Tilicho Lake Trek- 15 days

Things to Know
  • Duration15 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Altitude 4,920 m
  • Trip Type Trekking | Hiking
  • Start and End Kathmandu - Kathmandu
  • Best Time Feb-May, Sep-Dec
What You’ll Do
  • An incredible journey to the second-highest lake in the world, Tilicho Lake
  • Trek in the Annapurna region and follow a less crowded trail
  • The adventurous, trodden route through subtropical forests and alpine woodlands
  • Spend nights in beautiful villages like Chame, Manang, Pisang, Khangsar
  • Get to see the mountain lifestyle and culture of the locals
  • Come across a wide variety of vegetation & birds
  • Unwind at the shore of the turquoise lake and enjoy the serenity surrounding the lake.
  • Witness breathtaking western Himalayan mountain views and diverse landscapes.

Nepal is home to many natural wonders, including some of the highest mountains, the highest lakes, the deepest gorge, the highest hotel, etc. Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) was in the first position for the most extended period as the highest lake in the world until the Kanji Sara Lake (5,020 m) was discovered recently. The Tilicho Lake trek is an incredible venture in the Annapurna region with an adventurous trekking route and sensational mountain panorama. You'll explore the Annapurna Conservation Area, home to hundreds of flora and fauna. The Tilicho Lake trail is less crowded than the famous Annapurna Basecamp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trail. You'll enjoy a peaceful walk and intimate interactions with the locals. The Tilicho Lake Trek route ascends and descends through the subtropical forest and joins alpine woodlands before rising above the treeline. The route is challenging and steep, so you must be attentive while walking.

Apart from the adventurous side, the Tilicho Lake Trek Nepal has a divine side too. Lots of myths and stories revolve around this lake. The villages you will trek to present a better understanding of the mountain lifestyle and the cultural heritage of the locals. You'll be walking alongside green hills and cascading waterfalls. Forests of rhododendron, pine, bamboo, magnolia, fir, etc., are crossed along the way, and you stay overnight in beautiful villages.

Hike to the Second-Highest Lake In The World

In the Manang district, Nepal, Tilicho Lake sits 4,919 meters above sea level in the Annapurna Himalayas. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and hills. Trekkers usually visit Tilicho Lake as a side excursion while doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek. So, with that being said, if you have some extra days, you can consider extending our Tilicho Lake trek itinerary to Thorong La pass and Muktinath. Of course, ensure you are fit enough to go beyond 5,000 meters. Tilicho Lake is formed because of the melts of the northern slopes of Mt. Annapurna. A fun fact about Tilicho Lake is that no aquatic life is recorded in this lake. The turquoise colour of the lake, the serenity encircling the lake is out of this world. You will feel light and relaxed. The view is mesmerizing, and the crisp air will rejuvenate your soul.

Itinerary and mountain views along the way

From Pokhara, the lake is 55 km away (in air distance). We begin trekking from Chamje (1,410 m). The trail ascends through villages like Bagarchhap (2,160 m), Chame (2,650 m), Pisang (3,250 m), and Manang (3,519 m). Manang is a famous village and has a lot of modern services. From here, we walk on a steep trail to Khangsar (3,756 m) and pass by a few glacier areas. We'll cross some thrilling suspension bridges and walk by juniper and sea buckthorn bushes to reach Tilicho Base Camp (4,150 m). There are a few tea houses at the base camp of Tilicho Lake, so we'll be spending the night here and hiking to Tilicho Lake early in the morning the following day. Western Himalayan mountains such as Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Himlung (7,126 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Mt. Gundang (5,312 m), Tilicho Peak (7,134 m), Pisang Peak (6,091 m), Thorong Peak (5,416 m) and many others are seen throughout the trail.

*Note: Many trekkers ask whether they can swim in Tilicho Lake. And the answer is no. Tilicho Lake's shoreline is inaccessible, so one cannot swim or boat on the lake. The lake also has religious values, and there's no provision from the Nepal government for swimming there.

A holy Site Mentioned in the Epic Ramayana

The Ramayana, a great Hindu mythology book, talks about Tilicho Lake. Therefore the lake has enormous religious significance and is also a pilgrimage site. As per the book, the sage, Kak Bhusundi, told the events of Ramayana to the king of birds, Garuda, near this lake. While telling the story, the sage is believed to be a crow. In Sanskrit, the crow is called Kak, which also refers to the name of the sage.

Booking

To book the Tilicho Lake Trek 2025/2026, you can send us an inquiry through our site. We have a secure payment gateway that lets you make Tilicho Lake trek cost payments immediately. We need a few general information of yours with a valid passport & a travel insurance document. You can join a group or trek alone with a guide. For any information, contact our team. We assure you of a safe and adventurous trek in Nepal.

Note: Another option for the Tilicho Lake Trek is crossing crossing of  Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). Witness breathtaking vistas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges from the pass's pinnacle before descending to the sacred Muktinath Temple. Continue your trek to Jomsom, where traditional Thakali villages and arid landscapes offer a stark contrast to the lush valleys below. Conclude your journey with the option of a scenic flight to Pokhara or a further exploration by road, ensuring an incredible blend of natural beauty, culture, and adventure."

 

Itinerary
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  • Altitude1,400 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time2-3 hours

Iconic Holiday Nepal team members will welcome you at the airport and help you with your luggage. They will drop you at the hotel. Later, we will meet you in our office and prepare for the trek. You'll attend a short briefing from the trek guide and do the final packing. As we have obtained all the permits in advance.

  • Altitude1,430 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time9-10 hours

Our team will pick you up from the hotel. We'll drive to Chamje today, from where the trek begins. The journey is pleasing as we drive through deep gorges along the Trisuli River. A drive of around four hours will take you to Mugling, a bustling highway town seated near the confluence of Trishuli and Marshyangdi Rivers. From Mugling, we take the right road toward Pokhara along the banks of the Marshyangdi River. We leave the highway to Pokhara at a small marketplace named Dumre and take the road on the right toward Besishahar. From here, a drive of another three hours on a rough path will take us to the trek starting point at Chamje via Jagat.

  • Altitude2,160 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time6-7 hours

We leave Chamje and soon cross to the east side of Marshyangdi River using a suspension bridge. We ascend and walk on a rocky trail, crossing a series of stone steps and passing by a couple of tea houses. We see Tibetan Buddhism's influence as we ascend. On the way, we’ll walk past gompas and chortens. After a while, we reach a place called Tal, which means lake in Nepali. From here, the trail is a bit easy for some time. After an hour or so, we again cross the river and the trail climbs up to the village of Dharapani. There are many good lodges here. From Dharapani, we continue our walk to the village of Bagarchhap.

  • Altitude2,650 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5 hours

Leaving Bagarchhap, we’ll gradually climb up the valley. Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal unfold in front of us. We walk for an hour before we reach Danakyu. The trail passes through prayer wheels. We can see Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Further, we make a steep climb through lush woods for about an hour. Then we cross a footbridge and reach the village of Timang. We continue walking further, and the valley opens up. It is an easy walk to Chame.

  • Altitude3,190 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5 hours

We are entering the alpine area from here onwards. The scenery is breathtaking in this part of the Tilicho Lake trek route. Leaving Chame, we pass by mani walls and small settlements. The trail is easy. After Bhratang, the trail is steep for about an hour passing through a forested area. We cross a river, and the trail begins to move away from Marshyangdi. Enjoying the views of Pisang Peak, we cross a wooden bridge and reach Pisang.

  • Altitude3500m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time6 hours

As we entered the high Himalayan area, the landscape became arid, and the weather gets cooler. We begin our walk on a level path that climbs up a ridge once we are out of the valley. The trail offers an amazing view down into the Manang Valley. We can see Annapurna III on our left. The trail goes through the village of Hongde, which has a small airstrip and walks toward Braga. There is a beautiful ancient monastery in Braga. A walk of another 30 minutes from Braga will take us to Manang.

  • Altitude3,500 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time2-3 hours

We take a break for acclimatization today. Manang is a beautiful village located very near the Gangapurna Glacier. An emerald lake, which goes by the name Gangapurna, lies at the foot of the glacier. We will spend the day climbing a small hill above the village of Braga. Braga, 45 minutes from Manang, is a small Himalayan village.

  • Altitude3756m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5 hours

Today, we leave the Round Annapurna Trekking trail and walk toward Khangsar. The walk begins with a gradual descent until the Jharsang Khola stream. After crossing the stream on a suspension, we continue our walk toward Khangsar. The trail offers views of different mountain peaks of the Annapurna Region. Mainly Gurungs reside in Khangsar. There is a small monastery, mani walls, and a lot of prayer flags in/around the village.

  • Altitude4,150 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time6-7 hours

From Khangsar, we start walking toward Tilicho Base Camp. The trail is steep as we start gaining altitude today. We pass through juniper and sea buckthorn bushes as we climb higher. After crossing a few streams, we reach a crest adorned with prayer flags. We then walk on a zigzag trail down the slope and finally reach Tilicho Base Camp.

  • Altitude4,150 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time6-7 hours

We start trekking early in the morning. The trail makes a long climb on a moraine to an altitude of 4,710 meters, from where we get the first view of the lake. We continue further and reach the lake. The lake provides a stunning view of the Gangapurna, Manaslu, Himlung, and Annapurna mountains. Tilicho Lake is 4 kilometers long and about 2.5 kilometers wide. After spending some time at the lake, we descend to the base camp and walk further to Khangsar, where we stop for the night.

  • Altitude3,190 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time7 hours

From Khangsar, we walk on an easy trail to Manang. From Manang, we continue our walk toward Pisang village. Today, we pretty much retrace the entire trail. As the trail is mostly level or downhill, the return leg of our trek will be shorter.

  • Altitude2,160 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5-6 hours

Today, we pass through the village of Chame as we walk toward Bagarchhap. The walk is mostly downhill and hence easier. Take time to visit local stupas, monasteries, or mani walls as you walk down to Bagarchhap. Enjoy the views and the walk.

  • Altitude7,60 m
  • AccommodationLodge
  • Time4 hours trek & 3 hours drive

We continue our walk down to Chamje, where our trek began some two weeks ago. After having lunch, board a waiting car for a drive to Besishahar. Upon arrival in Besishahar, check into your lodge and spend the evening exploring the local market.

  • Altitude1400m
  • AccommodationStar Hotel
  • Time7-8 hours

After breakfast, we will drive toward Kathmandu. The drive is pleasing as it passes through beautiful terraced fields and bustling bazaars, giving you an insight into day to day life of the local people. After passing through major highway bazaars like Dumre, Mugling, Malekhu, Galchhi, and Naubise, we climb the winding roads of Nagdhunga to enter Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. We’ll meet in the late evening over a farewell dinner.

    The trek has ended. You fly back to your home today. Our airport team will drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

    Trip Map
    Tilicho Lake Trek- 15 days map
    Trip Cost Details
    Included
    • Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle
    • Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara including breakfast 
    • Guided city tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara by a private tourist vehicle
    • All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    • Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms
    • English-speaking trekking guide
    • The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
    • Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff
    • Permits for Annapurna Conservation Area and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
    • Down jacket and sleeping bag by Iconic Holiday Nepal (which need to be returned after the trek)
    • Private 4WD drive from Kathmandu to Chamje and Chamje to Kathmandu
    • Farewell Dinner 
    • All our government taxes, VAT, Tourist service charges
    • Official expenses
    Excluded
    • International airfare and airport departure tax
    • Travel insurance which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation
    • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
    • Nepal entry visa; you can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 50 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 125. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos).
    • Alcoholic, Hot and Cold drinks
    • Personal trekking equipment
    • Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected.)
    • Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the Price Includes section
    Useful Info

    Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty

    Tilicho Lake trek is a challenging trek. The initial part of the trail is moderate and gets steep & trodden as you gain elevation. The trail ascends and descends, following lush forests and uneven foothills. Many steep sections require a lot of energy and stamina, and you must maintain your pace while walking for 6 to 7 hours daily. Following a bustling trekking route, you'll turn to the less-crowded trail that leads to Tilicho Lake.

    For seven to eight days, you'll be above 3,000 meters. If your body does not acclimatize, you may get altitude sickness. Our Tilicho Lake itinerary has acclimatization days that ensure the trip's safety. The region is remote, above Manang Village, and you'll walk past huge pastures and glacial paths. The trail may be covered with heavy snow above the Tilicho Base Camp (As per the weather condition). Apart from the altitude sickness risks and rough terrain, the services in the tea houses along the trail are very minimal. It keeps challenging your mind. You have to spend many days without the bare minimum of modern comforts. The Tilicho Lake trekking pushes you to survive in less. With good health and fitness, you need endurance and stamina too. Keep yourself hydrated and eat a balanced diet to maintain energy.

    Best Season To Do Tilicho Lake Trekking

    To enjoy the true beauty of the turquoise Tilicho Lake, be there in spring (March to early May) or in autumn (Late September to November). The lake is surrounded by bare & lush green hills along with snow-capped mountains. In spring, the flowers and green grasses make the surroundings utterly beautiful. The Autumn season, on the other hand, lets you enjoy the warm colours of nature, cool breeze, and festivity.

    Tilicho Lake in winter (December to February) has its charms. The surrounding hills and mountains are covered in a thick blanket of snow. The dazzling sunlight on the lake and snow-capped mountains are nothing less than heaven. However, trekking in winter to Tilicho Lake comes with many setbacks, including the trail's closure. Winter is off time, but if you make it, you'll be mesmerized by the winter beauty of the lake.

    Accommodation & Meals During The Trek

    Tilicho Lake Trek accommodation is a hotel in Kathmandu and tea houses on the trail. The hotel in Kathmandu will have all the modern amenities and let you enjoy a comfortable stay. While on the trail, the tea house accommodation is used, and it is the most basic accommodation among all available in the Himalayas. Up to Manang village, you'll get decent service and rooms. Above this village does not have any expectations. The last accommodation is in the Tilicho Base Camp. There is no accommodation facility present at Tilicho Lake, so you either have to go camping or descend back to Base Camp to spend the night. Dal bhat will be your staple meal during trekking, and it keeps you filled, tastes delicious, and has all the nutrients. You get other options like Tibetan bread, soup, porridge, momo, noodles, thukpa, mashed potatoes, burgers, french fries, etc., in the lower part of the trail.

    Internet, Charging, & ATM On The Trail

    The internet service is not good on Tilicho Lake Trek. Even if you use cellular data, there are many areas with no network at all. You may have to go 2-3 days without any network to connect with the outside world. Be present in the moment and enjoy the views rather than obsessing over-sharing. You'll have a better trekking experience. The charging facility is given in the tea houses, and you must pay a few extra bucks. We advise getting a solar charger or spare batteries—no ATM on the Tilicho Lake trail.

    Travel Insurance

    We recommend travel insurance covering emergency air evacuation and medical bills to join the Tilicho Lake Trek with us, and it is not mandatory. Even though we ensure the trip goes smoothly without medical assistance, we cannot guarantee it 100%. Trekking at a high altitude has a few limitations that may harm your health. As we talked about altitude sickness earlier, in the worst case (if the symptoms escalate), In a critical situation where severe symptoms have occurred, we are arranging an air evacuation to transport the patient to the hospital. Which varies from person to person. So, we ask our guests to get well-covered travel insurance for their safety.

    Is the Tilicho Lake Trek Worth It?

    Yes, the Tilicho Lake trek is worth it. It is one of the most adventurous and satisfying treks in Nepal. The trail is full of natural beauty, like rivers, lush forests, beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and picturesque villages. The landscapes and mountain panorama are breathtaking. At a reasonable price, you get to explore the second-highest lake in the world and make memories worth cherishing for a lifetime.

    FAQs
    • We have a 15 days long Tilicho Lake trek. If you have a few additional days and are physically fit, then you can consider combining Thorong La pass in the venture. We also organize a short Tilicho lake trek for our guests.

    • Tilicho Lake Trek is a moderately difficult trek. This trek fits perfectly for experienced trekkers. The terrain is rough and steep with high elevations up to 4,920 m.

    • The Tilicho Lake trek costs around USD 950 to USD 1300 per head, depending upon the group size. Iconic Holiday Nepal offers the best Tilicho Lake trek price with no hidden costs.

    • From Pokhara, you have to drive to Chamje. It's an 8 hours drive. The trek begins from Chamje, and you have to walk for 6 to 7 days to reach Tilicho Lake.

    • No, Tilicho Lake is the second-highest lake in the world, situated at 4,919 meters. Kajin Sara Lake in the Chame rural municipality is the highest lake in the world, situated at 5,002 m

    • Tilicho has dimensions of length of 4 km (2.5 mi) & width of 1.2 km (0.75 mi) making a Surface area of 4.8 km2 (1.9 sq mi) with an average depth of 85 m (279 ft). The fresh water of Tilicho has a Water volume of 156×106 liter.

    • You can visit Tilicho Lake from March to April (spring) and October to November (autumn). These are the best months to trek to Tilicho Lake.

    • No, you cannot swim in Tilicho lake because the shoreline is inaccessible, and there's no provision for swimming in the lake by the government.

    • The last accommodation facility is available at the Tilicho Base Camp. From the base camp, the lake is located 4-5 hours away. You'll hike to Tilicho Lake and descend back to base camp to spend the night.

    • Yes, Tilicho Lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in Nepal. No sign of aquatic animals has been seen in this lake till now.

    • Our expert native guide and porters will take care of your needs and safety in the mountains. While our office team will make sure all the bookings and reservations are done on time for a hassle-free journey for you. Our on-field team will also introduce you to Tamangs and their heritage.

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