Upper Mustang Trek - 18 days

Upon our arrival in the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from Nature Trail who will drop you off at your hotel. After checking in, take a rest. You may also stroll in the streets of Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.

After breakfast the day will start to your guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; including visits to the pilgrimage sites of Hindus Pashupatinath temple, the world biggest Bouddhanath Stupa, visit Swoyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with temple, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess) in central Kathmandu. Evening pre-trip discussion and introduce with our fellow trekking staff for your adventure trip.

After breakfast drive to Tribhuwan International Airport to catch up a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. After 30 minutes in flight you will reach at Pokhara, the third largest city of Nepal and also the headquarters of Kaski District. It is one of the main tourist attraction centers. You can have a walk in the streets of lakeside of at the evening time. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast catch up a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. From Jomsom your trek continues on the gradual and windy path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 hrs and finally reaching at Ekley-bhatti village. After good stop here an hour of easy walk reaches you to Kagbeni, which lies at the bank of two rivers.

Kagbeni, an interesting wind swept villages situated on the main age old Trans Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. In Kagbeni a major tributary, Kak Khola, coming from Muktinath, meets Mustang Khola, and from there the river is called the Kali Gandaki.

Your journey starts with a special permit checkup and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki up stream. During the walk we have scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trails follows the up and downhill. After 6 hours trek, we will end our day trek in Chhomnang. Chhomnang is a populated locality and is located in Dhaulagiri Zone.

Trek from Chhomnang to Giling (3510 m.) which takes about six hours. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and you enter another huge valley before descending to Giling 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 from Giling to Tsarang (3620 m.) via Ghami which takes about eight hours. From Giling 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 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. While Treking from Ghami to Tsarang, much of your energy will be spent negotiating loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, are a source of inspiration. Finally, you come to Tsarang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Tsarang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge dzong [fortress] and a red gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas.

You will leave the Charang Khola and climb the ridge to 3800m for our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Tsarang 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 north east corner.

We have allowed this full day to explore this outstanding historical and cultural center. There are 4 major Gompas to visit during your stay. The palace is the home of the raja (king) and his rani (queen). Although the raja’s function is now primarily ceremonial he is seen as a person who can help people resolve local issues. The town itself is fascinating, and offers countless opportunities to observe a vibrant Tibetan culture.

While returning from Lo-Mangthan, we take a different route than that we came by. Leaving Lo Manthang, the trail steadily climbs two small passes before plunging through a spectacular canyon to Dhile village. Explore the area but it will be dusty better to walk in evening time.

Today, you will continue down the valley leaving Dhile along the river bed to Yara and Luri Gompa. Luri is 13th century cave monastery that jealously guards some rare Pala style paintings of Buddhists mahasiddhas.

Today, you will have wonderful scenery during the journey with a Himalayan view. Tange is a small village dominated by a series of large chortens in a combination of bright red and white colors. The trail descends from Tange (3240m) to cross the bridge over the Tange Khola and on to the wide stony plain of the Yak Khola. An hour from Tange you will begin a long, steep climb, with views back towards Tange, a green oasis in the gray hills of Upper Mustang. Dhaulagiri’s summit pokes up above an intervening ridge at the top of the pass from Tange in Upper Mustang. Enjoy your trip and overnight stay.

Tetang (2940m) is set between two hills to avoid much of the Kali Gandaki wind. Here is the entrance chorten to Tetang, with the main village further up the valley.  The trail contours from the ACAP shelter and climbs around various bluffs reaching an altitude of 4110m. The Kali Gandaki River is hidden between the hills on the eastern and western sides of the valley on the trek from Tange to Tetang. The drop-offs on the side of the trail are staggeringly steep and a bit dangerous, with views of the 1000m deep canyons, as you neared the descent to Tetang from Tange. Don’t get too close!

Today you will trek from Tentang to muktinath. Muktinath is a sacred place both for Hindus and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass, Mustang, Nepal.

This will be your last day trek. After a morning walk you will head on to Jomsom for the overnight stop. Tonight you will celebrate the achievements of the trek with crew and reflect on our journey.

This wonderful morning, after breakfast you will check in at the airport to fly back to Pokhara. This is a dramatic flight between gorge of the two huge mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Pokhara airport to catch up 30 minutes flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the day free in Kathmandu for personal shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives and other activities. Overnight Stay at hotel.

This will be the last day for staying in Nepal. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Nature Trail will transfer you to the airport. On your way home you’ll have plenty of memories of the adventure done in Nepal.