Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit
- Trip Code: N-AT-125
- Destination: Nepal
- Season: Sep/Oct/Nov/Mar/Apr/May
- Max Altitude: 5416 meters/ 17769 feet
- Trip Starts/Ends: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
- Transportation: Private Car/Coach/Flight
- Accomodation: Standard hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara & Tea-house in Trekking
- Trip Grade: Moderate
Trip Overview
Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit is an incredible walking journey to discover Tilicho, the world’s highest altitude lake located at 4919 meters / 16,240 feet above sea level in Annapurna zone of Nepal. This lake has been formed by the melt of all the glaciers from northern slopes of Annapurna Himalayan range and Throng Peak.
From the spiritual perspective, this lake is the blessed place for Hindus as well as Buddhists people. About this mountain lake, it has a description in Ramayana, the epic of Hindu’s, in the holy name of Kagbhusundi.
Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit starts from Beshi Sahar- Syanje, the same places from where the trail of Annapurna Circuit trekking begins. On the starting days, you follow the route alongside Marshyangdi River with sightseeing of waterfall, various villages and mountain terrain.
Before you enter to Manang territory you enjoy the view of Mount Manaslu, the seventh highest mountain in the world. Until you reach the heart of Manang you follow the same trail route of Annapurna Circuit trekking.
From Manang instead of ascending trail of the northern side of the valley which goes to Tenki you follow to the west route and visit Khangasar village. Khangasar is the last village before Tilicho Lake. From this village, after five hours of walking, you reach to Tilicho Base Camp. Up to Base Camp, there are available of mountain guesthouses. Next day climb to your dream destination Tilicho Lake and same day back to the base camp for night stay.
Afterward, you pursue the trailhead to Yak Kharka and rejoin the route of Annapurna Circuit to cross Thorung La (5416m/ 17769ft). Thorung La is known as the world’s longest high pass.After crossing over this pass, the trail goes down to Muktinath, the revered Himalayan temple by Hindus as well as Buddhist people. After the visit to this temple, you head towards Jomsom and end all trekking. From Jomsom, you drive to Pokhara following the drive back to Kathmandu.
Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit- Note:
Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit- 18 days is a standard trip. However, it’s likely to be customized making it short or long. Thus, please let us know if you have any request to change in itinerary.
Itinerary
Our tour officer will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu. He/She will be displaying play card with your name written in it outside the airport terminal. He will meet, greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to your respective hotel by our private tourist vehicle. At the hotel, he will assist you to check in and do a pre-trip meeting with you. You will be briefed about your overall program, introduced your guide and clear your questions/queries if any. During the meeting please clear the due balance and handover a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. Overnight at hotel.
Our trekking guide will pick you up at the hotel at 7:00 am and escort you to the bus station. You will have 5:30 hrs scenic drive to Beshi Sahar through mountain terrain. On the way, the bus stops for half an hour for lunch. Then drive continues till you reach Besi Sahar. Upon arrival at Besi Sahar (760m), you will see eye-catching mountain landscape. It’s small town nearby Marshyangdi River. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Today, first of all, you will drive 29.2 km from Beshi Sahar to Syange (1070m) passing Bhulbhule, Ngadi, and Bahundanda. After arriving at Syange your trekking starts descending to the river towards Syange village in the right bank. There is a waterfall. Crossing the suspension bridge climb uphill an hour and a half reach to Jagat. It is the village of Gurungs and Tamangs community. There is hot spring near Marshyangdi river about 15 minutes walk from the main village. From Jagat, you can see two other beautiful villages “Chipla” and “Jhitai” with well-farmed terrace. From Jagat, you make a steep climb to Chamje. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Today you will enter the Manang region passing through fields of corn, barley and potatoes, and then through forests of bamboo and rhododendrons. On the way is the village namely Tal. This village locates on a flat plain next to the sandy beach and river at the base of a large waterfall. After few hours of walking from Tal, you will reach to Dharapani. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
After breakfast, you will follow the trail to dense forest, cross over the bridge and shortly afterward you will be near the foot of the waterfall. Then it will be steep climb on stone steps. While walking, you will have some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Then you will arrive at Chame. Chame is the administrative center of Manang district and village of Tibetan migrants. There is a hot spring as well. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Your day starts through a very dense forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2,910m. We then cross another bridge at 3,040m from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda’s rock face really begins to appear. You find yourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. Upon walking through these wonderful sites you will reach Pisang. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Today the trail continues through the drier upper part of the Manang district. Ahead this trail separates into two routes: upper and lower route. Later both meets up again at Munchi. The lower route is by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325meters which involve less climbing than the upper route via Ghyaru. You guide take you through upper route as it has panoramic views of the mountain peaks such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others on the trail. You will experience a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today. On the way, the cold and dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Your short visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang, will also be memorable. Overnight at a mountain lodge
Today is the rest day for acclimatization purpose. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to nearby higher place is suggested to get acclimatized. The next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek with a rapid gain in altitude. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. Further, you may go for an easy excursion to Vraga village which is at a little distance You may also visit at aid post of Himalayan Rescue Association where you can get ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Today the trekking continues up to Khangsar village. As you move ahead, the route cuts down through a gorge and you have a view of Tilicho Peak. The trail follows down the river passing through the Tore monastery. After crossing Khangsar Khola (stream) it ascends the slope to Khangsar village. This is old Tibetan style settlement. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Trekking from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp (4140m/13583ft). Walking 5 hours.
