Tilicho Lake Trekking is a challenging route located in the Annapurna region, which is part of the world-famous Annapurna circuit trek. This trek offers a breathtaking view of the countryside along with insights into the cultural and traditional lifestyle of the local people. You can enjoy stunning waterfalls, clean water streams, and attractive flora and fauna throughout your journey.
The trek starts with a long drive from Kathmandu to Chamje via Besisahar. From Chamje, you will begin your trek while enjoying fantastic views of gigantic peaks, including Mt. Annapurna (8,091m) - the 10th highest mountain in the world, Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m) - the world's 7th highest mountain, Manaslu (8,163m) - the world's 8th highest mountain, and Machhapuchhre at (6,993m).
While trekking to Tilicho Lake, you will see breathtaking vistas of waterfalls and have a thrilling experience when you cross suspension bridges.
But the route is pretty tough. You have to walk at alpine altitudes. Trekking across rivers, steep slopes, and rocky terrain could be quite difficult.
But the rewarding landscapes give meaningful joy to accept the geographical obstacles. Tilicho Lake lies at the highest altitude in the world along the Annapurna Circuit trail considered to be one of the best treks in Nepal. The lake is formed out of glacial activity at the laps of the magnificent Himalayas. You may go beyond the lake and complete the whole circuit via Thorang La Pass (5416 m) or the Mesokanta La Pass (5100 m), both of which end up in Jomsom. Crossing the passes isn’t that easy and depends on the accumulation of snow at the time of the trek. Your trek is only up to the Tilicho Lake located at the highest altitude (4919 m) on Earth. Too fast walking can sure to happen high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is often fatal. So, we do not suggest cutting short the itinerary and completing the trek in 8 days. You should allow 3 -4 more days in the itinerary to avoid high altitude sickness and need to follow our proposed standard itinerary.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will be there to welcome you and take you to your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. Our airport-hotel transfer service is more than just a simple ride. Once you arrive at the hotel, you will be offered a welcome drink in the lobby, and then you can proceed with the check-in process. Our company’s manager will be there to personally brief you on the itinerary to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trekking journey in Nepal. Your accompanying guide will handle all the logistics during the trek, so you can focus solely on your adventure and relax!
After early breakfast, start your scenic drive from Kathmandu to Chamje via Besisahar. Following the winding mountain roads of Prithvi Highway, you will be heading to Mugling Bazaar and Dumre Bazaar. After approximately six hour’s drive, you’ll arrive at Besishahar, a small beautiful town located amidst the hills. From here you will follow the east bank of the Marsyangdi River, experiencing the thrill of traveling through wonderful villages, rice terraces, rocky cliffs, and awe-inspiring deep gorges until you reach Chamje.
Along the way, you will come across Gurung ethnic village for the first time and also get some excellent views of Ngadi Chuli and Himalchuli Mountains. Overnight stay at Chamje
Start your first-day trek with a hearty breakfast at Chamje teahouse, and be ready for the exciting trail ahead. Today, as you meander down the Marshyangdi River, your guide takes you on an enthralling adventure. You have to accept the trail's beat, its ascents, and descents reflecting the vibrant pulse of the mountains. Winding your way through picturesque villages on the way, each village holds a unique charm and welcomes you with friendly smiles. You will experience the richness of the local culture, witness the lively colors of prayer flags dancing in the wind, and absorb the serenity of these hidden treasures. Overnight at teahouse
Leaving Chame, you will head out to Lower Pisang traversing through Mani Walls, memorial sites, breathtaking villages, and alpine-type forest trails. While trekking, you will enjoy great views of Annapurna, Pisang Peak, Himalchuli, and Ngadi Chuli. After Dhukur Pokhari village you will further make a short downhill walk to reach Pisang. It is a wonderful spot to explore typical village life and monasteries and it offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Starting at 2160m m, you would ascend to 3200m by the end of the day. It’s just a 15km in distance and around 4 hour walk from Chame to Lower Pisang including all stops.
On the fifth day, Tilicho Lake Trekking will be undoubtedly one of the most difficult and the longest day trekking in terms of distance and a tough climb. However, the views are some of the best of the entire trek. Our today’s route will go through Lower Pisang to Ghyaru, Ghyaru to Ngawal, Ngawal to Braga, and finally Braga to Manang.
Starting at 3200m, you will ascend to 3540m by the end of the day when you reach Manang. It is about 15 km and 8.5 hours walk from Lower Pisang to Manang including all stops.
Today you will be heading towards Khangsar which is about 4 to 5 hours walk from Manang. You will head out through the western gates of Manang towards the sleepy Khangsar village, situated at 3,740 m. It is a typical beautiful Nepali village in the upper Manang and is considered a gateway to Tilicho Base Camp through rugged roads. However, it will be a nice walk along the Marsyangdi River through the valley of weathered rocks enjoying the stunning view of Annapurna II. The views will be seen at their best just after dawn when the Great Barrier and Tilicho Peak become amazingly colourful.
It will be nice to set off to Tilicho BC early in the morning when the mountains are touched by the sun’s rays. The trails between these areas are prone to a landslide but we will follow a relatively new route. On the way, you will pass through a Buddhist Monastery and a small Chorten. However, you will be walking on narrow paths throughout the day. You get to see the best close-up views of Tilicho Mountain and many others while heading to the base camp situated at an altitude of 4150 meters. You can explore around and take as many pictures of the area with your camera. Overnight stay at a basic guesthouse.
