Nepal Reopens Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Routes After Snowfall

Nepal has reopened parts of its world-famous Annapurna trekking circuit after days of heavy snow left popular mountain passes blocked and hundreds of trekkers stranded.

Local authorities in Manang district said on Sunday that routes to Tilicho Lake and the Thorong La Pass are once again open after being closed since late October.

The closures followed intense snowfall between October 27 and 29, which had made the trails impassable.

Chief District Officer Nawaraj Paudyal said the decision came after a joint operation involving local administrations, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and tourism operators to clear snow and assess safety. Coordination with neighboring districts Mustang and Gorkha helped restore connectivity across the region.

“Trails to Tilicho Base Camp have now been opened for trekkers, though caution is still advised,” said Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the ACAP office in Manang.

The reopening coincides with Nepal’s peak trekking season – from October to early December – when thousands of international hikers visit the Himalayas.

Officials said about 200 foreign trekkers began ascending toward Thorong La on Sunday, with independent hikers urged to join guided groups because of ongoing avalanche risks.

Authorities had suspended trekking for a week as a safety precaution after the snowstorm, warning that parts of the upper trail remain unstable despite clearer weather.

The Annapurna Circuit, renowned for its sweeping Himalayan vistas and cultural diversity, is among Nepal’s busiest trekking routes – a crucial lifeline for mountain economies and a test of resilience against increasingly unpredictable Himalayan weather.