The Upper Mustang trek visits the below areas;
From $2,389 AUD pp (2 pax) plus special permit is required for this region costing $72 AUD per day per person
The Upper Mustang trek journey allows visitors to experience one of the few places in the world where the lifestyle has remained unchanged for many years. This is because the region, until recently, was inaccessible to outsiders. Isolation has helped the people of Mustang to maintain their lifestyle and heritage for centuries. Hidden behind the majestic Himalayan ranges of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. The Upper Mustang trek is filled with beautiful trekking zones. Special Area Trekking Permits are required by trekkers when they visit this region and a Liaison Officer still accompanies every trek to Mustang.
Although officially part of Nepal, the Mustang region in the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River is a world unto itself. Long closed to foreigners because of its strategic location on the Tibetan border. The Upper Mustang trek has only been open to hikers for less than a decade and it is closely regulated by the Nepali government. Only organized treks are allowed into the region, and those require an expensive trekking permit. Consequently, Upper Mustang treks are among the most expensive in Nepal. However, for many people the cost is more than justified by the chance to explore this high desert region that has far more in common with Tibet than it does with Nepal. The brown landscape, jagged peaks, and mud-walled villages are reminders of what Tibet must have been like before the Chinese invasion.
Duration: 16 days
Grade: 2-Moderate
Best Time to go: September – Middle of June
Trekking: Teahouse
Max. Altitude: 3840m
Transportation: Tourist Bus, Private vehicle and Flight
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Pokhara drive (960m / 6hrs)
Day 04 : Pokhara – Jomsom fly (2700m). Trek to Kagbeni (2800m / 4hrs)
Day 05 : Kagbeni – Chele (3100m / 6hrs)
Day 06 : Chele – Geling (3570m / 8hrs)
Day 07 : Geling – Charang (3560m / 7hrs)
Day 08 : Charang – Lo Manthang (3840m / 5hrs)
Day 09 : Lo Manthang rest
Day 10 : Lo Manthang – Ghami (3520m / 6hrs)
Day 11 : Ghami – Samar (3540m / 6hrs)
Day 12 : Samar – Kagbeni (2800m / 5hrs)
Day 13 : Kagbeni – Jomsom (2700m / 4hrs)
Day 14 : Jomsom – Pokhara fly (960m / ½ hr)
Day 15 : Pokhara – Kathmandu drive (1300m / 6hrs)
Day 16 : Final departure
Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, here you will be formally introduced to your Guide and the activities to be enjoyed over the next few days. We will also ask for your passport photographs and any other details required for your trek permits, at this stage.
After breakfast, you start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. We will arrange a guide of your chosen language to give you a tour and introduction to our rich culture amongst our ancient and fascinating history and religion. In our sightseeing tour you go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square.
Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. There is an intriguing 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums.
Swayambhunath, situated on a hillock 6.5 kilometres west of Kathmandu, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.
Drive or fly to Pokhara. Pokhara is situated on the side of Lake Fewa, it is a beautiful area with Fishtail mountain (Machhapuchhare) rising not far behind within the Annapurna range. Only 200km from Kathmandu it can take 6/8 hours by road depending on the season.
The flight is only 25 minutes this morning, a spectacular route, on landing in Jomson you will begin your trek, heading to Kagbeni following the Kali Ghandaki river, the trail is rough and barren but is mostly flat. You will enjoy lovely views of mountains such as Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna’s. A medieval looking town, Kagbeni sits in a little oasis and is home to a large red gompa.
There is a trail up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni, continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe, we reach Chhusang village and crossing the river, continue climbing north up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki flows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at 3030m. The culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.
The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, before descending further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geling.
From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the most interesting pass on your trek, Nyi La and descends beneath blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley to a bridge over the Tangmar Chu (river,) then climbs past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular mani (prayer wall) in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five–story white Dzong (fort) and red gompa (Buddhist temple) contains a fascinating array of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddhas.
It is worth exploring Charang this morning if you haven’t already done so. When the time comes to leave the village you will head up the valley to the boundary between Charang and Lo, the trail here broadens and soon you will catch sight of Lo Manthang, with only one entrance you will walk round to the North East corner to get in.
Home to only 150 houses and a number of Lama residences Lo Manthang is interesting to walk around. There is a blood drinking festival held, worth a look for the less squeamish.
This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your return trek. The trail climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. Crossing a ridge at 4070m, the trail then bumpily to Gekar. Lo Gekar Gompa is one of the oldest gompas in Nepal. And is older than the famed Samye Gompa in Tibet. Passing through Thamar village, the steep trail finally reaches Ghami.
From Ghami climb to Nyi La and descend to Samar through the same route.
Return trek to Kagbeni.
Return trek to Jomsom.
Your morning flight this morning will return you to Pokhara where you will be taken to your hotel.
It is possible to fly this route, taking just 20 minutes. On arriving in Kathmandu you will be taken to your hotel.
the Evening we will drive you to fare well Dinner in Nepali cultural restaurant.
All too soon it’s time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure Himalaya.
Cost Includes:
Cost Excludes:
