Upper Mustang Trek

Trip Duration 18 Nights/19 Days
Trip Code NAP-MUS-211
Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Aug-Nov and Mar-May

Overview

Upper Mustang trek is possibly the most fascinating trek in Nepal. The route to this remote region near Tibet was opened to foreigners in 1992 and remains strictly regulated. The dawn flight to Jomsom above the Himalayas is an amazing experience in itself; the hike starts by Kali Gandaki River and continues through mystical landscapes, high altitude passes, isolated villages and Tibetan monasteries flying prayer flags. Lo Manthang, the extraordinary capital of Mustang is quite unlike any place you’ve seen before…

Highlights

  • Historical, cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu
  • Interesting and picturesque places
  • Buddhist Monastery, Chorten and Mani walls
  • Tibetan life-style in refugee camps and the mystic Landscape
  • Ancient and isolated villages
  • Mixed culture and purely Tibetan cultural
  • The pilgrimage site of Muktinath
  • Lake valley of Pokhara

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Duration 18 Nights/19 Days
Trip code NAP-MUS-211
Trip Start/Ends Pokhara - Jomsom/Jomsom - Pokhara
Maximum Altitude Chogo-La (4325m) Yamdo-La (4010m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons in one group
Accessibillity 7-hrs drive to Pokhara and 25 minutes flight to and from Jomsom
The Route Maximum altitude Chogo-La (4325m) Yamdo-La (4010m) 5-7-hrs average walking/riding per day, moderate to strenuous trail.
Season Aug-Nov and Mar-May
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and best available teahouse/lodge on mountain

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given in the evening at hotel about the daily program activities by your Group Leader/Guide.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.

This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km) the road mostly follows the River Trisuli and Marshyangdi, depart 7:00 AM in the morning, approximately 6-hrs way by tourist bus and 5-hrs drive by private transport. Along the drive you will enjoy beautiful scenery. You will arrive late afternoon at Pokhara with enough time to enjoy the colorful town of Pokhara.

We fly to Jomsom. From Jomsom follow the Kali Gandaki River route forward to Eklebhatti and reach Kagbeni. From Kagbeni the route meets the junction where the trail splits for Muktinath, the pilgrimage temple and for Upper Mustang (Lo-Manthang). Kagbeni is a delightful village on the edge of the Mustang restricted area; it’s a hive of activity for donkey and yak caravans coming and going to and from mustang and for pilgrims taking a rest on route to Mukthinath. In Kagbeni, you can easily spend a few hours wondering around taking in this lovely village. 

From Kagbeni you enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The trail makes several ups and downs to arrive at Tangbe village (3060m). Walking further and descending you will reach to Chhuksang village (2980m) where you will see many beautiful white washed houses and agriculture fields. From Chhuksang making more ups and downs along the Kali Gandaki River you will get to Chele village.

From Chele the trail climbs up to the Chele-La (3630m). After crossing the ridge from Chele-La the trail enters a large sided valley and descends to Samar (3620m) where you will have views of the distant Annapurna Himal dominated by Nil Giri. The trail climbs up to the Bhena-La (3830m) and to Bhena (3860m). Climbing to another pass, the Yamdo-La (4010m), you will descend steeply following a ridge to Shyangmochen (3800m). From Shyangmochen you descend to the picturesque village of Geling, spend some time here soaking up the village atmosphere. 

Turning west from Geling, climbing gently through the fields, passing below Tama Gaon and turning north you will reach Nyi-La (4020m). The trail then drops steeply to Ghemi (3510m), a large village surrounded by many fields busy with the activity of the local people working this arid landscape. From Ghemi the trail first descends and then climbs a rocky path to Choya-La (3870m). Making a gentle descent the trail reaches to Tsarang. 

The trail descends about 100 meters down from Tsarang, crosses the Tsarang–Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climbs gently to a large isolated Chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the Lo-La (3950m) where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo-Manthang where you will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important chortens. 

This day will be spent in this mystical and isolated city. There are four major places and several other places like the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house", the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attractions of this town. Another attraction is the four–story building of the Raja's Palace as well as the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas. Having seen one, you are excited to see the others. Besides Lo-Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth visiting. The western valley Tingkar, the sight of Raja's summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyals "The Monastery of Victory " is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo. The eastern valley contains Chosar, the site of a High School, Garphu and Nyphu Gompa and is the main trading route to Lhasa.

From Lo-Manthang the trail climbs steadily offering a last glimpse of Lo-Manthang. The trail climbs a ridge at 4070m and continues climbing to the Chogo-La (4325m), the highest point on the trek. The trail makes a short, steep descent and crosses the Chharang River, then climbs to Lo-Geker and reaches to Ghar Gompa a small monastery. 

Cost Included

  • Fee: Upper Mustang special permit, ACAP entrance permit
  • Activities: Sightseeing, trekking trip as per itinerary
  • Equipment: All necessary camping equipment
  • Accommodation: 4 nights in hotel in Kathmandu, 2 nights in hotel in Pokhara  in a twin shared bedroom and 12 nights in tents/ lodges on the mountains
  • Food: All meals are included in teahouses/lodges and camp sites. Breakfasts will also be included while in the city
  • Staff: Leader/guide and porters' daily wage, food and accommodation
  • Transportation: All airport arrival/departure transfer and local transportation and  Pokhara to Jomsom and return flight to Pokhara
  • Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable government taxes and official service charges. 

     

     

Cost Excluded

  • Your international flight
  • Travel/medical insurance, medical expenses and emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments
  • Meals while in the city
  • Extras such as drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone calls
  • Expenses occurred due to unexpected events such as road wrecks, flight delays etc
  • Hiring horse and horsemen
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crew
  • Temple and Monastery entrance fees
  • Optional activities
  • Unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

Equipment & Packing List: This list is a guideline to help you to pack for your adventure trip. Also, understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trekking duration. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack on your own.

Head Items

  • Bandana or head scarf
  • Woolen or synthetic warm hat
  • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
  • Sunglasses

Upper Body and Hands Items

  • Polypropylene shirts (1 Half and 2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof shell jacket
  • Down Jacket
  • Gore-Tex jacket with hood
  • 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves

 Lower Body Items

  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms
  • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers

Feet Items

  • 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots
  • 1 pair of sandals

Sleeping and Travel Bags

  • 1 Sleeping bag (-10 degrees C, 14 degrees F)
  • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • 1 Large Duffel bag
  • Small daypack

Basic first aid supplies

  • Personal first aid kit bag
  • Aspirin
  • Skin-blister repair kit
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  • Throat lozenges or cough drops
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
  • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin
  • Water purification tablets
  • Sunscreen loction
  • Bandaids (plasters) and tape
  • Bactrim, Norbactin or other diarrhoea remedy

Toiletries

  • Medium sized towel
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Multipurpose soap
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Female hygiene products
  • Small mirror
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Wet wipes
  • Tissue paper
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash

 

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