Tilman Pass Trek – 20 Days
  • Duration20 Days
  • Trip DifficultyStrenuous
  • Best SeasonSpring / Autumn
  • Arrival CityKathmandu
  • Departure CityKathmandu
  • Altitude maximum5320m (Tilman Pass)
  • TransportVehicle
  • AccomodationCamping
  • MealsFull Board

Overview

The Tilman Pass Trek, named after a pioneer British adventurer and explorer H. W. Tillman who explored the Himalayas in the mid-20th century, lies in the remotest region of Central Nepal. It makes a strenuous but adventurous trekking region in the wilderness of Upper Langtang which holds the Langshisha glacier, five sacred lakes of Panch Pokhari, and the Jugal Himal. Red panda and blue sheep make the region more valuable and alluring. With some basic snow-climbing and traversing one of the highest passes in the Himalaya, you will experience wilderness and remoteness at its extreme.

The Tilman Pass trek is located between the Langtang trekking region and the Panch Pokhari trekking region near Tibet border, which will reward you with panoramic Himalayan views of Langtang and Lirung, Langtang Himal, Naya Khang, Yala Peak, Ganesh Himal, Langshisha, Gaurishankar, and Dorjelakpa. Furthermore, you will enjoy walking through forests of rhododendrons and pine trees. You might be able to watch bear, leopard, jackal, pheasant, and peacock.

Prior to starting off your trek from Chautara, where you will reach after a 5-hour scenic drive from Kathmandu, through the scenic hills and villages, you will visit different religious, historical, and cultural sites inside the Kathmandu Valley. The Swoyambhunath Stupa and Patan will be in top priority. The trail is embedded among the wonders. Indeed, the trek is strenuous, but it is not constantly so; you will be passing through refreshing and rejuvenating forests filled with oak, pine, rhododendron, and juniper, for hours and hours. Moreover, during the course of trekking, you will climb to Hile Bhanjyang situated on the ridge of a hill, which will offer you a great view of the waterfall, river basin, and surrounding peaks. Further ahead, upon reaching Panch Pokhari, a group of five sacred lakes in the lap of Jugal Himal, you will be in absolute awe of those placid peacock blue lakes. Once you reach the Tilman Pass at an altitude of 5,320 meters, you will be descending thereupon. Your trek will conclude at Syabrubesi, from where you will drive to Kathmandu.

Detailed Itinerary

You will be met by one of our representatives and transfer you to the hotel. Welcome dinner at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants in Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Start our tour visiting a magnificent Buddhist stupa called Swoyambhunath which is 10 minutes drive from Thamel. Then a short drive to one of the oldest cities of Kathmandu valley which is called Patan; to witness its incredible architecture from medieval period.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Start our adventure with a scenic drive to Chautara. It is about 5 hours drive through the scenic hills, villages, and forests to Chautara.
Overnight: Camping
Driving Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 84m

Start our trek with gradual climb passing through Gaurati and Syaule. Continuing our trek with similar pace we trek to Sano Okhereni.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 592m

Relatively uphill trek as we gain about eight hundred meters today. The route goes through forests covered with oak, pine, rhododendron and other natural vegetation. We can have the view of Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa and Jugal Himal range.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 835m

As we continue our trek, we go through the lush forest of rhododendron, oak, pine and juniper. It is about 5 hours trek through the forest and pastures.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 470m

Following the lush forest enriched with bamboo, pine, rhododendron and alpine vegetation we climb to Hile Bhanjyang which is situated right on the ridge of a hill. It offers great view of water fall, river basin and surrounding peaks.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 405m

It is fairly easy and short day as it is gradual walk for about 5 hours to Nasimpati. The trail goes through the forest rich with flora and fauna.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 -5 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 20m

Climbing through the alpine forest and Laurebina Pass we trek to our final destination Panch Pokhari. Panch Pokhari is a group of 5 Hindu holy lakes in the lap of Jugal Himal. These holy lakes are decorated with the unsurpassed natural beauty, biological diversity and the cultural heritage.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 370m

We spend the day exploring the area around the lakes and the view point to catch magnificent views of the mountain peaks and surroundings of the region.
Overnight: Camping

Continuing our trek, we start our climb towards Tilman’s Pass; today we trek to Tin Pokhari. It is relatively a long day mostly trekking through gradual uphill.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 -7 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 185m

As we continue our approach to Tilman’s Pass, we start our trek with gradual uphill and trail gets even steeper later in the day. Most part of the trek goes through glacier.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 391m

Start our final approach to Tilman’s pass (5320m) early in the morning. It is steep climb through the glacier or rocky pebbles all the way to the pass. It is really a strenuous climb. Then we start descending towards Moraine Camp through the rocky pebbles which require careful balance and attention for the right footing. It is gradual downhill all the way to Moraine Camp.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 66m

Note: we may have to fix the rope for ascending / descending around the pass depending on situation of trail / glacier as it gets really slippery when there is old snow / ice (It depends on the season of your trekking).

