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Duration 17 Days
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Difficulty Moderate
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Max Elevation 4,230m
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Best Season Aug - Nov and Feb - May
Mustang, which is known as the Rain-Shadow area, is the mysterious place of Nepal. Upper Mustangs resembles Tibetan culture and it is rich in its unique feature and fascination. Mustang lies in the central northern part of Nepal, through which the holy river Kaligandaki flows evoking fear and fascination at once. Actually, Mustang is the primeval Himalayan Kingdom. Upper Mustang is full of mystery with interesting and picturesque sites since it inspires and enchants the visitors, whoever approaches this region. Lo Manthang is the central city of attraction. The major attraction of Upper Mustang is the walled city of Lo-Manthang. The wall City of Lo Monthang is an unofficial capital of Mustang and still remains a kingdom within a kingdom. The early history to Lo Monthang is embroidered in myth and legend rather than the recorded fact. Tiji Festival is another attraction of the trek which is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism that is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season.
An adventure starting from world’s deepest gorge Kaligandaki Region towards world’s highest regions of Lo-Mangthang Valley passes through an almost tree-less barren landscape, the steep rocky trail up and panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri various several other peaks. The Upper Mustang trek starts from Jomsom to Kagbeni which is the entry point of upper Mustang Region. The trek further follows the banks of Kaligandaki River upstream to get to Lo-Mangthang. Upper Mustang trek is a great exploration trek for the one who wishes to make a challenging trek along an adventurous path in the Trans-Himalayan Region.
Upper Mustang Trek ~ Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu.
Upon arrival at Kathmandu international airport, you will be welcomed by our staff and will transfer to your hotel. Evening you will have a meeting with office representative for a trip briefing. Some of facts, rules, and regulations are important to know while you travel Upper Mustang of Nepal.
Day 2
Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Mainly there are two different options to get Pokhara from Kathmandu. The flight will be the easy option which takes only 33 minutes but if you prefer by bus it may take up to 7 hours to cross about 200 kilometers. Also, the Trishuli River drive you may enjoy beautiful local villages. The other option will get Pokhara would be by private transports like car, van etc.. Evening visit Pokhara city and stay overnight.
Day 3
Pokhara to Jomsom (2,713m) flight to Kagbeni (2,810m).
The early flight of half an hour takes to Jomsom on the lap of Himalayas. After taking breakfasts here, you’re walking journey starts to Kagbeni passing Ekali Bhatti. Normally you walk for about 4 hours today with the easy flat land. No tree is found along the trek. Mostly you fallow Kaligandaki riverside. Take lunch and rest. Afterward, visit the traditional village of Tibetans kagbeni with over 500 years old monastery. And stay overnight.
Day 4
Trek to Chussang (2,920m) - 6 hrs walk.
After checking your special Mustang permits in kagbeni the trek goes uphill for while leaving Kaligandaki River behind. The trail goes too harsh barren countryside all the way with some stops. Here you cross some small and tiny villages as welk progress coming to the town called Tangbe, after walking an hour more brings the overnight stop place. Chusang located at the confluence of the Narsang river and the Kali Gandaki River.
Day 5
Trek to Samar (3,290m) - 6 to 7 hrs walk.
First villages comes Chele after passing this village the stream via the broken canyons and ruin castle walls on the around cliffs. Pass the river from Chussang are some massive red eroded cliffs higher the mouths of unreachable caves. After passing the tiny bridge an up climb for about 45 minutes brings to Chele town. From this village walk gets steep up for an hour upto ridge at 3,130m, A perfect vistas of Gyagar across a big canyon is visible. Afterwards the path goes up slowly windswept terrain upto at 3,540m. Normal decent for a while takes you to Samar for overnight stay.
Day 6
Trek to Ghiling (3,600m) - 6 to 7 hrs.
