Accommodation and Duration
Accommodations in the Tilicho Lake Treks are mostly guesthouses. The guesthouses are comfortable with basic facilities. The trek duration is of 15 days. Thus, most nights are spent in the guesthouses. A stay at the tent twice in the Tilicho Base Camp before ascending and after descending from Tilicho Lake. The extra charge for the use of facilities like hot water buckets, laundry, charging, internet, and electricity in the guesthouses
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided during the trekking from the guesthouses. The meals are basic and suitable for the health of the trekkers. The main dish is Nepali Dal Bhat which provides enough energy throughout 7/8 hours of the trek. The variety of meals is hard to find but meals prepared from home-grown crops are a treat during this trek.
Drinking water
Drinking water is easily available at the guesthouses. You can buy a mineral water bottle but you should do proper disposal of plastic bottles. You can also fill boil water at guesthouses paying extra charges. Carry a water bottle and water purification medicine with you. During trekking, drink direct freshwater from the flowing stream using water purification treatment.
Communication
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 facility, electricity for charging can be used. The phone signal is also good but may not work at high altitudes. Using a local sim card, an internet facility can also be used.
Starting and Ending points
The starting point of the Tilicho Lake Trek is from Besisahar and ends in Jomsom. From Jomsom, flight to Pokhara and return to Kathmandu.
Permits
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permits are required.
- ACAP permit cost charge: NPR 3000 (Foreigners), NPR 1000 (SAARC)
- TIMS permit cost charge: NPR 2000 (Foreigners), NPR 600 (SAARC)
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is very helpful and a safety net for travelers/trekkers. Travel Insurance must cover all medical emergencies, flight cancelations, emergency evacuations, loss of luggage, and altitudes over 3000 m.
Tilicho Lake Trek Difficulty
Tilicho Lake Trek’s difficulty is moderately challenging. The trek includes a trail having many steep ascends, descends, rough trails, and icy and slippery during winter and rainy seasons. Tilicho Lake is at the altitude of 4919 m and the highest pass Thorong La Pass is 5416 m. The trekker with average physical fitness and good health condition can complete the trek. Proper preparation and guidance before starting the trek are fruitful.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness at Tilicho Lake Trek
Acclimatization day is necessary during trekking. Manang valley is our acclimatization rest day. It helps prevent altitude sickness and adapt to the environment. Headache, hangover, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sleep, hallucinations, and unconsciousness, are symptoms of altitude sickness. Immediately inform the guide if you have any primary symptoms.
Best time to trek Tilicho Lake
Spring and Autumn seasons are the best time to trek Tilicho Lake. The weather is clear and sunny during these seasons. The trail is also comfortable to walk. Rainy and Winter season treks are for experienced trekkers.
Luggage limitation for Porter
One porter carries the luggage of two trekkers. The luggage limitation per person is a maximum of 15 kg.
Equipments
- Shoes: Rubber sandals and hiking boots
- Apparel: fleece, long sleeve shirts, windcheater jacket, thermals, down jacket, gloves, 3. towels, innerwear, trekking pants, trousers, shorts, and socks
- Accessories: Water bottles, pocket knife, sunscreen, lip balm, hats and caps, sunglasses, and water whitening solution
- Gear: Duffel bag, map, trekking poles, and warm sleeping bags
- Medication: First Aid Kit, medications for altitude sickness
- Rainy season: Raincoat, boots, anti-leech socks, and waterproof clothing
- Light-colored woolen outerwear for the winter
