Upper Mustang Trek

Trip Overview

Mustang region opened to foreigners in 1992, is by far Nepal’s most controlled trekking area. Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom which lies in the northern central part of Nepal and at the top of the Kaligandaki River and is a part of the Tibetan plateau, the Languages, culture and traditions are also similar to Tibetans. This area is consider as one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. This was a part of Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until 1830′s.

The medieval wall city of Lo Monthang, unofficial capital of Mustang still remains a kingdom. The history of Lo Monthang is based on myth and legend rather than the recorded detail. Mustang maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951. The king of Lo Monthang still retains his title and he has been given the honorary rank of Colonel in the Nepalese Army. The trek to Lo- Manthang is through high altitude desert country climbing in and out of the huge Kali Gandaki valley, the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the world. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with quaint white washed houses.

It’s a great privilege to trek generally in the upper region of Mustang. Mustang is also familiar with the name “The Last Forbidden Kingdom” because it had hardly any contact with Nepal and it remained hidden until their King was later acknowledged by Government of Nepal. Due to the fact that Mustang remained hidden, the natural and cultural heritage got preserved.

Trekkers require a special permit granted by the Government and should be accompanied by an official appointed by Government itself. Mustang has a complex, long and rich history which makes it an interesting place to visit in Nepal along with its stunning natural beauty.

The trek starts from Kagbeni, the gateway to start the journey to Upper Mustang. Trekkers will pass through the semi-arid desert and its stark landscape surrounded by the shadow of Dhaulagiri snow-capped mountain to Lo-Manthang. You will get the opportunity to gain knowledge about their culture, rock paintings, gompa, monasteries and also exploration of caves. The panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna Mountain is also the part of this thrilling journey. The culture, history and the myth combine flawlessly with the astonishing surrounding.

A visit to Tingkhar and Namgyal Gompa within Lo Manthang itself provides visitors to gain further more insight about cultural understanding of Mustang. Tingkhar is also the last main village of the northwest area and there is also the King’s Palace. Explorer will also be able to know about Amchi museum and school. Amchi are the ancient Tibetan doctors. We can know ancient healing art of Tibetan people and the adaptation of it in the modern-day requirements.
Gyakar, another place famous for its Gompa is few hours walk away from Lo Manthang. There is 1200 years old Ghar Gompa in Gyakar which is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. The Gompa is also very well known for its rock paintings.

It is also believed that if we make a wish in this place, it will be granted. Upper Mustang trek is a high-altitude trek. The altitude is in between 3000 meters to 3800 meters. It is then intensified by the dry air present in the surrounding. It won’t be a major problem for those who are born at the higher altitude but it may be for people living in lower altitude. So, in order to avoid the altitude problems, the trek is carried out leisurely but, in a day, average walking is about 5 to 6 hours.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 01: Arrival KTM andtransfer to hotel.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu - Pokhara
Day 03: Fly from Pokhara - Jomsom then trek to Kagbeni
Day 04: Trek from Kagbeni – Chele
Day 05: Trek from Chele – Syangmoche
Day 06: Trek from Syangmoche – Ghami
Day 07: Trek from Ghami – Charang
Day 08: Trek from Charang – Lo Manthang
Day 09: Rest day & Trip to Chhoser Cave
Day 10: Trek from Lo Manthang – Drakmar
Day 11: Trek from Drakmar – Ghiling
Day 12: Trek from Ghiling – Chuksang
Day 13: Trek from Chuksang – Jomsom
Day 14: Flight from Jomsom – Pokhara
Day 15: Drive from Pokhara – Kathmandu
Day 16: Final Departure

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

We team of Firante Treks and Expedition welcome you the rich and marvelous land of the Himalayas. Upon your arrival, our rep from Firante will honour you at the aiprort and then transfer you to the hotel.

Later in the evening you can stroll around Thamel and see some glimpses of the hot and happening sight of Kathmandu.

