Tilicho Lake trek is a fantastic spiritual journey in the Himalayas along the mesmerizing range of Annapurna and the beautiful Tilicho Lake (4,949m). The Tilicho Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. The complete package of the adventurous Tilicho Lake trek takes us through a buried elevation with awesome landscapes and the stunning Thoronng La pass (5,416m).

Tilicho Lake Trek Overview

The trip commences with a cultural exploration in the capital city, Kathmandu. Taking a drive towards Chamje, the trek officially starts from Dharapani. The trek takes you to the major beautiful places in Nepal like Pokhara, Manang, Muktinath, and Jomsom. 
 

The Tilicho Lake trek is one of the best treks for those trekkers who aim to explore the serene Tilicho Lake and the beauty of the Annapurna Region with a basic experience of trekking. The trek can be combined with the Annapurna Circuit trek to add some adventures to the trip. 

The incredible journey aims to explore Tilicho Lake at its best. The lake was formed by the melting of the glaciers from the northern slopes of the Annapurna Himalayan range and the mesmerizing Thorang Peak. The lake is also considered one of the blessed places for Hindus and Buddhist people from a spiritual perspective.

The mountain lake has a big description in Ramayana, which is given the holy name of Kagbhusundi. You can also get a view of the beautiful Mount Manaslu with the major mountains. The trail follows taking in the beauty of the multiple mountain ranges that also follow the same trail route of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking. 

Tilicho Lake Trek Highlights

Some major highlights of the trek can be summarized as follows:

• Explore Pokhara Valley and its natural and cultural heritage.
• Walk around the lush rhododendron and birch forests and the beautiful vegetation.
• Picturesque ethnic settlements and the unique culture of the region.
• Remoteness and wilderness of the region.
• Explore natural beauties, lakes, waterfalls, and creeks.
• Organic foods and vegetation.
• Trip to the Annapurna Conservation Area to explore the beauty of the region with the diverse species of flora and fauna.
• Mountain views of the number of mountains including Annapurna I and IV, Himchilu, Machhaopuchhre, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Dhaulagiri 

The trek also takes you through the Thorung La(5,416m/17,769ft) which is known as the world’s longest high pass. The trail leads you to the Muktinath, the revered Himalayan temple which has a very big importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. You can explore beautiful villages like Khangasar, Tilicho Base Camp, and another mountain guesthouse that gives you an amazing experience in the region. 

How difficult is the Tilicho Lake Trek?

Tilicho Lake is one of the moderate difficult trekking. The biggest reason for the trek to be among the most difficult trek is due to the altitude it covers throughout the journey. 

During the trek, you’ll be climbing up higher and higher. This increase in altitude causes a higher risk of altitude sickness, extreme cold, and unpredictable weather conditions. Also, the trails might get more narrower while you travel up. Hence, you must move with proper acclimatization to control the risks. 

These risks are very common while traveling or trekking in the higher regions of Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. You have to deal with the steep and uneven terrain that you are going to encounter throughout the journey. Hence, the food, accommodation, trail, weather conditions, and the increase in altitude make the trek more difficult. 

Pilgrimage Sites around the Tilicho Lake

Among the thousands of lakes in Nepal, the Tilicho Lake is one of the most famous lakes. It is considered a holy site for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims in Nepal. As per Hindu mythology, the lake is associated with the sage Vyas. 

The Hindu people believe that Vyas had meditated here. The lake is also believed to be located at the place where the Pandavas, the heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata, visited during their exile.

Also, as per the Buddhist people, Tilicho Lake is a sacred site associated with the famous Tibetan master Milarepa. He also meditated here. Hence, the lake has been a major site for the Hindu and Buddhist peoples.

People often visit Tilicho Lake on the full moon day of August, which is also an auspicious time. They perform rituals, offer prayers, and take a dip bath in the cold waters of the lake, which is believed to purify their powers. Besides the lake, you can also explore the monasteries that surround the lake. Multiple temples attract pilgrims from all over the world. 

The Tilicho Lake Trek is also considered a popular pilgrimage destination for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. Besides the trekkers who visit to explore the natural beauty of the region,  take the opportunity to visit the temples and monasteries along the way. You can also explore some other places like Muktinath Temple. It is one of the famous destinations in the region, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal. 

The trek will provide you with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and connection with nature, with the addition to the trek to one of the popular destinations for those seeking a pilgrimage experience in the Himalayas.

Trek Itinerary

The Tilicho Lake trek officially starts from the beautiful town of Chame(2,715 meters). We will be trekking to the Manang village on the third day of the trek. The beautiful village Manang village rises to the altitude of 3,341 meters above sea level which is densely populated by Ghale and Gurung ethnic groups. 

