Tilicho Lake Trek takes you to the world’s highest-placed lake located below Tilicho Peak (7,134m). It is one of the famous treks to the Annapurna circuit.
Trekking to Tilicho Lake begins from the Marsynagdi River Valley and ends in the Muktinath Valley. During the Tilicho trek, you get to see the flora and fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).
The majestic mountains of the Annapurna Massif glowing in the sunrays are splendid. Once you reach Tilicho Lake, the jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas give you a lifelong experience in Nepal.
The Thakali and Manangese villages are rich in their socio-cultural aspects. You get to visit ancient monasteries and temples while traversing across the cultural villages.
Before planning the trip, you might want to know “How difficult is Tilicho Lake Trek?” This blog is trying to focus on various factors responsible for Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty. We hope this blog will be helpful to you in choosing one of the must-do treks in Annapurna Nepal.
Let’s discuss each difficulty factor individually.
Altitude gains
Altitude gain is one of the difficult factors of Tilicho Lake Trek in Nepal. You gradually ascend to a higher altitude from the trailhead of trekking to Tilicho Lake (4,949m).
One of the Tilicho Lake Trek trails heads to Beshisahar which is situated at an elevation of 760m. Another option to begin this trip is Chame, the district headquarters of Manang. Chame is located at an altitude of 2,650m.
No matter, where you begin this trek, but you gradually trek higher at an average of 400m per day. As a beginner trekker, altitude can result in acute mountain sickness.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is another factor that determines the Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty. Due to the altitude gain, you might suffer from altitude sickness. Of course, altitude sickness hinders your trip. If you don’t recognize its symptoms and take preventive or curative measures, the consequences might be worse; even death.
So what are the AMS symptoms?
For hikers, skiers, trekkers, and adventurers who travel higher than 2,500m, acute mountain sickness is a common phenomenon. It is obvious that the higher you reach, the less level of oxygen you find. Low level of oxygen results into difficulty in breathing and other symptoms develop.
At a glance, AMS might not be that dangerous because it is obvious scenario at higher altitude. However, it sometimes might result into the death of such adventurers.
To prevent and cure the acute mountain sickness, you must know “What are the AMS symptoms?” The AMS is divided into two categories: mild acute mountain sickness and severe mountain sickness. The most common symptoms are:
- Dizziness
- Headache & muscle aches
- Sleeplessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irritation
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen face, hands, and feet
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
There are the AMS medications, treatments, and preventive measures to avoid unwanted consequences.
Preventive Measures
- Walking at a slow pace
- Taking enough rest in the middle of the trek
- Walking with the team
- Sharing with your team leader as soon as any of the symptoms develops
Medications & Treatments
- Acetazolamide to cure breathing difficulty
- Blood pressure medicine
- Lung inhalers
- Dexamethasone to cure swollen brain
- Aspirin to cure headache
- Descending to lower altitude
- Acclimatization
- Having enough water, food, and rest
Terrain type & Trekking trail condition
Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty is the result of terrain type of the trekking trail. Tilicho Lake Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek follow the same trail up to Pisang Village.
Trekking trail to Tilicho Lake begins from sub-tropical region and reaches up to an alpine region. This trip covers diverse types of terrain of the Manang Valley in the Annapurna Region. But the Nepal trekking trails are regularly maintained as local people are active in promoting tourism industry in the Annapurna Region trek.
As a whole, terrain type and trekking trail condition do not add anything in the difficulty of Tilicho Lake Trek.
Weather condition
Weather condition is another factor that causes Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty. The lake is situated below Tilicho Peak (7134m). Although it lies in the alpine climatic zone, the weather condition remains stable according to all seasons.
Except some blizzards, the Annapurna Region experiences almost stable weather condition. The snowfall is a common occurrence of this region because of its altitude. However, rainfall is very rare because it lies in the rain shadow area of the Annapurna (8,091m) and the Dhaulagiri (8,167m) Massifs.
The summer (June-August) is the best time for Tilicho Lake Trek as the temperature rises and it’s warm all around. Tilicho Lake Trek in the winter (December-February) is not recommended because the temperature goes as below as 34 Degree Celsius.
Rather you can trek to Tilicho Lake in the monsoon as the seasonal rainfall doesn’t bother you anymore. The spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are equally best seasons for trekking to Tilicho Lake.
Food, drinks, and accommodation services
The Annapurna Region is famous for teahouse trekking in Nepal. Tilicho Lake Trek is also a teahouse trekking in Nepal. You spend the nights at teahouses with basic to luxury trekking in Nepal services of food, drinks, and accommodation.
You don’t have to worry about food, drinks, and accommodation services. Thus, from this angle, Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty is less vulnerable.
Remoteness
Besides other factors, remoteness also has an impact in Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty. This trip is a little deviation from Annapurna Circuit Trek. You don’t have to spend nights in absolute remote region away from the human settlement areas.
It's also do Tilicho Lake Trek as an individual trekker in Nepal. You don’t need any special Nepal trekking permit, also known as a restricted area trekking permit.
Likewise, if something wrong happens to you, you can get emergency evacuation and help.
Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary
Tilicho Lake Trek is a completely customizable trekking in Nepal. It has a few options to start and end the trip as well. You can begin it from Besisahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit Trek or Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang District.
Likewise, you can return straight from Tilicho Lake (4,949m) by traversing along the route you follow while ascending. Alternatively, you can also choose some adventurous experience during trip. Mesokanta La Pass (5,200m) and Thorung La Pass (5,416m) make trekking to Tilicho Lake more than just a package of trekking in Nepal.
If you begin this trip from Beshisahar, it takes longer duration while starting it from Chame requires shorter itinerary. However, we recommend you to start if from Beshisahar if you are a beginner trekker. Driving up to above 3,000m altitude for a beginner trekker might be problematic sometimes.
Conclusion: Tilicho Lake Trek
Tilicho Lake Trek takes you to the highest altitude glacial lake in the world. Nestled amidst the snowcapped peaks of the Annapurna Massif, Tilicho Lake is a must-reach place on Earth. There are various factors responsible for Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty. Although located in an alpine climatic zone, Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty can be beaten even by a beginner trek. However, we recommend you to become a bit more serious about acute mountain sickness.
