Mustang Trekking

Trip Features

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  • Total Duration : 21 Days
  • Transportation : Domestic Flights & Tourist Vehicles
  • Max Elevation : 3,780m
  • Trek Grading : Moderate
  • Best Seasons : Spring, Summer & Autumn
  • Journey Starts/Ends : KathmanduKathmandu
  • Accommodation : Hotel, Lodges & Guest Houses
  • Note: Mustang is famously known as the "Hidden Valley” of Nepal with dazzling natural amphitheater formed by the staggeringly beautiful peaks.

Trip Highlights

  • Rich in unique and authentic culture
  • Undisturbed beautiful Tibetan plateaus
  • Aesthetically pleasing mountain vistas and apple orchards

Trip Overview

Mustang region trek is a great way to experience the old world charm of the Himalayan mountain deserts, located in the northern central part of Nepal. Mustang region is popular amongst trekkers for its fascinating and picturesque landscapes. It is the most mysterious and least known kingdoms of Nepal. The landscape of Mustang is a barren moonscape of eroded sandstone pillars and discontinuous moraine terraces, which together presents a colorful mosaic made up principally of earthen reds, yellows and brown often known as “Hidden Valley”. It is relatively an easy trekking for all different ages along the permitted route to Lo -Manthang, a small kingdom under one of the few Nepalese principality titular kings, King Jigme Palwar Bista.Untouched by modern civilization, life in Mustang goes on as it has for centuries in unhurried pace. As everywhere in the Himalayas, this area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8167 meters (26,795 ft.) and Annapurna-I at 8091 meters (26,545 ft.).

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m) and transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: In the morning, complete the darshan in Pashupatinath temple and city sightseeing tour to Bodhnath Stupa. Later, in the afternoon visit the streets of Thamel and spend the rest of the day shopping or relaxing.

Day 03: Fly to Pokhra or travel by surface, whichever suits your convenience.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m) and further hike to Kagbeni (2800m).

Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,050m).

Day 06: Trek to Syangmochen (3,800m).

Day 07: Trek to Ghami (3,520m).

Day 08: Trek to Tsarang (3,560m).

Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3,809m).

Day 10: An entire day is spent in Lo-Manthang for acclimatization.

Day 11: Day hike to Lo-Manthang and villages in the Eastern Valley.

Day 12: Visit Namgyal Gompa and continue trekking to Tingkar.

Day 13: Trek to Surkhang enroute Dhi village.

Day 14: Hike via Surkhang-Lori Gumba-Yara Gang.

Day 15: Trek to Tange village (3,240m).

Day 16: Trek to Tetang village 92,940m).

Day 17: Trek to Muktinath (3,760m).

Day 18: Fly back to Jomsom.

Day 19: Fly Kathmandu via Pokhra.

Day 20: Day is free for shopping and other kinds of activities in Kathmandu.

Day 21: Trip concludes and departs for onward journey.

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m) and transfer to Hotel.

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport. Be received by our staff that will help in assisting you to get transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.

Day 02: In the morning, complete the darshan in Pashupatinath temple and city sightseeing tour to Bodhnath Stupa. Later, in the afternoon visit the streets of Thamel and spend the rest of the day shopping or relaxing.

Our Guide will take you around Kathmandu Valley to show the history of Nepal while visiting temples, monasteries and the vibrant streets.

Day 03: Fly to Pokhra or travel by surface, whichever suits your convenience.

Catch a flight to Pokhra. If clients wish to travel by surface, then there is an option of travelling by bus from Kathmandu to Pokhra. Day is free for self-activities. Rest and overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhra with BB Plan.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m) and further hike to Kagbeni (2800m).

Catch an early flight to Jomsom. After taking some rest, hike towards the north region, Kagbeni. The routes crossing have hanging bridges following the Kali Gandaki River. The trails followed are deserts covered with sand and rock through the surrounding peaks of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche (6920m), Nilgiri (6987m) and Annapurna ranges. Kagbeni is a beautiful village of residential traders who have been a link in the supply of foods & essentials between Mustang and the land of Lo-Manthang and the rest of Nepal. The Nilgiri view is the first mountain, which can be encountered while arriving in Kagbeni from the south. The trail goes to the widening path in the north, crossing endless stretches of sand pebbles and boulders.

Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,050m).

Trek steeply in the upward direction into the jumble gullies and small towers, zigzagging to a viewpoint over Kagbeni with Nilgiri providing a dazzling white dewy backdrop from the Kagbeni check post. The trail keeps to the east bank of Kali Gandaki River, climbing and descending. Lunch is taken at Tange village (first village) from Kagbeni. It is a Mongolian village where inhabitants are a mixture of Gurung, Thakali and some families from the land of Lo. From Tanbe, the trail again climbs to a higher point around 3100 m. The trail then drops steeply and undulates along the east bank of Kali Gandaki for 1-½ hours to the village of Chhuksang. From Chhuksang, we can see Chele. After a short walk along the riverbank, there is a solid bridge across the Kali Gandaki at the point where it tunnels. Its way is under a vast block of red sandstone. From here, it is a short sharp climb to Chele, which is about 3 hours walk.

Day 06: Trek to Syangmochen (3,800m).

Trek to the village of Ghyakar with a view in the south that offers a panorama of Nilgiri, Tilicho peak and Yakawa Kang, the peak that dominates the Thorongla Pass on the Annapurna circuit. To the Far East direction, the range of Damodar Danda is fairly visible. From the pass it is a short descent to Samar, a pleasant settlement in a grove of willows with good running water in irrigation channels. We get Samar village after 3 hours from Chele. It is our lunch place. After leaving Samar, the trail dives steeply for about 70 m into a deep side canyon. Inevitably it is a short steep climb out and after a brief respite. It then dives again into another side canyon. This second climb is steeper and longer. After about 2 hours walk from Samar, the trail reaches 3750 m and descends slightly to the first teahouse. The second tea houses can be seen in the distance, but once more the trails dives into another steep canyon and it will take a further hour to reach it. This place is known as Ekle Bhatti. This is our camping Lodge for the night.

Day 07: Trek to Ghami (3,520m).

Climb gently to a small pass at 3870m with views directly upon the deep eroded canyons, which is one of the most beautiful cave monasteries. About 2 hours walk from camp, is the teashop of Syangmochen, another possible camp area. After gentle climb levels, out to a Chorten (3700m. 2 hours) and then there is a first view of Geling village (3500m). From here, the path descends gradually into another less severe gully and climbs out to a collection of houses. We stop over for lunch. From the lunch spot, the trail continues round above Geling village and starts the long climb to the Nyi pass at 3950m. A long descent, out of the wind, takes us down more steeply to Ghami.

Day 08: Trek to Tsarang (3,560m).

From the Gompa in Ghami, two tracks level down into a gully east of the village, one steeply past a trio of red, black and white Chorten that are a common sight in upper Mustang. At the bottom of the gully are two bridges across the river; there is a direct path to this point not visiting Ghami. The trail climbs onto a gently sloping plateau and passes beside a very long wall. About 1/2 hour from Ghami, from the end of the wall, the trail heads east away from a very dramatic red eroded canyon towering above the village of Tramar climbing steadily at an altitude of 3770 m. The descent to Tsarang is mostly gentle and completed in a further trek of 2 hours.

Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3,809m).

After an early breakfast, we take the trail that leaves Tsarang to the northwest and drops steeply into the Tsarang Chu canyon. After crossing the river, the route is initially very steep. As we round the corner and head north, a fine view of the great white Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna is visible to the southeast. The trail climbs gently along the west side of a side valley to an isolated chorten at (3620 m). It is 2 hours from Tsarang. A further hour takes us to 3700 m. with some spectacular caves high up in the cliffs to the east. Having climbed to around 3850 m, a pass is reached through a narrow window at the Summit. The view ahead opens out to display the western valley of Lo-Manthang. The bright red and grey monastery of Namgyal sits on top of a pro monastery with wide valley surrounding Tingkar (the site of the King’s Summer palace) and Phewa villages. Just down from the pass is the first dramatic view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang and the ancient ruined forts. There is a tremendous view to the east of the red, blue, grey, white and yellow eroded Mustang Khola canyon, to the north lie the flattish red colored hills and the Tibetan border. The descent to Lo-Manthang is short and after crossing the small river and climbing briefly the fabled city is finally reached.

