Tilicho Lake Trek

Name: Tilicho Lake Trek
Brand: Trek Guiders
SKU: PKG-10046
Price: 1825.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Trip Overview

Tilicho Lake is worldwide popular for the magnificent lake located at the highest altitude of 4919m above the sea level. Trekking to this amazing destination is an extended trip from Manang on the trail of Annapurna Circuit. Addition of just 3 days in the Annapurna circuit trip will allow the travelers to visit the Lake of Tilicho, a dream destination of most domestic and international tourists.

Highlights

Enjoy the green terraced farmland of Manang and semi-arid barren land of Lower Mustang.
Visit to the highest located Tilicho lake at 4919m.
Experience the various cultural diversity of the areas and visit traditional monasteries.
Amazing views of snow-capped peaks, magnificent waterfalls, floras and faunas.

Itinerary

Welcome to Kathmandu. You will be received by one of our office representatives at the TIA exit section and escort you to your hotel afterward.

Depending on your arrival time, you will have the chance to stroll around the places nearby your hotel on your own.

Hotel

Today you will have a free day in Kathmandu while your specialist will take time to arrange permits for your trek. You will have time to explore around the Kathmandu valley on your own or enjoy the cultural tour with an experienced tour guide arranged by Trek Guiders.

In the evening, you will be met by your specialist in your hotel lobby. S/he will introduce you to your guide for the trek and brief you shortly about your trek, things to do/ not to do, and any optional activities you may enjoy during the trip. You can ask any queries or share feelings with your specialist during the briefing.

Hotel

Breakfast

After your early morning breakfast at hotel, you will be picked up by your trekking crew and start a long way drive to Tal which will take around 9 hours of your day.

You will be driving along the banks of Trishuli and Marshyangdi River before reaching Tal enjoying the mesmerizing beauty of hills and mountain landscapes. You will also pass through some beautiful villages and terrace farming on the both sides of the road. Upon reaching Tal, you will be welcomed by a beautiful waterfall. In the evening, take a time to explore this beautiful little village.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, start your first day of the trek with reaching your first destination to Karte village. Continue past the small village of Karte and enjoy the cliff-side path before the path drops again to the river. You'll cross a suspension bridge, and then climb upstream to the stone entrance marking the larger village of Dharapani.

From Dharapani, you will be walking a series of uphills and downhills as you start seeing different types of vegetations and landscapes including snowcapped peaks. The next village you will be reaching is Bagarchhap, which is quite well-known for Tibetan architecture with plenty of prayer flags. Continuing to ascend from here passing through oak and pine forest enjoying the magnificent view of Mt. Manaslu, you will reach Tanchok village with apple orchards. After walking half an hour from Tanchok, you will reach Koto and further 30 minutes walk will take you to Chame village.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your journey today passing through the pine forest and descend steeply down towards Bhratang village enjoying superb views of landscapes, meadows, and magnificent views of Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and Pisang Peak. From here, you'll come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower windswept village of Pisang with views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. This is the territory of Gurung people, an indigenous mountain tribal group that has formed the backbone of Gurkha Soldiers of the British Army for centuries. These people are locally called "Mananges" and have a rich distinct culture of their own. Once settled in Pisang, you can take an optional hour-long climb to Upper Pisang and explore the village's ancient Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking the trail to Manang will be a drier walk experience as the Annapurna range cuts off the clouds and monsoon resulting very less rain in this area. You will come across a very picturesque village clinging on to a cliff side where the houses appear to be stacked on top of each other. Arriving at Braga village, you will get to see the oldest monastery of the region, Bhakra Monastery, which is considered to be more than 500 years old.

Upon reaching Manang, you will get to experience the rich culture of this area. Manang is well known for its amazing mountain views and has eye-catching Mani Walls, prayer flags, and monasteries.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a rest day kept for proper acclimatization in the high altitude before being able to cross the high pass of Thorung La. To speed up the acclimatization process, you can take some short hikes around the Manang valley with your guide and explore the areas for more picturesque views from the different angle. Some options to be considered can be a visit to ancient monasteries, local schools, and also hike towards Gangapurna glacier lake. At the end of our day, return to your guesthouse for the overnight stay.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail today, will divert towards the way to the Tilicho Lake. You will start the trip to the Khangsar Village which is located in the way to the lake.

