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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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Itinerary on details
|
S.No. |
Program |
Place |
Activity |
|
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 |
Visit |
|
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 |
Drive |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
Day 09: |
Today we rest at Manang to acclimatise, enjoying the
village and perhaps visiting an old Monastery. |
Lodge |
Rest |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike |
|
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 |
Bike Drive |
|
Day 19: |
A
free day top explore fascinating Pokhara. We could
even explore it by bike. |
Hotel |
Bike |
|
Day 20: |
We take the bus for the 200km drive to Kathmandu.
Overnight at a hotel. |
Hotel |
Drive |
|
Day 21: |
Free day for shopping in Kathmandu. |
Hotel |
Free |
|
Day 22:
|
we Transfer to International Airport and fly home. |
flight |
Flight |
Back
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