Tilicho Trek - 19 Days

Detail Itinerary

• Day 1Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m) and Transfer to hotel:On your arrival you will be met by one of our representative at the Tribhuwan International Airport, after you have completed the formalities with immigration for arrival at the airport, then you will be assisted and accompanied to transfer to the hotel you are staying in. Once checked in at the hotel you may wish to relax at the hotel and later in the afternoon stroll around the streets nearby hotel, in Kathmandu. Stay in hotel in Kathmandu included bed and breakfast (B&B).
• Day 2Kathmandu sightseeing full day:Today you shall be going for a guided tour of Kathmandu Valley. The attractions of today’s sightseeing shall include the sacred pilgrimage of Pashupatinath Temple located at the bank of holy River Bagmati among many other temples. Other important heritages are Swayambhunath Stupa (climbing over the countless steps you shall reach to a large complex with the main stupa and other whitewashed stupas, the view of Kathmandu valley and prayer flags colouring the area), Boudanath Stupa with striking eyes of the Buddha, reciting of Buddhist mantras and other cultural symbols. We then head for the architectural excellence in Patan/Kathmandu Durbar Squares. The ancient royal palace, temples, statues within, museum and historical taps, the Patan & Kathmandu Durba Squares are exhibit outstanding architectural excellence. After exploring the major historical and cultural heritages, we return to the hotel. Stay overnight in hotel in Kathmandu included B & B.
• Day 3Drive to Besisahar (830meters), about 6-7 hours:Trekking staff will arrive at your Hotel around 7.00 am in the morning to pick you up. The driving will take around 6-7 hours to Besishar for the distance of 185km from Kathmandu. On arrival at Besisahar you will welcomed by s stunning snow caped Mountain View, hills and farmlands with Marsyandi river roaring nearby. Stay overnight in lodge includes bed, breakfast lunch and dinner at Guesthouse.
• Day 4Drive to Syange and trek to Chamje (1400meters) 5 hours:From Besishar the trail climbs all the way to Bhundanda only to drop steeply down to Syange at 1070m. Leaving Bahundanda a large waterfall may be seen along the way other side of the Marsyangdi river. After crossing the Marsyangdi River over a suspension bridge, we then follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through forest to Chamje at 1400meters. Stay overnight at Guesthouse at Chamje and included Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast.
• Day 5Trek to Bagarchhap (2160m) 5-6 hours:The day begins with the rocky trail along the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1675m, the first village of the Manang district. We make a trail verse crossing a wide, flat valley. The journey continues up and down to Dharapani at 1890m. A stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages. Upon reaching Bagarchhap at 2160m, the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design along with the village surrounded by apple Orchards and maize fields, we will stay here overnight at the guesthouse.
• Day 6Trek to Chame (2630m) 5 hours:The trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360 meters, then continuing through forest, along the Marsyandi 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, and also there are two small hot springs by the town Chame. Along this route we believe that the local community to be migrated from Tibet a long time ago.
• Day 7Trek to Pisang (3300m), 5-6 hours:Today the trail leads through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910m, we then cross another bridge at 3040meters, and from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From this point the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300meters. On our arrival at Pissang we stay Overnight at Guesthouse.
• Day 8Trek to Manang (3540 meters), 5-6 hours:Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, Manang district is blocked off from the any effect of the monsoon by the Annapurna Range, hence there are fewer seasons than the rest of Nepal. People from this region herd the yaks & raise crops for part of the year and they also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784 with Tibet. Leaving Pisang, we have alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meets up again at Mungji. The southern route via Hongde, with airstrip at 3325meters, that 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 Manang at 3540m. We will stay overnight at Guesthouse in Manang.
• Day 9Acclimatization day at Manang village:After steady ascend all the way to Manang, it is wise to take a day off from hiking and let your body acclimatise, so 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 and do some side trek around Manang. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a good night rest.
• Day 10Trek to Khangsar Village (3700m), 4-5hours:After acclimatized at Manang we continue our adventure for Tilicho Lake, from Manang we head 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 11Trekking to Tilicho Base Camp (4200m) 5-6 hours:Today we 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 and at one point there is an intersection and 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 second path is the newer and 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. We stay overnight at basic Guesthouse.
• Day 12Trek to Tilicho Lake (5200 meters) and back down to Tilicho Base Camp (4200m) 6- 7 hours:Today we start early morning to avoid the wind later on during the day, it takes around 3-4 hours to reach from Base camp to the Tilicho lake. 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. On our arrival back at Base camp we stay overnight at basic Guesthouse.
• Day 13Trek to Yak Kharka (4000m), 5 -6 hours:Returning from Base camp you can keep high and follow a track 400m 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. Upon arrival at Yak Khark we stay overnight at Guesthouse in Yak Khark.
• Day 14Trek to Thorong La Phedi (4450m), 5-6 hours:Today, the first part of the trail ascends for about two and half hour or so, than it descends to cross the river at 4310meters we then climb up to Thorong La Phedi at 4450m, where we have some good Guesthouses built recently, upon arriving at Thorong La Phedi we spend overnight at Guesthouse here at Thorong La Phedi.
• Day 15Trek to Muktinath (3800m) via Thorung La pass (5416m), approximately 8 hours:Today is one of the longest day’s trek on this trip, we start very early in the morning around 4 am to reach the pass by no later 10 am. If we are late to reach to the pass the weather conditions could greatly affect the journey specially wind. We cross over Thorong La pass at the altitude of 5416m; at the higher altitude, we can be exposed to strong wind and bright sun in the case of arriving late at the top of the pass. The trail starts to climb steeply up the hill which is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow, which causes serious problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow, it may take about 4-6 hours to reach to the pass marked by the chortens & prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view. From the top the trail goes steep down the hill and will take another 4 hours to reach 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. Stay overnight at Guesthouse in Muktihath.
• Day 16Trek to Jomsom (2720m) 4-5 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 of Mustang. It also has airstrip where we can fly out to Pokhara. Stay overnight at Guesthouse here in JomSom.
• Day 17Morning flight to Pokhara:Depending on the weather condition, today we will take 35 minutes morning flight to Pokhara from Jomsom. Upon landing at Pokhara airport, we then will drive and check in to the hotel. In the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi's water fall, Museum. Stay overnight at your hotel in Pokhara
• Day 18Drive back to Kathmandu (1345m):Today after breakfast we will drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
• Day 19Transfer to international airport for your final departure:Today the trip ends, our Airport Representative will drive you to the Kathmandu international airport for your return or onward flight departure from Nepal.