After breakfast at Manang, you will start your day walking along the Khangsar River first. After crossing the river, you will reach the Khangsar village which is an old village influenced with Tibetan culture. This half day trek will give you plenty of time to explore the village and surrounding area. Stay overnight at Khangsar which is also name as 'the last village of Nepal'.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you continue walking from Khangsar village on a large path, passing a Buddhist monastery. The route ahead is a newly constructed trail going up towards a high ridge. Here you will see two paths meeting point which is old and new path respectively. The old path has got a steep trail and is much more difficult. But the new one is completely different and relatively easy. Take the new trail and ascend a high crest before descending down along the switchbacks to a side valley. You will finally reach a scenic valley and upon crossing a little stream, you will reach Tilicho Base Camp.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the main highlight of your entire trip as you will actually get to reach the main destination of the trek.

After an early morning breakfast, start walking immediately as wind may interrupt your trip if delayed. Walking through the high alpine landscapes with rocks covered with snow, you will reach the lake with bright turquoise water reflecting the sparkling light in a beautiful day. Tilicho Lake is a cold place as it is popular as the lake located at the highest altitude in the world. So, be prepared with warm clothing accordingly. After spending some quality amounts of time and exploring places nearby the lakes, return back to your lodge at Tilicho Base Camp.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Returning back from Tilicho Adventure, you will follow a gentle trail high above the Khangsar village towards the old Khangsar. Passing through the juniper bushes, you will get to see more views of the snow-capped mountain peaks. Further walking an unmarked trail, you will reach a meadow where yak herders bring their animal for day grazing. Upon reaching Yak Kharka, take some rest in your tea house cozy room.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Yak Kharka, you will start your trek with a slow pace to reach Phedi which means 'foot of the hill'. Enjoying the same splendid view of peaks and landscapes you will arrive at Ledar and go on to mount along the east shore of the Jorsang Khola. Descend and cross the river on a bridge and stop for superb view and tea. Walk across a narrow path, uneven incline before reaching to Thorung Phedi. You can decide either continue to High Camp or stay in Phedi depending on condition.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the most important, hardest, and longest walk of your trip. Despite of the challenges, today's trip will reward you with the much better views and a feeling of accomplishment that will make you in a merry mood. On the high pass, take some time to take pictures and enjoy the sweeping panorama of snow-capped mountains extending towards Tibet.

The descent, too, is quite demanding which will raise your fatigues. You can rest sometime after descending down and enjoy a cup of hot tea before continuing further 3 hours walk towards Muktinath.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at your teahouse, pay a visit to Muktinath Temple, an important place of worship for Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus. You will have the opportunity to visit the main temple and its surrounding area before you hit the trail.

From here, begin your trek back to Jomsom along an easy route that heads straight downhill. While you retrace your steps, you'll be able to enjoy good views of Mount Dhaulagiri. Pass through Jharkot where you can visit one more monastery, and take in the views of snow-capped mountains and ancient caves. Admire the signs of rich Tibetan culture and keep an eye out for Mustang people who will come out and sell handicrafts to pilgrims.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning, you will fly back to Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara, the day is free to be spent on leisure exploring the market or undertake some adventure activities like Paragliding (time and weather permitting).

Hotel

Breakfast

Sometimes, the weather in Jomsom won't be favorable to undertake flight to Pokhara. This is for the security and safety of the passengers. In case if you won't get to return back to Pokhara the previous day, today will have a good chance of having a flight without affecting your flight back to Kathmandu. That's the reason why your return to Kathmandu was not placed on the same day before.

At Pokhara, you will be picked up by a private vehicle for the drive back to Kathmandu. Following the same route of Prithivi Highway and enjoying the scenic vistas, you will reach Kathmandu in around 6 - 7 hours. You will be directly escorted to your hotel in Kathmandu. The evening is free for some last-minute shopping or relaxation.

Hotel

Breakfast

You will be picked up from your hotel 3.5 hours prior to your international flight time by one of our office representatives to escort you to the TIA. Trip concludes !!

Breakfast

Commencing this trip

The trek to Tilicho Lake is an extended trip from the Annapurna circuit trail which will need at least 3 days of addition in your classic Annapurna Round trek. The trek starts with a long drive to Besisahar. Following the trail of the Annapurna circuit, you will reach up to Manang where you will get a chance to visit Gangapurna glacial lake. From here, the trip diverts from the classic circuit trail towards the destination of Tilicho Lake. On the third day of leaving Manang, you will reach Tilicho lake and on the fourth day, you will reach Yak Kharka catching the same old trail of classic Annapurna Circuit before crossing Thorung La.

The camping trip is not necessary these days for reaching Tilicho lake as there are lodges already opened up to Tilicho Base Camp. But if you are interested in a full camping trip then you can choose a different trail from Tilicho Lake towards Jomsom by crossing the Tilicho pass and Mesokanto La pass. In this trail, there are no tea houses located anywhere until you reach Thini Gaon. Hence, camping is compulsory if you are thinking of this route option.

The trip ends at Jomsom. But depending on your time and interest, this trip can fully be customized. Get in touch with us for any customization required.

Best time to do this trip

Unlike many treks in Nepal, this trek is also most suitable to be done from March to May during Spring and October to mid-December during autumn. During these periods the weather is pretty clear with great visibility of the Himalayas and landscapes. However, you can aspect a few crowds during this peak season time as this trek is always in the bucket list of most travelers from around the world.

Walking in summer (monsoon) time can be a bit hectic as you will need to walk in wet boots with a raincoat on. But the benefit will be a lesser crowd. Some part of Annapurna Circuit is the rain shadow area which will have either no rain or a very minimal rain. That's the reason why the Annapurna circuit is also recommended as a great Summer Trek in Nepal.

Winter trek is also possible but it all depends on the traveler's capacity to bear with the harshness of the cold. You will need good warm clothes preparation with equipment for winter treks if you are planning your trip in wintertime in Nepal.

What is included?

3 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, including breakfast, on a twin-sharing basis.
2 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara, including breakfast, on a twin-sharing basis.
12 nights accommodation in standard tea house during the trek on a full board twin sharing basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/ coffee)
Kathmandu to Tal village surface transfer in a private vehicle.
Jomsom to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu return flight fare with domestic airport transfers in a private vehicle.
Guide's domestic flight fare.
2 International airport transfers.
ACAP and TIMS permit required for the trek.
English-speaking local expert guide and porter on the trek
Equipment allowances, salary, and insurance for trekking staff.
Kitbags/ duffle bag for the trek.
First aid kit with basic supplies for staff.
All government taxes.

What is not included?

Single room supplement charges for city hotels.
Lunches and Dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Additional airport transfers besides those mentioned in the 'included' section.
Soft Drinks, Cigarettes, and soft/hard beverages like Coke, Beer, etc.
Any guided/ unguided city tours and transfers for the same.
Entrance fees for heritage sites, monasteries, and museums (if any).
Hot shower and hot drinking water during the trek.
Nepal entry visa fee.
International airfares.
Your personal trekking gear and equipment, such as a sleeping bag, trekking poles, and down jackets.
Personal nature expenses related to the phone, wifi, gadget charging, laundry, gratuity/ Tips, snack expenses, extra meals, etc.
Your insurance and emergency rescue evacuation, if any.
Any items not mentioned in the "Service included section."

Important points to be noted:

Single rooms will not be available in the tea houses during the trek due to the limited number of lodges on the trail.

Depending on time availability or budget, travelers can opt for either tourist bus transport or domestic flight transfer for the Pokhara-Kathmandu route with a revised trip price that does not affect the actual trek departure date.