Explore the transcendent beauty of the highest lake in the world in this miraculous adventure to the Annapurna region. As you traverse across various landscape and pass through several villages you will encounter some of the best visuals you will ever get to see in this exquisite Tilicho Trek. Following the Annapurna circuit route, we will trek alongside the great Marshyandi River with the view of the magnificent western Himalayas including Annapurna range, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Macchapuchhre (6,993m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) among many others.

Along with the ice giants you will also trek though the rocky landscape, narrow canyons and through the thick forests. The diversity in landscape in this trek makes Tilicho trek one of the best one around the Annapurna region. The sapphire colored Tilicho Lake (4,919m) is surrounded by the mystic Himalayas and the 360-degree view is something worth looking out for. We also travel to yak Kharka which provides some of the greatest view of the surrounding mountains serving as a backdrop to the greenery and wildlife. We may also witness yaks and blue sheep on this journey,

As we continue we will also reach the beautiful Manang village with its own unique culture and lifestyle. Passing various villages along the way, we will also encounter various friendly and welcoming villagers as we will get to learn about their culture and way of life.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Annapurna region of Nepal has its fair share of awesomeness when it comes to the exposure to nature and the ongoing culture. Even among those, the trek to the Tilicho Lake tops the group. Tilicho trek takes us to the Annapurna massif and on the Thorang Peak where the lake is located. Not only the natural scenery but this lake also has some religious and historic significance for the Hindus.

This trek also enables us to witness some of the most exquisite animals of the mountains including the snow leopard and the Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). The diversity in the vegetation is another strong point of this trek.

We start our trek from Kathmandu as we ride to Chamje and start out trek. We initially take the route that we use for Manang valley trek but then we divert to Tilicho Base camp and visit Tilicho lake. We return via Yak Kharka and visit the holy temple of Muktinath before returning to Pokhara and then finally to Kathmandu.

Trekking alongside the silent as well as the violent tide of the great Marshyangdi river we will move inside the Manang valley and enjoy the desert like land with the great western Himalayas in the distance. The rectangular terrace farming is also something that is famous in the region. This valley stands on the shadow amidst the snowcapped Himalayas and the rock formation and high altitude terrace is something to look for.

Along with the beauty of the mountain, you can also explore the cultural city of Kathmandu and tourist hub- Pokhara and enjoy the exquisite nightlife that these two cities hold.

This 17 days’ trek is tailored such that you can enjoy the stunning scenery and experience the culture while not over stressing your body. Still, this is a moderate trekking and it has its difficult side. However, it is not very hard to conquer this trail. Prior trekking experience will act as an asset. Since we will be trekking well above the 5,000m mark, acclimatization is a must. We suggest the trekkers have a top physical condition. Endurance and stamina are also in the job description.

The best time to take on the Tilicho trek would be either spring (March-May) or Autumn (November- December). Even though the route is available all year round, the weather and climate will create hindrance to walk around. The post-spring season calls for extreme heat and rain. The cloud will obstruct the view of the mountains and make the trail wetter and more slippery adding more trouble. The post autumn is the winter season which brings about chilling cold and fog which may be harmful in the mountains.

Volunteer’s Initiative Nepal is a social organization. The main aim of this organization is to create social awareness and promote social equality. With the proceeds from this expense VIN can promote its objective. For every penny you spend on this trek, VIN will donate a portion of the fund to the poor and marginalized people residing in the rural part of the country. This fund can be channelized towards making their life something worth living. So, you will not only find pleasure in the lap of the nature but find spiritual happiness with the fact that you mattered to someone.

Highlights

Trek to the world-famous place in Nepal and world
One of the most popular trekking destinations globally.
Winters are extremely cold and harsh, making trekking challenging.
Witness lush meadows, thick rhododendron forests, and vibrant valleys.
Immerse yourself in natural beauty, culture, and unique traditions.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu

The flight will arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport after which you will be transported to your hotel. After taking some rest you can stroll around the city. The bustling streets and nightlife of the capital city keeps you company. You can also enjoy the delicious Nepali dish.

Day 2 :

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Before starting our trek, we spare this day to visit various sites in the Kathmandu valley. Some of the places that we visit are- Swoyambhunath which is regarded as monkey temple and famous among the Buddhist pilgrimage, Bouddhnath- the biggest stupa in the world, the holy temple of Pashupatinath – famous among the Hindus as well the Durbar square- the palace of the kings. We return to the hotel and at the evening the briefing about the trek will be done. Get packing for the next day.

Day 3 :

Kathmandu – Chamje (1,430m)

Early morning breakfast at the hotel and we drive from Kathmandu. We take the Prithvi highway and drive alongside the beautiful hills and the Trishuli river. From our windows, we can observe the artistic countryside, the farm terraces as well as various small villages, all of which makes this trip even more attractive. Driving west of Kathmandu we reach Chamje and stay at a lodge. One of the major attractions of Chamje is the waterfall; we can take pictures beside the waterfall. Overnight at the lodge. 7 hours of drive.

