Upper Mustang Trek

After breakfast, you will get on board on an early morning 20-minute flight to the district headquarters of Mustang, Jomsom over the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge accompanied by tantalizing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain peaks. Famous for strong afternoon airstreams, extravagant landscapes, and sweet apples, Jomsom is the place where you will meet your trekking crew and make initial preparations for your magnanimous hike to the Mustang region of Nepal. Leaving Jomsom behind as you begin to walk, you will cross a small hanging bridge after which it is a wonderful walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. Although the trail is deserted with weather-beaten rocks and sand, you will be compensated with amazing views of the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri peaks. Unambiguous attributes of Upper Mustang begin to reflect as you approach Kagbeni, the particular features being the tapered passageways and tunnels, irrigation canals, emerald wheat, and barley fields and an outsized crimson monastery. Overnight in Kagbeni.

After breakfast at Kagbeni, you are required to get your permit checked and get other necessary documentation processes done at a police check post situated at the north end of the Kagbeni village before entering the forbidden region of Nepal. Climbing a steep cliff on the eastern end of the gorge, you will be able to witness a fantastic view back of Kagbeni. The trekking path comprises of ups and downs along the bottom of the valley and the riverbed. You will reach on top of a hill after climbing for about two hours or so, and then it is a steady drop down on the other side to reach Tangbe, the first real Mustang village. Walking on more undulating tracks, you will arrive at Chhusang which is an ideal stoppage point for lunch. Continuing through a riverbed after lunch you will stroll on the side of the valley until arriving at a bridge beneath Chele village. Crossing the bridge over the Kali Gandaki River, it is a final sheer ascend to reach Chele. Overnight in Chele.

Hiking from the point beyond Chele is comparatively challenging owing to the more frequent undulating paths. The trail compresses till a deep canyon after an initial climb today. A hanging bridge will direct you to the other side of the gorge to the Ghyakar village. The climb continues without compromises and you will reach the Taklam La Pass. From this pass, it is a gentler downhill strut for a short while guiding you to Dajori La Pass. From here, it is a comparatively easy hike till Samar which can be a pretty good stoppage for tea and snacks. After Samar, it is again downhill walk through a pretty vertical canyon and yet another abrupt uphill hike to Bhena where you will stop for lunch. One final ascent from Bhena and you will reach the Yamda La Pass from where it is a drop down till a stream and a short walk from here takes you to Syangbochen. En route, you will be able to catch glimpses of the outstanding Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda passing by the Ramchung cave. Overnight in Syangbochen.

After breakfast today, you will walk down towards Gheling village where you will visit a monastery that belongs to the Sakya lineage of Buddhism. Walking past this village, you will climb further up the valley to cross the Nya La Pass. Passing by a handful of teahouses, tiny settlements and chortens and also widespread forests and barley fields as well as extraordinary views of deep valleys and mountains, it is a gentle downhill hike to Ghami. This village is one of the most prominent villages in the Lo Mangthang region. Overnight in Ghami.

Beginning with a steep descending trail to the river crossing the steel bridge along the jagged and slimy path, today’s trek will take you across the longest Mani wall in the Mustang area. It is believed that the mani wall contains the intestines of the demons killed by Guru Rinpoche. Moving ahead up through the Chingel La Pass fantastic views of Nilgiri and Tilicho peaks greet you. After you cross the Tsarang La Pass, it is time to enter the Tsarang village which is located at the top of a canyon with a giant fortress and a monastery. After lunch at Tsarang, you grab an opportunity to visit the Tsarang Thupten Shedrup Dhargyeling Monastery. This Gompa houses some lovely wall paintings and murals in addition to a few statues of deities. Overnight in Tsarang.

