Upper Mustang Trekking -17 Days

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal, a Himalayan nation widely celebrated for its hospitable natives, medieval architectural marvels and diverse wildlife. Outside the terminal of Kathmandu Airport, you’ll find one of our representatives waiting for your arrival. Succeeding the exchange of cordial greetings, you’ll be escorted to your hotel. Acquire some rest and loosen up your tired muscles enjoying the amenities offered by the hotel then go for an evening stroll around Thamel Bazaar to find your delight in the pleasant ambiance surrounding it.

Today, you can have an excursion to the prominent landmarks of Kathmandu. A modern city which still retains its traditional values, Kathmandu is an excellent place for sightseers with the special interest in vintage artistic works. If you are confused about where to begin when we are present in your aid! Start your jaunt from the holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and discover the sensation of calmness within you in the spiritual atmosphere. Make a stopover at the sacred Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Surround yourself with the true essence of Tibetan Buddhism as well as witness the sheer magnitude of time-honored stupa structures. Still not satisfied? Then, explore the Basantapur Durbar Complex positioned at the heart of the city to embrace ancient craftsmanship.

Early in the morning, get onboard an airplane cruising in the air to Pokhara (for additional fees of USD 90 per person per way) or take a drive via a tourist bus (complimentary); it rests on your personal preferences. Despite the means of transportation you choose, you’ll definitely observe blissful landscapes featuring verdant valleys, lush greenery, sparking mountaintops, raging rivers, rustic villages, hills, and terraced fields. Only the time utilized to conclude the trip varies. A flight will take about 35 minutes, and ground travel will consume nearly 6-7 hours. Some travellers say the aerial vistas are better than what we see from the ground, but the fact is that it all depends on individuals’ tastes and perspectives.

This morning, we‘ll have a flight to catch bound for the picturesque town of Jomsom. The aerial outlooks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna in close proximity are simply incredible. Once landed, we’ll start our trekking venture and head uphill on the rugged trail across mountainous terrain along the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni (2,810m). Positioned at the confluence of two rivers, majestic vistas of Mt. Nilgiri can be observed to the south of this quaint settlement, famously known as the ‘gateway to Upper Mustang’.  If everything goes as scheduled, we’ll probably set off on a side trip to Muktinath, which will add an additional six hours to our planned itinerary. The path to this holy Hindu temple is fairly easy and features many minor ups and downs. Pilgrims of both Hindu and Buddhist religions pay their homage to Lord Muktinath throughout the year. You’ll unearth peace of mind in this divine place.

After inspection of necessary permits at the official checkpoint located near the Kagbeni’s border, we’ll continue our advance alongside Kali Gandaki River only to climb over multiple ridges past many monasteries, caves, and apple orchard to Tangbe. Encircled by farmlands of barley, buckwheat, wheat; this village harbors white-washed houses (constructed from mud and stone) amidst a network of narrow alleys. Thereafter, we’ll resume our trek to Chhusang Village. Getting to the other side of a river, we’ll now leave the Kali Gandaki Valley behind then ascend abruptly to Chele (3,050m).

Proceeding by the side of Mustang Region’s unique reddish red landscapes, we’ll direct our steps up across arid grounds to make a steady descent to Samar (3,620m). We’ll spot the majestic peaks of Nilgiri and Annapurna over the horizon to the south. Ascending on a ridge above Samar, we’ll stay with the trail down to a stupendous gorge then forge ahead through the dramatic countryside to traverse a sparkling stream and reach to the vertex of another ridge. Eventually, we’ll descend to Shyangmochen (3,800m).  En route, we’ll walk past the well-renowned Ramchung Cave, one of the sacred sites in Mustang Region. 

This day, we’ll initially trek past a handful of teahouses, chortens and native settlements, then negotiate Yamada La Pass (3,850m) to emerge at Geling Village. Afterward, we’ll navigate beyond Nyi La Pass (4,010 m), then Ghami La Pass, and continue downhill to Ghami, the third largest village in the region.  The trail steers east to the settlement of Charang from the end of the wall. Subsequently, we’ll climb our way to the other side of moonlike terrain, where we’ll spot the unique Tsarang Chorten from a distance, which points out our closeness with the entrance to Tsarang (3,560m).  The large, five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are the must-visit places in this village.

