Annapurna via Naar, Phu valley, Tilicho Lake, and Mesokento La pass
Annapurna high route is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Annapurna high routes include Naar, Phu valley, kanga pass (5320m) Tilicho Lake (4900m), and Mesokento La (5100m) pass. It is a relatively new trekking route that was opened to tourists. This Trek is an extension of the Annapurna Circuit Trek and offers a challenging alternative to the Thorong La Pass. Valley. The trek combines two remote valleys - the Nar Valley and the Phu Valley - and offers a unique experience of the remote and unexplored region of Nepal.
The trek starts from the town of Besishahar and follows the same trail as the Annapurna Circuit Trek until Koto. From there, the trail heads north into the Nar Phu Valley, which is a hidden gem of the Annapurna region. The trail passes through remote villages, pristine forests, and high-altitude landscapes with stunning views of the Himalayas.
Nar Phu Valley and kangla pass 5320m
After exploring the Nar Phu Valley and kangla pass 5320m, the trek continues towards Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world. The trail to Tilicho Lake is challenging and passes through rugged terrain and high altitude passes but offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. At the lake, trekkers can take a rest day to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and explore the area.
Tilicho lake and mesokanto la pass
from Tilicho lake we cross the mesokanto la pass. The Mesokanto Pass (5,099m) is the highest point of the trek and offers spectacular views of the Annapurna Range, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, II, III, and IV, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The descent from the pass is steep and requires good physical fitness and trekking experience. The trek ends in Jomsom, where you can take a flight or continue on to the Annapurna Circuit Trek or other treks in the region.
The Mesokanto Pass Trek is a camping trek, which means that you will be staying in tents throughout the trek. You will need to carry your own gear and equipment, including a sleeping bag and warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly at high altitudes. The best time to do the Annapurna High Rout Trek is in the spring (March to May) or in the autumn (September to November) when the weather is clear and the views are stunning.
It's important to trek with a local guide or a reputable trekking company to ensure your safety and to make the most of your experience. The trek can be physically demanding, and the high altitude can cause altitude sickness, so it's important to acclimatize properly and follow the advice of your guide.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our local team warmly welcomes you at the airport. You will then be escorted to the hotel, where you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. The itinerary includes a briefing about the trek's progress and presentation, followed by leisure time. If you arrive in the morning, you'll have the entire day at your disposal. This can be used for rest or for those interested, to explore the surroundings freely. It's an ideal chance to deeply experience Nepalese culture and indulge in the local culinary delights.
Transfer to hotel
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Have breakfast and then you have the whole day to explore the best Kathmandu Sightseeing spots with your guide. You can visit and explore one of the most famous Shiva temples, Pashupatinath, recognized as the monkey temple; Swyambhunath, the largest Stupa in the world, also called Boudhanath Stupa; and finally the Royal Palace, Kathmandu Durbar Square. The next day, you will begin your trek on the Annapurna Circuit, so you have to check your equipment to make sure that you are ready for your adventure and climb. Have dinner and stay overnight in the same hotel in Kathmandu
Day tour
Final altitude: approximately 13,50 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: night in the hotel
We leave by bus for Dumre, 130 kilometers from Kathmandu, on the road to Pokhara. The road offers magnificent views of the Trisuli river valley, then we cross superb tropical landscapes, before going up towards Dumre and having a first vision of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare. From there, we continue towards the north, up to Besi Sahar, by a track that curves in the middle of the rice fields. Then, we take a Jeep to reach Jagat, the starting point of our hike.
Drive in a private vehicle
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
The Marsyangdi River rumbles at the bottom of its gorges, forcing us to cross some beautiful suspension bridges. Just before Tal, the valley suddenly opens up and we can admire the Manaslu (8,163 m). After an ascent along the cliffs, we reach Dharapani by another suspension bridge. We are now in a Buddhist country, which was part of the Gyasumdo region, whose center was Manang, and which traded a lot with Tibet.
6hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1900 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
The path bends sharply towards the west to enter a valley where the vegetation becomes alpine with pines and junipers replacing the virgin forest. We change the level of vegetation. We start trekking at Dharapani. After an hour's walk, we arrive at the village of Bagarchap; a little further, we discover our first "8000"; prayer walls and gompas. In Koto, Annapurna II and Manaslu are in focus.
