Trip Highlights:
“Adventure on an extension of huge and high scenic Tibetan plateau around Mustang. Photogenic scenery of high canyon and towering eroded cliffs dotted with prayer caves. Walk into the former forbidden walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang at Upper Mustang. Spectacular views of Mustang Himal with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of peaks. Explore Upper Mustang impressive villages of great interesting culture and traditions. Trekking into lovely impressive villages of great cultural interest and heritage. Start and end with a swift flight to and from picturesque Pokhara by its serene Lake Phewa”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade : Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Altitude : On top Nyi La pass above 3,950 m high.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting drive and scenic trekking.
People and Culture : Higher area dominated by Mustang native, with Thakali tribes of Buddhism and Bon religions with varied culture and custom.
Area of Trekking : Nepal Far North West between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya range.
Trekking duration : 10 Nights and 11 Days (with flights to and from Pokhara).
Total Trip : 15 Nights and 16 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : April to November including monsoon months of June to mid September, as Upper Mustang falls within Rain-Shadow area blocked by high Himalayan mountains.
Introduction:
Mountain Challenger Treks and Expeditions present “Upper Mustang Trekking” which leads you to mind-blowing experience within arid and barren beautiful and scenic country around Nepal Far North West Himalaya. Upper Mustang Trekking where you will be walking on vast and high table-land an extension of Tibet plateau with impressive scenery of the dry country and its high eroded cliff and colorful canyon of brown-blue-red and copper. An amazing country to visit and explore around Nepal Wild West situated beyond the great range of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya, where walk leads you on ancient Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade and Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet that still continues to this day via high Karo-la pass further away from the former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang. Upper Mustang Trekking begins with a sweeping short flight from scenic Pokhara to land at Jomsom the headquarter town of Mustang district, the hub of Thakali tribes of people where walk leads to enter high and picturesque Upper Mustang from the village of Kagbeni. The walk continues heading into dry windswept terrain past interesting villages of Chele-Gelling and Charming where you can observe many Buddhist prayer monuments along the walks with rows of prayer wheels and inscribed Mani Walls and exploring impressive villages and monasteries. After a great walk finally reaching into the former walled kingdom of Lo and at Lo-Manthang a large village or town, in early days which was a city around this medieval period village of great interest, where you can visit its old monasteries and as well former palace fort of late Mustang Raja or King. Having wonderful and magnificent experience around the hub of Upper Mustang our journey ends walking back to Jomsom for short panoramic flight to scenic Pokhara, the touristic center of Nepal, after a most fabulous adventure with awesome memories and experience on Upper Mustang Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hrs ride and 30 mins by air.
Day 04: Morning flight to Jomsom 2,715 m and trek to Kagbeni - 04 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Chele 3,050 m - 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Geling 3,540 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Charing 3,560 m - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Lo-Manthang 3,700 m - 05 hrs.
Day 09: In Lo-Manthang rest day for acclimatization and local visitors.
Day 10: Trek to Ghami 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Samar 3,150 m -05 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Kagbeni -05 hrs and transfer to lodge.
Day 13 ; Trek to Jomsom 2,713 m - 04 hrs.
Day 14: Fly to Pokhara 860 m - 22 mins and transfer to hotel.
Day 15: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 16: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief you regarding Upper Mustang trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which is listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. After an interesting day and tour back to Hotel with free afternoon preparation for Upper Mustang treks.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara 820m (220 k.m) - 06 hrs journey (30 mins by air).
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at scenic Pokhara city. At Pokhara transfer to nice hotels by the serene lake Phewa with views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain range with towering peaks of Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight from Kathmandu to land at Pokhara airport).
Day 04: Morning Flight to Jomsom 2,700 and trek to Kagbeni 2,830 m - 04 hrs.
Morning depart from the hotel and then as a short drive to Pokhara airport for super scenic flight to land at Jomsom airport, situated on a shelf of Kali-Gandaki River. At Jomsom received by other trekking staff and porters with time around headquarter and administrative town of Mustang district. After a short rest and refreshing time at Jomsom, walk begins on wide Kali-Gandaki River valley following the river bed all the way to reach at Kagbeni village. Kagbeni the last village of Upper Mustang area and beyond to Tibet border also an entry point for the onward journey towards Lo-Manthang and upper Mustang region.
Day 05: Trek to Chele 3,050 m - 06 hrs.
With interesting time and overnight at Kagbeni village, morning walk starts heading with short uphill and into an open areas within the towering colorful canyon and high eroded cliffs to reach at Tiri-Gaon village with well cultivated farm fields. Walking within beautiful landscapes with short up and downs and on winding path to reach at Tshele village, pronounced as Chele, a village of moderate size here from onward into more Buddhism culture and custom similar to Tibet across the border.
Day 06: Trek to Geling 3,540 m - 05 hrs.
From this nice village of Tsele, walk starts with a short climb to reach at Gyakar village, and then into windswept terrain within the dry and arid country, as walk slowly reach at Samar village, one of the attractive looking villages. With time at Samar village walk continues to reach a small place of Bhena and then a steep climb leads to a ridge on top Yamda La at 3,860 m small pass, offering stunning views of Upper Mustang landscapes with high snow capped peaks of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mustang Himal range. Enjoying great scenery descend to Syangboche village another interesting village, as walk finally ends at Geling for an overnight stop in this lovely traditional village.
Day 07: Trek to Charang 3,560 m - 06 hrs.
After a pleasant and wonderful stop at Charang which also spelled as “Tsarang”, morning visit its old monastery and witness Buddhist prayer wheels propelled and supported by fast flowing water, after an interesting tour of the Gompa / monastery, the walk continues to Ghami village. As walk, proceeds to cross over Ghaymi Khola (stream) and then leading to long rows of Mani walls (holy prayer stones), and then from here walk past Dhakmar village, and then finally reaching our overnight stop at Tsarang village, an impressive place surrounded by vast fields of buck wheat’s and barley. Here with time to visit its old monastery of great interest enriched with ancient religious relics and painting on walls and ceiling with a great statue of Buddha.
Day 08: Trek to Lo-Manthang 3,700 m - 04 hrs.
From here our journey leads to our main highlight and goal of the trip at Lo-Manthang in former times known as the walled city, at present actually a large village within the fort and Dzong of Lo-Manthang guarding the villages from invaders. A few hours of good walk to reach Lo Manthang, and a former kingdom where the great Raja (king) Mustang ruled this huge territory of Mustang. As walk progress crossing a strong steel bridge to Marang village, from here climb to a ridge top, past chhorten and mani stones prayer walls in between Tsarang and Lo Manthang. Walk with scenic views of Nilgiri’s, Tilicho and Bhrikuti peaks, and then up to Lo La pass above 3,950 m high offering grand scenery looking down towards Lo Manthang walled village and a fortress, from here descend to the base of a pass then on the nice path to reach at Lo Manthang for overnight stops.
Day 09: In Lo-Manthang for acclimatization and local hike.
At Lo Manthang within the former kingdom of Lo and Upper Mustang, enjoy the free whole day exploring its narrow neat street within impressive villages with houses of great interest with Tibetan design and carving. Here in this wonderful place visit its historical and cultural centres one of the main attraction of Lo-Manthang, with four grand monasteries of Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and its Great Entrance Hall. A special permission to enter Raja or king’s palace visit the interior of the old palace and to grant an audience with late Raja of Mustang family if possible.
Day 10: Trek to Ghami 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
After an enjoyable and fascinating time at Lo-Manthang, walk back towards lower areas to reach Jomsom with few short climb to reach at Ghami for an overnight stop, one of the important village of Upper Mustang region.
Day 11: Trek to Samar 3,150 m -05 hrs.
Morning walk leads on the same trail with a climb up to Nyi La pass, and then contour upwards to reach the path coming from Tsarang village, from ridge top descend to Geling Valley. Walk continues past Geling to reach an isolated Tea House and then with slow downhill reaching at Tama Gung. With steep switchbacks as our route to a climb coming across a large painted chhorten and then on straightforward route to our overnight stop at Samar village.
Day 12: Trek to Kagbeni -05 hrs and transfer to lodge.
Enjoying time at Upper Mustang country and its interesting villages with super views, slowly our journey leads back to Kagbeni on downhill trail as walk leads on the same route past Chele village to reach at Mustang Khola, from here on gradual path between towering canyons and eroded high cliffs to reach at Kagbeni after a great time on Upper Mustang.
Day 13: Trek to Jomsom 2, 715 m - 04 hours.
From Kagbeni rest of the trek is much easier on gradual and downhill walks reaching around Kaligandaki river valley, from the valley floor on windswept Kaligandaki river valley to reach at Jomsom, a headquarter town of Mustang district with a small an airstrip on the shelf of Kaligandaki River. Jomsom and Kaligandaki areas, famous for delicious apple and fine products cider, brandy and juice an interesting town of Thakali people to explore around, located on old Trans Himalaya Salt / Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet beyond Upper Mustang.
Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara 860 m - 20 mins flight.
Early morning after breakfast transfer to Jomsom airport for a sweeping short flight of 25 minutes to Pokhara, during airborne spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri’s and Annapurna range of mountains with rolling hills dotted with farm villages. On reaching Pokhara airport transfer to respective hotels by the serene lake Phewa, afternoon free for individual activities or just relax and enjoy the views of the Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 15: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After pleasant and interesting time on high hills around Upper Mustang valley with last overnight at Pokhara, morning taking a drive back to Kathmandu on the same exciting highway where the interesting journey ends on reaching hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport).
Day 16: International departure for home ward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Upper Mustang Trekking.
