This trek is designed for adrenaline seekers, combining white-water rapids with challenging terrain and high-altitude passes. The journey culminates with an exhilarating paraglide back to town. This route offers everything you could want from a trip to Nepal—a truly life-changing adventure!
Day 0 – Meet in Pokhara
We will meet in a designated hotel in Pokhara during the evening. Here we will brief you on the upcoming adventure and answer any questions you may have. The trip includes a welcome dinner and a night's stay in the hotel.
```htmlDAY 01 – Morning briefing and hit the road
After breakfast and loading up the jeeps, we will hit the road to our starting point, which is Syange/Jagat. After arriving, we can set up in our lodging and then stretch our legs to get a feel for the mountains, take in the views as the sun goes down, and brace ourselves for the beginning of a life-changing trek!
Day 02 - Syange/Jagat trekking to Dharapani
The trail continues zigzagging across the right side of the Marsyangdi River. The course goes uphill after crossing the suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. The trail gradually steepens and flattens out as it reaches Tal. Tal is famous for its valley views and waterfalls. We enter the Manang district, and the Tilicho Lake trek trail continues. We pass through barley, rice, and potato fields, and pine forests past the village of Khotro (1,860m). We descend into a forest, cross a long suspension bridge, and walk through charming Alpine courtyards. Passing through Karte and Nache village, the new trail continues to a stone Kani, making a formal entrance to Dharapani. Dharapani is a junction for the Manaslu round and the big towns in the Manang valley.
Day 03 - Dharapani trekking to Chame
After registering at the ACAP office, we gradually climb over a spur. We walk to Bagarchhap (2,160m) through a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple, and oak. The Tilicho Lake trek trail stays on the south bank of the river. It climbs through forests to Danaque (2,210m), a valley surrounded by apple orchards. We climb steeply along a crisscrossing section of the road through a rhododendron forest. The Tilicho Lake trek trail climbs along the mule track in a fir forest. Then, it follows the river for a time among the higher oak and maple trees. At the entrance to Chame is a long wall with many prayer wheels. It is the administrative headquarters of the Manang district. From here, you can enjoy fine views of Lamjung, Annapurna II/IV (7525m). Stay overnight at the guest house.
Day 04 - Chame trekking to Pisang
After an early morning breakfast, your Tilicho Lake trek journey will start from Chame. After walking uphill for at least an hour, you will reach Dhukuri Pokhari at an altitude of 3060m. It is beautiful around there. Cross to the right side of the river and pass through the dense alpine forest to reach a small village. After resting there, you will move toward Upper Pisang. Annapurna and Pisang peaks surround Pisang. The best part is that walking will be much easier today.
Day 05 - Pisang to Manang
As usual, you will be continuing your Tilicho Lake trek journey. We will be heading towards the beautiful valley of Manang. Manang is 22km from Upper Pisang. There will be an option for you to choose the route from Pisang, either from the North or South. The northern way passes through Ghyaru and involves more climbing, but it offers a magnificent view of the Snow Peak Mountains. The southern route passes through beautiful houses with less climbing than the northern route. Both valley ways meet at Mungji. They pass through gorgeous mountain peaks and landscape views. You can finally reach Manang Valley through Bryanga.
Day 06 - Entering Mustang
This is a day for us to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge our batteries. As we prepare to head further up in altitude towards the world's highest lake and then over the infamous Thorung La pass, acclimatization is fundamental to ensuring a safe and successful push over the pass and into the forbidden kingdom of Mustang.
Day 07 - Manang trekking to Khangsar Village
We depart from Old Manang and pass by Chorten to reach the Marsyangdi River on our Tilicho Lake trek trail, crossing a beautiful suspension bridge over Jharsing Khola. There is a small glacial lake at the foot of an enormous icefall descending from the northern slopes of Gangapurna. The trail stays close to the riverbed, and we will arrive at the small village of Khangsar. From here, a superb view of the Great Barrier opens up. There, you find a small monastery, Chorten, Mani walls, and prayer flags. Stay overnight in a basic lodge at Khangsar village.
