The Round Upper Mustang Trek (Jeep plus Trek – 11 DAYS)
Upper Mustang trek is suitable for any kind of trekker looking for something a little more challenging and energetic and everyone has dream to go. It does not require that you have any previous trekking or mountaineering experience. Although the terrain is not difficult, some vigorous hiking experience is useful. And it does not require any technical experience only that you are in good physical condition and be able to hike for 5-7 hours over hilly terrain with a light day pack. Sherpa and sufficient number of porters will carry all your trekking gear and necessary equipment.
Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom, the former Kingdom of Lo which lies in the north-east of Nepal and bordering with China. It is roughly 80 km long (north-south) and 45 km,it’s widest and is at an elevation of over 2,500m. Mustang is also known as a “Tibet outside the Tibetan border” and hence it fosters the original. Tibetan culture, although it is now politically part of Nepal. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern where language, culture and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people. This area is considered as one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. Nepal is a land of Festivals. For the Nepalese, festivals are not merely the annual spectacles, but also are the living part of their rich cultural heritage. Most Nepalese festivals are related to different Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses and they are celebrated on such days consecrated for them by religion and tradition. Some of the festivals are of national significance while still others are celebrated only within one or two villages or cities.
The trek to Lo Manthang, a capital of Mustang will lead you through high altitude picturesque desert climbing in and out of the huge sided valley of the Kali Gandaki. In places the gorge which the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the world. Lo Manthang itself is a walled city ruled by religious king. However, the monarchy ceased to exist as the Kingdom of Lo in Upper (northern) Mustang on October 7 2008. Untouched by modern civilization as everywhere in the Himalayas, this area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8,167 meters and Annapurna I at 8,091 meters. During the trek you will be surrounded by more than 35 mountains over 6,000 meters high. Elevation of trail rises from, 2815 meters to 4270 meters above the sea level. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with narrow streets and white or colored houses. All of it and more you will see during the trek.
Day 01: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara- 820m
Day 02: Fly Pokhara to JomsomTHEN Drive to Gheling- 3570m
Day 03: Trek from Gheling to Charang- 3560m
Day 04: Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang- 3770m
Day 05: Lo Manthang: Exploration day @Tsoshar
Day 06: Trek from Lo Manthang to Yara- 3,838m
Day 07: Trek from Yara (Explore @Luri Caves
Day 08: Trek from Yara to Tsarang- 3560m
Day 09: Drive from Tsarang to Jomsom- 2710m
Day 10: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara- 820m
Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 01: Fly OR Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara with private car. It takes around 5-6 hours through the middle hill mountain landscape and Trishuli River. O/N at Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 02: Fly Pokhara to JomsomTHEN Drive to Gheling (20m flight – 5-6 Hrs)
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport just 10 minutes from hotel for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. Drive from Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki plains in the rainy season the road diverts to the right bank of the river plain, the walk is pleasant with few ups and down most of the way to the place of EkaliBhatti (lonely inn) where there is three or four tea houses at present, it used to be one tea house when it’s got its name EkaliBhatti. From here the path splits into two ways the higher up leads to Muktinath well the other one leads you to upper Mustang and Tibet via Kagbeni. Our trail leads past EklaiBhatti towards North West, the drive gets much easier on the gradual winding route as the road widens as you walk further on the river bed towards the windswept village of Kagbeni.Actually, Kagbeni is the entry point to upper Mustang. From Kagbeni, trail leads up the east bank of Kali Gandaki and climbs over many ridges as it heads north. After that, through the interesting cave, Gompa crossing place of Tangbe, Chhuksang, reaches Chele (3,030m).
The trail leads ascending to Samar. After that it climbs above Samar to a ridge, descends into a large gorge past a Chorten painted in red, black, yellow and white, all pigments made from local rock. From there one can enter another valley filled with juniper trees and drops to Bhena (3,800m) and trail ascends goes to the place of Gheling (3,820m). Overnight At Gheling
Day 03: Trek from Giling to Tsarang (7-8Hrs)
At the place of Giling, the trail climbs gently through field up the center of the valley; it passes above Tama Gaon and its imposing Chorten, from Nyi La Pass (4,025m) view of Mustang Annapurna and Nilgiri then reach to the big settlement of Ghami. After crossing the GhamiRiver (Tangmar Chu River) walking through the longest mani wall in mustang and enjoy the view of Dhakmar which mean Red Stone Mountain. After crossing Tangmar Chu River, with a short climbing enters Charang (3,490m). Walking time takes about 5-6 hours. O/N at Tea house in Tsarang.
