Trekking to Mustang is the link connecting you to the third world that seeks its own importance. The unique identification of this place makes it really different from other parts of Nepal. Lying to the North of the country with the border shared with Tibet. This region is a benediction of the Himalayas but falling under the rain shade area. The wall city of Lo Manthang, unofficial capital of Mustang still remains a kingdom within a kingdom. This fabled Kingdom of vast arid valleys, yaks, caravans, and colorfully painted mud brick houses is set against a backdrop of spectacular peaks such Annapurna and Dhaulagiri including 30 other peaks above 6000m. The region is also covered with the white snow peaks like Nilgiri, Tukuche, and Muktinath the famous shrines of Hindus and also Buddhist.
Trekking Mustang was officially opened in 1992 to limited numbers of trekkers each year in order to protect and conserve the local Tibetan tradition and the fragile environment. Mustang, the Kingdom of the Holy King seems to take you back hundreds of years to a place where time has stood still for centuries as the inhabitants of Tibetan stocks continue to live, cultivate and commerce the way that they have done since time immemorial. Trekking this region is the opportunity to explore the western mountain region with stupendous wilderness, spectacular scenery, snowcapped peaks and many 16 th century monasteries of Nepal. The panorama to the ranges of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri & Annapurna are indeed exceptional like a balcony, which we follow during the trip. High black and brown deserted hills decorated by paddy and barley fields, and the windy atmosphere of the day follows us on the trip. Tiji festival is one of the attractions of this region. During the festival time monks dressed in elaborate costumes and masks perform dances and rituals that are meant to drive away evil spirits. Dressed in their finery, people from all over Mustang in Lo Manthang celebrate the Tiji festival. It generally falls during the spring.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02 Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Day 03 Fly to Pokhara
Day 04 Fly to Jomsom & trek to Kagbeni [2780m]
Day 05 Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]
Day 06 Trek to Samar [3290m]
Day 07 Trek to Geling [3440m]
Day 08 Trek to Ghami [3460m]
Day 09 Trek to Charang [3490m]
Day 10 Trek to Lo Manthang [3730m]
Day 11 Around Lo Manthang
Day 12 Trek to Lo Gekar
Day 13 Trek to Ghami [3460m]
Day 14 Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]
Day 15 Trek to Jomsom [2710m]
Day 16 Flight to Kathmandu via Pokhara
Day 17 Depart Kathmandu
Itinerary Detail
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is in itself an exciting and memorable experience as exotic panoramic view of snow-capped Annapurna mountain range peaks sprawls before you. The Nepali support team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Day 02 Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu, being a historical and cultural heart of Nepal, is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur are its two major neighboring cities which bear immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous & biggest Hindu shrine PASUPATHINATH, the largest Buddhist stupa in town BOUDHANATH, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and SOYAMBHUNATH. In the evening, a trip orientation meeting will be organized.
Day 03 Fly to Pokhara
We take the short but scenic 30 minute flight to Pokhara, enjoying the views of Ganesh, Manaslu and the Annapurnas along the way. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 04 Fly to Jomsom & trek to Kagbeni [2780m]
We take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom where we will be met at the tiny airstrip by our trek crew. After some initial preparation of loads, we begin our trek to the pretty village of Kagbeni. Just out of Jomsom we cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the riverbank of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. It's also very picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri , Tukuche and Nilgiri, whilst to the south can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Kagbeni provides us with a taste of scenes to come in upper Mustang, with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red gompa. At the police check-post at the north end of the village, there is a sign saying "Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point". Here we will complete our paperwork before entering this long forbidden region of Nepal.
Day 05 Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]
Nepal trekkingIt is possible to trek right up the river valley, but we use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and Tibet . On the west bank of the river are some caves and Gompa Kang. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang which are of the Sakyapa sect, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. We stop for lunch at the village of Tangbe, where we come across the first black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The little town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys among white washed houses, fields of buck wheat and barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chhuksang village is only about 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. There are three separate parts to this village and some ruined castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river from Chhuksang are some spectacular red organe pipe eroded cliffs above the mouths of some inaccessible caves.
Day 06 Trek to Samar [3290m]
There is a distict change here, not only in the topography, but also in the culture, lifestyle and people, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic. The people of Lo or Mustang do practice agriculture, but because of the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land, scattering the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north we reach a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the river flows. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of the tunnel and north of here the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable on foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to the village of Chele. Watch out here for the ferocious Tibetan mastiffs which are chained to many of the houses. From Chele we climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass we descend on a pleasant trail to Samar , situated in a grove of poplar trees. This is a major stopping place for horse and mule caravans [5 to 6hrs walking].
Day 07 Trek to Geling [3440m]
We climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. We then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, we descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites which have formed in the shape of chortens and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and we enter another huge valley before descending to Geling with its extensive fields of barley. As in all the settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre-painted houses are constructed using mud and stones, with roofs made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles.
Day 08 Trek to Ghami [3460m]
From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields, up the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. We then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs.
Day 09 Trek to Charang [3490m]
Today's walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang, and much of our energy will be spent negotiating loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, are a source of inspiration. Finally, we come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village is a huge dzong [fortress] and a red gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas.
Day 10 Trek to Lo Manthang [3730m]
We will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. We climb gently above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually we get our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so we circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner.
Day 11 Around Lo Manthang
Today is free to explore the fascinating city of Lo Manthang. The city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborate mandalas painted on the walls. The king's palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the current King and Queen. Although his duties are largely ceremonial, the King is respected by the people and consulted about many issues by villagers throughout the kingdom. It is possible to hire horses to visit these valleys, but this cost is EXCLUDED in the tour.
Day 12 Trek to Lo Gekar
We begin our return journey from Lo Manthang, taking the upper highland route. This highland route offers dramatic views of Lo Manthang and the Charang Valley, with snow clad peaks in the background. Just past the settlement of Lo Gekar, we camp near the oldest monastery in Mustang, the Ghare Gompa.
Day 13 Trek to Ghami [3460m]
We continue our journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded gully to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, we walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami.
Day 14 Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]
Now we must retrace our route back over the Nyi La to Chhuksang.
Day 15 Trek to Jomsom [2710m]
It's a long and sad final day, passing back through Kagbeni to Jomsom where we end our trek. It's time now for a nice hot shower and a celebration in the evening with the sherpas and porters we have come to know so well over the last 2 weeks.
Day 16 Flight to Kathmandu via Pokhara
We take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki gorge to Pokhara and catch a connecting flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 17 Depart Kathmandu
Our The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc).