Now trekking towards Langtang valley, we descend through the glacier crossing few small streams we trek down to Lanshisa Kharka.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 295m

As we continue our trek, we trek through the glacier following the Langtang Khola valley all the way to the Kyanjin Gumba.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 455m

Note: we start our day early in the morning to avoid the rock falls as terrain during the today’s trek has snowy and rocky with loose soil and as the day gets warmer snow / ice starts melting and rocks / rubble start falling towards the trekking trail.

Continuing our trek, we follow Langtang Khola valley going through Langtang village and other small settlements we trek down to Lama Hotel.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 1420m

Final day our trek takes us down to Syabrubesi. It is mostly downhill and enjoyable trek going through several small settlements.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 907m

An exciting and scenic drive to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Driving Time: 8 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 169m

Overnight: Hotel

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Tour Price Includes

  • Transfers airport / hotel / airport.
  • Hotel in Kathmandu (Based on double occupancy. If you would like a single room, or plan to travel alone, this can be arranged for an additional fee.)
  • Welcome dinner at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants
  • Transport, guided visits and entry of the monuments
  • Private vehicle for Kathmandu – Chautara / Syabrubesi – Kathmandu drives
  • A professional Tour / Trekking Guide, Assist. Guides, Cooks and Porters
  • Private vehicle during sightseeing
  • Meals Full board during trekking (AP Basis)
  • Drinks (Tea and Coffee only)
  • Accommodation in tents / camping during the trek
  • Trekking Permits: TIMS & National Park Entry fee
  • All necessary documents and government tax.
  • Insurance for staff (including Guides, Cooks, Porters as applicable)

Tour Price Does Not Include:

  • International Flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal Tourist Visa ($50 for 30 Days, obtained upon arrival)
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (except for the welcome dinner)
  • Personal expenses such as snacks, cold drinks, water, alcoholic drinks, telephone, WiFi/internet access, charging of personal devices, hot showers, laundry service, medications or medical care, etc.
  • Travel Insurance (This is required. We strongly advise that your coverage include accidents, repatriation, helicopter evacuation and medical care.)
  • Alternative/additional transportation (flights/vehicles), food and accommodation in case of bad weather, flood, landslide, heavy rain, strike, road blockade, political unrest, flight cancellation etc.
  • Emergency evacuation rescue charge, if needed
  • Tips for Tour, trekking staff and drivers

NOTE: The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size.

Climate

Climate:
From the eternal snow of the high peaks to the extensive tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.

Spring: March to late May: In this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom, lots of different types of flowers can be seen at this time of the year.  Temperature is mild, end of the cold winter and approaching warm and hot summer.  Temperatures vary between 10 ° C to 28 ° C but can rise up to 30 ° C.  Between 2000 and 3000m, temperature rarely drop below 0 ° C. However, few frosts or snowfalls are possible in March above 4000 m.

The summer/monsoon period – It interrupts the majority of trekking from late June to late August. Some of the trekking regions “trans-Himalayan”, Dolpo and Mustang, however, remain protected from monsoon prevailing rest of the country. They are the only channels available in Nepal in the summer.

Autumn: mid September – mid December – Perfect temperature and weather for trekking. Brings cooler days, but clear skies. Above 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C at night.

In winter: mid-December – mid-February – Nights are generally cold, dry climate, Above 3000m, temperature drop down to 0 ° C to – 15 ° C at night, the days are often sunny.

Equipments

  • Day back-pack
  • Gore-Tex Jacket
  • Down Jacket
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Micro Fleece
  • Trekking Trousers
  • Hiking shoes (Boots)
  • Runners (sport shoes)
  • Trekking Socks
  • Rain poncho
  • Sun-glasses
  • Water bottles
  • Thermal underwear(long)
  • T- shirts
  • Sunscreen/lotion
  • Flip flop (sandal)
  • Towel
  • Hat(Baseball cap)
  • Pristine drops (Water purifier)
  • Head light / flash light
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Gloves
  • Wind Proof Trouser(s)
  • Personal medical kid
  • Toiletries