AROUND DHAULAGIRI AND TILICHO LAKE VIA MESOKANTO-LA PASS TREKKING

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, received by our guides and staff for short transfer to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city.

Checking your lovely room, and after a refreshing rest join with other members of
Manaslu & Tsum Valley Hidden Lakes Trekking. Our guide or group leader brief you about the treks, do’s and don’ts, local culture, as well camping, foods and of lodges on route trek.

A full good information which will help to enjoy your adventure with us, followed with welcome group dinner in a Nepalese restaurant with folk-culture program as entertainment while you enjoy the dinner.

Morning after breakfast at given time, our city guide will meet for interesting sightseeing of best world heritage sites around Kathmandu.

Tour includes old Durbar (royal palace and courtyard) square, with Temple of Kumari (Living young virgin Goddess). Visit famous Nepal landmark Swayambhunath Stupa a 2,500 years old, a Buddhist Stupa with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Afternoon tour of holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath and visit Bouddhanath, Asia’s largest Stupa with four cardinals eyes of Buddha surrounded with prayer wheels and small market, this place is also known as Little Tibet due to strong Tibetan influence.

After an exciting day tour back to hotel for Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La trek preparation with last minute briefing from your leader and guide.

Morning drive either in a car, coach or in regular tourist bus as per size of a group as drive heads on Kathmandu-Pokhara busy highway. An exciting ride to catch glimpse of beautiful landscapes with farm villages and towns.
Journey continues facing views of snow peaks and then finally drive ends on reaching our overnight destination in Pokhara. A beautiful scenic city, located on a valley with ever present close views of Annapurna and Manaslu Himalaya with majestic Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish Tail Peak.
At Pokhara, transfer into a nice hotel close to Phewa Lake with time for leisure stroll on the lake side, lined with fancy shops, stores, restaurants and many good hotels.
(Option of flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara a 30 minutes by air facing sweeping panorama of Central and Western Himalaya range)

Enjoy the morning views of Annapurna peaks and then after breakfast another interesting drive to the starting point of our trek. On leaving Pokhara valley heading further west with grand views of Annapurna Himalaya.
A scenic drive around low warm farm lands and rural village then reach at Beni.
The headquarter town of Mygdi district and Dhaulagiri region, from here drive on rough winding country road following Mygdi River to Darbang. A farm village in near future it will be a town due to motorable road at the junction of various trekking routes that leads to Dolpo and to our destination towards Dhaulagiri base camp and beyond. At Darbang overnight in best available local lodge and enjoy the time exploring around area of Magar the hill tribes of western Nepal.

Morning start our first day walk of the adventure, from Darbang with two trails to begin our trek, using the old or new short route new trekking route. The old leads to Mure a large Magar village, choosing the new shortest path to Bagar village.
Adventure begins following the Mygdi River past rural farm areas to reach our first overnight camp at a small farm village called Kamala. After a pleasant first day walk of the journey. Tented camp is places on farm field close to the river and enjoy the afternoon splashing in the cold refreshing river.

After first overnight in tented camp, morning after good breakfast prepared by our camping cook and staff, walk starts following the river for few hours to a small farm village of Juge-Pani. Situated in between route to Bagar and Mure villages, stopping here for hot lunch, served by our camping cook. Afternoon begins with steep climb for more than an hour to reach on top of a ridge, covered in dense rain forest.
From the top, an easy gradual walk and downhill to Bagar for overnight camp close to this village. This will be the last village or human settlement for some days till our journey reach at Jomsom town on the other side of Dhaulagiri.

On leaving the last farm Bagar village, after breakfast walk on gradual path for short while, and then leaving the river behind as climb leads to steep uphill and then downhill into deep forest of pines and rhododendron tree lines to a small clearing amidst forest surrounding at a place called Dovan for overnight camping.
A small meadow and a grazing land of local cattle herders with small temporary shelter of huts and shades.

From Dovan clearing our camp sites, after a good breakfast walk into woodland and over a wooden bridges above a tributary streams, as walk continues within cool shade of forest then reaching our overnight camp, around a small grassy field in the midst of a dense woodland. This area is called Chartare or Bhainse Kharka means a place for domestic cattle summer grading area, also known as Jungle Camp for many other trekkers.

