Accommodation at the Tilicho Lake Trek
There are plenty of tea houses to choose from in the famous Annapurna region of Nepal, so there's no need to carry camping or cooking supplies. The Annapurna routes are well-loved and well-traveled, meaning that tea houses ranging in quality have been established to meet the range of needs of travelers. At lower elevations and busier areas, you can choose more fully equipped tea houses with electricity, wifi, and en suite bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets. There are also more rustic, basic tea houses available, especially at higher elevations, that have simple rooms and basic services. Bathrooms might be shared and have a squat-style toilet. At these tea houses, you can pay a small fee for services such as wifi and hot showers. We provide you with a clean, -20°C sleeping bag to keep you cozy and warm.
Meals at the Tilicho Lake Trek
Food in the Annapurna Region of Nepal is delicious and plentiful, with a range of options to suit your preferences. The menus at tea houses are usually quite large, especially considering you are trekking into the Himalayas, but it's important to note that most tea houses offer similar food options. You can choose from a variety of local dishes, including Dal Bhat (rice, vegetable curry, and lentil soup with unlimited refills!), fried rice or noodles, Mo Mo (local dumplings), Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), spring rolls, or western dishes like burgers, pasta, pizza, and potatoes. For breakfast, you can enjoy local chapati bread or Tibetan bread with curry or go for more familiar eggs, porridge, muesli, or pancakes. This trek is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, but if you have any other dietary restrictions, you can let us know, and your guide will communicate with the kitchen staff.
Your package with Nepal Trekking Experts includes dinner in Kathmandu before you leave for your trek and three meals a day (with tea or coffee) every day of the trek, including travel days. If you'd like, you can purchase extra snacks, desserts, or fancy coffees when they're available.
Transportation to the Tilicho Lake Trek
All transportation fees and arrangements are included in your trekking package when you book with Nepal Trekking Experts. To start your adventure in the Annapurna region, there are many transport options depending on your interest, time frame, and budget. A common route is to travel via bus or microvan from Kathmandu (Gongabu Bus Park) to Besisahar (6–7 hours) and then continue on to your starting point via local Jeep. Common starting points include Bhulbhule, Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, and Manang. The further you travel via Jeep, the less trekking you'll do by foot. This shortens the length of your trek, which can be a great option if you have less time or are adding other, lesser-traveled regions to your trek, such as Nar Phu Valley, or Nar Phu Thorong La.
Please be aware that the buses in Nepal can be overcrowded (especially if you are traveling during festival time), not particularly tidy, and will stop in villages along the route to pick up and drop off more people. Bus rides can be part of the exciting, immersive experience of being in a foreign country, but they are not for everyone. If you would like a more comfortable alternative, we can arrange a private jeep from Kathmandu all the way to your starting point. Jeeps shorten your travel time considerably, and you can stop for breaks at your leisure. With so many travel options, we'd be happy to talk things through with you to find what suits you best.
Battery Charging on the Tilicho Lake Trekking
Despite trekking deep into the Himalayas, most of the tea houses have either electricity or solar power. Depending on the tea house, you might be able to charge your devices in your rooms. Otherwise, you can pay a few dollars (paid in local rupees) to charge your battery in the main dining hall. Carrying a power bank is recommended during your trek in the Annapurna region.
Telephone availability on the Tilicho Lake Trek
Nowadays, most villages have phone service and mobile reception, although it can be quite unpredictable. NCELL and Nepal Telecom are the two major SIM card providers. Nepal Telecom is recommended by NTE for better reception in the Annapurna region. You can purchase a SIM card in Kathmandu when you arrive.
Internet
Many tea houses have wifi to purchase for around 3-5 dollars per hour, which is paid in local Nepali rupees. Please be aware that internet services may not be completely reliable due to weather and other issues.
Porter
Our tailor-made packages do not include a porter, so you can make the decision based on your own needs and preferences. Although not necessary, having a porter can make a massive difference in the enjoyment of your trek. If you are new to trekking at high altitudes, then we would recommend having a porter in the Annapurna region carry your bag across the rugged terrain. One porter carries the bags of two people (around 20kg) so that you can carry a small daypack. If you are undecided, we would be happy to discuss porters in more detail when you book your trek.
Tilicho Lake Trekking Permits and Cost
When trekking with Nepal Trekking Experts, the permit fees are included in your package. Your experienced guide will obtain all required permits on your behalf with your passport. To enter the Annapurna region, you will require two permits, which can both be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara before commencing your trek.
- The TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card costs 2000 Nepali rupees, and as per the latest rule, it will be obtained through the trekking agencies only.
- The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs 3000 Nepali rupees, is available through the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhirkutimandap Kathmandu, or Pokhara.
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