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Hiker Himalaya Treks & Expedition

Tilicho Lake Trek

Trip code TLT-12
Package name Tilicho Lake Trek
Duration 11 Days
Max. elevation 4916 Meter
Level MODERATE
Transportation private vehicle and public bus transportation
Accomodation Three-star hotel in Kathmandu; and Teahouse lodges during the day trek
Starts at Kathmandu
Ends at Kathmandu
Trip route Kathmandu-Besisahar-Chame-Manang-Khangsar village-Tilicho Lake base camp-Tilicho Lake-Manang-Besi Sahar-Kathmandu
Cost USD 840 per person

Highlights

Overview

Tilicho Lake Trek is best renowned for being the lake located at the highest altitude in the world. This heavenly place is situated in the Manang district of Nepal, below the lap of the Annapurna range. Tilicho Lake can be believed as a pin attraction for the Annapurna Circuit trek, located at the height of 4919 meters.

This magnificent lake is formed out of the glacial activity of Tilicho peak and is famous among many Hindu pilgrims as it has huge importance from a religious point too. According to the Hindu holy book Ramayana, Tilicho Lake is the ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake. It is believed near this lake sage Kak Bhusundi first told the happenings of Ramayana to the King of birds, Garuda. 

Tilicho Lake trek offers you 360 degrees of the Annapurna circuit range including the giant Annapurna peak, Muktinath peak, Khangsar peak, and Nilgiri and Tilicho peak including a variety of cultural diversity.

Tilicho Lake Trek's starting point is Besisahar a small city located in the central part of Nepal on the bay of Marsyangi River Valley. From Besisahar you would be blessed with a mesmerizing view of Himal Chuli and Manaslu Himal.

On the way to Tilicho Lake, you will get the opportunity to see wild animals and birds, Blue Sheep and Himalayan Thar are among the common animals that you can see during your trek. Feel lucky if you got a glimpse of the Snow leopard, which is very rare to less than 10,000 mature individuals in number.

After conquering Tilicho Lake, you can go beyond Mesokanta La Pass which ends at Jomsom or can get back to Yak Kharka for another route via Thorang La Pass which also ends in the Himalayan city Jomson. Thorong La Pass is located at the height of 5416 and is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit. Trekking on this route will give you the experience of greenery vegetation harsh semi-desert to finally highest trekking passes in the world. 

Difficulty walking Tilicho Lake Trek:

It is very difficult to trek Tilicho Lake. There are a number of reasons to consider the difficulty of trekking to Tilicho Lake since hikers can be fetuses before hiking. The first reason is that it is one of the highest lakes and the Thorang La Pass also goes around 5416 meters.

If you don't take good care of your health, hikers may feel like a mountain six. With an experienced guide, you can reduce the chances of getting AMS. The second reason is the difficulty of the trek trail and the place where a lot of rocks fall.

The final reason is that the uncertainty of the weather on the trek could lead to heavy snowfall and snowfall which happened in 2014 when many people died due to a lack of knowledge. There are many other reasons why trekking to Lake Tilicho is so difficult.

Accommodation and food Tilicho Lake Trek:

It will be in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu During the trek, you will stay in lodges and tea houses. Most of the rooms will be in basic sharing and you can have hot showers in most of the lodges. You can find many kinds of food and you can eat some delicious Nepali food and Indian and other continental food as well as you can find bakery items, soups, and hot drinks all over the trek.

Equipment & Packing List for Tilicho Lake Trek:

This list outlines the required things to bring during the Tilicho Lake Trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg. 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 to 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 a 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/ Master 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.

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 rucksacks covers (optional).

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.

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: If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy them in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you on trekking.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1320m):

On arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport via various international airlines, received our guide and staff for a short transfer to the heart of Kathmandu city.

Where is your hotel located, after checking into your rooms, and then meeting other members of the trip at the hotel lobby for a briefing? The briefing includes important information regarding  Tilicho Lake Trek, to make your holiday in Nepal more enjoyable.

The evening group welcomes dinner in a lovely Nepalese Restaurant with an introduction to the culture of Nepal with folk dance and music.

Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation: Three-star category Hotel in Kathmandu, Distance: 5 kilometers From Airport to Thamel

Day 2 : Recreational round tour of the capital valley Kathmandu:

In the morning get breakfast and leave the hotel room for sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley, you can travel on a local bus/ taxi/ hotel vehicle.

Here in Kathmandu, the remarkable place to visit is Pashupatinath Temple (the center of attraction for Hindus around the world), Swyambhunath Temple (pilgrimage for Buddist), and Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath, Lalitpur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

There are other places around Kathmandu to visit that are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage sites are Changunarayan Temple and Budanilkantha Temple. If you are staying in Thamel, you can take a look around Narayanhiti Palace (Palace of Shah Dynasty Kings) and the famous Garden of Dreams.

Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation: Three-star category Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 3 : Drive from Kathmandu to Chame (2630m) 6 hours:

Get a private vehicle or tourist bus; you can get a direct bus to Besisahar from Kathmandu. You will have about a 6-hour drive to reach Besi Sahar. After having lunch at Besi Sahar, take a jeep which takes you to Chame after a drive of around 5 hours.

In this ride, you will travel on the left side of the Marsyangdi River, and at the top, you will get a glimpse of snow-capped mountains.

You have to cross the small village of Syange, Dharapani before getting to Chame, which is also the starting place of the Manage district. Stay overnight at Chame which is located at a height of 2603 meters. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Chame, Distance: 249.9 Kilometers

Day 4 : Chame to Manang (3500m) 4 hours:

You can have a very fine view of Annapurna Mountain in the early morning. After having breakfast, get a jeep to Manag, a drive of around 6 hours will let you to Manang. Stay hydrated to get rid of altitude sickness. In Manang, you find a luxury hotel, or you may stay in a camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Manang, Distance: 31.9 Kilometers

Day 5 : Acclimatization day at Manang:

As you are at a height of about 3500 meters, stay hydrated to get rid of altitude sickness. Manang is a small village, also popularly known as the village beyond the mountains. Here in Manang, you will find, traditional stone buildings. From here you will get a close view of Annapurna II, Annapurna III and Annapurna IV, and Gangapurna mountains.

During a stay here, visit Kicho Lake also known as Ice Lake, according to myth it is believed in this lake several miracles have been seen. Other places you can visit are Kicho Lake also known as Ice Lake, Khangsur Village, and Milare Cave.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse Manang, Distance: 3-4 Kilometers

Day 6 : Manang trek to Khangsar village (3756m) 3-4 hours:

Departure from Manang village, you have to pass over Jharsings Khola through a suspension bridge. The higher you move, the trail appears close to us.

A walk of around four hours will take you to Khangsar village from where a wider view of the Himalayas opens to you. Here you will find Mani Walls, Chorten, and a few Monastery. Stay hydrated to get rid of altitude sickness, and stay at a camp or hotel in Khangsar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Khangsar village, Distance: 6.5 Kilometers

Day 7 : Khangsar Village to Tilicho Lake base camp (4140m) 5-6 hours:

Start the trek with breakfast, and move as soon as possible from Khangsar Village you will pass through chortens and Gompa. You will have a dangerous steep landslide area which you have to cross before noon, an afternoon there is the chance of huge wind.

You will cross the landslide area after a walk of an hour. And after a series of zigzags ups and down you will get to Tilicho Base Camp. Here are a few hotels, so it will be better to book a hotel on the previous day before being at Tilicho Base Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in  Tilicho Base Camp, Distance: 6.6 Kilometers

Day 8 : Tilicho Base camp to Tilicho Lake and back to Tilicho base camp (4949m) 6 hour:

This toughest day on the whole trek so gets ready for a long day trek. Get breakfast and move as soon as possible before 5 am so that you can catch a wonderful sunrise view. Tilicho base camp elevates you to the height of 1000 meters before getting to the lake, so stay hydrated.

This day offers you a top-class top view of Gangarpurna, Khangsar Kang, and Tarkeghyand. After a trek of around 5 hours you will get to Tilicho Lake, it is the lake located at the highest point above sea level at the height of 4919 meters.

Lake is fully frozen from December to March and appears frozen solid white. In October the Lake is seen as deep blue reflecting the surrounding peaks. Get back to Tilicho Base camp and stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Tilicho Base camp, Distance: 6.3 Kilometers

Day 9 : Tilicho base camp to Manang (3500m) 6.30 hours:

While returning from Tilicho base camp, you will have smooth down ways to Manang, it will be easy for you to trek. Be on time as you have to cross the Landslide area before noon. 

On the way, you will get pedestrians moving for Tilicho Lake, you will be encountered lots of questions from those people. After a walk of around four hours, you will get to Manang  Village. Stay overnight at Manang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in  Siri Kharka, Distance: 14.2 Kilometers

Day 10 : Manang to Besisahar (760m) 7 hours:

today early morning take your breakfast with the mountain scenic after breakfast  Get a jeep from Manang which will lead you to Besisahar. It will take you around 7 hours from Manang to Besisahar. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Guesthouse Besisahar, Distance: 97.6 Kilometers

Day 11 : Besisahar to Kathmandu:

You can get to Kathmandu after a drive of around four hours, you can depart on the same day or stay overnight in Kathmandu having a chilled beer at local pubs at Thamel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and farewell Dinner, Accommodation: Three-star category hotel in Kathmandu, Distance: 186.9 Kilometers

Day 12 : Departure Day for International flight homeward bound:

On your last day in Nepal, enjoy a memorable adventure and experience on Annapurna Tilicho Lake and Poon Hill Trek, as time for your international flight our staff transfer you to the airport for homeward bound.

We trust you made some incredible memories with us. Thank you, and have a safe journey home.

Meal: Breakfast Included.

Inclusions

What is included?

What isn't included?

Complimentary

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