Ice Lake and Tilicho Lake Trek

After breakfast journey starts from Kathmandu, about 9-10 hours jeep drive throughout the Khotro village. Early departure makes your journey comfortable because of avoiding the crazy traffic of Kathmandu. Our 5-6 hours smooth drive end Besisahar where we eat a delicious lunch of Nepalese cuisine. We change the jeep into the four wheels and then off-road drive passing rice terraces, gorge, villages, and waterfall to Khotro.

After breakfast trek begins and straight solid climbing to Nache Village right above the Khotro. We follow switch-back stone stair trail on the grassy and Rocky Mountains, it provides a picturesque view of the meandering Marshyandi River and ravine. Nache village has approximately 37 houses and local entrepreneurs run tea houses with basic accommodation. We roaming across the traditional Gurung village then explore the costumes, handicrafts, and architecture. Also, short side trek to spot the tallest and high still suspension bridge above the milky river.

In the morning see the sunrise on the Annapurna and Mount Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world. We have breakfast at the lodge, then trek begins and walking throughout the village towards the Kromtogn Camp. Most of the trail is descending on the potato farm and dissimilar forest, the off the beaten path is marked by a shepherd who seasonally migrated their animals from low to high altitude. While walking on the dense forest spot the birds and animals. The crew fixed the tented camp on the ground and then prepare the organic and hygienic dinner and drinks.

After breakfast, our trek starts and towards Dharamsala where make tented camp for the overnight. A trail contains a series of climbs and descends to Dharamsala. Throughout the day walking into the dense forest and often spot the wildlife, flora, and fauna. We settle our camp on the large beautiful meadow terminal of Dona Glacier and valley. It is a human untouched area where we can hear the animals bark and birds whistling.

After breakfast short side trek on the moraine and glacier that expose an exceptional view of Mount Manalsu to Dona Lake. The sacred turquoise lake stands an altitude of 4250 m above the sea level. After exploring the lake return the camp and retrace to Kromtong for the overnight camp.

First, we trek to Nache village and then steeply descend to Dharapani village and back to the tea house.

Setting-off to Chame village, the headquarter of Manang district. A route contains series of uphill into the forest and several traditional Gurung villages. We walk the east bank of the glacier river which is the alternative trekking route to skip the jeep track till Dhanakyu village. The trail is filled up with apple orchid, oak and pine forest, and buckwheat farm. The route passing along the beautiful waterfall and contradictory landscapes. From Dhanakyu steady climb up through dense rhododendron forest until you reach Timang village, provides a breathtaking view of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m)- the eighth highest peak in the world.
From here mild incline through the forest, Tibetan style villages and crossing the streams to Koto village. We spot another trail leading to Nar Phu valley and we walk on the main road to Chame.

The trek take-off from Chame with looking an amazing mountain view of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna Peak, and Pisang peak. We walk along the gorge, pine forest and passing a large apple farm at Bhratang under the huge boulder. Today we trek on the jeep track from Chame to Dhukur Pokhari. After crossing the river get a first glance of Paungda Danda, the large dramatic curved rock which believed to be gate-way to heaven. The valley opens beyond the Dhukur Pokhari and approache lovely nature settin then following trail east bank of the Marshyandi river and gentle climb to Upper Pisang. The village has a beautiful monastery, Chorten, Mani-wall also sees glorious sunset on the Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Mount Manaslu. Afar the Pisang village is known Manang valley, the mountainous valley.

Today we head to Manang village, the large village where café, snooker houses, internet café, and luxurious drinks are available also watch the documentary on a single screen. From Upper Pisang, we follow upper trail through Gyaru and Ngawal village to Manang village. The upper route provides the widest sights of the mountains from Mount Manaslu to Tilicho peak. The trailhead through pine forest and passing green lake, an hour steep uphill bring us Gyaru village. The great white mountain range appears from Gyaru to Ngawal village. Trailhead with following gentle up and little descend to Ngawal village where Narr Phu trekking route joint with Annapurna circuit trek. The surrounding view of snow-clad mountains and mountain terrain make the trek extraordinary, trek resume descending and flatten path to Mugji village. Now we have a brief stop and then a small side trip to Braga monastery that has a lovely fortress, Chorten and Mani-walls.
The trek continues a side of astonishing Mani-wall then after crossing a small stream and little uphill enter Manang village. We will have 2-nights in Manang then next day trek to Ice Lake.

