The name Mustang refers to the arid Tibet -like region at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki, lying beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Mustang is the land of barley fields, pastures for grazing herds. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions the southern region with five villages inhabited by people related to the Manages and the northern region (the ancient kingdom of Lo) where the language culture and traditions are almost purely Tibetan. Mustangs being a restricted area there are certain formalities required by the government of Nepal in obtaining a special permit with liaison officer. The long forbidden region of upper Mustang is now open to limited number of trekkers. After an exciting flight through the Kali Gandaki, we land in Jomsom and begin trekking north towards the kingdom of Mustang. Hiking past the villages with multi -storied houses, monasteries and crumbling castles we reach (4100 m.) Lho-Monthang, the walled capital of this kingdom. Mustang trek can be done during the summer months when the people are most active in the fields, villages and monasteries.
The ancient kingdom of Mustang was attached to Tibet in the 14th century although it remained an autonomous dynasty. Later it was annexed by Nepal, but the people still remain predominantly Tibetan. Untouched by the outside world or the Chinese Cultural Revolution, 16th century monasteries still remain active to preserve this magnificent trans-Himalayan kingdom, with their unrivalled thankas, mandalas and deities.
Since, October 1991 the Nepalese government announced that all of Nepal was open to trekking groups but not to individuals. Only a handful of foreigners ever visited this isolated region. It’s to be hoped that the limited number of trekkers allowed into Mustang will also limit the amount of adverse change.In this wild lunar landscape of unreal colour and beauty, ruggedly carved mountains reach up to deep blue skies, while icy peaks glimmer majestically to the south. Vast and barren ridges extend to the northern horizon making one feel like an insignificant dot on a timeless landscape.
A journey to Mustang would be a journey of remarkable contrasts. Stark Tibetan landscapes contrast with lush rice fields and Hindu shrines with cliff hanging monasteries. There are very few guesthouses and restaurants in the region; so camping is required and most necessities must be carried in. Upper Mustang treks are still restricted by a set of rules for cultural conservation and require a minimum $700 permit fee for a ten-day trek. (Treks are typically ten days but can be longer.) The high winds, altitude and cold add to the challenge of this trek. It is not recommended to do in the winter months and can be strenuous for some people even in the warmer months.
Trekking Grade: Moderate
After you arrive in Kathmandu airport please check our company board outside the main gate there will be our airport representative you will meet with him and he will transferred to hotel by private vehicle and our representative will help you to check-in your hotel after that if time enough, representative will take you to our office for short briefing about the trip but if not enough time then give a short trip brief in hotel and request to pay the due balance for the trip. Overnight at Hotel
Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. The day will also be for finalizing official procedure and other necessary arrangements. You will be also briefed on the nature of the trek, equipments and team composition. Some of landmarks we visit include the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddhanath). In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items as you will be trek to the Himalayas tomorrow.
We start our tour of two more UNESCO World Heritage Site cities adjacent to Kathmandu: Patan & Bhaktapur. Patan is also known as The City of Fine Arts. Patan Durbar Square is one of the places in the Kathmandu Valley where the medieval arts and architecture still remain in its original state. The Durbar Square is full of ancient places, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings, mostly the Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Similarly, the medieval town of Bhaktapur, or the Town of the Devotees, preserves medieval arts, architecture, culture, and lifestyle to this date. One is sure to feel like travelling back into the past while walking along the Bhaktapur thoroughfares, squares and streets. Overnight at hotel.
Early morning transfer to Pokhara airport, fly to Jomsom. This is one of the world’s exciting flights to see mountain closely through the tiny aircraft, Annapurna I 8091 meters, Dhaulagiri 8167 meters, fishtail 6997 meter and other numerous peaks. You begin your trek to Kagbeni following along the bank of Kali Gandaki River. En- route, you pass through arid part of Kali Gandaki River with beautiful Ekle Bhatti. Kagbeni people are influence with more Tibetan and also Kagbeni is gateway for Upper Mustang and Damodar Kunda trekking. After reaching at Kagbeni (2800m) there is oldest monastery so better to visit this monastery and look around Kagbeni village. Overnight at teahouse/tent
Today trek trail starts with a special permit check up and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki up stream. During the trek we have scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trails follows the up and downhill. Firstly we reach Tangbe village (3060m) with narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. From there we trek forward to Chhusang (2980m) and after crossing the river head up to the huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. We head up to small ridges reach at Chele village (3050m) overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today trek trail climb to Taklam La Pass (3,624m) and Dajori La (3725m) through plateaus and narrow stretches with views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Himal. Further descend a little to the village of Samar (3620m). Climb the trail that goes above Samar village to the ridge then descending steeply to a stream. Another about 3 hrs easy walk takes us to Shyangbochen (3800m). On the way, we relax along the surrounding of cool streams and juniper trees. Locals use the dried leaves of junipers as incenses to invite deities and start any auspicious work. We also pass by a cave famously known as Ramchung Cave. Overnight at teahouse /Camp
