Thorong La Pass trek with Tilicho Lake is a submerged trek that entails both the passing of Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world as well as Thorong La Pass which in itself is a one of the highest passes in the Nepalese Himalayas. Although the trek may initially appear to be exceedingly challenging and physically taxing, the results are truly captivating and may actually evoke the essence of the Annarpurna circuit. The lake itself is the main draw of this trek.
Thorong La Pass, also referred to as Thorung La, is a mountain pass in central Nepal’s Damodar Himal, which is situated north of the Annapurna Himal. It is located 5,416 meters above sea level. The 300 km long Annapurna Circuit, which circuits the Annapurna Mountain range, has Thorong La as its highest point. Similarly, 4,919 meters above sea level is where Tilicho Lake is situated. Following the crossing of Thorong La, the trekker arrives at Muktinath, one of the most venerated holy sites for both Buddhists and Hindus. In this regard, the Thorong La pass trek with Tilicho Lake has all the elements of a perfect Himalayan trek.
The Himalayan Thar (Mountain Goat) and Snow Leopard can be seen along the path from Tilicho Lake to Thorong La. One may see a continuous scene of notable peaks along the trekking route, including Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, Chulu East, Chulu West, and Chulu Far West. Landslide areas before Tilicho Base Camp are just stunning and unique in terms of environment, and hiking paths around the lake are blessed with lovely rivers and hillside walking pathways.
Overview of Thorong La Pass Trek with Tilicho Lake
| Name of the Trek | Thorong La Pass Trek |
| Trekking Region | Annapurna Region, Mustang and Manang Districts |
| Trekking Difficulty | Strenuous; needs previous experience of trekking at high altitude |
| Number of Days | 16-17 days |
| Maximum Elevation | 5416 m |
| Accommodation | Homestay, tea houses at first and camping |
Highlights of Thorong La Pass with Tilicho Lake
- Panoramic mountains and diverse ethnic villages
- Sightseeing around Manang village and visit Gangapurna Glacier Lake
- Pristine Tilicho Lake and the panoramic view around the lake
- Crossing the Thorung-La Pass over 5416 meters
- The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath, Apple field villages down from Muktianth
- Walking through the world’s deepest gorge and the Kaligandaki valley
Short Itinerary for Thorong La Pass with Tilicho
| Day | Activity | Altitude | Time |
| Day 1 | Arrival at Kathmandu | 1400m | – |
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu Valley and Preparation | 1400m | – |
| Day 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Chame | 2725m | 10-12 hours drive |
| Day 4 | Trek from Chame to Pisang | 3300m | 6 hours trek |
| Day 5 | Trek from Pisang to Manang | 3540m | 5-6 hours trek |
| Day 6 | Acclimatization at Manang | 3540m | _ |
| Day 7 | Trek from Manang to Khangsar | 3700m | 4-5 hours trek |
| Day 8 | Trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp | 4200m | 5 hours trek |
| Day 9 | Trek from Base Camp to Tilicho Lake and back to Base Camp | 4919m | 7 hours trek |
| Day 10 | Trek from Tilicho Base Camp to Yak Kharka | 4000m | 6 hours trek |
| Day 11 | Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi/Base | 4450m | 5 hours trek |
| Day 12 | Cross Thorong Pass and Trek Down to Muktinath | Thorong La 5416m and Muktinath 3800 m | 9 hours trek |
| Day 13 | Explore Kagbeni, Jomsom and Marpha | 2713m | – |
| Day 14 | Fly or Drive to Pokhara | 822m | 8 hours drive/30 minutes flight |
| Day 15 | Back to Kathmandu | 1400m | 7 hours drive |
Best Season for Thorong La Trek with Tilicho Lake
The ideal trekking season in Nepal is often the same for almost all trekking destinations, and the Thorong La pass and Tilicho Lake Trek is no exception. The two finest seasons for crossing the Thorong Pass are Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (October and November).
Difficulty of Thorong La Trek with Tilicho Lake
Although the Thorong La Trek with Tilicho Lake is a unique trek, it does have its own set of challenges. The trek takes you through the highs and lows of the Himalayas, taking you to one of the highest lakes and requiring you to cross a high pass. Therefore, this trek will be challenging for first-time tourists, but if they do it calmly and properly acclimate their trek, there should be no issues. Regular trekkers must also take appropriate caution and avoid rushing their journey. Allowing the mountains to take their course and without putting any pressure on anything is the greatest approach to walk in the Himalayas.
Permits for Thorong La Trek with Tilicho Lake
In order to trek to the Annapurna trekking routes, trekkers must first get two distinct trekking permits: TIMS permission and Annapurna conservation area project permit.