Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit - 10 days

Trek from Chame to Manang would take two days. There is a road now a days so this is only 2 hours driving with local jeep. You will be enjoying with beautiful flora fauna and scenic Himalaya. After a beautiful and old local village "Bratang" you will cross the suspension bridge- well there is a small motorable bridge too, starts ascending from bridge you will see a massive vertical rocky hill in the right back. Today you will pass some beautiful villages named Bratang, Pissang, Ngawol and clustered village Bharkhu. Road to Manang from Pissang is fine with wide valley Humde-Manang where domestic airstrip. There is once or twice flights in a week from Pokhara. So you will have a wonderful day today.

Acclimatization day is necessary during trekking. It helps to adjust to the environment and prevent altitude sickness. A short day hike to Gangapurna viewpoint passing through the glacial lake from where Pisang Peak, Tilicho Peak, snow-capped mountain ranges, and lovely Manang valley are amazingly visible. We can explore the surroundings such as monasteries, and local villages, interact with locals, and learn about the place and local culture, Visit the largest Braka Monastery in the Manang region and short visit to Rescue Association and a short brief related to altitude sickness prevention.

We follow the path to Tilicho Base Camp by leaving Annapurna Circuit trekking route. A gradual walk to Khangsar through the Manang valley.  As you are already walking in a height of 4000 meters there are no tree lines, we can sometimes see small and thin vegetation, will see either rocky mountain or White Mountain. If you will have a good visibility, there is chance to see mountain goats and rarely snow leopard but it must be pin drop silence. A great glimpse of Tilicho Peak on the way. Enter the last settlement village Khangsar in Manang.

An adventurous trek to the Tilicho Base Camp through the meadows witnessing yaks grazing. Enjoy the trek walking slowly maintaining the pace and sightseeing the valley from the top. Reach the Tilicho Base Camp passing the edge above the Kangsar Khola. We might see some trekkers who are spending a night in a tent in the serenity amidst the mountains is a unique experience. This off the beaten trail continuously goes to Mesokanto La pass and Tilicho Peack climbing.

An exciting day to visit the fascinating Tilicho Lake at an altitude of 4919 m. The trek leads the steep climbing to reach the destination. Surrounding landscapes and alpine environment around here are awe inspiring. After 4-5 hours continue trekking we reach at Tilicho Lake. 

Spend some quality time in the vicinity of the turquoise blue Tilicho Lake. Descend to the Base Camp, take a lunch and walk further down to Sreekharka.

A walk on the trail entering thin vegetation. On the way to the trail, visit the ancient monastery Tare Gumba and pass the Khangsar village. Climb to Thorong Khola valley by crossing a bridge. Ascend further witnessing yaks grazing in the pasturelands to reach Yak Kharka. Stay overnight.

Enjoy walking steadily and pass Ledar. The altitude is very challenging thus ascending gradually and descending through a narrow trail to arrive at Thorong Phedi. The path is slippery and moving stones all over so pay attention on walking.

We will cross the Marsyangdi river (well this doesn’t look river any more as it’s a small stream) to reach Thorong Phedi. Taking lunch over stone paved courtyard with sunshine is superb. Thorong Phedi lies in the lap of vertical and rocky mountain.

Last part for today from Phedi to Throng High Camp is extreme climbing and takes about an hour. But descents from High camp to Phedi takes about 10 to 15 minutes. We have to maintain the pace of walking in high altitude.

A new day to begin with as reaching Muktinath via Thorong La Pass is a thrilling experience. The pass is at a high altitude of 5416m thus ascend slowly and follow the trail carefully. Get amazed with great views of snow-capped Annapurna and surrounding mountains, prayer flags, and chortens from the top. Climb downhill slowly and keep walking on the trail to reach Muktinath. Rani Pauwa 3700m. Take a good western lunch in here and take a jeep sharing ride to Muktinath which takes about an hour, overnight Jomsom

After having breakfast, walk to Jomsom Airport. A scenic 25-minute ride to Pokhara is fabulous. The flight goes over the Kaligandaki valley, world’s deepest gorge Larjung-Late and a massif of glaciers between Mount Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peak. We will have the remarkable views of Annapurna I, Annapurna series, Nilgiri Himal, The Holy Mountain Fishtail, Annapurna South, Lamjung Himal, Lamjung Himal, and Mt Manaslu during the flight. We can feel the changing motion when we are above Poon Hill because our plane change the label of height as the Ponhill is situated at 3200m.   

Stroll the nearby places in Pokhara or local markets. Enjoy the nightlife and spend a night at a hotel. Alternately, an 8-hour drive to Pokhara if flights from Jomsom are canceled.