A new trekking route to Tilicho Lake, the world’s highest-altitude lake at 4,919 meters above sea level, has been opened in Manang district.
Previously, trekkers accessed Tilicho Lake from Chame via Khangsar in Manang. However, the new route starts from Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, and passes through Gharpjhong Rural Municipality-5, Thini.
Mohan Singh Lalchhan, the chairperson of Gharpjhong Rural Municipality, shared that domestic tourists have already started using the new route, which passes through Nambkhulek, Nilgiri Icefall, Chhema Lake, and Mesokondo Pass before reaching Tilicho Lake.
“The rural municipality and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) have jointly constructed this new trail,” he said. “Trekkers can now reach Tilicho Lake and return in just two days using this route.”
Locals from Myagdi and Mustang, along with government employees and businesspeople, have started visiting Tilicho Lake via Jomsom. This route requires crossing the Mesokondo Pass (5,120 meters), a challenging high-altitude pass.
Since there are no hotels or restaurants along the trail, trekkers must carry their own food and camping equipment. It takes about two hours by vehicle and six hours on foot to reach the Mesokondo Pass from Jomsom. From there, it’s another hour’s walk to Tilicho Lake.
Tulna Budha Magar from Fulbari, Myagdi, who recently visited Tilicho Lake, said, “The tiredness of the uphill climb was completely forgotten when I saw the stunning view of the blue, still lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains.”
For the fiscal year 2080/081, Gharpjhong Rural Municipality allocated a budget of 5 million rupees for the maintenance and upgrading of the Tilicho Lake trail, while ACAP also contributed 1 million rupees.
The rural municipality has constructed a 22-kilometer trail in various locations of wards 4 and 5 using the Prime Minister’s Employment Program and its own budget.
ACAP has also repaired 950 meters of the old trail and constructed a new 600-meter trail in the Mesokondo Pass region.
Informative signboards and hoardings have been placed along the Jomsom-Tilicho trail, providing information about the high-altitude region, its features, and the surrounding attractions.
Key attractions of the new trail include:
- Tilicho Lake
- Nilgiri Himal
- Nambkhulek Lek
- Snow leopard habitat
- Dhumba Lake
- Hyarzhu View Point
- Thini village
- Historic Gharpjhong Fort
- Kaishyang Camp
- Thakali culture and traditions
- Sheep, goat, and yak pastures
This new trail offers a more accessible and scenic route to one of Nepal’s most iconic natural wonders.
