Tilicho Lake Trek- 13 Days

The journey begins on the 2nd day of the Tilicho Lake Trek. On this day, you will travel on a jeep/bus for 8 to 9 hours to reach Dharapani. First, we will get to the town of Besisahar from where we will get on a different Jeep and drive to Dharapani.

Duration

8-9 Hours

Max Altitude

1960m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

We must go through the ACAP checkpost before beginning the trekking for the day. We’re going to use the hiking trail via Thonche as opposed to going along the road. The route eventually traverses the river and meets the roadway.

There are stairs going upward through the forest and a marker for the town of Manang after past a waterfall. After that, we’ll begin climbing a flight of stairs in a zigzag pattern past towering rocky cliffs. At this point, we are met with views of peaks wrapped in mist.

This segment contributes significantly to the elevation increase for the day in a comparatively short distance, so we need to take it slow or consider a longer lunch stop. The trail continues to wind up, ultimately arriving at Timang settlement, an authentic Alpine village. Once we have taken a few moments to appreciate the views, we will head toward Timang.

It takes us roughly 2 hours to reach Timang. It is a well-liked spot for staying the night because there are several guesthouses all over. If your start time is later, this is also a reasonable location for a break or maybe lunch. We walk out of Timang after stopping for a restroom break. The road to Chame is followed for the remainder of the trek day.

Along this following portion of the walk, there is a change in the surroundings. From here on, the trail wanders between settlements, past waterfalls, and through pine-covered hills. It occasionally leaves the dirt track to meander down trails covered with pine needles in the forest. You’ll enjoy these times of the day the most.

Weaving down a roaring river beside peacefully grazing animals in the early morning light is the thing you did not know you needed. When we arrive at Koto Village, there is one more checkpoint. We get to take a breather from trekking while officials verify our permits and personal information.

Yet again, there’s little advantage to stopping for a long time as the checkpoint isn’t excessively distant from Chame. We continue the walk and after more than twenty minutes we reach Chame. There are plenty of options for accommodation because Chame is one of the larger communities along the eastern part of the walk.

Duration

5 Hours

Max Altitude

2630m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

We tour an apple farm, hike through pine trees, and take a riverside stroll today. We will go via three different locations during the day: Bhratang, Dhukur Pokhari, and Lower Pisang. At the end of the trek, we will have climbed from 2670 meters to 3200 meters. Walking from Chame to Lower Pisang is 15 kilometers and takes around 5 hours total, including several breaks. We visit Upper Pisang in the later hours of the day for an acclimatization stroll.

We will have breakfast and leave Chame. Our path, which follows the river, passes through lovely fields and into a thick pine forest. We arrive at Bhratang a little more than an hour after leaving Chame. There is an apple orchard in the small town with lodging, a coffee shop, and a steam room.

Savoring the rich sweetness of the highlands, we shall sip just-pressed apple juice. Refilling water bottles is also an excellent idea here, as you can find a tap directly across from the cafe. It can get fairly busy because many trekkers and locals stop here for breaks or business.

We carry on, following the trail that follows the edge of the cliff for a time, experiencing some ups and downs. The route occasionally even carves into the mountainside as it finds a way to fit between the cliff and ridge. We stretch our heads to view the peaks over us, while the river beneath slices through the rugged landscape.

After ultimately crossing a suspension bridge, the path begins a steep ascent into a pine-covered forest. We eventually come to a resting spot and fill up with water; a short resting period.

We keep going uphill through the pine forest till the trail levels out at Dhukur Pokhari. This location is filled with breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas of the region. A number of tea houses are found there, and the community is a nice spot to stop by for a snack or a quick lunch. There are rooftop terraces for relaxation in many of the locations we tour. Lower or Upper Pisang is just 3.5 kilometers away from the settlement.

Following the indications for Lower Pisang, our last stop for the day, the trail now descends into a valley. We traverse aesthetic farmlands, snowy ridges, and small lakes as the river flows from Upper Pisang to Lower Pisang. As this final section of the day’s trek is easy, we will get through it rather swiftly.

Duration

5 Hours

Max Altitude

3300m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

Without a question, the fifth day of the Tilicho Lake Trek will be the hardest of the entire journey. It’s among our greatest trekking days when it comes to distance covered, and the early ascend is difficult. It’s nevertheless a very rewarding trek day offering possibly the most incredible scenes of the whole walk.

We will travel the following route today: a trek from Lower Pisang to Ghyaru, followed by a trek to Ngawal, from Ngawal we head to Braga, and lastly, we will arrive at Manang. We will climb from 3200 meters to 3540 meters, with the possibility of reaching 3730 meters peak altitude. Walking from Lower Pisang to Manang, including all stops, takes 8.5 hours covering about 20 kilometers in the process.

