Tilicho Lake sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area and is reached by a route that requires a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. Here is how the paperwork and the cost work.
Permits and rules
- Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit. Our permits page lists NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 3,000 for other nationalities, per entry.
- TIMS card. NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 2,000 for others, issued through an agency.
- Licensed guide. Required for the Tilicho and Mesokanto route.
These figures are those we have supplied on our permits pages and can change. Confirm the current rates before you book. See Annapurna permits, TIMS card and guide rules.
What drives the cost
- Number of days: Tilicho adds three to four days to the Circuit.
- Group size: private departures cost more per person than group departures.
- Transport: jeep sections reduce days but add vehicle costs.
- Porters: they carry gear and need fair wages and insurance.
- Season: autumn is busiest and most expensive.
- Lodge standards and food at high altitude, where all supplies are carried in.
Our package
Our Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake trek is a 16-day package listed at Rs. 115,000 all-in on our trekking page. It includes the usual elements of a guided trek: permits, guide, lodging and logistics. Check the package page for the exact inclusions and current price, because both can change with season and group size.
Compare options
- Annapurna Circuit, 18 days (package page): the classic route without the lake.
- Circuit plus Tilicho, 16 days: a compressed route that uses vehicles for some lower sections.
- Custom itinerary: add Nar Phu or extra rest days. Send us your dates and ask.
Questions to ask any operator
- Is Tilicho a day trip, an overnight or a loop with an exit over Mesokanto La?
- How many spare days are built in?
- What is the fallback if the trail is blocked?
- Who is the guide, and what experience do they have at altitude?
- What insurance does the company provide for staff and porters?
Insurance
Your travel insurance must cover trekking to at least 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation. Read the policy wording carefully, especially exclusions for altitude.
Reviews
Guest feedback on the Circuit is on our reviews page. If you want to see how we handle altitude and logistics on high treks, that is a good place to start.
Budgeting beyond the package price
- Personal gear: sleeping bag, down jacket, boots and poles if you do not own them (rental is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara).
- Travel insurance with altitude and evacuation cover.
- Tips for guide and porters, usually given at the end of the trek.
- Extra meals, drinks, hot showers and charging.
- Nepali visa fee.
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara before and after.
Why cheap quotes need questions
Large differences in price often come from differences in what is included: guide quality, porter wages and insurance, lodge standards, transport and spare days. A very low quote can mean low pay for staff or a rushed schedule. Ask what is included and why the price is what it is.
Booking early
Autumn dates fill up. If you want a specific departure, enquire several months ahead. We will confirm availability, permits and flights, and tailor the itinerary to your fitness and dates.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for Tilicho Lake?
Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit and an agency-issued TIMS card, and you must travel with a licensed guide.
How much does the Tilicho Lake trek cost?
It depends on days, group size, transport and season. Our 16-day Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake package is listed at Rs. 115,000 all-in; check the package page for details.
Can I add Tilicho to the 18-day Circuit?
Yes. We can extend an itinerary with extra days. Send an enquiry with your dates.
What our guests say
Excerpts from trekker reviews on our reviews page.
“Himalayan Wonders took care of the flights, choppers, anything at very short notice during floods and bad weather.”
