Tilicho Lake and Thorung La Pass Trek

Trip Highlight
Sightseeing around Kathmandu and Pokhara
Ascending Marshyangdi River valley
Visiting oldest Buddhist monastery in Braga village
Sightseeing around Manag village
Khanshar Village (The Lost Village of Nepal)
Trekking up to Tilicho Lake (the highest lake in the world)
Crossing the Thorung-la over 5,416m
The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath
Scenic flights from Jomsom

Tilicho Lake 5,200m collects the glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and the Thorong Peak it is claimed to be the highest lake in the world. In 2001, Hindu pilgrims from around the world flocked to the lake convinced it is a holy spot mentioned in the Ramayan – a holy book of the Hindus.

This trek starts right from Besisahar which goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great views of Manaslu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent trek leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic views of the white Himalayas. We have customized this route as it is basically the same as Annapurna Circuit, from Manang instead of taking the valley north to Tanki Manang and Yak Kharka this route goes to the main valley to the west passes through the Khanshar Village (The Last Village of Nepal) and trek up to Tilicho lake, then we travel to Yak Kharka then up to pass of Thorung La at elevation of 5,416m. From the pass of the Thorung La the treks lead down to Muktinath then to Jomsom from where 35-minute scenic flight take you to the Pokhara.

From Tilicho Lake you also have the option of crossing the challenging pass of Moesokanta La Pass” to Jomsom instead of traveling to the Thorung La pass but proper additional equipment including tented camps are required to go through this pass.

Trip Facts
Best Season March, April, May, June, September, October, November & December
Trip Start & Ends Kathmandu
Destination Tilicho Lake and Thorung La Pass
Trip Route Besisahar-Manang-Tilicho Lake-Yak Kharka-Thorong La pass-Jomsom-Pokhara
Trip Style: Lodge to Lodge Trekking
Physical Rating Strenuous
Max. Altitude 5,416 m /17764.48 ft
Per Day walking Approximately 5-7 hrs walking per day

Brief Itinerary

Day 01 – Arrival at the Tribuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,345m).
Day 02 – Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley.
Day 03 – Drive to Besisahar (830m) by Public Bus – 7 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 04 – Trek to Bahundanda (1,310m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 05 – Trek to Chamje (1,400m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 06 – Trek to Bagarchhap (2,160m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 07 – Trek to Chame (2,630m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 08 – Trek to Pisang (3,300m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 09 – Trek to Manang (3,540m) – 5 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 10 – Acclimatization day at Manang village. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 11 – Trek to Khangsar Village (3,700 m) – 4 hrs. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 12 – Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m) – 5 hrs.
Day 13 – Trek to Tilicho Lake (5,200 m) and back down to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m) – 6 hrs.
Day 14 – Trek to Yak Kharka (4,000m) – 5 hrs.
Day 15 – Trek to Thorung Phedi (4,450m) – 5 hrs.
Day 16 – Trek to Muktinath (3,800m) via Thorung La pass (5,416m) – 8 hrs.
Day 17 – Trek to Jomsom (2,720m) – 5 hrs.
Day 18 – Morning flight to Pokhara – 30 mins. Sightseeing around Pokhara.
Day 19 – Leisure day and sightseeing around Pokhara.
Day 20 – Drive back to Kathmandu (1,345m)
Day 21 – Transfer to international airport for your final departure.

Day 01- Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1345meters).
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu and our representative will be displaying your name with signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.
Overnight at Hotel.
(No meals included)

Day 02- Pre-trip Meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
In the morning, after breakfast, At around 8am, we host a pre-trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu and introduce your trek leader/guide.

After the meeting and a hearty breakfast, your sightseeing trip will start at around 9:45am. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. We visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks praying in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Boudhanath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. We will also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is The Lion gate, The Golden gate, The Palace of fifty five windows, Art Galleries, The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.

