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Tihar Festival of Lights & Annapurna Trek

Country
Nepal

Duration
10 Days

Maximum altitude
3210 m

Activity
Trekking

Difficulty
Easy / Moderate

Best Season
September to May

Accomodation
Mountain Lodge

Meals
Excluded

Start/End Point
Pokhara

Tour Overview

Tour Overview

The Tihar Festival of Lights & Annapurna Trek offers a special way to experience Nepal, combining the beauty of the Himalayas with one of the country’s major festivals. Travelers can join in the Tihar festival of lights and take a scenic trek through the Annapurna region. This trip is an excellent option for anyone seeking to experience both local culture and mountain adventures. Tihar, which is similar to Diwali, takes place in autumn and brings villages and cities to life with lights, music, and rituals that show Nepal’s rich spiritual traditions.

The Tihar Festival of Lights and the Annapurna Trek both highlight the harmony among nature, people, and tradition. During Tihar, people honor animals like crows, dogs, cows, and oxen to show respect for all living beings. The festival ends with Bhai Tika, a celebration of the special bond between brothers and sisters. Taking part in these traditions while trekking through the Annapurna region turns an ordinary trip into a rich cultural experience and a memorable Himalayan festival adventure.

The Tihar Festival of Lights & the Annapurna Trekking tour usually starts with the Kathmandu Tihar event, where the oil lamps, flowers, and colorful mandalas are the main attractions of the houses. Travelers after that move to Pokhara for the much-expected festival tour, which is relaxing before the start of the famous Annapurna Poon Hill trek. The route not only takes you through lovely settlements but also through rhododendron gardens to reach Ghorepani. The sunrise trek to Poon Hill is the main attraction, where one can simultaneously enjoy the beautiful Himalayan views and the serenity of the festival season. This Ghorepani Tihar trek route is of moderate difficulty, well-marked, and suitable for both novices and experienced trekkers.

From a professional and hands-on point of view, the Tihar Festival of Lights and Annapurna Trek deal with the actual trekkers’ issues. The festival season can result in overcrowded routes and scarce hotels, but good organization will take you through comfortably. Based on the local expertise, this Tihar trekking package has advanced lodge reservations and flexible itineraries, including Bhai Tika, which are to be used in order to avoid delays. Real trekkers’ feedback reveals that trekking with Tihar significantly improves cultural learning and also the overall satisfaction of the trek.

The Tihar Festival of Lights and the Annapurna Trek, which are especially precious, are in sync with traveler search intent, which makes them valuable. It combines short trekking days, rich cultural interactions, and magnificent Himalayan views in one trip. Such a trip would surely provide travelers looking for the Nepal Diwali trek, the Bhai Tika celebration trek, and the like of the Nepal cultural trekking package with unforgettable experiences. The Tihar Festival of Lights and Annapurna Trek is not simply a trek but a festival of light, tradition, and the everlasting beauty of the Annapurna Himalaya.

Tour Highlights

Tour Highlights

Join the entire spectacular five-day celebration of lights in Nepal starting from Kathmandu and ending in the countryside. Be part of the holy Laxmi Puja, enjoy Deusi-Bhailo plays, and witness the real Bhai Tika rite together with an indigenous mountain-people family.

Rejoice the holy relationship between brother and sister with the classic Bhai Tika ritual in Birethanti village located at the beginning of the trek. Get the seven-color tika blessings from the villagers and enjoy the unforgettable experience of being part of the local culture in the Himalayan foothills.

The dawn breaks with great splendor and the first light of the day can be seen from the Poon Hill viewpoint situated at an altitude of 3,210 meters. Witness the majestic Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna massif with its highest peak, Machhapuchhre or Fishtail and other huge mountains of the Himalayas getting their golden hue with the sunrise.

Discover the ancient treasures of Kathmandu Valley such as Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and optional excursions to Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath. Unveil the secrets of the past through the ancient temples, palaces, and living cultural traditions of the valley.

Hike through the Gurung and Magar villages of Ulleri, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk, which are still traditional areas. Spend the night at the tea houses run by the locals, share your meals with the people from the area, and get to know the real Himalayan hospitality and the old mountain customs.

This is an absolute wonderland for both absolute beginners and very experienced trekkers. A total of 4 days will be spent trekking at a moderate pace through the jungles of rhododendron trees, over terraced fields, and along the mountain paths. No technical skills are necessary—the only requirements are good fitness level and a bit of adventurous spirit.

Tihar's charm is experienced in two different places: the lively old streets of Kathmandu decorated in a lavish way and the quiet lakeside of Pokhara lit up with thousands of oil lamps whose light is mirrored on the peaceful waters of Phewa Lake.

Embark on a trip through the subtropical Pokhara, which is 822 meters high, up to the snow-capped Poon Hill, which is 3,210 meters high. Experience the shifting of the landscape, different types of plants and animals, and the entire diversity of Nepal in one small adventure.

