Can I extend my holiday like a day trip in Kathmandu or other Activities?
Yes, you can. As pre and post-trek, there are several options for short trip options and activities that can be done. The following activities and some others we can arrange for you in Kathmandu and surroundings:
- Kathmandu Sightseeing City Tour
- Day Hike Nagarjun Hill in Kathmandu
- Trishuli River Rafting Day Tour
- Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking (2 nights 3 days)
- Jeep Safari in Kathmandu
- Mountain bike tour in Kathmandu
- Shivapuri National Park Hike Day trip
- Chitwan jungle safari 2nights 3days
- Tibet tour and Bhutan tour
Free airport pickup and drop from the Company
Happyland Treks arranges a free airport pickup and drop from the company side to begin and end your trek comfortably. Our representative will be waiting for you at Tribhuvan International Airport- Kathmandu in an arrival area with a signboard with your name on it before you check out the gate. We believe a warm welcome ensures a comfortable feeling so that travelers can relax on their flight journey to Nepal. Then, our staff member will assist you in transferring to the hotel to ensure you receive some rest after long hours of travel. Similarly, our staff transfers you back to the airport for final departure at the end of your trek.
Can I store my luggage/Suitcase in Kathmandu?
You can leave your backpack or suitcase in the safe hands of the Happy Land Treks office or the hotel you stay in. This service is particularly beneficial for trekkers who leave behind stuff they do not need on the Annapurna Circuit or sightseeing around Kathmandu's sights and sounds. Leave the load of unnecessary items and travel easily and comfortably. Additional luggage will be safely kept with the Happy Land Treks team or at your hotel, and you get to enjoy all of the adventure without extra luggage, making it easier to start the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit.
Differences between solo trek, private trek, and group trek
Solo Trek
Solo trek means single trek. That means you go on a trek with your freedom. You take a porter or guide or both with you and go on a trek at your own will. You can walk independently; you don't have to trek on others' schedules; you can go in your own style. Only one guide and one porter will be there just for you. You don't have to stress out about anything because your porter and guide will look after your stuff. You can walk at your own pace, and it may even take 14 days or more to complete the trek of 12 days. That is totally up to your choice. You can trek in your style.
Private Trek
Book a private trek anytime; you will be trekking only with your group. You need not follow others; you can join the trek as per your date requirement. The Itinerary can be changed according to your interests, requirements, and private group. Add the place of your interest to visit. There is privacy and peace; you can be in whatever number you want to do this trek. There isn't any limit on the number of people who want to go on this trek; you can take the days you want to complete the trek.
Group Trek
It would be group travel; one would meet people from any country, 2-10 people in a group, follow a certain departure date and Itinerary, follow some rules, and meet new people.
Family Trek
You are trekking with your own family. Going on a trek with kids will make it more secure and caring. Some may have health problems and are unable to walk; guides will take care of you. You can make your own Itinerary and walk at your own pace.
Is it safe for solo or female travelers?
Yes, Tilicho Lake via Annapurna Circuit is safe for solo and female travellers. Ladies alone can travel on the Annapurna Circuit Trek without any major concern, but it is hugely recommended that you use a local guide for better safety and confidence. If the guide and agency are local, solo travelling will be much safer. Happyland Treks has much experience handling solo and female travellers in the Annapurna region and all over Nepal, including the Everest and Langtang areas. No journey is completely risk-free, but an experienced local guide who knows the terrain, culture, and region adds considerably to the safety factor.
Drinking water on the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Teahouses and guesthouses en route often offer boiled or filtered water. Although tap water is fairly widespread, due to safety reasons, it is never recommended to drink tap water without purification; hence, it is always better to purify either with a SteriPen or other means such as purification tablets. Water purification tablets are very easily accessible in Kathmandu and Pokhara in every mart, pharmacy, and medical outlet. However, as far as the SteriPen devices are concerned, it is best if you buy them from your home country prior to starting your trek. Its quality and availability may not be questionable.
How to use SteriPen:
- Remove protective cover
- Press once for 1 L, twice for 0.5 L
- Put the UV lamp in the water.
- Mix everything together until the light is green, which usually takes about 90 seconds.
- Now your water is safe.
