Mesokanto La Pass trek – with world highest lake Tilicho

Introduction of Mesokanto La Pass Trek

Mesokanto-La Pass Trek, an adventure of scenic combination with cultural walks, where the journey leads to famous and popular Annapurna Circuit Trek trail up to Manang village, regarded as the world’s top ten adventure destination.

Our trek leading from low-warm paddy fields to reach cooler green hills and glaciers and Tilicho Lake beyond. Nothing can beat the experience like on this unique and scenic adventure Mesokanto-La Pass via Tilicho Lake.

Trek leads you into hidden corners of the Manang and Annapurna region on the least venture areas by trekkers and explorer.

Walking into nice lovely hill villages where culture-temperature and landscapes change every day. Our adventure leads higher into more Buddhist cultural villages within scenic Manang valley enclosed by an array of mountains sandwiched between Annapurna and Chulus peaks.

Tilicho lake is a holy lake, which is believed in Hindu and Buddhist religion.

From Tilicho Lake where the route leads to remote corners of the Manang area to cross over a high and scenic Mesokanto-la pass to reach at Mustang district at Jomsom around Thakali people country within Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri’s mountains.

Completing hard tough walk where an easy downhill walk leads to low warmer areas at Tatopani and past world deepest Kaligandaki gorge sandwiched in between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains.

At Tatopani enjoy refreshing moments in its hot natural spring water where walk continues with the climb to serene rhododendron woodland at Ghorepani where a side hike takes you to awesome view-point Poon Hill for 360° wide panorama of Himalayan Mountains along with stunning sunrise views.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishar\Bulbule (840 m/2755 ft) and trek to Nagdi (930 m/305 1ft)- 5/6 hrs drive and 1 hrs hike
Day 02: Trek to Jagat (1300 m/4265 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 03:  Trek to Dharapani (1860 m/6102 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 04:  Trek to Chame (2,670 m/8759 ft )- 05 hrs.
Day 05:  Trek to Pisang (3, 230 m/10597 ft) – 05 hrs.
Day 06:  Trek to Manang Village (3,450 m/11318 ft )- 05 hrs.
Day 07:  Rest day at Manang for local hikes(Ice lake4600 m/15091 ft) and acclimatization.
Day 08:Trek to Khangsar(3734m/12250 ft) – 4 hrs
Day 09:  Trek to Tilicho Base Camp(4150 m/13615 ft) -4 hrs
Day 10:  Trek to Tilicho Lake(4920 m/16141 ft) – 4 hrs.
Day 11:  Trek to Kaisang(3510/11515ft Via Mesokanto la pass(5305m/17404ft)– 06/7 hours.
Day 12:  Trek to Marpha (2, 670m/8759ft) via Jomsom (2,715 m/8907ft) – 06 hours.
Day 13:  Trek to Lete (2,480m/8136ft)– 06 hrs.
Day 14:  Trek to Tatopani (Natural Hot spring), 1,190m/3904ft– 06 hrs.
Day 15:  Trek to Ghorepani (2,880m/9448ft)– 06 hrs.
Day 16:  Trek to Poon Hill 3210m/10531ft and trek to  Nayapul 1,100m/3608ft and drive to Pokhara( 860m/2821ft) -6/7hrs

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Bulbule 840 m / 2,755 ft and trek to Nagdi 930m / 3,051ft -05/6 hrs drive for 1 hr.

Starting Mesokanto – la via Tilicho Lake trek taking an interesting morning drive towards Nepal mid west, leading to Besisar town (headquarter of Lamjung district). From Besisaharr continue to drive on dirt road past Khudi and Bulbule village to reach at Nagdi for overnight stop a nice small farm village.

Day 02: Trek to Jagat 1,300 m / 4,265 ft - 04/5 hrs.

From Nagdi walk begins with climb leaving Masrsyangdi River behind reaching Bahun Danda, a farm village with many lodges for trekkers. After that, hill village downhill back at Masrsyangdi River to reach Syange where walks climb all the way to Jagat village for an overnight stop.

Day 03: Trek to Dharapani 1,860 m / 6,102 ft -04/5 hrs.

After Jagat walk leads on winding path to Chamje, and back at Masrsyangdi River crossing east side within a forested area, with superb views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. As the walk continues reaching a nice village at Tal Besi, from here another few hours walk leads to our overnight stop at Dharapani village. Dharapani a nice village located on a junction of the Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail.

Day 04:  Trek to Chame 2,670 m / 8,759ft - 05 hrs.

Enjoyable stop in Dharapani, and then morning walk leads towards rhododendron and pine forest past Bagarchap and Danque, and then with a climb up to Timang village. From here witness more Buddhist culture with views of Mt. Manaslu, after Timang village a few hours trek leads to Koto and then to Chame town for an overnight stop, Chame a large major town of Manang area and a headquarter town of the district.

Day 05:  Trek to Pisang 3,230 m /10,597 ft - 05 hrs.

From Pisang onwards walk leads close to mountains within alpine woodland of rhododendron and pine trees, following Masrsyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhratang village. From this village walk follows uphill to reach a small hilltop called Dhukure Pokhari with few lodges overlooking Chulus and Pisang peak, having possible lunch stops and then descends to lower Pisang village for an overnight stop.

Day 06:  Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m /11,318 ft - 05 hrs.

Morning enjoys views of Annapurna and Chulus peaks, from here onward altitude gains as walk leads into the forest of pines with short climb overlooking views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulus and Pisang peak. Walk downhill to reach a flat valley in Hongde village.

From here onward tree lines fade for barren, arid landscapes with cold, dry arctic climate, before Manang visit old Braga monastery enriched with Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches Manang village.

Day 07:  Rest day at Manang for a local hike (Ice Lake 4,600m /15,091ft  and acclimatization.

A necessary rest day at Manang for acclimatization before reaching higher areas towards Tilicho and Mesokanto-la pass, in Manang short hike around Manang village, this is a large village situated on windswept valley by the bank of Masrsyangdi River below Annapurna and Gangapurna mountain range, a nice walk uphill for views of Gangapurna Glacier and Manang glacial Lake. For energetic people can take a long hike uphill to Ice Lake located above Manang valley, which rewards you with complete views of Annapurna and Chulu peaks.

Day 08: Trek to Khangsar 3,734 m / 12,250 ft- 04 hrs.

After Manang village morning walk leads to another highlight of this trip, as our route diverts from main Annapurna circuit trail reaching one of the last village of Manang at Khangsar for overnight stop which lies on the route to Tiliocho Lake.                                                       

Day 09: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4,150 m /13,615 ft- 04 hrs.    

After Khangsar village walk leads to higher areas and arid terrain with few downs and gradual winding ups getting closer towards Gangapurna and Tilicho peaks, as our route leads to one of the most remote and isolated corners of Manang valley at Tilicho Lake base with few simple good lodges for overnight stay.

Day 10:  Trek to Tilicho Lake 4,920 m/16,141ft - 04 hrs.

Enjoy a walk to Tilicho Lake, considered as one of the highest lakes around Nepal Himalaya, as our route leads down by the serene and pristine Tilicho Lake where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery of close views of Gangapurna and Tilicho peaks with other arrays of mountains.

After a fascinating and most thrilling moment head up to Tilicho Base for an overnight stop before heading towards Mesokanto-la pass to reach Jomsom.

Day 11: Trek to Kaisang 3,510 m /11,515 ft via Mesokanto la pass 5,305 m /17,404 ft - 06/7 hrs.

Today a long and Big Day of the trip, starting early morning to cross two high passes, over Tilicho pass then downhill walk to the base of Mesokanto pass, after a rest then climb over Mesokanto-la pass with a steep climb to reach the ridge at 5,305 meters. On reaching the top ridge and the pass descend to our overnight camp in a small place at Kaisang.

 Day 12:  Trek to Marpha 2, 670 m / 8,759 ft via Jomsom 2,715 m / 8,907 ft - 06 hrs.

After a tough walk and adventure crossing over Mesokanto-La pass,  morning an easy day trek downhill to reach Kaligandaki valley with views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri’s peaks.

Nice and scenic walks lead to a large village at Thinigaon and then at Jomsom headquarter town of Mustang district and home to indigenous Thakali tribes within and Kaligandaki Valley. Continue for an hour walk to reach one of the most charming villages at Marpha famous for delicious apples and products, a nice village for an overnight stop.

Day 13:  Trek to Lete 2,480 m / 8,136 ft - 06 hrs.

From Marpha on the easy downhill path facing incredible views of peaks Dhaulagiri and its Ice falls with Nilgiri’s includes Annapurna I and Vara-Shikar (Annapurna Fang), as walk leads past Tukuche and Larjung village to reach at Lete with awesome views of both sides of the village.

Day 14:  Trek to Tatopani (Natural Hot spring) 1,190 m / 3,904 ft - 06 hrs.

As walk heads downhill into a forested area with glorious views of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri peaks with its ice-falls where the route leads into world deepest gorge around Kaligandaki River valley, enclosed between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna to form the deepest gorge.

Slowly entering into low warm paddy areas on reaching a nice Tatopani village for overnight and end of the day walks, at Tatopani enjoy a refreshing dip in hot-spring pools, where name Tatopani means in Nepalese.

Day 15:  Trek to Ghorepani 2,880 m / 9,448 ft - 06 hrs.

The morning begins on leaving nice warm village then with a steep climb on stone-paved steps to reach at large Ghara village, an interesting farm village of mixed tribes Magar and Hindu Brahmin and Chettries, from here on slow winding gradual walks into cool serene woodland to reach Sikha and Chitre villages of Magar hill tribe.

After Chitre steep climb for few hours to Ghorepani, a scenic village with blue painted houses serving as the lodge and guest house, situated within green rhododendron forest and on Old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet that leads to Jomsom and beyond.

Ghorepani located in the midst of a tall rhododendron forest with grand views of the Dhaulagiri range with Annapurna and Nilgiri’s peaks.

Day 16:  Trek to Poon Hill 3,210 m /10,531ft and trek to Nayapul 1,100 m / 3,608 ft and drive to Pokhara -  860m/2821ft - 06 /7 hrs.

Early morning hike to Poon Hill for stunning sunrise views over 360° wide panorama with world three highest mountain range Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu at once glance includes Machhapuchare Himal Fish-Tail within Himalaya range.

After enjoying spectacular panorama downhill to Ghorepani and ready for a long downhill morning walk with serene rhododendron woodland past Bhanthati and Ulleri village to reach our overnight destination at Tirkhedhunga with beautiful waterfalls.

Our last day of adventurous walks, where morning leads to a nice pleasant downhill trails heading lower into warm areas of farm with paddy fields to reach at lovely Bhirethati village and then at Nayapul on the road-head of Pokhara and Beni.

From here an interesting drive takes you at scenic and beautiful Pokhara for overnight stops by its famous and serene Lake Phewa.

Cost Information

Equipment

For Head

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sunglasses and Headlight

For Upper Body

1. Water Proof Jacket
2. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
3. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

For Lower Body

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant

For Hand

1. Gloves

For Feet

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

Other Assecories

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toilet paper etc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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