Day 2: Fly Kathmandu - Pokhara

We will start our ride to Pokhara early in the morning after breakfast. The route winds its way out of Kathmandu following the Trishuli River. We will stop for lunch when the road is smooth and straight. We can see rafters tackling the river's rapid current flow and distant mountains along the way. There are even more beautiful mountains to view after we reach Pokhara. In fact, you can't look away from Machhapuchhre Mountain (also called as Fishtail), which stands at 6,993 meters and dominates over the valley. You will have plenty of time after you check into your hotel to visit the lakeside area. You can also take a boat ride on Fewa Lake, go to one of the lakeside bars or you can simply relax.

Day 3: Short Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom then trek to Kagbeni

We will get up even earlier this morning to check in for the short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, which is at the altitude of 2743 meters. Traveling via plane to see the sights is mesmerizing! This incredible short flight takes you across the mountains to a fascinating market village in the Mustang region. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Jomsom from Pokhara. We will set off from town by crossing a little bridge following the trail to Kagbeni. It will be an easy and entertaining journey for 2 to 3 hours to reach Kagbeni.

Day 4: Trek from Kagbeni – Chele

We will leave Kagbeni after breakfast to reach Upper Mustang! The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River, where we will be tested by the wind as it blows up the valley canyon. We will see how the cottages in Tangbe Village are white-washed and placed among barley and buckwheat fields. Apple blossoms glow the terrain as well. We will arrive in Chele, located at the altitude of 3050 meters after 7 hours long trekking following a ridge.

Day 5: Chele – Syangmoche

As we need to cross two passes i.e. Taklam La Pass (3624m) and Darjori La Pass (3735m) today, the trekking becomes a little more difficult. Due to this reason, it takes around 6 hours to reach Syangmoche, which is at the altitude of 3800 meters. However, there are fascinating caves and breathtaking mountain views along the way to divert our attention away from our tired legs. We will continue to a ridge and go down again through a steep route to reach Syangmoche.

Day 6: Syangmoche – Ghami

We need to cross another high mountain, the Yamada La (3,850m) today. We will have the opportunity to view beautiful settlements with their barley fields as well as chortens. We'll have to cross another pass after trekking through the woods. The Nyi Pass is 4010 meters high but we will descend to Ghami for the night. Ghami is a major village in this area, at the altitude of 3520 meters. It is surrounded by farmland which makes it too beautiful to watch. It is a 5-hour trek from Syangmoche to Ghami.

Day 7: Ghami – Charang

Today's trek begins by descending into a suspension bridge across the Ghami Khola. The route is sometimes very slippery and rough. The trail leads us through mani walls and over Charang La Pass (3870m). Mani wall is a wall built up of stones with Tibetan mantras engraved onto them. The settlement of Charang is located at the summit of the Charang Chu canyon. To the east of the town there stands a red gompa and a fortress. It requires approximately four hours to reach Charang from Ghami.

Day 8: Charang – Lo Manthang

Today we will descend down into a canyon to cross a river and climb the Lo La pass (3950m). It takes around 5 hours to reach Lo Manthang from Charang. We will get our first glimpse of the old and lovely settlement of Lo Manthang from the pass. The King of Lo used to live in this walled settlement, which is currently the site of many unique and colorful Buddhist events. Bhirkuti, Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna I are among the nearby mountains from Lo Manthang.

Day 9: Rest Day & Trip to Chhoser Cave

Today, we'll dive into some of Upper Mustang's secrets. A short journey to the Chhoser area marks the start of an unforgettable day! The Jhong Caves, also known as Sky Caves, are located here. These are five-story high caves carved out of cliff faces. Who built these caves and why is still a mystery to researchers? They were most likely used as hiding places, for meditation, burial chambers and subsequently, monasteries.

However, no one truly understands where these incredible caves came from. We will visit several of these caves and bring a lunch ourselves so that we can rest eating lunch while taking the ambience of the caves, mountains and terrains. Then we will return to Lo Manthang, where we will spend the night once more.

