Duration
18 Days
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
GROUP SIZE
1-12
MAX. ALTITUDE
5,415m
Best Season
Spring & Autumn
Accomodation
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Walking per day
6 hrs
Overview
Tilicho Lake Trek – Adventure to One of the World’s Highest Lakes
The Tilicho Lake Trek is one of the most adventurous and awe-inspiring journeys in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Known for its rugged terrain, dramatic landscapes, and cultural richness, this trek takes you to the breathtaking Tilicho Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,919 meters, making it one of the highest lakes in the world.
Why Choose Tilicho Lake Trek?
Tilicho Lake Trek is considered a challenging trek due to its high altitude and remote, rocky paths. But for those seeking raw Himalayan beauty and cultural immersion, it offers an unforgettable experience. The trail passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, following an off-the-beaten-path route that rewards trekkers with views of the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the peaceful Thorong La Pass (5,415m), and encounters with diverse local ethnic communities.
Trip Highlights
- Reach Tilicho Lake, one of the highest alpine lakes in the world
- Traverse the Thorong La Pass, the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit
- Witness stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other Himalayan giants
- Explore remote villages like Manang, Khangsar, and Shree Kharka
- Learn about the unique cultures of Magar, Gurung, Bhotia, Thakali, and Manangi communities
- Experience the tranquility of Tibetan-influenced villages far removed from modern civilization
Trek Overview
This 17-day trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and then gradually ascends through picturesque mountain villages, deep gorges, and alpine forests. Along the way, trekkers acclimatize in Manang village, known for its traditional stone houses and dramatic scenery.
The trail then diverts toward Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp, leading to the final goal — the pristine Tilicho Lake surrounded by glaciers and snowy peaks. After soaking in its serene beauty, the journey continues toward Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, and finally crosses the iconic Thorong La Pass before descending to Muktinath and ending in Jomsom.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and hotel transfer
Day 2: Trek briefing, lunch, and preparation
Day 3: Drive to Besisahar (790m)
Day 4: Drive to Chamje and trek to Tal (1,800m)
Day 5: Trek to Pisang (3,200m)
Day 6: Trek to Manang (3,400m)
Day 7: Acclimatization and excursion day in Manang
Day 8: Trek to Shree Kharka (4,250m)
Day 9: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m)
Day 10: Excursion to Tilicho Lake and return to Shree Kharka
Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,020m)
Day 12: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,500m), acclimatization hike
Day 13: Cross Thorong La Pass (5,415m) and trek to Muktinath (3,810m)
Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Day 15: Rest or sightseeing in Pokhara
Day 16: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu, farewell dinner
Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu
Is This Trek for You?
The Tilicho Lake Trek is ideal for trekkers with good physical fitness, some high-altitude experience, and a deep appreciation for nature and culture. The trail is remote and less crowded, offering solitude and raw beauty unmatched by many other routes in Nepal.
Best Time to Trek
The best seasons to undertake this trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the skies are clear and the weather is stable.
Start Your Himalayan Adventure
Join us on this incredible journey to Tilicho Lake, where adventure meets tranquility and culture blends with natural wonders. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or looking to challenge yourself, this trek will reward you with memories that last a lifetime.
Contact us to book your Tilicho Lake Trek today or learn more about itinerary customization options!
Itinerary
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Day 1 :
Arrival at the Kathmandu
Arrival. Welcome by our office representative at the airport and brought to the hotel.
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Day 2 :
lunch and briefing about trekking and trek preparation
Introduction to the guide. Briefing about the trekking and trekking preparation, including essentials
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Day 3 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Beshi Sahar (7,90m) .
Breakfast. We begin this trip with 6 hours drive to Beshisahar (7,90m) from Kathmandu. The road leads along the mountains and thundering rivers like Trishuli and Marshandi. The green hill road is really amazing. Lunch is provided in a restaurant at the river bank on the way.
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Day 4 :
Trek to Chame (2,700m)
Breakfast. Drive about 4 hours till Chamje (1,410m). The mountain road till Chamje is really wonderful. On the way a short lunch break. Your first trek to Tal starts from Chamje that takes about 2 hours. Stay overnight in Tal village (1800m).
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Day 5 :
Trek to Pisang (3,200m)
Breakfast. Trek about 5 hours to Pisang (3,200m). The trail passes through the pine tree with amazing views of rocks. Lunch in Bratang. You can see the beautiful buck wheat fields and Buddhist ‘Mani Walls’ with prayer wheels in Pisang where you stay overnight.