Today walk leads closer to massive peaks of Dhaulagiri range, morning starts heading due west after few hour tree lines and lush vegetation gives away to mountain barren and arid landscape. On leaving the forest entering a wide small glaciated plateau at Italian Camp, in early day’s Italian expedition set their camp for the climb to Mt. Dhaulagiri, and hence since then known as Italian Camp.
Located right on beneath Southern Flank of Mt. Dhaulagiri, from here walk over moraine and glaciers with short climb to a grassy path to our overnight camp at a small spot called Pakhaban or Japanese Camp. The area offers close views of
Putha Huin-Chuli, Mana-Pathi with Mt. Dhaulagiri and Tsaurabong Peak.

After an overnight camp around remote corners of western Himalaya, morning walk from here leads to cross over glacier and boulders of ice and rocks. As walk follows crisscrossing over moraine and glacier then arriving at one of our first highlight at Dhaulagiri base camp for overnight camp. Tents are pitched on best available rocky level ground with closest view of Dhaulagiri and Ice Fall with Tukuche peak.

From here adventure continues walking on glacier, moraine with rocky small path heading uphill on gradual slope to reach at French Pass, the highest and first pass of the trek. From the top enjoy grand views of Mt. Dhaulagiri-I (8,167 m) with Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.) and Dhaulagiri IV
(7,618 m.). Includes Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang 5,386 meters,
The top marked with stone cairns and Buddhist prayer flags, after enjoying beautiful views of snow peaks, a short descend to Hidden Valley enclosed by array of peaks and rocky high cliffs. A large valley situated close to Mygdi, Mustang and Dolpo areas, overnight camp is set on the hard grassy ground.
The area around Hidden Valley a summer pasture and grazing field for Yaks and other cattle of nearby Mustang and Kaligandaki villages.

A rest and free day, after continues walk for a week enjoy the day relaxing or with shirt hike to explore around this pristine location. Where very few groups of trekkers and adventurers hardly venture.

After an enjoyable rest at Hidden Valley, morning walk heads east on pleasant small path of scree and rocks to cross the second pass of the adventure. The pass of Thapa or Dhampus with the same name of a small peak close to the high ridge.
A short climb to the top of second pass of the adventure, facing outstanding views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of peaks, as well looking down towards Kaligandaki River valley. From here leaving the Mygdi area for Mustang district and onward to Manang, a long downhill back into vegetation short bush of Burberry, juniper and rhododendron. The area around is called Yak Kharka or Alu Bari, a temporary settlement of Yak herders during grazing season growing some vegetable and potatoes. Where our overnight camp is set facing grand views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya range.

From this isolated camping spot head downhill into woodland as walk continues with long descend where splits route of Jomsom and Marpha. Taking the higher path above the main trail of Jomsom and Marpha as walk leads to a large town at Jomsom the headquarter town of Mustang district.
Enjoy the afternoon in this lovely town of Thakali people the tribe of Kaligandaki valley follows Buddhism religion and culture, Jomsom with many good lodges and lovely foods to enjoy.

After a relaxing and pleasant time at Jomsom in the comfort of nice lodge
enjoying lovely moments. From Jomsom our next last adventure leads across
Kaligandaki River to a nice village Thini Gaon with beautiful garden of apples
orchard. As walk heads further north on a wide pasture field for overnight camp
at a place called Kaisang, situated beneath close to Mesokanto-La and Nilgiri
peaks.

From here a short walk of few hours to Nama Phu and the base of Mesokanto-La
Pass, a great scenic morning walk facing Mt. Dhaulagiri in the south-west with
Nilgiris peaks towards east. As trail gradually climbs towards our overnight camp
as well for lunch stop. Rest of the afternoon relax and marvel the surrounding
beautiful scenery.

Start the climb after early breakfast, as well carrying pack lunch for the long day
a steep haul on rocky path, a steady climb of few hours to reach on top
Mesokanto-La, the lowest pass at 5,099 m / 16,826 feet. In comparison to other
two high passes that we crossed around Dhaulagiri.