Day 08 - Khangsar Village trekking to Tilicho Lake base camp
Today, we will walk on the climbing trail for the first half. We will pass by a Gompa and a small Chorten. The Tilicho Lake trek trail goes through juniper and sea buckthorn bushes. It is very famous for its route to drinking sea buckthorn juice. Tiny crystals entirely cover the path, and shrubs cover both sides. We will also cross small streams from Mount Annapurna. After the wearying climb, you reach a crest (4650m) with prayer flags. Then, through a series of zigzags, the downhill trail brings you to the Tilicho Base Camp Hotel. We get the best close views of Tilicho Mountain and many others. There is no guest house at Tilicho Lake Trek, so we will spend the night at a basic local guesthouse.
Day 09 - Tilicho Base Camp trekking to Tilicho Lake and trek back to base camp
Today is challenging and exciting for our Tilicho Lake trek, as we will see Tilicho Lake. The first part of the trail to the lake goes through a side valley, then traverses onto a moraine, climbing to 4710m. We can see a great view of Mount Tarkeghyang, Gangapurna, and the Khangsar Kang. You are at Tilicho Lake, the highest lake in the world at (4920m). The water, sometimes turquoise, reflects the surrounding peaks. Most of the time, the water is frozen. Spend your best time here taking some snaps of the lake and mountains. We will trek down to Tilicho Base Camp in the same way for an overnight stay.
Day 10 - Yak Kharka
Today’s trail will lead you out of the Marsyangdi valley as you leave behind the trees and enter a rather sparsely vegetated area. The trail will pass through Khangsar village and continue uphill alongside Thorung Khola. You will cross a long Mani wall and walk through meadows with grazing yaks to arrive at the temporary yak herders’ settlement in Yak Kharka. You will have a beautiful vista of the surrounding mountains like Tilicho Peak (7134m), Khatungkang (6484m), Chulu (6584m), and so on from Yak Kharka. Overnight in Yak Kharka.
Day 11 - Thorung Phedi
Leaving Yak Kharka, you will ascend towards Ledar. Accompanied by the continuous view of the surrounding peaks, you will walk through towering cliffs to reach Thorung Phedi. You’ll pass small teashops on your way to Thorung Phedi. From Thorung Phedi, a close-up view of Thorung Peak (6144m), Syagang (6026m), Khatungkang (6484m), Purbung Himal (6590m), and others can be observed. Overnight in Thorung Phedi.
Day 12 - Thorong La
Today’s trek will begin early in the morning as you will be crossing one of the highest passes in Nepal, Thorong La Pass (5416m), which connects Manang with Mustang. The climb to Thorong La Pass is quite challenging as you will be required to walk on the moraines on a frozen path. After reaching the top, however, you will realize that your journey was worth it as the snow-capped mountains smile back at you. Later, you will descend alongside Thorung Khola to arrive at the holy temple of Muktinath and the beginning of our journey through the magical kingdom of Lower Mustang.
Day 13 - Muktinath
Early in the morning, you will visit Muktinath, one of the great religious sites of Hindus. The trail will then lead you to the apple orchards of Kagbeni. Then, you will follow the trails on the riverbed of the Kali Gandaki River as you move forward with a view of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) and other snowy peaks. You will cross a concrete bridge over the Kali Gandaki River to enter the windy town of Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom.
Day 14 - Marpha
Follow the Kali Gandaki Gorge, beneath the great peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna via Dumba Lake to Marpha. The trail now follows the jeep track down the Kali Gandaki River to the outskirts of Jomsom, a large administrative center at 8,900ft (2,713m). Depending on the seasonal weather, at certain times of the year when the river level is low, we can walk along the rocky riverbed. We do not cross the river into Jomsom but instead stay on the left side of the valley and trek to the village of Thini, where we stop for a tea break. From here, it is about 30 minutes to the very small Dumba Lake, which is considered holy by the local Thakali people. A short climb brings us to Dumba Gompa for magnificent views of the Kali Gandaki Valley, Dhaulagiri, and Tukuche Peak. From the gompa, we have two trails—the shorter one descends through Dumba village to the suspension bridge across the Kali Gandaki to Marpha. Another longer trail continues on the same side of the river towards the Tibetan refugee camp of Chairo. A bridge crossing the Kali Gandaki takes us to the pretty village of Marpha with its clean paved streets and whitewashed houses. Marpha is famous for its locally made apple and peach brandy, which you might like to sample to celebrate your crossing of the Thorong La.