The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel. Overnight at a hotel.
Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 03 – Drive to Besisahar (830m) by Public Bus – 7 hrs
Our trekking staff will arrive at your hotel at 7am in the morning to pick you up. After a 7-hour drive (185 kms) from Kathmandu, we reach Besishar. Upon arrival at Besisahar you will witness the stunning snow-capped mountain panorama. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 04 – Trek to Bahundanda (1,310m) – 5 hrs
Today our journey starts at Besishahar, from where the trail makes the climb to Khudi at 790m, then reach the first Gurung village (many of Nepal’s Gurkha Soldiers are Gurungs). As we continue from Khudi, the trail offers fine views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). It climbs to Bhulbhule at 825m, then goes to Ngadi before reaching Lampata at 1,135m and nearby Bahundanda at 1,310m. A brilliant start to the culture of Nepal. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 05 – Trek to Chamje (1,400m) – 5 hrs
The trail drops steeply to Syange at 1,070m from Bahundanda. On the way, you can see a large waterfall (season permitting). After crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge, we follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through the forest to Chyamje at 1,400m . Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 06 – Trek to Bagarchhap (2,160m) – 5 hrs
Our day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1,675m, the first village in the Manang district. We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1,890 m. A stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages. Upon reaching Bagarchhap at 2,160 m the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans can be seen along with the village surrounded by apple orchards and maize fields. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 07 – Trek to Chame (2,630m) – 5 hrs
The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2,360m, then continuing through forest, but near the river to Kopar at 2,590m. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame and two small hot springs by the town. Along this route we are introduced to a local community of which the residents are said to have migrated from Tibet centuries ago, noticeable by their distinct physical features and lifestyle as well as architecture and livelihood unique to Tibet. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 08 – Trek to Pisang (3,300m) – 5 hrs
The day starts through a deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2,910m. We then cross another bridge at 3,040m from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda’s rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3,200m and 3,300meters. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 09 – Trek to Manang (3,540m) – 5 hrs
Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd the yaks and raise crops for a part of the year. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails form the north and the south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip at 3,325m, involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3,475m to the nearby Manang at 3,540m. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 10 – Acclimatization day at Manang village
We spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and viewing the magnificent sights around the village. Towards the end of the day, we return to our accommodation for a night’s rest. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 11 – Trek to Khangsar Village (3,700 m) – 4 hrs
After acclimatizing at Manang we continue our adventure towards the Tilicho Lake, situated on the west end of Manang following the path down to the river. After crossing the Khangsar Khola, we reach Khangsar and head towards the village region, still very traditional Tibetan and known as the Last Village of Nepal. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 12 – Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m) – 5 hrs
Continue from Khangsar on a large path, passing a Gompa (monastery). The route ahead goes on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as the Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4,200m. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 13 – Trek to Tilicho Lake (5,200 m) and back down to Tilicho Base Camp (4,200m) – 6 hrs
Our journey starts early in the morning at around 6am as we trying to avoid the wind. From the Base camp to the Tilicho lake takes another 3-4 hours. Tilicho Lake is a cold barren place in the afternoon and claimed as highest lake of the world. After we spend some time around Tilicho Lake we will return same way back to Base Camp as there are no any accommodation facilities at Tilicho Lake area. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 14 – Trek to Yak Kharka (4,000m) – 5 hrs

Continuing on from Manang, the trails ascends by nearly 500m to Yak Kharka. We make the climb steadily through Tenki Manang, leaving the Marsyangi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Yak Kharka at 4,000m. Herds of yaks and vegetations appear to thin out. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 15 – Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,450m) – 5 hrs
After a two-hour ascent the trail descends to cross the river at 4,310m. We then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4,450m where decent guesthouses have been built in the recent years. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 16 – Trek to Muktinath (3,800m) via Thorung La pass (5,416m) – 8 hrs
Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach the pass by 9-10am otherwise weather conditions (strong winds) will greatly affect the journey, particularly at the Thorung La Pass (5,416m). We climb steeply on a regular route which is quite easy to follow. However, some problems arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by heavy snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens and prayer flags will reward you with stunning views from the top of the pass. Another four hours of walking will take you to the holy town of Muktinath.

Muktinath means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a scared pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The prime pilgrimage month is September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple which has a gorgeous natural spring and an eternal flame fueled by natural gas. Overnight at a guesthouse.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

Day 17- Trek to Jomsom (2,720m) – 5 hrs
We head along the trail down to the Eklebhatti, and then follow the Kaligandaki River to Jomsom. Jomsom is large town with many facilities, it is also headquarter and official town for whole Mustang district where all the district government offices are present. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 18- Morning flight to Pokhara – 30 mins. Sightseeing around Pokhara

A 30-minute morning flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once we arrive at Pokhara airport, we then drive to the hotel. In the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave, etc. Overnight at a hotel.
Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 19- Leisure day and sightseeing around Pokhara
It’s also spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom. Overnight at a hotel.
Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 20 – Drive back to Kathmandu (1,345m) and farewell dinner
Breakfast hotel
Drive back to Kathmandu ( Approx 6 hrs drive)
Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 21 – Transfer to international airport for your final departure
The trip concludes today. Our Airport Representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal.
Included Meals (Breakfast)