Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake - 10 days

Best Time for Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trekking

The ideal seasons for this trek to the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake are Spring, starting from March to May, and Autumn (September to November), where the weather conditions remain stable with clear views of mountains and landscapes, with no chance of heavy precipitation. Due to the stability of the climate, the sky becomes clearer, and the terrains also tend to be dry, and not sloppy or muddy, which becomes smoother and easier to navigate, without facing any trail difficulties just because of the high rainfall and snowfall. 

The temperature, on the other hand, also stays moderate, ranging from 22 °C to 18 °C in the lower trail, and only takes a drop to 15 °C during the daytime, and not lower than -5 °C in the morning, acting as a crucial part for the long-hour route coverage, without draining physically. While in the spring season, you can expect the navigation route to be thrived with the blossom of the pink red rhododendrons, pines, oaks, with long sunny daylight providing ample time to explore more out of the region. Whereas, in the autumn season, as the span of the year comes after the conclusion of the monsoon time, the fogginess gets all washed off away, and presents the unhindered panorama himalayan giants, especially from the vantage point of the high altitude lake, and the mountain pass. 

On the other hand, the seasons of monsoon and winter are not highly suggested, as during these seasons, there is a high level of cloud bursts and fluctuations in humidity as well, making the trip more challenging than actually anticipated. The trail in the lower areas, especially in the forested area, becomes muddy, slippery, and strenuous to proceed further, with the mid terrains, becoming more slippery, a rocky pathway getting more hazardous to cross, and high altitude above 3500 meters, being fully covered with snows upto 3 meters, and ice, demanding more technical gears, and uncertainty of the challenging possibilities, which makes this trip not doable at off seasonal time. 

10 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake Difficulty

The Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake Trekking, a combined himalayan high altitude adventure, is marked as one of the challenging trails in Nepal, that navigates along the varied kinds of terrains, including rocky, rugged, alpine sections, with several uphill and downhill walks. As this trip is a off beaten, remote, and isolated odyssey, where every day, trekkers must proceed through 6 to 7 hours daily, with the longest 10-hour route coverage, while crossing the high pass, the trek overall demands a basic level of physical fitness, experience, and a strong determination mindset.

The trek, in general, is not an overall wild adventure that only experienced hikers can proceed through; however, as the days pass by, the route goes higher, there is a significant altitude gain, with thining area, which might fatigue your body, with thinning air, if safety measures are not followed beforehand. Besides, the trail takes you to the highest altitude at 5416 meters, Thorong La Pass, via another high altitude point, at 4919 m, Tilicho Lake, which is not a piece of cake, or a wander on the street, surely demanding proper guidance and comprehensive planning as well. Likewise, there are some sections where there are no traces of villages, tea houses, or encounter of high number of trekkers, with limited facilities, which can be mentally frustrating for some who have never been to the remote trekking trail before.

This combined trailhead falls under moderate to challenging, neither too easy nor too hard; however, with the changing altitude, terrain conditions, transition in the environment, and landscapes, it makes navigation more difficult, demanding prior training and preparedness. Ensure that, before starting the hike, for 1 to 2 months, engage in cardiovascular exercises, such as running, walking, swimming, strengthen your legs and calves through strength muscle workouts, and also, stair climbs carrying bagpack, which plays a crucial aspect to make the journey easier and smoother, for every kind of hiker.

Is there any risk of altitude sickness during this adventure?

As it is a high altitude himalayan route, the possibility of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is high, with the increasing altitude gain each day, and massive elevation gain from the starting point, Chame (2610 m) to the highest at 5416 meters at Thorung La Pass. However, as our 10-day Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek itinerary is well expertly crafted, with a significant altitude gain of only 300 to 400 meters, and adequate rest days, including one acclimatization day at Manang, letting your body adapt to the rising high elevation, which minimizes the risk of AMS.

Meanwhile, there is no thing called as possibility or no risk, at such high altitude odysseys, as the body reacts distinctly from individual to individual, and one of the crucial aspects is whether the preventive safety guidelines are followed from the start or not. Referring to some measures, hydrate your body well, with 4-5 liters of water, and fuel the body with nutritious meals, containing fibers, proteins, carbs, that keep you hydrated and energized, to keep you persistent throughout the trailhead. Avoid consuming cigarettes, alcohol beverage, instead, eat soupy meals to make the body cozy and healthy at the same time. Besides, do not go overboard or speed up the walking pace, while on the route, being influenced by others, just walk along the experienced licensed trekking guide, throughout.

