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Trek To Upper Mustang Region In Nepal

  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Nature, Religious, Rural Experience, Trekking, Archeology, Climbing, Culture, Photography, History, Museum, Sightseeing, Homestay, Luxury, Cave, Desert, Hot Spring

  • Duration

    18 Days

  • Activity Level

    Medium

  • Language

    English, French, Korean

Description

        Upper Mustang Trek is an extraordinary journey through the remote region of Mustang in the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and historical intrigue. Operated by Himalayan Asia Treks, this trekking adventure takes you into the heart of the Trans-Himalayan region of Nepal, offering a glimpse into the traditional Tibetan-Buddhist culture, stunning landscapes, and ancient monasteries.


      Upper Mustang, also known as the "Forbidden Kingdom," was off-limits to foreigners until 1992, which has preserved its traditional Tibetan culture and stunning landscapes. This trek typically starts from Jomsom, the administrative headquarters of the Mustang district, accessible by a short flight from Pokhara. From Jomsom, the trail follows the Kali Gandaki River gorge, known as the deepest gorge in the world, with towering peaks on either side.

As the trek progresses, you'll ascend through picturesque villages, terraced fields, and barren landscapes, eventually reaching Lo Manthang, the capital of the Mustang region. Lo Manthang is a walled city with ancient monasteries, palaces, and narrow alleys that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. The trek allows ample time for exploration, offering opportunities to interact with locals, visit monasteries, and witness traditional festivals and rituals.

Highlights

Highlights of the Upper Mustang Trek with Himalayan Asia Treks include:

  1. Scenic Landscapes: Traverse through diverse landscapes, including lush valleys, barren deserts, and rugged mountains, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

  2. Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the unique Tibetan-Buddhist culture of the Mustang region, characterized by ancient monasteries, prayer flags, chortens, and vibrant festivals.

  3. Lo Manthang: Explore the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, home to the King of Mustang, and discover its rich history, unique architecture, and religious significance.

  4. Ancient Monasteries: Visit centuries-old monasteries such as Thubchen Gompa, Jampa Gompa, and Chode Gompa, adorned with intricate murals, statues, and religious artifacts.

  5. Local Hospitality: Experience the warm hospitality of the local people, known as Lo Pas, and stay in traditional teahouses, allowing for authentic cultural exchanges.

  6. Natural Hot Springs: Relax tired muscles in natural hot springs at Tatopani, offering a therapeutic respite amid the rugged terrain.

  7. Tiji Festival: If timing permits, witness the vibrant Tiji Festival, a three-day event celebrated with masked dances, rituals, and cultural performances, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

  • Arrival in kathmandu expand_more

    • Meet our representative at the airport and get transferred to the hotel. 

    • Check-in to your hotel. 

    • Go for an evening walk in Thamel (tourist hub of Kathmandu). 

    • Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

  • Trek preparation and Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu expand_more

    • Get introduced to your trek guide/leader. 

    • Start the Kathmandu sightseeing tour. You can also shop for the trekking gear.

    • Visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a complex of palaces, courtyards and temples built between the 12th and 18th Centuries. 

  • Drive to Pokhara expand_more

    • Take a bus, which will take 7 hours to reach Pokhara.

    • Do rafting on Trishuli river (optional) and drive towards Pokhara on the same day. 

    • Stay overnight in Pokhara.

    Note: Kathmandu to Pokhara is 25 minutes by the domestic airline.

  • Flight Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720 m) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m - 3 hrs) expand_more

    • Get transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom of 20 minutes over the mountains with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Jomsom is a major village on the Kali Gandaki area linking the age-old trans-Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet. 

    • Continue on the path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for 3 hours and finally reach the Ekle Bhatti village. 

    • In Kagbeni, a major tributary Kak Khola comes from Muktinath and meets Mustang Khola. From there, the river is called the Kali Gandaki.

    • Stay overnight in Kagbeni.

  • Trek to Chele (3,050 m - 6 hrs) expand_more

    • Climb from Kagbeni to Chele passes through the beautiful village of Tangbe, which offers the view of white-washed traditional houses and fields of barley, buckwheats and apple orchards. 

    • On the way, enjoy good views of Nilgiri mountains.

    • Pass several ridges and cross a stream after Chhusang village. Leave the Kaligandaki valley behind and climb further to the village of Chele. From Chele, you will start observing the typical Tibetan settlements of Upper Mustang.

    • Stay overnight in Chele. 

  • Trek to Syanboche (3,800 m - 7 hrs) expand_more

    • Begin your trek through a forest of small trees and green bushes, which has been able to survive in the narrow gorge because the high vertical walls keep it cool and sufficiently moist. 

    • See the walls built in front of caves, which are temporary homes for the herders whose animals graze here. Sometimes it is possible to see the rare blue mountain sheep in this area. 

    • Take the pass that offers a good view towards Samar, the Kali Gandaki valley and snow-capped peaks in the distance. 

    • Cross a side-valley and cross over a creek before you trek all the way up again on the other side.

    • From Samar is a red painted cave monastery, which looks as if it has been stuck on to the vertical wall. This is Rangchyung chorten (the chorten that formed itself) and is one of the most sacred places in Mustang. 

    • Walk to Syangboche till a cluster of houses appears.

    • Stay overnight in Syanboche. 

  • Trek to Ghemi (3,520 m - 3 hrs) expand_more

    • Pass through the three high passes within 15 minutes. 

    • Traverse Yanda La and pass a distinctive red chorten painted with Buddhism’s eight auspicious symbols and terraced valley with groups of yellowish trees above the village of Ghelung are two red Gompas. Unlike other villages in Mustang, where the houses are built close together and look fortress-like, Ghelung is spread out wide on a patch of green grass and gives the impression of being a fairly affluent little community. 

    • See the Nyi La pass straight ahead, which rises above the village.

    • Descend gradually towards the Ghami La pass and on the way we see a rundown, deserted village downstream. 

    • Pass another broad valley that comes in from the left-hand side and in its centre is Ghami, Mustang’s third largest town, which is high above the river and surrounded by fields. 

    • Stay overnight in Ghemi. 

  • Trek to Tsarang (3,560 m - 3 hrs) expand_more

    • See the Mustang’s longest Mani wall (1,000 m long) outside the Ghemi. The architecture here is like a carving, blending in the organic extension of nature. According to a legend, when the famous Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) came to the area and fought and destroyed a demon, the demon's intestines landed at the site where the Mani wall stands, its lungs near the red cliffs behind and its heart at the spot where Mustang’s oldest monastery Lo Gekar was built.

    • Take a steady climb, which will take you up a 3,820 m pass after which a lunar-looking desert stretches to the horizon. 

    • See the first indication of human presences next to the Tsarangchorten – the large red-painted Stupa in the middle of the landscape.

    • Go further down the monastery and the palace of Tsarang can be distinguished in the fields. 

    • Follow the broad road that leads to Tsarang- Mustang’s second town. 

    • Stay overnight in Tsarang. 

  • Trek to Lo Mangtang (3,800 m - 4 hrs) expand_more

    • Have breakfast and begin your trek on the flat terrain and the view, apart from a chorten and a few caves, is unrelieved barrenness. After crossing a pass and waking through two rocks forming a natural gate we have finally arrived at Lo Manthang.

    Overnight in Lo Mangtang. 

  • Free day Lo Mangthang expand_more

    • Have breakfast and explore the surrounding areas.

    • Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa is situated on a hill-top and serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. 

    • Continue to the Tingkhar, the last main village of the northwest of Lo- Mangthang.

    • Stay overnight in Lo Mangthang. 

  • Lo Mangthang to Lo Gekar (3,520m - 6 hrs) expand_more

    • Begin your return journey from Lo Mangthang, taking the upper highland route. This highland route offers dramatic views of Lo Mangthang and the Charang Valley with snow-clad peaks in the background. 

    • Reach the oldest monastery in Mustang- the Ghare Gompa. 

    • Stay overnight in Lo Gekar. 

  • Trek to GELING (3,060 m - 6 hrs) expand_more

    • Continue your journey on the highland route.

    • Cross the alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded gully to Dhakmar for lunch. 

    • Walk through the pretty valley.

    • Climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami. 

  • Trek to Chhuksang (2,920 m - 6 hrs) expand_more

    • Retrace the route back over the Nyi La to Chhuksang. 

    • Stay overnight in Chuksang.

  • Trek to Muktinath (3,900 m - 6 hrs) expand_more

    • Take the upper part route to Muktinath from where you will get the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape including Kagbeni valley. Muktinath is the most popular Hindus and Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri is amazing from here. 

    • Stay overnight in Muktinath. 

  • Trek to Jomsom (2,710 m - 3 hrs) expand_more

    • Pass back through the beautiful village Jharkot and views of Kagbeni to Jomsom where the trek ends. 

    • Take a nice hot shower. 

    • In the evening, celebrate with your guide and Sherpa and share your trek experience.

    • Visit Marpha village (near Jomsom), where you can see apple orchids. (Optional)

    • Stay overnight in Jomsom. 

  • Fly Jomsom to Pokhara expand_more

    • Take an early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge to Pokhara.

    • Relax in Pokhara. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

    • Stay overnight in Pokhara. 

  • Pokhara to Kathmandu expand_more

    • Have breakfast at the hotel and get transferred to the tourist bus station.

    • Drive back to Kathmandu.

    • Have dinner in your hotel in Kathmandu and enjoy the cultural show along with it.

  • Departure expand_more

    • Have breakfast and get transferred to the airport.

What's Included

  • Accommodation on BB basis in Kathmandu and Pokhara in Three-star hotel.

  • Ground transportation (Airport pick up and drop, sightseeing by private).

  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by Tourist Bus.

  • Three times meals at trekking route.

  • Accommodation in Tea house or lodge in trekking route.

  • Government licensed English speaking Nepali guide.

  • Porter (one porter for two people and carries 20 kg).

  • All necessary paper-work like Permit and TIMS card (Trekkers information management system).

  • Travel and rescue arrangement.

  • Twenty four call assistance by our office representative.

  • Farewell dinner in the typical Nepali restaurant.

  • Entrance fees in entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara sightseeing place.

  • Flight fare from Pokhara-Jomsom and vice versa.

What's Excluded

  • Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

  • Any type of insurance.

  • Any type of international flight fare.

  • Personal nature expenses like bar bills, water, tea coffee, shower, laundry, wi-fi in trekking route.

  • Tips.

  • Any extra cost which is not mentioned in cost includes column.

  • Extra day for natural calamities like flood, landslide, flight cancellation.

  • Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara-Kathmandu flight cost.

Know before you go

  • Kathmandu Durbar Square: It used to be the seat of ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. It is the place where kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages.

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 1 USD 2549 Per Person
2 To 0 USD 1699 Per Person
Child

This is a private tour
Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2549 / person