Why Tilicho Lake Trek?
Tilicho Lake Trek is an attractive choice for several reasons such as unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and challenging adventure, making it a highly rewarding experience for all trekkers.
- Enjoy the scenic beauty of Tilicho Lake and the surrounding mountain views such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and other Himalayan giants.
- Experience the culture and gain insights into the traditional lifestyles of the Gurung, Thakali, and Manang people. Visit ancient monasteries and temples, adding a spiritual dimension to the journey.
- The challenging adventure trek provides a great sense of achievement, reaching Tilicho Lake (4,900 meters) and crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters).
- Experience the rich biodiversity, with diverse flora and fauna, including rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and various wildlife species.
- Feel the peaceful and secluded trekking experience due to its less crowded, off-the-beaten-path compared to other popular treks in the Annapurna region
- You can make a flexible itinerary customized to fit different time frames and fitness levels, making it accessible to a wide range of trekkers.
- Connect with the Annapurna Circuit Trek, allowing trekkers to experience two iconic treks in one journey.
How does Tilicho lake trek goes?
The Tilicho Lake Trek begins from Dharapani, which is reached after a long drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and then a 3-4 hour drive from Besisahar to Dharapani. Dharapani is the village where both the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake treks start. It is accessible by road and situated at an elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level.
From Dharapani to Manang, the trekking trail is similar for both the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake treks. The trail passes through villages like Timang, Chame, and Pisang before reaching Manang, where most trekkers spend two nights for acclimatization. Some parts of the trail involve walking on roads, which can be challenging due to dust and noise.
From Manang, the trail to Tilicho Base Camp heads northwest through Khangsar and Shree Kharka. Before reaching Tilicho Base Camp, there is a risky landslide area that requires careful navigation. Tilicho Lake is a high-altitude glacial lake, and trekking from Tilicho Base Camp to the lake can be quite difficult due to its high-altitude terrain, narrow steep ascents, and occasional landslides.
After spending a night at Tilicho Base Camp, you will trek to Tilicho Lake the next day. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas with Tilicho Peak prominently in sight, though the trail remains challenging due to its high altitude and rugged conditions.
Tilicho Lake Trek cost
The cost of the Tilicho Lake Trek varies depending on several factors, including the length of the trek, the type of services you choose, your preferences, the trekking agency, and the group size. Our Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary, which includes Thorong La Pass, spans 14 days from arrival to departure in Kathmandu. For a typical 11-14 days Tilicho Lake Trek, the total cost ranges from $800 to $1,500 per person. This estimate includes permits, guide and porter fees, accommodation, meals, and transportation.
Using a Western trekking agency might result in a higher cost compared to a local trekking agency, as local agencies often provide a more comprehensive estimate. We are always flexible and provide a tailored quote based on your specific preferences and requirements.
Tilicho Lake Trek Preparation
The Tilicho Lake Trek is a challenging trek due to its high-altitude terrain and long duration. Therefore, it is essential to prepare carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience. If you have any concerns about how to prepare, please do not hesitate to ask questions. We can provide you with useful information before you plan your trip.
After choosing the Tilicho Lake Trek, you should focus on physical preparation through cardiovascular training, strength training, and hiking practice. Next, ensure you pack the right gear and equipment. We will always inform you about what to pack and what not to pack. Your trekking gear should be comprehensive yet lightweight and useful.
Trekkers should also maintain a positive mindset and be mentally prepared for potential difficulties. It is important to have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation. Using a reputable trekking agency and hiring an experienced guide is highly recommended to successfully complete the Tilicho Lake Trek, including the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Best time to visit Tilicho Lake Trek
The best time for the Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna CircuitTrek falls into two primary trekking seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Even though the beginning of September to the end of May are very good times for the Tilicho Lake Trek, proper preparation is needed during the months of December, January, and February. By choosing the best trekking season, you'll maximize your chances of enjoying clear views, pleasant weather, and a memorable trekking experience to Tilicho Lake.
Spring (March to May)
- Weather:The weather is generally stable and warm during the day, with longer days and stable temperatures, making for comfortable trekking conditions. Nights can still be cold at higher elevations, but not as harsh as in winter.
