‘an adventure crossing three scenic high passes French, Thapa and Mesokanto-La’
Highlights:
“A great exciting adventure from Mt. Dhaulagiri to high scenic valley of Manang On the off beaten tracks on less ventured hidden pockets of western Himalaya Adventure in between high peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya range. From low warm farms to cooler hills towards remorseless fields of ice and glaciers Lovely forest of dense rhododendron and pines to barren arid artic landscapes”
Best seasons for Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La:
The best time for this long, wonderful adventure is in the spring and autumn seasons, spring from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from September to November months.
Springtime from March to May will be much lively with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the magnolia and rhododendrons the national flower of Nepal.
March to May fine clear day most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes on high altitude areas as well on passes. Autumn / Falls another best time for this trek with a fine clear day for views and walks. But days are shorter with sun-light hours, morning, late afternoon, and nighttime temperatures drop to freezing cold around the higher region with the bright starry night sky. Chances of snow on trails as well on passes.
Religion and Culture:
Around the Mygdi and Dhaulagiri region populated by Magar people the mid-hill tribes of Western Nepal follow the Hindu religion and respects Buddhism as well. From Jomsom and onwards around Mustang area populated by Thakali and Bhotia the Manang people, mountain tribes of Mid-West Nepal Himalaya.
The native around high Mustang and Manang Valley follows strong Buddhism religion of age-old culture similar to their predecessors Tibetan, on this trek, you will notice traditionally built houses, where every home is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and religious monuments.
On this trek from Jomsom to Dharapani village, coming across rows of prayer walls, spinning and wheeled prayer with Buddhist stupas, where walking clockwise will be the right way to respect the local culture as well visit interesting monasteries.
Overview
Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La Trek, adventure in-between massif mountain range of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya.
An exclusive journey around high areas of Western Nepal on hidden pockets and a less trekked region. Where only a few groups of adventurers and trekkers seldom dares to venture, far away from main trails and human settlements.
Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La, a pure high altitude adventure crossing three high passes above 5,000 m. The first and highest French Pass at 5, 360 m / 17,585 feet, after trekking past Dhaulagiri base camp.
Trek continues to cross Thapa / Dhampus pass above 5,244 m high, and then on leaving around Dhaulagiri region. Entering Mustang area around Kaligandaki valley at Jomsom, then heading to cross the last final Mesokanto-La pass over 5,099 m.
From the last pass, the adventure takes you to beautiful Tilicho Lake enclosed by towering Annapurna and Nilgiri peaks. Slowly walk leads to scenic Manang valley then reach at the end of the trek at Dharapani village.
Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La Trek starts taking an exciting drive to Pokhara city blessed with natural beauty. From Pokhara heading further west of reach starting point of the trek at Darbang farm village around the district of Mygdi. The adventure begins following the Mygdi River upstream right to its glacial source at Dhaulagiri base camp. As walk heads through many farm villages and well-cultivated land to reach the last village at Bagar.
On leaving Bagar towards complete wilderness till walk takes to another side of Dhaulagiri at Jomsom around Kaligandaki, Mustang area. Trek continues with a climb to a high ridge and then into a dense forest of tall rhododendron, oaks, and pine trees. Walk leads through cattle herder temporary shelters, and then reaching a wide-open area of moraine and glaciers. This glaciated small valley is known as the Italian camp, located beneath the towering South Flank of Dhaulagiri peaks.
From here tree lines and green vegetation disappears as landscapes dramatically change to the moraine, ice, and glaciers. Moving forward with a slow climb crisscrossing over rocks, boulders fed from the moraine and glaciers of Dhaulagiri.
Then climb heads to the base camp of the world’s 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri, facing stunning views of giant peaks and ice-falls. After spending overnight right at the bottom of Dhaulagiri, a steep climb to cross French Pass then reaching Hidden valley. A well-hidden valley enclosed by high mountains with the only outlet by two routes French and Thapa / Dhampus passes.
After a great adventure over a massive glacier, crossing the first highest pass from Hidden valley head towards Thapa / Dhampus pass. From the pass stunning views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya with Nilgiris, as well of Kaligandaki River valley down below. After a great traverse from Dhaulagiri to Mustang areas via Thapa Pass walk heads downhill to Jomsom. The headquarter town of Mustang district, the first town, villages after a week in isolation, from here back into the wilderness. From here adventure heads north of Kaligandaki River Valley towards a wide pasture land to cross the last Pass over Mesokanto-La.
A climb of great effort on rocky faint path encountering boulders and rocks with some steep icy sections. Then reach on top of Mesokanto-La 5,099 m / 16,826 feet high, our last final pass of the adventure. Enjoy the grand vista of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiris with Tilicho peaks, then descend towards beautiful Tilicho Lake.
One of the highest glacial lakes in Nepal, regarded as holy sites by both Hindu and Buddhism followers. A scenic spot enclosed by an array of giant mountains of Nilgiris and Gangapurna and Tilicho peaks. From head up with short climb and descend to Manang valley and the main large village of Manang. Located on a wide picturesque valley in between towering peaks of Chulu’s towards the north with Annapurna range in the south. Manang village provides excellent lodges with an extensive food menu to enjoy on completing a traverse of all three high passes.
After an enjoyable moment at Manang village, the adventure continues heading east direction on leaving the scenic Manang valley. As walk reach you back into the lovely forest of rhododendron and pine trees at Chame a large town and headquarter of Manang district.
From Chame, our wonderful adventure slowly comes to an end on reaching Dharapani village with Manang area. Located on the popular Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit route, spending last overnight stop at Dharapani in the comfort of a nice lodge. The next morning an exciting drive back to Kathmandu via the town of Besisar, after a great adventure around Western Himalaya. On reaching Kathmandu our memorable, overwhelming adventure Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La Trek completes.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,345 m and transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: Kathmandu with sightseeing tour, trek briefing and preparations.
Day 03: Fly or drive to Pokhara 860 m -06 hrs journey (30 mins by air)
Day 04: Drive to Darbang 1,200 m from Pokhara via Beni 900 m -06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Kamala on a river side 925 m – 05 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Bagar 2,375 m -06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2,600 m-06 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Chartare / Bhainsi Kharka / Jungle Camp 3,000 m -05 hrs.
Day 09 Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp) 3, 750 m via Italian Camp -05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Mt. Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,700 m – 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Hidden Valley 5,140 m via French Pass 5,360 m- 05 hrs.
Day 12: At Hidden Valley a free day as contingency rest or explore around.
Day 13: Trek to Alu Bari or Yak Kharka 4,915 m via Dhampus / Thapa-La pass
5,244 m – 06 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom 2,715 m – 05 hours.
Day 15: Trek beyond Kaisang 3,510 m via Thini Gaon – 05 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to base of Mesokanto-La pass near Nama Phu 3,510 m -04 hrs.
Day 17: Cross Mesokanto-La and camp on route Tilicho Base Camp 4,340 m.
Day 18: Visit Tilicho Lake 4, 920 M trek to Tilicho Base Camp 4, 150 m.
Day 19: Trek to Khangsar 3,734 m- 05 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Manang village 3,350 m- 04 hrs.
Day 21: Trek to Pisang village 3,115 m – 04 hrs.
Day 22: Trek to Chame 2,710 m -05 hrs.
Day 23: Trek to Dharapani village 1,963 m – 05 hrs.
Day 24: Drive to Besisar town and transfer to nice lodge.
Day 25: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel-05 hrs.
Day 26: Free day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
Day 27: International Departure homeward bound.