Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trekking

The Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It combines the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek with a side trip to Tilicho Lake, which is one of the highest lakes in the world.

The trek usually starts from Besisahar and follows a counter-clockwise route through beautiful valleys, terraced fields, and traditional villages. You’ll gradually ascend through different climatic zones, including lush forests, arid landscapes, and high alpine meadows.

After reaching Manang, instead of continuing along the main Annapurna Circuit, you’ll branch off towards Tilicho Lake. The trail leads you through steep and rocky terrain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Tilicho Lake sits at an elevation of about 4,919 meters (16,138 feet) and is known for its stunning turquoise color.

After exploring Tilicho Lake, you’ll retrace your steps back to the main Annapurna Circuit trail and continue towards Thorong La Pass. Crossing Thorong La Pass, which stands at an altitude of 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), is a challenging but rewarding experience. From there, the trail descends into the Mustang region and eventually joins the Kali Gandaki River valley.

The trek concludes in Jomsom, from where you can either take a flight or continue trekking towards Ghorepani and Poon Hill, known for their panoramic sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake is a physically demanding trek and requires proper acclimatization. It typically takes around 18 to 21 days to complete, depending on your pace and side trips. It’s recommended to trek during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) for the best weather conditions.

Outlook itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu 1,345 m and then transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: Drive to Beshisahar to  Dharapani 1,920 m – 06 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Chame 2,670 m – 05 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m – 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m – 05 hrs.
Day 06: Rest day at Manang for acclimatization and excursion.
Day 07: Trek to Khangsar 3,734 – 05 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4, 800 m – 05 hrs.
Day 09: Hike to Tilicho Lake 4,140 m and return to base camp – 06 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to siri kharak 4010 m – 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka 4,110 m – 04 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Thorang High Camp 4,600 m – 04 hrs.
Day 13: Crossover Thorang-La 5,416 m and descend to Muktinath 3,800 m – 07 hrs.
Day 14: Drive to  Pokhara 860 m and transfer to the hotel
Day 15: Drive or fly to Kathmandu and then transfer to your hotels.
Day 16: International departure for homeward bound or to respective countries.

Trip Details Itinerary

Cost Details

Equipment’s

Recommended equipment list

This list is a guide to help you pack for your trip. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list; rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel necessary for your comfort and convenience. we also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

Head
• The warm hat that covers your ears
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Headlamp with extra batteries

Upper body
• T-shirts
• Fleece jacket or sweater
• Fleece wind–stopper jacket
• Waterproof shell jacket
• Down vest and /or jacket (optional)Hands
• Lightweight gloves (water /windproof)
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer

Lower body
• Underwear
• Hiking trousers
• Fleece or woolen trousers
• Lightweight thermal bottoms
• Lightweight cotton pants
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric )shell pants Feet
• Thin lightweight inner socks
• Heavy poly or wool socks
• Hiking boots with spare laces
• Camp shoes (sneakers and sandals)

Sleeping
• Sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C de 14 degrees F)
• Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Toiletries
• Toothbrush /paste
• Multi-purpose soap
• Nail clippers
• Deodorants
• Medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Face and body moisturizer
• Small mirror
• Female hygiene products

Personal hygiene
• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue/toilet roll
• Antibacterial hand wash

Medical
• Small, personal first-aid kit (simple and light)
• A cough and /or cold medicine
• Anti–altitude sickness pills; Diamox or acetazolamide
• Stomach antibiotic

Extras /luxuries
• Reading book
• Trail map /guidebook
• Journal and pen
• Travel game(chess, backgammon, playing cards etc)
• Modest swimsuit
• Binoculars
• Camera

Trip Map

FAQ

Physically  condition & experience requirements 
     For a physically fit person of all ages with sound health who has done moderately to strenuous walking and activity before or at present. This type of trek involves long ups and downs and the length of walking will be from 5 – 7 hours every day with rest and break in between.  The whole trip goes from a week to two weeks or more in the high altitude. This trip is for well-experienced people who have done previous long high hills or mountainous trekking in and around the Himalayas or other mountainous areas on rough terrains, this trip involves walking in snow and ice conditions sometimes and encountering high of over 4,000 meters passes, as for moderate people can join on this type of trips as long they are super physically fit and a mind with positive and determinations. Past hiking experience is a must but no technical skill is required for this trip .participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform well plan trekking before booking the trek. we also recommend that you consult your doctors before the trip.

Accommodations  on the trek

In Kathmandu, we use the deluxe hotel to ensure a comfortable stay and a relaxed environment before and after your adventure. All breakfasts are included at the hotel in Kathmandu. Rooms are generally twin share – depending on group size and room availability, the triple share may be offered at your request. A single supplement room is available at an additional cost. And on request single supplement will be charged US$200.well plan trekking will arrange clean and comfortable rooms with attached washrooms; however, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. also, note that single rooms are available in the trekking regions at the lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Meals  during the trek

In the city, only breakfast is included in the trip itinerary. While on the trek, we provide good quality food in sufficient quantities from Tea Houses/Mt. lodges. We provide all meals on full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and tea & coffee) from the teahouse menu during the trekking period. Various meals include noodles items, soups, bread, rice item, curries, spaghetti, pizza, egg items, potatoes item, pasta, the fresh vegetable so overall you have a different choice of food on the trek.

Drinking-Water

Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at the altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 liters per person per day. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on the trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight, and battery-powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions, most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).

TRAVEL & MEDICAL   INSURANCE 

Before you book any of our trips we strongly suggest that you buy medical and travel insurance to make you stay while traveling in Nepal Himalaya or neighboring countries, which will help and support you, in case medical and travel problems arise and situations beyond the company’s control. If such a situation arises with emergency evacuation, where your medical bills on using transportation services by Helicopter or other means you can directly claim from your insurance, which is to be paid by you or by your insurance company on the spot.

Where Well Plan Treks will obtain a strong letter of the incidents that occurred so that you can claim from your insurance agents. In case of mishaps and accidents or severe illness, we will contact your insurance company if it is okay to use Heli or other immediate life-saving processes and transportation to the nearest medical post and hospitals, where your insurance company will directly pay related expenses accordingly as per situations and conditions of the victims. For all trips with us, we need your contact address as well as your next of kin, family members, close relatives, or friends in case of emergency purposes.

Climate and Weather 
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is from late September to May, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good, and the days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

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