Tilicho Lake from Annapurna Circuit Trek | 30 Oct - 02 Nov 21 | 7 Weeks in Nepal Himalaya Ep V

Tilicho Lake is a worthwhile detour from the Annapurna Circuit Trek. I had arrived in Manang the previous day and, having gone through Braka (including Milarepa Cave), Ghyaru, Upper Pisang, Chame after the Manaslu Circuit, my body was fairly well-acclimatized to the altitude.

In the morning, I hiked up to Praken Gompa - extra acclimatization never hurt - for a view of Manang, Gangapurna and beyond. It was then a 2-hour hike to Khangsar, where many Nepalis choose to take a jeep to. I suppose they have little time but it is not good for acclimatization, especially if driving from Chame or even Besisahar. Yes, at least one person was evacuated by helicopter during my time at Tilicho.

I think I enjoyed the hike from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp - the dry landscape was stupendous - even more so than from BC to Tilicho Lake itself. Tilicho BC itself was not a great place to stay, just somewhere to use as a launching pad for the morning climb of 800-metre elevation to the lake. Tilicho Base Camp was cold and, with most Nepali groups starting in the dark, noisy from 0430 hrs.

I was back before noon, and had lunch at BC before making my way - before most returned from the lake - to Shree Kharka. For some reason, I missed the trail I took on the way in and ended up on the original trail which had landslide damage at the bridge just before Upper Shree Kharka. I made it after some rockclimbing moves.

The final part was Shree Kharka to Ledar, with a lunch stop in Yak Kharka. Some people stop at the latter, and some go on higher to Thorong Phedi, which would mean a longer day when crossing Thorong La.

I travelled to Nepal over October and November 2021, just after the country lifted its Covid-19 quarantine requirement. My plan was to trek the Manaslu and Annapurna circuits, plus some deviations. My total time on trails was 42 days (excluding day treks from Pokhara and Kathmandu) of which 21 days were in restricted areas, requiring a guide; the rest of the time, I was on my own.

Following is my itinerary:
Day 26 - Manang to Khangsar (visiting Praken Gompa)
Day 27 - Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp (via Shree Kharka)
Day 28 - Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake to Shree Kharka
Day 29 - Shree Kharka to Ledar (via Yak Kharka)