Tilicho Lake Trek

When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city’s attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu’s many adventure supply stores. We’ll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.

Today, drive to Besisahar, the beginning point of the day’s journey, early in the morning. It is also the town connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu to numerous trekking sites, such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu Circuit Treks, and Tsum Valley Trek.

Continue traveling for another 4-5 hours to reach Chame, a picturesque Gurung settlement at the base of a hill. This community is not highly populated. Expect however friendly greets and excellent hospitality when in town. After arriving, check into your lodging and spend the evening at your leisure.

First, we travel through the older section of Chame, ascend to Telekhu, and then continue on a long, level path through woodlands en route to Brathang. After rounding a bend in the trail, we must cross a suspension bridge to return to the south side of the Marsyangdi River. The trail next leads us on a modest elevation over a pine-forested slope, before leveling off as we go from the upper section of the Manang valley to Pisang.

Pisang marks the beginning of the upper region of the Manang district. On this day, the walk ascends to the Tibetan-style settlement of Braga. Here, houses are built upon one another, making verandas with their roofs. The primary attraction is the Gompa, the largest in the district, which features an extensive collection of statues and is placed on a cliff overlooking the entire village. We arrive at Manang, where we refresh and spend the night, after a while.

As we ascend to higher elevations, we must acclimatize in order to prevent altitude sickness. With its magnificent natural surroundings and afternoon trek to Khangsar, Manang is the ideal location.

The journey continues today toward Tilicho Lake, which is located at the western end of Manang. Follow the trail to the river’s base. After crossing the Khangsar Khola, reach Khangsar and go toward the village section, which is still quite Tibetan in nature. Trek to Shree Kharka in order to spend the night in a teahouse.

Hike uphill in the late afternoon to see Himalayan blue sheep and the surrounding mountains. The evening is yours to enjoy.

After passing a monastery on the trail today, continue ascending a recently constructed path toward a high ridge. At one point, there is a crossroads. One way maintains height by ascending the slopes to a location where the valley is narrow, while the other continues to ascend toward the ridgeline. The former is the old trail, which continues along a steep screed and is much more difficult; the latter is the new path, which takes an entirely different route. Continue down the new trail, ascend to a ridge, then descend switchbacks carved into the hillsides to a side valley of the main valley. At its base is a stream. On the other side is a building known as the Tilicho Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters.

Today, rise and shine early to avoid the wind. To reach Tilicho Lake requires an additional 3 to 4 hours. Claimed to be the highest lake in the world, Tilicho Lake is a cold, desolate location in the afternoon. Spend some time around Tilicho Lake and take photos and videos of the surreal surroundings upon arrival.

Return via the same route to the base camp for lunch. After lunch, take a stroll along the riverbank and across the steep landslide region to Siri Kharka. When you reach the teahouse, you can relax with a hot shower and a cold beer for the remainder of the day and into the evening.

While most trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit go on to Yak Kharka, you should continue on to the town of Manang. Along the riverbank, you will pass the monastery. Stop for lunch in Khangsar before reaching the settlement of Manang.

Then, enjoy some free time accompanied by another hot shower and a cold drink. You also have the option of seeing a movie on a little projector in a theater at the top of the world.

Today, you will depart Manang via Jeep. Along the route, pass past apple orchards and little towns, then stop for dhal bhat, a traditional Nepalese delicacy. Stop at Besisahar, the endpoint of the day, and spend the night there. Evening: freshen up and unwind at the hotel.

Early in the morning, return to Kathmandu via private Jeep transfer. The normal travel time is five hours. After checking into the hotel in Kathmandu, you are at liberty to relax or go shopping. Explore the region further, learning more about the monasteries and meeting the lamas. Send and receive emails with your traveling buddies, organize your photographs, and sip a beer while viewing the sunset from the hotel patio. Relax and enjoy your last night in Nepal.

Today we will take you to the airport to catch your flight out of Nepal. Alternatively, if you’d like to stay longer, we may make additional travel arrangements to assist you continue your Nepal experience.