Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Round- 20 days
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Accommodation 4-Star Hotel in Kathmandu & Teahouse Accommodation During Trek
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Duration 20
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Trip Difficulty Challenging
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Activities Trekking
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Best Time Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November)
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Max. Elevation Thorong La Pass (5,416 m / 17,769 ft)
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Group Size Min-02 pax
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Transportation Private Vehicle, 4WD Jeep & Domestic Flight
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Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD) During Trek
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Start/End Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Overview
Complete the legendary Annapurna Circuit while making one of its most rewarding side trips to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), one of the world’s highest glacial lakes. Over 20 days, you’ll walk through subtropical forests, traditional Gurung and Manangi villages, high alpine valleys, and the dramatic Trans-Himalayan landscape before standing beside the turquoise waters of Tilicho Lake and crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), Nepal’s most famous high mountain pass.
The trek rewards you with stunning views of Lamjung Himal and the surrounding Annapurna range. Manang is the midpoint of the Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Round. Manang also offers comfortable teahouses, cafés, and a chance to relax before continuing into higher elevations.
After the picturesque backdrop of Manang, the Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Round routes towards Shri Kharka, from Siri Kharka, the trail becomes more rugged, offering dramatic mountain scenery, rocky cliffs, and sweeping Himalayan views. Plunging towards Yak Kharka, the mind-boggling beauty of the tranquil lake of Tilicho, which is acclaimed to be the lake at the highest altitude in the world at 5200m from the sea level is a sight worth every penny.
Statistically, only 1% of the world’s total population has ever been to this tranquil water which is an astounding accomplishment for all trekkers who put their feet on the bank of this tranquility. The walk around Thorong Phedi will be of simplicity to your worn-out feet. However, on every step to the world’s highest pass, the Thorong La Pass winds up noticeably hard. Reaching Thorong La Pass is one of the trek’s greatest achievements, offering panoramic views across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Muktinath is one of Nepal’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, visited by both Hindus and Buddhists for its temples, eternal flame, and 108 water spouts. After visiting Muktinath, the route descends through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Tatopani, where natural hot springs provide a relaxing break after several days at high altitude. Furthermore, A soak in Tatopani’s natural hot springs is a great way to relax tired muscles before continuing the trek.
Poon Hill offers panoramic sunrise views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Nilgiri, As the sun rises, the snow-covered Himalayan peaks gradually light up, creating one of Nepal’s most iconic mountain views.
The trek continues through forests and traditional villages as you make your way toward Tadapani, which will take a declining change at lunchtime into the swamps and unsettled areas around Tadapani. You will be spending your last night in Ghandruk. The following day will be an absolutely downhill trek to Nayapool where the vehicles will leave for Pokhara, the trek concludes with a scenic descent to Nayapul before returning to Pokhara.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at TIA Kathmandu (1,300m/2,464ft)
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Day 03: Long unwinding drive from Kathmandu to Syange (1,100m/3,608 ft): 8 – 10 hours
Day 04: Trek from Syange to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430ft): 7 – 8 hours
Day 05: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,710m/8,891ft): 6 hours
Day 06: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m/10,824ft): 5 – 6 hours
Day 07: Trek from Pisang to Manang : 6- 7 hours
Day 08: Manang: Acclimatization day
Day 09: Trek from Manang to Siri Kharka (4,060m/13,320ft): 4-5 hours
Day 10: Trek from Siri Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m/13,583ft): 5-6 hours
Day 11: Visit Tilicho Lake (4,949m/16,138 ft) and trek back towards Siri Kharka: 5-6 hours
Day 12: Trek from Siri kharka to Yak kharka (4,040m/13,020ft):4-5 hours
Day 13: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft): 3 – 4 hours
Day 14: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft) by means of Thorong La Pass (5,416m/17,764ft): 7 – 8 hours
Day 15: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (1,200m/3937ft): 6 – 8 hours
Day 16: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft): 7 – 8 hours
Day 17: Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2,700m/8,860ft): 6 – 7 hours
Day 18: Tadapani to Pokhara (827m/2,789ft) through Ghandruk: 5 – 6 hours trek, 1 hour 20 minutes drive
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu
Day 20: Final Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing
A day visiting Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with time to prepare gear for the trek ahead.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Syange (1,100m)
8-10 hrs A long drive west along winding mountain roads, following the Marsyangdi River valley into Nepal's mid-hills. Expect a full day on the road.
Day 4: Trek from Syange to Dharapani (1,960m)
7-8 hrs The trail follows the Marsyangdi River through forest and small villages, gaining altitude gradually as the valley narrows.
Day 5: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2,710m)
6 hrs Continuing up the valley, the vegetation starts to shift and the first real mountain views open up as you approach Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.
Day 6: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3,300m)
5-6 hrs The trail climbs through pine and fir forest with your first clear views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal along the way.
Day 7: Trek from Pisang to Manang (3,540m)
6-7 hrs Manang marks the halfway point of the trek and one of its liveliest stops — it's known for its bakeries and cafes as much as its mountain views, a legacy of decades of trekker traffic through the valley.
Day 8: Acclimatization day in Manang
A rest day to help your body adjust before you climb higher. Most trekkers use it for a short acclimatization hike above the village or a visit to the Himalayan Rescue Association's health post.
Day 9: Trek from Manang to Shree Kharka (4,060m)
4-5 hrs Leaving the main circuit trail, you'll head toward Khangsar and on to Shree Kharka, with the terrain turning noticeably more remote and rugged.
Day 10: Trek from Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp (4,140m)
5-6 hrs The trail crosses an exposed, landslide-prone slope above the Khangsar valley before dropping to Tilicho Base Camp. This section demands steady footing and calm weather.
