Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep

The name Mustang refers to the arid Tibet -like region at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki, lying beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Mustang is the land of barley fields, pastures for villages inhabited by people related to the Manages and the northern region (the ancient kingdom of Lo) where the language culture and traditions are almost purely Tibetan.

The name Mustang refers to the arid Tibet -like region at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki, lying beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Mustang is the land of barley fields, pastures for villages inhabited by people related to the Manages and the northern region (the ancient kingdom of Lo) where the language culture and traditions are almost purely Tibetan. Mustangs being a restricted area there are certain formalities required by the government of Nepal in obtaining a special permit with liaison officer. The long forbidden region of upper Mustang is now open to limited number of trekkers. After an exciting flight through the Kali Gandaki, we land in Jomsom and begin trekking north towards the kingdom of Mustang. Hiking past the villages with multi -storied houses, monasteries and crumbling castles we reach (4100 m.) Lo-Monthang, the walled capital of this kingdom. Mustang trek and tour can be done during the summer months when the people are most active in the fields, villages and monasteries.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1400m) and transfer to hotel.
  • Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing(Pashupatinath Swyambhu Boudha Patan)
  • Day 03: Kathmandu – Bandipur To Pokhara
  • Day 04: Drive From Pokhara To Tatopani  kalapani Lete­­-Marpha – Jomsome
  • Day 05: Jomsome – Kagbeni – Chele To Chhusang.
  • Day 06:  Chhusang – Shyangbochen(3800m)-Ghami (via syagboche La – Chunggar- Nyi La).
  • Day 07: Drive Ghami  to Tsarang (Lo pass 3950m) Manthang.
  • Day 08: Explore around Lo-Mangthang (3810m)
  • Day 09: Drive Lo-Manthang  to Drakmar (3820m) –Chusang – Tetang.
  • Day 10: Tetang- kagbeni- muktinath- jomsome.
  • Day 11: Jomsom Jeep To Pokhara, (850m)
  • Day 12: Pokhara Flight To Kathmandu.
  • Day 13: Free visit in Kathmandu.
  • Day 14: Departure Kathmandu.

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 1:Arrive Kathmandu(1400m):Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

 Day 2:Kathmandu Sightseeing( Pashupatinath, Swyambhu, Boudha, Patan):Pre- trip meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley,visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Specially Visit Swayambhunath,patan Durbar Square, Pashupathinath Temple And Boudhanath Stupa.Then transfer to hotel. Overnight At the hotel.

Day 3:Kathmandu – Bandipur to pokhara(830m):After breakfast you will start tour.you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Thankot you climb up to Naubishe the gateway to capital city.while driving from Kathmandu to pokhara, you head up to kurintar  where the Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana and muglin,Dumre and then you wil be reach Bandipur . Bandipur is a hilltop settlement and a rural municipality in Tanahun District  its preserved, old time cultural atmosphere, Bandipur has increasingly been coming to the attention. Bandipur is famous for Newari people and their cultures.you will visit there and take lunch  toward following the second most popular tourist destination is Pokhara. It is overshadowed by a massive wall of the Himalayas, and dominated by the towering peak of the Annapurna range. Even more impressive is the fishtailed pinnacle of Mt. Machhapuchhare (6977 mt.) Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to your hotel. Visit of Pokhara includes Devi’s Fall, also known as “Pataley Chhango”, walk at leisure around Phewa Lake [as our hotel is located near the lake] and local market.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 4:Drive From Pokhara to Tatopani Kalapani Late­­-Marpha – Jomsom(2720m):Today we start our journey by jeep to Jomsom. Boarding your 4WD vehicle, it’s smooth tarmac as you head out of Pokhara and into the lower reaches of the Kali Gandaki Valley. If the weather is clear, we will have good view of the Annapurna Mountain Range and the Phewa Lake as you drive out of Pokhara. Crossing the village of Kusma, visit the Kusma Balewa [Bridge which is the highest and longest suspension bridge in Nepal [117 m in height and 344 m in length]. Continue the drive further through Malunga which houses the malunga Temple and  the Malunga Bridge. The countryside of Nepal can be best view on the drive in this region with traditional houses, rice terrace fields and vegetable garden. We will continue our drive to reach Beni (900m). [Beni means a place where 02 rivers meet, Kali Gandaki River and Myagdi River]. Arrive in Beni for lunch. After lunch visit the Galeshwar Temple in Beni dedicated to Lord Shiva. After the visit we will say goodbye to tarmac road as the road becomes a rough with rock, pebbles and dust including river crossing at few stretches as we slowly ascend. The drive is along the Kali Gandaki River. On a clear day, the Nilgiri Mountain Ranges will be visible from here. A 22 kilometers drive brings us to Tatopani, a site of natural hot water spring, as the road now ascends. Near Dana we will witness the mesmerizing waterfall, Rupse Jharna. After the visit we will continue our drive via Ghasa, where there is a Police Check point. The peak of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas come into view. Half and hour further drive reaches us to Lete and then jomsome there is some monastery so better to visit this monastery and look around jomesome (2700m).
Overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

 Day 5:Jomsome – kagbeni – chele(3050m) to Chhuksang(2980m): After Breakfast . From Chele, you will take a jeep drive to Chhusang. From Chele, you will cross the Tangbe village to reach Chhuksang. explore around chhuksang village and rest on hotel. Overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

Day 06: Chhuksang – Shyangbochen(3800m)-Ghami (via syagboche La – Chunggar- Nyi La:

During the Morning after breakfat you will start your journey.From Chhuksang, you will drive towards Syangboche. The route involves the views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, and Damodar Danda.You can stop your jeep between your journey to take rest and click some beautiful pictures. Driving through Syagboche La and Nyi La, you will take the route to Ghami. Admiring the beautiful mountain passes and unique landscapes of the region, you finally reach the village of Ghami.Overnight at Ghami. Meals B/L/D.

