Upper Mustang Trek

Mustang District, a part of the Dhaulagiri zone, which is known as “Land Beyond Himalayas” is located in the Gandaki Valley of the Himalayan region of western Nepal. The upper Mustang trek is ultimate gateway to the mysterious world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called lo. Mustangs being a restricted area there are certain formalities required by the government of Nepal in obtaining a special permit with liaison officer.

Mustang District, a part of the Dhaulagiri zone, which is known as “Land Beyond Himalayas” is located in the Gandaki Valley of the Himalayan region of western Nepal.The upper Mustang trek is ultimate gateway to the mysterious world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called lo. 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 numbers of trekkers. Hiking past the villages with multi-storied houses, monasteries and crumbling castles we reach (3810m) Lo-Monthang, the walled capital of this kingdom. Mustang trek 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 (1350m) and transfer to hotel (Kathmandu Sightseeing)
  • Day 02: fly to Pokhara (1400m) jeep to Chele (3060m)
  • Day 03: Chele trek to Shyangbochen (3800m) 6 hr
  • Day 04: Shyangbochen trek to Ghami (3520)6 hr
  • Day 05: Ghami trek to Tsarang / Charang (3560m)7 hr
  • Day 06: Charang to Lo-Manthang (3810m)6 hr
  • Day 07: Explore around Lo-Mangthang (3810m) And Trek to Choser(3890m)2 hr
  • Day 08: Choser to Khakra Trek to Kimbu Gompa Sam Dzong and Lo Manthang(3810m)
  • Day 09: Lo-Manthang trek to Drakmar (3820m)6-7 hr
  • Day 10: Dhakmar trek to Geling/ Ghiling (3570m)6-7 hr
  • Day 11: Geling trek to Chhuksang (2980m)6 hr
  • Day 12: Chhuksang by jeep Visit Muktinat and Drop Pokhara (1400m)
  • Day 13: Pokhara visit (1400m)
  • Day 14: Pokhara drive tourist bus/car to Kathmandu (1350m)
  • Day 15: Kathmandu sightseeing and shopping day
  • Day 16: Departure Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and hotel transfer(Sightseeing City tours):
 After you arrive in Kathmandu airport please check your name with cupboard outside the main gate there will be our airport representative you will meet will be transferred to hotel by private vehicle and we start an italian spk guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. The day will also be for finalizing official procedures and other necessary arrangements. You will also be briefed on the nature of the trek, equipment and team composition. Some of landmarks we visit include the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddhanath). In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items as you will be trek to the Himalayas tomorrow.

