Known as the hidden Kingdom, Mustang lies to the north-west region of massive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Enriched with eroded cliffs, deep canyons, moraine valleys and barren ridges, it offers simply unrivaled landscape that truly resembles Tibet in many ways. Mysterious caves and centuries old monasteries, snow capped mountains, unique and unexplored culture and lifestyle, sizzling scenery, extreme wilderness and many more are what you experience on Upper Mustang Trekking.
As it falls beneath the rain-shadow area of the gigantic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, the rain it gets is merely 250-400 mm a year which keeps it largely dry and arid. Hence, this region can be visited all year round being Spring, Summer and Autumn the best seasons. This secluded region remained untouched by outer world until 1991. It was then opened for limited number of visitors as requires a special permit that costs $500 USD per person for 10-day trek and while on extending further will require an additional fee of 50$ per day per person. All this aims at preserving the natural beauty, mysteries, cultures and history intact.
A journey to Upper Mustang is an exotic venture. Upper Mustang Trekking trail traverses traditional Tibetan villages with exotic culture, Gompas and caves with Buddhist arts with legends and exclusive beauty of the desert of the Himalaya make your journey truly a mystic adventure. With it’s geographic location, landscape, culture and lifestyle, the Upper Mustang truly gives the feel of Tibet. With Grande Adventures you are assured of a complete service from the arrangement of the special permit to the full board trip until the end. Besides, we also organize the trip to observe the famous Tiji festival, the legendary the most auspicious festival of Upper Mustang every year. Please see Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2020.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. Welcome and pick up from airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu
Day 03: To Pokhara, approx 6 hours drive.
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2800m), 3 – 4 hours
Day 05: Trek to Chele, (3050m), approx 5-6 hours
Day 06: Trek to Syanboche, 3475m, 5 – 6 hours
Day 07: Trek to Ghami (3520m) via Nyi La pass (4025m), 5-6 hours
Day 08: Trek to Tsarang (3620m), 4-5 hours
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3840m), 5-6 hours
Day 10: Exploration day at Lo-Manthang
Day 11: Trek to Drakmar (3820m), 6-7 hours
Day 12: Trek to Gelling, (3520m), 5-6 hours
Day 13: Trek Chhusang (2980m), 5-6 hours
Day 14: Trek back to Jomsom (2700m), 6-7 hours
Day 15: Fly back to Pokhara. Explore Pokhara
Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu, 6-7 hours. Transfer to hotel
Day 17: Departure day. Transfer to airport and fly back home
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival you will be greeted and welcomed by our representative at the airport. You will then be transferred to the hotel booked for you. A pre departure meeting will be scheduled as time permits. During the meeting, you will be introduced to the leader/guide who will be guiding you all throughout the trek. You will also be briefed about the program that starts from the next day.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu
Today you will be visiting various cultural, historical and architectural monuments of the Kathmandu. The centuries old monuments are full of legends and beliefs and the Durbar squares of medieval Kathmandu are full of intricate carving and superb collection of architectural riches. The qualified and experienced tour guide will lead you and show you around. The time after tour is for preparation for your trip.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 03: To Pokhara, approx 6 hours drive.
A scenic drive of approx 6 hours will take to the beautiful lake city Pokhara. The view along the road is so dramatic with rivers, valleys, terraced fields and charming villages. After checking in to hotel and getting freshen up, you will time to explore the city. Enjoy your time and make preparation for the trip
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2800m), 3 – 4 hours
Take an early morning flight to Jomsom. The 20 minutes flight that goes between two of the massive Himalayan peaks Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna I (8091m) provides unbelievably stunning views of the some of the massive Himalayan massifs on earth rising above 8000 meters, the deepest river valley of Kali Gandaki, and mountain terrain are simply mesmerizing. After landing at Jomsom, you will set off your journey to Upper Mustang with a gradual walk along the Kali Gandaki River bed to Ekle Bhatti and then an easy walk of an hour to Kagbeni where you spend your night. Kagbeni, an ancient village is a beautiful and interesting windswept moorland with picturesque scenery. The two rivers, Mustang Khola coming from Mustang and Kak khola coming Muktinath meet and from here the river also known as the deepest river valley in world, is called Kali Gandaki.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05: Trek to Chele, (3050m), approx 5-6 hours
The trail from here takes you along the Kali Gandaki river and heading towards north crossing several ridges to reach the village Tangbe. The village is remarkably beautiful with narrow alleys, white washed houses, apple gardens, fields planted with buckwheat, barley and wheat. The beautiful Nilgiri himal appears dominating the skyline. From here the trail moves further to reach the village of Chhusang. After crossing the river the trail moves northwards to the red chunk of pudding stone fallen from the massive cliff above which has created a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki Rivers flows. The trail then leaves the Kaligandaki valley and climbs up to Chele. Overnight at Chele
