Upper Mustang Trek

  • 17 Days
  • 1 review

Know before your trip

  • Destination
    CountryNepal
  • Difficulty
    Trek DifficultyModerate
  • Group Size
    Max group size1-15 pax
  • Altitude
    Altitude3,945 m.

About Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trekking an amazing and spectacular adventure towards Nepal Far Western Himalaya where monsoon rains hardly reach within dry and arid country of Upper Mustang, located with an extension of Far South West plateau of Tibet.

Upper Mustang Trekking also an ancient and present Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan route to Tibet from Nepal through Mustang area and beyond that leads to the border over high pass of Karo-La that separates the two countries.

A great walk around Upper Mustang although a dry-landscapes with windswept terrain but very scenic and picturesque country to experience where walk takes you into high canyon and cliffs walls of varied colors that makes the place much interesting against white snow capped peaks of Mustang Himal and Dhaulagiri range.

The culture and traditional farm life of locals are equally interesting where walk leads through many nice and villages festooned with prayer symbols and monuments of both Buddhism and ancient Bon sect a pre-Buddhism religion that still exists within western part of Tibet and around Mustang region.

Truly a fascinating adventure to explore around Upper Mustang enclosed within dramatic scenery which makes an outstanding picture to capture in your camera, Upper Mustang trek takes you inside once and former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang where one can explore a medvial period village that takes you back to past centuries.

Upper Mustang Trekking begins from Jomsom after taking a smooth short flight from beautiful city at Pokhara blessed with mountains and lakes, as small aircraft lands at Jomsom after a scenic flight of 22 minutes, where walk begins from the headquarter town of Mustang district in Jomsom and the hub for Thakali people the tribe of Kaligandaki River Valley.

Walking into dry and wide river valley heading past Kagbeni village door to Upper Mustang and beyond towards Tibet, adventure leads over several passes with ever present views of beautiful scenery of high mountains and valley dotted with farm villages.

After days of scenic and interesting reaching into walled village of Lo-Manthang where one can enjoy and explore the inner part of the village of great interest and as well tour of its famous old monasteries with late king of Mustang fort palace.

Spending few days at inner and high areas of Upper Mustang where return journey leads you back at Jomsom for panoramic flight to reach beautiful and scenic Pokhara and then towards Kathmandu to complete our mesmerizing and wonderful adventure on Upper Mustang Trekking.

Highlights

“Within extension of vast and wide South West plateau of Tiber with amazing beautiful scenery Adventure on old and present Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan route to Tibet from high areas of Nepal Magnificent scenery of high snow capped peaks with dramatic landscapes of canyon and high impressive cliffs Enjoy great experience walking into once and former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang with historical monuments Walk into lovely traditional villages full of cultural and religious symbols of Buddhism with ancient Bon traditions Beautiful and great walks around scenic landscapes truly a picturesque country a paradise for photographers”

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu international airport received by Himalayan Lungta staff and guide for transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city around Thamel the exciting place of the city, on checking your rooms meet at the lobby for group briefing regarding treks and other necessary information.

Morning depart from the hotel where our city guide takes you around great places of interest with tour of world heritage sites, with time in the afternoon preparation for the trek.

Morning as per group size either in coach or tourist bus and car to reach Nepal Mid West at scenic city of Pokhara, as journey takes you through rural farm villages and towns to reach at Pokhara by its calm Phewa Lake where hotels are located.

(Flying options 30 minutes of scenic flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu)

Morning short and scenic flight to reach Jomsom from Pokhara, Jomsom a large town and headquarter of whole Mustang area, located on a shelf of Kali-Gandaki River.

From Jomsom where adventure starts towards wide Kali-Gandaki River valley to reach at Kagbeni village, an important place to enter into Upper Mustang and beyond as far towards Tibet border, on this ancient Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet.

After Kagbeni around this exciting village, a short uphill walk to reach an open and wide areas within high canyon with towering eroded cliffs as walk leads to Tiri-Gaon village.

Walk around scenic landscapes with few short ups and down with winding path to Chele village for overnight stop, Chele also spelled as ‘Tshele’ a moderate size village here from onward into more Buddhism culture similar to Tibetan traditional life.

With pleasant overnight at Chele / Tsele village, journey continues with a climb to Gyakar village, within wide barren and arid terrain to reach Samar village, a lovely village along the route as well explore interesting Ramchung Cave.

After few stops as walk continues towards a small settlement of Bhena, and then leading to a steep uphill to Yamda La top at 3,860 meters a small pass, offering glorious views of Mustang wide valley including high peaks with Mt. Dhaulagiri mountain range. After an enjoyable stop with the striking views, descend all the way to Syangboche village for overnight stop.

After a pleasant and wonderful stop at Charang / Tsarang, morning with time to visit village old monastery here observe Buddhist prayer wheels propelled by fast flowing streams of water, after an interesting tour of the Gompa / monastery, walk continues to Ghami village with majestic views of dry and arid country with distant snow capped peaks and crossing two high ridge / passes with downhill to reach a nice village at Ghami for overnight stop.

Morning leads to cross over Ghami Khola (stream) and then following a long row of interesting Mani walls (holy prayer stone) to reach at Dhakmar village, after a short rest here, where good walk brings of another few hours brings you at overnight stop in Charang or Tsarang village.

An attractive village encircled by large crops fields with buck wheat’s and barley the only crops that can be grown on this high elevation and cold climate, at Charang / Tsarang after getting organized in local lodge or guesthouse for overnight stop, with time to visit another monastery of Charang village.

