Tilicho Pass Trekking

Duration: 17/18 Starts from: Besisahar Finishes at: Jomsom Best Season: Except Dec, Jan and Feb months of the year. Unbelievable Tilicho treks provide distinguishing itinerary links the trek around Manaslu with a pass through of the northern Annapurna range to Jomsom and explore the "Great Barrier". Crossing remote pass, the Tilicho Lake and Meso Kanto La 5300m. You are there offered with a spectacular panorama and finest aspects of spectacular views. Your trek begins in the ancient town of Kathmandu, from where you will catch a bus to Beshisahar and follows. From Beshisahar, we take a trial up towards Syange, Chyamje and Dharapani  or Bagarchhap where the Manaslu trek almost ends. Our long trail heads towards Manang through Chame and Pisang. On the way we can have glorious eye catching views of the popularly known mountains, Annapurna V, II, Gangapurna and Pisang Peak. Our Trek goes along with farm lands. Then we have one or two days acclimatization and continue our treks through Khangsar village a sacret place for Biddhist, towards Tilicho Lake. After following the traditional Annapurna Circuit route for three days to Manang the trek continues to the remote Tilicho Lake 5,300m sometimes called the Tilicho pass, which provides a direct route to the Kali Gandaki valley. Tilicho Lake lies below the 'Great Barrier' and it was this huge wall of snow and ices that thwarted Herzog's initial approach to Annapurna in 1950. Tremendous views of Dhaulagiri 8,167m can be seen as the trail descends down to Jomsom, where an exciting mountain flight and transports you back to Kathmandu.

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu

Your arrival in Kathmandu, Our official representative will greet and meet you at Airport and transfer you to standard Hotel. You will have leisure time, followed by an evening welcome dinner at a typical Nepalese Restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2 Kathmandu - Trek preparation and sightseeing

Half- of the day will be spent on guided city tours (tour includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Syambunath Stupa, Pashupati Nath Temple - Hindu Temple and Buddha Nath - The biggest Buddha Stupa in ancient Kathmandu. In the afternoon we will do pre-trip discussion of the trek.

Day 3 Drive from Kathmandu to Bensishahar: 6/7 hours

Early morning we leave Kathmandu for our trek to Tilicho. Drive by Route bus to Beshisahar through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. It is the largest village- town of Lamjung District. Explore the surrounding area and overnight in Besishahar.

Day 4 Bensishahar to Syange;

Today the first day trek of this Tilicho Pass Trekking. After we reach up to very popular city of Lamjung called Bensisahar. Then go up hill to Syange by 5/6 hrs. Overnight at Syange.

Day 5 Syange to Chyamje.

It’s today another up-hill trek for 5/6 hrs. We will have panoramic view while we climb up. Stay very comfortable night at Chyamje and it will takes 5/6 hours trek.

 Day 6 Chyange to Dharapani / Bagarchhap:

The trek today is climbing up. Walking the hilly trial for about 5/6 hrs.  We make our exiting journey. The trail continues to Bagarchhap via Tilje and Thonje villages. Overnight in Bagarchhap.

Day 7 Bagarchhap to Chame: 5/6 hours

Today you will spend few steep forested ridges, along with several landslides on route, remember to look up though, as you will receive some sensational views of major Himalayan peaks of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV 7,525m. Small hot springs relief your long day trek. We reach to over the night in Chame 2,710m.

Day 8 Chame to Pisang:

A steep, narrow path through a very dense forest will bring you to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up you will be surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. You will have lunch at Dhukur pokhari from where trails begin flat with sand and with pine forest. Overnight in Pisang

Day 9 Pisang to Manang:

Enter the upper Manang region, where you will notice a contrast with the landscape and vegetation. The cold, dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Incredible views of the towering Himalayan Peaks. Overnight in Manang 3,500m.