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Day 6 :
Trek to Manang (3,400m)
Breakfast. Trek about 5 hours to Manang (3,400m) through almost flat road. Lunch in Hongde. The faces of the very tall rocks and Hongde airport are the main attractions of the day. Stay overnight in Manang.
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Day 7 :
Excursion day around the Manang village
Acclimatization and Excursion Day in Manang. This day is for you to get ready to encounter with the high altitude of the Thorong-La Pass (5,415 m) in the following days. Excursion around the Manang village is memorable. You can also some visit monasteries and walk around Chongar View Point.
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Day 8 :
Trek to Shree Kharka (4,250m)
Breakfast. Heading towards Shree Kharka (4,250m). It is about 5 hours walk from Manang. In 2 and half hours trek, we arrive to Khangshar village on the way which is the collection of traditional stone buildings surrounding a large village square. Lunch in Khangshar where you will enjoy the beautiful scene of the Tilicho Peak and Bluesheep. From Khangsar, the trail leads gradually uphill. Stay overnight in Shree Kharka.
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Day 9 :
Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m)
Breakfast. Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m) for 3 hours where we take lunch. The trail from Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp is really tough and challenging. The trail is so narrow, just enough to keep our feet on. Stay overnight in Tilicho Base Camp.
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Day 10 :
Excursion around Tilicho Lake and trek back to Shree kharka
Breakfast. Trek about 3 hours to Tilicho Lake, the final destination of this trek. Excursion around Tilicho Lake for about 30 minutes. Trek back to Shree Kharka. This day we will walk about 6 hours all together.
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Day 11 :
Trek to Yak Kharka (4,020m)
Breakfast. Trek about 6 hours to Yak Kharka (4,020m) Today we walk most of the flat and steep down trail. But for some time we walk through steep up to Yak Kharka. A short packed lunch break on the way. Stay overnight in Yak Kharka.
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Day 12 :
Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,500m)
Breakfast. Start walking gradually uphill for about 4 hours till Thorong Phedi (4,500m). Lunch and rest. For your acclimatization, talk one hour steep hiking to High Camp in the afternoon and get back to Thorong Phedi for overnight stay.
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Day 13 :
Trek to Muktinath (3,810m) via Thorong-La pass (5,415m)
Today we take breakfast early in the morning and walk about 4 hours steep up and 4 hours down to Muktinath (3,810m) via Thorong-La pass. Take a packed lunch break on the way. It is the longest trek of the entire trip. Stay overnight in Muktinath.
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Day 14 :
Trek to Jomsom.
Breakfast. Trek about 6 hours to Tukuche (2,600m). In 3 hours trek, we arrive at Jomsom (2,750m), the headquarters of the Mustang district on the way. Take a brief look around Jomsom and lunch. The road passes almost flat and down till Tukuche. We pass by Marpha village on the way where you can see the beautiful apple and apricot gardens from. Stay overnight in Tukuche.
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Day 15 :
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara.
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Day 16 :
Rest or half day sightseeing in Pokhara valley
Today, you will enjoy your breakfast, lunch and some drinks in nice restaurant at the bank of ‘Phewa Lake’. You may make a short tour on your own around lakeside if do not want the whole day rest.
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Day 17 :
Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and farewell dinner
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Day 18 :
Drop off at the airport and departure for selected destination
Oxygen Level
From: $950
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop off transport as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation and breakfast in Kathmandu
- Accommodation and breakfast with tea/coffee, lunch and dinner during the trek
- Trekking guide
- Porter(s)
- National parks’ fees and government royalties
- Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic air ticket and airport tax for tourist and guide as mentioned in the itinerary
- Insurance of our trekking staff
- Sleeping bag (guests may have their own if they prefer)
- Dawn jacket (guests may have their own if they prefer)
- Trekking map
- TIMS Card
- First Aid Kit
- Oxyzen cylinder
- Nepal Mountain Lovers’ T-shirts
- Farewell dinner with cultural program in Kathmandu
Cost Excludes
- International air ticket, airport tax and Nepal visa fees
- All kinds of drink during trekking and travel stay with us
- Travel insurance and the cost of medical services of tourists
- All kinds of cloth and personal trekking equipment
- Other personal expenses and tips
- Charted helicopter, plane and other transports in case of emergency
Talk with a travel expert with more than a decade of experience and plan your adventure.
