Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek / Tilicho lake with Annapurna Trek

Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek is world famous one of the most magnificent treks that lead you world’s highest Tilicho Lake located 4920 meters in Manang district of Nepal. Annapurna region is world famous trekking destination in Nepal that is located in Annapurna Conservation project over the 5416 meters thorong La Pass.

World famous magnificent Annapurna trek includes Tilicho Lake known by highest Lake of the world and demanding high pass Through La pass (5416 meters) around the Annapurna Circuit that includes varying angled views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and the magnificent Nilgiri. The trek is particularly known for the way the landscapes, flora, culture and climate zones changes as the trek progresses. Fertile villages with Hindu inhabitants and terraced fields at the start are slowly replaced by arid valleys full of Buddhist stupas and mane walls during the trek. The trek also has parted with totally isolated moraines at an altitude of 5000 meters with a stunning backdrop of high cliffs and mountains.

In a dry season newly constructed road excess all the way to Manang from Kathmandu but still Annapurna Circuit trek is beautiful trekking destination taking optional trail via remote local villages of Upper Pisang, Ghyaru, and Nawal, villages untouched by the driving road, still makes it an exciting trek. Hiking through these villages also provides an opportunity to experience Manang people’s culture and lifestyle.

This is a 16 days trek best for travelers willing to not just trek around the Annapurna but also reach the tranquility Tilicho Lake. Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek can be done even summer time too because trekking route is located behind of the Annapurna Himalayan range and less raindrop in the area. We also include a full version of Annapurna Circuit Trek 21 days for looking for a bigger adventure to complete full Annapurna Circuit Trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Best time to do Annapurna and Tilicho Lake September to mid-December and March to May, however, June to September also significantly trek able along the Annapurna with Tilicho Lake Trek.

Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek Short itinerary;
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)
Day 02: Drive to Dharapani via Besisahar.
Day 03: Trek to Chame. (2670 meters)
Day 04: Trek to Pisang. (3200 meters)
Day 05: Trek to Nawal (Ngawal) via Gyaru. (3670 meters)
Day 06: Trek to Manang. (3540 meters)
Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang.
Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp. (3734 meters)
Day 09: Trek to Tilicho Lake and trek back to Khangsar. (4990 meters)
Day 10: Trek to Yak Kharka. (4018 meters)
Day 11: Trek to Thorung Phedi. (4450 meters)
Day 12: Cross Thorung La (5416 meters) and trek to Muktinath. (3800 meters)
Day 13: Trek to Jomsom. (2720 meters)
Day 14: Fly to Pokhara and afternoon free day stay at Pokhara.
Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu and sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Day 16: Departure.

Detail Itinenary

Day 01

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel)

Day 02

Day 02: Drive to Dharapani. (1960 meters) via Besisahar.

After breakfast, a private vehicle (car/bus) will pick you at your hotel. We drive to Besisahar via the Prithvi Highway, following Trishuli River for most part of the drive. It takes around 6 hours to reach at Besisahar.Lunch in Besisahar and continue drive to Dharapani on a secondary road. The road at times passes through the settlements of the old Annapurna Circuit Trail. It keeps following the Marshyangdi River for the whole day. This bumpy and exciting ride will take around 5 hours. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 03

Day 03: Trek to Chame. (2670 meters)

The trek starts on the secondary road and does so for the most part of trek until the trek reaches Manang. The road passes the villages of Bagarchap and Danaque. The trail gets briefly off the road and starts to climb through the woods to Temang. Stunning view of Manaslu (8136 meters) opens up at Temang. The trek returns back to the road and goes through the small villages of Thanchok, Kotho and finally reaches Chame. Chame is one of the big settlements of Manang region and is also the administrative headquarter. A nearby hot spring just a few minute away from the town can be enjoyed in the afternoon. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 04

Day 04: Trek to Pisang. (3200 meters)

The trek continues on the road by the Marshyangdi River and goes through small ancient looking houses at Bhratang. The road passes under an interesting huge rock face and continues to move into the valley following the river. After crossing the river, a brief climb leads to Dhikur Pokhari and offers an amazing view of the rock face of the Paungda Danda, standing more than 1000 meters from the river. An easy walk with the picturesque views of the valley ends at Pisang. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 05

Day 05: Trek to Ngawal via Gyaru. (3670 meters)

