The Tilicho Lake trek takes the trail through Manang to the highest altitude lake in the world – Tilicho Lake at 4919 m Passing through lush subtropical countryside, over moraine, through alpine forests, along arid cliffs, and over the Thorong La pass, this trek is quite challenging but steeped in Hindu myth and surrounded by mountains. Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath are some of the peaks on show around the lake – sometimes even being reflected in the cold, clear turquoise waters. And of course views of the Annapurna accompany the visitor throughout the whole trek.
The lake was formed by the glacial melt off the northern slopes of the Annapurna, and is of historical and religious significance as it is thought to be mentioned in the Hindu religious book, the Ramayana. In contrast there are Buddhist villages to be crossed to reach the lake, taking their culture and religion from nearby Tibet. After visiting the lake and Tilicho Base Camp, the trail leads out of the Marsyangdi Valley, through yak pastures and over the Thorong La Pass (5,416m). Crossing the pass is challenging, and is done at around 3 am before the afternoon winds make it more difficult. The views, however, are magnificent of Mt Gundang, Syagang, Thorong Peak and Mt Khatungkan. Once across the pass there are more interesting villages: Muktinath, with its Hindu temple, water spouts and eternal flame; Kagbeni with its monastery, strange human-like clay effigies, and Jomsom, a busy market town, and transportation hub of Mustang, with its airport, bus and jeep stands.
This trek encompasses the best of Annapurna trekking – its mountains, landscapes and culture – with the high, immensely cold glacier lake and its mythology.
| Days | Itinerary | Altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to Khudi (Drive) | 800 m | 8 hr |
| Day 2 | Khudi to Sirung | 2220 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 3 | Sirung to Jagat | 1300 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 4 | Jagat to Dharapani | 1860 m | 7 - 8 hr |
| Day 5 | Dharapani to Chame | 2710m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 6 | Chame to Pisang | 3300 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 7 | Pisang to Manang | 3540 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 8 | Acclimatization Day | 3540 m | 5 hr |
| Day 9 | Manang to Siri Kharka | 4060 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 10 | Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp | 4140 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 11 | Day trip to Tilicho Lake | 4919 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 12 | Tilicho Base Camp to Siri Kharka | 4060 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 13 | Siri Kharka to Yak Kharka | 4040 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 14 | Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi | 4600 m | 3 - 4 hr |
| Day 15 | Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass | 3710 m | 7 - 8 hr |
| Day 16 | Muktinath to Marpha | 2670 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 17 | Marpha to Kalopani | 2530 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 18 | : Kalopani to Tatopani | 1200 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 16 | Tatopani to Beni | 830 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 17 | Beni to Pokhara (Drive) | 830 m | 4 hr |
| Day 18 | Pokhara to Kathmandu (Drive) | 1380 m | 6 - 7 hr |
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