AnnaAnnapurna Tilicho Lake Trek is a fantastic journey along the famous Annapurna region and to Tilicho Lake (4949m), one of the highest lakes in the world. The trail cuts through varied elevations, and has climates ranging from semi-tropical to desert, and with the landscapes varying from sub-tropical to alpine forests to snowy barren, and the stunning rocky Thorongla mountain pass with an altitude of 5416 meters. The trip begins in Kathmandu with visits to several cultural heritage sites. Next, drive to Chamje and begin the trek from Dharapani. The 18-day Annapurna with Tilicho Lake Trek concludes in Jomson after which you will fly to Pokhara, followed by another flight to Kathmandu.
Overview
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek is a fantastic adventure trek in Nepal. On this trek, you will explore the wonders of the beautiful Annapurna region and witness breathtaking views of the Annapurna Himalayas. The journey is long but incredible. The Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake is definitely challenging but also offers a life-changing experience.
Trip Highlights
- Travel through diverse terrains, from lush forests and terraced fields to arid valleys and alpine meadows.
- Explore the pristine Tilicho Lake, situated at a high altitude.
- Traverse the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.
- Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
- Wander through ancient temples, monasteries, and traditional villages, connecting with the local way of life.
- Discover diverse wildlife species along the trail.
- Ease your muscles in natural hot springs.
- Explore the protected Annapurna Conservation Area.
Itinerary
To make sure you have a smooth start to your trip in Nepal, our team will be at the airport on your arrival day. They will pick you up from there and escort you to the hotel in a private four-wheeler. You will get help with your luggage as well. Once you check in at the hotel, get some rest and later explore your surroundings.
In the morning, a tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. You will visit some tourist sites like Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bouddhant Stupa. Get to know about Nepali culture, art, and history during the tour. After that, you will have a two to three hour break for rest and lunch.
Later in the day, we will meet in our office. You will say hello to your mountain guide and pack a duffel bag. As the journey starts quite early the following day, do any last-minute shopping today. Pack your favorite snacks, withdraw some Nepali cash, and double-check everything.
Begin the day early with a big breakfast. You will leave Kathmandu and start driving, following winding hills. For the first 4-5 hours, you will enjoy a very smooth ride. Once you reach Dumre, the road gets bumpy. Drive to Besisahar and continue from here to Jagat. We may change our vehicle in Besisahar. The scenery and mountain views along the way are phenomenal.
Moving ahead from Jagat, you will trek along the rugged hillsides and gradually ascend to Danakyu. On the way, trek past a settlement called Bagarchhap and forests of rhododendrons, pine, and fir. The view of Mt. Manaslu and Peak 29 are superb from Danakyu.
From Danakyu, the trail follows the Dudh Khola and Marsyangdi rivers. The views of Annapurna II and Mt. Manaslu is fantastic. You will trek through dense forests and come across beautiful waterfalls on the way to Chame.
Chame onwards, you will continue trekking along the Marsyangdi River. The trail gradually ascends via forests of pine and fir, providing a glimpse of snow-capped mountains occasionally. Soon, you will come across a large rock called Paungda Danda, which stands 1,500 meters from a river. Enjoy stunning views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, and Pisang Peak while trekking.
Leaving Pisang village, you will follow the upper trail that goes via Gyaru village and offers jaw-dropping mountain panoramas. On the way, visit a 900-year-old monastery called Braga. You will cross a wooden bridge and gradually ascend to Ngawal village. From here, follow an uphill scenic route to Manang.
Today is your last day in Manang village. Spend the day hiking to Ice Lake or Gangapurna Lake. Both of these lakes are isolated and offer breathtaking views. Spend the remaining day in Manang resting and recovering.
The trail separates from Manang to Tilicho Lake. Instead of continuing on the Annapurna Circuit route, we will take another route that leads to Tilicho Lake. Trekking via coniferous forests, we will gradually ascend to Khangsar. From here, we will trek further to Siri Kharka to spend the night. The views of Mt. Chulu and Gungang Himal are superb on the way.
From Siri Kharka, we will trek to Tilicho Base Camp. The trail is steep and rugged. We will also walk on the glacial path. As per the weather, there can be snow as well. The route is quite isolated, and the scenery is jaw-dropping. There are not many tea houses available at the base camp, so we will adjust to whatever is available.
Today, we will wake up early in the morning and hike to Tilicho Lake. The surreal beauty of Tilicho Lake and the heavenly landscape around the lake will amaze you. You will see mountains like Annapurna Range, Nilgiri, and Tilicho Peak. After exploring Tilicho Lake, follow the same trail back to Siri Kharka for the night stay.
Continuing the journey from Siri Kharka, we will once again join the Annapurna Circuit route and gradually ascend towards Thorong La pass. First of all, descend to Khangsar village and trek from here to Yak Kharka. On the way, we will come across an ancient monastery called Tare Gumba. Further, we will walk on a rocky trail and meadows to Yak Kharka.
Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi:
On this day, you will ascend to Thorong Phedi. The trail from Yak Kharka ascends to Ledar following a narrow, steep path. We will see outstanding views of Annapurna II, Taboche Peak, Chulu Peak, Mt. Gangapurna, etc along the way. Many trekkers spend the night at Thorong Phedi before crossing the Thorong La pass, but you also have the option to stay at High Camp.
