Ice Lake Trek from Manang 2027: 7-Day Itinerary, Cost and Best Time

Updated 18 October 2026.

Short answer: The Ice Lake trek from Manang is a high day walk to a lake at about 4,600 m, above the village of Manang at 3,540 m. The climb is about 1,000 m and takes a full day. The safe way to do it is to sleep in Manang first, so my 7-day trip drives you up the valley and gives you three nights at 3,540 m before the lake. For two to four people it costs USD 555 Budget, USD 1,065 Standard and USD 2,225 Luxury per person. Best months are October and November, then March to May.

I am Shreejan. Ice Lake is one of the best side trips on the Annapurna Circuit, and you do not need to cross the Thorong La to enjoy it. Many people ask me if it can be done in five days. It can be sold in five days. I do not think it should be, and I will explain why below.

What is the Ice Lake trek, in plain words?

Ice Lake (also called Kicho Tal) sits high above Manang village in the Annapurna Conservation Area. You walk up from Manang on a long, steady trail and at the top you look across to the Annapurna range. You then walk back down and sleep in Manang again. It is a day hike with a big climb, not a multi-day trek, and that is why the days before it matter so much.

The lake altitude is the figure I use on our trip page. Published sources give it as about 4,600 m, so treat it as approximate and not as a survey reading.

What is the 7-day itinerary?

Day 1 is long and you will be tired. Eat early and sleep. On day 3 you arrive in Manang in the afternoon, rest, and walk slowly around the village. Day 4 is the day I will not remove. You do a short walk to a viewpoint if you feel well, then sleep in Manang again. The lake is safe on day 5 because of day 4.

Why not do Ice Lake in five days?

Some itineraries reach about 3,500 m on day 2 and the lake on day 3. That is too fast for most people. You gain a lot of height by jeep, which feels easy, and the body has had no time to adjust. A headache at 3,500 m on day 2 is a warning, and then you are asked to climb another 1,000 m the next morning.

My trip has two extra nights and a rest day in Manang first. It costs more days and gives you a much better chance of reaching the lake and enjoying it. If you want to understand the risk in detail, read altitude sickness in Nepal and how to prevent it and scared of altitude, can I still trek Nepal.

What is the lake day like?

We leave early. The climb is about 1,000 m, long and steady, and we go slowly with breaks. At the top you look across to the Annapurna range. Your guide checks everyone's oxygen reading with a pulse oximeter, and if the weather or your readings say turn round, we turn round. The lake will be there next time. We then walk back down and sleep in Manang.

It is a tiring day. If you have done Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp and felt strong, you should manage it. If you have never been above 3,000 m, tell me and we will talk about it honestly.

When is the best time to go?

For the wider picture on the same valley, see Annapurna Circuit best time, month by month. Ice Lake sits on the same ground.

What does the Ice Lake trek cost in 2027?

These are the prices on the trip page today, in US dollars per person. The price falls as the group grows.

The ACAP permit, the TIMS card, a licensed guide, the road and jeep legs, teahouse rooms and airport transfers are in the price. Standard and Luxury include all meals on the trip. Budget does not include meals. Kathmandu hotel nights are not in any tier, so I quote them separately, or you can stay at our family homestay for USD 15 per person per night.

A solo trekker has no porter on Standard, and the guide carries up to 10 kg. On Luxury a solo trekker has their own porter. The solo price is higher because you have the guide and the vehicle to yourself.

How do you get there, and what about the road?

From Kathmandu you drive west and then north up the Marsyangdi valley to Dharapani, then go on by jeep through Chame and Upper Pisang to Manang. Coming back you take a jeep down to Besisahar and drive on to Kathmandu. The road from Besisahar to Manang can close in rain, so I keep a spare day before your flight home. Please do not book an international flight for day 7. Book it for day 8 or later.

Read more about the valley in the Manang village guide and the Besisahar trailhead guide.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Ice Lake trek? I grade it Moderate to Strenuous. You walk only on days 3 to 5, and the lake day is a long climb of about 1,000 m. You sleep three nights at Manang before it.

How high is Ice Lake? About 4,600 m (15,100 ft). Manang, where you sleep, is 3,540 m.

Do I need a permit for Ice Lake? Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange both and they are included. There is no restricted-area permit on this route. For the fees, see Annapurna Circuit permits for 2027.

Can I do Ice Lake alone? Yes, with your own guide. You have the guide and the vehicle to yourself, which is why the solo price is higher.

Can children or older people go? If they are fit and comfortable at altitude, yes. The lake day is long, and I do not recommend it for children under 12. Tell me everyone's age and I will say honestly if it suits.

Do I need travel insurance? Yes, bought at home. The lake is at about 4,600 m, and I round up to the next 500 m, so ask your insurer for cover to 5,000 m with helicopter evacuation. I do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.

What if I feel unwell on the lake day? We stay in Manang or go lower. Your oxygen reading and symptoms decide, not the schedule.

Can I go on over the Thorong La from here? Not on this trip. If you want the pass and Muktinath too, look at the Annapurna Circuit trek. If you want the Tilicho Lake side trip, read Tilicho Lake in 11 days.

How do payment and cancellation work?

You pay a deposit of 10 per cent to book and the balance when you meet us in Kathmandu, in US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. Cash carries no fee, and card carries a 3.5 per cent bank charge. We cannot take Nepali rupees from foreign guests.

The deposit is non-refundable, and there is no refund if you cancel yourself. I can move your trip free of charge to any date within one year, with at least 72 hours notice. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf.

What is the next step?

The full trip page is Ice Lake Trek from Manang, 7 Days. Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates and group size, and I will tell you the exact price for your tier and whether your dates suit the road.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.