Typical day on The Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit
An average day on Annapurna Circuit starts with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar 190 km in 6-7 hrs, followed by a jeep drive of 4 hrs to Chame. The actual trek starts the next morning. It does not take too long before your daily routine falls into a comfortable rhythm. Your day starts early with breakfast at 7 am. By 7:45 am, you hit the trail with only your daypack of essentials- your main luggage stays with your porter to follow along at his or her own pace. You will generally walk 5-7 hours a day, stopping for lunch at one of the trailside teahouses. Then, the afternoon walk continues to where one is overnighting. Dinner is at about 7 pm, and there is a discussion on the route for the following day by the guide.
Accommodation during the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit
Accommodations during Tilicho Lake Trek through the Annapurna Circuit rightly have very basic facilities, ranging from simple tea houses to shared ones. The rooms will be in sharing format: twin-sharing, triple-sharing, and even dormitory in some places, with four beds in one room. These various basic lodges speak for the geographical distinction from one mountain to another.
Shared toilets and showering facilities are mostly located outside the room. It has a few amenities yet gives the needed shelter for trekkers across this grueling landscape. Simple as they are, the teahouses of Tilicho Lake Trek present authentic views of mountain life in this part of the world after long days on your feet.
Training requirement for Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit
Normally, hard-core training is not required for Tilicho Lake Trek via Annapurna Circuit, but some light exercises may make trekking a lot more rewarding. It would be advisable to light train-like hiking or walking a few weeks in advance before the trip to build up stamina and endurance. If you can manage some trekking practice about a week earlier, this may be beneficial for acclimatization. There is no need to take heavy training; besides, any previous trekking experience would be highly beneficial. If you don't train at all, you can still cope with this trek comfortably and enjoy yourself.
Mountain sickness and prevention on the trek
Mountain sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is one of the risks associated with higher altitudes wherein oxygen levels fall drastically. Trekkers may experience some or all of the above symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness and trouble sleeping. In extreme cases it may lead to life-threatening High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
Prevention
Key prevention strategies include:
- Go up slowly (300-500 meters per day above 3,000m)
- Keep yourself hydrated. Drink a lot of fluid/water
- Not drinking alcohol
- Eating light, carbohydrate-rich foods
- Taking enough rest days to acclimatize
- Thinking about medication before-hand after consulting with a doctor
- Listen to your body and don't push it if it's telling you you're approaching your limit
- Immediately descend if symptoms get worse
What is the best season for an Tilicho Lake Trek via Annapurna Circuit?
While the trek is possible year-round in both peak and off-seasons, peak seasons see more trekkers and better facilities, whereas off-seasons have fewer crowds but more challenging conditions. Mountain weather is highly unpredictable and can change rapidly at any moment, so trekkers should always be prepared for sudden weather shifts regardless of the season.
Spring Season [March to May]
When it comes to trekking in Nepal, Spring is simply enchanting. The Annapurna and Tilicho trails are covered with bright colors as the rhododendron forests lining the trails turn to full bloom after the long winter. The spring temperatures are, on average, about 10 to 20°C daytime, which is good as it allows for many hours of comfortable trekking on foot, and the high altitude nights are bearable with the right equipment. This season also presents the best views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, which lie in the way of any tourists heading towards Tilicho Lake.
Autumn Season [September to November]
The Autumn season is considered the best period for undertaking the Tilicho Lake Trek since this time frame comes with favorable weather and the best sightseeing opportunities. With the monsoons gone, the weather is perfect for sightseeing activities, as the skies are clear with fresh air. Autumn temperatures are moderate; that is, they range from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius on average, creating favorable reasons for trekking.
Equipment and trekking kit necessary for Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit travel
You will need good trekking boots, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, thermals, gloves and a hat to deal with cold Himalayan weather. Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm protects you from high-altitude UV-rays. A comfortable day pack (30-40L) is also essential along with a sleeping bag(4 seasons), trekking poles, water purifying tablets or drops, headlamp/torchlight, basic first aid kit etc. You can either bring your own gear from your home country or hire some stuff at reasonable prices in Kathmandu and Pokhara as well. Visit the link for a full list.
Food during the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit trekking tour
Food during the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit is hygienic, fresh, and varied; almost every teahouse has its own menu. During the trek in the Annapurna region, you get basic meals at all teahouses. But we recommend eating the famous Nepali dish called Dal Bhat (steamed rice served with lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickles, and sometimes meat curry) as it will provide you with a lot of energy for walking and its free refill. You can order anything from the menu, but the taste and how they make it might be different from what you eat in Kathmandu or Pokhara city or at home. Food is prepared hygienically and in a good manner. During the hike, please allow yourself mountain flavor.
