Tilicho Lake

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. Our Staff member meets you and transfers you to the hotel.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Morning wake-up and breakfast in the hotel

Our guide will meet you at your hotel and brief you about the upcoming trek. He will guide you through all the formalities and necessary paperwork required for the trek.

After that, we then do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley of famous UNESCO world heritage sites like Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupas in the world & Swayambhunath, a famous monkey temple.Apart from Sightseeing, we also get a TIMS card and permits for our trekking on this day. In the evening, we do initial preparation for the trek.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Our Tilicho Lake Trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, passing through the beautiful countryside of central Nepal. The route follows the Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River before continuing towards Besisahar, passing through terraced hills, riverside settlements, and traditional villages. After reaching Besisahar, we continue the journey by a local jeep along the rugged mountain road towards Chame, following the spectacular Marsyangdi Valley.

The jeep ride from Besisahar to Chame offers a closer look at the changing landscapes of the Annapurna region, with views of waterfalls, deep gorges, pine forests, and towering Himalayan peaks. After approximately 9–10 hours of combined driving, we arrive at Chame (2,670m), the gateway to the Manang Valley and the starting point of our trek towards Tilicho Lake. Surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery, Chame provides the perfect place to rest before beginning our trekking adventure. Overnight stay at a local teahouse in Chame.

Leaving Chame, we begin our trek through the beautiful Marsyangdi Valley, following a scenic trail surrounded by pine forests, towering cliffs, and spectacular Himalayan landscapes. The route crosses suspension bridges, passes small settlements, and winds through narrow valleys, with magnificent views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Pisang Peak accompanying us throughout the day. As we gradually gain altitude, the landscape becomes more open, offering an impressive glimpse of the higher Annapurna region.

By late afternoon, we reach Upper Pisang (3,300m), a traditional Himalayan village renowned for its ancient monastery, Tibetan-influenced culture, and breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. After trekking approximately 13–15 kilometres in around 5–6 hours, we settle into a local teahouse and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while preparing for the next stage of our journey towards Tilicho Lake. 

Overnight stay at a teahouse in Upper Pisang.

Continuing our journey through the Annapurna region, we follow the scenic upper trail from Upper Pisang towards Manang, one of the most beautiful sections of the trek. The route takes us through the traditional villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal, where we walk along peaceful mountain paths surrounded by breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and the Chulu ranges. The higher trail offers incredible Himalayan scenery while allowing us to gain altitude gradually, which is important as we continue towards the higher sections of the Tilicho Lake Trek.

As we make our way into the wide and beautiful Manang Valley, the landscape becomes more open, with dramatic mountain views and a strong Tibetan-influenced culture. We arrive at Manang (3,540m), a traditional Himalayan village known for its stone houses, monasteries, prayer walls, and stunning surroundings. After trekking approximately 15–16 kilometres in around 6–7 hours, we settle into a local teahouse and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this remarkable mountain village. 

Overnight stay at a teahouse in Manang.

Spending an acclimatization day in Manang allows us to adjust gradually to the increasing altitude before continuing towards Tilicho Lake (4,919m). Rather than remaining completely inactive, we take short hikes around the village and nearby viewpoints to help our bodies adapt while enjoying the spectacular Himalayan scenery. Popular excursions include the hike to Gangapurna Lake, Ice Lake, or gentle walks around Manang village, offering breathtaking views of Gangapurna, Annapurna II, Tilicho Peak, and the surrounding mountains.

This rest day also provides an excellent opportunity to explore the unique culture and traditions of the Manang Valley, visit local monasteries, observe traditional stone-built villages, and experience the lifestyle of high-altitude Himalayan communities. After a rewarding day of exploration and acclimatization, we return to our teahouse in Manang and prepare for the next stage of our journey towards Tilicho Lake. 

Overnight stay at a teahouse in Manang.

Leaving the beautiful village of Manang, we begin our journey towards Khangsar, the gateway to the remote Tilicho Lake region. The trail follows the scenic Marsyangdi Valley before gradually branching away from the main Annapurna Circuit route. Along the way, we walk through peaceful landscapes with views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Tilicho Peak, and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. The quieter trail offers a more secluded trekking experience as we move away from the busier sections of the Annapurna region.

As we approach Khangsar (3,734m), the landscape becomes more rugged and alpine, with traditional stone houses and dramatic mountain surroundings creating a true Himalayan atmosphere. After trekking approximately 6–7 kilometres in around 3–4 hours, we arrive at Khangsar, a small traditional village where we can rest and prepare for the challenging trail towards Tilicho Base Camp and Tilicho Lake. 