Today will be the most challenging as well as exciting day of the trek. The route to the lake begins via. a side valley and climbs steadily to 4710 meters by crossing a moraine. During the trek, you will see a great view of Mount Tarkeghyang, Gangapurna, and the Khangsar Kang.
Finally, you will reach Tilicho Lake, the highest lake in the world at 4,949m above sea level. The water, sometimes turquoise, reflects the surrounding peaks. Most of the time, the water remains frozen. You can spend your best time here taking some snaps of the lake and mountains. After spending some time around the lake, you will be heading out to Shree Kharka following the same trail. Overnight stay at lodge
Today’s hike takes a significant turn as you depart from Shree Kharka and start the challenging climb up to Thorong La Pass. This route is the part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The following three days offer unmatched beauty and a sensation of conquering the Himalayas, despite their rigorous nature. You will need to walk slowly and steadily as you are heading towards higher elevations.
While on the trek, you will witness the landscape transform around you. Lush forests retreat, revealing shorter, sparser vegetation. A canvas seems to be covered in robust wildflowers that cling to the slopes of mountains. This stark beauty conveys the bounciness of life in the face of adversity and the force of nature.
After leaving Yak Kharka you will walk through Ledar and ascend along the east bank of Jasang Khola before descending to Thorong Phedi. It will take about an hour's hike from Yak Kharka. The trek between Thorong Phedi and Thorong High Camp is strenuous due to the high altitude and steep ascent. You will find the trail rocky and occasionally ice-accumulated. The slope is also difficult. You should be physically and mentally well-prepared for the difficult topography and unpredictable weather, particularly at higher elevations. So, you must be fully acclimatized before undertaking this part of the journey, as Thorong High Camp is located at a greater altitude than Thorong Phedi. You must stay hydrated, eat well, and listen to the advice of your experienced guide.
On the 11th day of the trek, this section will be the longest and most challenging. The total distance from High Camp to Muktinath is 15 kilometers and takes around 10 hours. So, you have to wake up early morning around 5.30 am, and start on the trail. After packing up your bag you begin the ascent to Thorong La Pass from High Camp and then to Muktinath. You should be aware of Frostbite as it is a real danger, especially in the section between High Camp and Muktinath. It’s significant to keep your extremities warm and keep moving. You will cross over a little iron bridge and see a glacier coming down from a nearby mountainside. After crossing Thorong La Pass you will make a steep descent into Muktinath. So, try to avoid slipping on the loose rocks. Along the trail, you will see hundreds of prayer flags blowing in the wind. Finally, you will reach Muktinath, an important place for pilgrims. Every day hundreds of pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and India visit this sacred shrine. Overnight stay at a lodge.
After breakfast, we will take a jeep drive from Muktinath to Jomsom route via Kagbeni. While driving, you will see the arid-looking desert-like landscape, still few specks of green vegetation around, livestock grazing in the fields and the scene is beautiful, albeit noticeably different from the other treks so far. While passing through Kagbeni, you will see a Buddhist Monastery, traditional stone houses, and sweeping views. Overnight stay at lodge
After breakfast, your accompanying guide will take you to Jomsom Airport to get on the morning flight to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city. It takes 20 minutes to reach Pokhara and the flight is easy and not risky. All the domestic flights operate from Jomsom to Pokhara and get back to Jomsom only in the morning because it gets windy in the afternoon. As soon as you land at the Pokhara Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel and stay on your own. In the evening you may stroll around the lakeside, have dinner, and return to the hotel.
Following breakfast in the hotel, your guide will come to pick you up and take you for sightseeing in Pokhara, known as the city of seven lakes. Pokhara is a favourite city for many visitors because of its many fantastic tourist sites and things to do. It is a beautiful valley enclosed by hills and popular lakes like Begnas Lake and Phewa Lake. Great mountain views including Annapurna Macchapucchre (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri as a backdrop of Phewa Lake will offer you a great time.
Your sightseeing spots include- Barahi temple where you will go riding a boat to reach there. Devis Fall- a popular waterfall located about 2 km south-west of Lakeside, Boating on the Phewa Lake, Visit the International Mountain Museum to learn all the information about the highest peaks, climbing activities, lifestyle in the Himalayas, and the challenges during climbing. After sightseeing, you will return to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay in the hotel
Today you will experience an exhilarating 6 hours drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The greatest of Nepal's natural beauty may be experienced on this route, which provides a distinctive travel plan. You'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas, verdant valleys, and quaint towns as you make your way from Pokhara to Kathmandu. You may stop and explore at your leisure throughout the private drive, making it a unique and memorable experience.
Today marks the end of your stay in Nepal. You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the Tribhuvan International Airport as per your flight's departure time. As you board your flight, bid a fond farewell to our Himalayan Country, taking with you the memories of the snow-capped peaks, beautiful scenery, and the warm smiles of the people you have encountered along the way. Nepal will always hold a special place in your heart, and until we meet again, carry the beauty and charm of this land with you.
Here, we have published our small group guaranteed departures dates for this trek. If the published date does not fit your travel date, write to us with your date, and we will be very pleased to organize this trek at your desired date and time requested.
If you do not want to join our small group departure, we will be very happy to organize a private departure date to this trek to you and your group. Please write to us with your proposed travel date to this trek with us.
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