Toilet and shower in the Annapurna Route Mountain Lodge
Most teahouses along the Annapurna route have Western-style and traditional squat toilets, although Western toilets are more common. The bathrooms are basic but usually clean enough for most trekkers’ standards.
Hot showers are provided via either bucket or gas geyser, and we strongly advise getting hot showers only to avoid falling ill at such high altitudes. There would be an additional cost of around $3-5 / shower, and this pricing is pretty much fixed throughout most teahouses. For hygiene purposes and sheer convenience, do bring your own personal toiletries set, which includes:
- Toilet paper
- Shower gel/soap
- Shampoo
- Hand sanitizer
- Personal towel
Carrying your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a towel is essential while trekking.
Mobile, camera battery charge and WIFI on the Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit
Charging Facilities
There are no Multi plugs or sockets in the teahouse rooms, so everything needs to be charged in the common hall—it’s $3-5 per full charge. We recommend travelers to carry a power bank or spare batteries somewhere as a backup too.
WIFI and Connectivity
While teahouses offer WIFI services for an additional $3-5, the mountain connectivity can be unreliable and slow. For better internet access and emergency communications, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card prior to starting your trek. Local carriers have relatively better network coverage throughout most of the circuit; it will also be easier to stay in touch with your friends and family and share your trekking adventure.
What is the highest altitude of the trek?
Thorong La Pass, at 5,416 meters, is the highest elevation on the Annapurna Circuit Via Tilicho Lake and one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Another highest altitude is Tilicho Lake, at 4,919 meters, which is one of the world’s highest lakes.
Money exchange in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, money exchange is easy. You can get it done at the hotel, Thamel, a commercial neighborhood that is also a hot spot among tourists and has well-managed foreign currency exchange facilities or banks available. Besides, there are over a thousand ATMs throughout Thamel where you can withdraw cash easily. Similarly, banks in Kathmandu provide these services. Tourist agencies will also offer to change money for you. Hardly any such facilities exist while trekking, so it is best that you stock up on local currency before you start your journey.
Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit Difficulty level
Tilicho Lake Trek via Annapurna Circuit is an incredible yet demanding journey for most trekkers because it leads to some of the world's most challenging heights of the Himalayas. Among the many amazing places within the region, reaching the silica lake at 4,919 meters (16,138 feet) is breathtaking but carries an outright risk due to high altitude sickness.
While trekkers climb up and out towards Muktinath, it is important to note that this trek will challenge and test limits as there are steep climbs and rough walks.
The trek is not solely about the physical capability of an individual. Still, it also enriches the hikers with the wonderful scenery and culture of the respective region. As the trekking activity progresses, the trekkers seem to enjoy the changing backdrops from lush green valleys while traversing high and dry mountains.
Weather on the Tilicho Lake trek via Annapurna Circuit Himalayan trek
Weather can really change anytime on the Tilicho Lake trek via Annapurna Circuit. Season-wise, this lake is beautiful, but the best season to go for a trek to Tilicho Lake is spring (March) or autumn ( Sept- November). During the monsoon season (June-July), most trekkers don’t prefer it because it rains heavily.
January
In January, the Tilicho Lake Trek is in the midst of winter. Most days, you will experience sub-zero temperatures at higher altitudes. Expect colder nights as the temperature drops after sunset. The days are also very short during this month.
February
February is still cold, with temperatures ranging from -12°C to -2°C at higher altitudes. Snowfall also occurs, making the place perfect for snow lovers.
March
In March, the spring season starts in Nepal. The weather begins to get warmer, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 25°C as the snow starts melting, and the trail becomes easier for trekking with the comeback of tourists in the Annapurna region. Beautiful blooming rhododendron flowers and wildflowers can be seen in lower elevations.
April
April is one of the best months to trek the Annapurna Circuit, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 10°C. Snow is unlikely on most trails you’ll take to get to Tilicho Lake. Blooming flora and moderate temperatures are sure to impress, along with generally stable weather for an overall great trek.
