The Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek, also known as the World’s Highest Lake, is situated at an elevation of 4919 meters in the Manang region of the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. The Annapurna Tilicho Lake trek route is a difficult trek and one of the Annapurna area’s finest routes. It provides a breathtaking view of the eastern side of the world-famous Annapurna circuit with natural beauty and cultural and traditional values.
Starting Point
Annapurna Tilicho Lake trek starts from Besisahar, which provides excessive views of Manaslu and Himchuli to the east. This wonderful trekking leads to a beautiful village of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and marvelous views of the white Himalayas.
Ice Lake
Accordingly, there is another side trip day hiking from Braga. The name of the Lake is Kecho Lake above Manang; it is also known as Ice Lake. The elevation of the ice lake is 4600 meters above sea level. During the trial, we will see white Chorten at the top of Manang. Some people stay at Braga and climb up to Ice Lake the next morning primarily to acclimatize to the steep elevation. The lake offers gleaming mountains like Manaslu Region Mountains, Pisang Peak, Annapurna 2nd and 4th, Gangapurna, Tare Kang, Khangsar Kang, Tilicho Peak, Chulu East, and the Far East.
We hiked for Ice Lake from Braga before ascending to Tilicho. There are two lakes, but the second Lake will be seen after ten minutes of walking behind the first Lake. The beauty of the mountain and the view of Manang Valley will just be awe-stricken.
Braga
The following day, we will trek from Braga to reach Tilicho Base Camp with much enthusiasm and mounting energy. From the entrance at Manang, we will head to the Marsyangadi River up to the valley.
After that, we will ascend continuously on the dirt road and lead to Khangsar. We will have our lunch break at Khangsar. The trail is steep after crossing Khangsar and seeing the valley below us.
Tilicho Base Camp
Following this, we must cross a landslide area walking on a scree slope, wary of missing a step or sliding on the rolling gravel. People around there warned about rockfalls and possible deaths on this trail path, which made little worried about what was yet to come. However, later we will cross the path, it was a bit exaggerated information, but it is nevertheless good advice to get over this portion very quickly.
Finally, we will reach Tilicho base camp late in the afternoon, and there were many other trekkers around who were just as eager and excited to breathe the fresh air around the Lake as we were. We will find a nice lodge; maybe we will see a scenic view of the mountains because of the clouds. However, the sky is clear during the day, and we can flatteringly enjoy the blissful view of the summit from here.
Tilicho Lake
Early in the morning, we set off on the trail at first light (around 4:45 am) while the clouds and morning fog were still hanging in the valley around the base camp. The climb was steep, and the first few hundred meters made us all quickly realize that we would have to take this path much slower than before. The altitude showed in our breathing and made us tired just by walking 3 to 4 steps.
Within an hour, we had moved high above base camp and through the morning cloud, and all around us were massive mountains caked in snow. As we walked, the sun began rising and lighting up all the mountain peaks, and the snow and glaciers were sparkling as we walked. We encountered a herd of blue sheep at this point on the trail. It added more delight to our walk with such a pleasant view of wildlife around the trail. Finally, we came to a rocky outcrop presented as a viewing platform. Tilicho Valley was to the northwest of us, while the Annapurna ridge line was to the south. The hills hid the base camp we crossed over.
Back to Tilicho Base Camp
Returning the trails got easier as we were descending, total time we took to reach the Lake was 5 hours from the base camp, but it just took 2 hours and 30 minutes to get back to the base camp. After reaching the base camp, you will rest for some time and have lunch. After lunch, we descend to Khangsar for our overnight stay. The next day we planned to have lunch at Manang village and reach Chame by afternoon around 6 pm, which was going to be a long day for us. But as they say, the hardest part is the goodbye.
We didn’t realize how the 6 to 7 hours passed when we got closer and closer to the mountain every day. But now, with every step down, the mountains started disappearing gradually, taking away all our excitement. After that, we had our breakfast the next day and moved out of Manang to Besisahar. We reached Besisahar around 3 pm and headed towards Bandipur for an overnight stay just to relive the mountains for one last day. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is easy, and it is the hardest.
Annapurna Tilicho lake trek Itinerary
Day 1. Drive Kathmandu to Chame
We start our journey early in the morning on a local bus or jeep; it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Besisahar. We will drive Chame with a local jeep; it takes about 3-4 hours to reach our destination.
Day 2. Chame to Pisang
Today we will trek to Pisang, situated at an elevation of 3200m, through dense forest and a narrow valley by crossing a river at 2900m. We will stay overnight at Pisang.
Day 3. Pisang to Brakha
Today we will trek to Brakha, known for ancient monasteries’ unique home structures. Stay overnight at Brakha
Day 4. Trek to Ice Lake
Ice Lake hike offers gleaming mountains like Manaslu Region Mountains, Pisang Peak, Annapurna 2nd and 4th, Gangapurna, Tare Kang, Khangsar Kang, Tilicho Peak, Chulu East, and the Far East. On my recent visit to Tilicho, we hiked for Ice Lake from Brakha before ascending to Tilicho.
It gives spiritual peace to the world while you are surrounding the ice lake. There are two lakes, but the second Lake will be seen after ten minutes of walking behind the first Lake. The hike was enjoyable, with picturesque landscapes, graceful mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and scenic diversity. Unexplainable in words, the beauty of the hill and the view of Manang Valley. Back to Braga
Day 5. Trek to Tilicho Lake Base Camp
After 2-3 hours, the trail leads us to Khangshar, the end of the road for vehicles. After 2 hours of the hike, we will reach the landslide area; it will be better if we cross those trails as soon as possible. Tilicho base camp is situated at an elevation of 4200m. We will stay overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.
Day 6. Trek to Tilicho Lake and back to Shri-Kharka
Early in the morning, around 3:30 – 4 am, we will trek to the highest lake, one of the world’s highest lakes, at an elevation of 4919m; this Lake is freezing. And returned to Shri-Kharka.
Day 7: Shri-Kharka to Manang
Trek back to Manang; on this day, you will have enough time to explore Manang and visit Gangapurna Lake.
Day 8: Manang to Besi Sahar
After having breakfast in Manang in the morning, we will drive back to Besi Sahar. It takes around 7-8 hours to get back to Manang.
Day 9: Drive back to Kathmandu
Driving back to Kathmandu, we will be short and comfortable. After a 5-6 hour drive, we will reach back to Kathmandu.
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