Naar Phu & Tilicho Lake High Passes

15 Days

An unforgettable journey into the hidden valleys of Naar & Phu and over the challenging Mesokanto La.

Overview

An unforgettable journey into the hidden valleys of Naar and Phu and over the challenging Mesokanto La.

The spectacular and remote Naar Phu Valley only opened up to tourists in 2002. This Valley, tucked away between Annapurna and Manasulu offers a rare glimpse into an unchanged culture and scenery, well off the beaten tourist path. The trails are rarely ridden by bikers and offer a unique challenge. The trip has the feel of a remote expedition, with simple, yet welcoming facilities on the way. The scenery is stunning and the rideable trails are super fun. There are some hard sections of carrying, but they are duly rewarded with fantastic downhills.

After crossing the Kang La, the ride crosses the Annapurna Trail at Manang before heading onto the Tilicho trail. Here you must cross the foreboding Mesokanto La, high above the aqua blue waters of Tilicho lake. Here you will feel like you are in the remote Himalayan wilderness.

This trip has many alternatives in length and can be ridden as Naar Phu only, Tilicho only or combined with a longer trip around Annapurna and into Upper Mustang. Let us know if you need further information about the options.

This journey has its moments of hair raising cliff side trails, tough bike carrying sections and simply unforgettable downhills. Off the bike, the local culture is authentic.

Trips Highlights

  • – Crossing the Thorong La Pass
  • – Mountain Biking one Of the Worlds Longest Downhills
  • – Rafting on one of Nepal’s Most Beautiful Rivers
  • – Journeying through the Deepest Gorge in the World

Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Nepal, a member of our team will meet you at the Airport and transfer you to the Hotel. We have a meet and greet with the Guide/Trekking team for a trip briefing and gear check. We also treat you to a welcome dinner of Nepal’s Traditional dish Dal Bhart (Rice, Lentil Soup and lots of Yummy side dishes).

Today we prepare for the trip and check all the gear and bikes. We ride out 3 to 4 hours in the Shivapuri National park and down the Heli Pad trail.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel (BB)
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne

Takes the best part of all day, we leave early and hopefully reach there before dark. After Besisahar the journey is rough and rugged.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

22km – 3 to 4 Hours uphill on jeep tracks. The pace is steady as we pedal up alongside the Maraysandi River. You will feel the altitude as we climb. Today follows the main Annapurna Circuit and for the most part is on a jeep track, with some sections of side trails through villages.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Back track a little to Koto, from here we leave the Annapurna Circuit and head into Nar Phu Region. Today is mostly climbing. The trails are 60% ridable and 40% carry.
The first section takes us through a pine forest and is mostly rideable to the lunch stop. After lunch we face cliff side single tracks with some landslide areas, here care should be taken and the last steep section to Meta is quite challenging push/carry section. The trail opens out to a wider valley vista and the snowy mountains of Kangar and Pisang Peaks can be seen.
The accommodations here are simple but clean and homely.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s trail is only around 13km, and has some uphill. It mostly singletracks up the valley to Kyang. We are going to take it easy to Acclimatize.
You cycle past Buddhist Chortens and have good views of Phu along the way. 2 hours Beyond Kyang is the Ancient village of Phu (4080m) Here you can visit the Dzong (Tibetian Style Fortress). This side trip can be done in this afternoon or the following morning. Phu is the highlight of the trip and worth spending time there. Though currently the accommodation is limited and its better to sleep in Kyang for the acclimatization and facilities.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Kang, we roll back down the valley towards Meta. To Mahendra Phul (the bridge) its single track downhill. After the bridge it’s mostly climbing and sections of pushing with some nice ridable sections also. It’s a total of 15km and takes 3 to 4 hours. There are good views along the way. Once you get to the Mani Wall it’s a lovely ride into the village of Naar.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Naar we head along a nice single track to Kangla basecamp which is steady uphill but mostly rideable. Once we cross a suspension bridge things get a little narrow and steep and we have to push up to the pass.
After the pass, the first 1.5km is steep and tight switchbacks which might be better to be walked. After that the rest of the way is good single track downhills, with nice flow all the way to Humde airport at 3280m.From Humde it’s a steady inclined pedal up to Manang 40 mins to 1 hour.
Riding distance is 21km and it takes 6 to 7 hours.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You can ride all the way from Manang to the village of Kangsar (3743m) to get to Kangsar we turn off the main Annapurna Trail and enter the trail to Tilicho. After Kangsar it gets steep and we have to Push/Carry up to Shree Kharka. After Shree Kharka we have to cross the landslide area, the area is currently being stabilized and its mostly downhill singletracks and a good part rideable. It takes a total of 5 to 6 hours to reach Tilicho Base Camp where we overnight in a Teahouses. There are really good views of Gangapurna and Annapurna III.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long day and we must carry snacks along the way. Expect to be moving for 11 to 13 hours in total.
From Tilicho base camp we still have to climb up to the lake, its steep and sketchy and it takes 3 to 4 hours going slowly. The lake is situated at 4900m. We can take rest here and enjoy the views of Tilicho Peak and the Annapurna Ranges.
We move on towards high camp. Before we get to the Mesokanto Pass proper, we have to cross the Eastern Pass at 5340m. The views throughout are stunning. Once over the pass, the first 200m is very steep and better to push/walk the bike. The rest is 2600m of switch-backing descent, some steep, some with good flow all the way to Tinigoan or Jomsom, whichever you prefer to stay. It’s an epic day and a rewarding challenge.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This is a fun day of vehicle assisted riding around some of the best single tracks in the region including Lubra Valley. Enjoy a day of not having to pedal uphill. End the day in the beautiful hospitality of Marpha.

Accommodation: Teahouse
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A long, fun downhill, mostly on Jeep Track. If you are a serious technically skilled rider you can tackle the staircase trail on the opposite side of the river. Around 49km all the way downhill.
Once in Beni we drive the 2.5 hours to Pokhara.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel (BB)
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take a free day in Pokhara to enjoy this chilled out lakeside vibe with dramatic views of the Himalaya looming above the town. You can join in some other adventure activities like Stand Up paddle boarding on the lake, Paragliding, Zip Line or Yoga/Meditation.
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

We have a relaxed morning in Pokhara before taking the early afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport and join our team for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel (BB)
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our trip ends here, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
Accommodation: None
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes

  • Airport Pick up on arrival and drop off after the trip
  • Mountain bike and gears (please ask specification after letting us your bike size)
  • Mountain Bike Guide and Porter
  • Food and accommodations (first day dinner to final day breakfast)
  • TIMS and Permit
  • All the transportation
  • Safe drinking water
  • Food, accommodations, salary, insurance and transportation for supporting staff

Cost Excludes

  • Cost Excludes
  • Visa fee to Nepal
  • Flight to and from Nepal
  • Domestic flights
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Dual suspension bike( 400 euro extra for the biking trip)
  • Beverage/soft drinks and mineral water in mountains
  • Travel, activity, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
  • Tipping for guides, porters and supporting staff

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Naar Phu & Tilicho Lake High Passes

Trip Facts

  • Jeep, Airplanes
  • Three star hotel and mountain lodges
  • 4067 meters
  • Kathmandu
  • Spring, Autumn
  • biking
  • All meal during the trek
  • English, Spanish, French, Chinese
  • Moderate
  • 2-12
  • 16
  • 65