Ice Lake Manang: The Acclimatisation Hike to Kicho Tal That Makes or Breaks Thorong La

Ice Lake Manang is more than just a stunning alpine lake tucked high above the Manang Valley—it is one of the most rewarding acclimatization hikes on the Annapurna Circuit trek.

As you climb from the peaceful village of Manang toward the icy landscapes of Ice Lake also known as Kicho Tal, the trail quickly tests your legs, breathing, and ability to handle high altitude. At around 4,620 meters, the hike offers an important opportunity to experience thin mountain air before heading toward the 5,416-meter Thorong La Pass.

With dramatic views of the Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak, steep trails, and a challenging elevation gain, Ice Lake Manang turns your ordinary rest day into an unforgettable Himalayan adventure. It also marks as a valuable preparation day for the toughest section of the Annapurna Circuit trek.

For more details on this hidden gem near Manang village of Nepal, continue reading our blog.

Ice Lake Manang at a Glance

• Local Name: Kicho Tal
• Location: Manang Valley, Annapurna region, Nepal
• Approx Elevation: 4,620 m
• Trek Starts from: Manang (3,560 m) / Braga (3,475m)
• Hiking Duration: Around 6 to 9 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Purpose: Acclimatization Hike
• Major Views: Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and surrounding peaks
• Best Seasons: Spring (March to May) and autumn (Sep to November)

What is Ice Lake in Manang?

Ice Lake Manang is a beautiful high-altitude alpine lake which lies above the Manang Valley within Annapurna region. Ice Lake sits at an altitude of 4620 meters above sea level.

Due to its extreme location it gets the name Ice lake and local people actually call it Kicho Tal. When doing Annapurna Circuit trek, many trekkers used their acclimatization day in Manang with Kicho Tal hike.

The frozen lake above the Mannag village of Nepal is surrounded by rocky hills and snow-covered mountain peaks. Ice Lake also known as Kicho tal is composed of two lakes:

• Lower Ice Lake
• Upper Ice Lake

These two lakes is beautifully decorated by the sky-rocketing mountain peaks like:

• Chulu East(6,584 m)
• Chulu Far East (6,059 m).

Besides this, the lake also offer the mesmerizing views of other Himalayan peaks like:

• Annapurna II,
• Annapurna III,
• Annapurna IV
• Gangapurna,
• Kangsar Kang
• Tilicho Peak, etc.

Kicho Tal hike demands you to leave the main route of the Annapurna Circuit trek and commit to a demanding uphill excursion. During the hike, you will ascend to an elevation of 4,620 meters before returning to Manang village, where you will spend the night at 3,519 meters.

This itinerary follows the important acclimatization principle of “climb high, sleep low,” allowing you to gain altitude during the day while returning to a lower elevation to sleep. This allows your body more time to adapt to the increasing altitude and helps prepare you for the challenging crossing of Thorong La Pass (5,416 m).

Where is Ice Lake (Kicho Tal)?

Ice Lake Manang is a glacier lake which is located in Manang District within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Kicho Tal sits right above the Manang Valley and Braga village.

The coordinates of Ice lake in Manang is:

• Latitude: 28°40’48.7″N
• Longitude: 84°03’40.6″E

Ice Lake is located at an altitude of 4620 meters above sea level. Ice lake is situated northeast of Braga village and lies in the Trans-Himalayan region of Manang district.

Ice Lake Manang is nestled in the high mountain basin which was formed by accumulation of glaciers thousands of years ago. When doing Ice Lake trek in Nepal, you will witness how the semi-arid, almost desert-like landscape of Manang villages shift to the alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and glacial terrain of Ice Lake Manang.

Why Hike to Ice Lake in Manang?

Manang acclimatization hike to Ice lake or Kicho tal offer different kinds of magic. This stunning and hidden gem near Manang valley blesses you with:

Panoramic Mountain Views

Manang rest day hike to Ice lake rewards trekkers with a 360 degree view of snowy mountain peaks. The reflection of the snowy giants is another reward for photography enthusiasts. You will be blessed with a clear view of:

• Annapurna II, III, IV,
• Gangapurna, and
• Tilicho Peak

Remote and Peaceful Trails

Unlike classic trails of Tilicho lake, Ice lake offers you peaceful trekking trails which is best for self reflection and inner healing. Also walking in a remote alpine terrain of Kicho tal with distant whistling sound of wind, waterfall and bells of grazing yak is another highlight of this Manang acclimatization hike.

Best Altitude Training

The main reason for the Ice lake hike in the Annapurna circuit trek is for acclimatization. During classic Annapurna circuit trek, you will be acclimatizing in Manang so that your body can adapt to the increasing elevation.

Instead of staying in teahouses, fit trekkers hike to Ice lake (4620 m) in Manang which allows their body to get gradual exposure to a higher elevation while allowing them to return to a lower sleeping altitude. This is the best altitude training as you will be following the acclimatization principle” Climb high, sleep low”.

Doing this Annapurna Circuit side trip to Kicho Tal does not mean you won’t get altitude sickness but it helps your body to prepare for Thorong La Pass(5,416-meter).

Ice Lake Manang Hike Distance and Time

Ice Lake is 5 to 7 km away from Manang and you can complete the round trip within 6 to 9 hours. Trekkers mostly begin their Ice lake Manang hike from Braga monastery instead of Manang as the trail is better from there.

You will spend around 6 hours ascending and will complete the descent within 2 to 3 hours. Ice lake Manang makes you gain an elevation of more than 1000 meters which is best for making your body and mindset strong for upcoming Thorong La pass.

