Your twelve day outing is from Kathmandu city. Each day you would be walking at a slow pace and reaching higher and higher. The temperature gets colder, the mountains bigger, and the sky bluer. The whole trek feels like nature is talking to you gently. When you get to higher locations, you will have to walk very slowly and take care of your body as the air will be thin.
Meaning Of This Trek
Besides the mountain walking, this trek was an instructional one. It showed you the virtues of patience, inner-strength, and loving Mother nature. The local people you meet, speak basic Nepali, and they greet you with their smiles. They invite you to their tea houses and serve you warm meals. You get to know how Nepali people live in cold mountains.
You also learn to respect big mountains because the mountains are like big guardians watching over everyone.
Starting Point
The moment you come to Kathmandu city, your trip starts there. Kathmandu is a place full of life with cars and people on the streets everywhere. Then you go by car to Besisahar. From there you gradually go to Chame and Pisang. These are places of the hills where nature is still and the rivers sing like gentle tunes.
The Nature Around You
You will find colorful trees, green forests, waterfalls, and sometimes wild animals. You will cross large rivers on bridges made of steel or wood. As you climb more, the land becomes drier and you will see the gigantic rocky mountains that look like castles. The sky appears to be so near that you might think you can touch the clouds with your hand.
Tilicho Lake
Tilicho Lake is the biggest highlight of this trek. Tilicho Lake is very high, almost touching the sky. The water is very blue and very cold. Sometimes the lake looks like glass. Many people say this place feels like heaven because everything looks peaceful and silent. When the sun shines, the lake glitters like diamonds.
You take your time to get to Tilicho Base Camp and then you ascend to the lake from there. The trail is a little bit narrow so you must walk cautiously. When at the lake, you will be feeling a mixture of pride and joy because you are in one of the rarest places on the planet.
Days And Journey
The entire journey is twelve days. Every day, you walk several hours, sometimes three, sometimes six. You take shelter in tea houses and sleep in warm rooms. You eat simple foods like dal bhat, noodles, soup, potatoes, eggs, and tea. These foods energize your body to climb further up.
It is very important for your body to get ample rest because the higher you go, the quicker your body will get tired.
Day One Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you meet your guide and get ready. You pack your warm clothes, walking shoes, water bottle, snacks, and warm jacket. You also take a look at weather and health conditions.
Day Two Drive To Chame
With the help of the car, you cover several hours before you can get to Chame. The road winds its way around hills and rivers. The sights that welcome you to Chame are towering mountains that seem to be the guards of the place.
Day Three Chame To Pisang
Your walk will be among pine trees and along windy paths. The scent of pine trees refreshes you. Birds sing for you to hear.
Day Four Pisang To Manang
This day turns out to be a fairy tale day as Manang is a lovely village. In Manang, the houses made of stones and wood look very cute. The snow-capped mountains around Manang resemble huge white cakes.
Acclimatization Day
You spend a full day in Manang resting. This is a way of letting your body get adjusted to the high altitude. You move slowly in the village, drink ginger tea, and delight in mountain views.
Day Five Manang To Khangsar
You go even higher and see different land. There are fewer trees and more rocks. The wind is cooler and the sky is brighter.
Day Six Khangsar To Tilicho Base Camp
This moment is a little bit difficult as the road is narrow and at times steep. However, the sights are so wonderful. You feel like birds are flying near your head.
Day Seven Tilicho Lake Visit
Early in the morning you get up. You ascend slowly to Tilicho Lake. The moment you see the lake you will be overwhelmed with tears of joy and the incredible beauty. You stay and look around quietly. You take pictures and breathe fresh air. Then you return to the Base Camp.
Day Eight Tilicho Base Camp To Yak Kharka
After the lake visit, you set off for the main Annapurna Circuit trail along which you will find Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka is a small place surrounded by big mountains.
Day Nine Thorong Phedi
At this moment, you are quite near to Thorong La Pass. Thorong Phedi is the place one can rest and get ready before the crossing of the highest point. The place is cold and windy. You don your warm clothes and retire early as tomorrow is an important day.
Day Ten Thorong La Pass To Muktinath
This is the highest part of the trek at more than five thousand meters. The air is thin, and you have to go at a very slow pace. However, on reaching the Pass, you get a feeling of utmost pride because only a handful of people in their lifetime get to this point. Once at Thorong La, you descend to Muktinath by walking. Muktinath is a sacred place and thus attracts a large number of pilgrims.
Day Eleven Jomsom
The trek to Jomsom takes you through a dry land where the wind is strong. Jomsom is a valley surrounded by the mountains and apple orchards. You can relish apple juice and apple pie here.
Day Twelve Fly To Pokhara
Trekking ends in Jomsom from where you take a flight to Pokhara. Pokhara is an attractive town with lakes and clean air. You chill out by Fewa Lake and are very happy as your trek is done.
Best Time To Go
The best time to do this trek is in spring or autumn. Spring starts from March and lasts till May with blossoming flowers and warm weather. Autumn lasts from September to November when the sky is very clear and mountains look perfect. Winter is very cold and summer is rainy, so these are not very convenient.
Trek Difficulty
This trek is considered difficult as an uphill very high altitude multi-day walk. However, if you took it slowly and were careful, you would be able to accomplish it. Your guide will always be there to support you. It is vital to drink water, eat nutritious food, rest well, and pay attention to your body.
Food And Stay
While on the trek you take lodging in simple mountain lodges known as tea houses. The rooms are warm, and the people are very kind. You are given the power by the food to your body through the homemade Nepali diet. At night, the temperature drops to a very low level, so you sleep in warm blankets.
Local Culture
You come across small villages and locals wearing traditional clothes. You hear them speaking Nepali and different local languages. They live a very simple life but at the same time, they are very happy. They worship in monasteries and spin prayer wheels. You find out that happiness is obtainable in very simple things.
Safety
One should always walk at a slow pace and never hurry because the air is thin. In case you experience headache, shortness of breath, or dizziness, you inform your guide. Drinking water and taking rest are ways through which your body can be helped. Your guide is the one who has the knowledge about your safety.
Feelings Of The Trek
As you walk through this trek, you experience a variety of emotions. Excitement, tiredness, happiness, and pride are some of the emotions you will have. On occasions, you may be feeling cold, at times hot, sometimes very sleepy, however, every step brings you something lovely. The mountains teach you to be strong and patient.
Ending
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek for 12 days is a very special journey for your heart. It is like walking in nature’s big playground. Once you have finished the trek, you are left with a feeling that you are a better and stronger person. The things that will always stay in your memory are the blue lake, snowy mountains, kind people, and quiet nature nature.