Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: Public Vehicle & Tourist Bus
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
  • Max Elevation: 5416m

Highlights

  • Visit the glistening blue waters of Tilicho which sits at an elevation of 4,919m.
  • Magnificent view of the Annapurna Himalayan range, namely, Mt Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna I (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m).
  • Cross the well-famed Thorung La Pass (5,416m).
  • Opportunity to visit the holy shrine of Muktinath and take a shower in the temple’s well-known 108 showers.
  • Witness the deserted Tibetian style beige-hills of Mustang.
  • Experience the chilly Trans Himalayan Climate.
  • Witness the semi-Tibetan culture and traditions of the Gurung and Magar tribes.
  • Chance to visit the ancient Buddhist monastery in Braga.
  • Witness the picturesque scenery of the verdant settlements and the glazing river gorges.
     

Description

Does the sight of blue glistening lakes and snow-capped mountains tend to please your eyes? If so, you’re in luck! Because this Tilicho Lake Trek Package is going to be one of the best experiences of your life! Situated at an elevation of 4,919m, the magnificent blue colored waters of Tilicho are indeed a treat to any traveler’s eye!

The lake lies in the Manang District and under the foot of the gigantic Tilicho peak. Thanks to its incredible geographic location, the lake has been a significant source of attraction amongst many tourists favoring the Annapurna region. Also, apart from the natural beauty, the lake is also acclaimed for its religious significance which attracts a large number of Hindu travelers from all around the globe. 

The trek is also undoubtedly rich in natural scenery, contrasting between extraordinary views of the verdant valleys, circling high mountains and the dry Tibetian-styled hills of Mustang. As a result, the route provides jaw-dropping views of the panoramic Annapurna massif range. The views are heavenly and unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

On a final note, for the wild and free souls out there who are looking to make some unforgettable memories, opt for the Tilicho trek in the Annapurna region! The exquisite scenery and the warm hospitality are going to fill your pockets with incredible experiences.

Tilicho Base Camp Trek Route

The trip commences with a scenic drive away from the capital city and to the town of Bhulbhule. We start the trek from Bhulbhule towards Nagdi. We then begin walking on the classic Annapurna circuit trail following along the banks of Marshyangdi river with the extraordinary views of Manaslu and Himal Chuli gleaming in the backdrop.

En route, we pass through the settlements of Chamje, Dharapani, and Chame eventually onto Pisang. As we walk along the trail, the climate contrasts between a subtropical atmosphere to the chilly Himalayan Climate. For the admirers of nature, the journey will indeed be an unforgettable one!

We further continue along the trail, passing to Manang. On reaching Manang, we continue on our venture to the Tilicho Base Camp, which lies westwards after exiting the Annapurna circuit trail. From there, a day’s journey takes us to the mystical lake of Tilicho. Since the lake lies at quite a lofty altitude, we will need to acclimatize before the final climb to avoid altitude sickness.

In the wake of visiting the lake, we further travel towards Yak Kharka and join the course crossing the Thorong La Pass (5416m). This is when the altitude plays a considerable part and creates occasional fatigue. After crossing the pass, beating the elevation, we descend towards the holy shrine of Muktinath and offer our prayers.

Finally, we descend back to Jomsom, as we near the end of the fantastic trip. Upon reaching Jomsom, we take a bus back to Pokhara, concluding our 15-day fantastic journey!

Highest Point During The Trek

The highest point that we will be venturing during this Tilicho Lake Trek Package is the Thorung-La Pass. It lies at a staggering altitude of 5,416m.

Final Conclusion

For the wild thrill-seekers, the journey to the frozen lake of Tilicho can be an unforgettable experience. The picturesque scenery of the panoramic icy peaks, verdant landscapes, and cultural settlements guarantees to provide you with an experience like never before! So don’t think twice and pack your bags to sign up for the Tilicho Lake Trek Package for an experience of a lifetime!

15 Days Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary

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We commence the trek with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule on a local bus. The journey takes about 5-6 hours with occasional food stops on the way. We follow the Pokhara highway as we pass along the banks of Marshyangdi River and the scattered settlements of Dumre and Besisahar. After 5-6 hours of driving, we finally arrive at Bhulbhule. From Bhulbhule, we start walking uphill in a one-hour hike which leads to the village of Nagdi. Overnight stay at Nagdi.

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 920

We officially begin our trek as we leave Nagdi and head towards the village of Chamje. The journey takes about 6-7 hours along the classic Annapurna trail covered with abundant rhododendron trees. We trek along the steep and slippery path running through paddy fields, and tiny Tibetan influenced settlements into Chamje. Overnight stay at Chamje.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 1460m

After a wholesome breakfast, we continue on our venture to Tilicho with today’s destination being Dharapani. The trail begins with criss-cross paths along the Marsyangdi river until we reach a suspension bridge above the Marshyangdi river. After crossing the bridge, the trail slowly starts getting uphill and steep towards Tal.

Tal marks the entering of Manang valley. En route, you can observe the fields filled with barley, rice, potato, and pine forests as we pass the village of Khotro. The trail further descends towards the woody forests until it reaches a suspension bridge. After passing through the settlements of Karte and Nache town, we finally reach Dharapani where we will be staying overnight.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 1900m

On the fourth day, we head towards Chame after some quick check of the ACAP permits by the officials. We first walk up to the village of Baggarchap, passing through a lush forest, hemlock, maple, and oak trees. We further continue along the trail passing through the woody forests into Danaque. Upon reaching Danaque, you can find abundant apple orchards all around!

The trail then starts getting zig-zag with a lot of winding turns and covered with lush rhododendron trees. After walking for 2 to 3 hours along this trail, we finally make it to Chame which provides a breathtaking view of the Lamjung and Annapurna II/IV mountains! Overnight stay at Chame.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2630m

The journey today starts with an uphill climb past the carved mani stones into the village of Telekhu. The trails to Pisang are relatively comfortable and are lowly inclined as we pass through the thick pine forests. The path also blesses you with some of the best views of the Annapurna Himalayan range.

As we near Pisang, we exit the pine-covered forests to make our way into the Paunga Dada rock face. We continue alongside the ridge for another two hours or so. En route, you can find various prayer flags and stone carvings. After 6-7 hours of journey, we finally reach Pisang and stay overnight.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 3330m

Our journey starts with an uphill climb as we pass through the abundant pine trees leading to a small lake. The trail then diverges towards a light settlement covered with painted mandalas and waving prayer flags. The landscapes slowly start contrasting from verdant meadows to summer pastures and rocky terrains as we near Manang.

After a few hours, the trail climbs up a steep ridge along the banks of Marshyangdi River and eventually brings us to the settlement of Ngawal. Furthermore, we pass through some additional pine forests and farming terraces finally arriving at Manang. En Route we also pass through Braga, where we visit the ancient monastery soaked with rich cultural history. Overnight stay at Manang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 3550m

Since we pass above the 3000m mark, we need to let our body acclimatize to the lofty altitude. Thus we take a rest day to help acclimatize ourselves and also relieve some muscular stress after many days of an uphill hike.

To make the day more productive, we will explore around Manang. The place features some of the most exquisite views of the Gangapurna Icefall and the glacial lake close to it. You can also choose to explore the other major attractions such as Khangsur village, Kecho lake or Milarepa cave. Overnight stay at Manang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 3550m

Today we begin the trek early after a wholesome breakfast as we head towards the foot of the Tilicho peak. The journey commences with a descent from Manang and crossing the Jharsing Khola using the suspension bridge. Then we continue on the trail until we reach the village of Khangsar. In Khangsar, you can find small settlements and monasteries covered with waving prayer flags and mandala textures.

From Khangsar, the path gets more challenging due to the steep incline. The trail features abundant juniper and buckthorn shrubs with few streams occasionally coming into view. After some hours of weary climb, you will finally reach a crest situated at an altitude of 4,650m and covered with multi-colored prayer flags. An hour of walking along the zig-zag trails eventually leads us to the Tilicho Base Camp, where we will be staying overnight.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 4140m

Today is the main highlight day of the trek where we visit the lake of Tilicho. We start early walking along a side valley along the steep moraines. En route, we catch a magnificent glimpse of the surrounding icy peaks, namely Tarke Gyang, Gangapurna, and the Khangsar Kang.

After a few hours of walking along the steep incline, we finally reach the mystical lake of Tilicho. More often the lake appears frozen due to the freezing temperatures, and you can see the mirrored image of the mountains on its solid surface. After spending some well deserved time on the lake, we finally head back down to Siri Kharkha for spending the night.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 4060m

We start today’s journey descending as we head towards Lather. We pass through the alpine vistas and declining vegetation. The trail then transforms into a gradual uphill climb as we move through abundant scrub juniper and alpine shrubs into Yak Kharka.

From Yak Kharka, the trail diverts eastwards along the banks of Jarsang Khola and descends steeply onto a wooden bridge connecting the banks of the river. An hour or so walk after crossing the bridge leads us to Lather. En route, you can catch a glimpse of the unique Himalayan wildlife. Overnight stay at Lather.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 4200m

On the 11th day of the trek, we start walking early after a quick breakfast. We walk along the trail until we reach Thorung Khola. We cross the river and continue walking along the path. If you’re lucky, you can catch some glimpses of the Himalayan deer grazing about. An hour or so of walking along the route eventually takes us into Phedi where we will stop for some quick refreshments.