How to Reach Ice Lake Manang? Manang to Ice Lake Trail Guide

Reaching Ice lake Manang demands a well planned hike along with a strong mental and physical fitness.

Manang to the Trailhead, Braga

As most trekkers stay in Manang for acclimatization during their Annapurna circuit trek, they need to typically walk 20 to 30 minutes downhill to reach Braga village (3475 m). Trekkers should start their day early and should head out from homestays or lodges between 7 to 8 AM in the morning.

This will offer you enough daylight hours for ascend, Ice lake exploration, and descend. You will be walking in a well-established trail which is decorated with fluttering prayer flags.

Climbing Vertical Above Braga

You will be walking above the ancient Braga monastery followed by a small settlement and you will encounter domestic animals like donkeys, cows, grazing near the open meadows. During the initial climbing hours, you will be walking on a trail which offers the best views of Manang Valley and surrounding peaks.

As you move further to east, you will get to see flying birds of prey above you. We suggest you maintain a comfortable pace while hydrating yourself.

Small Break and Trail Split

When you walk for one and half hours, you will reach an area which is designed for porters to rest. You can fuel yourself with energy bars and snacks while sitting in the rock seat.

Then, you will head towards the left for Ice lake, if you walk straight further, you will reach Ngwal village. The trails towards Ice lake are quite zig-zag and steep so, be careful of your step and use trekking poles wisely.

After some time, you will witness a Buddhist shrine on flat pasture land on your right side. You can take a short break and enjoy the beauty of the scenic viewpoint decorated with prayer flags and Annapurna ranges in the south and east.

Teahouse Break

After walking for 3 to 4 hours, you will arrive in a guesthouse which opens during peak seasons like Spring and Autumn. Whereas if you are trekking in the off-season, you should check whether it is open or not from Manang lodge.

After refueling yourself, you will head towards a wide plateau where you may encounter rare species like Blue sheep grazing and old nomadic herder’s huts. As you move higher, you have to traverse across steep sections which become quite difficult due lower oxygen availability in the thin air.

When you are about to get to lower Ice lake the path becomes slippery and is often filled with a heavy layer of snow. Then, you will arrive at a small lower ice lake and after spending some time here, you will head towards Upper Ice lake also known as Kicho Tal.

Reaching Ice Lake

From lower Ice lake, you will head towards the left and a 20 to 40 minutes walk will make you arrive at Upper Ice lake (Kicho Tal). The upper Ice lake is marked by a small stone stupa and wind shelter.

We suggest you walk to the far end of the lake for best views of Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Kangsar Kang. As the lake is frozen most of the time, do not attempt to walk on the surface of the lake. After spending some time in the ice lake by clicking pictures, videos, and enjoying its beauty you will head towards Manang.

Return to Manang

You will descend on the same route and you will reach Braga within 2 to 3 hours. Do not rush and enjoy the beauty of Zigzag hike on rocky and slippery terrain. You should focus on returning safely instead of taking it as a marathon.

How Hard is Ice Lake Hike in Manang?

The Ice lake Manang hike is rated as physically demanding. The biggest difficulty is not necessarily the total distance but it is the combination of steep climbing and altitude.

You have to traverse across a forest of juniper and scrub before opening out onto a high alpine meadow with an increase in altitude. As you will be covering an altitude of more than 1000 meters from Manang to Ice lake, you need to be properly acclimatized before hiking to ice lake.

Furthermore, you will be walking in thin air where there is less availability of oxygen and you may feel difficulty breathing. It may become more challenging for you if you:

• Ascend too quickly
• Avoid hydration
• Start the hike late
• Carrying a heavy backpack
• Experiencing mild symptoms of altitude sickness
• Weather conditions deteriorate
• You underestimate the return journey.

Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Manang Acclimatization Hike to Kicho Tal

• Start your hike as early as 7 AM in the morning.
• Focus on taking short breaks during the hike.
• Make snacks and drinking water ready to eat or drink during rest.
• Turn back if you feel mild symptoms of altitude sickness like headache difficulty breathing, etc.
• Always check if teahouses at 4200 m is open before heading out from stayed lodges.

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• Wear layered clothing and make sure your head and neck is protected from strong wind.
• Bring sturdy boots and trekking poles.
• Use trekking poles during descend and in slippery trails.
• Always respect the nature and its beauty by avoiding litter.

Packing List for Ice Lake Trek Nepal

Ice lake trek Nepal demands you to bring following packing list in order to complete the hike and enjoy the natural beauty of Annapurna region in 2026:

Final Thoughts: Is Ice Lake in Manang Worth the Hike in 2026?

Absolutely Yes. The Ice lake Manang hike is worth it and you should definitely plan it when doing Annapurna circuit trek. Instead of staying in lodge, you should step out and challenge your both physical and mental willpower by doing Ice lake Manang hike.

Hiking to Ice lake Manang allows you to enjoy the untouched beauty and stunning mountain scenery. It also prepares you for upcoming Thorong La Pass as you will experience the physical reality of high altitude and return to a lower sleeping elevation in Manang.

The lake itself is beautiful, but the real lesson of Ice Lake Manang is preparation. Thorong La waits at 5,416 meters and crossing it successfully demands your body to adapt high altitude which can be easier if you hike to ice lake in Manang.

And when you eventually stand at Thorong La, looking across the high Himalayan landscape, you may understand why taking that difficult day above Manang was worth every step. So, when being ready for Annapurna Circuit trek, remember Awesome Holidays Nepal so that our team leaders and trek guide will make sure you have one of the memorable journey in Nepal.