Day 02: Early Morning fly to Pokhara (1400m) by jeep to Kagbeni(2800m) and Chele:
Today, you can take a breakfast in your hotel and fly to Pokhara. then by jeep to Jomsom. This is one of the world’s exciting traveling jeep to see mountain closely through the tiny aircraft, Annapurna I 8091 meters, Dhaulagiri 8167 meters, fishtail 6997 meters and other numerous peaks.On the way we can see beautiful villages named tatopani,kalopani and marpha. when we reach jomsom(2700m) Nilgiri Mountain start to appers.within 20 mnt by jeep we reach at Kagbeni (2800m), there is oldest monastery so better to visit this monastery and look around Kagbeni village.Kagebeni is also known as gateway of Upper Mustang. Passing through Chhuksang with river within 45 minutes arrive at Chele.
O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 03: Chele trek to Shyangbochen (3800):
Today trek trail climb to Taklam La Pass (3,624m) and Dajori La (3725m) through plateaus and narrow stretches with views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Himal. Further descend a little to the village of Samar (3620m). Climb the trail that goes above Samar village to the ridge then descending steeply to a stream. Shyangbochen (3800m). On the way, we relax along the surrounding of cool streams and juniper trees. Locals use the dried leaves of junipers as incenses to invite deities and start any auspicious work. We also pass by a cave .by walk 6 hr O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 04: Shyangbochen trek to Ghami (3520m):
Today trek trail short gentle climb to the small pass (3850m) then you will meet two trails one right hand side trail goes to Geling (3570m) where available larger red Gompa and another left hand side trail goes directly to Nyi La Pass (4010m) through Tamagaon (3710m) Please consult with your guide for route recommendation. If you choose trail goes to Tamagaon will be shorter one but if you choose through Geling will be longer walk. Both trail flat and gentle uphill till Nyi La Pass (4010m) then descend to the Ghami / Ghemi (3520m), the third largest village in the Lo region. The trail is passing a chortens and local villages which is like Tibetan style of houses with open Varanda. You will pass on the trail poplar trees and fields of Barley.by walk 5-6 hrs O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 05: Ghami trek to Tsarang / Charang (3560m):
 today trek trail start after with a pleasant walk. After crossing Ghami Khola, the trail climbs to a plateau and passes beside a very long Mani wall, a sacred stone wall made by the followers of Buddhism. From the end of the wall we meet two trails one left hand side trail goes to Dhakmar (3820m) and another right hand side uphill trail lead to Choya La Pass (3870m) then after descend and flat walk to Charang (3560m). Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls, Chorten Gate, red Gompa and greatest library in Lo (Old palace).by walk 7 hrs O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 06: Charang to Lo-Manthang (3810m) :
Today, trek trail to Lo-Manthang with a magnificent view of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna and Bhrikuti peak. The trail first descends to Charang Khola and then climbs steeply after crossing the river (Khola). Further the trail ascends gently to the 3,950m windy pass of Lo, from where you can see the Lo-Manthang Valley. While descending to Lo-Manthang (3810m), views of the walled city appear magnificent with its hills on the Tibetan Border. Finally you reach at Lo-manthang then visit Royal Palace, Monasteries and town. by walk takes 6 hrs O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 07: Explore around Lo-Mangthang (3810m) and Chhoser:
Today we explore the surrounding areas. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa situated on a hilltop serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, the last main village to the northwest of Lo-Manthang and stroll back to hotel. Or you may hire horse to go to Chosar village to see the beautiful two Gompa (monasteries) called Garphu and Nyphu Gompas as well as Chosar village is main trading route to Lhasa (Tibet) and return to Lo-manthang (3810m) O/N : Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 08: Chhoser Trek kimbu Gompa and Lomanthang: This day after breakfast trek starts to khakra trek to Purano kimbu Gompa and sam Dzong and return back Lo manthang.by walk 7-8 hr O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 09: Lo-Mangthan Trek to Dhakmar:
While returning from Lo-Mangthan, we take a different route than that we came by. Lo-manthang trek to Lo Gekar is not main trading route. The trail gradually climbs to cairn on a pass at 4000m from where you will see the last glimpse of Lo Manthang. Beyond the trail climbs to a ridge at 4070m where a large cairn marks a pass into a side valley then continue climb to the head of this valley and cross the Chogo La (4230m) after that trail passing through big grassy valley then steep descend to Charang Khola and cross the bridge at Charang Khola (river) then climb past an unpainted stone chorten and across a muddy field to Lo Gekar (3825m). After small climb there is monastery called Ghar Gompa it is small monastery in a grove of large trees and more than 1200 years old Ghar Gompa with Guru Rinpoche as the primary figure. The Gompa is also famous for its rock paintings. According to the legend, anyone who makes one wish at the Ghar Gompa, their wish is fulfilled. After that climb to a ridge and across a valley to a cairn then reach at Mui La (4170m). After that steep descent to Dhakmar (3820m)by walk 6 hrs O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 10: Dhakmar trek to Geling/ Ghiling (3570m):
Today trek trail descends alongside a stream passing the stone walls and fields of wide village of Dhakmar, the climb to a ridge shorten and onto a ridge at 3710m. After that descends to another stream and makes a short climb to the upper part of Ghami (3520m). Descend to lower part of Ghami then climb up to Ghami La (3765m) and continue climb up to Nyi La (4010m). After small descend you will meet two routes one right hand side trail goes to Shyangbochen (3800m) through Tamagaon and left hand side trail goes all the way down hill to Geling (3570m). by walk 5-6 hoursO/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 11: Geling trek to Chhuksang (2980m):
 Today first trek trail climb up to Shyangbochen La (3850m) then gently descend to Shyangbochen (3800m). Nearby Shyangbochen there are two trails to go to Samar (3660m). One left hand side trail goes to through Ranchung Cave and another right hand side trail lead to Samar village which is we are going to follow the trail that goes passing through Yamdo La (3920m), then gentle descend to Bhena La (3860m) then continue descend to Samar village (3660m) but better to consult with your guide before choosing the trail from Shyangbochen junction because if you are not good walking then he will choose the trail which will be more easier. After Samar you will be short climb and all the way descend through Chele to the Kali Gandaki. Trek downstream to Chhuksang (2980m).by walk 6 hrsO/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/c

Day 12: Chhuksang by jeep to Muktinath(3710m) and pokhara (1400m):
Today is quite long day by jeep from Chhuksang to muktinath picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. From muktinath we can see whole views of Dhaulagiri mountains. Muktinath is a bishnu temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. There are 108 taps and 2 kundas, people believed that bathing there helps to keep us healthy and prosperous. There are many monasteries. In muktinath there is a statue of Buddha and many chortens. Descending same route to Kagebeni,Jomsom and finally at pokhara.That takes approximately 8-10hrs by jeep.O/N: Hotel.Meals: c/p/-

Day 13: Pokhara visit (830m):
morning 5.30 drove to sarangkot then after you will take breakfast in the hotel. we will do city tour pokhara museum and sanctuary in Pokhara.Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Pokhara drive tourist bus/car to Kathmandu (1400m)
It takes about seven hours, while driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Overnight Hotel

Day 15: shopping day in Kathmandu city tours:                                                                

This day after breakfast meet with Italian speaking guide at hotel and start to visit some historical and spirituals places in Kathmandu and the evening time you can visit Thamel and buy something for you and for your friends.

Day 16: Departure from Kathmandu:
After breakfast, End of our services with departure transfer to the Kathmandu airport to board flight for your onward destination.

The price covers the following services:

  • All Airport pickup / Drop by private a/c Van
  • 2-night accommodation in Kathmandu with BB plan in tourist standard hotel
  • 2 night accommodation in Pokhara with BB plan (Lakeside) in tourist standard hotel
  • Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by Private van.
  • Jomsom-Pokhara flight ticket and tax
  • Food and Accommodation during trekking in hotels/teahouses/Lodges
  • English speaking experienced guide
  • one potter for two people
  • Food, salary, accommodation and insurance for our Nepali staffs
  • all necessary paper work and upper mustang special permit fee
  • upper mustang trekking map
  • Trekking porters/Sherpa/mules to carry your bags during the trekking 2:1, max 15 KG baggage/porter
  • 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).