Tilicho Mesokanta Pass Trekking overview

Tilicho Mesokanto Pass is an alternative advance route of most popular Thorong la pass trek in Annapurna region. This is a less crowded trekking route in Nepal. The trail of Tilicho lake Mesokanta pass trekking follows the same track of APC trek till Manang & diverts towards Tilicho lake. After reaching Tilicho lake, trail goes over Mesokanta pass and gets to Jomsom on other side of Annapurna range.

Like Annapurna circuit trek Mesokanto Pass trekking walks you into different ethnic group with villages of Brahaman, Chhetri, Gurung, Magar, Tamang and Thakali community. Variation in culture tradition & landscape of different places is interesting for anyone.

Beyond the villages & culture; trekking on the open pasture and dense forest will enable trekkers to see wild animals. It is common to see animals such as monkey, blue sheep, mountain goat, Ghoral, Himalayan squirrel, Jackal, Porcupine, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan back bear. But endanger snow leopard and red panda are found in the region and rarely seen. Some enthusiast wait for months to sight snow leopard and red panda in the Annapurna conservation area.

Annapurna conservation area also conserves birds sucha as; Cheer pheasant, blood pheasant, red jungle fowl, Chukar Partridge, woodpecker, Barbet, Hoopoe, Cuckoo, Gull, Lammergeier, Vulture, Griffon, Magpie, Bluetail, Snowcock, Impeyan pheasant, Long-tail birds which makes scenery beautiful on trekking to Tilicho mesokanta pass. Thus, wildlife enthusiast can spend wekks wondering in this trekking route.

Best route for the Tilicho lake mesokanta passs trekking is to start from Manang side

Mesokanto pass trek route is easier from anti-clockwise. Crossing the pass from manang side is easier than starting from Jomsom. Gradual climb up from Manang valley with climb of approx. 500 m per day surely ease your Mesokanta pass trekking adventure.

Tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking begins with drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, although you can easily drive all the way to Chame. Chame is headquarter of this region. Trekking along the Marshyandi River through the villages like Pisang – Manang, Khangsar, Sirikharak takes us to Tilicho Base Camp; before the pass. And after the pass of mesokanta; trekkers will get to villages like Marpha, Tatopani, Ghorepani, Ghandruk Poon Hill. Poonhill is one of the famous destination in entire Nepal. From the top of poonhill you can see 2 different mountain ranges- Mt Annaurna range & Mt Dhaulagiri range.

Basic tea houses on the trekking route makes you mesokanta pass a memorable adventure of lifetime. Whereas the nights between Mesokanto pass and Thini village in the Mustang side of Annapurna has to be tented camp. This adds extra flavor in adventure with camping adventure. If you are looking for a combination of camping trekking with tea houses trek – Tilicho Lake with mesokanta pass trekking can be an ideal chpice.

As a local trekking agency in Nepal – Nepalgram adventure operates both budget and luxury trekking package to Mesokanto la pass. The trek is leaded by a professional and experienced field crew who knows in and out of the adventure trekking up and over Mesokanta pass.

Tilicho Mesokanto Pass Trek is thus a best adventure high pass trekking in Nepal located inside the Annapurna conservation area.

Trekking with Nepalgram adventure will be enjoying adventure with exciting times. Our local guides with knowledge on region, route, villages,& their sense of humor will assure your best adventure in Nepal.

What is the best Trekking Season for Tilicho Mesokanto Pass Trekking?

Trekking in Nepal is possible in all four seasons (Spring-Summer-Autumn / fall or winter). But the most popular trekking seasons for tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking is in the spring and autumn. Nepalgram Adventure offers you to consider the following advice on the outstanding aspects of each season.

Autumn (September- October- November):
The autumn season is one of the best seasons for trekking in the Himalayan region which offers excellent weather and clear mountain views. With the weather clear sky to see luring mountains makes the trip best.

Autumn is most favored season for trekking in Nepal Himalaya region as you can also witness several Hindu festivals such as 15 days long Dashain. Dashain is the biggest festival for all Nepalese, celebrating with the triumph of good over evil, and shortly afterward the 5 days long Tihar or Dipawali (Festival of Lights).

Winter (December-January- February):
Winter is prone to snowfall at higher elevations like mesokanta and Tilicho base camp. The snowline descends considerably, and tea houses are cold along the entire route. So it is an ideal time for trekking at lower elevations below 3,000m in the foothills of Nepal. Poonhill trekking & Jomsom muktinath trek in Annapurna region can be an ideal trekking destination for Annapurna region treks, with great views of the Himalayas. Winter gets cold at night and in the mornings, but during the day temperatures are mild when it is sunny.

Spring (March-April- May):
Spring is another best seasons for Tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking in Nepal. Many visitors travel to Nepal in the spring as trekking comes with beautiful rhododendron bloomed in this season. Wildflowers especially rhododendron is beautiful. It is the national flowers of Nepal, comes in varieties from bush to tall trees.