After a hefty breakfast at Tsarang, you will start today’s hike walking downwards to a ravine to cross a river behind Tsarang. A steep descent takes you to the other side and another uphill climb crossing a huge chorten and several caves culminate in a desert-like trail with hard packed sand leading up to Lo La Pass. This is the point which offers you the first peek of the picturesque village of Lo Manthang, the capital of the land of Lo. From the pass, you will walk down towards Lo Manthang that presents astounding views of the Himalayan giants such as Nilgiri, Tilicho, Bhrikuti peaks, Annapurna I, and the Damodar Kunda, a consecrated pond of the Hindus. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

This is a day set aside for acclimatization purposes hence you will be exploring the entire ancient capital city of Lo Manthang. Hiking towards the north end lies the Chhode Gompa which is attached to a monastic school Tse Chhen Shedrubling Tukling Mon Gon Lobdra. Next, you will visit the museum and yet another smaller sized monastery that has a chorten with the grave of an old lama. Some other monasteries worth visiting worth visiting today are Jhampa Gompa, the oldest one in Lo Manthang, and Thupchen Gompa, the second oldest one. Other momentous landmarks to witness in Lo Manthang are the Nyphu Cave monastery and the Thinkar summer palace situated at a beautiful village. Another acclimatization option today would be a visit to Chhosar cave, a man-made residential cave. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

After breakfast in the morning, you will follow a separate route on the western end that passes through Gyakar village. This trail offers you the most fine-looking views despite the few sheer descending walks. Gyakar houses the oldest Tibetan monastery in the Mustang region known as the Ghar Gompa. This monastery has delicately stunning rock paintings and it is believed to have been built by the incarnated monk Padmasambhava. Hiking from Lo Manthang to Drakmar is exhilarating with dissimilar trails high above the canyons and eroded hills. Overnight in Drakmar.

Today, you will start early and head southwards so as to avoid the brawny winds during most sections of the trek. It is advisable to carry some drinking water as well as some snacks today as there are no teahouses before reaching your destination. You will come across numerous caves on the way today as you move ahead, and walking past a Mani wall, you will arrive at Ghami village. The trip today could reasonable be fiddly as you are most likely experience powerful blustery wind hitting on your faces. Traversing along a dry plateau and ascending up the Ghiling hill, you will arrive at the village of Ghiling which presents exceptional views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. You will get an opportunity to explore the tiny village after lunch. Overnight in Ghiling.

After breakfast today, you will start hiking on a downhill trail accompanied with majestic views of the Himalayas and the enchanting landscapes. You will come across a few tiny hamlets walking down the same path as earlier that led to Lo Manthang. People here practice pure Tibetan culture and lifestyle. Continuing the ramble along the deserted matchless landscapes of dry terrain, you will arrive at Chhuksang where you will spend some time exploring the village and its environment before calling off the day. Overnight in Chhuksang.

Today is officially the last day of your trekking trip, so after an early breakfast, you will retrace your footsteps leaving behind Chhuksang descending towards Tangbe. Walking for some time, the Mustang trail ends and you will then be unifying with the Annapurna circuit trail. Coming across a few caves walking past the uniquely clustered settlement, the landscapes appear unbelievable. Depending on your walking rapidity, it would take at the most four hours from Chhuksang to reach Kagbeni. You will have your lunch in Kagbeni before proceeding along the banks of Kali Gandaki River till the moment you reach Jomsom, which is the ending point of your trekking binge. Overnight in Jomsom.

After an early breakfast, you will today embark on a scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara along the Kali Gandaki Valley which proffers excellent views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges. On arrival at Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel room where you may stretch your weary legs and relax in leisure. Later in the evening, it is the perfect time to stroll around lakeside and perhaps sit beside a candlelit restaurant and sip your favorite beer and listen to some live bands performing some soulful melodies of Nepal. If you wish, you may also visit some significant landmarks such as David’s fall, Gupteshwor cave or the Regional Museum in the afternoon. Overnight in Pokhara.

Leaving the lake city this morning after breakfast at your hotel, you will get on a road trip leading you to Kathmandu. The bus journey itself is exciting as you will observe scenic greeneries, small roadside shops, small settlements, streams, and vegetation farms on the entire trip. After an adventurous drive for around 6-7 hours, you will finally reach Kathmandu where you will be immediately transferred to your hotel room. After relaxing for a while, you may wander in the streets of Thamel for some souvenir shopping that you may want to take home with you. Rest of the evening you may relax in some cozy bar or pub, watch and enjoy live music show or grab your favorite cocktail. Overnight in Kathmandu.