Day 11: Visit Tilicho Lake (4,919m), trek back to Shree Kharka
5-6 hrs An early start for the climb to Tilicho Lake, with roughly 800 meters of elevation gain over the final approach. At the lake, Tilicho Peak rises directly above the turquoise water. After taking it in, you'll descend back to Shree Kharka.
Day 12: Trek from Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka (4,040m)
4-5 hrs Rejoining the main Annapurna Circuit route, the trail crosses open, high-altitude grassland used for yak grazing.
Day 13: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m)
3-4 hrs A shorter day to manage the altitude gain, positioning you for tomorrow's crossing of Thorong La.
Day 14: Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416m), trek to Muktinath (3,800m)
7-8 hrs The toughest day of the trek. You'll start well before dawn to cross the pass while the trail is still frozen and the wind is calmer, then descend into Muktinath, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas.
Day 15: Drive from Muktinath to Tatopani (1,200m)
6-8 hrs A long jeep ride down through Mustang's dry valleys and along the Kali Gandaki Gorge to Tatopani, known for its natural hot springs — a good place to rest sore legs.
Day 16: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m)
7-8 hrs A steep, steady climb back into forested hill country, gaining significant elevation over the course of the day.
Day 17: Trek from Ghorepani via Poon Hill to Tadapani (2,700m)
6-7 hrs An early pre-dawn hike up to Poon Hill for sunrise over Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre, before continuing the day's trek down into rhododendron forest toward Tadapani.
Day 18: Trek from Tadapani to Pokhara (827m) via Ghandruk
5-6 hrs trek, 1 hr 20 min drive A mostly downhill walk through Ghandruk, a large Gurung village, before a vehicle takes you the rest of the way to Pokhara.
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu
A short scenic flight back to the capital.
Day 20: Final departure
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Note: this itinerary crosses two high points above 4,900m and includes multiple nights above 4,000m — don't skip the built-in acclimatization days. Trail and road conditions can shift with the season, and your guide will confirm day-to-day details on the ground.
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Airport Transportation
- Farewell dinner
- Kathmandu sightseeing by private vehicle
- Accommodation 3 nights in Kathmandu and 1 night in Pokhara with Bed and breakfast
- Kathmandu to Besi Sahar by private transport and Besi Sahar to Syange by sharing Jeep
- Transportation from the ending point of trekking by private vehicle
- Pokhara to Kathmandu by domestic flight
- Three meals and tea, coffee during the trek
- Safe drinking water( treated with chlorine and iodine)
- Permit of the trek(TIMS, Conservation, and National park fee)
- All types of necessary government paperwork and government taxes
- Guide and Porter(meals, wages, Insurance & transpiration )
- An English speaking government registered trekking guide and porter
- Trekking equipment like a raincoat, sleeping bag, down jacket, and walking pole
Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Personal & medical insurance
- Rescue evacuation by Helicopter in Emergency case
- Beverage and Bar bills( soft drinks, hard drinks, and mineral water)
- Boiled water
- Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu except for welcome and farewell dinner
- Electronic devise recharge
- Wi-fi during the trek
- Tips for Guide and Porter
Trek Video
Packing List
- Duffel Bag ( 25 kg): Provided during the briefing in Kathmandu. It is durable and waterproof and porters will carry it throughout the trek.
- Daypack with Rain Cover ( 25-30L): Choose one with good back support and adjustable straps. It should hold your daily essentials like a Jackets, water, snacks, sunscreen, gloves, a camera, and important documents.
- Sleeping Bag ( -10°C to -15°C): A high - quality sleeping bag is included at no extra cost. Suitable for colder places like Deurali, MBC, and ABC.
- Down Jacket ( -10°C to -15°C): Supplied by us. It is warm, insulated, and comes with a hood- perfect for chilly morning and evening.
- Trekking Poles: Helpful for maintain balance, and reducing strain on joints, especially on steep trails like ulleri, chomrong, and the descent to jhinu Danda.
- Water Bottle ( 1-2L): Can be refilled daily. We suggest using a Nalgene bottle or a 2-3l hydration bladder with a tube for convenience.
- Headlamp + Spare Batteries: Necessary for early starts, Power outages and pre-dawn hikes
- Travel Adapter ( Type C,D,M): Nepal uses different plug types so a universal adapter with USB ports is recommended.
- Dry Bags / Zip Locks (3-4): Use to protect clothes, electronics, and toiletries from moisture. Large Plastic bags also work well in wet seasons.
TripAdvisor Reviews
FAQs
Yes. This 20-day itinerary includes a dedicated side trip to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) before rejoining the Annapurna Circuit and continuing toward Thorong La Pass.
It is considered challenging due to its long duration, high altitude, and the crossing of Thorong La Pass (5,416 m). Good physical fitness and previous trekking experience are recommended.
Absolutely. Many trekkers consider Tilicho Lake the highlight of the Annapurna region. Its turquoise glacial waters and dramatic mountain setting make the additional trekking days worthwhile. Community experiences often describe the Tilicho detour as one of the most memorable parts of the circuit.
Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m is the highest point. Tilicho Lake sits at 4,919 m.
Spring (March–May)
Autumn (September–November)
Yes.
Most nights are spent in local teahouses, although facilities become more basic near Tilicho Base Camp.
Yes.
You'll need:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Any trekking registration required under current Nepal regulations
A licensed trekking guide is required for foreign trekkers under current rules.
Yes.
The itinerary includes gradual altitude gain and acclimatization to help reduce the risk before visiting Tilicho Lake and crossing Thorong La Pass.