You have a full day for Ice Lake (Khicho Lake) side trip, the twin lake situated above the Manang valley an altitude of 4,630 m above sea level in Annapurna conservation area. The path to Ice Lake is steeply ascending on the alpine shrubs where often spot the blue sheep and Himalayan Monal. There is 2 way to go Ice/Khecho Lake, the main route connect with Braga village which is about 30-minute far from Manang village. The uphill trail continues on the wider meadow and ridge to Sano Khecho, with an exceptional view of the Annapurna mountain range and the Marshyandi valley.
Another trail is directly linked Manang village, after crossing small streams southeast of the Manang village following uphill on the dense shrubs and temporarily goat graze. This route is shorter than via Braga but unclear track, our experienced trek guide is familiar with Manang to Ice Lake route. Both trail joint at the ridge near to first lake where the villagers built stone rest places. The remaining trail to Ice Lake is light climbing and the route is filled with a white painted Buddhist stupa. The lake has multiple colors and is based on the season, ice form during the spring and winter (January/February/March/April/May) then green and blue color from June to November. Packing list for Ice lake day hike should carry 3 liters of drinking water with baked bakeries with an energy bar. Also carry windbreak cloth with sunglasses, warm hat, and gloves.

After long and tough side trek to Ice Lake, you deserve short and easy trek to Shree Kharka also known as Upper Khangsar. En route to Shree Kharka passing highest human settlement, Khangsar village and beautiful Buddhist monastery- Tare Gompa. After breakfast in Manang, follow branch trail from the end of Manang village and passes potatoes and buckwheat farm to Marshyandi River. After crossing suspension bridge gentle climb up into the dwarf forest of pine and rhododendron. Along the trail, magnificent Mountain View appears both sides of the Tilicho lake route. Then reach Khangar village, the traditional Tibetan style hamlet of Gurung people. From Khangsar village, uphill trek on the Himalayan herbs to Shree Kharka via Tare Gomba.

Today we have short trekking to Tilicho base camp, we have less trekking because of the rapid altitude gain. After breakfast departure from the lodge, first section of the path passes grasses where spot mountain birds and blue sheep en route to Tilicho base camp. Then walking on gravel and scree path with appreciating the naturally eroded mount. There is no human settlement in-between these two villages should carry sufficient drinking water for 4 hours trek. The trek exposes panoramic mountain scenery of Chulu peak and Khangsar Kang. A few lodge with basic accommodations available also closed during the mid-winter due to the heavy snowfall and high chances to have an avalanche.

A full day let you have a comfortable way to explore the turquoise Tilicho Lake, after breakfast set-off from the lodge with sufficient water and energy bar. The trail to Tilicho Lake is completely ascending up on the grit path, moraine, and the snow. The Tilicho Lake route provides a superb view of assorted landscapes, high mountains, glacier and obviously close view of the glacier. Our experience trekking guide gives you a company with detailed information about the Tilicho Lake route. Upon arrival, Tilicho Lake Viewpoint admires the blue and green color lake with sips of the tea. You standing on the foot of the Tilicho peak (7,134 m) and admiring the wide mountain range of Khangsar Kang (7,485 m), Tare Kang (7,069 m), Singu Chuli (6,501 m), Chulu East (6,429 m), and Chulu Central (6,584 m), etc. After a fantastic time and appreciative of the snow-clad peaks and turquoise lake returning to Tilicho base camp.

After breakfast, our Ice Lake and Tilicho lake trek continue toward Manang village, the large population town in the Manang district. Throughout the trek descending on the alpine terrain which provides superb Mountain View. We also spot the dissimilar kind wild animals and birds en route to Manang.

After breakfast departure from Manang village, a drive towards Besisahar and passing along Marshyandi River on deep gorge and villages to Besisahar. It is 5-6 hours scenic off-road drive to Besisahar. You will be stopping on your preferred places for the photo shots and admire the natural beauty. The journey offers magnificent mountains vista, waterfall, and yellow and green valley. On arrival Besisahar room check-in then Tilicho Lake trek success party.

We driving back to Kathmandu, about 5-6 hours' drive on the blacktopped road. An hour drive passes beautiful rice field to Dumre where we joint Prithivi highway. Now the road became busier because of the east and west highway which connect with Kathmandu. The journey lets you enjoy with the lovely natural setting of mountains and cultivate diverse landscapes. Upon arrival Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel.