Overview
Trip Highlights:
- Ancient Kingdom
- Picturesque mountains to the south
- The region situated in rain shadow
- Unique cultural and historical monuments
- Monasteries of high importance
Upper Mustang trek is an amazing wonders of treasure on planet hidden far beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif was remain unexplored until 1992. The mystic Trans Himalayan’s tiny kingdom Upper Mustang is well renowned as restricted area among adventure mountain travelers. This trekking trail is getting thereafter one of the most visited trails as a different challenging high plain desert. Mustang is an old Buddhist kingdom and the main central destination of the trek is called “Lo Manthang” which is also known as capital of “Forbidden Kingdom”. The clay walled ancient city, Lo Manthang and other surrounding settlement around their traditional societies remained untouched by modernization for many centuries.
Mustang trekking tour belongs to the nomad land Mustang’s upper valley was attached to Tibet untill14th century therefore people’s lifestyle and their culture and religion are similar with Tibetan.
Mustang is the mysterious land visit which offers a unique experience and exploration – miraculous geological features of landscape, fascinating medieval age old monasteries, an encounter with typical culture and glimpse of breathe taking snowcapped peaks. Besides warm welcome of local people, antique palace visit and welcome visit to King are ever unforgettable moment of this trek.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, meet & transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.
You'll be greeted at the airport by our representative from the company, so look out for our company sign written on a placard after you come out of the exit gate. From there you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Swoyambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (950m). Overnight hotel in Pokhara.
Day 04: Morning fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m) and trek to Kagbeni [2800m]
A short morning flight to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge with the glorious views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Ranges and Fishtail with several famous peaks within the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri area from its both sides.
From Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni via Lupra 2790m. Continue trek passing River bank of Kaligandaki to reach Lupra, where you can visit the interesting Bon-Po monastery. Bon-Po is a sect which mixes pre- Buddhist beliefs with religious practices close to Buddhism. After lunch at Eklabatti trek continues until reaching Kagbeni which takes about 1 hour. You can visit the red-painted monastery about 1000 years old.
Stay overnight in Lodge.
Approx: 5 hours walk
Day 05: Trek to Chele [3050m]
Resuming our destination we walk to our next destination Chele. At first we will check our permit in police bit to start our upper mustang trek. It is known as wilderness area. Finishing this we walk to our destination. We walk in forested area. We will obviously love this area as it is very fresh and clean environment.
There is a trail up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni, continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe, we reach Chhusang village and crossing the river, continue climbing north up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki flows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at 3050m. The culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.
Approx: 7 hours walk
Day 06: Trek to Geling [3570 m]
The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, before descending further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geling.
Approx: 5 to 6 hours walk
Day 07: Trek to Chrang (Tsarang) [3560m]
From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the most interesting pass on your trek, Nyi La and descends beneath blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley to a bridge over the Tangmar Chu (river,) then climbs past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular mani (prayer wall) in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m, the route makes a long gentle descent to Chrang. The huge five–story white Dzong (fort) and red gompa (Buddhist temple) contains a fascinating array of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddhas.
Approx: 5 to 6 hours walk
Day 08: Trek Lo-Manthang [3810 m]
You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. The trail descends about 100 m from Charang, crosses the Charang–Chu, climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally from a ridge at 3850m, there is a view of the walled city of Lo. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the northeast corner.
Approx: 5 to 6 hours walk
Day 09: Exploration around Lo-Manthang [3810 m]
Inside the walled settlement of Lo Manthang are the houses of local nobilities and important Gompas and monasteries. There are lots of things of interest here .After completing the tour of Lo Manthang, you will hike or take a horse ride to the famous Nagyal Gompa which is about two and half hour walk, one way. Namgyal Gompa is situated on a hilltop, and serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court.
Day 10: Lo-Manthang to Yara [3650m]
Today it is a challenging trail lead up and downhill, the trek from Lo-Manthang to Yara is harder but more satisfying and interesting then the west side of the valley crossing through river with the panorama views of Throung peak, Damodhar Range.