- Scenery:This season is known for its vibrant rhododendron blooms and lush greenery. The clear skies offer stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Autumn (September to November)
- Weather:Post-monsoon, the weather is stable with clear skies and excellent visibility. Daytime temperatures are moderate, and nights are colder but manageable with proper gear.
- Scenery:The landscapes are lush and green after the monsoon rains, and the clear skies provide some of the best views of the surrounding mountains.
- Festivals:This period coincides with major Nepali festivals like Dashain and Tihar, offering a unique cultural experience.
Winter (December to February): While possible, winter trekking to Tilicho Lake can be challenging due to cold temperatures and the risk of snow blocking the trails. Only experienced trekkers with an experienced guide should consider this season for the Tilicho Lake Trek.
Monsoon (June to August): The monsoon season brings heavy rains slippery trails, making it the least favorable time for the trek. However, some trekkers have still trekked there, being prepared for rain and humidity.
Tilicho Lake Trek difficulty
Tilicho Lake Trek is considered to have a demanding level, requiring 5 to 8 hours of walking per day. The trail is well-maintained, with a mix of uphill and downhill terrain at progressively increasing altitudes.
This trek typically takes 11 to 14 days. Moderate fitness is required for all trekkers, but good health, physical fitness, mental preparedness, and strong determination to ascend to 5,416 meters are highly recommended. Some experience in multi-day hiking or trekking is beneficial.
Starting at Dharapani, where you'll spend your first night at an altitude of 1,900 meters, the trek ascends to 4900 meters at tilicho Lake and 5416 meters at Thorong La Pass. From Pisang to Tilicho Lake, the trail poses more difficulty due to significant altitude gain and rugged terrain, but it is generally not extreme. Proper acclimatization days, such as staying at Manang Village, help trekkers adjust to the elevation and minimize the risk of altitude sickness.
The trek to Tilicho Lake, the highest glacial lake in the world, is definitely not simple. Some sections of the trail are relatively challenging, with steep slopes, narrow paths, falling rocks, rocky terrain, and high-altitude conditions. Certain parts of the trail can be prone to landslides and avalanches. Snowfall and rainfall can make the trek even more difficult, so it is important to prepare with proper seasonal equipment.
Having a experience guide and strong porter is highly recommended for successfully completing the Tilicho Lake Trek without difficulties. A guide will provide valuable information and assistance, while a porter will carry your luggage, making your trip to Tilicho Lake Trek more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Acclimatization day to reduce the Altitude Sickness for Tilicho Lake Trek
An acclimatization day is necessary during the Tilicho Lake trek because the trek's highest point is Tilicho Lake at 4,900 meters, and Thorong La Pass is at 5,416 meters. During the trek, you gradually climb from 1,900 meters at Dharapani to 5,416 meters at Thorong La, passing through 4,900 meters at Tilicho Lake. As you ascend, the oxygen levels and air pressure decrease compared to sea level. Once you reach an altitude above 3,000 meters, you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, loss of appetite, tiredness, dizziness, and sleeplessness.
So the Manang Village is our acclimatization rest day in our itinerary. It helps prevent altitude sickness and adapt to the environment. If you experience any of these symptoms during the Annapurna Circuit Trek, it is important to address them immediately to avoid difficulties in completing the trek. To prevent these issues, you should follow your guide's instructions, as they are knowledgeable about high-altitude sickness.
When ascending on the Tilicho Lake Trek, be honest with your guide about how you are feeling. Your guide will advise you to walk slowly and may suggest that you sleep at a lower altitude before ascending further. This practice, known as acclimatization, helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
To prevent altitude sickness, you should follow the itinerary closely, as proper acclimatization helps your body adapt to higher elevations. Additionally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, eat a well-balanced diet with sufficient carbohydrates, maintain a comfortable pace, and avoid alcohol and sedatives. By adhering to these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of altitude sickness and have a safer and more enjoyable trek on the Tilicho Lake with Annapurna Circuit. However, if you continue to feel unwell despite following these recommendations, you should return to a lower altitude.
Required Permits and Permits Cost for Tilicho Lake Trek
For the Tilicho Lake Trek, you need two primary permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) Card. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so it is necessary to buy the ACAP permits for entrance. The TIMS card is for tracking trekkers, ensuring their safety and security during trekking activities.
