Tilicho Lake Mountain Biking Tour, Mountain Biking in Tilicho Lake

Trip Overview

Duration : 22 Days
Max Height : 4,919m
Trip Grade : Hard
Accommodation : Lodge/Hotel
Transportation : Bus/Car

Trip Overview

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.

Trip Itinerary

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.