Tilicho Lake Trekking

20 Days

Overview

Tilicho Lake Trekking goes to the off-beaten tracks offering majestic views of Annapurna range teamed up with mixed culture and the major attraction, the Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake is considered the world’s highest lake located in the trans-Himalayan zone and is formed by the glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and the Thorung Peak. Trekking into Tilicho follows the same route of the Annapurna Circuit alongside the Marshyangdi River trail up to the Tilicho Lake. The trail offers spectacular views of Manaslu and Himalchuli towards the eastern side. En-route visits the Manang village inhabited by Tibetans religious community with different culture and customs. Day hiking from Manang offers some great views of peaks like Gangapurna and Gangapurna glacier lake.

The trek starts with drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu and basically follows the Annapurna Circuit route. Reaching Manang instead of going to the valley north to Tanki Manang & Yak Kharka, the trail proceeds to the main valley to the west passing thru the village of Khangsar and trek up till Tilicho Lake. Later on, trek to Yak Kharka, crossing the Thorung La pass at 4450 meters and hike down to Muktinath and towards Jomsom to eventually fly to Pokhara.

Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 : Kathmandu to Besi Sahar 6-7 hrs
Day 04 : Besi Sahar to Bahundanda (1300m) 5-6 hrs
Day 05 : Baundanda to Chamje (1410m) 5-6 hrs
Day 06 : Chamje to Bagarchhap (2160m) 5 hrs
Day 07 : Bagarchhap to Chame (2630m) 5 hrs
Day 08 : Chame to Pisang (3300m) 5 hrs
Day 09 : Pisang to Manang (3540m) 5 hrs
Day 10 : Acclimatization day at Manang village (3540m)
Day 11 : Manang to Khangsar Village (3700m)
Day 12 : Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp (4200m) 5 hrs
Day 13 : Trek to Tilicho Lake (5200m) & back to Tilicho Base Camp (4200m) 6 hrs
Day 14 : Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka (4000m) 5 hrs
Day 15 : Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4450m) 5 hrs
Day 16 : Thorung Phedi to Muktinath (3800m) 6-7 hrs
Day 17 : Muktinath to Jomsom (2720m) 5 hrs.
Day 18 : Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom
Day 19 : Pokhara to Kathmandu (Fly or Drive)
Day 20 : Trip concludes in Kathmandu

Trip Highlights

  • Witness magnificent views of the world’s highest mountains series inbound flight to the Kathmandu Valley
  • Enjoy sightseeing at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu city
  • Explore the ascending Marshyangdi River Valley
  • Discover ‘Khangsar Village’ – the lost village of Nepal
  • Cross the Thorung-La pass at 4050 meters
  • Visit the breathtaking world’s highest Tilicho Lake
  • Witness panoramic views of Annapurna range along with other adjacent mountains.
  • Hike through gushing rivers, green countryside, alpine meadows, valleys, glaciers
  • Wide varieties of floras and faunas to discover
  • Get along with the locals & witness their culture & customs

Itinerary

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be received by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate who will then transfer you to you allotted hotels. If the time persists, you can either visit the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel.

The Kathmandu sightseeing trip will begin in the morning. After breakfast, you will be taken towards Kathmandu Durbar (Palace) Square, one of the heritage sites where you can view many historical and cultural monuments. Later, you will visit another heritage site known as Pashupatinath Temple. This is a sacred Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva named which is always crowded by Hindu pilgrims. After lunch, visit to Buddhist pilgrimage Swoyambhunath (famous by the name of Monkey temple among tourists) will be carried forward. Likewise, Boudhanath Shrine will be covered by the evening. After concluding the sightseeing, there will be seminar for you to attend to discuss about the upcoming trekking plans. O/N at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Besi-sahar from Kathmandu which takes about 6-7 hours. En-route passing along scenic beauty and city suburbs. Upon arrival, check-in lodge and the rest of time can be spent exploring this beautiful town located in hill side. O/N at Lodge

The trek starts today with walking downhill on a sub-tropical forests and reaching the village of Khudi. It’s a scenic route providing great views of Hiunchuli, Manaslu, Peak 29 (Nagadi Chuli). Afterwards, you will reach Bhulbule for a quick breather. After crossing Ngadi village en-route will reach Bahundanda. O/N at Lodge.

