Tilicho Lake Trek

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01- Drive to Besisahar (830meters) by bus. 7 hours.

Trekking staff will arrive at your Hotel at 7.00 am in the morning to pick you up then 7 hours driving journey to Besishar. It is about 185km driving. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 02- Trek to Bahundanda (1310 meters) 5 hours.

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. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 03- Trek to Chamje (1400meters). 5 hours.

Today the trail drops steeply to Syange at 1070meters 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 at 1400meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 04- Trek to Bagarchhap (2160meters). 5 hours.

Our day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1675meters, the first village in the Manang district. We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The trail then climbs a stone stairway to 1860 meters till 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 2160 meters 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. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 05- Trek to Chame (2630meters). 5 hours.

The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360 meters, then continuing through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590meters. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame & 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. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 06- Trek to Pisang (3300 meters) 5 hours.

The day starts through deep fine forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910meters. We then cross another bridge at 3040meters, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 07- Trek to Manang (3540 meters). 5 hours.

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 the 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 meets up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325meters which 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 3475meters to nearby Manang at 3540meters. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 08- 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 viewing the magnificent views around the village & the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a night rest. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 09- Trek to Khangsar Village (3700 meters). 4 hours

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. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 10- Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp (4200meters) 5 hours.

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. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. 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 4200 meters. Overnight at basic Guesthouse.

Day 11- Trek to Tilicho Lake (5200 meters) and back down to Tilicho Base Camp (4200meters) 6 hours.

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 spend 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 12- Trek to Yak Kharka (4000 meters) 5 hours

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 13- Trek to Thorong Phedi (4450 meters) 5 hours.

Today, after ascending for two and half hour the trail descends to cross the river at 4310meters we then climb up to Thorong Phedi at 4450meters where we have recently found some good Guesthouses built. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 14- Trek to Muktinath (3800 meters) via Thorung La pass (5416 meters) 8 hours.

Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4 am to reach the pass by 9-10 am 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 steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow but it is all depending on the weather condition. 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 take 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 15- Trek to Jomsom (2720meters) 5 hours.

Today we follow the trail down to the Eklebhatti, and then follow the Kaligandaki River to Jomsom. Jomsom is large town with many facilities, it is also headquarter and official town for whole Mustang district where all the government office are available for local people in Mustang. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 16- Morning flight to Pokhara.

Today 35 minutes morning 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 covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave etc. Overnight back at hotel.