Skip to content
app.shubraj.com

Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary

A side trip from Manang to one of the highest lakes in the world, at about 4,919 m. A 11-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

11 days

5 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

4,919 m

Tilicho Lake

Difficulty

Challenging

Annapurna (Manang)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startTilicho Lake: about 4,919 mDay 1: Besisahar, about 760 mDay 2: Chame, about 2,710 mDay 3: Pisang, about 3,200 mDay 4: Manang, about 3,540 mDay 5: Manang, about 3,540 mDay 6: Khangsar, about 3,700 mDay 7: Tilicho Base Camp, about 4,150 mDay 8: Tilicho Base Camp, about 4,150 mDay 9: Manang, about 3,540 mDay 10: Chame, about 2,710 mDay 11: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567891011Day

No day exceeds the usual altitude guidelines on this plan.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Besisahar

    Sleep: Besisahar · about 760 m6 to 8 h by road

    Drive along the Prithvi Highway to Besisahar, the start of the Marsyangdi valley road.

  2. Day 2

    Besisahar to Chame

    Sleep: Chame · about 2,710 m (sources: 2,630 to 2,710 m)5 to 6 h by jeep (varies with road conditions)

    Follow the Marsyangdi river. Permits are checked on the way, near Dharapani (about 1,860 m).

  3. Day 3

    Chame to Pisang

    Sleep: Pisang · about 3,200 m (sources: 3,115 to 3,330 m)Walking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +490 m

    Through pine forest beneath the Paungda Danda rock face. Sources disagree on Pisang's altitude by up to 200 m.

  4. Day 4

    Pisang to Manang

    Sleep: Manang · about 3,540 mWalking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +340 m

    Pass Braga and its monastery to reach Manang, the base for the Tilicho trek.

  5. Day 5 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Manang

    Sleep: Manang · about 3,540 mWalking 2 to 4 h

    Do not skip it. Take a short hike and return to sleep at Manang. The Himalayan Rescue Association post in Manang gives altitude talks in the trekking season.

  6. Day 6

    Manang to Khangsar

    Sleep: Khangsar · about 3,700 m (sources: 3,700 to 3,734 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +160 m

    Leave the main trail and follow the Khangsar valley to a quiet village, the last settlement before the lake.

  7. Day 7

    Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp

    Sleep: Tilicho Base Camp · about 4,150 m (sources: 4,150 to 4,200 m)Walking 4 to 5 hSleeping altitude +450 m

    A short climb, then a steep descent to the base camp. The path crosses landslide-prone slopes, so take care and follow your guide. Accommodation is basic lodges.

  8. Day 8 · rest day

    Tilicho Lake and back to Base Camp

    Sleep: Tilicho Base Camp · about 4,150 m (sources: 4,150 to 4,200 m)Walking 6 hReach Tilicho Lake · about 4,919 m (sources: 4,910 to 4,949 m)

    Start early: wind and rockfall get worse in the afternoon. The lake is about 4,919 m (sources 4,910 to 4,949 m). Return to sleep at Base Camp.

  9. Day 9

    Tilicho Base Camp to Manang

    Sleep: Manang · about 3,540 mWalking 6 to 8 h

    A long descent back to Manang. Sources give no firm time, so allow most of the day. Some trekkers go on to Yak Kharka and the Thorong La route instead.

  10. Day 10

    Manang to Chame

    Sleep: Chame · about 2,710 m (sources: 2,630 to 2,710 m)Local jeep, leaving early in the morning (time varies with the road)

    Ride back down the valley, or walk two days if you prefer.

  11. Day 11

    Chame to Besisahar to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 mA very long travel day: jeep to Besisahar, then about 6 to 8 h by road

    Many groups split this with a night in Besisahar.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

More trek itineraries

Poon Hill (Ghorepani)Annapurna Base CampMardi HimalEverest Base CampGokyo LakesLangtang ValleyAnnapurna CircuitManaslu CircuitGosaikunda LakeUpper MustangTsum ValleyEverest Three PassesPikey PeakKhopra RidgeDhorpatanRara LakeKanchenjunga Base CampDhaulagiri CircuitNar Phu ValleyUpper DolpoMakalu Base CampNepal travel map

More in Trek Itineraries

Poon Hill Trek Itinerary

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary

Langtang Valley Trek Itinerary

Tilicho Lake Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Tilicho Lake sits at about 4,919 m, in a bowl below Tilicho Peak, and is often described as one of the highest lakes in the world. The usual route follows the Annapurna Circuit to Manang, then branches south-west up the Khangsar valley to Tilicho Base Camp, with a long day hike to the lake and back.

The trek is shorter than the full circuit but demanding: the climb to Base Camp includes exposed, landslide-prone sections, and the lake day gains about 770 m. Lodges now exist along the route, but they are basic, and sources differ on altitudes by up to about 50 m.

Day-by-day itinerary (11 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Besisahar. Sleep at Besisahar (about 760 m). 6 to 8 h by road.
  2. Day 2: Besisahar to Chame. Sleep at Chame (about 2,710 m). 5 to 6 h by jeep (varies with road conditions).
  3. Day 3: Chame to Pisang. Sleep at Pisang (about 3,200 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  4. Day 4: Pisang to Manang. Sleep at Manang (about 3,540 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  5. Day 5: Acclimatisation day at Manang. Sleep at Manang (about 3,540 m). Walking about 2 to 4 h.
  6. Day 6: Manang to Khangsar. Sleep at Khangsar (about 3,700 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  7. Day 7: Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp. Sleep at Tilicho Base Camp (about 4,150 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  8. Day 8: Tilicho Lake and back to Base Camp. Sleep at Tilicho Base Camp (about 4,150 m). Walking about 6 h. Reach Tilicho Lake (about 4,919 m).
  9. Day 9: Tilicho Base Camp to Manang. Sleep at Manang (about 3,540 m). Walking about 6 to 8 h.
  10. Day 10: Manang to Chame. Sleep at Chame (about 2,710 m). Local jeep, leaving early in the morning (time varies with the road).
  11. Day 11: Chame to Besisahar to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). A very long travel day: jeep to Besisahar, then about 6 to 8 h by road.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. The path to Tilicho Base Camp crosses landslide-prone slopes that can be dangerous after rain or snow, so check conditions with your guide.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Tilicho Lake Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 11 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 5 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Tilicho Lake Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Tilicho Lake, at about 4,919 m.

What is the best time for the Tilicho Lake Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. The path to Tilicho Base Camp crosses landslide-prone slopes that can be dangerous after rain or snow, so check conditions with your guide.

Do I need a permit for the Tilicho Lake Trek?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How high is Tilicho Lake?

About 4,919 m, although sources give between 4,910 and 4,949 m. It is often described as one of the highest lakes in the world.

Is the Tilicho Lake trek dangerous?

It is demanding. The route to Base Camp crosses landslide-prone slopes and the lake day is long at high altitude. Go with a guide, start early, avoid the afternoon wind, and check conditions after rain or snow.