 Day 07: Drive Ghami (3520m) to Tsarang- Charang (Lo pass 3950m) Manthang.

After having your breakfast at Ghami, today you will drive towards the hidden King kingdom of Lo Manthang today. At first, you will drive towards Tsarang via Lo Pass. crossing the Ghami river, the route takes you to a plateau crossing several Mani Walls. After a few hours of drive, you will reach Tsarang which is also known as Charang.

From Tsarang, you will drive towards the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. Along the way to Lo Manthang, you will be able to see some of the magnificent mountains such as Mount Annapurna, Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Bhrikurti. You will cross the Lho Pass before you reach the beautiful Lo Manthang Valley.After reaching Lo Manthang, you will stop and jeep and stay at one of the hotels. Overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

 Day 8: In Lo- Manthang(3810m).

After breakfast we will drive for 30 minutes to reach Chhoser where we will visit the Cave Monastery and the Caves around the village of Garphu. We could see caves everywhere on the other side of the valley. At the village of Garphu we will cross the river and drive towards Lo Nyiphuk Monastery built in the cave. The monastery belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. After visiting the monastery we will visit the Caves which are about 2,500 years old. Archeologists believe that the caves in Mustang were used in three general periods. They were first used some 3,000 years ago as burial chambers. Then around 1,000 years ago, they became primarily living quarters, perhaps to escape battles and intruders into the valley. Finally, by the 1400s, most people had moved into traditional villages and the caves became places of meditation. Some of these caves were turned into monasteries such as the Luri Gompa and the Nyiphuk Cave Monastery [which we will visit] Inside the caves are ladders to assist the guest to move within the caves. Through the windows of the caves are great views of the mountains all around. Return to Lo Manthang for lunch. After lunch we will participate in the prayer ceremony conducted for the group in the Monastery. The prayer ceremony is private and exclusive and is meant for the well being of all in the World. Our members can sit in meditation to the clamps of the bells and drums of the Monastery. The ceremony will last for about an hour. Rest of the time free for souvenir shopping.Overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

 Day 9: Drive Lo-Manthang  to Drakmar (3820m) –chhuksang – tetang(3040m).

After breakfast we will drive for 30 minutes to reach Chhoser where we will visit the Cave Monastery and the Caves around the village of Garphu. We could see caves everywhere on the other side of the valley. At the village of Garphu we will cross the river and drive towards Lo Nyiphuk Monastery built in the cave. The monastery belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. After visiting the monastery we will visit the Caves which are about 2,500 years old. Archeologists believe that the caves in Mustang were used in three general periods. They were first used some 3,000 years ago as burial chambers. Then around 1,000 years ago, they became primarily living quarters, perhaps. Overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

Day 10:Tetang(3040m)- Kagbeni- Muktinath- Jomsome. After leisurely breakfast we will towards following the same route and after short Drive you will reach Kagbeni.  from kagbeni you will drive toward muktinath temple visit there and return same route to  Jomsom with stoppage at ease for photography. Nilgiri South Peak becomes even more impressive and the bulk of Dhaualgiri comes into view as we approach Jomsom (2700m). Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Free time to discover Jomsom on your own. overnight at the hotel.With Meals B/L/D.

Day 11: Jomsom to Pokhara by Jeep. After early breakfast we will towards jomsom to pokhara  following same route and After 7-8 hrs drive .you will reach pokhara and rest. or (free to visit). Overnight at the hotel.with Meals B/-/-

Day 12: Fly Back to Kathmandu.

After early breakfast visit somewhere in pokhara and in the afternoon connecting flight to Kathmandu. Assistance upon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. After your adventures in Upper Mustang, Kathmandu will no doubt feel bigger, noisier and livelier than ever before. All time at leisure. Driving: 7 hrs by private transport / (Pokhara Kathmandu flight: 25 minutes). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Kathmandu rest of the day is free for shopping: Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : Kathmandu-Departure. AM at leisure. Transfer to the airport for the flight for departure.

The price covers the following services:

  • All Airport pickup / Drop by private a/c Van
  • All transportations as program
  • 4 night accommodation in Kathmandu with BB plan in with tourist standard hotel
  • 2 night accommodation in Pokhara with BB plan(Lakeside) hotel.
  • Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by Private van or tourist bus.
  • Pokhara – Kathmandu flight ticket and tax
  • Food and Accommodation during trekking tour area in Hotels/teahouses/Lodges(jomsom to jomesome )
  • English speaking experienced guide (or Italian speaking)
  • Food, salary, accommodation and insurance for our Nepali staffs
  • all necessary paper work and upper mustang special permit fee
  • Farewell dinner.

The price does not include:

  • International flight to and from Nepal
  • Soft and hard drinks
  • Meals in Pokhara and Kathmandu
  • Personal insurance and other personal expenses
  • Tips for trekking staff (tipping is expected).