The trek today fallow the tiny climb abobe Samar village to a ridge, with a downhill leading to a large gorge past a Chorten ainted red, black, yellow and white all the colors are made from local stones. Meeting some Juniper trees the trek goes on to another township. From here the path descends to Shyangmochen, am tiny livings with some tea houses at 3,710m, taking right downhill the trek descends towards to Gelling for overnight stay.
Day 7
Trek to Tsarang (3,520m) - 6 to 7 hrs.
From gelling, the path goes up genteelly via the fields up the centre of the valley, crossing below the Tama Gung village, the walk carry on a long climb across the head of the valley to the Byi La Pass 3,950m which is also elevated place of the trek as well the cross itself happens to be the southern bundry of Lo. From here a normal down for half an hour arrives to junction the right trail leads to tsarang where the left leds to Ghami town.
Day 8
Trek to Lo-Manthang (3,780m) - 5 hrs.
A day you arrives the final destination, the path starts with short descends passing the Charangchu River with steep uphill on side and crossing via the Tholung valley. Path divert with normal climb as the valley goes up to a large Chorten whch marks the boundry of Tsarang and Lo. And we climb landscapes on elevation of 3,850 meter where from the clear lo-mangthang village can be seen. As only one entrée place is northern side so one has to circle the wall to main gate to get Lo-Mangthang village
Day 9
Rest or explore day of Lo-Mangthang.
Having around 150 houses the Lo-Mangthang village is residence of lamas, the closely located, and palaces and monasteries are in bottom portion in these houses. The school, health post, pilice post and man significant chortens are situated outside the walls to the north. People from Lo, they are very much Tibetan and practive practical cultural economy. Before strong trade with Tibet was disrupted, all of the salt and wool trade on the kali Gandaki crossed via Lo-mangthang. This is the village where the king of Mustang kingdom living. Jigme Parbal bist, and the queen and they are from Nobel family of Lhasa. During the trek you will be exploring all those significant and cultural places.
Day 10
Trek to Ghami (3,440m) - 6 to 7 hrs walk.
As we start return back from the trek today’s walk mostly goes downhill. However short climbs need to be faced. Firstly you climb up to the top where from the last view can be seen of Lo-Mangthang village, then we descends downhill slopes most of the path to Ghami town. Ghimi is another significant town of this area.
Day 11
Trek to Samar - 4 to 5 hrs walk.
The path goes straight route to Nyi La, with a climb to the side and then contouring upwards and encounters the road from Tsarang. From the top the steep descend waits all the way to Gelling town. After passing stream once again the trail climbs up towards to large painted Chorten. Then it is straight towards path to overnight camp.
Day 12
Trek to Yak Kharka - 5 to 6 hrs walk.
Our trek from Samar goes to the less known region by the westerners, descending on the same route for 3 hour via Chele town and then arriving to Mustang Khola, trek leads climbs further up to the ridge, on leaving the village way down below the walks is more less on the gradual uphill trek and we arrive our overnight camp.
Day 13
Trek to Muktinath (3,710m) - 4 hrs walk.
Less frequented upper part of Mustang, you will be viewing more of fellow treks, the trek from the camp towards to slow climb for less than an hour up to 3,970m. here from the trek leads down slope to Muktinath. The massive views of the Nilgiri and Tukuche peak here from the trek is much bigger. Evening you wil visit the holy temple of Muktinath.
Day 14
Trek to Jomsom (5 hrs).
Although the vehicles are available these days, the trek mostly leaves down to Ekali Bhatti and straight flat to Jomsom. It windy valley as weel so do not forget to wear eye glass and globs. Most of the time along the kali Gandaki River you reach Jomsom for overnight.
Day 15
Fly to Pokhara.
An early morning flight for about half an hour arrive at Pokhara.If you prefer same day back to Kathmandu which is also possible. But it’s better to spend relax day in Pokhara after long trek. Visit around and stay overnight.
Day 16
Drive or fly to Kathmandu.
Up to you either you want drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus, car or van. Driving takes about 7 hours and flight takes only 30 minutes.
Day 17
Depart Kathmandu.
Upon your flight time we will transfer you to Kathmandu airport.