Tilicho Lake trek starts through the enchanting Marsyangdi Valley and ascends to Manang Valley. Tilicho Lake Trek is the destination of one of the most popular side treks of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
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Day 01: Kathmandu-Beshisahar 176 km./109.30 miles/6 hrs and jeep to Chame 67 km./41.61 miles/ 2,670 m./8,757 ft./4 hrs.
Having morning breakfast in the hotel, take an early morning drive to Beshisahar for 5 hrs. the starting point of the journey. It is also the town that connects Pokhara and Kathmandu and many trekking destinations, like the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Tilicho Lake Trek, and Manaslu Circuit Treks.
Continue driving for 4–5 hours to Chame from Beshisahar, a beautiful Gurung village situated on the base of a Mountain hill. The settlement here is not densely populated. However, expect warm greetings and great hospitality while in town. Once you arrive, check in to the Guest house, and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Day 02: Chame trek to Lower Pisang 3,200 m./10,496 ft./14 km./5 hrs.
Take a scenic walk from Chame to Pisang. Stroll through the woods, and note the views of the peaks soaring above. Once in Pisang, explore the village, with its Tibetan-inscribed Mani stones and Gumpa. Take a walk up to Upper Pisang for amazing views of Annapurna II and Annapurna III. Enjoy the evening at your leisure, and retire to your teahouse for the night.
Day 03: Pisang trek to Manang 3,540 m./11,610 ft./14 km./5 hrs.
Today, embark on a 6-hour walk past a series of unique and colorful Chortens to Manang, which nearly reaches 11,500 feet in elevation. Manang is the headquarters of the region and contains a village of around 500, flat-roofed houses, along with bakeries and lodges for trekkers passing through to enjoy. It is dominated by high peaks—Annapurna III and Gangapurna tower over it—and a dramatic icefall sits just across the river. There is an old Gompa on the edge of town to explore, along with many local teahouses, and some atmospheric, winding streets in the village leading out toward the Throng La.
Upon arrival, check in to your tea house, take a shower, and enjoy a cold beer. Attend a 3 pm lecture on the altitude, hosted by the Himalayan Rescue Association, if interested.
Day 04: Explore Manag village and Gangapurna Lake
Today, there are plenty of things to do around Manang. However, a short hike (about 1,000 feet or so) is recommended, to get acclimated to the altitude. Some additional activities include the following:
*A long day hike to Ice Lake (full day)
*A visit to the Hundred Rupee Lama at the cave Gompa above Manang
*A two-hour hike to Milarepa's cave, which is across the river from Braga
*A tour of Manang's many bakeries
Day 05: Manang trek to Siri Kharka 3,800 m./12,464 ft./6 km./5 hrs.
As soon as you leave Manang cross the river and gradually up through the cliffs to Gomba. You are walking like a turtle due to the altitude and fragile concrete. Along the way, you may encounter Musk deer, Himalayan Thar, and of course mountain ranges.
Day 06: Shri Gumba trek to Tilicho lake base camp 4,150 m./13,612 ft./6 km./5 hrs.
After passing a monastery, continue the trek on a recently constructed path, up toward a high ridge. At one point, there is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes toward a place where the valley is narrow, and the other continues to ascend toward the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult, as it continues on a steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switchbacks carved out through the slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as the Tilicho Base Camp, at an elevation of 13,780 feet.v
Day 07: Day hike to Tilicho lake and back to Siri Kharka 4,916 m./16,134 ft./18 km./6 hrs.
Wake up for an early start to avoid the wind. To reach Tilicho Lake takes another 3-4 hours. Tilicho Lake is a cold, barren place in the afternoon and is claimed as the highest lake of the world. Upon arrival, spend some time around Tilicho Lake, and snap some photos and videos of the surreal surroundings.
Then, return the same way to the base camp to have lunch. After lunch, walk along the riverside, across the steep landslide area to Siri Kharka. When you get to the teahouse, you can enjoy a hot shower and a cold beer, and relax for the rest of the day into the evening.
Day 08: Shri Kharka to Pisang 3,200 m./10,496 ft./20 km./6 hrs
Trek down to Hungde via Manang. This a nice place to spend a night. This is the most beautiful valley in the Annapurna region.
Day 10: Take a Sharing Jeep to Beshisahar 80 km./50 miles/5 hrs and public bus to Kathamndu or Pokhara 176 km./41 miles/6 hrs
After having breakfast take a sharing jeep to Beshisahar and you can take another bus to Kathmandu or take a chance to go to Pokhara. Accommodation is solo responsible.