Mustang is rich in Buddhist culture similar to Tibetan People. An amazing way to experience the unspoiled Buddhist culture and Landscape.

FEATURES

Mountains: Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri Range.

Rivers: Kali Gandaki, Mustang, Narsing Khola

Tribe: Lobas & Tibetan Villages with Monasteries, Chortens & Caves  

Difficulty: 3 (medium)

Warning: Altitude Sickness  

Accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara, Teahouse lodges on the Trek.                            

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Day 01 /

Arrival in Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Katmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, meet, assist and transfer to hotel. After welcome refreshments and room check in the hotel, there will be a short briefing and orientation about the trek

Eve: Trip briefing followed by welcome dinner at Authentic Nepali restaurant with culture program.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 /

Fly to Pokhara (827 m / 2,712 ft.) – 200 km / 6 hrs. 

Am: After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport to board the scenic flight to

Pokhara – which is a picturesque valley (827m) lying on the laps of the mighty Annapurna Himalayan Range with numerous beautiful lakes and lush green surroundings.

Eve: Walk around the colorful lakeside bazaar and dine at a nice restaurant.

Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 /

Fly to Jomsom & Start trek to Kagbeni (2,713 m) - 3~4 hrs.

Early morning transfer to the Pokhara airport and fly Pokhara / Jomsom. Upon arrival in Jomsom (2713m. /8817 ft.), met by Sherpa Team and trek to Kagbeni - 2 ~ 3 hours. This is a short day to give enough time for acclimatization, hiring of porters and horses to make preparations for the trek ahead.

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Day 04/

Trek to Samar (3,290 m). 7~8 hrs.

The trail is up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River that climbs over many ridges as it heads north. Depending upon the rains we will use a combination of high trails and the riverbank routes. From here we can see the Gompa Kang and some caves on the west bank of the river. Unlike most Gompas in Upper Mustang, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. Alongside the East bank is the village of of Tangbe at an elevation of 2930 m. Here are the trios of black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni, continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley with its white washed houses, fields of barley, buckwheat, and wheat and apple orchards. The Chhuksang village (2920 m) is reached after 1½ hours and lies beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshang and KaliGandaki. After lunch in Chuksang cross the Kali Gandaki River and climb to Chailey Village at an altitude of 3,130m.

The climb from the Chailey is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130 m. From here there is view of the Gyagar village across a huge canyon. The climb continues along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass at 3540 m.

The trails make a long gradual descend to some Chortens on a ridge and then further descend on a pleasant trail to Samar (3290 m) situated in a grove of poplar trees.

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Day 05 /

Trek to Ghiling (3,570 m). 7~8 hrs. H

From Samar climb to a ridge then descend into a large gorge past a Chorten painted in red, black, yellow and white. The trails continues into another valley filled with juniper trees, crosses a stream and then climbs yet another pass and continues to Syangmochen village at 3710 m. Climb gently from Syangboche to a pass at 3,770 m and enter another east west valley.

Climb gently from Syangboche to a pass at 3770 m and enter another east west valley. The path slips through dunes and creeps through Narrow passages and ghostly labyrinths, going down to Ghiling, which is a scattered over vast fields of barley in the pitiless win.

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Day 06 /

Trek to Tsarang (3,520 m). 7~8 hrs.

From Ghiling to Tsarang there are ruins scattered everywhere; castles, houses and temples, there are two passes to be crossed namely Nyi La Pass (3950 m) and another at 3600 m.

Descend to Tsarang at 3520 m. It is a maze fields willow trees and houses separated by stonewalls. The huge 5 storied White Dzong and Red Gompa is perched on the east end of the village. The Gompa houses a collection of statues and thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddhas.

Overnight Tea house lodge.

Day 07 /

Trek to Lo-Manthang (3780 m). 4 hrs.

The trail descends about 100 m and crosses the Tsarang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail on ridge opposite the village at 3580 m and enters the Tholung valley. Turn north and climb gently to an isolated chorten and marks the boundary between Tsarang and Lo. Still climbing, the trail crosses a stream then becomes a grand wide thoroughfare traveling across a desert like landscape, painted in every hue of grey and yellow. Finally from a ridge at 3850 m, there is a view of the walled city of Lo. A short descent leads on to the plain of aspiration at   3780 m. After crossing a stream, climb up onto the plateau of Lo-manthang. The whitewashed walls around Lomanthang are shaped like a misshapen with a short vertical arm oriented north south and a very fat, almost square horizontal arm.

Pm: Explore around Lo-Manthang village. The major Temples inside the walls are Champa Lakhang (God House) which houses the massive 45 ft. statue of Maitreva, the future Buddha, The red Thugchen Gompawith several large images of Sakyamuni, Avolokitesvara and Maitreya, and the The Chyodi Gompa of the Sakya sect which has several monks in residence and is the site of the annual Mani Rimdu festival in many which is referred as 'tegi' in Lomanthang.  They are all supposed to have been built in 1420. Despite the apparent squalour of Lo Manthang, the city is prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community. Though the people call themselves Lobas- people from Lo, they are very much Tibetan and practice a sophisticated culture and economy. The King's palace is an imposing 4 storey building in the center of city. It is the home of the Ex present king - Jigme Parbal Bista. The Honorary title "Bista– a high caste title in Nepali" was conferred by the King of Nepal.

