Tilicho Lake Trekking

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will make pre departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meetings will cover trip related information & collect your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance). (Meals: D)

After morning breakfast, free day for trek preparation. OR, you can do sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley visiting into fascinating heritage and cultural sites. There are few places that are worth to visit such as holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Squire ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan and also in Bhaktapur), Museum, monasteries, old historical Palaces and Gardens. Note: this singhtseing tour is optional so you can visit with place of your interest & pay locally. (Meals: B)

At time set by our guide who accompanies you throughout this trip, depart from the hotel for an interesting drive on the busy road toward Chamje via Beshishar, drive through Himalayan foothills and green valleys to Dumre. Leave the main Kathmandu / Pokhara highway.  Drive toward Beshishar, a large town and headquarter of Lamjung district. From here drive on the newly built dirt road leading to Chamje via Khudi, Bhulbhule and Ngadi following the Marsyangdi River upstream. Continue past rice terraces and villages and then drive uphill via Jagat to reach Chamje for an overnight stop.  Chamje is a small farm village with many lodges and the people of Manang of Tibetan origin. (Meals: B,L,D)

After a first night in local lodge with homely hospitality, walk back to Marsyangdi River. View Annapurna, Lamjung and in the background, the Manaslu mountain ranges. Walk on a wide trail to the quaint village of Tal Besi. After few hours brake,  walk to Dharapani village for an overnight halt. Dharapani is  located on the mid way of around Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek. (Meals: B,L,D)

From Dharapani on-wards the temperature gets cooler given the alpine  climate.  Walk on a winding wide trail through serene rhododendron and pine woodlands through small villages of Bagachap, Danque. Climb higher to Timang village with super views of snow capped peaks toward the north.  From this village on-wards be in the land of Buddhist tradition and culture. After an hours walk reach Koto and then Chame, a large town and the district headquarter of Manang area. Take time to browse around the streets of Chame with wonderful views of AII and Lamjung Himal. (Meals: B,L,D)

From here on-wards feel the cool and fresh mountain air. Walk through an enchanting alpine forest of rhododendron and pine tree lines. Follow the Marshyangdi River upstream with several ups and downs to Bhratang village. Walk uphill through the woodlands to Dhukure Pokhari with couple of tea houses and which gives views of Chulu’s and Pisang peak and of Pisang village. After a break descend to the lower Pisang village for an overnight stop. Spend the afternoon at leisure and rest as the high altitude starts from here on-wards. (Meals: B,L,D)

Awake with wonderful views of snow capped peaks. Take a close look of A II North Face. Walk toward a hill through nice pine woodland. Catch awesome views of the Manang valley with surrounding high snow capped mountains. Head downhill towards Manang valley. Reach Hongde village with a small airstrip (flight to and from Pokhara is only twice a week and unpredictable). The tree lines disappear into arid and barren landscapes with cold, dry climate temperature, however, there is sunshine during the day with strong UV in this thin air altitude.

From here with constant views of snow capped peaks reach Braga which is close to Manang village. Visit the old Braga monastery with treasures of old Buddhist artifacts, relics and statues along with ancient amazing wall Thanka paintings (Buddhist religious painting) and frescoes. View breathtaking views of the Annapurna range with Chulus and as far to Manaslu towards east. Make a slow and steady walk to Manang village for lunch and overnight stop with alluring views of Gangapurna, A II and Tilicho peak and turquoise Manang lake nearby.

Pisang and  Manang houses are built in traditional Tibetan style as people of Manang practice rich Buddhist religion with attending culture and traditions. (Meals: B,L,D)

A complete free and rest at Manang an ideal place for acclimatization which is essential at this altitude above 3,000 meters. Head a bit higher to Tilicho & Mesokanto-la pass. Manang offers various optional short hikes to Gangapurna glacier and Manang lake.

(Ice Lake takes more than 5 hours both ways we do not recommend unless people are very eager or fit to trek on this rest day). (Meals: B,L,D)

After a nice break and stop for two nights at Manang, the walk is easier on a gradual path passing the last village of Manang at Tenke. Enter complete wilderness with a gentle uphill walk and the leave the trail of Annapurna circuit towards Tilicho Lake. Walk past the small village of Khangsar to reach at Sri Kharka with a few lodges and with great views of Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak. (Meals: B,L,D)

Today walk short distance in a couple of hours to reach Tilicho Lake. Find awesome scenery on this arid and dry region.  Walk to up and down a gradual path on loose scree and rocks with few dwarf juniper bushes. End the morning walk at turquoise colored Tilicho Lake, regarded as holy lake for Buddhists and Hindus.  Find in this wonderful area 2-3 lodges along the lake shore.

After lunch explore the surrounding area of Tilicho with amazing views of Tilicho Peak, Annapurna III and Gangapurna. (Meals: B,L,D)

After a wonderful time at Tilicho, leave the last settlement. Now enter complete wilderness. Head further west for about four hours through this dry and mystical landscape. Then slowly walk to Namaphu, the base of high passes of Tilicho and Masokanto. These passes are above 5,000 meters. Overnight camp is set-up on the best available level ground with afternoon free to scout the route for next day. Possibly see some wildlife mountain such as antelopes, musk deer or the elusive snow leopards. (Meals: B,L,D)

Start in early morning to cross and traverse the high pass. Climb up toward the higher ridge then traverse Tilicho pass. Take a short downhill path towards the base of Mesokanto pass. After a refreshing break slowly and steady walk the last high climb on a steep up to reach the top of Mesokanto–la the highest point of this adventure. Here experience a superb panorama of surrounding high peaks and valleys. Heading downhill towards the last camp at a small pasture called Nama phu for overnight stop after a good and hard day’s trek. (Meals: B,L,D)

Today, walk back to human settlement to near Jomsom town at Thinigaon. After few days in total wilderness, walk  on a downhill slope past a few cattle and yak herders, shelters of stone huts and pasture fields. Move on a pleasant path leading further downhill towards Thinigaon for overnight stop in the comfort of nice homely lodge.  Thinigaon is another nice big village located opposite bank of Kaligandaki River  from the town of Jomsom. (Meals: B,L,D)

After a previous hard day walk, today enjoy a short and final trek of this wonderful adventure. Walk toward the Kaligandaki river, cross a long suspension bridge. Reach Jomsom for last overnight stop of this trek in the comfort of good lodge or hotel with great food menu.

Jomsom has a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River (operates daily morning schedule flight to and from Pokhara).

At Jomsom enjoy the afternoon exploring the town and enjoy the best of apple products as Mustang area who does grow famous apples. (Meals: B,L,D)

Today the last day in the high hills of Himalaya. Transfer early morning to Jomsom airport for the sweeping flight to Pokhara with alluring views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri’s, Annapurna and Machhapuchhare. This wonderful flight takes less than half hour to reach at Pokhara for overnight stop by the pristine Lake Phewa. Enjoy the time in the afternoon to browse around the lake side stores and shops and relax in this beautiful setting. (Meals: B,L,D)

With great time in the high hill, villages and at scenic Pokhara morning transfer for an interesting drive back to Kathmandu, after a wonderful experience up in the high green hill and mountains of Annapurna,  reach Kathmandu. Transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure.

(For those who wish to fly to Kathmandu transfer to Pokhara airport with 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu, pay locally for the flight if you wanted instead of driving). (Meals: B,L,D)

Breakfast in the Hotel, Transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for  departure towards your next destination. (Meals: B)