Tilicho Lake is one of those places that
have had mythic connotations. The Annapurna
undoubtedly provides some of the world's
best trekking routes, including as it does
a greater variety of scenery and culture
than can be found in any other comparable
area. The route via Tilicho Lake and the
two passes (Masokanto La 5099m and Tilicho
Pass 5230m) that guard it from the Kaligandaki
Valley beyond is still used and offers the
adventurous and fit trekker high mountain
scenery at its very best.
Tilicho Lake situated at the highest altitude
in the world at 4919 meters, scenic Manang
valley attached with Annapurna and Thorong
Peak. Tilicho is not a prohibited area but
virtue of its remoteness and altitude, few
tourists takes off the popular Annapurna
circuit to hike up to the lake Annapurna
Region. The most popular trail Annapurna
circuit attaches the area. The rugged and
picturesque trails show you crystal-clear
lake Tilicho, dotted wild flowers, close
and superb giant Himalayan panorama.
Outline
Itinerary
Day
1
Drive
from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar
(823m.) and it takes almost
six hours. You drive along the
Kathmandu-Pokhara highway to
Dumre and then follow the narrow
and paved road by the Marsyangdi
River to Besi Sahar (823m.).
Beshishahar is the district
headquarters of Lamjung district.
All the local government offices
are situated here. From here,
you can see some of mountain
peaks, natural sceneries surrounding
the valley and the daily activities
of local people. This headquarter
is the centre from where the
daily usable commodities are
supplied to the different villages
and numerous towns.
Day
2
Trek
from Beshishahar to Bahundanda
(1305m.) and it takes about
six hours. The first part of
the trail passes thorough flat
level along the bank of the
Marshyangdi river. You can enjoy
the sceneries and the local
culture of Gurung community.
After lunch, the trail goes
steeply upwards to Bahundanda
which takes about 2 hours. At
this point, you can see the
area surrounded by eye-catching
scenarios with snow capped mountains.
Day
3
Trek
from Bahundanda to Chamje (1410m.)
which takes about six hours.
A steep trail descends for early
half an hour and then follows
flat path through rice terraces,
before crossing a stream at
the bottom of a small waterfall.
It then climbs again and traverses
the hillside high above the
river before reaching the village
of Lali Gaon. Ahead, the Marsyangdi
valley forms a steep V-shape,
and you follow the winding mountain
path down through Syange (1100m.)
where there is a beautiful waterfall
above it and along the river
for some distance. The trail
then climbs steeply and the
path is cut into the sheer cliff-face
some 200-300m above the riverbed.
Eventually you descend to the
stone village of Jagat (1330m.)
situated on a shelf which juts
into the precipitous Marsyangdi
valley. Now the trail begins
to observe small ups and down
to Chamje through the forests.
Day
4
Trek
from Chamje (1410m.) to Dharapani
(1960m.) and it takes about
six hours. The first part of
the trail descends to the river
and after crossing a suspension
bridge, you begin a climb to
Sattale (1550m.) on a path so
steep that it seems one slip
would send you hurtling down
into the valley. You continue
on an undulating path above
the river, and at one point,
where a tributary flows in from
the opposite bank, the main
river becomes covered with huge
boulders that hide the water.
Climbing the zigzag path to
the top of the hill, you see
the level, plain of Tal (1700m.)
before us. Though it is enclosed
by cliffs, the level area looks
reassuring after the harrowing
mountain paths just traveled
on. You descend to a grassy
riverbank which leads to Tal
with its hotels and teahouses.
Beyond Tal, the valley narrows
and the path becomes high and
winding, and in several areas
hewn from the rock itself. Beyond
the small village of Karte (1900m.),
there is a bit more cliff-walking
before the path drops again
to the river. You cross a suspension
bridge, and climb the short
distance to the stone kani marking
the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.),
and our camp for the night.
Day
5
Trek
from Dharapani to Chame (2675m.)
which takes about five and half
hours. As you cut through a
narrow field from the village,
the Dudh Khola, which originates
from the south face of Manaslu,
enters on the opposite bank.
The Marsyangdi then veers to
the left, and as Annapurna II
becomes visible ahead, you arrive
at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village
with prayer flags fluttering
in the breeze around Buddhist
monastery. Continuing to climb
through forests of pine and
oak, you pass through Danaque
(2210m.). There comes a small
wooden bridge which takes you
to follow steep ascent path
upto Timang. It lies at the
bottom of Lamajung Himal. The
trail goes through flat level
until you reach Chame where
there are government offices,
shops, and hotels. Chame is
the administrative headquarters
for the Manang district.