May
In May, temperatures rise further, averaging 5°C to 15°C, especially at lower elevations. Skies continue to be mostly clear, but pre-monsoon rains may begin in the latter part of the month.
June
June celebrates the beginning of the monsoon season. Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C in lower regions, and it is increasingly humid. The trail conditions can be muddy.
July
The monsoon season continues in July. Temperatures are warmer, ranging from 12°C to 22°C in lower regions, but mountain views are often obscured by clouds, and trekking can be more difficult due to slippery trails and an increased risk of landslides.
August
Still rainy, with temperatures between 11°C and 20°C. Rainfall decreases towards the end of the month as the Monsoon Season starts to ease off. Views are still limited, but some trekkers return as things gradually begin to improve.
September
In September, autumn begins, which is one of the best trekking seasons. Temperature ranges from 7°C to 15°C, and there are fewer rainy days than in July and August. Sky clear weather remains stable for a long time, so that’s why this month, trekkers return back so more crowded.
October
October is one of the peak trekking months. There are comfortable temperatures ranging from 5°C to 12°C and clear skies. Stable weather conditions with the best view of mountains.
November
November is the last month of the main trekking season, with temperatures dropping from 0°C to 7°C as winter sets in. Days are shorter, and nights become colder, but skies remain clear.
December
In December, winter sets in, and temperatures drop further, ranging from -10C to 2C, especially on the trails with snow, particularly at higher elevations. The days are mostly clear but cold. Because of the extremely cold conditions, only very few tourists attempt this trek.
What To Expect On Tilicho Lake Trek via Annapurna Circuit?
The Tilicho Lake Trek via the Annapurna Circuit is a route with incomparable scenic beauty. Right from Chame onwards, the trek route winds up rugged mountain slopes, green valleys with agricultural lands in staircases, and very ancient monasteries with flapping colorfully painted prayer flags. It turns into the view of high deserts and glacier trenches as it goes higher up until at Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, at 4,919 meters.
Travel and trekking insurance in the high-altitude
Travel insurance is not optional for high-altitude trekking in Nepal; it is essential. You will need it to cover emergency helicopter evacuations, which can cost thousands of dollars depending on where and how they are conducted. Also, make sure the policy covers high altitudes (above 4,000m) and includes helicopter rescue services. The travel insurance should also cover medical emergencies, treatment for altitude sickness if required, trip cancellation or delay and loss of or damage to baggage. Many trekking companies will want to see proof of your travel insurance before you start a trek. Make sure the limits on your coverage are sufficient for Nepal, and check whether the policy covers activities such as mountain- or rock climbing if you’re planning on doing these too.
How are the Trails of Tilicho Lake Trek Via Annapurna Circuit?
Tilicho Lake Trek via the Annapurna Circuit is an adventurous, diverse track with varied landscapes and rough terrain. This trail will show bridges over streams made of local wood and many ups on the way to Tilicho Lake and Annapurna Base Camp, with corresponding downs when returning. It typically consists of rapid ups and downs, meaning the journey goes uphill one day, and on the next day, it goes downhill. Green hills and valleys cover the entire area, and the trekker would go through Buddhist communities and catch glimpses of the local cultures, customs and warm hospitality.
Nepal visa information
Visas for Nepal can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders. You will need a passport valid for six months with at least two blank pages for the visa. Bring some passport photos with you; the correct fee is in US dollars. Most nationalities are granted visas upon arrival in Nepal, although if you are from one of a handful of countries, you will need to apply for a visa before your trip. Visas are available for 15, 30 or 90 days, and it is possible to extend them through Kathmandu’s Department of Immigration if necessary. However, check current requirements because visa fees and regulations change.
Tipping - Tips to the guide and porter
You should tip your guide and porter at the end of your trek. It is not fixed how much you give; it’s up to you and depends upon your experience with them as well as your budget. This is a great opportunity to show that you appreciate having them along to make your trek safer and more fun. The guide, porter or both will greatly appreciate your generous tips.
Trekking Feedback
After your trek with Happyland Trek, we will invite you for a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. At that dinner, you can tell us about your trekking experience and give us feedback on our trek. We need to get feedback from you, including what you enjoyed and did not, so that we can improve ourselves. You can also write on TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. Your reviews will help trekkers like you who are planning to come and help us with a better tour package. Thank you for choosing the Happy Land.
