Jomsom-Tilicho trail upgrades enhance accessibility

The Jomsom-Tilicho trail, leading to Tilicho Lake, the world’s highest lake at an altitude of 4,919 meters, has become significantly easier to navigate. Thanks to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Jomsom, the trail’s upgrade is making the journey more accessible for both domestic and international tourists.

The trail, which passes through Gharpazhong Rural Municipality-4 Jomsom via Thini, Namkhulek, and the Mesokondo Pass, has been improved with tourist signposts and trail markers. These upgrades have been implemented as part of a broader effort by ACAP to maintain and promote the area’s tourism infrastructure. The head of the ACAP Mustang office, Pramodaraj Regmi, confirmed that the project has installed trail signals, informational signposts, and signboards at high-altitude sites, as well as on trails prone to landslides. Biodiversity observation areas and garbage management initiatives are also part of the ongoing effort to preserve the region's natural beauty while enhancing the tourist experience.

According to Regmi, the conservation project has prioritized the maintenance and improvement of footpaths in the Annapurna Conservation Area, with plans to continue upgrading alternative footpaths and building infrastructure in the lower Mustang region. Last year, footpath improvements were completed in Chokhopani, Sauru, Leyte Kaiku, and Missi, with additional upgrades and signposting planned for the current fiscal year.

The Jomsom to Tilicho Lake route is considered one of the most suitable and shortest routes for tourists traveling via the Beni-Jomsom road. ACAP aims to further develop this route to ensure that the Mustang-Tilicho footpath becomes a key tourist destination, offering easier access to Tilicho Lake. Last year, ACAP repaired and improved existing footpaths and constructed new ones where necessary.

Tourists traveling along the route must pass through the Mesokondo Pass, located at an altitude of 5,245 meters. From the pass, it is a one-and-a-half-hour walk to Tilicho Lake. As part of the ongoing improvements, ACAP has installed 43 new and refurbished trail information boards along the route, offering guidance and vital information to trekkers. However, while bamboo huts have been built in Namkhulek for tourists, there are no accommodations or restaurants on the stretch between Namkhulek and Tilicho Lake, so visitors must bring their own equipment, including tents, food, and medicines.

ACAP advises that tourists travel in groups and be well-prepared, especially when venturing into the high-altitude, remote areas of the trail. The best time to visit Tilicho Lake, located on the border of Manang and Mustang, is from April to October, avoiding the harsh winter months from November to March. The one-way trip along the Tilicho footpath requires seven to nine hours of walking, although horses are available in Thini village for those who prefer not to hike the entire distance.

The upgrades to the Jomsom-Tilicho trail are expected to boost tourism in Mustang and provide visitors with a safer and more enjoyable trekking experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices in the region.