The trail leaves the road, crosses the river, and moves on the alternative route. This less travelled route undulates through a thin forest, a small pond with the reflection of Annapurna II (7937 meters) and Annapurna IV (7525 meters), some mane walls and crosses a suspension bridge in the morning. A good steep climb leads to the Gyaru Village, one of the two medieval villages on the day’s route. The views of the valleys and Annapurna II (7937 meters), Annapurna IV (7525 meters) can be thoroughly enjoyed during the whole day on this route. More undulating trail follows as the trail also passes by some ruins of forts and reaches the second medieval village, Ngawal. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 06

Day 06: Trek to Manang. (3540 meters)

A descend down to the valley and an easy terrain joins the trail back with the road near Mugje. After passing through Mugje, the road leads to the village of Braga. Braga has two contrasting parts, an ancient looking village with a monastery a few minutes away from the road and new modern facilitated teahouses at the other side of the road. An easy walk on the road and a final brief climb ends the day at Manang. The road also ends at Manang and the trek will only get back on road after the Thorang La. (4 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 07

Day 07: Acclimatization day at Manang.

There are few options for the acclimatization day at Manang. If one wishes to have a full day of good trekking, Ice Lake and Milarepa Cave are the best options. If one wishes to do both in a day, it will take a very long day. A short hike near towards Gangapurna Glacier is another easier option. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 08

Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp. (3734 meters)

The trail now separates from the regular Annapurna Circuit and heads into a different valley. A descent leads into the river and turns into an ascent for the next few hours until Khangsar. After the Khangsar the trail gets narrower and crosses through a scree in the latter part of the day. A flat grassy area with a small stream finally leads to the Tilicho Base Camp. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 09

Day 09: Trek to Tilicho Lake and trek back to Khangsar. (4990 meters)

The day starts with a steep climb and then turns into an easier ascent. More majestic views of mountains start to appear in every direction as the trek slowly and continuously keep on climbing. Gangapurna (7455 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters) and several unnamed peaks starts to show themselves as the climb continues. The huge lake finally starts to appear as the terrain slowly starts to turn easy. Tilicho Lake is highest lake in the world located at an altitude of 4949 meters. We return back to Tilicho Base Camp and continue to return towards Khangsar via the same route taken a day ago. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 10

Day 10: Trek to Yak Kharka. (4018 meters)

The route again changes as the trail now heads towards the Thorung La. A steep climb crosses a ridge and the trek now starts to descend down to a small stream at the bottom of the valley. Another climb follows at the other side of the river leading to the Yak pasturelands of Yak Kharka. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 11

Day 11: Trek to Thorung Phedi. (4450 meters)

The day begins with a gradual uphill as the valley starts to get narrower with each passing hour. The trail passes through some teahouses at Ledar and drops into the river only again to climb at the other side of the river. The trek continues to undulate and enters into a rocky moraine. The valley gets narrower and finally ends at Thorung Phedi. Thorung Phedi is enclosed by huge rock faces and is located on a sloped rocky moraine. (4 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 12

Day 12: Cross Thorung La (5416 meters) and trek to Muktinath. (3800 meters)

An early start to the day leads to a steep climb that continues to the top of the pass. The top offers views panoramic views of Annapurna IV (7525 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters), Chulu West (6419 meters), Chulu East (6584 meters), Tilicho (7134 meters) and many more. A steep descent starts from the top and continues to the very bottom of the pass. Couple of teashops at the bottom finally marks the end of the steep drop. The terrain is now more easier but still continues to go steadily downhill. The day finally ends at Muktinath, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites of Hindus. This is also one of the longest day of the trek. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 13

Day 13: Trek to Jomsom. (2720 meters)

The trek now returns back to the road and follows the river towards Jomsom. The trail closely follows the river for the whole day, staying on the road and passes through Ekle Bhatti. The day ends at Jomsom, the biggest town and also the administrative headquarter of Mustang. Jomsom is also famous for apples and is also known as the apple capital of the country. The apple and apricot brandy from the region is also very popular. A visit to Marpha Village is also an interesting option for the afternoon. (3 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 14

Day 14: Fly to Pokhara stay overnight at Pokhara.

We will take short mountain flight to Pokhara from Jomsom. Afternoon free day in Pokhara stay overnight at Hotel Pokhara.

Day 15

Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu, receive in Kathmandu airport, and transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing in Kathmandu - Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley World Heritage Sites that includes: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Day 16

Day 16: Departure.

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen about safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache