Upper Mustang Trek

At Kathmandu as a free day where one can join in our interesting sightseeing tour as options, as the capital Kathmandu of Nepal steeped with historical and religious monuments of world heritage sites. Afternoon at leisure and preparation for Upper Mustang trekking, starting next early morning with an exciting overland journey to Nepal Mid-West.

As per group size taking a coach or in tourist standard bus for an interesting overland journey to reach Nepal Mid-West at Pokhara, where drive leads to much warmer farm areas past many town and villages with views of snow-capped peaks, and then reaching finally at scenic Pokhara by its calm Phewa Lake.

(Flying options of 30 mins panoramic flight to land at Pokhara from Kathmandu).

With a pleasant and scenic overnight at Pokhara, a city blessed with Annapurna Himalaya and Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’, early morning starts with a transfer to Pokhara airport for short panoramic flight to Jomsom, landing at the country of the desert like an interesting town as well, headquarter and administrative place of Mustang district. Jomsom located on an old Trans-Himalayan Salt / Caravan Route of Nepal and Tibet, where trade still takes place between the two countries where route leads to high Upper Mustang and beyond at Karo-la Pass that the last frontier of Nepal and Tibet-China.

Jomsom home to Thakali people been on trade on this caravan route since ancient times, our the adventure starts from Jomsom, walk leads to follow Kaligandaki River within a windswept valley but with the gradual path to walk heading towards Kagbeni, a village and entrance point of Upper Mustang area and beyond towards Tibet, at Kagbeni with an afternoon free to roam around this an impressive medial period village of Tibetan style and with similar culture and traditional life of Buddhism as well practices ancient on religion of pre-Buddhism sects.

Since motorable came into function around this remote parts of western Nepal, making it possible and accessible for Jeep drive that leads on the wide dirt road, as morning drive leads beyond Kagbeni entering into Upper Mustang surrounded by high eroded cliff and canyon of varied dramatic colors.

Our journey continues around the beautiful and scenic country with few stops to catch views of snow-capped peaks, as ride leads through small villages past Tangbe, an hour of good drive brings you at Chusang, a village with few surviving trees of Poplars and Willow species, within its red colored earth surrounding. Chusang located on the confluence of Narsang and Kali Gandaki Rivers, from here where walking begins towards Chele village often spelled as Tshele, after crossing over a stream in between broken canyons and ruined castle of rock and red mud walls.

On crossing a small bridge, an uphill walks of less than an hour brings you at Chele village, where the trail gets steeper to reach at 3,130 m high, from the top views of Gyagar across the huge canyon and scenic territory. Trek continues with a slow climb on the windswept terrain till the pass is reached at 3,540 m and then gradual descent leads you at Samar for an overnight stop.

From Samar morning leads with a short uphill to reach on top of a ridge and then descend to a gorge past few monuments called as ‘Chorten’ painted with the official religious color of red, black, yellow and white paints, colors used made from a natural mineral from the earth and soft rocks found around. Journey carries crossing stream as walk follows with the climb up at 3,800 m high, and then continue the climb to another pass, finally on a downhill to a small place at Shyangbochen, a place with a few tea shops.

Walk carries on with a gradual climb to cross over 3,770 m pass then entering a wide valley with downhill to Ghiling for an overnight stop, this nice village with large agriculture fields of barley which is on the outskirt of Ghiling village.

After a pleasant and wonderful overnight at Ghiling, as morning walk starts with a climb than on the gradual path heading right within a center of a huge valley, as route leads past below Tama Gung small settlements and then with a long climb towards a valley and crossing Nyi La pass at above 3,950 m high.

The highest spot of the adventure, which is the south boundary of Lo areas within Upper Mustang, from here taking a slow descend to reach the junction; where another path leads to Tsarang / Charing, as our route takes us to Ghami village for overnight stop one of the major villages within Lo area.

