Tilicho Lake Trek 10 Days

Our representative waiting at the entrance terminal with an exhibit board shall take you to your hotel. After you relax for a while, you can go for a small amble around the city. In the evening, we shall dine together enjoying typical Nepalese food. These preliminary meals shall give you a short idea about our lunch and dinner in Nepal. Stay for the night in Kathmandu.

The next stage of the 10 days Tilicho Lake Trek is an exhilarating journey that leads to Besisahar, the entry point to the entire Annapurna Circuit. This journey takes approximately 6-7 hours and spans approximately 175 kilometers from Kathmandu. The moving road leaves behind all the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and enters into verdant hilly areas, traversed by winding rivers and dotted with tiny villages.

Gradually the lower valleys give their way to hilly terrain, which is a spotty sample of how Himalayan the whole area will become. At an altitude of 760 meters (2,493 feet), Besisahar is also the start of many trekking trails into Annapurna. Here, all trekkers can even take a bit of rest before heading into the tougher days of the trek. This day is for travelling and preparing the ground for the trek.

On this third day of the trek, we will travel from Besisahar to Chame. About 60 kilometers will cover 5–6 hours of driving on the road. Road conditions tend to vary, and as you get deeper into the mountains, they become rugged and narrow. During this drive, you will pass the beautiful settlements of Bhulbhule and Jagat, which host traditional stone houses with terraced fields.

The beauty becomes greater and greater while rising towards Chame, while sharp peaks of the Annapurna and Lamjung Himal loom in the distance. Chame is at an altitude of (2,670 m) and is the gateway to the upper Annapurna Conservation Area. A small but lively town, it gives its first taste of mountain hospitality to trekkers. Relax and allow time to acclimatize to the increasing altitude after reaching this point.

The actual trekking begins on the fourth day, starting from Chame and heading towards the picturesque village of Pisang, nestled in the heart of the Annapurna region. It is a moderate hike of about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles), taking approximately 5–6 hours to reach. The route begins with a gradual ascent through pine trees and small hamlets, offering breathtaking views of high and dominating peaks like the mighty Annapurna II or Lamjung Himal. The scenery changes again while walking, leaving behind barren hills with rocky outcrops.

Pisang, located at an altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level, is Tibetan-style architecture with most of the people trekking here for cultural exploration of that region. It could be a fine acclimatization point before traveling higher up into the mountains, with the fine views of the heavy Annapurna range in the background. This is where one sleeps, in an airy atmosphere of Pisang, preparing oneself for the many days to come.

After being on the trek for Day 4, the distance of the trek from Pisang to Manang is stretching almost 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) and more or less five to six hours of walk trails towards Manang. The trek gradually ascends, passing through beautiful village settlements such as Braka and Lingdam. As a somewhat departure from Pisang would be, it begins more alpine and rocky than other hikes. The stony surface walk opens to spectacular views of the Annapurna and Gangapurna Peaks, which could accomplish your adventure. There are also several small river crossings, among the main adventures of this trek.

Manang has a height of (3,540 meters) and is a bigger village than other ones, placed on the route and an important stop for trekkers. Here you come across lodges and small local shops, more than a local hospital, creating a better opportunity for acclimatizing before going higher up from the mountains. Manang is famous for its stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, besides the display of its unique Tibetan culture. The day comes to an end in Manang, where staying overnight becomes important to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding areas.

The sixth day has been declared the acclimatization day in Manang, where your body will make preparations to trek even higher altitudes. The trek continues towards higher elevations, making this day crucial for acclimatization and preventing altitude sickness. A chance to explore some parts of Manang during the periods of rest. You can hike another 3-4 hours from Manang to Gangapurna, and trekkers will have a serene view of this lake along with the Annapurna range behind.
Or you could take a tour of the Manang Monastery, which really gives you a deep insight into the local culture and spiritual stuff. For more adventure, trekkers can hike for about an hour to Khangsar Village or find other nearby viewpoints with breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. It is also that day to catch up on rest, rehydrate, and ready your kit for the trail ahead, the high-altitude Tilicho Base Camp trek.

Day 7 offers a long, but surely deserving, trek from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp. The distance is roughly 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), and the hike to base camp usually takes between 5 and 7 hours depending upon the hiker's speed. The path was upwards, and as one moved higher, the terrain became increasingly rocky and exposed.

The part of the trek mainly comprised narrow and twisting paths, with passing by small settlements like Khangsar Village, where trekkers would peek into the window of traditional Tibetan architecture. Towards the end of the trek, you will reach the base camp, and the topography is steadily rugged and alpine-like, with little vegetation and dramatic, barren terrains. The altitude of Tilicho Base Camp is 4,150 meters (13,615 feet) and lies below the towering Tilicho Peak, where visitors could view other snow-capped peaks all around.

The campsite presents amazing opportunities for people to witness the grandeur of the Himalayas at close quarters. It is a rather strenuous day with high altitude and steep terrain, and therefore hikers should be careful to pace themselves and take regular breaks to avoid altitude sickness. This is the place where trekkers appreciate the beautiful surroundings before setting off the next day to scale the steep terrain leading to Tilicho Lake.

On the eighth day, we will embark on a trek that will take us from Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake and then back to Manang. This day will be a strenuous one with a steep climb toward Tilicho Lake, the highest among lakes in the world. It has a rocky and steep trail, but the view of the Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and the other parts of the Himalayas is enough to make the effort worthwhile.

You will enjoy the peace and quiet of its turquoise waters as it is framed by dramatic mountain tops after reaching the lake. After spending some time at the lake, you'll be backtracked towards Manang for an overnight session. The journey back includes the same way they have come; hence, it would lessen the stress of high altitude.

The ninth day of the trek is a descent from Manang to Chame, the district headquarters of the Manang region. Most of the trek is downhill and passes through beautiful villages like Braga and Dharapani, along with views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna. The lower valley habitat changes gradually from alpine to a more forested habitat when descending further down. And Chame is a lower-altitude area compared to the previous camping sites, hence making it a good relief with its greenery and clear sky. Then, you will spend the night in Chame before your final journey back.

On Day 10, after your last night in Chame, you will take a drive from Chame to Besisahar, which takes about 4-5 hours. From Besisahar, you will catch a local bus for the drive back to Kathmandu. The journey from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes around 6-7 hours, with scenic views of rural Nepal, terraced fields, rivers, and small villages. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you can unwind and reflect on the incredible experiences of your trek to Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass.

Your journey in the Himalayas concludes now as you bid farewell to Nepal. A representative from Everest Alpine Trekking will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.