Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek / Narphu and Tilicho Pass Treks

Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek leads 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 throughout 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 the 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.

Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek’s short Itinerary.
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)
Day 02: Drive to Besisahar. (830 meters)
Day 03: Drive to Dharapani. (1960 meters)
Day 04: Trek to Koto. (2600 meters)
Day 05: Trek to Dharmasala. (3220 meters)
Day 06: Trek to Chaku. (3772 meters)
Day 07: Trek to Phu. (4050 meters)
Day 08: Acclimatization day at Phu.
Day 09: Trek to Nar. (4150 meters)
Day 10: Trek to Khang La Phedi. (4530 meters)
Day 11: Cross Khang La (5280 meters) and trek to Ngawal. (3670 meters)
Day 12: Trek to Manang. (3540 meters)
Day 13: Trek to Tilicho Base Camp. (3734 meters)
Day 14: Trek to Tilicho Lake. (4990 meters)
Day 15: Cross Tilicho Pass and trek to Yak Kharka.
Day 16: Trek to Jomsom.
Day 17: Fly to Pokhara.
Day 18: Sightseeing at Pokhara and fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 19: Sightseeing at Kathmandu.
Day 20: Departure.

Detail Itinenary

Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 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

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 the Trishuli River for the most part of the drive. It takes around 6 hours to reach Besisahar. (Overnight at Teahouse)

Day 03

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 Trail. It keeps following the Marshyangdi River for the whole day. This bumpy and exciting ride will take around 5 hours. (Overnight at Teahouse)

Day 04

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 (8136 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 Teahouse)

Day 05

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 Teahouse)

Day 06

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 Teahouse)

Day 07

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 Teahouse)

Day 08

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 Teahouse)

Day 09

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 Teahouse)

Day 10

Trek to Khang La Phedi. (4530 meters)

The day is a shorter one as the trek enters the higher elevations. Couples 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 Teahouse)

Day 11

Cross Khang La (5280 meters) and trek to Ngawal. (3670 meters)

An early start to the day to cross the Khang La. 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 screen leads to a new valley. The 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 Teahouse)

Day 12

Trek to Manang. (3540 meters)

A descend down to the valley and an easy terrain joins the trail back with the road near Mugje. The views of the valleys and Annapurna II (7937 meters), Annapurna IV (7525 meters) can be thoroughly enjoyed during the whole day on this route 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 end 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 Teahouse)

Day 13

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 Teahouse)

Day 14

Trek to Tilicho Lake. (4990 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 Teahouse)

Day 15

Cross Tilicho Pass and trek to Yak Kharka.

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 the crossing of Khang La. (8-9 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

Day 16

Trek to Jomsom.

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. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse)

Day 17

Fly to Pokhara.

An early scenic flight to Pokhara. Views of Annapurna range and the dominating figure of Machapuchhre (also known as Fishtail) (6997 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 18

Sightseeing in 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 19

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 20

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)

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen about safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache