14-Day Tilicho Lake Trek in Nepal with Thorong La and Muktinath

14 Days Round trip from Kathmandu Airport Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Stand beside Tilicho Lake, a vast frozen-blue lake ringed by 7,000 m peaks
  • 02 Cross Thorong La (5,416 m), one of the world's great trekking passes
  • 03 Walk through changing landscapes from subtropical valleys and pine forest to high desert
  • 04 Rest and acclimatize in Manang with views of Annapurna and Gangapurna
  • 05 Visit Khangsar, a quiet and authentic Manangi village
  • 06 Finish at Muktinath, a temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists

Tilicho Lake, at about 4,920 m, is one of the highest lakes in the world. This 14-day trek follows the Annapurna Circuit to Manang, detours to the lake through dry, dramatic high-mountain terrain, and then crosses Thorong La (5,416 m) to sacred Muktinath. It is a serious high-altitude trek with a proper acclimatization day and a carefully paced ascent. Standard teahouse accommodation is used throughout the trek, with travel by road from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Pokhara, Kathmandu, Besisahar, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong La, Jomsom, Muktinath, Dharapani
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Kathmandu to Bhulbhule or Ngadi via Besisahar

  • Route: Kathmandu to Besisahar, then Bhulbhule or Ngadi
  • Altitude: 840 m
  • Notes: Drive 6-8 hours; short evening walk if time allows
2
Day 02

Bhulbhule to Jagat or Chamje Along the Marsyangdi

  • Route: Bhulbhule to Jagat or Chamje
  • Altitude: 1,430 m
  • Notes: 5-6 hours; terraced fields and waterfalls along the Marsyangdi
3
Day 03

Chamje to Dharapani with First Himalayan Views

  • Route: Chamje to Dharapani
  • Altitude: 1,860 m
  • Notes: 6 hours; the valley narrows, with first Himalayan views
4
Day 04

Dharapani to Chame Through Pine Forest

  • Route: Dharapani to Chame
  • Altitude: 2,710 m
  • Notes: 6 hours; pine forest, Annapurna II views, and hot springs nearby
5
Day 05

Chame to Upper Pisang via the Upper Trail

  • Route: Chame to Upper Pisang
  • Altitude: 3,300 m
  • Notes: 5 hours; upper trail for views and the monastery
6
Day 06

Upper Pisang to Manang via Ngawal

  • Route: Upper Pisang to Manang via Ngawal
  • Altitude: 3,540 m
  • Notes: 6-7 hours; Annapurna and Gangapurna panoramas
7
Day 07

Acclimatization Day in Manang

  • Route: Acclimatization day in Manang
  • Altitude: 3,540 m
  • Notes: Hike to Gangapurna Lake or Praken Gompa, then rest
8
Day 08

Manang to Khangsar

  • Route: Manang to Khangsar
  • Altitude: 3,734 m
  • Notes: 3-4 hours; deliberately short to keep the ascent safe
9
Day 09

Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp

  • Route: Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4,150 m
  • Notes: 4-5 hours; open, dry terrain with some exposed sections
10
Day 10

Tilicho Lake Excursion from Base Camp

  • Route: Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake and back
  • Altitude: 4,920 m
  • Notes: 7-8 hours round trip; pre-dawn start, wind rises by mid-morning
11
Day 11

Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka

  • Route: Base Camp to Yak Kharka
  • Altitude: 4,020 m
  • Notes: 6-7 hours; route chosen based on current trail conditions
12
Day 12

Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi or High Camp

  • Route: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi or High Camp
  • Altitude: 4,450-4,800 m
  • Notes: 3-4 hours; early rest and hydrate well
13
Day 13

Cross Thorong La to Sacred Muktinath

  • Route: Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath
  • Altitude: 3,760 m
  • Notes: 9-10 hours; start about 4 am; hardest day of the trek
14
Day 14

Muktinath to Pokhara via Jomsom

  • Route: Muktinath to Jomsom, then road to Pokhara
  • Altitude: 2,720 m
  • Notes: Shared jeep or bus; flight from Jomsom is optional

Itineraries can change because of weather, trail conditions, landslides, or the health of the group. Your guide makes the final safety decisions. We recommend adding 1-2 spare days as a buffer.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kathmandu Airport 11 cities · 14 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
  • Shared bus or jeep from Kathmandu to Besisahar
  • Shared jeep or bus from Jomsom to Pokhara
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and required local trekking permits/TIMS
  • Experienced, licensed trekking guide for the full trek
  • Porter service: one porter per two trekkers, up to 20 kg total gear per trekker
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek (twin-sharing)
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each trekking day, with tea or coffee at meals
  • Guide and porter salaries, food, insurance, and equipment
  • Basic first aid kit carried by the guide
  • Government taxes and agency service charge

What's Not Included

  • International flights and Nepal visa fee
  • Hotels and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Jomsom to Pokhara flight (optional, roughly USD 100-150)
  • Travel and medical insurance with high-altitude and helicopter evacuation cover (mandatory; arranged by the traveler)
  • Personal gear (sleeping bag, down jacket, boots); rentable in Kathmandu or Pokhara
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, snacks, and chocolate
  • Hot showers, battery charging, and Wi-Fi at teahouses (extra cost at altitude)
  • Tips for guide and porter (customary; about USD 100-150 per group is common)
  • Extra nights caused by weather, landslides, or altitude illness
  • Emergency evacuation or rescue costs
  • Anything not listed under 'Included'

What to bring

  • Clothing: Down jacket (rated to -15 C)
  • Clothing: Windproof/waterproof shell
  • Clothing: Thermal base layers
  • Clothing: Fleece or mid layer
  • Clothing: Trekking trousers
  • Clothing: Warm hat, sun hat, gloves
  • Clothing: Wool socks (4+ pairs)
  • Clothing: Broken-in trekking boots
  • Equipment: Sleeping bag (-15 C)
  • Equipment: Trekking poles
  • Equipment: Headlamp and spare batteries
  • Equipment: Daypack (25-30 L)
  • Equipment: Water bottles (2 x 1 L)
  • Equipment: Microspikes (shoulder season)
  • Personal: Sunglasses (UV 400)
  • Personal: Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Personal: Personal medication
  • Personal: Water purification tablets
  • Personal: Toiletries, wet wipes
  • Personal: Power bank
  • Personal: Passport, insurance copies, cash

Know before you go

  • Prices and permit fees are subject to change. Please confirm at booking.

  • Itineraries can change because of weather, trail conditions, landslides, or the health of the group. Your guide makes the final safety decisions.

  • We recommend adding 1-2 spare days as a buffer.

  • Permit and park fees change. The exact amounts are confirmed in your booking contract.

  • At this price, the trek is basic: simple rooms, shared bathrooms, and limited heating at altitude.

  • Insurance with helicopter evacuation is mandatory before you begin trekking.

  • Above 3,000 m, avoid sleeping more than about 500 m higher than the previous night.

  • Drink plenty of water, walk slowly, and report headaches, nausea, or dizziness to your guide at once.

  • Descend immediately if symptoms worsen. Confusion or loss of balance is an emergency.

  • Do not skip the acclimatization day in Manang.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kathmandu Airport
Tour start
Kathmandu Airport
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 days finish where they began, in Kathmandu Airport.

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Starting from

USD 950 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,000.00 — $1,100.00
Double Sharing $950.00 — $1,000.00

When

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