Upper Mustang Trek

None None Hotel Welcome Dinner

Just for your special arrival, a team of our guides will await to cordially greet and pick you up from Kathmandu’s pristine TIA. While you soak the bustling roads of Kathmandu from your window seat, the team shall safely drop you off to the hotel for a hospitable welcome. Get the jet lag off in the hotel to soak more of Kathmandu in Thamel’s glistening evening lights. Recluse with a beer, grab a brunch with a stranger or shop in lively streets.

4-5 Hours None Hotel Breakfast

Home to Gods of Hindus and Buddhists, Nepal has housed the greatest pilgrimages of Tibetan Buddhist and billion Hindus. God’s abode tour starts from ‘Pashupathi Nath’ Temple prefecture circa. The UNESCO listed site is revered as the head of all the shivalingas and houses 5th century old idols. 

A north east trip from Pashupati leads en route to “Boudhanath Stupa”, the highly revered stupa in Tibet and local Newar Buddhists. The grandeur of stupa is blessed with the eyes of Buddha as per Vajrayani and Mahayani Traditions to bless all beings of the planet.

7 Hours None Hotel Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

A ride down hills from Kathmandu to the 900 m lake city of Pokhara comes packed with scenic drive from river trailing highways. Green Rolling Hills, local motel-like eatery towns along the way to pick snacks and a hospitable team of visitors, it’s a drive like none other. Cross the multiple bridges conjoining hills to reach peaceful lakes and mountain views in Pokhara. Stroll and enjoy the best touristy location of Nepal before the Journey begins.

25 Min Flight/ 3 Hours Trek None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

You take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri. Twenty to twenty minutes flight in a small aircraft land at Jomsom airstrip beautifully located in the bank of river Kaligandaki. You will then enjoy the breakfast in one of the restaurant/hotel if you have not in Pokhara (based on the flight timing in the morning). After breakfast and short rest walk along the bank of the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni. The trail is mostly in the river bed thus sandy and with pebbles. It is not that difficult part of the trek, but wind sometime makes your walk almost impossible. This very easy and enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque with rewarding views of tall mountain peaks including Dhaulagiri (8167m/ 26,794ft), Tukuche (6920m/ 22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni – Nilgiri (6940m/ 22,769ft). Upon reaching Kagbeni check in to your hotel, enjoy the lunch. And in the evening walk around the town which is mystic and mysterious. You can explore the Red Gompa (Monastery). At the 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 you will complete your paperwork formalities for you to enter this long-forbidden region of Nepal. Overnight at local lodge.

7 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After breakfast enter this beautiful region of Upper Mustang. The landscape is barren, dry and complete rain shadow. The Kali Gandaki river flowing from the Upper Mustang offers scenic view. You walk right above to the river valley and sometime walk in the river bed. The trail widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand and the trek is yet interesting or even challenging sometimes by the passing of mule carrying goods. On the west bank of the river are some caves and Gompa Kang – the monastery belongs to Nyingmapa sect, the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhis, whereas other monasteries in Upper Mustang belongs to the Sakyapa sect. You stop for lunch at the village of Tangbe, where you come across the typical Chorterns of Upper Mustang – black, white and red Chortens. This little town is delicates with narrow alleys through whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat and barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chusang village is beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and Kali Gandaki. After crossing the Kali Gandaki River now you leave the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky valley to the village of Chele where you spend your night here. Overnight at the mountain lodge.

6 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

From Chele after breakfast you climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar. You climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a Chorten before entering another valley. You then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, you descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen – a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Overnight local lodge.

5 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

The trail climbs gently from Shyangbochen and you 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. Trek to Ghami via Ghami La (3,520m/11548ft). The trail continues to offer many uphill climbs and descend to the river bed or valley and passes various small settlements of similar landscape, architecture, and styles. You cross another pass namely Nyi La (3,840 m/12598ft). The descend from the pass is quite gentle and after half an hour further you reach to a junction in which the right trail leads direct to Charang and the left leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village in Mustang. Overnight local lodge.