Day 10: An entire day is spent in Lo-Manthang for acclimatization.

Whole day is taken for acclimatization.

Day 11: Day hike to Lo-Manthang and villages in the Eastern Valley.

Trek to Lomanthang and Eastern Valleys, which takes around 6 hours and then, we take a break the whole day.

Day 12: Visit Namgyal Gompa and continue trekking to Tingkar.

The trail takes around 2 hours to reach Namgyal Gompa, which is situated at the hilltop. It serves as an important monastery of the local community and a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa, the tour continues to Tingkar, which is the village of around 400 houses, the last main village of Lo-Manthang.

Day 13: Trek to Surkhang enroute Dhi village.

From Lo-Manthang, the trail walks straight till Dhi pass (4100 m.) and descend down to Dhi village. Dhi village is one of the best village of Lo-Manthang regions. It seems more prosperous and is settled in a very suitable place. From then, the trail goes through a river. In 2 hours we reach Surkhang.

Day 14: Hike via Surkhang-Lori Gumba-Yara Gang.

Trek starts from Surkhang-Lori Gumba-Yara Gang and back to Surkhang.

Day 15: Trek to Tange village (3,240m).

From Surkhang, we need to cross a river from Damodar Kunda, one of the sacred lakes. There is no bridge on the Ghechang River, so we need to walk across the river in bare feet. After crossing the river, the trail climbs up above a pass of 3850m. The trail goes through grasslands and treeless bare hills. After the pass, the trail drops directly to Tange village at an elevation of 3240m. Tange is a small village with around 30 houses with most of the houses attached to each other. On the roofs, one can see piles of dry woods, which are a reflection of the prosperity in their society.

Day 16: Trek to Tetang village 92,940m).

Walk through the deep ridge of hills that provides fine views of wind carved hills. Tetang village is formed between 2 hills as they should have and is a safe place to avoid strong wind that hit the entire Kail Gandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of Chhuksang.

Day 17: Trek to Muktinath (3,760m).

The last day of Upper Mustang Trek where the trail goes through the village of Jharkot where one can see the Jharkot Monastery, Tibetan herb Medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot. Continuing the trek towards Muktinath, one will enjoy the view of Kali Gandaki valley and Kagbeni village (entry point of Upper Mustang).

Day 18: Fly back to Jomsom.

Take an early flight from Muktinath to Jomsom.

Day 19: Fly Kathmandu via Pokhra.

Head back from Jomsom to Pokhra and then, Kathmandu.

Day 20: Day is free for shopping and other kinds of activities in Kathmandu.

Day is free for shopping and other kinds of activities in Kathmandu.

Day 21: Trip concludes and departs for onward journey.

Catch a flight for final departure back home.

Date and Price

Note Regarding Dates:

Although this trip is currently unscheduled, Richa Tours is keen to prepare the necessary arrangements for the group or yourself. Feel free to contact us. The best months to travel this destination are between March to May and October to November.

Note Regarding Price:

Contact us with your needs and we will put forward the best feasible price for you.


Service Include and Exclude

Includes

  • Completely camping/tea house trekking with full board i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Twin sharing accommodation at hotels & lodges
  • All entrance fees
  • All necessary transportation
  • Airport pick up/drops on private vehicles
  • First aid kits
  • All government taxes and official charges.
  • Airfare: Pokhara – Jomsom, Jomsom – Pokhara & Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu valley Guided city tour
  • 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • 1 night hotel in Pokhara with breakfast
  • Guide, Assistant Guide, Cook, assistant cook and Porters
  • Accidental and medical Insurance of Nepalese staffs
  • Road transport/ one way flight as well.
  • Personal equipment such as sleeping bags/ jackets (if you do not have we can arrange within US $1.00/day for two items).

Excludes

  • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Rescue/ emergence and insurance cost
  • Beverage and hard drinks and alcohol
  • Nepal entry visa fee and airport tax during the departure
  • Personal equipment and personal expenses
  • Tips (usually people can keep US $2/day in total for tips and donation which is good amount)
  • In case of natural calamities i.e. political unrest, cancellation of flight due to weather, landslides etc the extra charge should be borne by themselves.

Note: If you would like to hire horse for the trip will cost you US $ 15.00 per day per person.