Day 04: Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang(5-6Hrs)
This is like the capital city of upper Mustang. To reach Lomanthang (3,730m) from Charang, trail leads descending about 125m and climbs steeply up a rock trail through a desert like landscape. Afternoon we will visit King Palace and Lo Mangthang Walled city, walking time takes about 3/4 hours. O/N at Tea house in Lo Manthang.
Day 05: Lo Manthang: Exploration day (6-7Hrs)
Exploring the Lo Manthang, The Kingdom of Lowa; Visiting to the ChhorsarGompa/Niphu cave. Walking time takes about 4/5 hours. O/N at Tea house in Lo Manthang.
Day 06: Lomanthang – Lo La – Dhigaun – Yara
We start the trek from Lo Manthang and trailhead steeply uphill to Lo La pass (3950 m). The trail to the summit provides an outstanding view of Lo Manthang and Choser village and the road to Kora la on for distance. After a short walk on the main road follow branch path on a northeast to another trekking pass Dhi La (3910 m). The walk towards steeply downhill with a magnificent view of the red canyon. From small Dhi village, we follow a gentle uphill trail along the PunyungKhola and passing interesting and scenic nature eroded cliffs to Yara village. We also see a small path leading to holy Damodar Lake, the source of Muktinath water taps. O/N at Tea House Yara
Day 07: Side trip to Luri Cave (5-6Hrs)
The Luri cave day tour begins from Yara village, a trail keeps climbing from traditional Yara village and passes attractive Ghara village. Pleasant further walk show hanging Tibetan flag on the top and the bottom, the top weighty red color one is Luri cave. The Luri Cave and Gompa is different than others because it has TashiKabum, frescoes, Chortens, and dissimilar ancient wall painting. The top section of the cave been ruined and need bad repair as soon as possible. A 30-minute of the path is completely sleeper because of pebble and grit specially ambling down unit. Not allowed to take any pictures of the inner part of Luri cave and gompa because of order to protect this priceless and unique design. After a while trekking back to Yara.O/N at Tea House Yara.
Day 08: Yara to Tsarang (6-7Hrs)
After breakfast, half day tour to Luri Cave via Ghara village, ancient Lurigomba set above the villages on the ridge and the path is climbing up on gravel to the 3 storey sanctum hidden cave. The Lurigompa has medieval era painting of meditation and Kabung also get a breathtaking view of unfruitful terrain. Then trek returned to Yara village and after lunch trek retraces across the river to Charang village, a path offers amazing sights of the walled eroded landscapes.
Day 09: Drive from Tsarang to Jomsom (7-8Hrs)
After breakfast, the trail climbs steadily to a pass which is marked by a terrain, from where one can have a beautiful view of Tsarang&continues to reach a valley and then descends to village Ghami at 3,440m.
A direct route is followed to Geling, a gentle up/downhill drive to a small settlement of Tama Gung. A steep switchbacks trail leads to a stream; the trail climbs to a large painted chorten. A direct route is followed to Syangbochen. Climbing on a ridge the drive continues upward to meet the trails from Bhena and then descends to Samar. Drive down to Kali Gandaki River then along to Kagbeni (2,700m) and finish the upper Mustang trails as restricted. Then drive along bank to Kaligandaki River a pilgrimage destination for Hindu people
From Kagbeni, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki plains, in the rainy season the road diverts to the right bank of the river plain, the walk is pleasant with few ups and down most of the way to the place of EkaliBhatti (lonely inn) where there is three or four tea-houses at present, it used to be one tea house when it’s got its name EkaliBhatti. O/N at Hotel in Jomsom.
Day 10: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara (20m)
Fly back to Pokhara (900m) in the morning. Free day in Pokhara. If needed, guide and car can be arranged for sightseeing on yout request with the extra charge. O/N at Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 11: Fly OR Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley. O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu.