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The Tilicho Lake Trek is a grand trek around the Annapurna massif, just like the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, this route offers you the high mountain pass of Thorong La (5,416 m / 17,770 ft) AND a quiet detour to this spectacular lake.
It is a unique blend of adventure and serenity as you traverse rugged terrains, ancient trails, and picturesque valleys. Along the way, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, and rough landscapes.
You can complete this private trek in 16 days. For that, you will follow a big part of the Annapurna Circuit Trail around the entire Annapurna massif. However, we can also extend or shorten the trekking itinerary.
You just need to see Tilicho Lake with you own eyes. It is a lake with turquoise waters that reflect the surrounding majestic mountains. The lake collects the glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and the Thorong Peak. People even claim that this is both a holy and the highest lake in the world.
Of course! Actually, we encourage you to do so. Because that makes this trek unique and truly YOURS! Obviously, you don’t need to figure it all out by yourself. We are here for you. Do you want to speed up and make it more challenging? Or, take it easy and slow? Just contact us, and let us know what you’d like to do.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
– Govinda & Lilly
Welcome to Nepal! Your international flight lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
After a good night of sleep and hopefully beating the jetlag, we will meet for a pre-trip meeting. You will be introduced to your mountain guide (and porter) and we will discuss your itinerary. If you have any questions or requests, please ask!
What’s next? You can use this day to adjust to the different timezone, altitude and climate. Also, you can prepare yourself for your trek and do some last shoppings at one of the many outdoor gear shops in the area.
Early morning, at 7 a.m., your mountain guide (and porter) arrives at your hotel to pick you up. After a 7 to 8 hour drive, we will reach Besi Sahar (760 m) where we spend the night.
bus – dinner – mountain lodge
Today, our mountain trek really begins! We start walking from Besi Sahar where the trail makes a climb to Khudi (790 m), the first Gurung village. Interesting to know is that many of the famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers are Gurungs. When we continue from Khudi, the trail offers fine views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). We climb to Bhulbhule (825 m) and then via Ngadi to Lampata nearby Bahundanda (1,310 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, we begin the day by following a steep trail down to Syange (1,070 m). Along the way, depending on the season, we can see a large waterfall. After crossing the Marsyangdi river via a suspension bridge, we walk along the river to the stone village of Jagat before we climb through the forest to Chamje (1,410 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Now the day begins with a rocky trail uphill along the Marsyandi river all the way to Tal (1,675 m). This village in a wide, flat valley is the first in the district of Manang. From here our trek continues up and down to Dharapani (1,890 m). When we approach Bagarchhap (2,160 m), we can see the typical Tibetan flat roofed stone houses surrounded by apple orchards and maize fields.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
We climb up to Tyanja (2,360 m), and then we continue through the forest near the river to Kopar (2,590 m). As we reach Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we can have rewarding views of Annapurna II. This town has two hot springs, where you can soak and relax yourselves from the trekking so far. Along this route you will be introduced to a local community of which the residents migrated from Tibet centuries ago.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
This day starts with a trek through a deep forest in a steep and narrow valley and, crossing a river via a long bridge (2,910 m). When we cross another bridge at 3,040 m, the view of the soaring Paungda Danda’s rock face really begins to appear. From here, the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between (3,200 m) and (3,300 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, we continue our trek through the drier upper part of Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd yaks and raise crops for a part of the year.
When we leave Pisang, there are alternate trails from the north and the south of the Marsyangdi river which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip (3,325 m), involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru. Though, there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga (3,475 m) to the nearby Manang (3,540 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, is a day to relax by spending an acclimatization day in Manang. This day we can spend going for fine, short hikes and viewing the magnificent sights around the village. By the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a good meal and sleep.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
After acclimatizing at Manang, we continue our adventure towards Tilicho Lake! The lake is situated on the west end of Manang following the path down to the river. After crossing Khangsar Khola, we reach Khangsar and head towards the village region. This area is still very traditionally Tibetan and, it is known as the Last Village of Nepal.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, we trek via a large path and pass a Gompa, a Buddhist monastery. The route ahead follows a quite new path up towards a high ridge. Then, we reach a high crest and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook which we cross to the building on the other side that is known as Tilicho Base Camp (4,200 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
We are going to Tilicho Lake today! The day begins very early in the morning, around 6 a.m. as we try to avoid the wind. From Basecamp to Tilicho lake takes another 3 to 4 hours. Tilicho Lake, claimed as the highest lake of the world, is a cold barren place in the afternoon. After spending some time around Tilicho Lake, we return the same way back to Base Camp as there are no accommodation facilities at Tilicho Lake (4,920 m).
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, we continue to ascend by nearly 500 meter to Yak Kharka. We climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangi Valley. From there, we continue through the Jarsang Khola Valley and reach Yak Kharka (4,000 m). From here, we see that herds of yaks and vegetations clearly thin out.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
We ascend for two hours and then descend again to cross the river (4,310 m). Then, we climb again to Thorong Phedi (4,450 m) where decent guesthouses have been built in the recent years.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
This is a big day. We are crossing world’s highest pass: Thorong La (5,416 m)! It is a long day, starting before sunrise at 4 or 5 a.m. to cross the pass by 9 or 10 a.m. before the strong wind comes up. These weather conditions may greatly affect our journey, particularly at Thorong La. Steeply, we climb on a regular route which is quite easy to follow. However, difficulties may arise due to altitude and snow. About four hours of climbing up to the pass, marked by chortens and prayer flags, we will be rewarded with stunning views from the top of the pass. Then another 4 to 5 hours of walking take us to the holy town of Muktinath.
Muktinath means ‘place of Nirvana’ and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when you visit the temple, which is a scared pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
Today, we trek down to Kagbeni and then follow the Kali Gandaki river to Jomsom (2,720 m). Jomsom is a large town with many facilities. It is also headquarter and official town for the Mustang district, where all the district government offices are present.
breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge
We wake up early for the bus that takes us to Pokhara.
breakfast – bus
Today, it’s time to hop on the bus back to Kathmandu.
Option: To save time, you can opt for a scenic 30-minute mountain flight to Kathmandu, instead of taking the bus. This would give you the opportunity to explore the city.
Contact us for more details.
If it’s the final day of your holiday in Nepal. Your international flight departs from Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu.
Goodbye friends! We hope that you will cherish these memories we’ve made together forever.
Together, we set a goal and we'll do everything we can to make it happen!
Govinda & Lilly tailor these sample trips to your preferences and budget.
With memories that last a lifetime!
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