There are actually two paths from Pisang to Manang, and they range greatly in terms of difficulty. It is feasible to walk the entire length of the route to Manang in around three to four hours via road. The trekking path from Ghyaru and Ngawal is the extended alternative and more difficult route, taking approximately 6-7 hours to complete.

While the latter path is one of the most difficult days of the entire walk, it also provides several of the most amazing views of the Tilicho Lake walk. Altitude sickness is a potential but not a serious risk because the trekking path reaches a height of about 3700 meters.

We leave early, crossing a suspension bridge, and proceed to the extended route rather than up to Upper Pisang. Given that it’s a sunny day, visibility will be excellent, allowing us to catch a look at Annapurna II’s unique face for the first time. Surrounded by gorgeous woodlands beneath, it’s truly an amazing sight.

We may make a sluggish pace this morning because of the gorgeous backdrop and abundance of photo ops. One of the many mani walls with Buddhist mantras engraved on it that we pass is rather lovely. Since Buddhism holds that the universe rotates in a clockwise direction, you should always approach it from the left.

The next portion is a lengthy, difficult, and steep ascend to the settlement of Ghyaru, so the mani walls are a great place to take a breather. We’re going to take a quick break to enjoy the view and prepare for the following stretch. The utterly breathtaking expansive views of the Himalayan peaks and landscape ahead of you are the reward for arriving at Ghyaru.

Naturally, the community is a well-liked place to take a break, and it also hosts a few tea houses nearby where you can buy food or use the restroom. It makes perfect sense to stay here and take in the environment if the conditions are favorable.

The route ascends steadily to a pass that marks the highest elevation of the day following the way out of Ghyaru. It’s a wonderful spot to pause and enjoy the scenery as well. It’s difficult to decide where to focus because of the plethora of amazing views, which include the distant peaks of Annapurna II, the valley floor, and the lush hill slopes covered in forest.

There will be plenty of photo stops on this day as it is among the most scenic days of the entire walk. We advise taking things slow today and not rushing. Altitude sickness may also occur here, so it’s best to proceed cautiously.

Slowly and steadily, we trek our way to Ngawal and then to Braga. It’s a little town, but it boasts two notable landmarks: a stunning stupa, and a well-known monastery. While some trekkers decide to spend the night in Braga, we’re going to go on to Manang, which is just a short distance away, roughly two to three kilometers.

At the conclusion of a challenging day, that last push might feel hard, but it will be worthwhile. With several of the best amenities, Manang serves as one of the trek’s largest towns. The last part of the trek to Manang is simple and follows the road by the river.

Duration

7 Hours

Max Altitude

3570m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

On the Tilicho Trek, Manang is among the most picturesque stops, it might even be the most lovely one. The majority of hikers acclimate to this location before beginning their journey to Thorong La Lake or continuing their Annapurna Trek. Trekkers can hike to a number of locations in Manang during their acclimatization day, including but not limited to the Ice Lake, Gangapurna Lake, Manang viewpoint, and Milarepa Cave.

Gangapurna is a stunning glacial lake, which is surrounded by the Gangapurna Himal and Annapurna IV. It’s very close to Manang and boasts crystal-clear blue water. Thanks to its easy accessibility, the majority of hikers visit it on the Annapurna and Tilicho Treks. You can see the beautiful summits of the Annapurna region and glaciers from the shore of the lake.

The Manang viewpoint is located directly above Gangapurna Lake and can be reached by foot in thirty to forty-five minutes. Views of the whole Manang Valley, the Annapurna Himalayan range, and the route to the Base Camp of Tilicho and Thorong La Pass can be admired from this particular viewpoint.

A Buddhist gompa called Milarepa Cave, another option for your acclimatization hike, is situated 4250 meters above sea level. This is the location for anyone who is curious about Tibetan Buddhism or who has an admiration for ancient Gompas. This location is obviously highly important to the locals and the entire area, especially to those who practice Buddhism.

Next up, is the actual acclimatization hike we will do on this trek. From Manang, we must first trek to Braga and subsequently cross a river in order to make our way to Milarepa Cave. Then, we have to hike up through the jungle on a plain path after bridging the river.

There are several beautiful Buddhist chorten along the route. There is a massive Buddha sculpture and numerous prayer flags fluttering in the cave. You can observe the Marsyangdi valley and its neighboring areas while walking up to the cave.

Lastly, you can also visit the Braga Gompa. Situated atop the barren hilltop of Braga Village, Braga Gompa is among the oldest Buddhist temples in Manang. This is a Buddhist monastery that dates back to the thirteenth century.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Following a great acclimatization day, we will begin our short climb to Siri Kharka today. Typically, trekkers travel from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp, but we choose to hike to Siri Kharka, which is a quick and simple stroll. In order to ensure that you are properly acclimated prior to hiking to Tilicho Lake, we conduct this hike.

We will take the path that leads downward to the river and exit by the west entryway. The track that leads into the fir forests on its southern edge will subsequently be followed. Next up is Kangsar village, where we will have lunch. We will come across a monastery on the route to Siri Kharka, and the gorgeous views of Gungang Himal and Mt. Chulu should keep us moving.

Duration

4-5 Hours

Max Altitude

4060m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

We begin our trip to Tilicho Base Camp with a stunning view of the snow-capped peaks and the gorgeous sunshine following the morning meal in Siri Kharka. Unlike some other sections of the track, the road construction is absent from the trail leading to Tilicho Base Camp, making it an appropriate trekking trail.

We hike for a good hour before crossing a suspension bridge to get to the top of a hill. We can take in the stunning mountains and spectacular panorama from the summit.

The Tilicho ridge, which is covered in loose rock and dirt, begins at the suspension bridge. Here, you truly need to exercise caution. You actually walk on the well-known Tilicho scree ridges for about two kilometers.

There is always a chance that large or tiny stones will fall down from above during this 2 km path, and it’s not a flat path, primarily downhill from the part that leads to Tilicho Base Camp. You have to take sturdy steps, so our guide advises you to constantly glance up and pay attention to the noises of the hill.

Duration

5-6 Hours

Max Altitude

4140m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Following two days of easy hiking from Manang. Our 800-meter ascent and return hike to base camp make today one of the hardest trekking days of the Tilicho Lake Trek. Our goal is to climb up to Tilicho Lake, so we will get up at 7:30 a.m. for a head start.

A few hours later, we arrive at the snow and ice-covered path. Since the terrain is hazardous and slick, we will ascend over this part carefully and slowly. The cold and the winds could render the walk a little difficult along the way.

The walk begins with an easy incline. You’re climbing over 4000m, so even though the ascent is gentle, the same breathing you are used to at lower elevations which makes it a bit harder. It is difficult to distinguish the steep slope from the many shades of dust since part of the stone is black while a portion of it is pale. We’ll pause after a few minutes to catch a breather and admire the views offered by Mother Nature.

As you proceed, the terrain becomes more level with very little elevation. A few little ponds that we cross in the morning are quiet and serve as reflections of the wonderful peaks in the area. The landscape from this stretch of the walk will stick in your memory the most.

With one last tiny hill, we make it to the lake. It will take us about 3 hours to reach the top. After spending some time at the summit, the air begins to warm, and as the afternoon begins we get back on the trail, descending to the base camp. It will take us two hours to descend, enjoying the views of the surrounding peaks and valley basins.

We reach the lake after climbing one more little hill. We’ll be at the summit in roughly three hours. We stay at the summit for a few hours and then we slowly return to Base Camp as the temperature gets warmer. We will pause for pictures, breaks, and random breaks on our journey back to the base camp. At our own pace, the descent will last about two hours, but during that time, we get to enjoy the gorgeous scenes.

Duration

5-6 Hours

Max Altitude

4949m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

From the base camp, it will take us around three hours to return to Siri Kharka. However, following the landslide area, we will pause to snap a ton of pictures and simply relax and talk. If you are determined to arrive as soon as possible, you can complete it in two hours with ease.

Many trekkers go up to Yak Kharka from Siri Kharka but that’s a journey for another time. For this trek, we will go straight down to Manang. The route to Manang begins with a steep slope and then follows the road for the majority of an easy stroll. In a particular area, there’s an alternate way that goes around the road, a shortcut.

Duration

5-6 Hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

After a restful night in Manang, we will wake up to a beautiful scene of the Himalayas, have our breakfast, and get on a jeep to Besisahar. We should not waste any time today as we have to travel for 8 to 9 hours on a jeep to reach Besisahar. From Manang, the Jeep will travel to Bhrakha, Humde, Upper Pisang, Bhratang, Jagat, and Syange to finally reach Besisahar.

Duration

8-9 Hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

The next day, we will travel to Kathmandu by private vehicle. From Besisahar, it will take us about 5 hours to reach Kathmandu.

Duration

5 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

Day 13 is the last day of the Tilicho Lake Trek, you will definitely remember the day you spent in the highlands of Nepal. As per your flight schedule, our driver will drop you off at the airport after saying our goodbyes.

Meals

Farewell Dinner

Accommodation

Excluded