We will take a few days for acclimatization in the Manang village before reaching Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass as our bodies will need some rest and familiarization with the increasing altitude. We will move forward with the trek toward the Khangsar village and the base camp of Tilicho. 

Itinerary

1st Day: Arrival in Kathmandu(1,350m/4,429ft)

2nd Day: Explore the cultural sites around the Kathmandu Valley and prepare for the trek

3rd Day: Drive to Chamje(1,410m/4,626ft)

4th Day: Trek from Chamje to Dharapani(1,960m/6,431ft)(5-6 hours walk)

5th Day: Trek from Dharapani to Chame(2,710m/8,892ft)(5-6 hours walk)

6th Day: Trek from Chame to Pisang(3,300m/10,827ft)(5-6 hours walk)

7th Day: Trek from Pisang to Manang(3,519m/11,546ft)(6-7 hours)

8th Day: Trek from Manang to Khangsar(3,745m/12,287ft)(2-3 hours)

9th Day: Trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp(4,140m/13,583ft)(5-6 hours walk)

10th Day: Explore the Tilicho Lake(4,949m/16,238ft) and trek back to base camp(5-6 hours walk)

11th Day: Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka(4,110m/13,485ft)(4-5 hours walk)

12th Day: Trek from Yak kharka to Thorang Phedi (4,420m/14,502ft)(3-4 hours walk)

13th Day: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La pass(5,416m/17,770ft) (7-8 hours walk)

14th Day: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom(2,700m/8,859ft)(5-6 hours walk)

15th Day: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara(827m/2,713ft)

16th Day: Flight back from Pokhara to Kathmandu(1,350m/4,429ft)

17th Day: Final departure back

You’ll have to travel through the tricky and narrow trail with a few landslide sections. So, you have to be careful while crossing the path into and out of Tilicho Lake. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the wonders of the Annapurna region which includes the rare mountain flora and fascinating limpid lakes. 

We will thoroughly reach one of the highest Tilicho Lakes after trekking for a few hours. The trekkers can hike up to the lake for a panoramic view of the high Annapurna Himalayan peaks. Our trail will mainly follow the trails at the side of Marsyangdi River taking us to a gradual ascent to reach the Tilicho Lake.

Tilicho Lake Alpine Pastures

Tilicho Lake is known for its beautiful alpine pastures. The pastures offer the most scenic and tranquil environment for trekkers to explore the Annapurna region. During the Tilicho Lake Trek, you will get a chance to experience the beautiful alpine meadows around the lake. These are also characterized by the rolling hills covered in green grass and wildflowers which will be completely surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pristine glacial lakes.

During the trek to beautiful Blue Lake, you will explore the majestic pastures enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape together. The pastures of the Annapurna region, surrounding Tilicho Lake are home to a variety of wildlife, including Himalayan thars, snow leopards, and blue sheep. You might get a chance to encounter these animals while hiking if you are lucky enough.

In addition to the natural beauty, the region is also home to traditional Nepalese communities. Most of the trekkers in the region choose to stay in local homestays or guesthouses in the small villages along the trekking route while they travel to these areas. These places offer a great opportunity to experience the local culture and hospitality of the people.

The region is home to splendid beauty which can be a great opportunity for trekkers to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Nepal together. This trip can be a challenging trek or a peaceful retreat in the mountains for you. The rewarding experience filled with memories all over these two weeks can be a once-in-a-lifetime journey for you. 

Best time to visit Tilicho Lake 

As the lake is situated at a higher altitude, you must travel looking at the weather conditions and the favorable climate. Mostly, the best time to visit Tilicho Lake is during the Spring season and Autumn seasons. The Spring season lasts from March to May and the autumn season lasts from September to November.

During these months, you’ll experience very favorable weather which is generally stable. You can experience clear skies with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes. Also, the mild temperature and hills covered with colorful windflowers make the spring season a perfect time to trek. 

The weather is usually dry, and there are very less chances of rain. Besides Spring, the Autumn season also offers a cool and pleasant temperature. The skies are generally clear, making for perfect trekking conditions in this season. The season enters just as soon as the monsoon season ends which welcomes you with the lush and green mountains, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

The winter months from December to February can be extremely cold and snow-covered to travel and the monsoon season from June to August can be wet and slippery, making trekking difficult. Hence, it's best if you avoid trekking to higher altitudes, including Tilicho Lake, in this season.

How deep is Tilicho Lake?

The approximate depth of the lake is not yet known certainly. The lake is estimated to be about 85 meters (280 feet) depth. Situated at an altitude of 4,919m/16,139 feet, the lake is the highest in the world. 

The beautiful lake is fed by the glacial melt from the surrounding mountains, which is also the source of the Marsyangdi River flowing down to the lowlands of Nepal. You can witness crystal clear water in the lake that has a distinctive blue-green color. The blue color adds much to its beauty and charm.