From the top enjoy mind blowing panorama of high snow mountain range that
Encircles the pass of Mesokanto-La, marked with rock cairns and old Buddhist
prayer flags. Enjoying grand vista, descend to the base of the pass and walk
on route to Tilicho Lake for overnight camp on the best available level ground.

From the camp in the middle of Mesokanto and Tilicho Lake, walk on rugged
barren terrain around windswept landscapes to reach close to Tilicho Lake.
In the first place taking the route to the lake bypassing Tilicho Base Camp, a walk
of few hours to reach the shore of beautiful turquoise colored Tilicho Lake.
Regarded as a holy and the highest glacial around Nepal Himalaya range, after a
wonderful time at the lake of Tilicho, an up then down to overnight stop at
Tilicho Base Camp, a place with few simple lodge.

After an enjoyable and mesmerizing journey crossing all three high passes, from
here onwards walk is easier, as altitude drops. Walking for few hours to a small
place of Shree Kharka with few lodges facing grand views of Gangapurna and
Tilicho peaks. Stopping here for possible lunch stop, walk continues to Khangsar
for overnight stop, a nice village with Tibetan style houses and the first village
after Jomsom and Thini-Gaon.

An easy morning walk on gradual path, as route leads on main trail of famous and popular Annapurna Circuit trail that also leads to high Thorang-La Pass from Manang village. Slowly morning walk comes to an end on reaching at main Manang village, a lovely place located on a scenic valley in between Chulu and Annapurna mountain range. Manang with many good lodges serving excellent meals long list of food menu to enjoy.

Today a short day walk to Pisang village from Manang, enjoy the morning with clear views of high snow peaks. After an hour or less coming across a nice village of Braga, the place is famous for its old monastery perched high from the main trail. Visit the monastery of great cultural and historical interest along with super
panorama of Annapurna and Chulu mountain range with Pisang peak.

After an interesting tour of the monastery walk continues reaching Hongde a village with a small airstrip, that often flies to and from Pokhara. From here a slow climb to a high ridge within forested area, offers grand views of Manang valley with high snow peaks. Having a short break descend to Pisang village for overnight stop in one its best lodge.

Morning from Pisang village an easy walk on almost flat trail, and then climb to a high hill top at Dukure Pokhari, a small place with few shops and lodge facing grand view of Pisang peak and of the Manang valley.

After a short refreshing stop descend to a fast flowing stream, the cross a bridge towards Bratang village. From here a lovely walk in the woods following Masrsyangdi River to Chame, a large town and headquarter of Manang district with many good lodges for overnight stay.

From Chame rest of the walk is more pleasant as elevation drops as walk continues downhill past Koto, and then a short climb to Timang a large village of
Magar tribe, situated right behind of Lamjung Himal. From here excellent views
of Manaslu Himal. Enjoy lunch or refreshing stop and then downhill to Danaque and Bagarchap village, as walk completes on reaching a nice village at Dharapani.
A nice place situated on the main trail of Annapurna and Manaslu circuit route, at Dharapani our trekking completes and enjoy the afternoon as well rest of the day in the comfort of nice lovely lodge.

On completing our wonderful adventurous walks at Dharapani, morning after a good breakfast few hour of interesting drive downhill to Besisar, large town and district headquarter of Lamjung area. Located on a warm semi-tropical valley with rich agriculture farm fields. On reaching Besisar town transfer into a nice hotel or lodge for last overnight stop around Mid-West of Nepal.

From Besisar town, depart for Kathmandu where morning drive heads towards Trisuli River then over a bridge to Malekhu town, from here on main highway as drive continues on winding road to Kathmandu. On reaching at Kathmandu transfer to your hotels, afternoon free for individual activities.

A free day one can relax or join in for another tour around Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur or enjoy individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Last day in Nepal as per your international flight time, our staff and guide transfer you to the airport for homeward bound. After a great time and adventure Around Dhaulagiri & Tilicho Lake via Mesokanto-La trekking.