unfrozen tilicho lake in autumn on the annapurna circuit circuit with tilicho lake trek.
  • placeholder
    Nepal
  • mountain
    Strenuous
  • trekking
    Lodge to Lodge Trek
  • car
    Private Transport+ Public Bus
  • cutlery
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • tent-handmade-outlined-symbol
    Lodge To Lodge
  • group
    Group Size: 1-16 Pax
  • altitude
    5416m (17769 feet)

Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek

  • Getting an adventurous Himalayan Experience
  • The world's highest lake visit
  • Magnificent Mountain Views of the Annapurna Himalayas
  • Adventurous Off-Road Driving Experience 
  • Exceptional Landscapes
  • Typical Villages and Buddhist Monuments
  • Visiting vantae viewpoints
  • Crossing the world's biggest pass (Thorong La)
  • Experiencing natural hot spring

About Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is a bold mountain journey in the Annapurna Region. It covers the world's highest lake visit and Throng La Pass. This two-week trip takes you into the high Himalayan territory through exceptional landscapes and typical villages.

You can see different types of landscapes and soil functions with magnificent views of the high snow-capped Annapurna Mountains while trekking to the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake in Nepal. You can also explore vantage viewpoints and Buddhist monuments on this trip.

The 14-day Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trek begins from Dharapani after a long drive from Kathmandu and ends in Berethanti walking on the Ghorepani Poon Hill route. So, you can enjoy lower altitudes and high Himalayan Alpine natures from this tour at the same time.

The Tilicho Trail after Manang will be very busy for a few days because of its popularity; you will meet many domestic trekkers. Hiking to the Lake from the Tilicho Base Camp is the most challenging day on this trip, which takes 4-5 hours, and you have to start early in the morning with a flashlight.

Two Weeks Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trekking Itinerary

You drive to Dharapani from Kathmandu on the first day to start walking for two weeks at Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trekking. It is a long driving journey, which takes around 10-11 hrs. You can use public transport to Besisahar and change to another jeep to Dharapani or hire private transportation directly from Kathmandu.

You start walking to Chame the second day after a night's stay in Dharapani. It is a busy place because trekkers from the Manaslu Circuit arrive for their last night before returning to Kathmandu. You walk Pisang on the third day and then Manang. You will have open mountain views after Pisang on this trip.

You must have an altitude practice rest day on the journey to Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake to have a spare day in Manang. You can either hike to Parken Gumba (100 Lama) or Chhongkar Viewpoint towards Gangapurna Lake and Glacier.

After being climatized in Manang, you trek to Tilicho Base Camp through Khangsar on the fifth day. You must cross the landslide area, where sometimes stone drops, before you reach Tilicho Base Camp. On the sixth day, you hike to the World's Highest Lake, starting very early in the morning, around 4-5 am, with a flashlight.

After visiting pristine Lake, you return to the base camp for lunch and trek to Khansar. You will also see magnificent views of Tilicho Peak, Khangsar Khang, Gangapurna, and more with Mount Manaslu (8157m) from the Tilicho Trail.

On the eighth day, you reach Ledar through Yak Kharka, which leads to Throng La Pass on the Annapurna Circuit Route. You go over this world's most significant past on the 10th day, another tough day of this journey.

After Thorong La Pass, you get to Muktinath and drive to Tatopani (hot spring) the next day. You trek to Ghorepani from Tatopani, a long walk on an ascending trail. Here, you visit Poon Hill on the thirteenth day's early morning for the sunrise, hike to Hile, and drive to Pokhara. Then, you go back to Kathmandu on the fourteenth day.

Trekking to Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake: Is it a Right Tour for You?

Trekking to Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake is a challenging mountain adventure in Nepal, so beginners may find it difficult. However, everyone with a strong determination and some hiking practice can go on this trip.

Adults also suffer on this trek (especially going towards Tilicho Lake and Throng La Pass) if they are not usual hikers. Elderlies, if they regularly hike in the high altitudes of the Himalayan Region, may feel comfortable walking on this route.

Walking days while trekking to Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake are shorter than going to Tilicho Lake and crossing Throng La and Tatopani to Ghorepani. You will walk around five hours each day except those three days.

Preparation for Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek

The most essential preparation for adventure trips such as the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is the mental things. You must read tour-related information before you plan to visit or ask any questions to us.

After being mentally ready to face any difficulties you will face during this mountain journey, you must do some hiking practice at least once a week for around two to three months before you go on this trek. It helps a lot if you carry a few kg of a backpack. At the same time, you do the hiking practices because you will have a daypack with snacks, valuables, rain cover, water, and warm clothes for the day. You can also run a few kilometers and join an indoor gym to train your legs and muscles.

