Upper Mustang
Life in Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry and trade.
The Upper Mustang comprise the northern two-thirds of Mustang District of Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal. It consists of three rural municipalities namely Lo Manthang, Dalome, and Baragung Muktichhetra.
Mustang’s status as a kingdom ended in 2008 when its suzerain Kingdom of Nepal became a republic. The influence of the outside world, especially China, is growing and contributing to rapid change in the lives of Mustang’s people. The development works are increasing there day by day with the higher pace.
Day 1, Arrive in Kathmandu.
Pick up by our office representatives at airport and transfer to hotel. Briefing about your trek. Welcome dinner at Traditional Restaurant.
Overnight at hotel [-/-/D]
Day 2, Fly to Pokhara
After breakfast fly to Pokhara (approx 25 min) Transfer to hotel at Pokhara and after lunch a tour of Pokhara city including a boat ride at Phewa lake.
Overnight at hotel [B/-/-]
Day 3, Fly to Jomsom and Drive to Kagbeni
We take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom (famous for its apples) where we will be met at the tiny airstrip by our trek crew. After some initial preparation of loads, we begin our journey driving to the pretty village of Kagbeni (30 min approx)
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 4, Trek to Chele
Chele is a Mongolian village where all the villagers are from the Gurung Community. From Tanbe the trail again climbs to a high point around 3100m. The trail then drops steeply and undulates along the east bank of Kali Gandaki for 1.5 hours to the village of Chhuksang.
After a short walk along the river bed, there is a solid bridge across the Kali Gandaki at the point where it tunnels its way under a vast block of red sandstone; from here it is a short sharp climb to Chele after lunch.
Trek Time: 7 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 5, Trek to Geling
Starting out early, you move steadily uphill to Geling. From Ghimi, climbing still further, you reach Tsarang, which is the second most popular settlement after Lomanthan. At Tsarang, there is an old palace where the “piece de resistance” is a set of human hands. It is said to belong to the master builder of the palace. The hands were cut off in order to stop him from building another palace in the same grandeur some eight hundred years ago.
Trek Time: 8 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,720 m / 12,204 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 6, Trek to Charang
From Geling, two trails level down east of the village, one steeply past a trio of red, black and white chortens that are a common sight in upper Mustang. At the bottom are two bridges across the river where there is a direct path to this point. The trail climbs onto a gently sloping plateau and passes beside a very long mani wall, about 1/2 hour from Ghami. Climbing steadily, an altitude of 3770m is reached after about 2 hours from Ghami. The descent to Tsarang is mostly gentle and completed in another 2 hours.]
Trek Time: 6 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,560 m / 11,679 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 7, Trek to Lomanthang
The trail leaves Tsarang to the northwest and the village disappears into the Tsarang Chu canyon. Having climbed to around 3850 m. a pass is reached and through a narrow ‘window ‘at the summit the view ahead opens out to display the western valley of Lo-Manthang. Just down from the pass is the first dramatic view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang and the ancient ruined forts. There is a tremendous view to the east of the red, blue, grey, white and yellow eroded Mustang Khola canyon; to the north lie the flattish red colored hills and the Tibetan border. The western view is dominated by the snow-capped peak of ‘Manaslu‘. The descent to Lo-Manthang is short and after crossing the small river and climbing briefly the fabled city is finally reached.
Trek Time: 5 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,840 m / 12,598 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 8, In Lomanthang
Set out from Lo Manthang on horseback to explore the surrounding area and villages, the Palace and you may also get a chance to meet the King who has no ruling powers now but is still deeply respected by all.
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 9, Trek to Ghami
The trail climbs steadily to a pass marked by a cairn offering a last glimpse of LoManthang. The trail contours past two small ridges and valleys before crossing a ridge at 4070m and descending southwards through two more valleys, meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent to Gekar. Lo Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet and is one of the oldest Gompas in Nepal. We cross a ridge after a little climbing and drop down steeply to Thamar village. The trail descends alongside the stone walls and fields of extensive villages before climbing to a ridge. It is a short descent from there to Ghami (3490m).
Trek Time: 7 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,490 m / 11,450 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 10, Trek to Shyangmochen
Trek from Ghami to Jaite and then to Chhung – Ka and to Tama Gaon. From Tama Gaon this trail climbs to a huge painted Chorten, which rejoins Geling trail near the ridge, slightly below the Shyangmochen La. We cross the pass descending to Shyangmochen.
Trek Time: 6 hours approx.
Altitude: 3,460 m / 11,351 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 11, Trek to Kagbeni
Shyangmochen will bring us to Kagbeni. On doing so we retrace the upward trail through Yamdo, Bena to Samar, descending through Chele to the Kali Gandaki from where we trek downstream till we reach to Chhuksung. Similarly we retrace our way back. Firstly we arrive at Tangbe from Chhuksung and then to Kagbeni. Kagbeni looks like a town from the medieval past with mud houses, dark tunnels and alleys and its people still dressed in typical Tibetan clothing.
Trek Time: 7-8 hours approx.
Altitude: 2,780 m / 12,401 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 12, Trek to Jomsom
We mark an end to our long trek on arrival at Jomsom from Kagbeni. With all the good memories of the trekking at this region we take rest for the whole day on reaching Jomsom, so that on departure from here to Kathmandu we shall be fresh and relaxed.
Trek Time: 3-4 hours approx.
Altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Overnight at Simple Lodge [B/L/D]
Day 13, Fly to Pokhara
Today early morning you will fly from Jomsom to Pokhara.Rest of the evening is free to explore on your own.
Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]
Day 14, Fly to Kathmandu
After breakfast fly to kathmandu and drive to hotel from kathmandu airport. Free day on your own .Farewell dinner.
Overnight at Hotel [B/-/D]
Day 15, Final Departure
After breakfast transfer to airport for your onward journey.
B : Breakfast , L: Lunch and D: Dinner
The above cost includes:
• Meet and Assistance at Airport.
• Arrival/Departure transfers.
• Surface transfer to Kagbeni.
• 02Nights Hotel accommodation in Hotel in Kathmandu Sharing Twin/Double Room on Half-Board Basis.
• 02Nights Hotel accommodation in Hotel in Pokhara Sharing Twin/Double Room on Bed and Breakfast Basis.
• 10Nights Hotel accommodation in Simple Lodge/Tea House in Full Board Basis.
• 01 Porter and 01 English Speaking Trekking Guide accompanying throughout the trek. (NOTE: 01 porter for every 02 clients. Porter will carry a maximum of 30 kg only)
The above cost excludes:
• Nepal entry visa fee.
• Airfare: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu (Quoted Separately).
• Airfare: Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara (Quoted Seperately).
• Refreshments, tips, bottled drinks and bar bills.
• Insurance and rescue of any form.
• Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides and reasons beyond our control.
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost.
• Gratuities, tipping to guides and drivers.
• Any other thing not mention in the itinerary.
