Highlights of Tilicho Lake Trek
- Scenic drive to Besisahar
- Exploration of the Marsyangdi River Valley, Pisang Valley, Manang Valley, and the Kali Gandaki River Valley
- Cultural villages of Brahmin, Chhetri, Tibetian Sherpa, Thakali, Magars, Tamang, and Gurung ethnic communities
- Monasteries, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags and wheels
- Amazing view of Annapurna (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m) regions
- Apple production areas of Mustang
- Reaching the highest-placed glacial lake Tilicho Lake (4,919m)
- Crossing Thorung La Pass (5,416m), the highest pass in the Nepalese Himalayas
- The famous pilgrimage site of Muktinath Temple
- Scenic flight to the Lake City Pokhara
Overview of Tilicho Lake Trek
Tilicho Lake Trek is a popular Nepal trekking package in the Annapurna region. It takes you to the highest glacial lake in the world. Tilicho Lake is situated at 4,919 m in Manang district. Located in the Trans-Himalayan region, Tilicho Lake gives you the finest view in the world. The snow-capped peaks and the Himalayan valleys are seen at their best from the lake premises.
Moreover, the Nepal Trekking trail takes you through the ethnic villages of diverse communities. The major ethnic groups living in this region are Brahmin, Chhetri, Tibetan Sherpa, Thakali, Magars, Tamang, and Gurung.
Tilicho Lake Trek takes you through different mountain valleys: Manang and Pisang. In addition, you will also go across the Marsyangdi River Valley and the Kali Gandaki River Valley.
Despite being the highest placed lake in the world, you don’t require any special permit to reach here. You will be witnessing the diverse flora and fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).
Tilicho Lake Trek comes to be on everyone’s bucket list as this lies in the popular Annapurna Circuit trek. It lets you cross Thorung La Pass (5,416 m), the highest pass of the Nepalese Himalayas.
The presence of Thorung La Pass makes this trek a bit more challenging. Similarly, you will also get to visit a pilgrimage site of the Mustang district. Muktinath Temple is one of the most popular shrines visited by thousands of pilgrims from India and Nepal every year.
Besides, you can see the apple orchards of Mustang district during Muktinath Jomsom Trek. You go past Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang Trek. The Kali Gandaki River Valley including Kagbeni is famous for apple production.
Himalayas Seen During Tilicho Lake Trek
Trekking to Tilicho Lake rewards you with the Northern Himalayas bordering with Tibetan Plateau. You can see the snow-capped peaks of Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif from a very close distance.
Apart from the mountains of Gandaki Province, you can see the distant view of the Manaslu region as well. The major peaks with their elevation seen during this trek are given below:
Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Annapurna Its (8,091 m) Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m.), Mt. Annapurna III (7,555 m), Mt. Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Mt. Annapurna south (7,219 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,041 m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6,986 m), Tukuche peak (6,920 m), Tilicho peak (7,134 m).
Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary
Generally, the Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary ranges from 9 days to 17 days. The itinerary depends upon everyday trekking duration and acclimatization days. If you are ready to walk for a longer duration, the itinerary shortens, and vice versa.
If you start this trekking from Besisahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit trek, it takes a longer time. Likewise, if you connect this trek with the Annapurna Sunrise View Trek or Gandruk Trek, it becomes even longer.
Tilicho Lake Trek is also possible if we strictly schedule this itinerary. You can reach Manang by bus within 12 hours from Kathmandu. Then, on the second day, you reach Tilicho Base Camp by crossing Kangsar Village.
After enjoying the mesmerizing view from the world’s highest lake, you trek down to Manang. And the following morning, you can drive to Lake City Pokhara or Kathmandu directly.
However, Nepal trekking is done to observe the uniqueness of the natural and cultural assets of the respective region. If you want to relish the view of snow-capped peaks, high-altitude villages, and green forests inhabited by diverse birds and animals including lush valleys, you need a longer itinerary.
Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty
Tilicho Lake trek is a moderate type of trekking in Nepal leading to the world’s highest placed lake. You have to walk for about 5 hours every day along the rugged trails sometimes up and the other times down.
The Nepal Trekking trail is well-defined and frequently used by the local people and trekkers. Therefore, the local communities and the tourism agencies including the concerned authorities are always active in maintaining the trails.
According to this itinerary, crossing Thorung La Pass to trek to Muktinath is the hardest day. You have to go across a 5,416 m high pass by following the steep trails. The trail may be slippery due to snowfalls as it is located above 5,000 m.
The most responsible factor to add to the trek difficulty is altitude. You will gradually gain altitude while ascending further. You will have to spend about 10 days above 2,500 m.
As soon as you reach a place above 2,500 m, there is a threat of altitude sickness. Extreme fatigue, dehydration, dizziness and shortness of breath are the common symptoms of altitude sickness.
You can get rid of this Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) by following some preventive steps. Drinking enough water, having enough hygienic food and sleeping plus walking at slow pace are some ways.
You should never forget to first aid kit box in your backpack before trekking to the Himalayas. Finally, you should always consult with the team leader as soon as you feel any of the given symptoms.
The Highest Glacial Tilicho Lake Trek Cost
In fact, there are a few factors that determine the cost of a tour or trekking package. Trek duration, food and accommodation, transportation facilities and difficulty of the trekking are some of them.
Tilicho Lake Trek can be completed between 9 days and 17 days. The cost of 9 day’ itinerary is lower than that of 17 days. The price of basic food and accommodation facilities is cheaper as well.
If you trek right from Besisahar, the cost is different or if you use a private jeep or a local bus, the cost is different. You can also fly to Pokhara and then catch a bus to Besisahar. Yet another option is to fly to Jomsom via Pokhara.
You can choose the right trekking package as per your vacation, budget, and physical condition. Nepal Trekking Routes always helps you decide for the best trekking package in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan.
Tilicho Lake Trek Map
Tilicho Lake Trek starts from Besisahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit trek. Then, the trail moves further to Bahundanda, Chamje, Bagarchhap, Chame, Pisang, and Manang. After Manang acclimatization, you move towards Tilicho Base Camp via Kangsar Village.
After getting the lifelong memory from Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), you trek down towards Yak Kharka and Thorung Phedi. Then, by crossing Thorung La Pass (5,416 m), you trek to Muktinath Temple.
By visiting the famous pilgrimage of Mustang, you fly to Pokhara or drive via Beni, the gateway to the Guerrilla Trek or Upper Dolpo trek. As soon as you land in Pokhara, you can directly fly to Kathmandu or spend a day exploring more.
