Tilicho lake is one these places that has had next to mythic connotation, many regards it as the highest lake in the world. At an altitude of 5000m the lake is situated at a stunning location in the Annapurna region and is a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists.These high Himalayan reaches are also the habitat of the legendary snow leopard, among other mammals. When trekking to Tilicho Lake first we follow a part of the Annapurna circuit but from Manang we climb upward Khangsar and another pass, the Mesokanto pass (5330 m). From Khangsar to Jomson, the trek is a camping trekking and pretty hard, not comparable with the Thorung pass circuit.
We propose also also to trek to the lake from Manang without crossing the Mesokanto pass, then we will return to the Annapurna Circuit trekking to cross the Thorung Pass.

Itinerary

D-1: arrival in Kathmandu and transfert to hotel.

D-2: visit of Kathmandu: Durbar Square and its bazar, temples, Royal Palace, the goddess Kumari’s home.
Afternoon: visit of the Buddhist Stupa of Swayambunath, one of the oldest religious sites of Nepal, worshipped by both Buddhists and Hindus.
Visit of Pashupatinath, the “Benares of Nepal”, dedicated to the God Shiva on the Bagmati River and visit of Bouddhanath and its famous Stupa, one of the biggest in southern Asia.

D-3: KTM-BesiSahar by bus (7h)
Departure early in the morning, arrival in the afternoon.

D-4: BesiSahar-Ngadi (914 m): 5h
The route follows the bank of the Marsyangdi valley by a wide path surrounded by cultivated fields

D-5: Ngadi-Jagat (1341 m): 5h
We continue along the Marsyangdi valley: many Gurung villages.

D-6: Jagat-Dharapani (1943 m): 6h
The route descends to the river, we pass on the over side and the path leads us to the plateau of Tal. Dharapani is a little bit further.

D-7: Dharapani-Chame (2713 m): 6h
We walk through rhododendrons and pines forests, during the day we have nice views ( Manaslu Himal, Annapurna2…).

D-8: Chame-Pisang (3185 m): 6h
The landscape changes: the forest ends and we enter the high valley of Manang and the vista opens up; the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape: we can see Pisang peak, Chhulu peak, Annapurnas 2&3…

D-9: Pisang-Manang (3331 m): 5h
The route keeps on following the wide valley, the vista is now very opened with Tilicho peak and Thorung pass in view at the far reaches of the valley.

D-10: acclimatization in Manang.

D-11: walk to Khangsar (3700 m): 3h
It’s a short day to complete our acclimatization: few lodges in Khangsar.

D-12: Khangsar-Tilicho BC (4400 m): 6/7h
The route follows the side of the valley until a small monastery. On the way views are impressive on the Tilicho peak faces. The path is after a little bit more strenuous, crossing loosing stone slopes and it winds around the mountain. Tilicho BC, where there is one lodge, is located in a narrow valley. If you are lucky you may see the snow leopard.

D-13: ascent to Tilicho lake (5000 m) and return: 6 / 7h
The route climbs several moraines on the side of the valley, then we reach a vast plateau surrounded by glaciers and peaks. We have to walk a little bit more until the lake and its shore. The view is magnificent.
We return to Tilicho BC by the same route.

D-14: descent to Khangsar

D-15: walk to Yak Kharka (4176 m): 5h

D-16: yak kharka-Thorung Phedi (4420 m): 4/5h
The route continues on the mountain flank through yak pastures and moraines.

D-17: Thorung pass (5416 m) – Muktinath (3800 m): 7h
We start early in the morning. The way to the pass is not technically difficult, we follow a serie of moraines, the main problem is the altitude. From the top fantastic 360° panorama: Annapurnas Himal, Dhaulagiri, Thorung peak, Mustang…
We descend on moraines, the final phase is steeper, in Muktinath the colorless rock and sand landscape looks much like Tibet.
Muktinath is a holy place with small temples.

D-18: Muktinath-Kagbeni (2800 m): 3h
Short day to reach the village of Kagbeni. Landscapes look like Mustang. Kagbeni is the entry gate of Mustang.

D-19: Kagbeni-Marpha (2800 m): 5h
Now we follow the wide and flat plain of Jomson between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal.
Marpha is a charmant village surrounded by cultivated areas.

D-20: Marpha-Kalopani (2560 m): 6h
The route keeps on following the plain. We have nice view of the west face of Annapurna 1 (8091 m), Tukuche peak, Dhaulagiri.