Day 10: Lo Manthang – Drakmar

It will be a long trekking day for 6 to 7 hours as usual. But as always, there are plenty of interesting sights to view along the way. The century-old Ghar Gompa in Gyakar Village is home to magnificent rock paintings. There is a belief that if you make a wish here, it will come true. Before continuing on to Drakmar, we will have some time to go visit and explore the gompa. Drakmar is situated at the altitude of 3880 meters.

Day 11: Drakmar – Ghiling

This section of the trek is very prone to high winds. Therefore, we will set out early morning to descend down via a barren plateau as well as several agricultural areas for 6 hours to reach Ghiling village. It is located at the altitude of 3860 meters. Despite the wind making it a difficult and exhausting day, we will be at last rewarded with picturesque scenery of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri Mountain.

Day 12: Ghiling – Chuksang

Today we will go up to Lo Manthang on the same trail we took earlier for about 5 to 6 hours. We will go through small villages. We will have enough time to watch how locals live and enjoy living in the beautiful scenery of Mountains. We will enjoy spectacular views of the small villages and Himalayas along the road to Chuksang, situated at the altitude of 3050 meters.

Day 13: Chuksang – Jomsom

At Jomsom, we will bid farewell to Upper Mustang and enter the district's lower parts (or Lower Mustang, as it is often known as). We will have lunch at Kagbeni on our final trekking day. After lunch, we will spend some time exploring the small village and looking up the Kali Gandaki canyon to the Kingdom of Lo, where we have spent our last ten days.

Day 14: Jomsom – Pokhara

We'll get up early today to catch our morning flight to Pokhara. Now that we've seen the mountains from all sides, they appear to have taken on a new meaning for us. After checking into your Pokhara hotel, you have free time to explore the city and go shopping at Lakeside. With its busy clubs and nightlife, you might want to toast your accomplishment with a few drinks and a little dancing in Western or Nepali style or you can simply gaze at the lights over and enjoy in Fewa Lake.

Day 15: Pokhara – Kathmandu

As we begin our journey back to Kathmandu, we will wave our goodbyes to the Annapurna Mountain sadly. You will get some rest on the way and join us tonight to celebrate the end of trek! You will also have some time before that to explore Thamel, do shopping, relax with a massage, or enjoy a cup of coffee in cafes and restaurants of Kathmandu.

Day 16: Final Departure

Today you will leave Kathmandu after all these memories. Our representative will drop you at the airport on you schelduded time at the airport.

Cost Includes

Pick-up and drop service by a private vehicle
Twin sharing accommodation with breakfast in a star category hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu transportation by tourists bus/flight
Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara by flight
Other ground transportation to and from trekking destination
Necessary documents and permits including ACAP Permit, TIMS card and Mustang Special Permit
Experienced English-speaking trekking guide, assistant guide and porters and the expenses for their flights, food, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment and so on
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek(with tea and coffee)
First aid Medical kit
Sightseeing in Kathmandu
All government and local taxes (including 13% VAT and 10 % service charge)
Transportation on private vehicle as agreed on the itinerary

Cost Excludes

Your Nepal entry visa fee
All kinds of beverages (soft/hard)
Travel insurance and emergency evacuation expenses
Extra baggage charges in domestic flights
All entrance fees during KTM sightseeing
Additional days accommodation expenses (either due to early or late arrival, late departure, early return from mountain due to any reason except as per schedule)
All personal expenses (including the gears and clothing taken on hire by the participant, phone calls, battery charge, shower, etc)
Tips for guides and porters

Accommodation

Firante Treks and Expedition Manages for best and comfortable accommodation and also provides you hygienic food. Standard (3 Star) are booked in the cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara, whereas a tyical trek lodge will be booked on remote areas.

Luxurious rooms from 5 Star hotels are also made avaiable on demand in the cities on additional cost but remote regionss dont have such facilities.