Follow the river trail through pine woodlands where the valley narrows sharply. The trail passes beneath Paungda Danda, an enormous curved rock face rising 1,500 meters sheer out of the riverbed. Cross back over the Marsyangdi to climb the winding stone steps into Upper Pisang.

Take the high northern scenic trail climbing steeply to the cliffside village of Ghyaru (3,670 m). Walk the panoramic balcony trail overlooking the Manang valley to Ngawal for lunch. Descend past the ancient stupas of Braga to enter the wide valley basin of Manang.

Spend an essential acclimatization day resting and adapting to the elevation. Take a morning hike to turquoise Gangapurna Lake and the Chongkor ridge viewpoint for direct views of the Gangapurna Icefall and Annapurna III before resting in Manang.

Branch west off the main Annapurna Circuit route through the western gate of Manang. Follow a rugged path through juniper scrub and old ruins alongside the Khangsar Khola to reach Khangsar, a traditional Tibetan-style stone village known as the last human settlement before Tilicho Lake.

Climb out of Khangsar along a high mountain ridge path, visiting the historic 1,000-year-old Tare Gompa monastery. Ascend through open alpine scrub with sweeping vistas of the Annapurna massif to reach the isolated seasonal lodge settlement of Siri Kharka.

A thrilling and demanding walk traversing the famous Tilicho landslide zone. Follow a narrow, well-defined single-track path cutting across steep, loose scree slopes with sheer drops below and eroded rock pinnacles above. Arrive safely at the small cluster of lodges at Tilicho Base Camp.

Climb a series of steep switchbacks known as the 'Twenty-Two Bends' over barren moraines. Break onto the high plateau to arrive at the shores of Tilicho Lake (4,919 m). Savor the turquoise waters framed by the sheer glaciated face of Tilicho Peak (7,134 m) and check into basic lakeside huts or set up camp.

Trek along the desolate northern shores of Tilicho Lake, leaving all permanent shelters behind. Walk over loose glacial moraine, frozen streams, and rock debris to establish a wilderness high camp at the foot of the Mesokanto La pass.

Start before dawn across rocky scree and snow tracks to reach the crest of Mesokanto La Pass (5,121 m). Enjoy a 360-degree vista looking back across Tilicho Lake and forward into the arid Mustang desert and Dhaulagiri. Make a steep, rocky descent down the western scree slopes into the alpine pastures of Kaisang.

Follow the trail downhill through juniper and pine scrub into the Kali Gandaki valley. Pass through the Tibetan settlement of Thinigaon and the ancient village of Marpha before walking along the wide, windy riverbed into the regional airstrip town of Jomsom for a celebratory hot shower.

Board a morning flight from Jomsom down the Kali Gandaki gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Pokhara. Transfer to your lakeside hotel for an afternoon of boating on Phewa Lake and well-deserved relaxation.

A free recovery day in Pokhara. Explore the Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls, and Gupteshwor Cave, or relax at lakeside cafes overlooking the Annapurna range.

Return to Kathmandu via a morning flight across the foothills or private vehicle along the highway. Transfer to your hotel for an evening farewell dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before our airport transfer vehicle takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure flight.