The arid and isolated erstwhile Kingdom of Mustang lies in the northwest upper Mustang region of Nepal. It was the least-known destination among foreign tourists before 1992. Since 1992 trekking department of the Nepal Immigration office has issued a special permit charging US $ 500 for each person for 10 days and US $ 50 for an extra day for every trekker visiting the Upper Mustang region. This immigration policy is still in practice. Apart from the Upper Mustang special trekking permit, we also need an ACAP entry permit. Despite the exorbitant permit fee, the Kingdom of Mustang is still on the bucket list among the wanderers and explorers.
Trekking in this remote area inspires many trekkers to explore the centuries-old monasteries, treeless barren landscape, eroded sandstone pillars, and barley fields, and has now become a very popular destination. The high-altitude trails and extreme deserts, religion, culture, and lifestyle of the local people are the major highlights of the trek. Nowadays trekking to the Kingdom of Mustang has become relatively easier than before due to the connectivity of the road.
Trekking to this isolated area of the Kingdom of Mustang offers the opportunity to explore ancient villages where only a few travelers have been before.
The majority of the trekking routes pass through the dry, high deserts where most of the inhabitants are of Tibetan descent. The menfolk of the area are either traders or farmers while the women mostly tend the fields.
Trekking to this magical and mysterious area starts in Jomsom after a mountain flight from Pokhara. From there, trekkers must go to Kagbeni, a deserted fortress town that guards the entrance to Mustang.
On the way, we walk through Chele, Geling ,Tsarang & finally reach Lo Manthang. This ancient town is renowned for its tall washed mud brick walls, Gompas, 15th century-old Buddhist Mandalas, five-storied structure former Mustang King’s Palace built in 1400 A.D, and several Buddhist monasteries.
After entering Mustang, we explore the 16th-century monastery at Tsarang and the fortress city of Lo-Manthang Here we can see the splendours and traditions of old Tibet. On our return journey from Mustang, we visit the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath, end our trek in Jomsom, and fly back to Pokhara. Whoever does this trek will have an unforgettable experience.
Kingdom of Mustang trekking can be organized on a lodge-to-lodge basis and it is the cheapest and best way to travel.
The best time to visit Upper Mustang is from the beginning of March to late December. June to September is the best time of the year to visit Mustang to see the greenery of Himalayan arid plateau. As the Kingdom of Mustang lies in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas, there is no monsoon during summer. October and November in autumn are also possible to do trekking in Upper Mustang.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. Our airport-hotel transfer service is more than just a simple ride. Once you arrive at the hotel, you will be offered a welcome drink in the lobby, and then you can proceed with the check-in process. Our company's manager will be there to personally brief you on the itinerary in detail to ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable trekking journey in Nepal. Your accompanying guide will handle all the logistics during the trek, so you can focus solely on your adventure and relax!
After having breakfast, you will embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley, which will include visiting several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tour will commence with a visit to Pashupatinath, which is considered to be the most sacred Hindu Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Following that, you will proceed to Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a historically and culturally significant site. The tour will then proceed to Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former royal palace complex.
Your city guide will accompany you during the tour and provide information about each place, including its historical and religious significance. Moreover, the guide will address any queries you might have. The sightseeing tour will take approximately three to four hours, and lunch will be provided during the tour. Once the tour is completed, you will be dropped off at your hotel. Overnight stay in Kathmandu
Our guide will come to pick you up at the hotel and you will embark on the unforgettable journey by land to Pokhara. During the journey, you’ll be mesmerized by the eye-catching landscapes, including terraced rice fields, picturesque villages, lush green hills cascading waterfalls, Trisuli, and Marsyangdi Rivers. The road winds through the winding hills and mountains, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna Himalayan range. On every stoppage of land transport, you may meet friendly locals, and experience traditional Nepali food and hospitality. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check in the hotel. In the evening you may enjoy a leisurely walk around the Lakeside. From Kathmandu to Pokhara by land is a journey of discovering the beauty and diversity of Nepal! Overnight in Pokhara
