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Mustang, a land where the soul of man is still considered to be as real as the feet he walks on: a land said to be "barren as a dead deer" but where beauty and happiness abound in spite of hardship, was a part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until 1830's. The wall city of Lo Monthang, unofficial capital of Mustang still remains a kingdom within a kingdom. The early history to Lo Monthang is embellished in myth and legend rather than the recorded fact. Mustang has maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951. The king of Lo Monthang still retains his title and he has been given the honorary rank of Colonel in the Nepal army.

 

Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom which lies in the northern central part of Nepal and at the top of the Kaligandaki River. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern where the languages, culture and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people. This area is consider as one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. The whole area has an isolated and mystical feel to it, enchanting and inspiring visitors to this region. The trek to Lo- Manthang is through high altitude desert country climbing in and out of the huge sided valley of the Kali Gandaki. In places the gorge which the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the world. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with quaint white washed houses.

Upper Mustang

Trip Facts

  • Activities: Trekking and Culture Excursion
  • Trekking Type: Camping Trek
  • Best Season: Sept - Dec / Feb - May
  • Total Duration: 18 Days
  • Trek Duration: 15 Days
  • Min Group Size: 5+ pax
  • Max. Height: 4, 320 m. / 14,173 FT
  • Transportation: Drive in / Fly Out
  • Trek Start From: Kathmandu
  • Trek End To: Kathmandu
Detail Itinerary of Upper Mustang Trekking
  • Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu at (1’365m. 4’478ft.)
    A panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver will meet you at the international airport in kathmandu and escort you to your hotel.
  • Day 02: City sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
    Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances.
  • Day 03: Fly or drive to Pokhara at (840m. 2'755ft.) about 30 minutes fly and 7 hours bus journeys
    From Kathmandu, we take a half an hour scenic flight to Pokhara or we drive for about 7 hours to Pokhara (200 km) from kathmandu. You can spend the later part of the day exploring Pokhara. Set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre, the must visit sites of Pokhara include the Phewa Lake, Davis fall, Mahendra cave, the famous Seti Gorge, the beautiful temple of Bindabasini and Pokhara Mountain Museum.
  • Day 04: Pokhara to Jomsom- Kagbeni at (2'900m. 9'514ft.) about 4 hours Trek from jomsom
    From Jomsom follow the Kali Gandaki River route forward to Eklebhatti and reach Kagbeni. From Kagbeni the route meets the junction where the trail splits for Muktinath, the pilgrimage temple and for Upper Mustang (Lo-Manthang). Kagbeni is a delightful village on the edge of the Mustang restricted area; it’s a hive of activity for donkey and yak caravans coming and going to and from mustang and for pilgrims taking a rest on route to Mukthinath. In Kagbeni, you can easily spend a few hours wondering around taking in this lovely village.
  • Day 05: Kagbeni - Chele at (3'100m. 10'170ft. about 8 hours Trek
    From Kagbeni you enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The trail makes several ups and downs to arrive at Tangbe village. Walking further and descending you will reach to Chhuksang village where you will see many beautiful white washed houses and agriculture fields. From Chhuksang making more ups and downs along the Kali Gandaki River you will get to Chele village.
  • Day 06: Chele - Geling at (3'570m. 11'712ft.) about 7 hours Trek
    From Chele the trail climbs up to the Chele La pass. After crossing the ridge from Chele La the trail enters a large sided valley and descends to Samar, where you will have views of the distant Annapurna Himal dominated by Nil Giri. The trail climbs up to the Bhena La and to Bhena. Climbing to another pass, the Yamdo La, you will descend steeply following a ridge to Shyangmochen. From Shyangmochen you descend to the picturesque village of Geling.
  • Day 07: Geling - Tsarang at (3'560m. 11'679ft.) about 8 hours Trek
    Turning west from Geling, climbing gently through the fields, passing below Tama Gaon and turning north you will reach Nyi La. The trail then drops steeply to Ghhami, a large village surrounded by many fields busy with the activity of the local people working this arid landscape. From Ghhami the trail first descends and then climbs a rocky path to Choya la. Making a gentle descent the trail reaches to tsarang.
  • Day 08: Tsarang - Lo Manthang at (3'840m. 12'598ft.) abour 7 hours Trek
    The trail descends from tsarang, crosses the tsarang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail, then enters the Tholung valley. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the Lo Lha where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo Manthang where you will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important chortens.
  • Day 09: At Lo Mathang
    This day will be spent in this mystical and isolated city. You will awake to the mystical sounds of monks chanting and the heady sent of temple candles. After having breakfast you will visit the four major temples within the city walls. The major attraction of this area is the three storey’s Jampa Lhakhang, the red Thubchen gompa with a massive assembly hall, Chodey gompa and Choprang gompa. After visiting the temples you will take a walk to visit the ACAP office and to Tarchun Gurung’s shop where you can climb up to the roof for a view of the town, and buy a memento to take away with you. Return back to Lo Manthang Camp.
  • Day 10: Day trip around Lo Manthang
    Again you spend another day in Lo Manthang getting to know the place and getting an incite into how the people live in this remote and arid landscape. After having breakfast you will visit the raja’s Place which is an imposing four storey building in the centre of the city. Then you will hire a horse to visit some other villages in this area where you will observe the local culture, life style, tradition and warm heartedness of these people. Return back to Lo Manthang Camp.
  • Day 11: Lo Manthang Drakmar about 7 hours Trek
    From Lo Manthang the trail climbs steadily offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail climbs a ridge and continues climbing to the Chogo La, the highest point on the trek. The trail makes a short, steep descent and crosses the Chharang River, then climbs to Lo Geker and reaches to Ghar gompa a small monastery. Climbing to the ridge, crossing a valley along some alpine meadows, and then dropping down a steep eroded path you will reach Drakmar.
  • Day 12: Drakmar - Shyangmochen about 6 hours Trek
    The trail descends passing the stone walls and fields of Drakmar, then climbs to a ridge and descends to the lower part of Ghemi and further descending you will reach to Jaite and descend again gently to Chhung-Kah. The trail then reaches to Tama Gaon and continues descending to Shyangmochen.
  • Day 13: Shyangmochen - Chhuksang about 7 hours Trek
    From Shyangmochen the trail follows the quite stream all the way down to Chhuksang.
  • Day 14: Chhuksang - Kagbeni about 6 hours Trek
    Trek back to Kagbeni from Chhuksang.
  • Day 15: Kagbeni - Jomsom about 4 hours Trek
    Trek back to Jomsom.
  • Day 16: Jomsom - Pokhara
    Fly back to Pokhara.
  • Day 17: Fly or drive to Kathmandu at (1'365m. 4'478ft.) about 30 minutes fly and 7 hours bus journeys
    From pokhara, we take a half an hour scenic flight to kathmandu or we drive for about 7 hours (200 km) from pokhara. You can spend the later part of the day exploring in kathmandu.
  • Day 18: Departure Kathmandu
    Our support teams will take you to the international airport for your flight back home.