Equipment to Pack for Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trek

After the mental and physical preparation for the trek, the most important thing is having enough equipment for the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trek. Quality Gear is vital to a thriving mountain trip, so you are well-equipped for this adventure journey.

What do you pack before you go on this trek? Check the list provided below:

  • Sun Hat
  • Winter Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Thermal Layer
  • Trekking Shirts (half and full sleeves)
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Windstoper
  • Down Jacket
  • Thin Gloves
  • Winter Gloves
  • Trekking Trousers (half and full sleeves)
  • Windproof Trouser
  • Trekking Socks
  • Hiking Boots
  • Sport Shoes
  • Water Sandals
  • Daypack
  • Swimming Gear
  • Rucksack or Duffel Bag
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Head Torch
  • Crampons/Spikes
  • Rain Covers
  • Dry Packing Pouches
  • Wet Napkins
  • Moisturizer cream
  • Lipbalm
  • Sun Lotion
  • Toiletries and first-aid kit

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trip Cost

Our Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trip costs 975 USD for a single trekker. However, the trek will be cheaper for multiple hikers in a group. If you are booking this trip in a group or family, we have a special offer for you. You can contact us through email or WhatsApp at +9779851043624 to get a special discount for this adventure journey.

However, the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake will be cheaper for Indian and South Asian trekkers. It won't be a huge difference still; the cheaper permits for these hikers make the trip expenses less.

Grab a Great Experience of Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake with Frolic Adventure

Frolic Adventure is a reputed trekking operator, so grab a great experience of the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake with us. We arrange the tour with experienced government license holder guides and friendly porters for your trip.

Our insured and equipped tour leaders safely lead you to the world's highest Lake and most significant high pass. They provide authentic information about the trip and make quick, positive decisions in any difficulties in the mountain. So, you can book your travel with us without any hesitation today.

Note: We also arrange hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, heritage tour, airport pick-up, and drop services on your demand!

Itinerary

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You take a public-sharing van from Kathmandu to Besisahar in the early morning. It takes around 6-7 hrs through a hillside road. You will cross several charming valleys and towns before you get to Bisisahar. Here, you have lunch and change the next jeep to Dharapani. The road to Dharapani from Besisahar is rough and takes around four hrs. Overnight in Dharapani.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Dharapani
  • Altitude: 1860m (6102.3 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Public Van and Public Jeep
  • Departure Time: 6:00 am

It is the first day of walking on the Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake. You start hiking in the morning after breakfast towards Chame through Bagarchhap, Danaque, Thanchok, and Koto. You see a magnificent view of the Annapurna II from Bagarchhap and Manaslu from Timang Village. It takes around 6-7 hrs to get to Chame today. Overnight in Chame.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Chame
  • Altitude: 2650m (8694.2 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 8:00 am

Today, you hike to upper Pisang from Chame through Talekhu, Bratang, and Dhukur Pokhari. You see a big apple farm in Bratang and can have fresh apple juice, cider, and other apple dishes by taking a short break and then trek to Dhukur Pokhari for lunch. After lunch, you walk another hour to Upper Pisang by crossing the Marsyangdi River. Overnight in Upper Pisang.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Upper Pisang
  • Altitude: 3300m (10826.7 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 8:00 am

You will have open views of the high mountains from today. You hike from Pisang to Manang through Humde, Munji, and Braka. You will see exceptional landscapes and typical villages with clay-roofed buildings along the way to Manang. It takes 4-5 hours to get to Manang from Upper Pisang and overnight in Manang.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Manang
  • Altitude: 3519m (11545.2 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 8:00 am

Today, you have an exploration day in Manang for altitude practice. You can hike to Parken Gumba (100 Lama) or Chhongkar Viewpoint to the Gangapurna Glacier and Gangapurna Lakeside for a short day. You can even walk to the Ice Lake or Milaripa Cave if you love a long exploration from Manang. After the acclimatization hike, you will be back in Manang and can visit coffee shops and bakeries. Overnight in Manang.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Manang
  • Altitude: 3519m (11545.2 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 9:00 am

It is a long day of walking from Manang to Tilicho Base Camp. You get to Khansar Village around 2-3 hrs from Manang and then walk another hour to an hour and a half to Shree Kharka. You stop for lunch and trek to Tilicho Base Camp by crossing a landslide area. Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Tilicho Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4160m (13648.2 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 7:00 am

It is a challenging day to hike to Tilicho Lake. You start the day early morning, around 4:30, with a flashlight. The trail gradually ascends for around 2 hours and steeply climbs for another hour from the 22 Ghumti (turnings) trail. There is a small tea shop near the Lake so that you can have hot drinks in this hut. After a successful Tilicho Lake Visit, you hike back to the Base Camp for Lunch and trek to Shree Kharka to stay. You will see magnificent views of the high mountains like Khangsar Khang, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and more with Mount Manaslu from this trail today. Overnight in Shree Kharka.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Shree Kharka
  • Altitude: 4010m (13156.1 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 4:30 am

Today, you will join the main Annapurna Circuit trail, walking from Shree Kharka to Ledar. You start the day with a gradual ascending trail until old Khangsar and then a long, steep descent to the river. You cross a suspension bridge and climb for half an hour to meet the Annapurna Circuit Trekking (ACT) route. After catching the ACT path, you hike an hour to Yakkharka, where you stop for lunch. Then, you trek another 45 minutes to Ledar. Overnight in Ledar.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Ledar
  • Altitude: 4200m (13779.5 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 8:00am

It is a short day. You walk around 4 hours to the High Camp through Phedi. The trail until Phedi ascends gradually, but you will have a zigzag steep path for the last hour to an hour and a half to Thorong High Camp. Overnight in High Camp.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: High Camp
  • Altitude: 4200m (13779.5 feet)
  • Departure Time: 7:00 am

It is another complex and long day. You start walking early, around 5 am, with a headtorch towards Thorong La Pass (5416m). It takes 3-4 hrs to reach the top and walk on the descending trail to Muktinath. The trail to Muktinath is strenuous if there is snow and ice. Overnight in Muktinath.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Muktinath
  • Altitude: 3710m (12171.9 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 5:00 am

Today is a relaxing day! You drive from Muktinath to Tadapani. The driving road is not wrong, but you feel scared in some places with falling cliffs and bumps. You will pass traditional Thakali Villages, the attractive Rupse Waterfall, and the world's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge. Once you arrive in Tatopani, you can have a few hours of rest and visit the natural hot spring in the evening. Overnight in Tatopani.

Alternatively, if you travel for a few days, you can stop in Jomsom today and fly out to Pokhara the next day.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Tatopani
  • Altitude: 1190m (3904.1 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Drive
  • Departure Time: 9:00 am

Walking in the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Tour is another long day. The trail to Ghorepani from Tatop[ani ascends, but you will have some flat parts, too. It takes around 7-8 hours to get through typical villages. You see the locals' traditional lifestyle and daily activities while walking today. The view from this trail of Annapurna South, Nilgiri, Baraha Shikhar, Dhaulagiri, and Tukuche is magnificent. Overnight in Ghorepani.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner
  • Accommodation: Guesthouse
  • Place: Ghorepani
  • Altitude: 2850m (9350.3 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk
  • Departure Time: 7:00 am

It is another early morning start. You hike to Poon Hill with a flashlight to catch a sunrise from Ghorepani. It is around an hour's walk in the dark. You will see magnificent views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, Gurja Himal, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri South, Baraha Shikhar, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapuchchhre, Annapurna II, and more from the Poon Hill. After enjoying stunning views, you return to Ghorepani, have breakfast, and trek downwards to Birethanti through Ulleri, Tikhedhunga, and Hile. Our private transport will be waiting for you here in Birethanti to take you to Pokhara. Overnight in Pokhara.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Lunch
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Place: Pokhara
  • Altitude: 820m (2690.2 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Walk+Drive
  • Departure Time: 4:00-5:00 am

You drive back to Kathmandu in a tourist bus in the morning today with the unforgettable Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Adventure. The bus journey to Kathmandu takes around 7 hrs, but it may take longer because of the road construction. Alternatively, You can fly on a plane to avoid the long driving journey. After refreshment, you will have a farewell dinner with Frolic Adventure in the evening.

  • Meals: Breakfast+Dinner
  • Accommodation: None
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1350m (4429.1 feet)
  • Mode of Transportation: Drive
  • Departure Time: 7:30 am

Cost Details

  • Public sharing van from Kathmandu to Besisahar and sharing jeep from Besisahar to Dharapani
  • Public Bus from Muktinath to Tatopani
  • Private car/van/bus from Birethanti to Pokhara
  • Tourist Bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu
  • One night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Pokhara
  • Annapurna Conservation permit, TIMS Card, and other necessary papers for the trek
  • All accommodation in the mountain
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on the trek (a cup of tea or coffee in the morning)
  • Fresh fruit in every evening
  • Experienced, Friendly, and knowledgeable government license holder guide
  • Strong, friendly, and helpful porter (one for two people)
  • Salary, food, drink, transportation, and accommodation for guide and porter
  • Insurance for guide and porter
  • Sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag (If you do not have any)
  • Arrangement of emergency helicopter service and ground transportation if needed (paid by your travel insurance company)
  • All Government TAX
  • Farewell Dinner in Last Evening in Kathmandu
  • Your Nepal entry visa (you can get it on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu)
  • Your Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Food and drink in the city (Kathmandu and Pokhara)
  • Sweet things like dessert on the trek
  • Day snacks
  • Hot shower, battery charging, WiFi, and heater charges
  • Other entry fees for monastery, hill stations, and hot spring
  • All alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and hot drinks on the trek
  • Tips for guide, porter, and driver
  • Your shopping
  • Things that are not in the included section

PRICES & DATES

Trip DatesAvailabilityNotesPrice  
04 Dec, 2024 - 17 Dec, 2024AvailableUS$975
09 Dec, 2024 - 22 Dec, 2024AvailableUS$975
13 Dec, 2024 - 26 Dec, 2024AvailableUS$975
24 Dec, 2024 - 06 Jan, 2025AvailableUS$975
25 Dec, 2024 - 07 Jan, 2025AvailableUS$975

Useful Info

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is a problematic and adventure trip. Several difficulties you may face during this journey. What makes the trip difficult, then?

High Altitudes with less oxygen in the air at higher elevations make the trip difficult for the trekkers. Besides the elevation, cold temperature and long walking camps make the tour challenging. You will also cross some landslide areas, where stones may drop. Heavy snowfall sometimes makes walking difficult, making descending in the higher regions slippery.

Best Time to Trek to Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake

Autumn from September to December is the best time to trek to Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. In these months, you can see bright views of the high mountains and unfrozen Lake with the blue color. You can also go on this trip in spring from March to May. The mountain views are magnificent, with colorful forests with blooming rhododendrons in this time, but the Lake freezes. The temperature during the journey in the higher region will be warmer in spring compared to autumn.

Accommodation, Food, and Drink on Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trail

Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake trekking route is a well-managed Himalayan Region with plenty of lodges to stay in each camp. You will have a twin-sharing private room in the guesthouse during the trek.

You will have a food menu where you stay and the same for the lunch stop. You will have many options for the food on the menu, so you do not have to wait for the local course all the time. But, if you would like to try traditional Nepali food on the trip, you can order it for your main course.

You can buy safe drinking water from the stations in each place, which is cheaper than bottled water. You must have your empty bottle to refill the safe drinking from the stations. You can also buy bottled water in the lodge where you stay or in the grocery shops along the way. If you drink normal water, you can fill your bottle with tap water, but you must use purifications before you drink it.

Toilets, Showers, Internet, and Battery Charging While Trekking to Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake

You will have accessible hot shower facilities in most places but must pay in some areas. However, the hot shower cost is relatively cheaper than in the Everest Base Camp Trek. You will get a free of cost warm bath from Solar heating, but if the lodges are using gas on a cloudy day, you must pay for it.

You will have sitting and squat toilets in the guesthouses, where you will stay during your journey to the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. You will also get an indoor attached bathroom in some places and sharing toilets most of the time. There won’t be papers to use from the guesthouse, so you have to take your toilet rolls.

There is electricity in most places, so you can charge your phone and camera quickly. However, the lodges use solar power for the light and setting in the higher regions in some places like Throng High Camp. Here, you may not charge your stuff, so taking a power bank with you for this day is better.

Every guesthouse has a Wi-Fi facility while trekking to the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. You can use them for free, but the service may be slow. You can also buy a Nepali SIM Card and use data, but the internet from the phone does not work in the higher areas.

Safety Advice for the Trek

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is a safe trek. Still, there might be some unexpected situations everywhere you travel in the mountain regions. Altitude Sickness is a significant problem in the High Himalayan elevations. You must amble, drink plenty of fluid, eat well, sleep well, and keep warm to prevent altitude problems. If you have strange symptoms, consult our guides and take their suggestion.

You will be walking on the landslide areas somewhere on the trip. Wind, moving yak, and blue sheep can be the causes of falling stones, so be careful while crossing landslides and check upwards from the trail during walking.

If the trail is icy and there is lots of snow, the walking path will be slippery. Remember to use crampons/spikes while descending the steep trail.

What if You Struggle to Hike to Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass?

If you struggle to hike to Tilicho Lake from the base camp and Thorong La Pass from the high camp, you can hire a horse. Riding a horse is relatively safe, but if the path is icy, they can not walk. It would help if you employed a yak in this case.

What Should You Do If You Can Not Go Over Throng La After Tilicho Lake?

Suppose you struggle to walk after visiting Tilicho Lake and cannot go over Thorong La for the Annapurna Circuit. In that case, you can drive from Khangsar to Besisahar and Kathmandu. If the condition worsens, you can take a helicopter ride directly to Kathmandu.

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