Day 15 - Larjung
Continue following the Kali Gandaki Valley to Larjung. Today we follow the Kali Gandaki Valley, a major trade route. We are now in the deepest gorge in the world; to the east, Annapurna I rises to 26,545ft (8,091m), to the west, Dhaulagiri soars above us at 26,795ft (8,167m). Leaving the dry, barren landscapes, we walk through pine, cypress, and juniper forests, sometimes on the valley floor and at other times on a trail high above. From Marpha, we cross back over the Kali Gandaki to avoid the road. Walking through fir and pine forests, we climb up to the pretty Thakali village of Chimang. Descending to a side stream, we follow the side valley down for a short while before climbing again into the forest. We ascend for about an hour, and then the trail undulates for a while before descending to the valley floor at Sauru. We stop here for a break and then cross the Kali Gandaki to Kobang and onto Larjung. We stay tonight in a simple lodge. In the afternoon, we walk up to Naurikot, another traditional Thakali village, for sunset views across the valley on Niligiri.
Day 16 - Ghasa
Cross the Kali Gandaki and trek through Titi Tal, Kunjo to Ghasa. From our lodge, we cross the Kali Gandaki to Sirkung. It’s then an easy climb up through the forest to Titi Tal, a very small lake (pond) but an important marsh zone for waterbirds in the Mustang area. We follow the trail through Taglung to Kunjo, where we have a simple Nepali lunch. After lunch, we descend steeply through the forest to a rocky riverbed. Crossing a suspension bridge, we have a gradual climb up to Jhipre Deurali. The trail then descends to cross the Kali Gandaki, where we join the road. We have approximately one hour of road walking until we reach the start of the trail to Ghasa. We leave the road and walk through the old part of Ghasa to reach our lodge for the evening.
Day 17 - Tatopani
Follow an undulating trail through small settlements to Tatopani, famous for its hot springs. From Ghasa, we follow the road for 30 minutes and then cross the river on a suspension bridge. The trail now climbs high above the river to Pairothaplo and then descends to Kopchepani. Across the river, we can see the huge waterfall at Rupse Chhara. We continue on the same side of the river and follow the rollercoaster trail up and down all morning. We have lunch in the small village of Narcheng before continuing past a hydroelectric project just before Tatopani. A suspension bridge brings us right into Tatopani, where we spend the night. Tatopani means ‘hot water’ and is famous for its hot springs just below the village. There is time in the late afternoon to enjoy a welcome soak—guaranteed to ease any aching limbs!
Day 18 - Thulo Dhunga River Beach
We start with a short jeep drive to the Kali Gandaki gorge, where we can begin with a safety demonstration and instruction on different paddling techniques. After that, we set off on a wild day rafting the Little Brother (-4) and Big Brother (+4) rapids. Our first overnight camp will be made at Thulo Dhunga River Beach.
Day 19 - Morning rapids
After breaking camp the next day, we refresh the paddling skills learned yesterday before heading straight into a full day of rafting, starting with some Morning Rapids (4). After lunch beside the river, we continue our adventure downstream to White Sands Beach Camp.
Day 20 - Mirmi to Sarangkot
On the third morning, we leave our beach camp and tackle the final rapids of the Kali Gandaki. We then paddle gently downstream with plenty of opportunities for swimming. We arrive at our takeout point at Mirmi, and after packing up and a picnic lunch, we depart by bus to Sarangkot, where we will catch the sunset over Pokhara city and the beautiful mountains and lakes, followed by a BBQ party and a finale celebration with live music and lots of tasty food.
Day 21 - Goodbyes
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise across the mountain range followed by a light breakfast and coffee. Then, gear up to hit the skies and paraglide back into town. Pick up at the landing site and back to the hotel in Pokhara, lunch, and farewell!
```
