The Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek, The Most 16 Days Trek Available
Perceive the elevations of the Himalayas of Nepal on a journey to one among the most elevated lake across the globe.
Among the most popular 16 day tours is the Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek, which travels along with the legendary Annapurna Circuit and makes a side trip to stunning Tilicho Lake (4,919 m). This is one trip best made by lovers of extremes, weather conditions, extreme scenery, and extremes of cultural contact. From low valleys covered in subtropical forest to heights reached over Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) with iced mountain tops just another step revealing yet another aspect of the world’s most renowned mountain range.
Begin travel in vibrant Kathmandu city before heading to the heart of Annapurna. Break off-road after Manang to behold the Great Barrier, and also enjoy the lovely turquoise waters of Lake Tilicho which normal routes of trekking would not provide. This gives a double treat due to first, the serenity at a high-altitude glacial lake, and second conquest over Thorong La Pass which is among the tallest trekking passes globally. The travelers will also experience some hospitality from both the Manangi and Thakali communities as well as an overnight stay at their traditional tea houses with the Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak within sight.
Trip Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,345m)
- Day 02: Drive to Dharapani (1,920m)
- Day 03: Trek to Chame (2,670m)
- Day 04: Trek to Pisang (3,230m)
- Day 05: Trek to Manang Village (3,450m)
- Day 06: Acclimatization Day in Manang
- Day 07: Trek to Khangsar (3,734m)
- Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m)
- Day 09: Hike to Tilicho Lake (4,919m) and Return
- Day 10: Trek to Siri Kharka (4,010m)
- Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,110m)
- Day 12: Trek to Thorong High Camp (4,600m)
- Day 13: Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416m) to Muktinath (3,800m)
- Day 14: Drive to Pokhara via Jomsom
- Day 15: Return to Kathmandu
- Day 16: Final Departure
Details Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,345m)
Pick up at airport and stay at our hotel. Group talk, setup and trek briefing in the evening today.
- Lodging: Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02: Drive to Dharapani (1,920m)
A Day of a scenic drive by the Marsyangdi River through Besisahar to our first hill village.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 03: Trek to Chame (2,670m)
Walk amidst lovely rhododendron and pine woods. Get a marvelous view of Mt. Manaslu.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 04: Trek to Pisang (3,230m)
It was a slow climb up into the upper Manang region where the land is drier and there is Buddhist culture.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 05: Trek to Manang Village (3,450m)
High ridges crossed with the view of Annapurna II and III. On the way there, visit the old Braga Monastery.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 06: Acclimatization Day in Manang
A must, take the day off. Walk over to Gangapurna Glacier Lake. Let your body adjust to this new height.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 07: Trek to Khangsar (3,734m)
The way left the main round for the far town of Khangsar.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 08: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m)
A hard walk over hills to our camp by the lake.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 09: Hike to Tilicho Lake (4,919m) and Return
Visit the world-famous emerald lake, surrounded by towering peaks, then return to Base Camp.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 10: Tilicho Lake Hike (4,919m) and Return
Walk to Siri Kharka (4,010m) = We get to travel once more through tall paths on our return to the main road of the pass.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 11: Walk to Yak Kharka (4,110m)
Moving across high fields where it is usual to spot Himalayan Blue Sheep.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 12: Walk to Thorong High Camp (4,600m)
A short steep climb to the last camp before the pass.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 13: Thorong La Pass (5,416m) to Muktinath (3,800m)
This will be your hardest day. Cross the pass in morning sunrise then make your way down to the holy temple of Muktinath.
- Lodging: Stay at Lodge
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 14: Pokhara to Jomsom
Cross the great Kali Gandaki gorge to reach the comforting city by the lake at Pokhara.
- Lodging: Hotel in Pokhara
- Inclusions: Full board meals (B/L/D) on trek
Day 15: Return to Kathmandu
A beautiful journey back to the main city. Goodbye meal at a traditional Nepalese eatery.
- Lodging: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Inclusions: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 16: Final Departure
Airport transfer for your journey home.
Cost Details
What is found inside,
- Accommodation in Kathmandu for 2 nights, and in Pokhara for 1 night (3 star hotels), and 12 nights in mountain tea houses.
- Meals on the trip: Full board, comprising breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea or coffee while trekking.
- Guide and experienced porters (sharing of porter among two trekkers.)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card.
- Duffel bag from the company, one trekking T-shirt; one certificate of achievement.
- Safety: first aid medication kit and oximeter to check on the health status daily.
What’s Excluded:
- International Journey: Air travel and Nepal entry visa.
- Insurance: Must have travel insurance and high altitude rescue cover.
- Kathmandu & Pokhara: Lunch and dinner while in the cities.
- Personal Comforts: Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging batteries at the
teahouses.
- Beverages: Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and bottled water.
FAQ
Essential Packing List
- Head: Warm hat, sun cap, and polarized sunglasses.
- Upper Body: Moisture-wicking T-shirts, fleece jacket, and a heavy down jacket (rated for cold nights).
- Lower Body: Trekking trousers, thermal layers, and waterproof shell pants.
- Feet: Sturdy hiking boots (broken in) and high-quality wool socks.
- Sleeping: Sleeping bag rated to 100 C or lower.
- Health: Personal medications, sunblock, and lip balm
Cost & Date
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Route Map
An amazing experience – went trekking with 14 others in March / April 2025 and had a wonderful time. A big thank you to Badri and his crew for taking care of every logistical detail; flights, hotels, transportation in Kathmandu, transportation to and from the airport, money exchanges, restaurant reservations, sightseeing, optimal route pacing, gear transportation, and 100 other small details that would have left me flummoxed.
He and his team allow for a trek that’s as simplified as possible, you can focus your energy on getting to base camp, and they do everything else. They even bring you hot towels and lemon ginger tea at the end of each day (every morning too). I can’t say enough good things about the porters / guides, they were unbelievable, true heroes of our trip. We had some very unique challenges in our group, and without expert guides and porters we would absolutely not have had the same high quality experience. When I go back to Nepal for a second trek, I’m calling Badri. Badri is the guide you want – generous, personal, and you can tell he and his team deeply care about the well-being of their clients.
One more thing: Not once, but twice, Badri got our entire group flown from Kathmandu to Lukla (and back) on days when the weather was uncooperative. Both times, there was only a brief window when the clouds cleared — just enough for a single plane to make the journey — and guess whose plane was first in line? Even more impressive: while we were waiting at the airport, Badri already had a backup helicopter option lined up, just in case the planes didn’t fly. This kind of foresight and preparation gave us total peace of mind.