This is the big day. We will cross the Thorong La pass on this day. The day will start quite early, and we will trek from Thorong Phedi to the top of the pass. The route is rugged and steep. So, we have to be careful while ascending.
Upon reaching the top of the pass, we will see a wonderful mountain panorama. Enjoy the view and later descend to Muktinath Temple. The trail goes via steep slopes. You will cross landslide debris. The view of Mt. Dhaulagiri is fantastic in this part of the trail.
In the morning, we will get a blessing at the Muktinath Temple. From here, we will start driving to Tatopani in a local sharing bus. Following the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki Gorge, we will drive past small villages on the way to Tatopani. The mountain views and landscapes are fantastic on the way. In Tatopani, you can enjoy natural hot springs.
After a delicious breakfast, we will drive from Tatopani to Pokhara. It will be a long, exhausting ride. In Pokhara, you have the rest of the free time to relax.
Leave Pokhara after breakfast and drive to Kathmandu. The ride will be comfortable because the road is well-made. You will enjoy beautiful scenery while driving. Spend the remaining day in Kathmandu as you wish. In the late evening, meet us for a farewell dinner.
You will leave your hotel as per your flight departure time. Our team will help you with your luggage and drop you at the international airport on time.
Cost Includes
- Hotel in Kathmandu with 3 Stars Bed & Breakfast. for 3 night Hotel.
- Hotel in Pokhara 3 star bed & breakfast 1 night at Splendid view twin sharing basis.
- Your daily breakfast, lunch, dinner- during the trek as per itinerary.
- One experience English speaking trekking guide & one porter for each two tourist. If you are only 1, it is not including porter in our package it is additional cost you have to pay extra.
- Transportation from Kathmandu to Jagat trekking starting point by private jeep or Scorpio & Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus your trekking ending point.
- Annapurna Conservation Permit.
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).
- Insurance for Guide & Porters.
- All accommodation During the Trek Available Lodge /Tea Houses. (run by Nepali families).
- Airport - Hotel - Airport transfer.
- Muktinath to Tatopani to Pokhara by Local sharing Bus.
- Our service charge.
- Farewell Dinner typical Nepali cultural dance program.
Cost Excludes
- Nepal visa which is open arrival in Kathmandu per person $30 USD.
- Personal Equipment for Trekking: sleeping bag, down jacket, Trekking shoes, gloves, sunscreen, sun glass, hat. Trekking stick, some pair socks, hiking shirt , hiking pant.
- Personal Insurance for travel to Nepal covers helicopter rescue, accidents
- Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara per item $3-7 USD choose from menu.
- Emergency Rescue evacuation.
- Kathmandu sightseeing entrance fee $26.
- Tipping (Tips) for guide & porter according to your main interest.
- All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. (Tea, coffee, mineral water, hot water, soup)
- Sweet things like chocolate and desert.
- Hot shower during the trekking $3 USD.
- Personal expenses, personal hygiene.
- Laundry, internet call, phone.
- All that are not included in cost include.
- WIFI, internet, phone calls, battery charging.
FAQS
The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek falls under the toughest treks in Nepal. This trek is not for beginner trekkers until they are extremely fit. Trekkers are exposed to offbeat terrain, high altitude, and long trekking duration every day. So, we only recommend this trek to individuals who are in good shape and willing to push themselves.
No, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek is not for beginners. Beginners can do these treks with us- Langtang Valley trek, Everest View trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Mohare Danda trek, Khopra Danda trek, etc.
Yes, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek is way harder than the Everest Base Camp trek in every aspect. EBC trek is considered one of the beginner-friendly trekking programs in Nepal, but not the Annapurna Circuit.
Yes, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trekking is 100% worth doing for anyone. This trek offers beautiful nature, adventure, wilderness, lovely villages, stunning mountain landscapes, the jaw-dropping beauty of Tilicho Lake, a visit to the most important pilgrimage site in Nepal, natural hot springs, and whatnot. Trekkers are bound to love every bit of the journey.
Yes, you will need a sleeping bag for this trek that is rated around -6º or -10ºC. You can buy or rent a sleeping bag in Kathmandu.
Yes, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek is way harder than the Everest Base Camp trek in every aspect. EBC trek is considered one of the beginner-friendly trekking programs in Nepal, but not the Annapurna Circuit.
Yes, the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trekking is 100% worth doing for anyone. This trek offers beautiful nature, adventure, wilderness, lovely villages, stunning mountain landscapes, the jaw-dropping beauty of Tilicho Lake, a visit to the most important pilgrimage site in Nepal, natural hot springs, and whatnot. Trekkers are bound to love every bit of the journey.
Yes, you will need a sleeping bag for this trek that is rated around -6º or -10ºC. You can buy or rent a sleeping bag in Kathmandu.
The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek package costs around USD 1,550 per person and can go up to USD 2,200 per person.
On the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek, you will walk approximately 160 to 200 kilometers. The total distance may differ as per your itinerary.
Yes, you will need a porter for the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trekking. Doing this trek without a porter is even more challenging. You can navigate the trails much more safely and freely with porters as they carry the heavy duffel bags.
Yes, you can start the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek from Pokhara. To start the trek from Pokhara, get in touch with us.
