Tilicho Lake With Thorong La Pass Trek: 16 Days
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the best long treks. Combining an excursion to Tilicho Lake makes the Trek even more remarkable. We at Outfitter Himalaya have designed a 16-day Tilicho Lake Trek combined with Thorong La Pass that involves all the wonders of the western Himalayas of Nepal.
On this Tilicho Lake Trek, you will explore beautiful villages, lush forests, alpine lakes, meadows, a high pass, a pilgrimage site, and the deepest gorge in the world, accompanied by a jaw-dropping mountain panorama.
The Tilicho Lake Trek is a unique and challenging adventure in the Himalayas, tailored for experienced trekkers seeking to test their limits. The trail leads to the highest pass in Nepal, Thorong La (5,416 m), and the second-highest lake in Nepal, Tilicho Lake (4,919 m). The journey takes you through a completely isolated area, following a snowy and steep path, offering a one-of-a-kind trekking experience.
The holy Muktinath Temple (3,800 m) lets you compose your thoughts and peek into a part of Nepali culture. The Tilicho Lake trail walks around the tenth-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m). As the trail encompasses this mountain, you can witness Mt. Annapurna from almost all corners.
During the Trek, you'll travel through Lamjung, Manang, and Lower Mustang, experiencing a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. The locals you'll meet on the Tilicho Lake trek come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and are known for their warm hospitality. This cultural immersion is a unique aspect of the Trek that will surely leave you intrigued and excited.
The Tilicho Lake Trek begins from Dharapani, which requires 9-10 hours of driving from Kathmandu. From Dharapani, the Trek starts and ends at Muktinath. The Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek's highest point is Thorong La pass (5,416 m).
Likewise, our itinerary has one acclimatization day in Manang village (3,519 m) and only ascends under 500 meters daily.
Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty
The Tilicho Lake Trek is more complex than you think, regardless of its popularity. This Trek is unsuitable for beginner trekkers or someone with unacceptable physical fitness. The Trek demands long walks on trodden mountainous terrain. The trail often gets steep and isolated. It's a continuous uphill walk that only becomes strenuous as the days pass.
The trail ascends through rural farmlands and subtropical forests to the glacial zone and the top of Thorong La Pass. Crossing Thorong La pass requires not technical climbing but strength and determination.
The trail is steep and full of rocks & boulders. Other factors like high altitude, limited facilities, simple meals, and the remote area make the overall journey strenuous.
Tilicho Lake Trek Preparation
The Tilicho Lake trekking route has numerous ascends and descends through river valleys, narrow foothills, and mountain passes. Hence, the trekkers have to deal with changing weather and trail conditions.
You cannot expect similar terrain, weather, altitude, or service throughout the Trek. As the trial progresses, everything only gets harsh and scarce. Therefore, your physical and mental fitness is essential.
If you do not take proper precautions while trekking, you may risk minor injuries (if you slide or fall while walking) and altitude sickness.
Trekkers must be well-prepared and packed to prevent any medical risk. Before the Trek begins, you must improve your fitness and stamina. Therefore, make sure to have ample time to train your body.
You can do exercise and cardiovascular activities. Go on short hikes. Likewise, walk 5 to 6 hours regularly to build a habit. Choose a similar mountainous terrain to hike/walk.
It's a remote trek far away from modern cities, where basic infrastructure is lacking. Therefore, you must also be well-packed and understand all the hurdles the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek entails.
Jaw-dropping mountain views and diverse landscapes throughout the Trek
The Tilicho Lake Trek presents a wide range of mountain views, including Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna Range (8,091 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Nilgiri (7,161 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Gangapurna, Machhapuchhare (6,993 m), Tukuche (6,920 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), and Tilicho Peak (7,134 m).
Similarly, you can witness diverse landscapes, from lush green hills and cascading waterfalls to dry-arid landscapes surrounded by barren hills & snow-capped mountains.
Many points along the Tilicho Lake trail offer stunning scenery. For instance, the tempting blue color of Tilicho Lake, encircled by hills and snow-capped mountains, is out of this world. During your acclimatization in Manang, you hike to Gangapurna Lake (3,540 m), which also presents gorgeous scenery.
The expansive view of the western Himalayan Mountains from Thorong La Pass is to die for.
Explore the beautiful villages & Lower Mustang region.
The Tilicho Lake trek passes through numerous beautiful villages. You begin by following the Annapurna trail, which involves villages like Bhulbhule, Chamje, Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, and Muktinath.
Likewise, the latter part of the trail explores Muktipath, Jomsom, Tatopani, Beni, and Pokhara. These villages are home to welcoming locals from different ethnic groups and offer stunning views.
Get to see the lifestyle and diverse cultural heritage of the locals.
As you have read above, the Tilicho Lake trail is home to people of different communities.
The locals are either Hindus or Buddhists. You'll see diverse cultures and norms. Despite all the cultural differences, the locals live in harmony. The Trek offers an authentic mountain lifestyle.
Moreover, The Tilicho Lake trekking leads to one of Nepal's most significant pilgrimage sites, Muktinath Temple, located at 3,800 meters.
Thousands of devotees visit this temple every year. Muktinath is unique because it is also of enormous importance to Buddhists. Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which means Hundred Waters.
For Buddhists, Muktinath is the place of their goddess Dakinis (the sky dancer) and one of the 24 Tantric places.
Explore the highest lake in Nepal, Tilicho.
Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) is the highest lake in the world, situated in the Manang district of Nepal. From Pokhara, Tilicho Lake is 55 km away.
The lake is in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas and has no aquatic organisms in it. For the Hindus, this lake has religious importance. The Tilicho Lake is believed to be mentioned in the epic Ramayana.
Cross Thorong La pass, the highest pass in Nepal
Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) is the highest mountain pass in Nepal. It is part of the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Range. The pass connects Manang village to the east with the Muktinath temple and Ranipauwa village to the west.
Thorong La Pass is the highest point of our Annapurna Tilicho Trek. Trekkers usually cross the pass from east to west (Manang to Muktinath), which is the easiest & safest way.
Crossing the pass from west to east (Muktinath to Manang) is much more complicated and rarely approached.
Travel along the deepest gorge in the world.
The Kali Gandaki Gorge is the deepest in the world (if the difference between the river height and the height of the mountains on each side measures the depth).
The gorge separates Dhaulagiri on the west and Annapurna on the east. For centuries, it has been a trade route between India and Tibet.
Thakalis are the prominent people living here and are said to have become prosperous thanks to the trans-Himalayan trade.