Today trek trail short gentle climb to the small pass (3850m) then you will meet two trails one right hand side trail goes to Geling (3570m) where available larger red Gompa and another left hand side trail goes directly to Nyi La Pass (4010m) through Tamagaon (3710m) Please consult with your guide for route recommendation. If you choose trail goes to Tamagaon will be shorter one but if you choose through Geling will be longer walk. Both trail flat and gentle uphill till Nyi La Pass (4010m) then descend to the Ghami / Ghemi (3520m), the third largest village in the Lo region. The trail is passing a chortens and local villages which is like Tibetan style of houses with open Varanda. You will passes on the trail poplar trees and fields of Barley. Overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today trek trail start after with a pleasant walk. After crossing Ghami Khola, the trail climbs to a plateau and passes beside a very long Mani wall, a sacred stone wall made by the followers Buddhism. From the end of the wall we meet two trails one left hand side trail goes to Dhakmar (3820m) and another right hand side uphill trail lead to Choya La Pass (3870m) then after descend and flat walk to Charang (3560m). Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls, Chorten Gate, red Gompa and greatest library in Lo (Old palace) Overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today, trek trail to Lo-Manthang with a magnificent view of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna and Bhrikuti peak. The trail first descends to Charang Khola and then climbs steeply after crossing the river (Khola). Further the trail ascends gently to the 3,950m windy pass of Lo, from where you can see the Lo-Manthang Valley. While descending to Lo-Manthang (3810m), views of the walled city appear magnificent with its hills on the Tibetan Border. Finally you reach at Lo-manthang then visit Royal Palace, Monasteries and town. Overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today we explore the surrounding areas. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa situated on a hilltop serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, the last main village to the northwest of Lo-Manthang and stroll back to hotel. Or you may hire horse to go to Chosar village to see the beautiful two Gompa (monasteries) called Garphu and Nyphu Gompas as well as Chosar village is main trading route to Lhasa (Tibet) and return to Lo-manthang (3810m) overnight at teahouse / Camp
While returning from Lo-Mangthan, we take a different route than that we came by. Lo-manthang trek to Lo Gekar is not main trading route. The trail gradually climbs to cairn on a pass at 4000m from where you will see the last glimpse of Lo Manthang. Beyond the trail climbs to a ridge at 4070m where a large cairn marks a pass into a side valley then continue climb to the head of this valley and cross the Chogo La (4230m) after that trail passing through big grassy valley then steep descend to Charang Khola and cross the bridge at Charang Khola (river) then climb past an unpainted stone chorten and across a muddy field to Lo Gekar (3825m). After small climb there is monastery called Ghar Gompa it is small monastery in a grove of large trees and more than 1200 years old Ghar Gompa with Guru Rinpoche as the primary figure. The Gompa is also famous for its rock paintings. According to the legend, anyone who makes one wish at the Ghar Gompa, their wish is fulfilled. After that climb to a ridge and across a valley to a cairn then reach at Mui La (4170m). After that steep descend to Drakmar (3820m) overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today trek trail descend alongside a stream passing the stone walls and fields of wide village of Dhakmar, the climb to a ridge shorten and onto a ridge at 3710m. After that descend to another stream and makes a short climb to the upper part of Ghami (3520m). Descend to lower part of Ghami then climb up to Ghami La (3765m) and continue climb up to Nyi La (4010m). After small descend you will meet two route one right hand side trail goes to Shyangbochen (3800m) through Tamagaon and left hand side trail goes all the way down hill to Geling (3570m). Overnight at teahouse / Camp
Today first trek trail climb up to Shyangbochen La (3850m) then gently descend to Shyangbochen (3800m). Nearby Shyangbochen there are two trails to go for Samar (3660m). One left hand side trail goes to through Ranchung Cave and another right hand side trail lead to Samar village which is we are going to follow the trail that goes passing through Yamdo La (3920m), then gentle descend to Bhena La (3860m) then continue descend to Samar village (3660m) but better to consult with your guide before choose the trail from Shyangbochen junction because if you are not walking good then he will choose the trail which will be more easier. After Samar you will be short climb and all the way descend through Chele to the Kali Gandaki. Trek downstream to Chhuksang (2980m) Overnight at Teahouse / Camp
Today is quite long day trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom but Trekkers will be manage it because if they camp between is more short and not interesting short walk at the end of trekking. During the trek from Chhuksang to Kagbeni (2800m) we have scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trail follows the gentle up and more downhill with narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. With beautiful walk you will reach at Kagbeni (2800m) in Lunch time and better to take a lunch then start your about 3 hours journey to Jomsom through Ekle Bhatti (2740m). It is windy at afternoon it makes little hard to walk but you are walking in flat and gentle downhill trail so journey will be fantastic. Jomsom is quite big town in Mustang region. Finally you cross the bridge at Kali Kandaki River after that level walk then reach close to Jomsom (2720m) Overnight at Teahouse / Camp
Today, you will take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna range and you are flying about 25 minutes flight in a small aircraft. After arrival in Pokhara airport drive to hotel check-in your hotel and relax or do your own activities in Pokhara or look around lakeside. Overnight at hotel
It takes about seven hours, while driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Overnight Hotel
Today, you have leisure day for relax or shopping in Kathmandu so you can do your own activities by yourself or consult with company to arrange extra activities. Overnight at hotel
After breakfast, End of our services with departure transfer to the Kathmandu airport to board flight for your onward destination.
