Tilicho Lake and Mesokonta La pass Trekking -19 Days

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

Tilicho Lake and Mesokantu-la pass treks lie in Annapurna Region which provides some of the world's best trekking routes and is the undoubtedly, including as it does a greater variety of scenery and culture. The route via Tilicho Lake and the two passes (Masokanto La 5099m and Tilicho Pass 5230m) that guard it against the Kaligandaki Valley beyond is still used and offers the adventurous and fit trekker high mountain scenery at its very best. Mesokantu-La is low altitude pass than Tilicho but more technical and needs to be use rope. With the same timeframe, you can also attempt the Tilicho pass. Trekkers can choose the trekking via Jomsom and via Besi Sahar to do Tilicho Lake and Mesokantu-la pass. This Trek gives nice panoramic views. Tilicho Lake 4919m is World highest lake, situated In the Annapurna range of the Central Nepal Himalaya. This is a splendid summer trek, as rewarding as it is challenging. The Tilicho lake trek is among the finest serious Nepal treks best experienced in the Monsoon but we run this treks at any time of year except snowing season. On the way; you would have passed (Mesokantu-La 5099m) through every type of vegetation zone from lush sub-tropical to harsh semi-desert and passed over one of the highest trekking passes in the world. You will have entered a world without roads or cars and witnessed the way people have worked, played and survived for hundreds and hundreds of years. Mesokantu-La is low altitude pass than Tilicho but more technical and needs to be use rope. With the same timeframe, you can also attempt the Tilicho pass. Trekkers carry an only day pack and walk at their own pace. Average hiking per day will be 6-7 hrs.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel.and Welcome dinner in the evening — Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, one of our representatives will greet you and will transfer you to the hotel. Welcome Evening dinner at authentic Nepalese restaurant with cultural performance. Airport pickup by private Car, Van or Bus (According to group size) Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal. Day 02: Full day Sightseeing in Kathmandu. — In the morning, after breakfast, you will be taken for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley with guide by van or car. You can visit the centre of pilgrimage Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites, also the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Visit Patan, the city of fine arts with Durbar Square full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. On a journey back to the hotel, you can explore the local areas, gullies, and lifestyle. After your dinner, you can visit the famous streets like Thamel and Durbarmarg. Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu Besi sahar and Drive to Syange by jeep: — We start our wonderful adventure with an interesting overland drive towards Nepal mid west, leading to Besisahar town (headquarter of Lamjung district). From here transfer to another vehicle and continue to drive on dirt road passing villages of Khudi, Bhulbhule and Ngadi following the Marshyangdi River upstream. Drive continues through rice terraces fields and villages to Syange a small village for an overnight stop in the comfort of a nice lodge. Stay overnight at Syange. Day 04: Syange to Dharapani (1943m/6375 ft): 6-7 hrs: — From Syange our walk begins with climb leaving Marshyangdi River behind reaching Jagat village, a farm village with many lodges for trekkers. After Jagat walk leads on a winding path to Chamje, and back at Marshyangdi River crossing to east side into a forested area, with superb views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. As the walk continues reaching a nice village at Tal Besi, from here another 3 hours walk leads to our overnight stop at Dharapani village. Dharapani a nice village located on a junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail. Stay overnight at Dharapani. Day 05: Dharapani to Chame (2713m/8900 ft): 6-7 hrs: — After Dharapani walk leads into rhododendron and pine forest passing villages of Bagachap and Danque, then at Timang village with more Buddhist cultured village including views of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft. From Timang village few hours trek leads to Koto and then to Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a large major town of Manang area and a headquarter town of the district. Stay overnight at Chame. Day 06: Chame to Pisang (3185m/10450 ft):5-6 hrs: — From Pisang onwards walk leads close to mountains through alpine forests of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhratang village. From Bhratang village walk follows uphill through alpine woodland to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few teahouses and lodge overlooking Chulu’s and Pisang peak, with a possible lunch stop, and then descends to lower Pisang village for the overnight stop. Stay overnight at Pisang. Day 07: Pisang to Manang (3351m/10994 ft): 4-5 hrs: — With morning views of mountains, from here onward altitude gains as the walk leads through the forest with short uphill and views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu’s and Pisang peak. Walk downhill to reach flat valley at Hongde village, from here onward tree lines fades for barren, arid landscapes with cold, dry arctic climate. Before Manang, visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting and frescoes and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches Manang village. Stay overnight at Manang. Day 08: Manang acclimatization day.: — A necessary rest day at Manang for acclimatization before reaching higher areas to Thorang-La pass, in