Tilicho Lake vs Tsho Rolpa trek

Tilicho Lake, at 4,919 m in Manang, is reached in 8 to 12 days on a popular route with good lodges for most of the way. Tsho Rolpa, at about 4,580 m at the head of the Rolwaling valley, is reached in 10 to 13 days on a quiet trail with basic lodges. Tilicho is higher and better served; Tsho Rolpa is more remote and far less visited.

Tilicho Lake and Tsho Rolpa at a glance

• Height. Tilicho Lake: 4,919 m. Tsho Rolpa: about 4,580 m.
• Region. Tilicho Lake: Annapurna (Manang). Tsho Rolpa: Rolwaling, between Langtang and Everest.
• Days. Tilicho Lake: 8 to 12. Tsho Rolpa: 10 to 13.
• Lodges. Tilicho Lake: good to Manang, basic at base camp. Tsho Rolpa: basic throughout.
• Crowds. Tilicho Lake: moderate. Tsho Rolpa: very few.
• Type of lake. Tilicho Lake: glacial lake in a high basin. Tsho Rolpa: a large moraine-dammed glacial lake.

Tsho Rolpa and Rolwaling

Rolwaling is a narrow east-west valley under Gaurishankar, 7,134 m, reached by road from Kathmandu through Charikot to the area of Chhetchhet. The trail climbs steeply to Simigaon and through forest to Beding, the main Sherpa village, and Na, a summer settlement. Tsho Rolpa lies a few hours beyond, a long grey-green lake held back by a moraine, with ice cliffs at its head. It is one of the largest glacial lakes in Nepal and has been partly drained by engineers to reduce the risk of a flood. See the Rolwaling guides.

Tilicho

Tilicho is reached from Manang on the Annapurna Circuit, with a night at base camp and a climb to the rim. See the Tilicho Lake guides.

Character

Tilicho is part of a busy trekking region, with bakeries in Manang and other trekkers on the trail. Rolwaling is a place of yak herders and monks, where a day may pass without meeting another group. Beding has a monastery and a tradition of producing high-altitude climbers.

Difficulty

Tilicho is higher and has the landslide traverse. Tsho Rolpa's approach is long and steep in its first days, with rough trail higher up, and the simple lodges mean a tougher trip overall for many people.

Access

Tilicho needs a long jeep ride up the Marsyangdi. Rolwaling's trailhead is six to eight hours from Kathmandu by road. Neither needs a flight.

Permits

Tilicho needs the Annapurna Conservation Area permit. Rolwaling lies in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, with its own permit. A licensed guide is expected for both.

Season

April to May and October to November for both. Rolwaling's upper lodges may close in winter.

Going further

From Tilicho you can cross the Thorong La or the Mesokanto La. From Tsho Rolpa the only way on is the Tashi Lapcha, a glaciated pass of about 5,750 m into Khumbu that needs mountaineering equipment and experience, so most trekkers return the way they came.

Lodges and food

Up to Manang you eat well and sleep comfortably. In Rolwaling the lodges are family homes with a few rooms, the menu is dal bhat, noodles and potatoes, and at Na accommodation is very simple and open only in the trekking months.

Altitude

Both lakes are visited as day trips from a lower bed, Tilicho from base camp at 4,150 m and Tsho Rolpa from Na at about 4,180 m. Take a rest day at Manang or Beding first.

Cost

Tilicho is usually the cheaper of the two per day, because competition keeps lodge prices in Manang reasonable. Rolwaling needs a private jeep to a remote road head and has fewer lodges, so prices are a little higher, and the trek is two or three days longer.

Who goes

Tilicho is visited by a share of the many thousands who walk the Annapurna Circuit each year. Rolwaling receives a few hundred trekkers, along with climbing teams bound for peaks such as Pachermo and Ramdung.

Earthquake and road changes

Rolwaling's lower trail was damaged in 2015 and has been rebuilt, and hydropower works on the Tama Kosi have brought a road further up the valley than before, shortening the walk in. Manang's road has done the same on the Tilicho side.

Choose Tilicho Lake if

• You want the higher, more famous lake.
• You like good lodges on the way.
• You may add the Thorong La.
• You have about ten days.

Choose Tsho Rolpa if

• You want a valley almost to yourself.
• You are interested in Sherpa village life away from the Everest trail.
• You do not mind basic lodges.
• You have already done the Annapurna region.

Plan it

Ask us for either itinerary, including transport from Kathmandu.

Common questions

Which lake is higher?

Tilicho, by about 340 m.

Is Tsho Rolpa dangerous?

It is a monitored glacial lake with an early-warning system downstream. Visiting it is normal.

Which trek is less crowded?

Tsho Rolpa.

Can I cross from Rolwaling to Everest?

Only over the Tashi Lapcha, a serious glaciated pass for experienced parties with climbing gear.

Heights, days, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current details with us before you book.