering our restricted area permits at the police check post in Koto, we set off along the banks of the Soti Khola. The trail winds through enchanting pine forests, crosses several suspension bridges, and passes by cascading waterfalls, leading us to Dharamshala in about five hours. As we continue from Dharamshala, the forest begins to thin, revealing expansive vistas. We trek for another hour and a half through the woods, ascending steeply to reach Meta village on the Tibetan Plateau, where the views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal are truly spectacular.

The path ascends and descends frequently, and by crossing a suspension bridge, you will reach Chyaku. As you continue to climb, you will start to get glorious views of Annapurna before entering Kyang. Kyang provides spectacular views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II. 

You will then cross the Phu Khola on a rugged trail, passing by submarine-shaped rocks and a few campsites before arriving at the Phu gate, the entry point to Phu Village. Nar and Phu villages are renowned for their unique blue sheep, distinct culture, and rich religious practices. While in Phu Village, a visit to the Tashi Lhakhang Monastery is a must. The village also offers breathtaking views of several Himalayan ranges, including the majestic Himlung Himal.

Phu Village is like an open-air museum, rich with cultural and traditional elements waiting to be explored, all set against stunning natural scenery. We've allocated a rest day here to fully immerse ourselves in the unique aspects of the valley and savor some local cuisines. This day also serves as an acclimatization period, helping your body adjust to the upcoming altitude gains and ensuring a smoother trek ahead.

Leaving Phu Gaon behind, we set out towards Nar Village, crossing two high passes—Phu Pass at 5,050 meters and Nar Pass at 5,400 meters. The trek involves crossing several suspension bridges over streams, including the notable Mahendra Pul. Along the way, you'll have the chance to admire the Pisang Peaks and other majestic mountains. If the monastery in Nar is open to the public, we'll spend the night there. However, it's important to note that the guesthouse may be closed if any pujas are taking place or if the monks are deeply engaged in their monastic activities.

We'll have an exploration and rest day in Nar to prepare for the challenging days ahead. This day is dedicated to acclimatizing, allowing your body to adjust while you take the time to rest and explore the village. Nar is rich in culture, with several monasteries and chortens to visit. As you wander through the village, you'll likely discover that in Nar, it's a tradition for at least one child from each family to study Buddhism. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with the locals and immerse yourself in their unique way of life. 

Prepare for an 8-9 hour trek filled with ascents and descents, but you'll be rewarded with perfect views from the pass. From Nar, we begin by ascending along the lateral moraine of the Temdenzon Khola, following a pleasant trail that winds through yak pastures and offers stunning views of the west ridge of Pisang Peak. The trek will then lead us to Jhombu Kharka, also known as Kang La Phedi, situated at the base of the Kang La Pass.

From Kang La Phedi, we'll begin the gradual ascent to Kang La Pass. Though the path is steep, it’s manageable, and we expect it to take about 2 hours to reach the top. Once at Kang La Pass, you'll be greeted with breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. After soaking in the scenery, we'll continue trekking for another three hours until we reach Ngawal Village, where we'll spend the night.

We’ll embark on a 3-4 hour easy walk from Ngawal to Manang, following the banks of the Marsyangdi River. As we move forward, the trail takes us through lush forests and charming villages like Braga and Paugh, offering stunning views of Tilicho Peak and the Annapurna ranges along the way. At Mungli, our path merges with the standard Annapurna Circuit trail, leading us onward to Manang, our destination for the day. While in Braga, we will visit Brakha Gumba, a significant monastery in the region.

We'll begin a 4-5 hour trek to visit the sacred Milarepa Cave and Monastery, perched on a breathtaking cliff about 5 km from Braka Village in the Manang district. This site holds great spiritual significance as the 11th-century Tibetan Mahasiddha, Guru Milarepa, meditated here. Milarepa was a revered Buddhist master, a translator of Sanskrit texts, and the founder of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After exploring this sacred site, we'll trek back to Manang Village to rest and reflect on the experience.

Khadka often refers to pasture land and is the last village connected by road. Some trekkers choose to drive directly here to start their trek. From Shree Khadka, the vegetation transitions to alpine and drier regions. Shree Khadka is primarily known for its guesthouses and hotels. Located at a higher elevation, it offers stunning views of the Annapurna range right in front of you, making it feel as though the mountain tops are just a few steps away.

Experience one of the most adventurous trails in Tilicho as you trek through dry landslide areas with stunning mountain views. The narrow trail, at times only allowing one person to pass, adds an exciting challenge to your journey. Upon reaching Tilicho Base Camp, enjoy the tranquility of this high-altitude haven, with a peaceful settlement by a flowing stream. As the evening sets in, unwind to the soothing sounds of nature. Remember to stay hydrated and prepare for the cold at this altitude.

Today is one of the most anticipated days of our trek as we hike up to witness one of the most beautiful lake—Tilicho Lake. The day begins early, around 4 AM, to ensure we catch the sunrise and reach the lake before the winds pick up, making the trek more challenging. The hike involves several ascents and descents, offering breathtaking views along the way.

Tilicho Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,919 meters (16,138 ft), is a massive glacial lake. Although no longer Nepal’s highest lake (a title now held by Kajin Sara Lake at 5,200 meters), Tilicho remains unparalleled in its sheer size, stretching up to 4 km in length and 1.2 km in width. An interesting fact about Tilicho Lake is that it has no visible water sources or outflow, making its still, blue waters even more mysterious.

After spending some time at the lake, we'll descend to Tilicho Base Camp for lunch. From there, we’ll continue our trek to Shree Khadka, which takes about 3-4 hours and is mostly downhill, allowing for a more relaxed pace. Upon arrival, we’ll rest and prepare for the next day's adventure.

From Yak Kharka, we will descend for short duration and will be at the riverside of Marshyangdi river. Then, we will hike up to Ledar and our trekking continues until we reach Thorang Phedi. It is taken as the base of Thorongla pass and is located at an altitude above 4600m.We can go up to Thorong high camp to spend our night if still we can walk. Most of the trekkers prefer to stay at Thorang Phedi for their night stay.

Since we are crossing Thorongla Pass, the highest altitude we will experiencing in this trekking package, hence, we need to be physically and mentally fit. When we stand at this pass, we feel we are at the same elevation of Annapurna mountain ranges. It is mandatory for us to arrive at Thorongla pass before 10:00 am in order to avoid strong wind and cloud, which can shatter our dream to have fantastic and majestic view of Annapurna ranges. Hence, we should walk before 5:00am as soon as our breakfast. While getting ready for Thorongla pass, we should be extra cautious since it is one of hardest part of this trekking package. Coordination with team leader, members and update information about weather information of this area is also must to avoid any kind of risk we may face. Thorongla pass is prone to heavy snowfall, therefore, we should have accurate information about weather of this area. At this point, we will be surrounded by Annapurna ranges and other mountains like Yakgawa Kang, Khatung Gang etc. After spending time at the pass, we descend and move towards another destination, which is considered as the sacred place for both the religions- Buddhism and Hinduism, i.e. Muktinath. We can just wander to have opportunity to visit temples, monasteries, 108 surrounding water spout, Jwala Mai temple.

After breakfast, we’ll start our descent to Eklebhatti, navigating a steep trail with care. By walking slowly and taking in the beautiful surroundings, we’ll reach Eklebhatti comfortably. From there, we’ll continue on to Jomsom, a notably windy area also known as Dzongsam. Jomsom offers a unique glimpse into the diverse landscape and rich culture of the Mustangi people, native to the Mustang region.

Depending on the weather conditions, we can either drive or fly to Pokhara. Trekkers often choose to continue their journey by trekking further from Jomsom to Marpha and then to Tatopani. The flight to Pokhara takes approximately 20 minutes, while the drive takes about 6 hours.

You can take an optional day or two to explore Pokhara, often referred to as Nepal’s tourist capital, depending on your schedule. The flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about 30 minutes, while traveling by road takes approximately 9 hours.