Today the journey starts early in the morning to avoid the wind when you will be in Tilicho Lake. It begins with the ascent. Then the trail traverses onto a moraine and then cuts along the side of the mountain. After few hours of walking you reach Tilicho Lake. It’s a very beautiful and tranquil lake considered as the highest lake in the world. In the afternoon surrounding peaks are seen in its turquoise waters. You take a short break here to explore its beauty. Then you back to its base camp since there are no any lodges nearby this lake. Overnight at a basic mountain lodge.
Today you return from Tilicho Base Camp and heading to Yak Kharka. The trail leads out of the Marshyangdi Valley. You experience a sudden change in surroundings. The trees are left behind and replaced with more alpine vegetation. The trail continues through the ruins of the old Khangsar village until you cross a log bridge over the river between Gumsang and Yak Kharka. Then you arrive at Yak Kharka. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Trekking from Yak kharka to Throung Phedi(4441m/14570ft). Walking 6 hours.
Today is your longest trekking day of your whole trekking and also the most highlight section of your trip. It is wise to leave early in the morning at 4 is to reach Thoroung La pass by 9-10 am otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. The trail continues uphill all the way to Thorong pass where you can see stone hillock with flapping prayer flag. As soon as crossing throng La the trail descends all the way to Muktinath, the holy place for Hindus and Buddhist. It has a holy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and several Buddhist monasteries. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Trekking from Muktinath to Jomsom (2715m/8910ft). Walking 6 hours.
Today after breakfast you take a bus drive from Jomsom to Pokhara through mountain road along the Kaligandaki River. Evening stroll around the lakeside street market in Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast, you walk to tourist bus station with trekking guide. The bus leaves Pokhara at 7 A.M. You will reach Kathmandu around 2 pm. The rest of the day at leisure/ you can do some last minute souvenirs shopping for your family and friends. Evening you will be offered farewell dinner with Nepali cuisines and cultural dances at typical Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Travel Tips
The best season and most favored time of Tlicho Lake Trek are autumn (From Mid September till November end) and spring (From the beginning of March until mid-May). During this period day time is sunny and warm with outstanding views. At this time the temperature in the day is between 10 C to 30 C. The nights are often cold with a temperature between 5 C to -20 C. Trekking to Tilicho Lake in winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also possible but temperature during winter could be harsh for most people. Trekking in the summer season (June, July, Aug) will be affected by rain/monsoon but the Summer trek could be an advantage for a keen botanist.
All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:
| Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
| Multiple entry | 15 days | US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
| Multiple entry | 30 days | US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
| Multiple entry | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with your name card. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel.
In Tlicho Lake, it does not require tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail except at Tilicho Base Camp only basic guest houses are available. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket or quilt. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).
In the case of Kathmandu and Pokhara, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.
In the trail of Tilicho Lake Trekking, it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chowmein, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.
Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.
The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Tilicho Lake Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.
Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking to your destination. After lunch, it’s the only couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At the free time, you may explore surrounding village, do a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well-earned sleep.
Tilicho Lake Trekking is moderate/ little bit strenuous trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.
At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.
We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.
The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.
Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional); Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.
The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.
Kindly keep in mind that sometime unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
Naturally Annapurna Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.
In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park, White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.
Ask our experts (Inquiry)
Why travel with us?
- Run by local experts, guide & Sherpa.
- Focus on your needs.
- Good value for money.
- Real cared services.
- Government recognized company.
- Best reasonable rate.