Apart from that, pay alert to symptoms of the AMS, like headaches, dizziness, insomnia (loss of sleep, appetite), vomiting, nausea, and if any occur, then inform the guide immediately. Also, track your pulse rate via an oximeter at each stopping point and ensure that the body is coping well with the increasing altitude. To make your adventure smoother, our experienced licensed guide will be there along with you 24 hours, and is medically equipped and trained, so even on such an isolated route, he becomes your best buddy, safety hand, and a quick medical responder.

Foods and Accommodations

It is a full tea house or lodge trek, run by the locals themselves; thus, the rooms are basic, simple, yet warm, well-maintained, and hygenic. The rooms are furnished with single, twin, or triple bedrooms, equipped with cozy mattresses, pillows, and blankets, to keep you all cozy. We generally offer twin shared bedrooms. If you are trekking along with your group, meanwhile, if you are a solo hiker or want a private room, then we can arrange the rooms accordingly as well.

Even though the accommodation is quite basic, it features all the essential amenities such as wifi, laundry, and charging access, a hot shower for an extra fee, as it is charged differently. While in the lower areas, you can find rooms with attached washrooms/toilets and electric sockets. As you ascend higher, only shared eastern bathrooms are available, with access to wifi, and charging only at the dining area, so ensure to be prepared accordingly. 

Our package inclusively covers, all the accommodations along the route, and 2 extra free night stay at our own standard hotel located in Kathmandu, before and after the trip, if you want us to arrange 4, 5 star luxury rated hotels in Kathmandu or Pokhara, then, we can book them, as you wish for, paying extra cost, for such hotel.

Throughout this adventure, you will find a wide variety of meal options, from asian, indian, Western, to Continental menu options that caters the taste, and dietary preferences of every hiker. The meals are cooked freshly after your order, keeping in mind the hygiene and requirements. 

Communication and Internet Facilities

The internet facility is easily available in the vicinity of the Annapurna region. The internet is stable from Besisahar to Manang Valley. A little instability or no availability at high altitudes and Tilicho Lake. By paying extra charges at guesthouses, internet facilities, and electricity, charging can be used. The phone signal is also good, but it may not work at high altitudes. Using a local SIM card, an internet facility can also be used.

Permits Required

To do the short Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake for 10 days, two permits are required for this trekking trail, which must be obtained from the local travel agency, as they cannot be obtained independently. The first permit marks the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the second, the TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System Card), which is covered in our package in itself. After your booking is confirmed with us, we at Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition arrange all the essential permits.

• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP cost): USD 28 per head (NPR 3000) and costs half of the fee, for SAARC nationalities, and remains free for children below 10 years old.
• Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS cost): USD 10 (NPR 1000) per head

Travel Insurance

For this Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake 10 days Trekking, obtaining travel insurance is one hundred percent crucial, when you are proceeding through such isolated, remote trailheads, where the basic amenities become a luxury in themselves, and have limited health facilities, in fact, no medicals, or hospitals. As it is a high altitude adventure, certain dangers, such as risk of altitude sickness, rapid weather changes, or any other unforeseen events are always circulating, which demands a quick medical response, and immediate access as well, thus the policy must cover essential factors, like theft, trip delays, and cancellation, minor injuries, medical expenses, and most importantly, the helicopter evacuation upto 6000 meters, to save expensive medical cost, and it assists us to arrange the heli evacuation immediately as well.

Booking Procedure

To confirm your booking with us, you just have to pay 10% of the total trip cost, which can be done via cash, card, or bank transfer through our website, or through cash as well, if you've already arrived here in Nepal. The remaining amount can be paid after you arrive. Soon after the booking confirmation, send us your passport-sized photo, 1 passport photocopy, a copy of your travel insurance, and your arrival dates as well, for the airport shuttle. For booking confirmation or any inquiries about the trip, please reach us by emailing info(a) info@destinationhimalayatreks.com or you can even WhatsApp, Viber, or call at +977 9851016814 through phone or WhatsApp.