Day 10- Manang to Khangshar

From Manang one heads out through the western gates and then one follows the path down to the river. Cross it and continue on the south side of it through a forest towards Khangsar.  After we cross this section across a steep and appeared a slope. Cross the Khangsar Khola (River) on the bridge below Khangsar and ascend the slope to the village. Continue from Khangsar on a large path. Pass a Gompa (monastery). Overnight at Khangshar Village.  

Day 11 Khangshar to Tilicho lake

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.

Day 12 Tilicho Lake to Meso Kanto La

From Tilicho Base Camp the path continues up along moraine ridges and grassy slopes to some large switch backs carved out of the slope. Reach the watershed. On the other side is Tilicho Lake. Camp sites are found on its north eastern shore. To go this far is rather uncomplicated. The route ahead is more far more complicated and demanding. There are two ways ahead. One may cross the glaciers that come down from Tilicho Himal. Unless one is a party with complete ice climbing gear, and the competence to use it, this should only be attempted when the glacier is bare so all crevasses are visible. The second way traverses no less than three minor passes in the mountains north of the lake. This account covers that route. Continue along the shore to a little plain. Leave the lake here and aim for a small saddle in the ridge above. The first pass Reach and descend to a valley on the other side. Follow it upwards and step on to a flat glacier. It has no crevasses and is safe. Follow its left (south) side upwards. Leave it where an obvious saddle westwards is visible. Go through this watershed. There is a little lake.

Day 13 Around the Tilicho lake/Acclimatization

Continue ahead on a faint path, lose a little altitude, and then gain another saddle. On the other side one descends in to a small valley that turns south. Coming out off it one has reached the western shore of Tilicho Lake. See Addendum. From here the path follows a partly dry valley westwards. It is also possible to follow the ridge of a glacial moraine. South of it is a rubble covered glacier. Reach the watershed, Cairns. Here it is absolutely essential not to go straight ahead. If one does one walks straight into a restricted area! The correct route goes up a steep screen slope (switch backs) north of the lowest watershed. Use the great gendarme as a land mark. The correct route goes just north of it. Reach the crest of the ridge etc. Over night at Khara in tent.

Day 14 Khara to Jomsom

Descend on an obvious path on the other side. It goes in faint switch backs down a very steep screen slope. It would be a crux if snow covered, or icy. Below it one holds slightly north, rounding a spur, and enters a larger basin. Descend to its bottom, there is a stream, and continue, past a kharka (barn), holding slightly right to reach a point where a ridge with trees goes out in the valley. It goes in a long traverse along the northern slopes high above Lampoghyan Khola (River) towards Thini, reaching the valley floor first at Thini. One passes a couple of kharkas (summer pastures) and the path progressively becomes better the closer one gets to Thini. Continue short trek to Jomsom for overnight. This will be the last night for you to get mutually with all of your fellow trekkers. It will be a good idea that all of the group members go for a farewell dinner party. You can have a good time with two local alcoholic beverages 'Chang' or 'Rakshi or Jomsom brandi.' Enjoy evening with your crewmembers in the Nepali way.

Day 15 Jomsom to Pokhara:

By 20 minutes scenic flight you will be in Pokhara.  You will see Mt. Dhaulagairi, Mt, Neelgiri, Mt. Annapurna South and many peaks and unknown peaks of Annapurna range. When you land at the airport of Pokhara then we transfer you the hotel. Pokhara is cleanest city of Nepal and we will show some interesting part of the city in the afternoon. Over night in Pokhara.

Day 16 Pokhara to Kathmandu:

Early morning drive to Kathmandu. And in general it takes 6 hours by tourist coach. If you prefer to come back to Kathmandu by air it will take just 25 minutes. We do transfer to the hotel when you will get in Kathmandu.  You will have some leisure day and you can do some shopping, see around Kathmandu etc. Over night in Kathmandu

Day 17 Farewell

Today the journey comes to an end. And we will transfer to the airport on your airport time to get back your home.