Mustang Trek, Nepal

Trekking at the very roof of Asia on arid Tibetan plateau

In October 1991, the Nepalese government announced that all of Nepal including the forbidden kingdom of Mustang was to be open to trekking groups (but not to individuals) this allowed groups to visit the upper reaches of Kali Gandaki Valley, world’s deepest valley, for the first time. Since then, limited numbers of trekkers are allowed into Mustang each year, it means this will also limit the amount of adverse change in the kingdom. The ancient Kingdom of Mustang was attached to Tibet in the 14th century although it remained an autonomous dynasty, later it was annexed by Nepal. Nepal’s Mustang region preserves a life almost unchanged for centuries. It lies hidden behind the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri (8168m) and Annapurna (8091m) at the very roof of Asia on the arid Tibetan plateau. It has long been isolated from the outside world (and only opened to trekking groups since 1991). As you make your way through this secluded land, you’ll pass through brightly painted chortens (Buddhist shrines) and tiny villages guarded by enormous monasteries; vistas include unusual and arresting views of the snow-covered Himalaya to the south, and desolate high plateaus, deep canyons, and an ocean of windswept hills the colors of a desert sunset to the north. Once at the walled capital city of Lo Manthang, you’ll encounter a great sense of timelessness and appreciation for an ancient culture as you discover the ruins of old forts, monasteries rich in art and history, and caves replete with magnificent religious statue.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Our airport representative will meet you at the airport and then transfer to Hotel. We normally use Tibet Guest House, which is 3-star accommodation, after refreshment our guide will give a short briefing about the trek.

DAY 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Visit Swyambhunath and Darbar square of ancient Kathmandu, both are UNESCO cultural heritage sites.

DAY 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara (853m/5hrs)

We drive to Pokhara which is 200 km west of Kathmandu. We will drive through the small towns and rice fields along the two major rivers Trishuli and Marshyandi. After arriving around 2pm in Pokhara we then explore this beautiful lake city in the evening.

DAY 4: Pokhara to Jomsom, trek to Kagebeni (2,858m/3hrs)

Today we will have an early morning breakfast to catch the morning flight to Jomsom. The scenic flight of around 20 minutes will pass through the mountains of Dhaulagiri (8,168m) and Annapurna (8,091m) before bringing us to Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. In ancient times Jomsom was a major transit point for the Trans Himalayan salt traders. We meet our trekking staff and prepare for the final departure onward to Kagebeni, a gradual path along the Kaligandaki riverbed brings us to Kagebei in 3hrs. This ancient village from the 14th century is on the border of Upper Mustang and we are obliged to overnight here for an immigration check. The windswept village of Kagebeni has old monastery to visit.

DAY 5: Trek Kagebeni to chele (3,050m/5hrs)

Our journey starts after the special permit check at the police post nearby, then we follow the Kaligandaki river bank upstream and have a magnificent view of the Nilgiri and pass nearby fertile fields on the sandy and windy trials to Chusang. After about a two hour walk from this village we cross the river and head up to the huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the river follows. Chele is not more than an hour walk from here.

DAY 6: Trek Chele to Syanbochen (3475m/6hrs)

Today we climb to Taklam La pass (3,6923m) through an arid plateau which gives us a good view over Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, Nlgiri and Damodar Kunda. From this point we descend to the village of Samar, after lunch in Samar we then walk for 3 hrs to reach Syanbochen, in the evening we explore the village.

DAY 7: Trek Syanbochen to Ghaymi (3,520m/5.30hrs)

In the beginning of the day we trek uphill to the Yamda La (3850m) passing chortens (Buddhist Shrines), stupa and few tea houses. After having lunch we ascend the highest point of the trek at Nvi pass (4010m) but we descend immediately to Ghaymi where we spend the night.

DAY 8: Trek from Ghymi to Tsarang (3,500m/4.30hrs)

We cross Ghymi Khola (river) in the beginning of the day, the trail then goes smoothly up over small passes, on this walk we pass by the very long mani wall (secret stone wall of Buddhism), from the end of the wall the trails heads eastward which takes about two hours to reach Tsarang, this is an easy day of walking day on the trek.

DAY 9: Trek Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,700m/5hrs)

Today we reach our final destination the Lo-Manthang. Lo-Manthang is an ancient walled city with cultural interest. During the walk we can see a magnificent view of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna 1 and Bhrikuti peak, the trails first descend to Tsarang Chu canyon and then climbs steeply after crossing the river, further the trail ascends gently to the 3850m over windy pass of Lo, from this point we can see the Lo-Manthang valley (3700m) bordering Tibet. We explore this walled city of Lo-Manthang in the evening.

DAY 10: Exploration of Lo Manthang

Today we visit Namyal Gompa and Tingkhar, Namyal gompa is situated on the hilltop, which serves as an important monastery for court, all social and cultural problems are collected here to solve since centuries, after visiting this monastery the tour continues to Tingkhar which is a village of forty households, the last village of the northwest of Lo-Manthang, another visit after the end of the day is to Tall Champa "god house” the red Thugchen Gompa and the building of the Raja’s palaces.

DAY 11: Trek Lo Manthang to Ghar-Gompa (3785m/5hrs)

We now return back to Jomsom following the alternative route passing through the arid plateau and crops in between, the walks may not be pleasant on the back as we suffer the wind on our faces, as Kaligandaki valley is a wind valley there is always wind after 9:30 until 6pm in the evening.

DAY 12: Trek Ghar Gompa to Ghiling (3806m/5hrs)

We walk on the stone path, we may encounter a donkey or yak caravan carrying daily supplies to the altitude villages in upper Mustang, at the same time we passe through wheat fields and irrigated lands on this walk.

DAY 13: Trek Ghiling to Chele (3050/5hrs)

The trek is relatively easy as we descend and on this walk we will see the high summit of Nilgiri, Tilicho and other Himalayan peaks.

DAY 14: Trek Chele to Kagebeni (2800m/5hrs)

We follow the trails downstream the Kaligandaki river and we sometime go over small passes but they will not be too difficult. We gradually get down through the old salt trade route, the stupa, monasteries and chortens (Buddhist Shrines) are the main attraction of the day.

DAY 15: Trek Kagebeni to Jomsom (2700m/3hrs)

We start our trek early in the day, we pass by Aklebhatti which gives some close views of Nilgiri and the beautiful village view of Kagebeni, the trail continues down on the stony path facing Tukuche (6960m) Dhaulagiri (8168m) and Nilgiri (6940m), we arrive Jomsom for Lunch, we then explore this district headquarter in the evening.

DAY 16: Jomsom to Pokhara

We first take an early morning flight to Pokhara, the flight runs only in the morning from Jomsom due to its unique geographical position, we take breakfast in Pokhar then explore this lake city for the second time.

DAY 17: Drive to Kathmandu

We drive to Kathmandu which takes five hours along the Prithiv Highway, we see many rural views along this drive.

DAY 18: Airport transfer

Our airport representative will transfer you to the airport in time for your departure

Other Details

Accommodation Details

3 Star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in twin sharing basis, tent with 2 places will be provided on trek.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

9th May 2012
24th May 2012
13th June 2012
04th July 2012
24th July 2012
06th &16th and 26th August 2012
Sept 14th 2012

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