Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek – 20 days

Overview of Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek – 20 days

Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek is the standout trek of the Annapurna region. Many trekkers miss Tilicho Lake while taking the Annapurna circuit. Some make it to Tilicho Lake in a few days of trek but return back from there without going towards Thorong La Pass. The complete circuit trek with the Tilicho experience combines the best of both worlds.

This trek is very difficult and requires ample prior experience of trekking in the mountains. The trek is long and acclimatization is an issue in the thin air of the high Himalayas. What makes this trek arduous is the fact that we will first go to the altitude of 4,949 m (Tilicho lake) and then descend down to 4,040 m (Yak Kharka) and again move up to the altitude of 5,416 m (Thorong La Pass) in a matter of few days.

This rapid ascent and descent will drain your energy. Hence you should be much prepared before starting the trek. The beauty of the Annapurna region will however make you forget all the pain and trouble of the trek.

Tilicho lake is the highlight of our trek. It is a lake formed from glacial melts on the southern slope of Annapurna. Lake Tilicho is the highest altitude lake in the world for its size.

The lake has a great religious significance for the Hindus as it is believed to be the Kak Bhusundi lake mentioned in the ancient epic of Ramayana. It is said that this lake was the place where sage Kak Bhusundi first told the happenings of Ramayana to the king of birds – Garuda.

Kak translates to crow and it is said that the sage narrated the story of Ramayana to Garuda in the form of a crow. The texts of Ramayana mention that lake Kak Bhusundi was South of Annapurna and north of Nilgiri. The location, therefore, narrows down to Tilicho lake.

Lake Gangapurna is another highlight of our trek. It is also a glacial lake like Tilicho. In the Annapurna region, you also have an option for short Annapurna base camp trek and Annapurna base camp trek.

Mountain lakes, deep gorges, sky-high mountains, Marpha village – an apple production center, hot water springs of Tatopani, Kaligandaki valley, Muktinath Temple, and Thorong La Pass makes this trek a memorable affair.