Outline Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Package Price

Package Price

Price Table

Travelers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Silver USD 1330 USD 930 USD 990 USD 890 USD 880 USD 855 USD 860 USD 780 USD 770 USD 755
Gold USD 1450 USD 1050 USD 1100 USD 1000 USD 990 USD 975 USD 970 USD 900 USD 895 USD 875

  • International airport pick-up and drop-off transportation
  • Domestic airport pick-up and drop-off transportation
  • 4-night hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two-night hotel in Pokhara.
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu airfare.
    Kathmandu Valley sightseeing
  • Pokhara Valley sightseeing.
  • One highly experienced mountain Guide and Porter
  • Accommodation, food, drinks, salary, insurance, transportation of both trek guide and Porter
  • All necessary paperwork and Annapurna conservation area entry permit
  • TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System card)
  • All additional government tax
  • Pokhara-Nayapul-Nayapul-Pokhara transportation

  • Accommodation in a mountain lodge 
  • All meals during the trekking
  • Trekking equipment
  • Other ground transportation
  • Sightseeing entrance fees
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • International and domestic airfare
  • Travelers Insurance 
  • Cold drinks (alcohol and cold drinks) while you’re trekking
  • Boiled water, Hot shower, Mineral water, battery charge, and hot drinks (in pot)
  • Bar bills, telephone bills, and other personal expenses (shopping/laundry) 
  • Tips to guide and porter 
  • All expenses due to unavoidable events, e.g., personal illness, strike, etc.
  • Helicopter evacuation charge in case of emergency whilst trekking
  • We don't include drinking water on the trek, which you can buy at many places for between $1 and $3 a bottle (it gets more expensive towards base camp). A better solution is to buy water tablets in Kathmandu for around $2 and treat the water (your guide can help you find the good places to fill your water bottle).
  • The other things not included on the trek are things like charging batteries and hot showers. Hot showers are also available in a few places for around $4 and cost about $1.50 an hour.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days/USD 50 for 30 days from date of issue) (You may easily get a Nepal visa upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.)

  • International airport pick-up and drop-off transportation
  • Domestic airport pick-up and drop-off transportation 
  • 4-night hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two-night hotel in Pokhara.
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu airfare.
  • Kathmandu Valley sightseeing
  • Pokhara Valley sightseeing.
  • Accommodation in a mountain lodge run by local people during the trek 
  • Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), during the trek
  • One highly experienced mountain Guide and Porter
  • Accommodation, food, drinks, salary, insurance, transportation for Nepali staff
  • All necessary paperwork and Annapurna conservation area entry permit
  • TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System card)
  • All additional government tax
  • Pokhara - Nayapul - Pokhara transportation

  • Nepal entry visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days/USD 50 for 30 days from date of issue) (You may easily get a Nepal visa upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.)
  • Airport transportation
  • Transportation Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Trekking equipment
  • Other ground transportation
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Sightseeing entrance fees
  • International and domestic airfare
  • Travelers Insurance 
  • Cold drinks (alcohol and cold drinks) while you’re trekking
  • Boiled water, Hot shower, Mineral water, charged batteries, and hot drinks (in pot)
  • Bar bills, telephone bills, and other personal expenses (shopping/laundry) 
  • Tips to guide and porter 
  • All expenses due to unavoidable events, e.g., personal illness, strike, etc.
  • Helicopter evacuation charge in case of emergency whilst trekking
  • We don't include drinking water on the trek, which you can buy at several places for between $1 and $3 a bottle (it gets more expensive towards base camp). A better solution is to buy water tablets in Kathmandu for around $2 and treat the water (your guide can help you find the good places to fill your water bottle).
  • The other things not included on the trek are things like charging batteries and hot showers. Hot showers are also available in a few places for around $4 and cost about $1.50 an hour.

Tour Map

Map
Tihar Festival of Lights & Annapurna Trek map
Tihar Festival of Lights & Annapurna Trek Altitude chart

Detailed Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Tour FAQs

FAQs
This exclusive 10-day package merges the most popular festival in Nepal, Tihar (Festival of Lights), along with the beautiful Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in the Annapurna region. First, you will participate in Tihar celebrations for all five days in three places: Kathmandu, Pokhara, and mountain villages. Then, the trek: through rhododendron forests to witness the breathtaking Himalayan sunrise view from Poon Hill at an altitude of 3,210 meters.
The Tihar festival is celebrated according to the lunar calendar and generally takes place in October or November (usually 10-15 days after the celebration of the Dashain festival). The particular dates differ for every year. For the year 2025, Tihar is set from October 28 to November 1. It is advisable to make reservations 6-8 months ahead of time, right after the official dates are released, since lodging gets filled up very fast during the festival season.
A standard trekking package is not at all the same as this one, which focuses on cultural immersion and mountain adventure. You will be directly involved in the real Tihar festivals, such as Kukur Tihar (dogs' honor) and Laxmi Puja (the goddess of wealth), and most exceptionally, you will join in the Bhai Tika (brother-sister bond) celebration in the company of local families in a secluded Himalayan village. Such cultural richness is not offered during normal trekking seasons.
Indeed! This trek is rated as a moderate one, which is very suitable for first-time trekkers with an average level of fitness. No past trekking or mountaineering experience is a must. The daily walking is from 4 to 6 hours at an easy pace with frequent rest stops. The hardest part is going up 3,300+ stone steps to Ulleri, but doing it slowly with breaks makes it possible for almost everyone to complete this section.
Because the highest point (3,210 m at Poon Hill) is not extremely high, altitude sickness is infrequent in this trek. The slow climb also permits acclimatization of the body. On the other hand, the altitude affects every individual differently. For the very best, we suggest that you keep yourself well-hydrated (3-4 liters daily), stay away from alcohol, go up nice and slow, and let your guide know straight away if you feel symptoms like headache, nausea or faintness.
On the fourth day, which is the first day of your trek, you will participate in the holy Bhai Tika ceremony at Birethanti village (1,025 m). The festive ceremony will be performed by a local Gurung or Magar family, where sisters smear brothers' foreheads with seven colors of tika, giving blessings to each other and also sharing sel roti (traditional rice bread rings) and sweets. An ordinary cultural experience turns out to be a very emphatic one due to the truly wonderful mountain village setting.
For sure! The families in the area are very hospitable, and they will definitely involve everybody who is taking part in the ceremony. A lot of tourists during the ceremony establish a kind of symbolic brother-sister relationship with other trekkers or with members of the host family. It is all about celebrating relationships and community, not only biological family. Anyone can come to get blessings.
Deusi-Bhailo are groups of singers and dancers who go from one house to another during the Tihar festival (like carolers). They sing traditional songs, give blessings to the houses, and get gifts, money, or food as a return. In Kathmandu, on Day 2, during the evening of Laxmi Puja, you will see these lively performances—it's a fun, festive tradition filled with drumming, dancing, and the celebration of the community.
Every festival celebration is 100% genuine—these are actually religious and cultural observances taking place regardless of the presence of tourists. We just make it possible for you to join and be part of the local families' real celebrations. The Bhai Tika ceremony with mountain families, Laxmi Puja in Kathmandu homes, and all rituals are in accordance with the traditional customs that have been followed for hundreds of years.
Almost all teahouses offer hot showers, but they are not included in the price of the ticket (generally, $2-3 USD per shower). The water is heated by gas, solar panels, or wood, depending on the teahouse, and thus, it is regarded as a precious resource in the area. Most trekkers take a shower every 2-3 days, or they rely on wet wipes for personal hygiene. Some teahouses provide free buckets of hot water for washing purposes. The mountain weather is so cool that fewer showers are bearable.
Mountain tap water is unsafe for drinking. The following alternatives are available: (1) Getting bottled water from teahouses ($1-3 per liter; price goes up with altitude), (2) Purchasing boiled water ($1-2 per liter), (3) Using water purification tablets or filters (bring your own), or (4) Using UV purification devices such as SteriPEN. It is advisable to bring refillable bottles along with the purification method in order to minimize plastic waste. Drinking enough water (3-4 liters per day) is very important for acclimatization to high altitudes.
The majority of teahouses provide access to hot water for showers, yet it is an extra service that must be paid for (commonly $2-3 USD per shower). Water in the mountainous areas is heated through gas, solar panels, or wood, which makes it a very valuable resource. The majority of trekkers take a shower after every 2-3 days, or they just rely on wet wipes for their daily-cleaning. Only a few of the teahouses supply free hot water in buckets for washing. The cold mountain weather makes it quite acceptable not to shower often.
Drinking the water from the mountain streams is not a good idea. There are four alternatives: (1) Getting bottled water at tea houses ($1-3 per liter; the price goes up with more climbing), (2) getting boiled water ($1-2 per liter), (3) bringing water purification tablets or filters (for their own use), or (4) using UV purification devices like SteriPEN. It is suggested that you take reusable bottles along with the purification method to minimize plastic waste. Water is the most important factor for acclimatization to high altitude (3-4 liters daily).
In urban areas: only breakfast (welcome and farewell dinners are included). During the hike: full board—breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus tea/coffee. Trekking foods usually consist of dal bhat (rice with lentil soup and vegetables), momos (dumplings), noodle soups, fried rice, pasta, porridge, eggs, and Tibetan bread. The food is freshly cooked, healthy, and enough for energy during the trek. We can accommodate vegetarians and some more diet preferences—just let us know at the time of booking.
During the entire trip, you will be accommodated in three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, which have private bathrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and breakfast included. For the 4-day hiking tour, you will spend each night in the simple but clean mountain teahouses (lodges)—twin-sharing rooms with shared bathrooms. Teahouses are family-operated, letting you have genuine cultural interaction. The beds come with mattresses, pillows, and blankets, but you can also hire a sleeping bag for additional warmth.
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