Tilicho Lake Trek - 12 days

Enjoy the scenic view of the snowcapped mountain range as you approach Kathmandu. A representative from Third Rock Adventures will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Further, check into your hotel and relax for a while. Spend the evening immersed in the spiritual vibe of the Boudhanath, which is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. You will see Buddhist devotees circumambulating the stupa and will also see monks chanting prayers. The stupa is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Nepal. Later you will return to your hotel for the night.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

The day starts early, and you will be taking an early morning drive to the Gurung village of Chame via Besisahar. You will be driving along the meandering hilly road of Nepal with a stunning view of snowcapped mountains, verdant hills, terraced farmlands. Enjoy a drive alongside fast-flowing rivers like Trishuli and Marshyangdi. You will be driving past the charming town of Besisahar, followed by a scenic drive to Chame. The small town of Chame is of great importance for trekkers as it is filled with a variety of shops like gear shops, medicine shops, and cold stores.

Overnight in Chame.

Enjoy a wonderful trek to Upper Pisang, which takes you inside the Marshyangdi Valley. Hike through the forested trail filled with pine trees and trek alongside Marshyangdi River. You get to savor the soaring mountains, including Annapurna II and Annapurna III. Explore the village of Upper Pisang, which has mani stone with mantras inscribed in Tibetan. The old settlement of Upper Pisang features ancient traditional houses and an old monastery. People of Tibetan roots dominate the region, and you will find Tibetan customs and lifestyles here.

Overnight in Upper Pisang.

Take a scenic hike to Manang village, which passes through one of the most scenic landscapes of the trek. The ascending trail will reward you with splendid views of the Annapurna Massif and neighboring peaks, along with the stunning view of the Marshyangdi River Valley. Moreover, you will get to see an interesting landscape where some section is partly arid like Tibetan plateau while some section has pinewood forest. En route, you will see the quaint settlements of Ghyaru and Nawal. Upon climbing an ascend, you will see the astounding view of peaks, including Annapurna III and Tilicho Peak. You will be trekking past the old settlement of Barga with one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries of Nepal before reaching Manang. The quaint village of Manang is filled with hundreds of traditional flat-roofed houses, and soaring peaks including Annapurna III and Ganagapurna dominate the skyline. 

Overnight in Manang.

Spend a day acclimatizing in the beautiful village of Manang, which lies in the lap of Annapurna III and offers you a gorgeous view of Annapurna and Gangapaurna. Enjoy an acclimatization hike to the beautiful Gangapurna Lake, which overlooks the panoramic view of the Himalayas and the Marshyangdi River Valley. Savor the view of the mountains, including Annapurna range, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak, from the vantage point.  Also, explore the old village of Tenki, which has a rustic feel, and walk in the narrow alleys of the village. Pay a visit to the ancient monasteries before returning to Manang village.

If you want to add some adventure to your trek, then go on an acclimatization hike to Ice Lake, which is called Kicho Tal locally. It is a day hike and will take you around 6 to 7 hours. On your way to Ice Lake, you will be trekking towards the northern slopes of Chulu East. Soak into the serenity before retracing your steps back to Manang.

Overnight in Manang.

You will be walking on an ascending trail and crossing a suspension bridge over the Manang River. Take a scenic walk on the trail filled with pine trees. Also, the magnificent view of the Tilicho Peak will entertain you on your way to the Khangsar village, which has a very traditional Tibetan vibe. Continue your trek on an ascending trail to Shree Kharka. Savor the breathtaking views of mountains like Gungang Himal, Chulu, Gungang Himal along the way.

Overnight in Siri Kharka.

Today you will be trekking to Tilicho Base Camp, and the trail features only a few gentle ascents. The trail to the base camp passes through the landslide area, so you need to be cautious as you walk on the loose rocks and pebbles. En route, you will see the impressive rock formations. Tilicho Base Camp overlooks the breathtaking view of Tilicho Peak and other neighboring mountains.

Overnight in Tilicho Base Camp.

Start your hike early to avoid the afternoon wind. Walk slowly but steadily on an ascending trail all the way up to Tilicho Lake. The pristine water of the Tilicho Lake circle by white snow and ice will entice you. The turquoise-colored Tilicho Lake is situated at the foot of the Tilicho Peak at an altitude of 4,920 meters or 16,141ft. You will reach the highest point of the trek at Tilicho Lake. Soak into the natural beauty of Tilicho Lake and click a lot of pictures before returning to Sir Kharka. Be equally cautiously when returning as you will be walking on a descending trail while maintaining your pace.

Overnight in Siri Kharka.

Trek alongside a river and hike pass monastery on your trek from Siri Kharka to Manang village. On the way, you will be briefly stopping at Khangsar for lunch. Khangsar is one of the oldest villages in the region and has a rustic charm. Tahrap Monastery of Khangsar is one of the oldest monasteries of the region and is credited for starting a monastic settlement. You will be crossing a suspension bridge and walking on a descending trail on your way to Manang village.

Overnight in Manang village.

Today you will be leaving Manang village for Besisahar and driving past the wonderful landscape featuring a tumbling waterfall, snowy mountains, brown hills, and pine trees. Moreover, enjoy a drive past traditional settlements which was along the ancient Tibet trade route. The small town of Besisahar caters to the needs of trekkers, and there are many hotels as well.

Overnight in Besisahar.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the winding road along the Prithivi Highway. You will be driving beside the fast-flowing rivers of Nepal Trishuli and Marshyangdi and will also drive past the confluence of the two rivers. Moreover, you will see the amazing views of verdant hills and local farmlands on your way to Kathmandu. Check into your hotel and spend some time relaxing, or you can explore the beautiful city. Also, you can do some souvenir shopping to take back home.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today will be the last day of your Tilicho Lake Trek, and you will be bidding farewell to Nepal. A representative from Third Rock Adventures will come to drop you at the airport a few hours before your scheduled flight. Moreover, you will be taking an international flight back home and will be flying back with beautiful memories to cherish for a lifetime.