Spring is warmer at mild and visibility is excellent during spring.

Summer/monsoon (June-July- August):
Monsoon season is not recommended for tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking. During summer, regular rainfall makes trail slippery and landslides active. Although summer is a good time for the keen botanists and forest researchers as the higher valleys and meadows gets brightened with flowers and lush vegetation.

In monsoon the rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash are famous trekking destinations of Nepal.

Wet monsoon season starting from mid-June to early September months are tiring with clouds all day covering the snowcapped mountains, although morning are often clear for few hours for the views of sunrise and mountains. The advantages of trekking in the summer or monsoon months is quite trail with few trekkers.

Concluding the best season for trekking in Tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking; best time for Mesokanto pass trekking is Spring (March to Jun) and Autumn (September to December). The temperature is mild during spring and guarantees amazing views throughout the trip. Although this trekking can be done during the winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone. Also the winter trekking over mesokanta pass can be uncertain because of heavy snowfall blocking the passes over the mesokanta la.

Who can do Mesokanta pass trek?

Being a moderate trekker with previous experience of multiday trek is okay. Trekking per day on the base of 5/6 walking hours is sufficient. Having moderate physical fitness is suitable for the trek. Mesokanto pass (Tilicho lake) Trekking is one of the highest passes of the Annapurna area; thus strong physical fitness is advantageous.

If you are an outdoor person – trekking will not be as tough as you are imagining now.

Accommodation on Tilicho mesokanta pass Trekking route

Beyond mesokanta pass all accommodation are tea houses (mountain lodge). A Tea House is a combination of a guest house, restaurant, and social hang out. Toilets are indoor and some of them might as well be attached to your bed room. The rooms are generally with twin beds and little additional furniture like small tables or chairs, rarely. One blankets per bed are generally provided (we recommend that you carry your own sleeping bags – Nepalgram adventure also provides one if you don’t have one – but you need to return at the end of the trip). Most bathrooms are common with squatting (Asian) toilets or of western comfort with sitting toilets. Also there will be hot shower facility, with some places with bucket showers only, but with extra charge in using hot showers. Cold shower are free but not recommended.

How are the Foods like during my trekking?

On our all-inclusive trekking package all meals are included (breakfast with tea, lunch, and dinner provided). Nepalgram provides food from these local lodge/tea houses as per choices on the menu. All the tea houses has basically similar menu – however the price rises with rise in altitude. Every Tea House serves traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), and as well a variety of different food items, such as rice, seasonable vegetables, noodles, Mo:Mo, potatoes, and soups. They also serves western foods such as pizza, pasta, burger, spring roll and French fries.

Soft drinks, snacks, and beer are available in most of the Tea Houses. A variety of cereals, bread, and eggs dishes are generally available for breakfast.

What is the Group Size for trekking

Nepagram adventure organize any route for Tilicho lake mesokanta pass trekking with fix departure basis group joining trip or private trip. The minimum group size would be 1 maximum group size is 8. But if you are from previously known group of trekkers more than 8 can be organized on request.

We can also organize a private trip to a solo person with a single supplement cost. Else, join our estimated group departure dates available on our website after checking availability online or ask us with your personal suitable flexible dates, we will open group date on the same date.

What are the things needed to pack for trekking?

The things you carry can affect the entire experience of your journey. So make sure that while purchasing any gear, make no bargaining on the quality of the equipment.

Clothing

• Quick drying long base layer shirts.
• trekking shirts short sleeve
• Thermal underwear – base layer.
• liner socks
• 3 pair woollen blend trekking socks.
• 2 pair trekking pants with zipping off bottoms
• 2 fleece sweaters – one lightweight, one heavier

 Outer layers

• wind/rain proof overlayer- jacket and pants
• Down jacket. ( -20 D.C )
• down vest
• warm winter hat
• lightweight thermal layer hat
• peak hat
• pair of gloves
• Pair trekking boots.
• Head lamp with extra batteries,
• sleeping bag heavy ( -20 D.C)
• watch with alarm
• Sun glasses ( UV protection )
• Camera with, extra batteries.
• 2-3 portable chargers.

First Aid

• Diamox – for altitude
• Advil
• Aleve
• Vicks vapour rub
• Sunscreen
• chapstick
• Anti nauseant – you tend to feel just a bit nauseous a lot at altitude.
• immodium – diarrhoea is common at altitude.
• bandaids
• blister bandaids or moleskin
• eye drops
• Advil cold and sinus
• Nasal moisturizer – altitude causes nasal cavities to be very dry, nasal moisturizer was very helpful.
• Q-tips
• tweezers
• Tiger balm.

Toiletries

• Foot powder (for Deb’s stinky feet)
• Toilet paper
• shampoo
• soap
• microfiber towel
• Gold Bond – this just feels good all the time