Tilicho Lake: is
a lake located in the Manang district of Nepal. It is situated
at an altitude of 4,919 meters (16,138 ft) in theAnnapurna range of
the Himalayas. Another source lists the altitude of Lake Tilicho as
being 4,949 metres (16,237 ft).
Mountain lakes are known to geographers as tarns if
they are caused by glacial activity. Tarns are found mostly in the upper
reaches of the Himalaya, above 5,500 meters (18,000 ft).
Tilicho Lake is the destination of one of the most popular
side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The hike takes additional
3–4 days. No camping is required, as new lodges have been built between Manang
and the lake. Final approach to the lake is done in a day hike from the lodge
at Tilicho Base Camp.
Trekkers attempting the Annapurna Circuit route usually
cross the watershed between Manang and Kali Gandaki valleys over the 5416
meters high Thorong La passes. The alternate route skirting Tilicho
Lake from the north has been gaining popularity. This route is more demanding
and requires at least one night of camping. There are no teahouses or lodges
past the Tilicho Base Camp lodge some kilometers east of the lake and the next
village of Thini Gaon in the Kali Gandaki valley. Most groups spend two nights
between these places. There are two passes leading to Thini Gaon and Jomsom;
Mesokanto La and Tilicho North pass known also as Tilicho "Tourist pass".
These routes via Tilicho Lake are more often closed by snow than the higher
Thorong La.
It was also the site of one of the highest ever altitude
scuba divers. A Russian diving team consisting of Andrei Andryushin, Denis
Bakin and Maxim Gresko conducted a scuba dive in the lake in 2000.
Surrounding mountains: Tilicho,
Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath peak