Overnight Tea house lodge.

Day 08 /

Explore Chonup Chosar.

There are two valleys above Lo Manthang. A day hike to the North of Lo (Garphu/Nyphu) is Worthwhile. There are some interesting cave, monasteries in Garphu and Nyphu and numerous caves with dwellings inside them. On the way back, hike up-to the ruins of Ketcher Dzong for wide panoramic views of the valleys to the North and South.

Horses are available for hire in Lo Manthang and it is possible to make a circuit to the villages in the East and West valleys (Chonup Chosar) in a single day. Starting from Lo, begin towards to the North-West, visiting the village of Tingkhar – the site of the summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Namgyal Gompa – the monasteries of victory, is in the west. We also visit Namdol before crossing the pass to Chosar (east valley, the site of the high school, and then head down to Garphu and Nyapu Gompas. This is the main trading route to Lhasa. It was used over the centuries by pilgrims, apostles, robbers and invaders and along the trail lies numerous fort ruins.

Overnight Tea house lodge.

Day 09 /

25th May (Thu):  Trek to Ghami via La Kyakar Gompa (3,440 m) – 6/7 hours.

Trek to Ghami via Lo Gyakar Gomba. There is an opportunity to vary the return trek route visiting two other important villages. From Lo Manthang, the trail heads south to Tsarang. However to reach Lo-Gyakar turn east along an indistinct trail that passes that passes the irrigated fields of the city. The trail to the Lo-Gyakar is not a main trading route and the area is cress crosses with herder's trails.

The climbs steadily to a pass marked by cairn offerings a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail contours across the head of the valley and crosses another ridge then drops into another large desolate valley. After descending to the valley floor, the trail heads to the right, up the center of the valley to its head. Cross the ridge at 4070 m., and traverse across the heads of two more valleys to an indistinct pass. Cross the pass to some meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley where Lo Gekar is situated in a grove of large trees alongside a stream. Lo Gekar means prue virtue of Lo, is also known as Ghar Gompa House temple as the structure is built like a house with small separate rooms.

The Gompa is decorated with paintings and statues and several large prayer wheels. The real treasure of Lo Gekar is the hundreds of painted carved stones displayed on the walls in wooden frames. There is no village nearby but there are a series of quarters for monks and pilgrims near the Gompa that provides protection from the wind. From the climb to a ridge and across a valley and a pass at 200 meter above Lo Gekar, the route crosses some alpine meadows then drops down a steep eroded gully to upper Tamar village. A large stream meanders through this village. The trail then descends alongside stone walls and fields of this extensive village then climbs to a ridge. From here it is a short descent to village of Ghami 3440 m.

Overnight Tea house lodge.

Day 10 /

Trek to Samar

Early morning get into the waiting public jeep and start drive back to Jomsom. Upon arrival in Jomsom check in at a lodge for some rest and refreshment.

Overnight Tea house lodge.

Day 11 /

Fly to Pokhara.                                                                                                  

Early morning walk to nearby Airport to board the flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara transfer to lakeside hotel.

Eve: Sunset boat ride on the Lake Phewa and stroll around colorful Lakeside Bazaar.

Overnight at Hotel.  

Day 12 /

Fly to Kathmandu and sightseeing tour.                                          

After breakfast, transfer to nearby Pokhara domestic Airport to bard the short scenic flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu proceed for a sightseeing tour of ancient Kathmandu City.

Eve: Farewell Dinner

Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 /

Final departure.                                                                                               

Free until final departure transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport.

Eve: Farewell Dinner

Overnight at hotel.

The Costs Include

1.     All arrival/departure transfers, drives in a private vehicle with a/c accompanied by an English speaking tour representative

2.     Two nights stay at Hotel Tibet or similar in Kathmandu on twin / double room sharing basis with bed, breakfast and all applicable taxes.

3.     Two nights stay at hotel White pearl or similar in Pokhara on twin / double room sharing basis inclusive of breakfast and taxes.

4.     One night’s stay at hotel / guesthouse in Pokhara on twin / double room sharing basis with bed, breakfast and all applicable taxes.

5.     Upper Mustang Tea house trek arrangements inclusive of accommodation at local tea house lodges, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and services of an experience English Speaking Guide Trek guide, Sherpa Team and Reliable Porters.

6.     Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) fees & TIMS permit.

7.     Upper Mustang Restricted Area fees US$ 500 per person.

8.     All meals as listed on the above Itinerary.

9.     Drive on the trek in a local public jeep.

10:    Airfare for sector Kathmandu /Pokhara / Kathmandu