Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Continuous snowfall has currently affected daily life in Manang. The itineraries of tourists heading for Tilicho Lake, Thorang La Pass, Larkya Pass, and the Manaslu trek have been disrupted.
With the trails covered in snow, it has become difficult to proceed with the journey. With the objective of facilitating travel, efforts are underway to clear the routes through a joint agreement between the Manang District Administration, local levels, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Manang, and tourism entrepreneurs, informed Chief District Officer (CDO) Navaraj Paudyal.
He stated, “Travel has been affected after the snowfall; efforts are underway to open the routes.” He added that as the weather is now clearing, a decision has been made to allow the construction of the trail to Tilicho for tourists who have guides.
“Tourists who have arrived without guides have been restricted from heading to the upper regions,” said CDO Paudyal. “Communication with the upper regions is difficult after the snowfall. Considering the risks, trekking without a guide has been restricted.” He informed that efforts are being made to ensure the continuity of the trek by coordinating with the Chief District Officers of Mustang and Gorkha as well.
Joint Efforts Underway to Clear Trails to Tilicho and Thorang La
From a tourism perspective, the period from Ashwin to the first week of Mangsir is considered favorable. The main trekking season is currently ongoing, but the major snowfall in the Himalayan region has halted treks, and efforts are being made to resume them, said Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the ACAP unit in Manang.
He said, “The route up to the Tilicho Base Camp has been opened. Preparations are underway to try and open the route all the way to Tilicho Lake. Tourists have started heading towards the upper regions from below. However, the snow is thick and the path is covered. Efforts to clear it are ongoing.”
He also informed that the movement of tourists towards Thorang La has begun. He said, “Internet and communication access is not good. We haven’t been able to establish direct contact with the upper regions. Based on information from returning tourists and porters, it appears that they are moving ahead. It is estimated that around 200 foreign tourists set out for Thorang La just today.” ACAP Head Bhujel stated that tourists without guides have been requested to join groups with guides for their travel.
Cholpa Gurung, Ward Chairperson of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9, mentioned that since tourists come from abroad specifically to trek the Annapurna Circuit, the local level, district administration, security agencies, and tourism entrepreneurs have jointly begun work to open the trails to make it easier. He said, “Tourists coming for adventure travel must be provided with safe travel information and their journey must be continued. The trail to Tilicho Lake is being cleared so that the halted tourists can have an easier path.”
The district administration had restricted trekking for one week, stating that although the snowfall had stopped, there was a risk of avalanches. To facilitate travel for both domestic and international tourists on the Annapurna Conservation Area trek, the snow has been cleared to make the path easier. However, the snow remains thick in the upper regions. Considering the risks, the District Administration Office has announced that travel is open from today, along with the advice to travel cautiously.
It takes at least five hours to reach Tilicho Lake from the Tilicho Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of four thousand meters. Tilicho Lake, one of the highest in the world, is situated at an altitude of 4,919 meters. Tourists complete this trek from Manang village in three days.
Similarly, Thorang La Pass is located in Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-8, Manang, at an altitude of 5,416 meters. Trekkers cross the Thorang La Pass, which is on the border of Manang and Mustang, from Manang village over a period of three days. Via this trekking route, after crossing Thorang La Pass, tourists reach Pokhara by means of vehicle transportation.
