Tilicho Lake Trek

The Annapurna Circuit, with the highest lake in the world.

Tilicho Lake sits at 4,919 m below the north face of the Annapurnas, a vast frozen sheet of turquoise ringed by ice. Adding it to the Circuit is the finest version of this trek for strong walkers.

It is a serious itinerary: real altitude, a committing trail to the lake, and the Thorong La to follow. We pace it carefully and acclimatise properly.

Highlights

Tilicho Lake at 4,919 m
The Thorong La pass and Muktinath
Manang and the high Marsyangdi valley

A typical 14-day shape

One of several ways to do it. We tailor the days, pace, and stops to you, nothing here is fixed.

Day 1By road
Pokhara to Chame
The long Circuit-road drive up the Marsyangdi to Chame, where the walking starts.
Time
Drive day
Elevation
2,670 m
Stay
Teahouse, Chame
Day 2On foot
Chame to Pisang
A forest and river trail past the Paungda Danda rock face to the village of Pisang.
Time
5–6 hours
Distance
14 km
Elevation
3,300 m / +630 m
Stay
Teahouse, Pisang
Day 3On foot
Pisang to Manang
The high route over Ghyaru and Ngawal for the long views, down to Manang for the night.
Time
6–7 hours
Distance
17 km
Elevation
3,540 m
Stay
Teahouse, Manang
Day 4On foot
Manang to Khangsar
A short acclimatisation day, turning off the Circuit toward Tilicho through the last village, Khangsar.
Time
3–4 hours
Distance
8 km
Elevation
3,750 m
Stay
Teahouse, Khangsar
Day 5On foot
Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp
The exposed, committing traverse across landslide scree to the lodges at Tilicho Base Camp.
Time
5–6 hours
Distance
10 km
Elevation
4,150 m / +400 m
Stay
Teahouse, Tilicho Base Camp
Day 6On foot
Tilicho Lake, back to Shree Kharka
A long pre-dawn climb to the frozen lake at 4,919 m, then back across the scree to safer ground at Shree Kharka.
Time
7–8 hours
Distance
16 km
Elevation
4,919 m, then 4,050 m
Stay
Teahouse, Shree Kharka
Day 7On foot
Rejoin the Circuit at Yak Kharka
Back onto the main trail and up to the yak pastures at Yak Kharka.
Time
4–5 hours
Distance
9 km
Elevation
4,050 m
Stay
Teahouse, Yak Kharka
Day 8On foot
Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
A short, steep day to the last lodges below the pass.
Time
3–4 hours
Distance
7 km
Elevation
4,540 m / +490 m
Stay
Teahouse, Thorong Phedi
Day 9On foot
Thorong La to Muktinath
The pre-dawn crossing of the Thorong La at 5,416 m, then the long drop to the temple at Muktinath.
Time
7–9 hours
Distance
15 km
Elevation
5,416 m, then 3,760 m
Stay
Teahouse, Muktinath
Day 10By flight
Jomsom to Pokhara
Down through the gorge to Jomsom and the drive back to the lake, or a morning flight.
Time
Drive day
Elevation
820 m
Stay
Back in Pokhara