From Ghami village, today walk leads to our main highlight and destination within the former Walled kingdom of Lo Manthang, morning starts after a short descend and over Charing-Chu or River, where climb takes you on top of a hill after walking past Tholung valley, from here the route diverts north heading towards a large Prayer monument known as Chorten-Stupa, that marks the boundary of Ghami and Charing- Tsarang within Lo areas.

After crossing a stream then reaching a wide barren country with the climb to a hilltop at above 3,850 m, then rewards you with views of Lo Mananthang within a fort-like surrounded by high Wall, a short descend to a stream that outlines former walled kingdom of Lo Manthang, then entering its southern wall which is the main entrance of Lo Manthang. Once inside the fort village or a town takes you back at medial times a great place for an overnight stop with rest the next day.

A rest and a free day where you can explore around within Lo Manthang visiting its interesting sites, a place with more than 150 houses includes many residential quarters of monks and lamas, the houses are closely packed where palace and monasteries are at the bottom section of this vertical and L shaped houses.

The school, health post, police post, and several important chhorten are located outside the walls to the north of the gate and east of the monastic part of the city. Despite the apparent squalor of Lo Manthang, the village is prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community.

The local call themselves as Lobas native of Lo with strong Tibetan influence and practice having similar tradition and custom.

The trade with Tibet started since ancient time was disrupted in between after Chinese occupied the country, and at present trade continues again bringing salt, wool with Chinese good, and this brought a substantial amount of money to this great village town. The Mustang raja’s palace stands four stories building in the center of the town-village, in early days are known as a city, which is the home of late Raja, Jigme Parbal Bista, and Rani (queen), who was from the noble family of Lhasa-Tibet.

Enjoying marvelous and exciting time at Lo -Manthang, morning route leads on the same the path for a few hours and then taking an alternative route into isolated areas of Upper Mustang. Our walk diverts towards the east with steep descend to a small village of Dhi situated on the bank of the Phuyung Khola. The walk leads to cross a bridge over Phuyung Khola / stream, as climbs start on the steep path to reach a small village at Yara decorated with colorful Buddhist prayer flags, here with time to explore around its impressive eroded landscape within nice Yara village.

A rest day at Yara to explore around this amazing country where a few hours of walk from Yara village brings to a small settlement of Luri Gompa and explores Luri Gompa and caves of full of Gompas (monastery and shrines).

Walking on the barren wilderness of red earth landscapes in complete ambiance the path is gentle for few hours with views of distant snow-capped peaks and the heading downhill and up at Testing a small village for overnight stop around Yak pasture field.

From Testing, where today walk leads to Muktinath one of the holiest of all holy spot for both Hindu and Buddhist followers. Starting our gentle walk to reach Muktinath located around Lower Mustang as our direction leads east on the gradual winding trail past temporary Yak herders huts and shelter with views of Nilgiri’s and Dhaulagiri mountain range. The walk leads to a winding gradual wider path to reach at Muktinath for an overnight stop, afternoon visit Muktinath temple and its holy premises.

Due to nature of road condition and tiring walks of the previous day, today ends our treks taking an opportunity of jeep drive on the motorable road heading downhill towards Jomsom around Kalia- Gandaki River Valley. Reaching at Jomsom for last overnight stop, Jomsom also a headquarter town, from here around Kaligandaki valley including Marpha-Tukuche and Kalapani / Lete famous for delicious apples and its product.

Morning a short walk to Jomsom air-terminal where scenic and sweeping short flight reaches at Pokhara, during air-borne excellent views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range on both side of the plane window. On landing at Pokhara airport an interesting short drive takes you at scenic and beautiful lakeside for overnight stops by its famous and serene Lake Phewa.

Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu on route observe Nepalese country life as drive leads past farm villages and towns and to reach Kathmandu around afternoon time, the rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

After a wonderfully enjoyable time in Nepal within high Himalayan mountains including great experience on Upper Mustang Adventure, with your last day in the country, our staff transfers you back to the airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.