TILICHO LAKE

Tilicho lake is the lake situated in the highest altitude in the world. It is 4,919 m high in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas in Manang district of Nepal. Another source lists Lake Tilicho as being 4,949 meters high (16,237 feet).

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 metres.

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 pass. 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 dives. 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

Note: Lake Tilicho is 1107m higher than Lake Titicaca at the border of Peru and Bolivia in South America.

Source: Wikipedia

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