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Tilicho Lake is the highest lake in the world, at 5200m. The lake lies on the north side of the Annapurna Himal, just below Tilicho Peak (7134m). Reaching it is not easy as the route rises to the Mesukantu-La pass at 5300m. But it is an exciting and beautiful route, and one well suited to mountain biking for those with good bike skills. We first explored the route by bike in 2004 and are now very familiar with it.
It is very technical, particularly the downhill section from the Mesukantu-La,
and we do not recommend it for beginners, but with views
of peaks at over 8000m and a variety of landscapes, plants
and animals, it is well worth the effort. At night we stay
in either village lodges or camps.
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Day 01: Pick up from the
International Airport, transfer to hotel and welcome
dinner. Hotel
 Day
02: Sightseeing in the Kathmandu valley. visit
Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Soyambunath
Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar squre.Hotel
Day 03: We take a bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar
(177 km, 5-6 hrs) taking lunch on the way and then
staying overnight in a hotel at Besisahar. At Besisahar
there are shops and a bank, and the entrance to the
Annapurna Conservation Area. Lodge
Day 04: Our trek starts with a ride to Bahundanda
(18km, 650m altitude gain to 1310m, but some covered by
jeep). The biking includes single trails and a technical
crossing of a river tributary on a bamboo suspension
bridge. We then bike through extensive rice terraces
with views of Himal Chuli, Buddha Himal and Manaslu, the
ninth highest mountain in the world at 8156m. Lodge
Day 05: To Tal Manang (12km, 600hm, 1700m, about
40% ride-able). The first section from Bahundanda is a
very technical trail with rocky ups and down. Several
times you will need to push or carry your bike. But the
journey is through a beautiful landscape of waterfalls,
cliffs and gorges of the Marsyangdi River. At Tal there
are lodges and shops. Lodge
Day 06: To Chame Manang (20.6km, 985hm, 2670m,
about 55% ride-able). We continue uphill along a
technical trail to reach Bagarchhap (about 8km), beyond
which the trail heads through a fine area of jungle.
Chame is a district headquarters of the Manang district
and has offices, shops, and lodges. Lodge
 Day 07: To Lower Pisang village (15.2km, 600hm,
3260m, 80% ride-able). The biking is easier today,
following a trail beside the Marsyangdi River which goes
through pine forest with views of the Annapurna Himal.
We still need to push the bikes as we approach the Wave
Rock, a huge rock weathered to look like a wave. Beyond
it the going is easier along a lovely trail through pine
forests. At Lower Pisang there are lodges and after a
rest, and some tea or coffee, we can visit Upper Pisang
which has a 15th century Monastery and amazing views of
the Annapurna range and Pisang Peak. Lodge
Day 08: To Manang village (16.7km, 400hm, 3450m,
95% ride-able). A mostly flat trail, with more fine
views of the Annapurna range and Pisang Peak. Lodge
Day 09: Today we rest at Manang to acclimatize,
enjoying the village and perhaps visiting an old
Monastery.Lodge
Day 10: (90% ride able). Today we bike past
Braga, an unbelievably compact settlement where the old
monastery has a marvelous statue of Buddha. Opposite the
village are the glaciers from Annapurna III and IV, and
the peaks of Gangapurna and Khangsar Kang. We continue
on a broad, ride-able way to return to Manang. The
village of solid stone houses is a real surprise in such
a desert environment. Overnight accommodation in tents
at 3500m. Lodge
Day 11: (50% ride able). We now leave the Round
Annapurna trekking route and bike to Tilicho Base Camp.
This route is rarely used by trekkers and the country is
a little inhospitable, but offers an exciting tour. A
super single-track trail leads past Kangshar (3770 m) to
a desert landscape backed by high, snow- clad peaks. Now
the way is rocky and sometimes narrow, and demands the
highest concentration. Overnight accommodation in tents
at Tilicho Base Camp (4200m). Lodge
Day 12: (50% ride able). Today we reach 5000m for
the first time so we must take it slowly and
concentrate: there  must be no mistakes at this height.
Suddenly the fairy-tale Tilicho Lake emerges before us.
The lake lies in beautiful mountain country: the
Cathedral Glacier flows straight into the lake. Tonight
we camp on a meadow beside the lake at 5010m and enjoy
the marvelous, changing colours of the mountains as
evening approaches.Lodge
Day 13: (50% ride able). We cross a pass east of
the lake. The ascent to the pass, at 5300m, is very
steep and not ride-able. The pass is also sometimes snow
covered, which makes for an exciting ride. We then
descend to Tilicho Camp 2. where we overnight in tents
at 5100m. Lodge
Day 14: (40% ride able). Today, after a short
ascent (which is very rocky and cannot be ridden) we
reach a unique lookout point, a 5200m pass from where we
can see into distant Tibet and into the red landscape of
Upper Mustang. We can also gaze at the enormous wall of
Nilgiri and at Dhaulagiri, which, at 8137m,
is the seventh highest mountain in the world. From the
pass the way is downhill all the way to our overnight
camp at 4300m. Lodge
Day 15: (90% ride able). Today the entire ride is
downhill and not very technical. So it is a very
pleasant day, and one with superb views of Dhaulagiri
and Nilgiri. Our destination is Jomosom, the main town
of the area. Jomosom is famous for its fruit orchards,
the apples and apricots being the finest in Nepal.
Jomoson has an airfield with daily flights to and from
Pokhara, but these are usually only in the morning as in
the afternoon the wind can prevent flying. After we
arrive there is time to enjoy the town life, sauntering
through the streets and lanes. We can also have a very
welcome hot shower and a well-earned rest after the
exertions of the last few days. Hotel accommodation at
2900m. Lodge
Day 16: To Kalopani (24.8km, 2530m, 85%
ride-able). At first we follow the Kali Gandaki river
through the villages of Thakali, Marpha, Tukuche and
Larjung. The next section is easy riding, following a
jeep track to Kalopani, a beautiful village set below
the Dhaulagiri Himal. From the village there is a
panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiri peaks and
Annapurna I. Lodge.
Day 17: To Tatopani, (23km, 1190m, 75%
ride-able). Downhill at first, then a technical section
where we cross a suspension bridge and ride through pine
forest to reach Ghasa where there are several lodges.
From here the trail goes steeply down to the Rupse
waterfall, one of the biggest on the route, where we
have lunch at a restaurant with a fine view of the
falls. Beyond, the trail is much easier, going through
Dana village and crossing rice paddies to reach
Tatopani, a small town on the north bank of Kali Gandaki
River. This is a great place to stay as there are hot
springs and cold beer. Lodge
Day 18: To Beni Baazar (24km, 830m, 90%
ride-able). The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River
through the world's deepest gorge to reach Beni. This is
a fun day, with an excellent trail and a section of new
road. Beni is the headquarters of Parbat District and
has many shops and hotels. From here we take a bus for
the 78km to Pokhara. Hotel
Day 19: A free day top explore fascinating
Pokhara. We could even explore it by bike. Hotel
Day 20: We take the bus for the 200km drive to
Kathmandu. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 21: Free day for shopping in Kathmandu. Hotel
Day 22: we Transfer to International Airport and
fly home.
Itinerary on details
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