Both of these permits are compulsory for the Tilicho Lake Trekking. These permits are obtained through registered trekking agencies from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara. It's recommended to obtain these permits in advance to avoid any hassles during your trek.
You must carry these permits with you throughout the entire trek and present them at every checkpoint along the Tilicho Lake Trek. If you are found trekking without these permits, you will have to purchase them on the spot at double the cost (penalty), or you may be required to turn back.
TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card
- It Cost US$ 20 per person/ per Trek
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permits
- It cost US$ 30 only per person/ per trek
Accommodation in Tilicho Lake Trek
There are many accommodations and restaurants along the trekking trail to Tilicho Lake up to Manang Village, as new houses and rooms are added for trekkers every year. So, you can easily find comfortable accommodation until Manang Village. However, above Manang, there are limited teahouses, and each teahouse has limited accommodations controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. During the peak season, it can be difficult to find room, so you have to advance book is highly recommended. Almost all teahouses strive to provide the best service for all travelers.
Normally, lodges have private rooms (2 beds per room) with shared indoor bathrooms. They also offer rooms with attached bathrooms for luxury facilities in few places after and before Thorongla Pass, but it is difficult to find such accommodations during the peak trekking season. It is highly recommended to book in advance. Teahouses offer hot showers for an additional fee. Charging electronic devices is usually available for a fee as well, but it's recommended to carry a power bank.
Food in Tilicho Lake Trek
Food during the Tilicho Lake Trek is primarily provided by the teahouses along the trail. Every teahouse has a food menu, and the food items are almost the same at every teahouse in each location. You can choose food from the menu based on your requirements. Most of the teahouses grow fresh vegetables in their gardens and serve them to customers, especially at lower altitudes. The cooks are generally trained, but the taste of the food might be a bit different from Western cuisine. It is sdvisable to be vegetarian during the Tilicho Lake Trek.
Breakfast:
- Porridge:Oatmeal or other grain-based porridge.
- Bread:Tibetan bread, chapati, or toast with jam, honey, or peanut butter.
- Eggs:Boiled, scrambled, fried, or in an omelet.
- Pancakes:Often served with honey, Jam or chocolate spread.
- Tea/Coffee:Local tea, black tea, green tea, or instant coffee.
Lunch and Dinner:
- Dal Bhat:A traditional Nepali meal consisting of rice, lentil soup (dal), vegetable curry, and sometimes meat. It is highly recommended due to its balanced nutrition and energy content.
- Noodles:Fried noodles, noodle soup, or Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup).
- Rice Dishes:Fried rice or rice with curry.
- Momos:Nepali dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, served steamed or fried.
- Pizza:Basic pizza, often with a thick crust and limited toppings.
- Pasta:Simple pasta dishes like spaghetti or macaroni with sauce.
- Soups:Various soups, including garlic soup (recommended for altitude sickness prevention), vegetable soup, and tomato soup.
Recommendations
- Dal Bhat Power:As the saying goes, "Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hour!" It's a nutritious and filling option that provides sustained energy for trekking.
- Hydration:Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, tea, and soup.
- Energy Boosters:Carry high-energy snacks like nuts, chocolate, and dried fruits to maintain energy levels during the trek.
Drinking water in Tilicho Lake Trek
Safe drinking water is an important factor during the Tilicho Lake Trek. Staying hydrated is essential for successfully completing the trip, especially at high altitudes. Bottled water is available in teahouses and shops along the trek but prices increase as you ascend, typically ranging from NPR 100 to NPR 400 per liter.
There are natural water sources available, such as streams, rivers, and tap water in many places along the trek, but this water should always be purified before drinking. For water purification, you can use water purification tablets, water filters, or UV purification. You can also ask your guide for information about safe drinking water during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Communication in the Annapurna Region
Annapurna region is popular trekking destination In Nepal. There are good mobile network services and internet services in the whole Annapurna region trekking area but not few places such as Nar Phu Valley, Tilicho Lake and Saribung Pass trekking. The internet service will be available whole Region but tea-houses and lodges provide internet with some extra charge. If you have not Nepali SIM card for communication with your family and not use the internet service, our guide help to you for pass the massage because always our guide have cellular phone and he contact to Kathmandu trekking office about to know the trek and your health condition as well as we help any kinds of problem during the trek.
