Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek
21
Days
Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek lead us through the hidden village of Phoo (phu) and Nar village over Kang La pass and world’s highest Lake Tilicho Lake in Annapurna region of Nepal. Nar and Phu (Phoo) are restricted areas and have opened for the trekkers only since 2003. This unique “Off The Beaten Path” trek combines the blend of high peaks and passes, remote villages, narrow canyons, amazing rock formations, and Himalayan cultures simultaneously through out the trek. Because of the restriction in the areas, monasteries and valleys are still yet to be fully explored and has maintained an enigma. Crossing through challenging high passes of Khang La Pass (5280 meters), Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters) and visiting the world’s highest lake Tilicho at an altitude of 4949 meters are the major attractions of Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek. This is an ideal trip for those trekkers who want to do a panoramic trek in Annapurna Region and also want to avoid the busy and crowded regions around Thorang La Pass.
Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek in these areas are unlike most of Nepal as the terrain is Trans Himalayan and similar to Tibet. Trails are rugged and at times cut high into the sides of the cliff, in an area that has changed little over the years. The trek spends a number of days exploring the region and visits the remote villages of Nar and Phu (Phoo), as well as crossing the Khang La Pass (5280 meters) which offers fantastic views of the Annapurna massif, Lamjung (6983 meters) and Manaslu (8163 meters). Another attraction is the world’s highest lake, Tilicho Lake (4949 meters) and the crossing of Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters).
The trekking route starts initially following the well-known Annapurna Circuit as far as Koto before heading into the previously restricted wilderness of Nar Khola Valley. The route then rejoins to the Annapurna Circuit, at Manang for a brief period but once again heads to the less visited route to Tilicho Lake. Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters) interlinks Manang and Kali Gandaki Valleys and ends Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek at Jomsom.
Detail Itinerary
- Day 01:Arrive in Kathmandu. (1400 meters) .
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel)
- Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu .
A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 03: Drive to Besisahar (830 meters) .
After breakfast, a private vehicle (car/bus) will pick you at your hotel. We drive to Besisahar via the Prithvi Highway, following Trishuli River for most part of the drive. It takes around 6 hours to reach Besisahar. (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 04: Drive to Dharapani (1960 meters) .
We now take a local bus and drive to Dharapani on a secondary road. The road at times passes through the settlements of the old Annapurna Circuit. It keeps following the Marshyangdi River for the whole day. This bumpy and exciting ride will take around 5 hours. (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 05: Trek to Koto (2600 meters) .
The trek starts on the secondary road and does so for the most part of trek until the trek reaches Manang. The road passes the villages of Bagarchap and Danaque. The trail gets briefly off the road and starts to climb through the woods to Temang. Stunning view of Manaslu (8163 meters) opens up at Temang. The trek returns back to the road and goes through the small villages of Thanchok and then finally reaches Koto. (6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 06: Trek to Dharmasala (3220 meters) .
The trail leaves the road, enters a narrow valley, leaving crowded settlements behind, and heads for sparsely inhabited Nar Phu Valley. The trek crosses and leaves Marshyangdi River and starts to follow Phu River gradually climbing into the valley. The valley gets narrower and goes through pristine forests, as the valley grows wider with views starting to open up. The long day of climb finally ends at Dharmasala. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 07: Trek to Chaku (3772 meters) .
Trek to Chaku is an interesting day as the trek passes through stunning waterfalls and towering rock faces. The day starts with a steep climb passes the village of Meta. The terrain is leveled all the way up to Junam and continues to be similar until the lower village of Chaku. The day ends with a final steep climb ending at the higher village of Chaku. (6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 08: Trek to Phu (4050 meters) .
A steep drop kicks off the day and leads to the river. The trail stays on the riverbed for a while and then slowly starts to climb off the river. Another climb ends another long day at Phu. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 09: Acclimatization day at Phu .
A short hike up to the village offers stunning views of the valley. Although a long and exhausting walk to Himlung Base Camp also remains a good alternative. (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 10: Trek to Nar (4150 meters) .
The trek retraces back to Chaku and passes the village. After crossing the bridge, the trail once again starts to climb and does so for the rest of the day. This is also one of the longer days of the trek. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 11: Trek to Khang La Phedi (4530 meters) .
The day is a shorter one as the trek enters the higher elevations. Couple of hours climb ends the day at Khang La Phedi. A good rest is recommended as the trek now enters higher elevations. (3 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 12: Cross Khang La (5280 meters) and trek to Ngawal (3670 meters) .
An early start to the day to cross the Khang La (5280 meters). The day starts with a climb that continues to get steeper and only ends at the top of the pass. A steep drop in a rocky moraine then on a scree leads to a new valley. Steep drop continues throughout the day and finally ends at the village of Ngawal. This is one of the longest and hardest days of the trek. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 13: Trek to Manang (3540 meters) .
A descend down to the valley and an easy terrain joins the trail back with the road near Mugje. After passing through Mugje, the road leads to the village of Braga. Braga has two contrasting parts, an ancient looking village with a monastery a few minutes away from the road and new modern facilitated teahouses at the other side of the road. An easy walk on the road and a final brief climb ends the day at Manang. The road also ends at Manang and the trek will only get back on road after the Thorang La. (4 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 14: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp (3734 meters) .
The trail now separates from the regular Annapurna Circuit and heads into a different valley. A descent leads into the river and turns into an ascent for the next few hours until Khangsar. After the Khangsar the trail gets narrower and crosses through a scree in the latter part of the day. A flat grassy area with a small stream finally leads to the Tilicho Base Camp. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 15: Trek to Tilicho Lake (4949 meters) .
The day starts with a steep climb and then turns into an easier ascent. More majestic views of mountains start to appear in every direction as the trek slowly and continuously keep on climbing. Gangapurna (7455 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters) and several unnamed peaks starts to show themselves as the climb continues. The huge lake finally starts to appear as the terrain slowly starts to turn easy. Tilicho Lake is highest lake in the world located at an altitude of 4949 meters.After a brief walk away from the lake we camp on a rocky moraine. (5 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 16: Cross Tilicho Pass and trek to Yak Kharka (3510 meters) .
Another early start to the day starts with a steep climb on a ridge. The trail now drops briefly and a long gradual uphill walk follows. Finally, the trail starts to drop and drops very steeply for the rest of the day to Yak Kharka. This is the other long day of the trek and almost as difficult as the day of crossing of Khang La. (8-9 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 17: Trek to Jomsom (2720 meters) .
The trek still continues to drops and continuously loses the altitude. After a long downhill, the trail gets to get easier at Thini and slowly and easily reaches the busy town of Jomsom. Jomsom is also the admintrative headquarter of Mustang, the forbidden Kingdom. Jomsom is also famous for apples and is also known as the apple capital of the country. The apple and apricot brandy from the region is also very popular. A visit to Marpha Village is also an interesting option for the afternoon.(5 hours) (Overnight at Camp)
- Day 18: Fly to Pokhara .
An early scenic flight to Pokhara. Views of Annapurna range and the dominating figure of Machapuchare (also known as Fishtail) (6993 meters) dominates both the sky and the beautiful Phewa Lake with its reflection in it. Afternoon can be enjoyed by the lake as the hotel is located near to the lake. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 19: Sightseeing at Pokhara and fly back to Kathmandu .
A half day guided tour to the most popular and historical sites of Pokhara and a late afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 20: Sightseeing at Kathmandu .
A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 21: Departure .
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)
- Note:
ALL ITINERARIES CAN BE CUSTOMIZED AT YOUR REQUESTS ACCORDING TO YOUR CONVENIENCE.
Includes
- Arrivals and departure transport by car (We will collect you from the Kathmandu international airport) and transfer to Hotel.
- Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu (Boudhanath and Pasupatinath) with city guide and necessary transport.
- 5 nights accommodation (2 persons per room) in Kathmandu and Pokhara in a 3* standard Hotel with breakfast.
- Kathmandu - Besisahar land transportation in a private car. Other sections will be in a local bus.
- Pokhara - Kathmandu airfare including airport taxes.
- Salary, insurance, food, accommodation for guides and porters.
- A porter to carry your luggage on treks (Per person 15 kilogram luggage).
- National Park entry fee and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).
- All meals and hot drinks during the trek.
- Group First Aid Kit.
- Government taxes and service charge.
Excludes
- Nepal entry Visa Fee.
- Personal Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Entry fee at the sightseeing sites
- Personal expenses like beverages (mineral water, alcohol, soft drinks), telephone bills, laundry, bar bills, personal tips etc
Gear List
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG.
Hiking boots
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof overt rousers / rainpants
Baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Thermal gloves
Warm and waterproof over gloves or mittens
Headtorch/Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 L.
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Daypack, 25/30Litres
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag 4 or 5 season * (rated down to – 20ºC)
Warm jacket (down)*
Medical
Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
1 skin-blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills
Anti-headache pills
Cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
Water purification tablets or water filter
1 set of earplugs
Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.
Note: Walking pole, down jacket, sleeping bag, etc available on hire in Kathmandu or request we will provide it.
Faqs
Notes
Trip cost will vary depending on numbers of travelers, duration/days of trek, standard of hotel in Kathmandu before & after the trip. Please contact us to GET a Custom Quote.
Trip Facts
- 21 Days Trip Duration
- 15 Days Of Trekking
- Annapurna Trekking
- Demanding
- Tea House + Camp Trek
- 5280 meters from sea level
- 2 minimum group size