After breakfast, start-off with descending down on a steep trail and reach the village of Syange. After crossing several suspension bridges will reach Chamje passing en-route Jagat. O/N at Lodge

The trail follows a rocky path alongside the Marshyangdi River steadily uphill to Tal (1675m), the first village in the Manang district. Then it crosses a wide & flat valley with ups & downs to Dharapani (1890m). A stone entrance Chorten greets you en-route and reaches Bagarchap, a typical Tibetan influenced village. The village has flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetan design surround by apple orchards and maize fields. O/N at Lodge.

You will climb to Tyanja (2360m) and continue thru forest and river to Kopar (259
m). Closer to reaching Chame, the headquarters of Manang district, get rewarded by some great views of Annapurna II and come across two small hot springs by the town. En-route you will encounter a local community believed to be migrated from Tibet long time in the past. These people have brought the local Tibetan house designs and maintained it their ways. O/N at Lodge.

The trail goes thru deep forest in a steep and narrow valley crossing a river by a long bridge at 2910meters. You then cross another bridge at 3040meters; at this point witness the view of soaring Paungda Danda rock face begins to appear. From here the trail joins to climb to Pisang sprawling between 3200m & 3300meters. O/N at Lodge.

The trek goes past a direr upper part of the Manang district. cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks & raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784.

Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks & raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325meters which involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475meters to nearby Manang at 3540meters. O/N at Lodge.

Today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and over viewing the magnificent views around the village & the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a night rest. O/N at Lodge.

After acclimatizing at Manang you will conitinue your journey for our adventure for Tilicho Lake. The trail after Manang heads out thru the western gates and follows the path down the river. It then crosses the Khangsar Khola thru a bridge below Khangsar and ascends by a slope to the village. Khangsar village is still in old Tibetan style and known as the last Tibetan village of Nepal. O/N at Lodge.

The trail goes thru a large path passing a monastery. You will then follow a recently built path towards a high ridge. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. You will continue along the new path reaching a high crest and descend on switch backs carved thru the screed 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 Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4200 meters. O/N at Lodge.

Today start-off early as we try to avoid the wind. It takes about 3-4 hrs from base camp to the Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake is a cold barren place in the afternoon and claimed as highest lake of the world. Upon arrival at the lake, witness the spectacular beauty all around and later on trace the same route back to base camp. O/N at Lodge.

After breakfast, the trail follows a track 4000 meters high above the Khangsar village passing thru the ruins of old Khangsar. You will go thru an unmarked trail leading you around and down to cross the river on an old bridge between Gumsang and Yak Kharka. O/N at Lodge.

Today, after ascending for two and half hour the trail descends to cross the river at 4310meters we then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4450meters where we have recently found some good Guesthouses built. Overnight at Lodge.

This day involves crossing the Thorung pass at 5416 meters and hike starts from Thorung Phedi towards the pass. From it’s elevated venue, witness some great views of the entire Dhaulagiri range. After taking some breath at it’s highest point, the trail slowly and steadily makes a descend to Chabarbu to finally reach Muktinath in the evening. Muktinath has a popular holy Hindu shrine worshiped both by Hindus & Buddhist alike. O/N at Lodge.

The trail follows down to Ekle bhatti and goes alongside the Kaligandaki River to reach Jomsom. Jomsom is the headquarter of the entire Manang district and a large town with many facilities. There is government office serving to the locals of Mustang. O/N at Lodge.

Early in the morning, take a flight to Pokhara from Jomsom which is about 35 minute’s scenic flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge and witnessing great views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Upon reaching Pokhara, check-in hotel and the rest of the day is free to explore around this beautiful lakeside city. O/N at Hotel.

After breakfast, it’s time to leave for Kathmandu. For the return trip, two options can be followed either to fly or to take road ways. Upon Kathmandu, check-in hotel. In the evening, we shall take you for a farewell dinner at one of the Nepali authentic restaurant. O/N at Hotel.

As per your flight timings, you will be escorted by one of the representatives of Breakfree Adventures to the international terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your flight schedule from your hotel in Kathmandu. A day to bid farewell to the glorious country situated in the South Asia. While waiting for your flight, you can make plans to venture other destinations of the majestic country in near future.
We hope you had a lovely time with us. Breakfree Adventures would be obliged to be your travel partner during your next adventure in Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!

Cost

What is Included

  • Airport pick up / drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the itinerary.
  • Guided Kathmandu city tours inclusive of private vehicle and guide.
  • Kathmandu - Besisahar by private vehicle.
  • Accommodation during the trek at guest houses/lodges.
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
  • Experienced English speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipments and insurance.
  • Annapurna Conservation area entrance Permit and fees.
  • Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees. (Please bring 2 passport size photos for TIMS & Permit)
  • Jomsom-Pokhara flight fare with domestic airport tax
  • Accommodation in Pokhara including breakfast as per the itinerary.
  • Pokhara - Kathmandu by tourist bus or flight.
  • First Aid medical kit.
  • Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag and walking pole.
  • Breakfree Adventures T-shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate
  • Farewell dinner in Authentic Nepali Restaurant.
  • All government taxes, VAT and office service charge.

What is Not Included

  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Monuments entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara if needed.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
  • International airfare and travel insurance.
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower etc.)
  • Any kind of drinks (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottle water, cola, beer etc.)
  • Tips for guide and porters.

Trip Information

We will provide you with comprehensive information on the every trek and tour we arrange. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or have any questions, we are more than happy to assist you in anyway.

When to go:
Spring (Feb – May) and Autumn (Sept- Dec) are the best seasons for the Tilicho Lake Trekking. The weather is sunny and warm offering outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing in higher elevations. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for Tilicho Lake Trekking, only issue is cold (obviously). Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.

Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended and is in fact compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.

Meals and Accommodation:
In Kathmandu, we normally use 3 stars hotel with breakfast but can upgrade upon request. During the Tilicho Lake Trekking, we provide the best available guest house which is called Tea house (lodge). Tea Houses are more like hotels, with hot showers, western food, and private rooms (twin sharing). Some guesthouses are basic with shared washing and toilet facilities. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a room with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. Keep in mind that there are several places which do not allow single accommodations during peak season, but we will try our best to accommodate your preferences if possible. In this arrangement overnight halts with dinner and breakfast will be in Tea-houses (Lodges) and lunches in local restaurants en-route. Furthermore as you will be staying in locally owned lodges you will be benefiting and interacting with the local community. It will give you a true feel for the Nepalese people and their lives.

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu. While Tilicho Lake Trekking, your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

Fitness and Experience Required:
Our 20 days Tilicho Lake Trekking is moderate trek suitable for passionate walkers who have ability to walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the 20 days Tilicho Lake Trekking successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip is good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek.

The Trekking Group:
For the Tilicho Lake Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (8 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Tilicho Lake Trekking for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as we’ve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if you’d like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.

Trekking Guides and Staff:
The most significant thing that makes your Tilicho Lake Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek and Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:
Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)

  • Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
  • Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
  • English Language – KEEP(Kathmandu environment education project)
  • Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
  • Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.

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 late September to December, 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 days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.

Safety and Security:
Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel that you should consider before booking. Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.

Responsible Travel
Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.

Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.

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Tilicho Lake Trekking

Trip Facts

  • Nepal
  • 20 Day(s)
  • Feb - May and Oct - Dec
  • Minimum 2 People
  • Private vehicles, Tourist bus/Flight as per the Itinerary
  • Tilicho Lake (5,200 meters)
  • Moderate
  • Besisahar
  • Jomsom
  • Cultural Sightseeing & Trekking
  • 4 - 6 hours each day
  • Lodge to Lodge Trek
  • Tilicho Lake, Thorung-La pass, Marshyangdi River Valley, Muktinath
  • Hotel in Kathmandu, lodge/teahouse during the trek

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