Hence, travelling is important things in life so we make sure you about safe and healthy during the trekking in Nepal. Nowadays, you can get the local SIM card in Kathmandu airport after arrival to use the 3g and 4g internet service because most of the trekking routes in Nepal have Mobile Network service. If you need Nepali SIM, we can provide to you for your trekking but you have to tell us before leave the trekking.
Acclimatization:
High altitude sickness is common problem in the high Himalayan area when you go as higher elevation. It is appears very quickly but symptoms are preventable. If you have previous high altitude trekking experience, it might be best but if not trek in above three thousand meters high you need to prevention of the high altitude sickness. You need a extra suitable acclimatization days to complete the trip and Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, don’t drink alcohol, go higher and sleep low elevation as well as spend 2 nights on every 500 meters above than 3500 meters heights are prevent the altitude sickness during the trekking in Nepal. All our trekking itineraries are flexible with acclimatization days and first priority for your health and safety to complete the trek without any problem. We provide you basic medicine to support for emergency rescue, if situation gets worse.
Hence, every day you have inform to your Guide or Leader about your health condition and he will response to decide whether and your overall health condition to continue the trip or return back.
Tipping information
The Guide, porter, driver and all workers who are working in tourism filed, they except some tips during your Tour Trekking and others activities in Nepal. Tipping is judgment of workers from travelers and workers offers the tips end of the trek. Travelers tips 10% of their payable amount but you can give to them depend on their services.
Hence, it is important to High Pass Adventure working team who take care to you all the time during the visiting in Nepal, motivated with outstanding service and offer inspiring trip in a lifetime experience.
Trip extension
If you have extra time after complete the trek, you can do different activities or different short trek in Nepal. We have many short tour packages and adventure activities such as Chitwan National park and Bardiya National Park for Jungle safari tours. You can visit Pokhara city, Nagarkot Hiking, Dhampus hiking or day Rafting trip in Trisuli River.
Adventure activities are like paragliding, canoeing, Ultra light flight, Bungee Jump and Mountain Biking. These all package are extra activities as optional tours and not included in your package cost. If you will do these activities after the trip with us, we arrange at a reasonable cost and we give to you good discount.
Trekking Gear List
Travel equipment are necessary to pack before you travel. We hope it is too much to carry from your home to others country but some are the necessary equipment can be hired or buy in Kathmandu around Thamel. These general equipment are for all seasons while on trekking in Nepal, but may be different as per the different season and duration of trekking routes on your chosen trip.
Documents:
- Passport and 4 passport size photos
- Travel insurance details (in case an emergency evacuation if needed)
- Boarding passes for flights
- Driver’s license (if needed)
- Cash USD
- Credit/Debit Card (Ensure you have $500 on your card incase an emergency helicopter evacuation is needed)
Sleeping:
- Sleeping bag (Comfort rating -15 Celsius recommended)
- Sleeping bag liner (Optional)
Footwear:
- Trekking boots: one pair lightweight
- Sandals for city and tea house footwear
- Shoes for the plane and tea houses (Optional)
- Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Clothing for Body:
Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking:
- Base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
- Fleece/Windproof jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Down jacket for warmth
- Travel clothes and City Wear
- Underwear
- Base-layer trousers (optional)
- Waterproof trousers
- Trekking trousers
- Trekking shorts (Optional)
- Gloves and wool hat
- bandanna or scarf
Health Requirements (Basic First Aid Kit)
- First-aid kit; should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea
- Re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking if any particular
- Wet wipes for cleaning can be purchased in Kathmandu
Others:
- Sunglasses and Sun cream
- Towel
- Book (reading and writing materials)
- MP-3 /Music, headphones and ear plug (who know some people on group are snoring) as optional.
- Travel wash
- Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
- A day bag: 35 liters
- A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back (Max 12 kg of weight for porters to carry)
- Dry Liner or Dry Bag
- Water bottle/thermos/ camel bag: At least 2 L. Nalgen bottles best.
General Toiletries
- Toilet papers/ tissue
- Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soaps (preferably biodegradable)
- Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside your kit / duffel bag
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, and scrabble. (for luxuries)
- Binoculars (for luxuries)
- Trail Map/Guide book (if you are alone)