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Syanboche, 3475m, 5 – 6 hours
The trail ascends along the steep treeless and waterless terrain to Taklam La pass at 3624m. The secluded and distinctive topography of the region makes anybody feel to have been in different world. It’s different not only in topography but also in culture, lifestyle and landscape. The more we go further the more scattered, smaller and basic settlements we come across. Trekking through the villages, streams, and passes make your day full of actions but the stunning views of Nilgiri Himal, Tilicho peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda along the way make it less tiresome. Trekking along the switchbacks to ascend and descend we finally arrive at Syanboche.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Ghami (3520m) via Nyi La pass (4025m), 5-6 hours
The trail ascends passing through local villages, chortens, and a few teahouses to Yamda la. The ascent to Nyi La pass would be a little longer but it would offer outstanding view entire Mustang, Nilgiri and Annapurna. The trail then goes downhill to the village of Ghami which is surrounded by large fields most them are barren. Your overnight will be at Ghami
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Tsarang (3620m), 4-5 hours
Crossing the Ghami khola (stream) the trail ascends on to the Tibetan-like plateau. You will admire the beautiful and long Mani wall. The trail ascends another ascent to a pass 3600m then slightly descends to Tsarang village. Beautiful Dzong and Gompas with marvelous collection statues, Thangkas and other Buddhist paintings are the major attractions of the village. The village is full of chortens and inhabited by Lo people of Tibetan descendants.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3840m), 5-6 hours
The amazing view of Nilgiri, Tilicho peak, Bhrikuti peak and Annapurna I can be enjoyed. The trail first descends to Tsarang chu canyon. After crossing the river the trail climbs up to the pass of Lo from where an impressive panoramic view of the walled city of Lo Manthang can be viewed. A short descent to a stream and crossing the river we gently ascend up to the plateau of Lo Manthang. Excursion around.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Exploration day at Lo-Manthang
This day will provide with plenty of exploration opportunities of this mysterious yet fascinating city of Lo Manthang. This is the capital city of Mustang. The entire city has approx 150 houses but also houses some of the largest and finest Gompas of Tibetan Buddhism. You will have a side excursion to Chhosar where you could observe cave and cave monasteries that gives you the insight into the prehistoric human settlement and civilization. You could also visit Namgyal Gompa and Tinkhar palace. It’s truly an awesome experience.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Drakmar (3820m), 6-7 hours
Descending down, we take a different route than we took to come up. Trail goes via Lo-Gekker where we can see the Ghar Gompa built by the legendary and primary figure of Tibetan Buddhism some 1200 years ago, the Gompa is believed to be even older than that of Samye in Tibet. The rock painting on the Gompa is very popular and legend has it that anyone makes a wishes here will get fulfilled.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Trek to Gelling, (3520m), 5-6 hours
The 5-6 hours of trek passing the stone walls and barren fields takes us to Gelling. It’s an amazing place with exploration opportunities. Morning and evening are more ideal to walk around as afternoon may get windy.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Trek Chhusang (2980m), 5-6 hours
Serene views along the journey to Chhusang will make the walk a pleasant one. A slower-paced walk of 5-6 hours will take us to the beautiful village Chhusang for overnight stay.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Trek back to Jomsom (2700m), 6-7 hours
Today is the final day of the trek unless you would like to take an extra day to Muktinath, a holy place with great sceneries at 3800m. A delightful trekking back from Chhusang to Jomsom via Kagbeni takes appros 6-7 hours. It’s rather a pretty long day and we will start the day early. After we end the upper Mustang part at Kagbeni we head into the lower part which is also the part of Annapurna circuit. Time to relax and stretch your legs.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Fly back to Pokhara
Take an early morning flight to Pokhara. It feels nice to be back to Pokhara after a wonderful trek in the desert of the mountain. You will have time for relaxation and exploration on your own.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu, 6-7 hours
A scenic drive of approx 6 hours will take you back to Kathmandu. Relaxation and shopping time. Evening farewell dinner with Nepali cultural show.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17: Departure day
The trip comes to an end. You will be transferred to airport and bid farewell
Services included:
Services not included:
Equipment list of Trekking
Here is a recommended Equipment List for trekking in Nepal Himalayas. You could bring the ones you already have and rest can be bought or hired in Kathmandu or other cities.
Clothing
Equipment and Accessories
Reading materials, camera, game items (optional), note book, rubber band, pen and pencil, envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional). Thermoses (optional)- an inflatable sleeping mat etc.
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