4 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After breakfast start your walk to the most probably the driest part of Mustang. The trail is full of loose, dry soil/sands and scree which will take your energy and struggle. However the beautiful landscape and the view of the mountains in each directions inspire and encourage you to continue. It is comparatively short day of walk and you reach Charang – a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon – after some four hours of walk. At the eastern end of the village lies a huge dzong (fortress) and a red Gompa (monastery) which houses an excellent collection of statues and Thangka paintings. Overnight local lodge.

3:30 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

In the morning prior to breakfast, we explore the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery. After breakfast start the trek to Lo Manthang. You climb gently above the valley to a largely isolated Chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually you get the first sight of magnificently walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the northeast corner to enter the town. Overnight local lodge.

3 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

It is the beautiful day of the trip in which you explore the mystic city of the Lo Manthang – the capital city of Upper Mustang kingdom prior to 2008. The city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences of many lamas (monks of Tibetan Buddhism). There are four major temples within the city and one of them Champa Lhakang contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborated mandala painted on the wall. The former king's palace – as the monarchy was abolished from Nepal in 2008 this was also ended as monarch – is an imposing building in the center of the city. Although king’s duty while he was in throne was largely ceremonial, the King was respected by the people and consulted about many issues by villagers throughout the kingdom. If you wish you can take a day trip to the upper valley and back by horse or on foot. Overnight at local lodge.

7 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Comparatively long day with the High Himalayan pass at 4300m/14107ft altitude. As soon as you leave Lo Manthang you climb to Marang-la (4,300m/14107ft). You continue with your walk on the highland route fairly flat and fair climb to Ghar Gompa – pure virtue of Lo and the practicing Nyingma Sect along with scripture of Padmasambhava. You will spend some time exploring this beautiful monastery and then climb steep down to Dhakmar. Overnight at local lodge.

4 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After breakfast, walk through the pretty beautiful valley. Continue to climb to a ridge and descend to Ghami. From Ghami you arrive wider and gentle path with some ascends and descends to huge town of Gelling. Gelling has beautiful barley field. 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. Explore the rich culture of the village with historic buddhist abode.

7 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After breakfast walk in the terrain multiple of ascends and descends to reach Chele. Now you are walking more downhill than uphill to return back. Overnight local lodge.

6 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Return same way as you walk on the way up. The trail is descending continuously in altitude but you may ascend multiple of places. Overnight local lodge.

3 Hours None Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Enjoy the mystic view of the Himalayan peaks – Nilgiri particularly dominates the front view. After breakfast walk along the wide sandy and windy valley of Kali Gandaki river bed. Arrive Jomsom and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing. Overnight local lodge.

25 Min Flight None Hotel Breakfast

Early morning fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom. Due to the wind in the later afternoon even from the last hour of the morning, all the flights from and to Jomsom operated in the early morning. The flight is majestic with the view of Annapurna I and other Annapurna massif and Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak and others. Arrive Pokhara, spend some time at your hotel to refresh and you can explore the lake city around Phewa Lake. Boating in the lake is splendid with the view of the Himalayan peaks reflected in the water. You can enjoy the tranquility of Pokhara. Other places you can explore in Pokhara is beautiful Mountain Musuem, Devi’s Fall, Peace Stupa, and Gupteshwar Cave. Overnight in a hotel.

7 Hours None Hotel Breakfast

Reminisce the memory of making the highway trail by the river and return back to a hotel recluse cum recharge in Kathmandu’s Thamel once again.

4 Hours None Hotel Breakfast & Dinner

A rejuvenating session of sleep is enlivened with the tour of ancient Kathmandu. Our Guides will buy the permits and walk you through ancient town planning of Kathmandu’s alleys. The four hour long tour will pass through fabled ‘Kashi Swayambhu’, colloquially called Shree Gha: stupa. The trip will take you to ancient street ways that lived through countless earthquakes for view of pagoda laden corridors of Kathmandu Durbar Square. You’ll pass Buddhist chaityas, pagoda laden hindu temples, and grand western style durbar. 

The highlight of the last day tour is the Courtyards of the Royal Kumari where you can receive blessings from the only living goddess.

None None Breakfast

We share our last goodbyes with you as our team drops you safely at immigration doors of the airport.