13 stunning side trips to discover on the Annapurna Circuit

Some of the side trips listed here can be done as simple day hikes, perfect for helping with acclimatization on the Annapurna Circuit. But don’t just treat them as necessary stops for your health—these trails are destinations in their own right and each step is well worth it.

And who knows… in a future (hopefully far off) where parts of the main Annapurna Circuit might be replaced by roads, it could be these side hikes that endure, continuing to draw trekkers. They are certainly worth exploring!

I’ve put the starting points for most of the hikes in my GPS Download Bundle of the Annapurna Circuit. Download it here:

In this post, I’ve also highlighted several longer hikes that can take several day and are true treks in their own right. Some of these trails are more challenging than the Annapurna Circuit and may require careful preparation, in some cases camping gear. But the choice is yours—pick the adventures that excite you most! I hope this post helps give you a clearer picture of the incredible variety of trekking opportunities the Annapurnas have to offer.

Interactive map of the side-trips

Check out the interactive map with the location of all the 13 side-trips mentioned in this post.

1. Tilicho Lake

The most popular side trek of the Annapurna Circuit leads from Manang to Tilicho Tal, at almost 5.000 meters one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Some small parts of the route have been converted into roads but it remains popular. Can easily be combined with Annapurna Circuit – from the lodges at Shri Kharka there’s an alternative trail leading to the Thorong-La-valley, so no need to backtrack to Manang.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 3 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: moderate
• 🏠 Lodges: yes

2. Ice lake (Kicho Tal)

This classic day hike leads to the alpine lake Kicho Tal, situated at 4,600 meters on the northern slopes of the Manang Valley. From the lake you’re rewarded with stunning views of the main Annapurna crestline making it a very popular choice for acclimatization. There are two main approaches: the trail from Bhraka is more gradual, while the direct route from Manang features a steeper ascent. Both trails can be combined into a rewarding roundtrip.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 6 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: moderate
• 🏠 Lodges: small teahouse along the trail

3. Gangapurna lake

A very short hike to the beautiful lake at the base of the sparkling Gangapurna glacier to the west of Manang. It’s actually more a leisurely stroll than a hike but still a nice walk for a relaxed morning or afternoon outing. A small teahouse sits on the lake’s shore, offering a nice spot to take in the magnificent views.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 2 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: easy
• 🏠 Lodges: teahouse at Gangapurna lake

4. Green Lake

This short detour from the road between Lower Pisang and Manang leads to a beautiful artificial lake, framed by stunning panoramic views of Lamjung Himal (6.983 m) and Annapurna II (7.937 m). It’s a great option for those who don’t want to hike up to Upper Pisang, as it can easily be included even on a tight schedule.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 30 minutes
• 🔥 Difficulty: easy
• 🏠 Lodges: teahouse at the lake

5. Moon Lake

A long day hike which leads to a stunning, very remote alpine lake at around 5.000 meters in the mountainous highlands south of Thorong La Pass. The trail starts in the village of Khangsar which you can reach on the trek to Tilicho Lake. Starting from Manang is also possible, but in that case an overnight stay in Khangsar is recommended, as the hike to the lake is quite long.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 6-7 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: moderate – difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: lodges and teahouses in Khangsar

6. Praken Gompa

This half-day hike from Manang takes you to a small Tibetan-style monastery perched in the hills above town at around 4.000 meters. The trail is fairly short, but if you’ve just arrived in Manang, the steep uphill climb may remind you of the thin mountain air. From the top you’re rewarded with excellent views of Manang, Gangapurna Lake, and the entire Annapurna range. Visitors can also receive a blessing from the local Lama for a safe journey over Thorong La.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 3-4 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: easy – moderate
• 🏠 Lodges: teahouses and lodges in Manang

7. Milarepa Cave

Another day hike near Manang takes you from Bhraka to a secluded meditation cave at 4.000 meters on the southern slopes of Annapurna III. According to legend, the famous Tibetan yogi Milarepa once meditated here. The trail also offers impressive, close-up views of the glaciers descending from the Annapurna range.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 5-6 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: moderate
• 🏠 Lodges: teahouses and lodges in Bhraka

8. Dhaulagri Ice Fall

This day hike leads to a 4.000-meter viewpoint overlooking the spectacular icefall cascading from the eastern slopes of Dhaulagiri into the Gandaki Valley. Some consider this the best day trip on the Annapurna Circuit. You can start the hike from Kalopani or Kokhetani, with Kokhetani being slightly closer. It’s still a long day with a significant elevation gain of 1.500 meters.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: 8-9 hours
• 🔥 Difficulty: difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: last teahouses and lodges in Kokhetani

9. Kajinsara Lake

This newly explored camping trek starts from Chame and first climbs to Lamjung Himal Basecamp before reaching the high-altitude Kajinsara Lake. At around 5.002 meters it actually sits higher than Tilicho Lake. So far there are no teahouses on the trail, so camping gear is essential. As the trail gains altitude rapidly in a very short distance, strong prior acclimatization is a must.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 3 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: no

10. Bhimtang Trek

The beautiful trail to Bhimtang follows the lower section of the Manaslu Circuit that still falls under the ACAP permit, offering incredible views of Mt. Manaslu (8.163 m) and the surrounding peaks. From Dharapani, take a shared jeep to Tilche and start the trek to Bhimtang. If time allows, don’t miss the stunning Ponkar Lake. While it’s technically not permitted, it’s possible to continue beyond Bhimtang as there are no checkpoints in the village.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 3 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: moderate
• 🏠 Lodges: yes

11. Namun La Trek

This adventurous camping trek through the highlands between the Marsyangdi and Gandaki valleys crosses the main Annapurna crestline via the remote Namun La (4.950 m) and ends in Timang a few kilometers before Chame. You can approach the pass from Syange in the lower Marsyangdi Valley, ascending through the Thurju meadows but the trail is mostly unsigned and occasionally hard to follow. This is not an easy trek and only recommended for experienced trekkers.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 4 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: no

12. Meme Pokhari Trek

The hidden alpine lakes of Meme Pokhari are the goal of this remote wilderness camping trek, part of the Manaslu Great Lakes Trek. The route begins in Bhulbule in the lower Marsyangdi Valley and follows the Bar Pokhari Lek (ridge) to the lakes nestled beneath the towering south face of Himal Chuli (7.893 m). Expect challenging, unsigned mountain trails and no infrastructure—again strictly for experienced trekkers.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 6-7 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: no

13. Mesokanto La

Mesokanto Pass (5.231 m) provides a direct route from Manang to Jomsom via Tilicho Lake, bypassing the easier but longer route across Thorong La. It was first crossed by the 1950 French Annapurna Expedition led by Maurice Herzog while scouting possible approaches to Annapurna I. The pass offers stunning views of the Nilgiri peaks but it’s challenging—especially the descent into the Gandaki valley. Most trekkers choose to camp for at least one night before attempting the crossing.

• ⏳ Additional time needed: about 3 days
• 🔥 Difficulty: difficult
• 🏠 Lodges: last lodge at Tilicho Lake Basecamp

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Do you have any questions about these side trips? Anything missing in the article? Do you know other exciting places? Let me know in the comments – I look forward to hearing from you!