Accompanied by the sublime vistas of snow-capped peaks such as Tilicho (7,134m), Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and Bhrikuti, we’ll climb down to Charang Chu Canyon at first then ascend abruptly after ranging over the river. Thereupon, we’ll gradually advance to the pass of Lo. Here, we can catch glimpses of the Lo-Manthang Valley. Uninterrupted aridness is what we’ll see during this entire trek day. The walled capital of Lo-Manthang appears into the sight as we descend down the hill and march towards its entrance.

The day nine is allocated as “Rest Day” during which you can render much required break to your tired legs while adapting to the higher elevations. Flanked by two colossal rocks, which creates a natural barrier, Lo Manthang is an awe-inspiring place travel enthusiasts can ever set their feet upon. It once was capital of the ancient kingdom of Mustang.  Appealing gompas, a remarkable five-story royal palace, and traditional houses situated alongside the narrow streets; Lo Manthang has got everything to capture as well as retain your attention.  Explore around to grasp the pristine surrounding of this magnificent village.

In day ten our adventure, we’ll go for a joyful trip to Garphu Village within Chhoser Valley i.e. located near the Tibetan border to the north of Lo Manthang.  You can either take ponies or a jeep, but a fairly easy 2 hours hike to this scenic place has its own charm. After the hike, we’ll finally get to observe Nyiphu and Garphu monasteries. These caves are dug right out on a hill flaunting mesmerizing outlooks of the far-northern mountains as backdrops.  Witness the picturesque setting and amazing ancient architecture of these time-worn structures. Once inside, you can find the complex of narrow passages and steep staircase leading to different floors.  Besides that, walk around to take a closer look at wall frescos, scrolls, artifacts, and Buddhist prayer altars. We’ll return to Lo Manthang at the end of the day.

Popular among the trekkers, this scenic segment of trail consists of downhill descents offering splendid views of snowy summits in the distance. We’ll walk gently, taking pleasure of magical vistas initially. As we proceed further, we’ll find ourselves trekking down steeply to the eroded yet beautiful gully. Finally, we arrive at Ghiling (3,570m).

Today, we’ll pursue the route that will take us through many ascends and descends across the remote territories in Nepal, filled with beautiful valleys and canyons of Kali Gandaki River. Passing by Syangboche (3,475m), we’ll cross Bhena La Pass (3,830 m). While crossing the pass, we can see the surroundings of Samar. Succeeding a precipitous descent, we’ll negotiate Jhuwa Khola and enter the village of Samar (3,550m). We can see three colourful chortens at the entrance to the village. Here, we can gaze at some nice views of peaks Nilgiri and Annapurnas.

As we resume our trek, we’ll climb uphill then move down to Chele. We’ll continue on the windy pathway past the Chusang Village and traverse barley, wheat farmlands, apple orchards, sparse settlements with whitewashed houses to reach Kagbeni (2,800m). During our advancement on this long yet easy trail, we’ll be constantly followed by the exquisite vistas of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Tukuche.

In the last trekking day of our adventure, we’ll keep on with our descent and pass by Ekle Bhatti (2,740m). We must start our trek early in the morning, as the strong winds make it difficult to walk during other hours of the day. With easy trail and blissful journey, we’ll ultimately make it to Jomsom (2,750m).

This very day, we’ll pack our bags and get on a flight destined for Pokhara. Once in Pokhara, you can either rest in your hotel room or wander around the picturesque sites in Pokhara City.  

Today, we will embark on our journey back to Kathmandu after enjoying a delightful breakfast. Our route will lead us through the scenic Prithivi Highway, a road that stretches for 200km. It is estimated that this picturesque drive will take approximately 6 to 7 hours to complete.

We hope to see you again when you arrive in Nepal for your next escapade! Bidding farewell to each other, you’ll be guided to Kathmandu Airport by one of our staff members, three hours prior to your scheduled flight so that you won’t encounter any minor troubles during your final moments in Nepal. Have a safe flight back to your homeland. Cheers!!