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.
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.
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
Day 1
Arrived in Kathmandu, we are greeted at the airport by our local team and transferred to the hotel, to take advantage of a time of rest, briefing of presentation of the progress of the trek, then free time. In case of arrival in the morning, free day: rest or the possibility of making free visits for those who wish. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse you in Nepalese culture and to test the local gastronomy
approximately 15 hours of driving to the hotel
Final altitude: approximately 13,50 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Day 2
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
Day 3
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
Day 4
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
Day 5
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
Day 6
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
Day 7
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
Day 8
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
Day 9
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
Day 10
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
Day 11
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
Day 12
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
Day 13
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
Day 14
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
Day 15
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
Day 16
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
Day 17
Flight Pokhara - Kathmandu.
by private vehicle and domestic flight
about 35 minutes
about 1300m
Meals: breakfast –
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
Day 18
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
- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
- 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.
