Trip Highlight:
“Fabulous cultural and scenic walks within both sides of Annapurna range of peaks Facing delightful scenery of rolling green hills with ever-present views of mountains Adventure into beautiful and emerald colored Tilicho Lake with exceptional scenery Exciting journey from low warm areas to cool alpine woodland and into arctic zone Explore Manang, Thakali impressive villages of great interesting culture and traditions Into lovely alpine green woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia and pine trees Stunning walks over high Mesokanto-la pass to Jomsom at Kali-Gandaki River valley completing with panoramic flight to picturesque Pokhara city by its serene Phewa Lake.”
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge with nights camping from Tilicho.
Trekking Grade : Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Altitude : On top Mesokanto-La Pass at 5,099 m.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting drive and scenic trekking.
People and Culture : Higher up dominated by Manang Gurung and Magar hill tribe of Buddhism religion, lower area mixed tribes Gurung-Magar-Thakali, Hindu Brahmins and Chettries with varied culture and stcuom of Buddhist and Hindu traditional life.
Area of Trekking : Nepal North West around North and South of Annapurna imalaya range.
Trekking duration : 12 Nights and 13 Days (with drives ending at Pokhara).
Total Trip : 17 Nights and 18 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : March to May and September to November months.
Introduction:
Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trekking, a marvelous adventure which includes best parts of scenic Manang valley with exciting and fabulous time on walks overlooking grand views of Annapurna, Damodar Himal, Chulus and Nilgiri’s peaks. Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trekking leads you to soak within high massive mountain range of Annapurna and adjoining peaks that surrounds Manang valley, where you will have glorious moment exploring local culture of great interest and its old impressive monastery. Walking on famous Annapurna circuit trail for a week, and then our route diverts from the main trekking path towards complete wilderness of mountains and magnificent scenery at Tilicho Lake, considered as most holy lakes by both Hindu and Buddhism religion. Where our adventure leads beyond Tilicho Lake to cross over high Mesokanto-La pass at above 5,099 m high seldom ventured and traversed by few trekkers, this will be a wonderful trek away from the main flow of trekkers for some days till this nice adventurous joins at the lovely town at Jomsom for the flight to picturesque Pokhara. Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trekking begins with a driving journey towards Nepal Mid-West at Lamjung district at Besar town headquarter of the areas, as walk follows past rural farm villages and heading up towards cooler hills with fabulous scenery of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna peaks. As walk progress entering into deep woodland of tall rhododendron, oaks and pine trees towards lovely villages of Dharapani and at Chame the major town of Manang areas, and then our route leads away from green forested areas towards arid and barren country at Manang valley. Around Manang valley with exciting views of peaks and exploring its impressive villages similar to Tibetan Buddhism culture, and then walk leads to our main destination at beautiful Tilicho Lake with magnificent scenery that surrounds you. The walk leads beyond Tilicho to cross high Mesokanto-La to reach at lower Mustang at Jomsom, where a scenic short panoramic flight brings you at Pokhara, a renowned city located on the scenic valley with close views of mountains that reflects on its serene Phewa and Begnas Lakes. After a wonderful experience concluding our great adventure ‘Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trek’ at Pokhara with an interesting overland journey back to Kathmandu.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Drive to Jagat 1,290 m via Besar 800 m - 08 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani 1,920 m - 05 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Chame 2,670 m - 05 hours.
Day 06: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m - 05 hrs.
Day 08: Rest day at Manang for local hikes and acclimatization.
Day 09: Trek to Khangsar 3,734 - 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Tilicho Lake 4,140 m - 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4, 800 m - 04 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Nama Phu 3,510m via Mesokanto La 5,099 m -06 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Kaisang 3,280m of further to Thinigaon 2,850m -06 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom 2,713 m - 02 hrs.
Day 15: Fly to Pokhara 860 m - 22 mins and transfer to hotel.
Day 16: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 17: Free Day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
Day 18: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief you regarding Annapurna Tilicho Lake trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which is listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. From here head back to Hotel with free afternoon preparation for Annapurna Tilicho Lake treks.
Day 03: Drive to Jagat 1,290 m via Besisar 800 m - 08 hrs.
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at Lamjung area in Besisar town. From here drive continues on rough jeep road heading higher up past farm villages and well rops terraced as our drive ends at Jagat village for an overnight stop, in this nice village.
Day 04:trek to Dharapani 1,920 m - 05 hours.
From Jagat, our first day walk begins, starting on winding path to Chamje, and to raging Marsyangdi River, and into forested area with super views of Annapurna and Manaslu range, walk continues reaching at Tal village located on a nice valley, after Tal another 2 hours walk to Dharapani village for an overnight stop. Dharapani a nice village with Buddhist culture, situated on the junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail.
Day 05: Trek to Chame 2,670 m - 05 hours.
Start the morning walk a into cool rhododendron and pine forest passing villages of Bagarchap and Danque, then to Timang village from here onwards into more Buddhist area, with super view of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft, from this village few hours trek leads to a large town at Chame for overnight stop, a major town and headquarter of Manang district.
Day 06: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m - 05 hrs.
From here air gets cooler as the walk leads closer into mountains through a beautiful forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village. From this village, an uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodge and views of Chulu and Pisang peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for an overnight stop.
Day 07: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m - 05 hrs.
Pisang village located within Manang valley with stunning mountains views as altitude gains for here onwards. Walking into the forest with short uphill with views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu and Pisang peak, then reaching Hongde village with a small air strip, from here tree lines fades to barren, arid landscapes. On route Manang village visit old Braga monastery with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, frescos and a super panorama of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk to Manang village. The houses here are of traditional Tibetan style with culture and traditions.
Day 08: Rest day at Manang for local hikes and acclimatization.
An important rest day for acclimatization before reaching high altitude and up to Thorang –la, here with short hike exploring Manang village beneath towering Annapurna and Gangapurna peaks, a nice short hike up for views of Gangapurna Glacier and the Manang glacial Lake.
Day 09: Trek to Khangsar 3,734 - 05 hrs.
After Manang village morning walk leads to another highlight of this trip, as our route diverts from main Annapurna circuit trail reaching one of the last village of Manang at Khangsar for an overnight stop which lies on route to Tiliocho Lake.
Day 10: Trek to Tilicho Lake 4,140 m - 05 hrs.
From here onwards around the dry and arid country, morning walk on the downhill for some time, then uphill to reach Tilicho Lake for an overnight stop. Tilicho Lake a holy spot for both Hindu's and Buddhist religions, offering wonderful views of snowcapped peaks in the comfort of the nice lodge by the bank of beautiful Tilicho Lake.
Day 11: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4,800 m - 04 hrs.
After Tilicho Lake, morning walk further to remote areas of Manang valley, after a tough morning walk reaching at Mesokanto-La or Tilicho Base Camp, our highest overnight camp of this adventure at 4,800 meters high. Overnight camp is set on a nice meadow, with chances of spotting some wild-life like antelopes, musk deer or elusive snow leopard.
Day 12: Trek to Nama Phu 3,510m via Mesokanto La 5,099 m - 06 hrs.
Today a long and Big Day of this trip! Starting the climb early morn to cross two high passes, over Tilicho pass then downhill walk to the base of Mesokanto pass, after a rest then climb over Mesokanto-la pass with a steep climb to reach the ridge at 5,099 meters. On reaching the top ridge and the pass descend to our overnight camp in a small place at Nama phu.
Day 13: Trek to Thinigaon 2,850 m via Kaisang- 07 hrs.
After the hard and tough walk, this morning an easy day trekking with downhill to reach at Kaligandaki valley with views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiris peaks. This nice walk leads to Kaisang and continue further to a large village at Thinigaon for an overnight stop, located above Jomsom and Kaligandaki Valley.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom 2,713m - 02 hrs.
Our last day of trekking of this exciting adventure, enjoying with a downhill walk to Jomsom town, located above Kaligandaki River. On reaching Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang area with many excellent lodge and hotels for overnight accommodation.
Day 15: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara 860 m - 20 mins flight.
Early breakfast and transfer to Jomsom airport for sweeping short flight of 25 minutes to Pokhara, during airborne spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiris and Annapurna range of mountains with rolling hills dotted with farm villages, On reaching Pokhara airport transfer to respective hotels by the serene lake Phewa, afternoon free for individual activities or just relax and enjoy the views of the Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 16: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After pleasant and interesting time on high hills and valley of Annapurna with last overnight at Pokhara, morning taking a drive back to Kathmandu on the same exciting highway where the interesting journey ends on reaching hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport).
Day 17: Free Day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
In Kathmandu free day for you to enjoy individual activities shopping or just relax, where one can join in our interesting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley exciting places.
Day 18: International departure for home ward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Annapurna Tilicho Lake Trekking.