Gear List
- Backpack (50 liters) with outside pockets to keep smaller items
- Trekking boots, well broken in and waterproofed. Gaiters to keep snow out of boots
- Woolen sweaters and down jacket, gloves, wind proof outer garments, pants jacket, skirts, T-shirts, shirts, baggy pants and underwear
- Several pairs of woolen and few pairs of nylon socks. A pair of sandals
- Sleeping bag adequate for temperatures encountered
- Hat with wide brim and sun lotion cream
- One liter water bottle and some food for contingencies
- Repair and medical kit
- Head lamp with spare lithium batteries and bulbs
- Handkerchief and toiletries
- Verified phone number of your Embassy, consulate ,trekking agency and private phone number of your director
- Pen, pencils and letterhead to write an emergency message
- Pocket knife with opener and scissors
- Sunglasses with spare eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them
- Umbrella and rain coat
- Camera
SUPPORT
Payment: Down payment: 15% of total payment is required to confirm the reservation.
Payment of the Balance: Rest amount can be paid in our office after your arrival.
Arrival Point: You will be met at the Kathmandu international airport. Our office representative will be waiting for you holding play card of the Nepal Mountain Lovers Treks and Expedition. In case of your change plan, please let us inform.
Booking Air Ticket: If you don’t have regular travel agent, please visit makemytrip.com, www.kayak.com, www.vayama.com. They offer you very good price.
Room System: Normally we have two people in a room. Twin bed or single bed depends on the choice of guests and budget. If tourists want single room, s/he should pay single supplementary.
Trekking Leading Person: Our trekking guide will lead the whole trip with his/her helpers and porters.
Currencies: USD, AUD, EURO are major acceptable currencies in Nepal and visa and credit cards also accepted. There is ATM facility in city area.
Altitude Sickness: Altitude sickness will start from 3000 meter height. Trekkers should immediately inform trekking guide if faced any problems.
Drinking Water: We can get mineral water and boiled water in city area and in some trekking places. We use water purification tablet or liquid in some remote trekking sites.
Laundry Facility: Laundry facility are available in city area but not during the trekking.
Visa: You can get arrival visa at Kathmandu airport that cost 25 USD for 15 days and 40 USD for 30 days. Please bring 2 passport size photos. You can get your visa from the closest Nepali embassy.
Orientation Program: Before starting trekking, trekkers are provided with an orientation by our office representative or trekking guide about the necessary trekking information.
Group Size: There will be maximum 12 persons in one group.
Accommodation: You will stay in a nice tourist standard hotel/resort in city areas. Normal hotels or tents are available during the trekking.
Foods: We provide breakfast, lunch, dinner. Tourists can get continental food both in city and trekking places. Food during the trekking might not meet the standard of your country.
View of Mount Everest: Trekkers to Everest region will of course see the Mount Everest. For trekkers visiting other regions where they cannot view Mount Everest, there are daily mountain flights which approach close to Mount Everest.
Travel Insurance: It is compulsory to have travel insurance.
Personal Expenses: It depends on your spending interest and shopping. There are some expensive handmade carpets, Thanka paintings, jewelries and handicrafts to purchase in Nepal.
Luggage: We take only about 10kg per person in trekking. Your excess baggage will be stored in a hotel.
Tips: Tips are highly accepted and appreciated.
Rules and Regulation
Nepal Mountain Lovers Treks and Expedition accepts your reservation under the following rules and regulations.
1. If the balance payment is not paid before your departure for trekking, the booking will be cancelled without any refund.
2. If there is war or the situation of the country is out of control and the country faces emergency situation before your arrival to Nepal, we inform you not to come Nepal and refund your payment. But in case of any emergency situation or war after your arrival or during the trekking, we will not refund your money. But we will try our best to make your trip successful and pleasant. In such situation, we may need to change the trip plan and itinerary.
3. In case of increase in government royalty and other costs such as the national park fee, you have to pay extra money.
4. If you commit any illegal act or disturbance for the safety and welfare of the group, our leader or guide can ask to leave the group without any right to refund.
5. If you have any complain with regards to trekking and tour please inform our tour leader or company. All kinds of valid complain are welcomed and processed with necessary actions.
6.You are responsible to ensure that all travel documents are with you during the entire trip
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Annapurna Region Trekking
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