Upper Mustang Trek

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,360m)

After your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in medieval and modernized Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by our office representative and transfered to the hotel. After checking in and some refreshments, our senior Sherpa guide will come to meet you and give you a brief orientation about Upper Mustang Trekking.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and preparation for the trek

The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, being the historical and cultural heart of the country, is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and other types of adventure seekers. The city is a marvelous amalgamation of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western cultures and influences. Patan and Bhaktapur are its two major neighboring cities. These two cities, like Kathmandu, have a rich historical, cultural and religious legacy which is reflected in the many temples, monuments and artifacts that they contain. You will be taken on a half-day guided tour of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur cities. In Kathmandu, you will be visiting Pashupatinath, the most famous and revered Hindu shrine in the country; Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Soyambhunath, which contains both Buddhist and Hindu shrines and stands as testimony to the religious harmony that exists in the country; and the 15th-century 55-window palace in Bhaktapur. An orientation session for the trek, which commences the following day, will be organized in the evening.

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara, this is optional.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel early morning for a drive with scenic views along the road to Pokhara via Prithivi national highway. The drive could take roughly 7-8 hrs to reach Pokhara. We also have the option for a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara for 35 minutes. We will visit some prime spots in the lake city after refreshing at our hotel we will do a tour of some beautiful places in Pokhara that include Davids’s fall (if we reach early by road), and the Phewa Lake etc. we then do an overnight at our hotel by the lake in the lovely ‘city of lakes’ on BB Plan.

Day 04: Flight to Jomsom (2,710m) and trek to Kagbeni (2,800m) – 3 hrs trek

You take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and nearby satellites, 20 minutes flight in a small aircraft. Directly north of Jomsom is the pretty village of Kagbeni, where there are about 80 families living here, most of them traders who are the link in the chain between modern Nepal and the Tibetan-type people of Mustang. Just out of Jomsom you cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is pretty barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This very easy, enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (26,794ft), Tukuche (22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni, Nilgiri (22,769ft).

Day 05: Trek to Samar from Kagbeni (3660) – (8-9walk) hrs trek or drive

There is a distinct change here, not only in the topography, but also in the culture, lifestyle and people, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic. The people of Lo or Mustang do practice agriculture, but because of the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land, scattering the brown landscape with patches of green.

Day 06: Samar to Ghami (3,520m) – 5 hrs trek

We reckon this takes about 04 hours. From Samar the trail climbs gently through fields, up the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. You then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large, white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs. Overnight in lodge on full board meals.

Day 07: Trek to Charang via Ghar Gompa (3,560m) – 5 hrs trek

We head towards Drakmar through colorful cliffs and green landscapes. Immediately leaving Ghami the trail follows little descent & ascent which takes approximately 45 minutes. Then we reach the valley of Drakmar. There are lots of cliffy caves above the village with colorful hillocks. at Drakmar we get a chance to see blue sheep while climbing the Mui La pass at 4170m.

Day 08: Trek to Lo-manthang – 5 hrs trek

You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. You climb gently above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually you get your first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance, so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the northeast corner.  Overnight in lodge on full board meals.

Day 09: Excursion Day in Lomanthang – Today is a free day to explore this ancient capital.

Lo Manthang is untouched since the 14th century. The city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborated mandalas painted on the walls. The king’s palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the current King and Queen.

Day 10: Lo-manthang to Chhosser caves and back to Lomanthang for night {optional by horse or jeep}

We will vist the Chhosser ridding by horse and carry self-packed lunch. Chhosser is a mysterious, by its beauty of architecture. This cave looks like cliff but inside it there are step by step floor with 44 rooms. This cave is so amazing that it gives the feeling of being in Alien place and returned back to Lo-manthang for overnight at camp with full board of meals.

Day 11: Trek to Yara (3,838m) – 5 hrs trek

Finally, from the camp (Lo-Manthang) a short climb takes us up to a glacial valley with views of reddish-brown historical wall city (the rainshadow zone) during the return back. From here we get an unforgettable image of the Lo. When come up to the hill, if you want to change the route you have to go by the opposite site. Along the mountain ridge after one hour the trail descends down to the village of ‘DHI’. The time is taken in between while streaming down.

Day 12: Visit Luri Gompa & back to Yara – 7 hrs trek.

Today we head down to Luri Gompa which was founded in the 13th century, it is also called Kagyukpa cave monastery. There are golden written lama’s books found here. The route continues up to Duyung Khola {river} which runs from the Damodar Kund (basin).

Day 13: Trek to Tangge (3,240m) – 6 hrs trekEarly in the morning we leave Yara along a high winding path. This soon leads down to the Dhechaeng Khola (river) which runs from the Damodar Kund (basin). The trail just crosses the small river of melting ice water and then we climb up for around one and a-half hour to DHI village along the winding desert mountain path to the Lo-Pa village of Tangya.

Day 14: Trek to Tetang (3,067m) – 9 hrs trek

Today we leave very early in the morning with our pack lunch because of the long distance compared to the other days. We climb some steps & then crossing over a suspension bridge following the trail to right side. We Soon come to the Yak khola (river) before climbing a terraced hill to PA at 4,210m, it is the highest point of the Upper Mustang trip. Overnight in our lodge on full board meals.

Day 15: Tetang to Muktinath (3,800m) – 7/8 hrs trek

Today, gradually we trek up till Gyu La {pass} 4,077m. It is one of those beautiful days and we take it easy on our walk. We will pass through Kharkas where we can see grazing domestic animals as well as wild mountain goats. Its peaceful up the valley as we reach to the top of Gyu La. From the pass you can see panoramic views of Thorong peak, Nilgiri, Tukche peak & the lovely Muktinath valley. We reach Muktinath via Chhenkar village. Overnight in our lodge on full board meals.

Day 16: Trek to Jomsom (2,710m) – 5 hrs trekThis is a pretty easy day, the trail gradually descends to Eklebhati at Kali Gandaki River valley, and we walk another two hours along the wide sandy and windy valley. The trail moves between two hills. Overnight at lodge on full board meals.

Day 17: Fly back to Pokhara.

This takes about 25 minutes and stay overnight at our hotel in Pokhara. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. Overnight hotel.

Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach Manakamana ‘Temple of wishes. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people happily engaged in their daily chores. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. In the evening, overnight at your hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 19: Departure to that place we all love calling home.

After breakfast and our last day in Kathmandu, our vehicle and escorts will be on standby to drop you to the international airport three hours before our scheduled flight back home.