Upper Mustang Trek
one of the most remote regions of Nepal
one of the most remote regions of Nepal
Due to
its inaccessibility, Mustang has long been protected from mass tourism
and is now known as the last bastion of traditional Tibetan culture. It is a dry arid region of spectacular red cliffs and an endless variety of grey rolling
hills. The district of
Mustang was, till 1950, a separate kingdom inside the boundaries of
Nepal. The remaining king, the Raja of Mustang, still resides in the
historical capital recognized as Lo Manthang. In common usage, the name Mustang refers to the arid Tibet-like region
at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki (known to its inhabitants as
Lo).
In May the Tiji
Festival is held. Many trekkers like to combine their adventure with
this traditional festival. The three-day festival takes place on the
premises of the former king of Mustang’s palace. The locals from far and
wide visit Lo Manthang (Upper Mustang) to participate in the festival. Tiji is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan
rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang
kingdom from destruction. The festival is indigenous to Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang. "Tiji" the name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which means "Prayer for World Peace".
The regions isolation from the outside world has contributed to a highly
preserved Tibetan culture. Mustang lies in the
rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif creating a ruggedly arid land
surrounded by rocks in all kind of colors and impressive formations.
This barren landscape is dotted with settlements of white washed houses,
barley fields and chortens festooned with prayer flags which add a
splash of color to the landscape.
Given that a road has been built all the way to Lo Manthang parts of the rout up will be on the road and part on paths that seek to avoid the endless swithbacks of the mountain road.
Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu
Day-2: Guided Sightseeing
Day-3: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 03- Drive to Pokhara (900 meters) 7 hours
Day 04- Morning flight to Jomsom and drive to Chele (3050 meters)
Day 05- Trek to Geling (3500 meters)
Day 06- Trek to Charang (3620meters)
Day 07- Trek to Lo Manthang (3840 meters)
Day 08- Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar.
Day 09. Trek to Dhi (3410 meters)
Day 10. Trek to Tange (3370 meters).
Day 11. Trek to Tetang/ Chusang (3022 meters).
Day 12. Trek to Jomsom (2713meters).
Day 13. Morning flight to Pokhara and same day Sightseeing around Pokhara.
Day 14. Fly back to Kathmandu (1338meters).
Day 15. Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
End of the services
Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Day-2: Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
Day-3: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region. Hotel Overnight.
Day 03- Drive to Pokhara (900 meters) 7 hours.
Your trekking team will come to your hotel early in the morning at 6:30 am to pick you up and leave around 7.30 am to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
Day 04- Morning flight to Jomsom and drive to Chele (3050 meters)
Early morning we are flying northwest from Pokhara toward the snow covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You will enjoy the well-raised massifs of more than 8000 meters, and the deepest gorge on this planet. On arrival to Jomsom you will meet the rest of the trekking staff. From Kathmandu you will have a guide with you then drive by jeep to Chele, the main gate to Upper Mustang. There are numerous traditional Mustang homes, a couple of lodges, and attractive views. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 05- Trek to Geling (3500 meters)
The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, with a further descent before coming along a pleasant trail to Samar village. We climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge where the trail heads into another valley, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 meters. The route ascends yet another pass, follows a long barren ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there, there is a gentle climb to a pass at 3770 meters and a final descent to Geling Village. Ghiling (Geling, Giling) is one of the bigger villages in the region and home to an impressive 15th Century monastery. The village sits at the foot of a rocky mountain, surrounded by agricultural fields (although the water supply in this area is drying up). There are lodges and local homes. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 06- Trek to Charang (3620meters)
From Geling village the trail climbs gently up the Nyi La. Nyi La Pass is the second-highest point of the Lo Manthang trek, and overlooks spectacular mountain vistas. After descending, the route crosses a steel bridge of the Tang mar Chu (river), bringing you to a Mani Wall, perhaps the longest and most spectacular Mani walls in Nepal. The afternoon is in perhaps the driest part of Mustang, and much of one's energy is spent negotiating loose, dry soil. Climbing over another pass at 3600meters, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang village. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are the main attractions to visit and observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings, of seated Buddha's. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 07- Trek to Lo Manthang (3840 meters)
We will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Tsarang and its large old monastery before setting out for the capital of Mustang, Lo Manthang. This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your trek. The trail climbs steadily until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet and one of the oldest Gompa of Nepal. After visiting Lo-Gekar continue trek to Lomanthang. The trail eventually becomes like a wide thoroughfare until you get to see the walled village of Lo Manthang from a ridge at 3849m. A short descent leads onto the 'Plain of Aspiration'. The only entrance to the city is on the north-east corner, so we circumambulate the wall to the gate. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 08- Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar.
It takes around 2 hours to Namgyal Gompa. Namgyal Gompa situates on a hilltop, which serves as an important monastery for the local community, also serving as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, which is a village of around 40 houses, the last main village to the northwest of Lomanthang. After visiting Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar return to Lo Manthang. Overnight at Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 09. Trek to Dhi (3410 meters)
From Lo-Manthang the trail heads toward Dhi La at 4100 meters and then descends down to Dhi village. The trek from Lo Manthang to Muktinath is harder, but more rewarding and interesting than the west side of the valley. Dhi village is one of the best villages of whole Lo- Manthang and seems more prosperous. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 10. Trek to Tange (3370 meters).
From Dhi the trail goes through the river for around 2 hours and crosses a river from Damodar Kunda, one of the sacred lakes, there is no bridge on the river so we need to walk across in bare feet to cross this river. After crossing the river the trail climbs up till high above a pass of 3850meters. The trail goes through a barren area. After the pass the trail descends directly to Tangbe village at an elevation of 3370m. Tangbe is a small village of around 30 houses but most of the houses are attached to each other. It sits on the banks of the mighty Kali Gandaki, with cultivated fields and apple orchards spread out around it. There are some old chortens, narrow cobbled lanes. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 11. Trek to Tetang/ Chusang (3022 meters).
The trail heads through a steep ridge of hills providing views of the wind carved hills. Today is a long steep climb up to Pa at 4210m, a high pass on the Upper Mustang trip. Then after a few hours a long downhill follows. Tetang village is built between 2 hills to avoid the strong wind that hits the entire Kaligandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of the Chuksang, which we visit on the first day entering to Mustang from Kagbeni. It is surrounded by gigantic red, orange and silver gray cliffs spotted with cave dwellings. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 12. Trek to Jomsom (2713meters).
This is the last day of the trek. The trail heads through the village of Jharkot where one can visit the many attractions such as the Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot which once served as palace. Continuing the trek towards Jomsom one will enjoy the views of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village. This is the entry point to Mustang. Arrive to Jomsom to celebrate the last day of the trek, with all the trekking staff. Overnight at lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
Day 13. Morning flight to Pokhara and same day Sightseeing around Pokhara.
Today a 30 minute morning flight takes us from Jomson back to Pokhara. Once we arrive at Pokhara airport, we then drive to hotel. In the afternoon we will have sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devis waterfall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast Included)
Day 14. Fly back to Kathmandu (1338meters).
This morning we fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Breakfast Included)
Day 15. Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for your final flight departure from Nepal. (Breakfast Included)
End of the services