Tilicho Lake Trek & Mesokanto-la Trek - 15 Days

On arrival in Kathmandu received by Pristine Nepal staff and guide for short drive to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city, where many hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs, trekking gear shops, travel agencies, departmental stores, souvenirs shop, and other many more things are located.

The morning after breakfast our tour guide will receive you for a sightseeing tour around interesting part of Kathmandu, as Kathmandu city a blend of modernization and old lively cultures where you can witness medieval period villages and way of life of the locals as it was for past hundreds of years. Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient history-old traditions full of world heritage sites of Buddhism and Hinduism temples/monasteries. After an interesting tour afternoon free at leisure preparation for Tilicho Lake & Mesokanto-la trekking.

Tilicho Lake & Mesokanto-la adventure begins with an interesting and exciting long overland drive on Nepal’s busy highway to reach at Bhesisar a large town headquarters of Lamjung district. After Bhesisar taking another vehicle for the rough and interesting ride towards mid hills following Marshyangdi River past Khudi, Bulbule, Nagdi villages to reach Syange village. From here leaving the river behind drive climbs on the steep road to reach Jagat and Chamje village and then on the scenic road to Dharapani village for overnight stop where the air is cooler with alpine temperature. This nice village located on the midway of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu route.

Morning walk leads along a winding path through rhododendron and pine forest past Bagachap and Danque village, then a steep climb of few hours to Timang village with superb views of Manaslu-Lamjung and Annapurna II. From here onwards into more Buddhist culture country. From Tamang village downhill to Koto and then a short slow uphill to reach a large Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a major and headquarter town of Manang district.

The adventure continues from Chame heading into the cooler zone and closer to the mountainous region, as the morning walk leads into the lovely alpine forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhartang village. After Bhartang village on crossing a bridge over torrential Marysangdi River heading uphill through alpine woodlands with views of Chulu’s and Pisang peaks, then reach a small settlement around Dukuri Pokhari for a possible lunch stop. Afternoon walks downhill to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop after passing rows of prayer wheels with closest views of Pisang and Annapurna II peaks.

From Pisang village with a nice walk for short while and then a gradual climb into the forest of pines and rhododendron to reach a small ridge with amazing views of beautiful Manang valley and mountains. After enjoying rest with the views walk downhill to Hongde village with a small airstrip, from here on tree lines fades to barren and arid dry terrain. Trek with super views to Manang, on route visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics and then an hour walk, bring at Manang village for an overnight stop. Afternoon at leisure for short walk or just relax and enjoy the views of close snowcapped peaks. Around Manang, villages houses are built-in traditional Tibetan style and origin as Manang people with strong Tibetan influence including culture-Buddhist religion and way of life.

A perfect and ideal place with right altitude for rest day and acclimatization before heading towards higher elevation at Tilicho Lake and Mesokanto-La areas, on this day explore around Manang village and take a hike near towering Annapurna II and Gangapurna Ice Falls and glaciers which from Manang turquoise-colored glacial Lake.

After a pleasant and exciting at Manang village with a rest day to enjoy interesting Buddhist culture and traditions, morning trek leads to our highlight of this trip at Tilicho Lake. From Manang Village, our route diverts from main Annapurna circuit trail to reach the last village of Manang at Khangsar located on route Tilicho Lake. Walk heads south-west with superb views of beautiful landscapes and peaks to reach a small settlement with few lodges at Khangsar village.

Another short day walks this morning entering into the more barren and windswept country, after a short downhill for few hours with uphill climb gaining altitude to our destination at Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake, regarded as a holy spot by Hindu’s and Buddhist also, Tilicho Lake blessed with the awesome scenery of peaks that surround this scenic spot. Here in the comfort of nice lodges located near turquoise Tilicho Lake, an afternoon with time to marvel views of Tilicho peak, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.

After a nice pleasant stop at Tilicho Lake, morning walk heading further west of the lake towards remote end of Manang valley, after hours of tough walk over boulders of rocks and small streams reaching the base of Mesokanto-La or Tilicho Base Camp, which is the highest overnight camp of this adventure at 4,800 meters high with first night in tents with full camping facilities of cook and separate kitchen unit. Overnight camp on the meadow chances of seeing some wild-life like antelopes, musk deer or an elusive snow leopard.

Big Day! The Highlight of the adventure with tough and long day, starting early morning to cross over high passes, heading up the slope traversing high from small Tilicho pass then with short descend to reach the base of Mesokanto pass, with short rest then climb at the top of Mesokanto-la top ridge after a steep climb to 5,121 m / 16,801 ft high pass. At the top enjoy breath-taking views of close peaks that surrounding the top of the pass, a long downhill walks leads on the trail to Jomsom with an overnight camp in a small cattle herder temporary shelter at Kaisang after a hard day adventure over Mesokanto-la.

After a tough day of the previous day, our last day walk of the adventure and enjoyable with pleasant downhill towards Kaligandaki valley with grand views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiris peaks, after a nice walk reaching at  Thinigaon, above Jomsom and Kaligandaki Valley. From Thinigaon downhill to cross over a bridge to Jomsom town perched on a shelf above Kaligandaki River. On reaching Jomsom, administrative and headquarter town of Mustang district with many excellent lodge and hotels for an overnight stay, Jomsom town situated on-route Annapurna-Dhaulagiri circuit, Upper Mustang and to holy Muktinath route, afternoon explore Jomsom town.

Morning transfer to Jomsom small airport for short scenic flight to picturesque Pokhara valley, Pokhara with massive Annapurna Mountain views with serene Phewa Lake where our hotels located. Afternoon free for individual activities and souvenir shopping or just relax and enjoy the views.

Depart from lovely Pokhara for the interesting and exciting overland journey to Kathmandu after a fantastic time at Tilicho Lake & Mesokanto-la trekking, after six hours of nice pleasant ride reaches you at Kathmandu, then transfer to your hotels with the afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

(option by air takes 30 minutes of scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu with a super panorama of mountains and landscapes)

Last day in amazing Nepal country of Himalayan wonders, as per your international flight time depart from the hotel where Pristine Nepal staff transfer you to the airport, after a greatly enjoyable and memorable time on Tilicho Lake & Mesokanto-la trekking with quality services and guidance of Pristine Nepal.