Day 4 :

Chamje – Dharapani (1,960m)

From Chamje we start our trek. Initially, we start with the rocky trails alongside the Marsyangdi river. We can enjoy the beautiful vegetable plantation. Ascending through the trail we enter the Manang valley and reach the village of Tal(1675m). Crossing Tal, we walk alongside the wide, flat land and reach Dharapani. 6 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 5 :

Dharapani – Chame (2,710m)

Early morning breakfast and we continue on. On the way, we can see the red chortens which signify Buddhist religion. Walking through the blue pine forests alongside the river we reach Bagarchap. As we trek thought the ridges we can see the radiant Lamjung HImal along with the giant Annapurna range including Annapurna II and IV. We reach Chame- the headquarter of Manang District. There are two hot springs where you can relax and relieve all your stress. 7 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 6 :

Chame – Pisang (3,330m)

Our trek begins through thick forests where the trails are plain and leveled. There’s a long suspension bridge. Crossing that we will have to walk up and down the trail, however, we can also witness the magnificent Paungda Danda rock face. There are many prayer flags along the way and we can see the Pisang Peak clearly. We reach Pisang which marks the upper region of the Manang district. 6 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 7 :

Pisang – Manang (3,500m)

It’s an easy day walk. We ascend the hill and move north. Following the riverbank, we reach Munji, through the fields where we can even see the yak grazing. Then we come across a steep ridge and crossing that we reach Ngawal from where the entire Annapurna Massif can be seen. Through the pine forests we reach Manang. From Manang, the view of the mountain is very admirable with Annapurna II, III, IV and Gangapurna standing tall. There’s an old monastery where we can visit. We stay overnight at a lodge. 7 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 08 :

Manang – Khangsar (3,745m)

Waking up before sunrise, we wait for the sun rays to reflect upon the ice giants. The view is glamorous and very stunning to behold. We descend and walk through the rock landscape. On the way, there are many chortens on the way that we can witness. After crossing a long suspension bridge we cross Jharsing Khola. Throughout the way, we can enjoy the mountains, rivers and the open lands. Walking some more we reach Khangsar village which is located on the bank of Khansar River. The weather becomes colder and the hustling winds make more noise. 6 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 09 :

Khangsar – Tilicho Base camp (4,140m)

We start off the trek and after climbing a ridge we walk through the rocky uneven lands. There are more chortens and Gompa on the way. Although there are no forests we can see the small bushes and junipers along the way. We pass few stream and reach a crest (4,650m). There’s a steep descent and we reach Tilicho Base camp where we camp for the night. 6 hours of walk. BLD included

Day 10 :

Excursion to Tilicho Lake (4,919m)

This is the day when we visit the pristine Tilicho Lake. In order to avoid the strong wind in the area, we trek early and ascend through the rocky terrains. Trekking through the moraine, we take a long steep climb and reach the Tilicho Lake. The lake is silent, serine and crystal clear. The still water makes it look frozen at times. The surrounding mountains make the entire scenery even more pleasing. From here, we can view the mighty Gangapurna, Tarkeghyang and Khangsarkang at their full might. After appreciating the panoramic beauty and taking some well derserved photograph we descend down to the base camp. 6 hours of trek. BLD included.

Day 11 :

Tilicho Base camp – Yak Kharka (4,040m)

We descend down and move out of Marsyandi valley. As we move through juniper and alpine grass Khangsar village can be seen below. We pass through the ruins of old Khangsar and gradually descend downhill through the rocky lands and reach Yak Kharka. Here, the flat grassland makes a descend grazing land for the yaks. Mighty mountains can be seen at a distance. 6 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 12 :

Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi (4,420m)

After our breakfast in Yak Kharka, we ascend and walk through the side hills. Then we descend and cross a long suspension bridge above Jharsang Khola. The view of the elegant Himalayan Griffith soaring above us can be magical. We can also rarely witness the blue sheep. Then again we gradually ascend and reach Thorong Phedi where we stay for the night. 5 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 13 :

Thorang Phedi – Muktinath (3,800m)

This will be the hardest day of this trek. We have to make rigorous and persistent ascend until we reach Thorang La(5,416m)- the highest point of our trek. This takes us from Manang to Muktinath. We start off our day early before the sun rises. The climbs are steep and it takes lot of stamina to make through. The chortens and prayer flags can be seen around. Reaching the top of the Thorang La we can see the view of the surrounding landscape – from Muktinath to the western Himalayas to Manang. Take few pictures and we descend down to Muktinath – the holy temple for Hindu and Buddhist. This is a sacred pilgrimage and has been devoted to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. We pay our respect to the gods. There are 108 sprouts around the area which is one of the major attractions of this holy temple. There are springs as well as a flame that is said to be everlasting due to the underground gas reservoir. We stay overnight at a lodge. 8 hours of trek. BLD included.

Day 14 :

Muktinath – Jomsom (2,715)

Early morning, we pay our respect by worshiping to the gods and get on our way to the apple city of Nepal – Jomsom. The trail is downward and we trek enjoying the view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. On the way, we can see the beautiful terraced vegetation and meadows. Following the Kali Gandaki river, we reach Kagbeni and stop for a while. There are several chortens and gompas in the area that we can observe. Descend some more and we reach Jomsom. 7 hours of walk. BLD Included.

Day 15 :

Jomsom – Pokhara (823m)

After our breakfast early morning and take a short flight to Pokhara. We fly between the giant Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri range which in itself, is spectacular. Reaching Pokhara, we rest our luggage in the hotel. We have the rest of the day walking around the Lake city. Some of the things that you can do there are boating in the silent Fewa Lake, cycling around the peaceful city and enjoying the live music and nightlife of the city. 30 minutes of flight. Breakfast include.

Day 16 :

Pokhara – Kathmandu

From Pokhara, we take a domestic flight and return back to Kathmandu. After a nice shower and resting our luggage, we stroll around the city. This is a chance for you to buy some souvenirs to take back home. You can even visit Thamel and enjoy the bustling nightlife there. 30 minutes of flight.

Day 17 :

Departure

You have come to the end of the journey. Depending on the timing of your flight, you will be escorted to the Tribhuvan International airport where you might have to wait for a while for the time of departure.