Day
6
Trek
from Chame to Pisang (3100m.)
which takes about five hours.
With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling
in the morning sun, you set
off for Pisang. The mountain
disappears as you climb the
path up the valley, passing
a huge apple orchard. You continue
through a fir and pine forest,
climbing to a high, rocky area
as the opposite bank becomes
an impassable cliff. From this
point the valley becomes extremely
steep-sided as you follow the
path to Bhratang (2950m.).In
the past this was the military
station for troops who fought
against the Khampa tribal revolution,
but the dilapidated buildings
are all that remain of that
era. A short climb from the
village brings you to a rock-strewn
area where you cross a wooden
bridge and follow a high, winding
path, before crossing back to
the right bank again. You now
walk through a pine forest and
as the forest ends, the valley
changes from a V-shape to a
gentle U-shape, opening up a
wonderful vista before us. You
can see the east peak of Annapurna
II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m.)
to the north-east. Continuing
on, you come to a long mani
wall by a bridge and the lower
village of Pisang.
Day
7
Trek
from Pisang to Manang (3440m.)
and it takes about five and
half hours. Beyond Pisang, the
trail climbs a steep ridge which
affords good views of the Manang
valley and Tilicho peak (7145m.).
Descending past Manang's airstrip
at Hongde (3320m.), you come
to a level area from where the
north-east face of Annapurna
III rises majestically above
you. From the wide plains of
the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna
IV (7525m.) also becomes visible.
Just beyond this point you cross
the considerably reduced flow
of the Marsyangdi Khola via
a wooden bridge to the tiny
village of Mungji. Cultivated
fields appear on both sides
of the path and off to the right,
below a craggy mountain, you
can see the village of Bryaga
with its splendid monastery.
Large chortens and mani walls
abound and the tall peaks of
the Himalaya spread out before
us - Annapurna II, Annapurna
III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna
(7455m.) and, to the rear, Tilicho
Peak (7145m.).
After a short steep climb you
reach Manang which is a surprisingly
large village for this remote
mountain region. You camp here
for the night, amidst the fluttering
prayer flags, which adorn the
houses
Day
8
Rest
day at Manang and hang in and
around town. This is an important
rest and acclimatization day
today before crossing the Thorung
La. There are optional day walks
such as crossing the river to
see the tremendous icefall coming
down from the Annapurnas, or
climbing high above the village
for a full panorama of the Annapurna
range and the Manang Valley.
There is also a Himalayan Rescue
Association [HRA] aid post in
the village which makes an interesting
and educational visit. Moreover
you can visit Ganagapurna Glacier
Lake to make your rest day a
memorable one.
Day
9
Trek
from Manang to Khangsar which
takes approximately five hours.
The path is gradual descent
and you cross a suspension bridge
over Jharsing Khola (stream).
You trek through dry land though
you can see shrubs on the both
sides. The panoramic views of
Annapurna range completely mesmerize
you. Khangsar is a Gurung village.
There you find a small monastery,
chorten, mani walls and prayer
flags.
Day
10
Trek
from Khangsar to Tilicho Lake
and it takes about six hours.
This day you trek gradual up
until you reach destination.
The path is quite covered by
small crystals and shrubs can
be seen on both sides. Somewhere
in trekking you cross few streams.
Tilicho Lake is situated at
the highes. From here you can
enjoy the closer and panoramic
views of Tilicho Mountain and
many others.
Day
11
Trek
from Tilicho Lake to Mesokanto
Pass (5315m.) and it takes about
seven hours.
The path is full of ups and
down until you reach Mesokanto
Pass. The trail is quite narrow
and you trek over icy path.
The panoramic views of Annapurna
range, Tilicho, Dhaulagiri along
with more than ten mountains
completely mesmerize you.
Day
12
Trek
from Mesokanto Pass to Jomsom
(2741 m.) via Thimi (2760 m.)
which takes about six hours.
From Mesokanto Pass, the trail
goes steep down to Jomsom. This
day you trek through pine forest.
Before you reach Jomsom, you
cross Thimi inhabited by mostly
Buddhists. There are not tea
houses available from en route
from Tilicho Lake to Jomsom.
Day
13
Trek
from Jomsom to Kalopani (2530m.)
which takes about six hours.
Your trail follows flat level
along the bank of Kali Gandaki
river until you reach Kalopani,
a Thakali village and the southern-most
limit of Tibetan Buddhism. En
route, you find Larjung which
is situated near Dhaulagiri
Glacier. The first part of the
trek passes through the windy
area covered with pine forests,
rhododendron forests and birches
are seen. At Kalopani, you are
quite amazed at the panoramic
view of Annapurna I (8091m.),
Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and Tukuche
peak (6920m.).