The trail to Dhi heads south out of town towards the hills west of the Mustang Khola. After about 30 min of walking across the plains south of the city, you begin moderately climbing, paralleling a small stream. After another 1 hour we ascend steeply out of the stream valley and begin following the ridgeline continuing south. Another 1 hour of walking your arrive at Dhi Pass (3700m, 12170ft). The view from here over the East Side of Mustang is spectacular. The town of Dhi (3450m, 11315ft) is directly below us at. The base of the near cliff to the east. The trail winds steeply down to Dhi from the pass and should be taken slowly. Views of Dhi far below are possible after 45 min. After 1.5 hours we arrive in Dhi.
Dhi is a small town sandwiched between and large gray, orange, and red cliff and the Mustang Khola. This is a very rarely visited town. Be sure to walk to the hill south of town and checkout the ruins of an old monastery. The local monk here is known as the kingdom expert in bone injuries and should be in town if he hasn’t been called away to treat someone.
From Dhi to Yara and Lori Gompa, the trail crosses the Mustang Khola on a makeshift bridge consisting of a log or two spanning the river. Follow the smaller stream across from Dhi for 45 min past incredibly sculpted cliffs and cliff dwellings (photo). The trail to Yara (3650m) leaves the stream and heads steeply uphill to the north for 45 minutes.
If time permits, you will have an opportunity to visit Lori Gompa, which is in the large cliffs to the North. It is approx. 2 hours walk from Yara to Lori Gompa and via verses. This is a spectacular area as the stream we have been following disappears into a deep canyon and the snowcapped mountains rise before us. Ripumso Peak (5730m, 18800ft) looms overhead as we ascend for another 20 min to Lori Gompa. The Gompa itself sits 100+meters up from the base of the cliffs, nestled among a number of large spires. If the local monk is around we can make the hair-raising journey up the trail through the spires and on makeshift bridges to the Gompa.
Approx: 8-9 hours walk
Day 11: Yara to Tangge [3240m]
After breakfast, get up and ready for trek, first few hours through River bank then after crossing River, the trail climbs up till the pass of 3850m then trail lead through grassless, bare hills, Tangge is small village but most of the house are attached each other, on the roof tops can see piles of fry woods, which also reflect the prosperity in their society.
Approx: 7 hours walk
Day 12: Trek to Tetang (3040m)
Today you will leave very early in the morning because of the long distance compared to the other days. You will climb some steps & then crossing over a suspension bridge following the trail to right side. You will soon come to the Yak khola (river) before climbing a terraced hill at 4,210m, it is the highest point of the Upper Mustang trip. The trail climbs for about two and a half hours then you summit on the top (4,200m) it is a steep climb that covers your body with sweat. From here you are able to see in the distance the Damodar Himal and Saribung Himal at (6,346m).
Now the trail descends and it is rough way so we must be careful! You can haul up here for some rest as the steps goes down and down. Meanwhile, you are able to see right down the mud roof valley that is your destination of the day. This is the village which we call Chhuksang or Tetang. The Tetang Village was built between two of these hills to shield it from the strong wind that hit the entire Kail Gandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of Chuksang.
Approx: 8 to 9 hours walk
Day 13: Trek ends at Kagbeni - Jomsom
This is the last day of the trek. The trail goes through the village of Jharkot where one can visit the Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot, once served as palace. Continuing the trek towards Jomsom one will enjoy the view of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village the entry point to Mustang. You will get a round trip of your trek in Ekle Bhatti visiting all the surprises of the human effort in this corner of the World of such an isolation and solitude. Arrive to Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trek will in Jomsom with all the trekking staff. Overnight.
Approx: 8-9 hours walk
Day 14: Morning fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. Overnight hotel.
This takes about 25 minutes flights to Pokhara. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.
After arrival Pokhara, you can have rest or explore around lakeside. Overnight hotel.
Day 15: Drive from Pokhara to coffee farm in Dhading. Overnight at Country Paradise Resort.
Day 16: In Dhading
Day 17: Drive from Dhading to Kathmandu. Overnight hotel.
After breakfast drive to Kathmandu, which is approx. 3 and half hours' drive. After arrival at hotel, rest or walk around Thamel for shopping souvenirs.
Day 18: Final departure from Kathmandu.
Today is your final day in Kathmandu so you could have rest at the hotel or do shop shopping depending upon your desire till it's time for airport departure. Our office representative will meet the group and drive to International airport for your flight back home.