Best Seasons for Tilicho Lake and Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking:
March to May with September to November months of the year, where March to May most of the days are clear for views with pleasant walks in the shade of mild warm temperature, with much longer sunlight hour the season for wild flowers in full bloom times, especially rhododendron of various species from trees to bush of different colored flowers (national flower of Nepal the rhododendron).
March to May in late afternoon can get cloudy with chances of rain and snow in higher altitude sometimes.
Another best time for trek from September to November around autumn /fall where most days are clear with blue sky and sunny days (for short while from morning till mid day) but much cold and freezing temperatures during morning and night times can expect snow sometimes during the walk on higher areas.
During autumn season where sunlight hours are short, but most of the morning till late afternoon are clear for views and pleasant walks.
People and Culture:
Low warm farm areas of Nepal Mid West are of mixed ethnic tribes of people with mostly Gurung, Magar with some Tamang including Hindu Brahmin, Chettries and Dalits with various cultures and custom with same farm traditional life of both Hindu and Buddhism religion.
Higher Manang Valley populated by Manang ethnic tribes of Northern Annapurna follows Buddhism religion similar culture to Tibetans with colorful impressive custom and traditions, beyond Manang around Kaligandaki within Mustang area inhabited by Thakali.
A tribe of Lower Mustang and of Kaligandaki River Valley of Buddhism religion and cultures, and above Ghorepani other high and mid hills inhabited by Magar and Gurung people of both Hindu and Buddhism religions.
Introduction:
Tilicho Lake and Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking a marvelous combination of adventure walks that leads you to visit and explore both scenic sides of high Manang Valley.
Tilicho Lake and Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking an enjoyable walks of more than two week duration time frame although a high climb within arid and dry air around upper Manang, but rewards you with marvelous scenery with much experience with beautiful country of Nepal Far North Mid-West Himalaya.
The main and major highlights of the journey is walk within scenic Manang valley and magnificent Tilicho Lake enclosed within array of high peaks of northern Annapurna with Chulus includes Nilgiri’s and Tilicho peaks.
Certainly a great wonderful adventure and worth visiting to experience its awesome landscapes and amazing scenery, where walk leads you from low warm farm area after an exciting drive from Kathmandu.
Walk follows to cooler green hills covered within alpine woodland of rhododendron and pines trees where route leads past many charming villages adorned with religious symbol of Buddhism culture on the path within villages.
Slowly heading into high valley of Manang enclosed with great peaks of Annapurna and Chulus an exciting and scenic trek where tree lines stops from here on to reach at main Manang village an interesting place for acclimatization days.
At Manang enjoy rest days with hike to scenic view points and explore local culture of great interest within Manang impressive village, and then head beyond to our actual destination at beautiful Tilicho Lake surrounded by high peaks.
At Tilicho enough time to marvel scenery of great beauty with array of mountain range that reflects on its calm emerald colored glacial lake, regarded as holy by Hindu and Buddhist which is also the highest lakes of Nepal at the height of 4,920 m/ 16,141 ft.
From here after an exciting time head back to join the main Annapurna circuit to cross the highest point of the adventure over high Thorang-la pass located above 5,416 m high with gorgeous panorama of surrounding landscapes and high peaks.
A long descend takes you from the top of Thorang-la pass to reach at Lower Mustang area in Muktinath Temple premises a holy pilgrimage spot where thousands of Hindu followers visits every year to worship the temple of Lord Vishnu in the form of Muktinath means Liberation or Liberty.
After Muktinath our trek ends after last walk to reach at Jomsom a large town and headquarter of Mustang district located with Kaligandaki River Valley, where early morning scenic flight brings you at beautiful and scenic city in Pokhara.
Pokhara a charming place located on the laps of massive Annapurna Himalaya with famous Machhapuchare peak ‘Fish Tail’ and calm lakes of Phewa and Begnas, a marvelous spot to complete our overall adventure and great experience on Tilicho Lake and Semi Annapurna Circuit Trekking.