Day
14
Trek
from Kalopani to Tatopani (1190
m.) which takes about six and
half hours. While crossing steeply
descent path through forests
you reach Ghasa (2010m.), a
Thakali village. The surrounding
area of Ghasa is famous destination
for bird watching and wild Marijuana.
Here you are quite amazed at
the panoramic view of Mount
Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri
Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri
South (6839m.) and others. From
here, the trail descends steeply
upto Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall)
which is amazing to look at
as it is the highest waterfall.
There is situated the deepest
gorge of the world between two
mountains Annapurna I (8091m.)
and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing
each other near Rukse Waterfall.
The trail again descends slightly
to Tatopani through different
human settlements. You can enjoy
the hot spring at Tatopani as
the word Tatopani is termed
after the natural hot spring
situated at the bank of the
Kali Gandaki River. It is popularly
believed that taking bath in
Hot Spring helps you to get
rid of skin diseases. Along
this, it gives you physical
and mental refreshment as well.
Day
15
A
rest day at Tatopani to enjoy
the natural hot spring bath.
It is believed that one who
takes bath get rids of skin
diseases. After several days
trekking, it is a great idea
to take bath at hot spring and
relax.
Day
16
Trek
from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2750m.)
and it takes about six and half
hours. Your trail passes through
flat level of the land at some
distance. Then the trail begins
ascending steeply for at least
one hour. Now path goes up through
different villages inhabited
by the people of different caste
and agricultural land. The majority
of the people here serve Gorkha
Regiment and Indian Regiment
as well. While trekking you
cross through the Kali Gandaki
river with panoramic view of
Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.
Now the trail ascends gently
all the way to Ghorepani passing
through small villages like
Phalate, Chitre and so on. While
trekking you pass through rhododendron
forests and come across the
wild life such as monkeys and
birds of various species. You
are accompanied by more panoramic
views of different mountains.
Ghorepani (Watering to Horse)
is a small pass and the village
of Deorali. Although there is
time enough to continue, it
is better to stay here overnight
so that you can make the morning
trip to Poon Hill (3180m.) for
an outstanding panorama of Dhaulagiri
I, II, III, IV, Tukuche peak,
Dhampus peak, Nilgiri ranges,
Annapurna I, Baraha Sikhar (Twelve
peaks or renowned as French
Fang),Annapurna South, Himchuli,
Fishtail and Mardi Himal. The
view you can see from here is
probably the best view in the
world. Not only this, Poon Hill
is crowded by different visitors
to enjoy the sunrise and sunset
over the snow-capped mountains.
Day
17
Trek
from Ghorepani to Poon Hill
(3180m.) to Hille (1475m.) which
takes about five hours. Early
morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.)
to enjoy the sunrise view over
Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche
Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.),
Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt.
Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna
South (7219m.), Annapurna III
(7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.),
Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna
II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.)
and other numerous snowcapped
mountain peaks. After breakfast,
you again follow gradual descent
path through the forests of
rhododendron and oak upto Banthanti.
It is a small village where
you can pause for hot and cold
drinks. Then the trail descends
to Ulleri (1960m.), a big Gurung
village from where you can enjoy
view of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre
and Hiunchuli. From here the
trail upto Tirkhedhunga is steeply
descent passing terraces and
some villages. After a short
walk of 15 minutes from Tirkhedhunga,
you reach Hille. It is also
a small Gurung village with
surrounding green hills. Most
of the inhabitants of this village
are occupied in agriculture.
Day
18
Trek
from Hille to Nayapul (1050m.)
via Birethanti and it takes
almost three hours and drive
from Nayapul to Pokhara which
takes about one and half hours.
This day’s trek gradually
descends following Bhurung Khola
(Bhurung Stream) all the way
to Birethanti before you cross
the Modi Khola over the suspension
bridge. You are amazed to pass
small villages, see the magnificent
waterfalls and walk through
the sparse forests.
Day
19
Drive
from Pokhara to Kathmandu by
tourist mini bus that takes
about seven hours. While driving
from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you
head up to Damauli,, Dumre,
Muglin and Kurintar where the
Nepal's first Cable car is operated
to reach to Manakamana Temple.
En route, you could enjoy the
mountain views, green sceneries,
rice terrace fields, vegetable
fields and people being engaged
in their daily life activities.
From Naubishe you climb up to
Thankot, the gateway to capital
city. You can also fly from
Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes
about 25 minutes.