The trail then starts getting steeply inclined, and an hour of walking along this trail finally leads us to the High camp at 4800m. We then rest ourselves for the big day tomorrow and stay overnight at Thorong High Camp.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 4800m

It is the most challenging day of the entire trip. We need to walk through steeply inclined trails and lofty altitudes with occasional heavy winds. Hence we start the journey with an early wake-up call. The path from the high camp to Thorung La Pass is usually rocky and quite steep, so it demands extreme physical endurance. Also, the high altitude brings unwanted fatigue and tends to slow you down.

After a few hours of walking, we finally reach the pass situated at 5416m above sea level. Here you can get a sense of pure satisfaction when you reach the top. We then continue on our venture as we start descending to the other side of the moraine.

The way down is very steep, and if you have trekking poles, they prove as a blessing. After 2-3 hours of walking, we finally reach the holy shrine of Muktinath. Here you can offer your prayers to the sacred deity and also shower in the well-famed 108 showers of the temple.

Overnight stay at Muktinath.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 3760m

As the trip nears its end, we start heading towards Jomsom to catch a bus back to Pokhara. The journey begins after a quick breakfast as we start trekking along the dusty hills of Jomson. The route descends along winding twisting and turns until we reach Kagbeni.

From Kagbeni there are two diversions, one leads to Jomsom and the other one to Upper Mustang. We continue walking towards Jomsom. The path from Kagbeni to Jomsom is usually level with fantastic backdrop views of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains. After 4-5 hours of trek, we finally reach the settlement of Jomsom where we spend the night.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2700m

The trek officially comes to an end as we drive back to Pokhara. The journey takes about 6-7 hours and is a scenic one with the verdant landscapes and fierce flowing streams blessing your eyes! We pass along the settlements of Tatopani, Beni, Kusma eventually into Pokhara.

Upon reaching Pokhara, our representatives will escort you back to the hotel. After checking in, you can spend the rest of the evening in any one of the local pubs of Pokhara, sharing your travel stories with fellow travelers.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 820m

We head back home after 14 days of absolute blissful trekking experience. On the final day, our representatives will drop you off at the Tourist bus stop of Pokhara from where you will catch a tourist bus back to the capital. The journey takes about 6 hours with occasional stops on the way. 

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 1320m

What to Expect

Cost Includes

  • Airport Pickup and Drop 
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
  • Local Bus Ticket (Kathmandu to Bhulbhule)
  • Tourist Bus Ticket (Pokhara to Kathmandu)
  • Local Bus Ticket (Jomsom to Pokhara)
  • Hotels in Pokhara with Breakfast (Twin Sharing)
  • English Speaking Trekking Guide with Insurance, Transportation, Food and Accommodation
  • All Trekking Permits (ACAP and TIMS Card)
  • Use of sleeping bag & Duffel bag (if you don’t have your own, To be return after trip completed)
  • Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner 
  • A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude) 
  • All Government and Local taxes

Cost Excludes

  • International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
  • Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
  • Meals in Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the trek (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Personal expenses (Wifi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
  • Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance
  • Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers

PRICES & DATES

Trip DatesAvailabilityPrice  
07 Oct, 2024 - 21 Oct, 2024GuaranteedUS$725

Useful Information

Best Time for Tilicho Lake Trek 

Like any other treks in the Annapurna region, the Tilicho trek too has unpredictable weather due to its proximity to the mountains. Thus it is best to opt for the trek during the favorable seasons to avoid any potential risks.

The best time for the Tilicho Lake Trek Package typically lies during the Autumn (September - November) and Spring (March-May) seasons. During these times of the year, the skies are more apparent, contributing to a crystal clear view of the snow-clad mountains. Similarly, the vegetation is also in full bloom which is a great bonus for nature lovers!

Avoid the rainy and winter seasons if possible! The frequent rainfalls can cause slippery and snowy trails which can be hard to navigate through. Also during the winter season, temperatures fall drastically which can pose as a nuisance for travelers!


Tilicho Lake Trek Trek Difficulty 

Although the trip does not require any prior trekking experience, it still demands good physical endurance and stamina. So you need to be in good physical and mental shape to complete the trek. 

Since the Tilicho Lake Trek Package is a little more challenging than the other Annapurna region treks, you may want to opt for some physical exercises weeks before the trek. It can help to increase your overall physical stamina and endurance.

Furthermore, the lofty altitude of the trek can cause altitude sickness so proper acclimatization is a must in this trek. We have designed the itinerary as mentioned above with full priority to appropriate acclimatization. But if in any case, you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness, be sure to alert your guide who will take the necessary actions.
Highest Point During The Trek

The highest point that we will be venturing during this Tilicho Lake Trek Package is the Thorung-La Pass. It lies at a staggering altitude of 5,416m.

Customer Reviews

  • noimage
    Frantisek
    Czech Republic

    12 Days Tilicho Base Camp Trek

    The mountains in Nepal are amazing! We spend there for 12 days and it was awesome! We had very sunny weather and the snowing as well. We really enjoyed it. We had also very good accommodation in Tea houses and the best food in Manang. The whole journey was incredible ... read more

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