Overnight stay at a local teahouse in Khangsar.

Today’s trail takes us deeper into the remote Tilicho Valley as we make our way from Khangsar towards Tilicho Lake Base Camp. The route gradually climbs through a rugged Himalayan landscape, following a dramatic trail above the Khangsar Khola with impressive views of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and the surrounding snow-covered mountains. As we move further into this less-travelled part of the Annapurna region, the peaceful surroundings and untouched landscapes create a truly remarkable trekking experience.

The trail includes some steep climbs and narrow sections, making this a challenging yet rewarding day of the Tilicho Lake Trek. Upon reaching Tilicho Lake Base Camp (4,150m), we find ourselves surrounded by spectacular alpine scenery and towering Himalayan peaks. After trekking approximately 7–8 kilometres in around 4–5 hours, we settle into the teahouse at base camp and prepare for the next day’s adventure to Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world. 

Overnight stay at a teahouse in Tilicho Lake Base Camp.

The highlight of our Tilicho Lake Trek begins with an early morning hike from Tilicho Lake Base Camp towards the magnificent Tilicho Lake (4,920m), one of the highest lakes in the world. The trail gradually ascends through a rugged alpine landscape, with dramatic mountain cliffs and breathtaking views of Tilicho Peak and the surrounding Himalayan ranges. As we approach the lake, the peaceful atmosphere and stunning turquoise waters create an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Annapurna region.

After spending time at Tilicho Lake, taking in the incredible scenery and capturing memorable moments, we retrace our steps back to Tilicho Lake Base Camp. Although the hike is challenging due to the high altitude and steep terrain, the beauty of the landscape makes every step worthwhile. After trekking approximately 10–12 kilometres in around 5–6 hours, we return to the base camp for a well-earned rest. 

Overnight stay at a teahouse in Tilicho Lake Base Camp.

The trail continues as we leave Tilicho Lake Base Camp and make our way back towards the beautiful Manang Valley. Retracing part of the route through the remote landscapes of the Tilicho region, we descend gradually through rugged mountain terrain while enjoying impressive views of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and the surrounding Himalayan ranges. The return journey offers a different perspective of the landscapes we passed earlier, with peaceful trails and dramatic scenery throughout the day.

As we approach Manang Village (3,540m), the familiar sight of traditional stone houses, monasteries, and prayer walls welcomes us back to this beautiful Himalayan settlement. After trekking approximately 15–16 kilometres in around 6–7 hours, we arrive in Manang and enjoy a well-deserved rest before continuing towards the higher sections of the Annapurna region. Overnight stay at a teahouse in Manang.

Our journey continues with a scenic drive from Manang to Besisahar, following the winding mountain roads through the beautiful Marsyangdi Valley. As we descend from the high Himalayan landscape, the scenery gradually changes from alpine terrain to green hills, rivers, waterfalls, and traditional villages. The drive offers a final opportunity to enjoy the remarkable landscapes of the Annapurna region while passing through the diverse environments we have experienced throughout the trek.

After several hours on the mountain road, we arrive in Besisahar, the gateway town of the Annapurna region. The drive takes approximately 7–8 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. Upon arrival, we can relax and reflect on the unforgettable experience of exploring Tilicho Lake and the Annapurna Himalayas. 

Overnight stay at a lodge in Besisahar.

The journey continues with a scenic drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu, following the winding roads alongside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers. As we leave the Annapurna region behind, the route passes through beautiful hills, terraced farmland, riverside settlements, and vibrant local communities, offering one last glimpse of the diverse landscapes of central Nepal.

After approximately 6–7 hours of driving, depending on road and traffic conditions, we arrive in Kathmandu, marking the completion of our Tilicho Lake Trek adventure. Once back in the capital, we can relax and enjoy the comforts of the city while reflecting on the unforgettable memories created during our Himalayan journey. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After completing our unforgettable Tilicho Lake Trek, we enjoy our final moments in Kathmandu before departure. Depending on the flight schedule, we can spend some time exploring the city, shopping for souvenirs, or simply relaxing before heading to the airport.

Our team will assist with the necessary arrangements and transfer us to Tribhuvan International Airport for our onward journey. We depart Nepal with wonderful memories of the Himalayan landscapes, traditional mountain villages, and the incredible experience of trekking to Tilicho Lake, carrying home stories that will last a lifetime.