PACKAGE DETAIL
Tilicho Lake Trek & World Highest Lake
Duration: 21 days | Grade:
In 2001, Hindu pilgrims from around the world flocked to the lake convinced it is a holy spot mentioned in the Ramayan – a holy book of the Hindus. This trek starts right from Besisahar which goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great views of Manaslu and Himal Chuli to the east. We have customized this route as it is basically the same as Annapurna Circuit. From Manang, instead of taking the valley north to Tanki Manang and Yak Kharka this route goes to the main valley to the west passes through the Khanshar Village (The Last Village of Nepal) and trek up to Tilicho lake. Then we travel to Yak Kharka and up to the Thorung La pass at elevation of 5416 meters.
From the pass of Thorung La the treks lead down to Muktinath then to Jomsom from where thirty five minutes scenic flights take you to Pokhara.
From Tilicho Lake you also have the option of crossing the challenging pass of Moesokanta La Pass” to Jomsom instead of traveling to Thorung La pass but good additional equipment with tents are required to go through this pass.
Itinerary - Outline
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1345m. You will be met by our Airport Representative and transferred to hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu city tour. Your sightseeing trip will start at 9AM in the morning after your breakfast. We will provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. Places we visit Pasupatinath temple, Boudanath, Swyambunath, Bhaktpur durbar square and Kathmandu durbar square. The afternoon includes a final briefing and preparations for the trek. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Drive to Besisahar 830m. Trekking staff will arrive at your Hotel at 7AM in the morning to pick you up then 7 hours driving journey to Besishar. It is about 185km driving. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 04: Trek to Bahundanda 1310m. Today our journey starts at Besisahar, from where, the trail makes a slight climb to Khudi, we then reach the first Gurung village at Bhulbhule. Our first day introduces us to the cultural elements of Nepal; we encounter a typical local house and the different faces of the various people, exchanging greetings Namaste as we pass. o/n gust house
Day 05: Trek to Chamje 1400m. Today the trail drops steeply to Syange at 1070m from Bahundanda crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge. We then follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through forest to Chyamje.
Day 06: Trek to Bagarchhap 2160m. Our day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal, the first village in the Manang district. The trail then climbs a stone stairway to 1860 meters to another stairway. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1890 meters. There we find a stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages from here northwards. We then reach the Bagarchhap at 2160m that offers the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design although the village which is still in the transition Zone before the dry highlands.
Day 07: Trek to Chame 2630m. The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360m, then continuing through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590m. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of Manang district, we are rewarded by fine views of Annapurna II & two small hot springs by the town. Along this route we are introduced to a local community said to have migrated from Tibet a long time past, noticeable by their different features. With them, they have bought local Tibetan house designs and maintained their ways.
Day 08: Trek to Pisang 3300m. The day starts through deep pine forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910 meters. We then cross another bridge at 3040m, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear.
Day 09: Trek to Manang 3540m. Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range. People of this region herd yaks & raise crops for part of the year. They also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meet up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325m, involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475m to nearby Manang at 3540m.
Day 10: Acclimatization day at Manang village. Today we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend doing some fine day walks and over enjoying the magnificent views around the village.
Day 11: Trek to Khangsar Village 3700m. After acclimatized at Manang we continue our adventure for Tilicho Lake, from Manang one heads out through the western gates and then one follows the path down to the river. After crossing the the Khangsar Khola on the bridge below Khangsar and ascend the slope to the village, a village still in the old Tibetan style and which is also known as last village of Nepal.
Day 12: Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp 4200m. Continue from Khangsar on a large path. Pass a Gompa (monastery). The route ahead goes on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4200m.
Day 13: Trek to Tilicho Lake 5200m and back down to Tilicho Base Camp (4200m) . Today our journey start early in the morning around 6 AM as we trying to avoid the wind. From Base camp to the Tilicho lake takes another 3-4 hours. Tilicho Lake is a cold barren place in the afternoon and claimed as highest lake of the world. After we spending some time around Tilicho Lake we will return same way back to Base Camp as there are no any accommodation facilities at Tilicho Lake area. Overnight at basic Guesthouse.
Day 14: Trek to Yak Kharka 4000m. Returning from Base camp you can keep high and follow a track 400meters or so above Khangsar village passing through the ruins of old Khangsar and follow an unmarked trail which will lead you around and down to cross the river on an old log bridge between Gumsang and Yak Kharka. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 15: Trek to Thorong Phedi 4450m. Today, after ascending for two and half hour the trail descends to cross the river at 4310 meters we then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4450m where there are some good Guesthouses built. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 16: Trek to Muktinath 3800m via Thorung La pass (5416 meters) 8 hours. Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach the pass by 9-10AM otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5416 meters we can be exposed to strong winds if crossing too late. We start to climb a steep path that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, problems may arise due to the altitude and snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens & prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view from the top with another 4 hours trek will taking in down to the holy town of Muktinath.
Muktinath means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a scared pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the Jwala Mai Temple this contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 17: Trek to Jomsom 2720m. Today we follow the trail down to the Eklebhatti, and then follow the Kaligandaki River to Jomsom. Jomsom is a large town with many facilities, it is also the headquarter and official town for whole Mustang district where all the government office are available for local people in Mustang. Overnight at Guesthouse.
Day 18: Morning flight to Pokhara. Today (35 minutes) flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once we arrived at Pokhara airport, we then drive to hotel. In the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which coversPhewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave etc. Overnight back at hotel.
Day 20: Fly / Drive back to Kathmandu. If you are interested in continuing on to the Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure or any other tours you can start today.
Day 21: Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