5 hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 2,600m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
We leave for the first time the traditional classical trek of the Annapurnas, which continues its way towards the west, to engage in a narrow valley to the north, leading to the Tibetan border. From now on, there is a basic lodge or tea house, and the trip takes on a wilder dimension. We will follow the Naar Phu river, with its wooded banks, crossing it and recrossing it before setting up our camp in meta village.
8 hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3,500m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a Tea house
Gradually, we have a clear view of the summit of Kang Guru to the east (6,981 m) and that of Pisang to the west. After an imposing chorten, which marks the entry into Buddhist country, the path rises to reach the village of Meta, built on a plateau. The trail stays high above the river, passing through several hamlets until reaching the Kharka of Junam Goth, We continue on stony moraines before crossing the summer village of Kyang. Then we take a path carved into the cliff at a good height of the river which is now called the Phu Khola. Beyond this rather impressive passage, a course in level curve allows us to find the bed of the river and reach Phu Gate (the door of Phu) which we cross by taking a path in tight zigzags. Behind this passage, we enter an altitude mineral valley in which Buddhist chörtens are placed here and there, reminding us that the inhabitants are of Tibetan origin. We land at the foot of the village on the superb campsite before going to visit this astonishing village with its houses lined up in an arid comb at different levels on the terraces.
7 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3,980m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a Tea house
We redo the opposite path until we come to the sight of Meta and we spin full slope in a sandy descent to join the river. We cross it on a footbridge over a deep gorge where tons of water rush. The camp is on the right bank halfway up the hillside in the middle of a grove of junipers.
5 hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3,600m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a Gumpa
We will go up to the mountain pastures which precede the village of Naar and pass in front of an imposing series of chortens and mani walls. You still have to be careful of the solitary yaks grazing in these wide open spaces and be as humble as possible when going around them... The path now rises to reach a ridge and a high plateau where the village of Naar is spread out. Visit the Tibetan village.
4 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 4,100m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent
Long and splendid day. The path crosses a detrital shoulder before evolving well above the river on a “Nepalese flat”. Then it bends to the south to reach the Kang Pass. From the pass, the view is breathtaking on (almost…) all the Annapurnas (II at 7,939 m, IV at 7,525 m, III at 7,555 m) and the Gangapurna. The descent on the other side is steep towards the village of Ngawal, first in a moraine then in grassy slopes until Ngawal village.
8 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3,600m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
A milder day begins with a beautiful forest path, on a balcony above the Marsyangdi River, before reaching the village of Munje. From now on, the valley is wide, the path flat until the beautiful village of Braga, with its terraced houses, dominated by its very old Gompa. We finally arrive at the Tibetan village of Manang, capital of this small region. This village, at the confluence of two valleys, and framed by several mountain ranges, enjoys an exceptional location. Magnificent and varied views of many Himalayan peaks and their frozen waterfalls.
6 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3,450m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
In Manang, we find the traditional way of the Turn of Annapurnas but it is for immediately leaving it. Here begins our second detour, which will take us to Jomosom, via an altitude path. While the classic path follows the banks of the Jharsang khola river, to then cross the pass of Thorong at 5,416 meters, we will reach the moraine lake, at the bottom of the north face of Gangapurna (7,454 m) before climbing gradually to the village of Khangsar. The last of our route before Jomosom. From the village, very beautiful view, especially on the Tarke Kang (7,202 m). Continuation to the base camp of Tilicho by taking a path traced on the side in sandy slopes.
6 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately t 4,150m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
Now, we are walking in the footsteps of Herzog's expedition in 1950, when they were looking for an access route to reach the foot of Annapurna I. They were the first to reveal the existence of the huge lake that stretches at the foot of the Tilicho peak (7,134 m), they also named "the great barrier", the huge wall that stretches between the Roc Noir (7,485 m) and the northern summit of the Nilgiri (7,061 m). This name imposed itself on the expedition when it became obvious that no passage would be possible through this wall, to reach the slopes of Annapurna I. For two days, we will remain at high altitudes, at most near the summits, on paths that can be covered in snow. This evening, the view from our camp will look down over the Tilicho Lake scoop dominated by the glacial faces of Tilicho Peak.
7 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 5,020m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent
We cross a first pass at 5,345 m before embarking on a long crossing of an often snow-covered plateau to a sign indicating the direction of Mesokanto La. We discover the first surprise of the day, namely that we will have to cross a second pass that you reach by crossing using a small path on the side of the screen in almost a contour line. Then it's a "flat Nepalese" path that will take us to the very end of a ridge where we will cross the Muktinath himal chain via the Mesokanto pass, at 5,100 m. On the other side, at the very bottom of the valley, you can make out the wide bed and the winding meanders of the Kali Gandaki. In the sky, the peaks of Tukuche (6,920 m) and Dhaulagiri, one of the most aesthetic 8,000 m, stand out; while to the north the brown peaks herald Mustang, Dolpo, and Tibet. The descent is a bit long but first, you will have to carefully descend the first meters of a snowy slope sometimes frozen below. At the bottom, we cross the torrent to go up to cross a rocky ridge from which we overlook green mountain pastures. We even distinguish the kharka which will welcome us this evening. Only downside: the path takes its ease to lead us there and we arrive almost at nightfall.
6 hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 4,200m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent
Last day of walking, all downhill, to reach the large town of Marpha, a village surrounded by many orchards where the succulent Mustang apples are grown. Here, in the furrow of the Kali Gandaki, a priori the deepest valley in the world (practically 6,000 m between the peaks of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I) often swept by a violent wind. Last captivating summit: the north face of the Nilgiri (7,061 m), covered with draperies of ice. "Trek is over…"
6hours of walking
Final altitude: approximately 2,600m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a lodge
We end this superb trek by descending by bus to the impressive gorges that the Kali Gandaki has dug. In Beni, the tar continues the journey to Pokhara for a much-appreciated gluteal rest.
Private vehicle
Final altitude: approximately 800m
Meals: breakfast – lunch
Accommodation: night in a Hotel
Flight Pokhara - Kathmandu.
by private vehicle and domestic flight
about 35 minutes
about 1300m
Meals: breakfast –
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
free time depending on the departure time of your flight and our representative will drop you at the airport, ending your journey in Nepal. We hope to be of service to you again. Thank you and safe travels.
Trip Included
- transfers in private vehicles as mentioned in the program.
- 2-night hotel in Kathmandu and 1-night hotel in Pokhara on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis.
- Lodge accommodation as described in the program.
- Full board during the trek except meals mentioned as "free".
- camping equipment
- Supervised by an English-speaking Nepalese guide throughout the trip.
- Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment, transportation, and local tax for guides and porters
- Ground Transportation Charge while returning back to Kathmandu from the trekking destination
- All necessary staff with the experienced leader (guide), and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging
- All necessary paper works; trekking permits.
- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bags, duffel bag, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
- All government taxes, VAT, and service charges
- Farewell dinner prior to departure
- First Aid Kit
Trip Excluded
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
- Travel Insurance
- Any kind of Drinks and Liquors
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
- Optional trips for activities and sightseeing if extended
- All items not listed in Cost included a section
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Tips for Trekking Staff
Tipping is an integral part of the country's culture. This gesture of thanks, which varies according to the itinerary and the duration, has become an obligation. A tip is given at the end of the trip to the members of the team. However, it is important that the tip remains a gratuity, our teams being very well remunerated elsewhere. We invite you to distribute tips only if the service has met your expectations,
Notes: Costs may prone to change in itinerary. So costs will be recalculated if the trekking/tour days get modified.
Note: For unforeseeable reasons at this stage of climatic hazards, form or deformity of the participants or others (state of the roads, traffic, case of force majeure . your guide or guide may have to adapt the program, if necessary for the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and guarantor of your safety. Walking times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
Trip Organization
Your Guide and Team
Your guide, from your arrival in Kathmandu until your departure, is responsible for the success of your trip and oversees your team. Do not hesitate to ask him questions, respect his position as the team leader, and above all follow his advice! Often your guide is the only English-speaking member of the team. In the mountains and, especially when during high-altitude travels, your guide is responsible for the safety of the group. The instructions he gives and the remarks he makes to all participants must be carefully followed. The interest and safety of the trekking group must be preserved, even when it may be to the detriment of an individual member of the group.
Your Nepalese team may consist of several people, each with different responsibilities. They are:
The Guide Leader (Sirdar) is responsible for and leader of the whole team and is treated with respect by all. Often he has earned his position by starting as a porter and rising through the ranks.
The Cook is responsible for all meals and is on a trek that doesn’t use lodges for meals. (camping trek )
The Kitchen-boy is an assistant to the cook. ( camping trek )
The Assistant Guide is actively helping clients under the leader’s direction and set camp.