D-21: Kalopani-Tatopani (1200 m): 7h
The route follows the gorges of the Kali Gandaki, the deepest in the world, we pass many Takali villages. Tatopani is well known for its hot springs.

D-22: Tatopani-Ghorepani (2800 m): 7h
From Tatopani it’s a long ascent to the ridge of Ghorepani, landscapes are magnificent during the day: many Thakali villages, terrace fields, orange trees with Dhaulagiri south face and Annapurnas forming lovely backdrop.

D-23: ascent to Poon Hill (3193 m): 1h30, descent to Birethanti: 4h
Early morning ascent to Poon Hill for a magnificent sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Himal, Macchapuchare…
Long descent to Birethanti through rhododendrons and pines forests.

D-24: Birethanti-NayaPool: 1h and drive back to Pokhara (1h30)

D-25: drive back to KTM (7h)

D-26: rest day in KTM

D-27: Transfert to airport and return.

** Mesokanto pass (5330 m)

D-13: ascent to Tilicho lake (5000 m)-camp: 8h
The route climbs several moraines on the side of the valley, then we reach a vast plateau surrounded by glaciers and peaks. We have to walk a little bit more until the lake and its shore. The view is magnificent.
From this point there is no path, we follow the northern bank of the lake, climb a steep and loosing stone slope to reach a kind of valley. We follow this valley with many up and down. Camp below the pass.

D-14: Mesokanto pass (5330 m)-camp: 8h
The distance is long between the camp and the pass, we have to follow different moraines, the route passes several ridges but from the pass we are rewarded by a vast 360° panorama: Tilicho peak, Nilgiri peaks, Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri, Mustang…
The descent requires the most upcare, especially if there is snow or ice, the slope is very steep and there is no path. We camp in the valley after the pass.

D-15: descent to Jomson (2800 m)
The route follows now a good path on the side of the valley until the Plain of Jomson. From Jomson we can flight back to Pokhara or continue along the Kali Gandaki (see Kali Gandaki trekking).

D-16: Jomson-Marpha (2800 m): 5h
Now we follow the wide and flat plain of Jomson between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal.
Marpha is a charmant village surrounded by cultivated areas.

D-17: Marpha-Kalopani (2560 m): 6h
The route keeps on following the plain. We have nice view of the west face of Annapurna 1 (8091 m), Tukuche peak, Dhaulagiri.

D-18: Kalopani-Tatopani (1200 m): 7h
The route follows the gorges of the Kali Gandaki, the deepest in the world, we pass many Takali villages. Tatopani in well known for its hot springs.

D-19: Tatopani-Ghorepani (2800 m): 7h
From Tatopani it’s a long ascent to the ridge of Ghorepani, landscapes are magnificent during the day: many Thakali villages, terrace fields, orange trees with Dhaulagiri south face and Annapurnas forming lovely backdrop.

D-20: ascent to Poon Hill (3193 m): 1h30, descent to Birethanti: 4h
Early morning ascent to Poon Hill for a magnificent sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna himal, Macchapuchare…
Long descent to Birethanti through rhododendrons and pines forests.

D-21: Birethanti-NayaPool: 1h and drive back to Pokhara (1h30)

D-22: drive back to KTM (7h)

D-23: rest day in KTM

D-24: Transfert to airport and return.

>>Price/pers with all the detailed program: Please write us with the number of guests. We will reply you as soon as possible.

Our Price Includes

1. - transfert airport – hotel and return, transport by land or / and by air
2. - nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast (2 stars hotel)
3. - one day sight seeing with a registered cultural guide.
4. - ACAP trekking permit and tims card.
5. - full board accommodation on the tea house trek (cold drinks like coke, beer… and sweet like mars, snicker, biscuits …are not included)
6. - Full board meal during camping, prepared by our cook with Tea & coffee.
7. - Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide two man tents, dinning tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, shower tent.)
8. - A government licensed English speaking Guide during the trek, a cook along with the required number of porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and a general first aid kit.
9. - Boiled and purify drinking water for the trek.
10. - reconfirmation of the international flight.

Our Price Excludes

1. - international flight, travel insurance taken in your country (accident /repatriation), lunch, diner in Kathmandu and Pokhara (about 6 to 10 euros/day/pers).
2. - nepali visa with 2 passport size photos (40 $ or equivalent in foreign currency, passeport must be valid 6 months after your return)
3. - tips for trekking staff.
4. - your personal equipment (sleeping bag, jackets …).
5. - your own medicine
6. - expenses due to unforeseen situations (strike, flight cancelled…)
7. - entry fees for the cultural sites