Manang short hike around Manang village, this is a large village situated on the windswept valley by the bank of Marshyangdi River below Annapurna and Gangapurna mountain range, a nice walk uphill for views of Gangapurna Glacier and Manang glacial Lake. Stay overnight at Manang. Day 09: Manang to Khangsar (3750m/12303 ft):4-5 hrs: — Acclimatization Day 10: Khansar to Tilicho Phedi (4500m/14763 ft): 6 hrs: — Today a short day walk reaching the more barren and arid country, after a short downhill then with uphill over high terrain as altitude gain on reaching our destination at Tilicho Phedi. Tilicho Lake regarded as a holy place by Hindu’s and Buddhist religions, Tilicho Lake blessed with amazing views of surrounding snow-capped peaks in the comfort of nice lodges located by the bank of emerald Tilicho lake, after lunch enjoy the magnificent scenery with Tilicho peak, Annapurna III and Gangapurna mountains. Stay overnight at Tilicho Phedi. Day 11: Tilicho Phedi to Tilicho Lake (5020m/16469 ft): 3 hrs: — After a great time at Tilicho Phedi, morning walk continues leading further towards remote corners of Manang valley, as the trek reaches at the base of Mesokonta-La or Tilicho Base Camp, which is the highest overnight camp of this adventure at 5,020 meters high. Overnight camp is set on a meadow with chances of seeing some wild-life like antelopes, musk deer or an elusive snow leopard. Stay overnight at Tilicho Lake. Day 12: Tilicho Lake to Mesokonta Pass (5100m/16732 ft) – Yak Kharka (4200m/13779 ft): 6 hrs: — Today the hard and tough day of this adventure, starting early morning to cross two high passes, heading up the high slope traversing high Tilicho pass then with short descend to the base of Mesokonta pass, with short rest then climb the last pass of this adventure over Mesokonta-la at 5,100 meters, the top festooned with Buddhist prayer flags, here with mind-blowing scenery of surrounding high peaks. After feeling high with the tough climb, descend on the trail to Yak Kharka (4200m) with an overnight camp in a small cattle herders’ temporary shelter. Stay overnight at Yak Kharka. Day 13: Yak Kharka to Marpha (2667m/8750 ft): 5 hrs: — Today we shall head onwards to Marpha (2,667m) from Yak Kharka. It is quite long and steep descending along the yak pasture, you will see the mind-blowing Annapurna Himalayan ranges, Nilgiri, Tilicho peak and beautiful Jomsom valley far below. Finally, you will reach the Marpha, a village of apple fruit. Stay overnight at Marpha. Day 14: Marpha to Lete Khola (2200m/7217 ft): 6 hrs: — We wake up early as we have to reach Lete Khola today. We now start our trek via Tukche at 2590m and apple farm projects which produces apple and vegetable for the whole region, after Tukche we shall reach Larjung. After that, we follow Kali Gandaki River and with a steep climb through the forest, we shall then reach Lete Khola to rest and sleep. Stay overnight at Lete Khola. Day 15: Lete Khola to Tatopani (1190m/3904 ft): 6 hrs: — After having our breakfast, we continue our trek to Tatopani from Lete Khola. We shall cross an ethnic Thakali village Ghasa and then while passing through Kali Gandaki valley, we reach Tatopani. One can enjoy the beautiful views of hills on the way to Tatopani. In Tatopani, There are natural hot water springs for your refreshment. One can also enjoy the delicious foods, shops, even book shops in the village for the rest of the day. Stay overnight at Tatopani. Day 16: Tatopani to Ghorepani (2850m/9350 ft): 7 hrs: — Crossing the Kali Gandaki River we slowly climb steeply up the village of Sikha, which is inhabited by Magars. We start walking from Sikha along the path that leads to the Rhododendron forests and you can see the Annapurna South, hidden by a ridge smiling at you. We will walk past the villages of Banthanti and Nangathanti through the forest to reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a settlement of communities of Poon Magars. Stay overnight at Ghorepani. Day 17: Ghorepani to Nayapul walk and Drive to Pokhara (820m/2690 ft): 6-7 walk and 1 hr drive: — After enjoying a lifetime remembering the experience of trekking in Ghorepani area we shall return back to Nayapul. Our lunch will be at Nayapul. After having lunch at Nayapul, we will explore Nayapul for about some time. After that, we shall drive back to Pokhara which approximately takes about 1 hour. Upon reaching Pokhara we shall spend some of our free time by visiting lakeside in the evening as it’s our last day here at this magical place called Pokhara. Stay overnight at Pokhara. Day 18: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu (7/8h) — You can take a drive to Kathmandu. In the evening you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner show, taking some beautiful snaps and making up your mind about the returning journey. You can have greetings exchanging among friends and with all Nepalese people. Day 19: Final departure — Our representative transfers you to the Kathmandu airport to catch your returning flight back home. Thank you for Travelling with Churen Himal Treks and Tours. Airport drop by private Car, Van or Bus (According to group size) Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 10Khansar to Tilicho Phedi (4500m/14763 ft): 6 hrs: — Today a short day walk reaching the more barren and arid country, after a short downhill then with uphill over high terrain as altitude gain on reaching our destination at Tilicho Phedi. Tilicho Lake regarded as a holy place by Hindu’s and Buddhist religions, Tilicho Lake blessed with amazing views of surrounding snow-capped peaks in the comfort of nice lodges located by the bank of emerald Tilicho lake, after lunch enjoy the magnificent scenery with Tilicho peak, Annapurna III and Gangapurna mountains. Stay overnight at Tilicho Phedi.+