The Porter is the load carrier for the trekking group. As Nepal is a mountain country with few roads, porters are employed to carry loads. Compliance with regulations and common courtesy dictates the maximum weight carried and the minimum wage paid. Porters are provided with gear based on the routes they follow and with insurance for alpine treks.
Each trekker is allotted the following maximum weights per person: Lodge (tea house) Accommodations: 15 kg maximum; Tent Camping: 22 kg maximum; Expeditions/summit ascents: 20 kg maximum. The porters are given a premium wage for carrying loads over 30 kg. In addition, the Nepal Alpinist Club takes care to take out insurance for the Guide and porters. Specific equipment is allocated to them for crossing passes at altitude (even if wearers often refuse to put on shoes due to lack of habit).
Accommodations in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, you will accommodate in a hotel. We use different hotels depending on availability. The two preferred hotels are:
Hotel Ramada: Located in the heart of Thamel, this hotel is ideal for walking the bustling streets of Kathmandu. The spacious rooms all have a bathroom, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. A fully equipped and active dining room is available for all meals, and the breakfast buffet offers a wide choice of foods. The hotel offers currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Sampada Garden: Located just 20 minutes on foot from Thamel and Durbar Square, this hotel is convenient for exploring Kathmandu. The rooms have all the necessary comforts for your stay: air conditioning, bathroom, and Wi-Fi. Breakfasts are served as a generous buffet. The hotel provides currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Accommodation during the peak climbing
For camping, Tent accommodation: For tent accommodation: during the trek, breakfasts, Lunch, and Dinner are prepared by the kitchen team. They are taken to the mess tent. Depending on the profile of the stages (length of the day's walk and/or presence of water), midday snacks will be served hot or cold in the form of picnics. During the trek, additional energy food is provided. Purchased locally, they offer a more limited. You can, if you wish, bring some complementary cereal bars adapted to your taste
Here is a typical one-day menu:
Breakfast: eggs, toast or chapati, or Tibetan bread or pancakes, or pancakes, butter/jam, tea or coffee
Lunch: a main course, tea or coffee
Dinner: soup, main course, fruit (fresh or canned), tea or coffee
During the trek, tea or coffee is served with meals. Two cups per person are included. Apart from these included menus, other drinks and foodstuffs will be at your expense.
Water: provide tablets (Hydralazine, Micropur, or another type) to disinfect the water you put in your water bottle, depending on the source and on the advice of your guide. It is sometimes possible to buy purified water and refill your water bottle without having to buy bottled water. You can also buy mineral water in the cities (not included in the price) but its ecological balance is poor, as you know. Also, we do not recommend it.
Preparation for the Trek
Preparing for the trek requires several months of preparation with 4 to 6-hour walks every weekend for stamina and participating in a sport that required short periods of high exertion.
Medical check-up
Being in good health is essential to fully enjoy your Alpinist Club trip. If your last medical visit was more than four years ago, please get another general physical exam and tell your doctor the nature of your trip (climate, altitude, difficulty, etc.). The altitude also has the effect of reviving dental problems or other chronic pain, so getting a dental checkup is also prudent. If you are undertaking a high-altitude expedition, we advise you to consult a mountain medicine specialist.
Acute Mountain Sickness
This trip takes place at high altitudes, so some people may experience altitude-related discomforts like headaches, loss of appetite, and swelling of limbs. Most of these symptoms usually go away within a few days, but sometimes they can develop into a serious illness: pulmonary or cerebral edema. There are no preventive drugs for AMS. Diamox diuretic is often effective for symptomatic relief, but you should first check with your doctor to verify that it is not contraindicated for you. Think about it before you go.
Your Personal Trekking
- woolen hat
- fleece hat
- T-shirt
- Thermal full t-shirt
- Fleece jacket
- Down jacket
- light insulating wear (mid-layer)
- Gore-Tex jacket
- Thermal Trouser (base layer)
- Trekking trouser (flexible )
- down pant
- Gore-Tex pants
- Gore-Tex gloves
- thin / warm gloves
- Rain punch
- woolen shock (thick
- sandal
- camp shoes (sports shoe)
- Trekking boot
- sun /glacier glass (uv protection )
- snow gaiter
- sleeping bags
- personal first aid
- pocket knife
- washing soap, towel, tooth pest/ brush
- sun lotion enough +30 /50 & lip guard
- Trekking poles
- headlights, water bottles, Thermos
- books, a camera, playing car