Walk to reach our main highlights of the adventure heading higher side of Upper Mustang where Lo Manthang a former walled kingdom located, a short walk of 4-5 hrs to reach to Lo Manthang for lunch and overnight stop, walk follows a gentle path and then crossing a steel bridge to reach at Marang village, from here the trail winds up to a ridge top to a Buddhist monument called Chorten with mani stones in between Charang and Lo Manthang, offers grand views of dramatic landscapes which is an extension of Tibetan plateau facing Nilgiri’s, Tilicho and Bhrikuti mountains.

After a wonderful scenery walk leads to a climb over Lo La pass at above 3,950 meters high and then downhill to a stream with an hour walk to enter walled village / town of Lo Manthang and then into a nice lodge for overnight stops.

An interesting and exciting place as well the highest overnight stop of the journey, morning after breakfast explore around important places and a worth a visit to the palace like fort, where all houses are of Tibetan style with strong influence and way of life also, visit through narrow lane and streets of the village.

Lo-Manthang houses four major monasteries the Namgyal Gompa, ChampaLakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the great Entrance Hall.

After a wonderful time at Lo-Manthang, where our trek ends for a day to reach back at Kagbeni on route to Jomsom, as drive leads around scenic country with fabulous views of peaks and amazing landscapes to reach at Kagbeni.

From Kagbeni drive continues on winding uphill road past nice villages of Tibetan style villages of Jharkot, with time for tour of its old and interesting monastery believed to be built of 15th Century, and then our journey takes another hour to reach at Muktinath following a wide path to reach Rani Pauwa near holy temple of Muktinath.

Muktinath an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist, here you can witness natural flames In the heart of this sunny, magical valley of Muktinath, one of the most sacred of pilgrimage places of Nepal and Himalaya region.

Overnight in one of its many good lodges with views of Dhaulagiri-Tukuche and Nilgiri’s peaks, here with time to visit holy Muktinath Temple meaning ‘Liberty or Nirvana’ and its sacred 108 water spouts which is one of the source of great Kaligandaki River.

Spending marvelous time at Muktinath with visit of its sacred temples where walk takes on the hidden trails of Lower Mustang area, where few trekkers and visitors often venture beyond Jharkot and Muktinath area, as walk lead to climb of short hours to reach a high hill facing incredible panorama of surrounding Mustang Himal with Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri’s and Tilicho peaks, then descend to a green valley where time forgotten and weather beaten village of Lubruk located.

At Lubruk with time to visit its ancient monastery one of few religious sites with shrine of Bon-Pa an old pre-Buddhism sect religion where Bon was practice before Buddhism came in Tibet and Mustang area around 7th Centaury, Bon an ancient sect worships natural spirits and old heritage culture of past generations.

After Muktinath and Lubruk, our adventure ends where walk leads to a big drop of 1,200 m towards Kaligandaki river valley, as exciting walk around Kaligandaki River valley as route leads to Jomsom after few hours of interesting trek. Jomsom a headquarter town of Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River.

At Jomsom afternoon free to explore Thakali town and to witness its impressive culture of Tibetan Buddhism, quite similar to Manang villages.

Jomsom situated on old Trans Himalayan Salt and Caravan Trail of Nepal and Tibet which extends towards upper Mustang unto Tibet border at Karo-la pass.

From hotel and lodge at Jomsom walk near to airport terminal, where an early morning flight of less than half hour brings you at beautiful Pokhara for overnight stop by the serene Lake Phewa, during flight in small aircraft facing tremendous views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. Pokhara a renowned touristic spot of Nepal and all Himalaya a city blessed with mountains, green hills and valley including its serene Lakes of Phewa and Begnas

Enjoying pleasant overnight stop at magnificent Pokhara by its beautiful Phewa Lake with super views of Annapurna Mountains, where an exciting drive brings you back at Kathmandu with memorable moments around high hills of Annapurna Himalaya with rest of the afternoon free at leisure.

(Options for scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu of 30 minutes)

In Kathmandu spare and free day where one can enjoy own individual activities relax or shopping spree for souvenirs, one this day interested people can join in for exciting tour around Kathmandu, Patan / Lalitpur or Bhaktapur of great interest to visit.

Last day in Nepal with memorable times and experience on Upper Mustang trekking, as time for your international flight and then depart from the hotel, where our staff and guide transfers you for your flight homeward bound.

What's Included

Price Includes

  • All Arrival and Departure transfer from airport to hotel and vice versa with our staff to pick you up.
  • Guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu as per your trip itinerary with applicable entrance fees.
  • Twin sharing accommodation at tourist standard or 3-4 star standards hotel  in Kathmandu on Bed / Breakfast basis (Unless booked for Single Room Supplement)
  • Twin sharing accommodation at tourist standard or 3-4 star standards hotel
  • Domestic airfare as per the trip selected and if required in the itinerary.
  •  Applicable Trekking National or Conservation Permit Fees.   
  • Full board trekking with Camping services includes two men tents (unless booked for single supplement) in camping kitchen unit of cook, kitchen staffs, Trekking guides and porters (in some area's we use pack animals like cross-breed Yaks or Mules).    
  • Group briefing and orientation program on do’s and don’ts regarding your trip.
  • International air tickets re-confirmation.
  • Basic First Aid and Medical Kits.

Price Excludes:

  • International Airfare-Nepal Entry Visa.
  • Personal Travel and Medical Insurance.
  • Expenses of Personal Nature-Gratitude-Airport Tax and Meals in Kathmandu as per the Itinerary.
  • Personal Trekking gear and equipment, down or duvet jackets, sleeping bags. (Sleeping bags and down jackets and climbing equipment can be hired in Kathmandu at reasonable cost if it's too much to carry from home)
  • Emergency Evacuation by any means of Transportations and personal medical kit.
  • Early return from the trips or breaking up the journey due to personal / medical reason clients has to bear extra expenses in Kathmandu or on route with related expenses as there will be no refund from the company in such situation.

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