After breakfast in the hotel, your accompanying guide will come to pick you up and provide you with a reliable and professional airport transfer service to the Pokhara Domestic Airport to catch a flight to Jomsom on time. The journey to Jomsom on a commercial flight is really enjoyable and it takes only 20 minutes. On arrival at Jomsom, a small busy town, is considered the gateway to Mustang. Here you will find plenty of teahouses and hotels on both sides of the river Kali Gandaki and facilities like shops, banks, a military post, a police check post, telephone facilities, a post office, a health post, and an information office for ACAP ( Annapurna Conservation Area Project). Starting from the town of Jomsom, we will set off for Kagbeni, via Eklebhatti, and arrive at our destination ( Kagbeni village) which lies at the confluence of the Jhong Khola ( river). In addition, Kagbeni has a health post, several stores, a police checkpoint, an ACAP information center, and a post office. Also, there is a gompa (a Buddhist monastery), a Kani (an archway), three mani walls (prayer walls decorated with prayer wheels), and a large chorten (a Buddhist monument). It takes 2-3 hours to reach Kagbeni. Overnight stay at a lodge
On the fifth day, we will begin our trek to Chele along the east bank of the Kaligandi River. After passing through many ridges, we arrive at Tangbe village consisting of whitewashed houses, narrow alleyways, buckwheat, barley, and wheat fields, and apple orchards in its surroundings. We will immerse in the mind-blowing views of the majestic Nilgiri and Tukuche peaks on the south side. We will follow the trail by the side of the Gandaki River valley and in some places, it traverses through the riverbed and this is the easier path to move on. While trekking, we will be able to see the major sites including Kalobhir, the Sky Caves, the Rock Tunnel, the Organic Apple Farm, Tangbe Village, the Red, White, and Black Chortens, Gumbakang, and Chhusang Village. After crossing the river, we gently ascend a rocky gully leaving Kaligandaki Valley behind. After an hour’s walk, we will reach Chele where we will spend the night and prepare for the next day.
As we ascend, the topography seems peculiar because there are no trees or pools of water. However, a stunning canyon and a granite cairn at 3540 meters will surprise you before you descend to Samar village. As we ascend from Samar to a ridge once again and then descend to a large gorge, we will see Annapurna and Nilgiri to the south. Thus, we traverse valley farms, pass a stream, and then ascend the ridge once again (3800m). We reach Shyangmochen via a second pass, following the ridge, and then descending once again. Our journey then progressively ascends from this point to a pass at 3770m. Eventually from this place, the route declines into Gelling Village where we stay overnight.
The day begins with the gradual ascent to Nyi La Pass and then descends to the cliff. Next, we will cross the Tangmar Chu River's steel bridge to reach Mustang's longest Mani wall.
Once again, we ascend to another pass at 3600m and thereafter, a long gradual descent to Charang village. The main highlight of the village is the five-storey Dzong and red Gompa. There are other things noticeable like the collection of statues, thankas, and paintings of Buddha. Also, Tsarang village is well-known for its ancient architecture and panoramic views of the valley.
After having breakfast, our trekking journey continues. When we leave Tsarang we will descend almost 120 meters from Tsarang, and cross the Tsarang Chu( river). After crossing the Tsarang Chu, our trail follows the route full of stones lying just opposite the village at 3580m and then enters the Tholung Village. After Tholung Village we further ascend to the windy mountain pass of Lo (3850m). From the top of this pass you will enjoy the first glimpse of the walled city Lo-Manthang at 3700m.
Along the way, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. During the trek, you will also get an opportunity to explore the culture, history, and natural beauty of Upper Mustang. A short descent from Lo leads us to the plain terrain and then the trail crosses a stream and climbs up onto the plateau of Lo-Manthang where we will spend the night at a guesthouse.
Today is the day of the excursion in and around Lo Manthang. It is a small town surrounded by towering mountains and arid landscapes After breakfast, we begin our excursion by horse riding, simply walking, or jeep safari towards the chhosar, Garphu & Kora La border. Chhosar village offers a unique glimpse into the traditional way of life, and daily activities of the locals in Upper Mustang.
You will witness historic monasteries like Garphu and Niphu, surrounded by vibrant rock formations and centuries-old caverns in sheer rock cliffs. All these sites are really impressive in the Chhosar area. Niphu Monastery is an old cave monastery set into the rocks.
During the excursion, we will visit the Kora La, a high mountain pass in Nepal's Mustang area. A long time ago this mountain pass was used as a part of the historic salt trade route that connected the Chinese autonomous province of Tibet with Nepal. Kora la is known for its rough terrain and breathtaking vistas of the mountains.
Afternoon we will get back to Lo Manthang and spend the rest of the day visiting the city’s ancient monasteries, palace, narrow alleys, stupas, and the architecture of the earthen wall city. The site appears vibrant due to the long walls decorated with prayer wheels and flags. Royal palace, three ancient monasteries, Amchi school, and the local way of life are the highlights of the Lo Manthang excursion.
Leaving Lo Manthang and the Charang Valley behind, we will begin our return journey to Ghami village via Gekar. While trekking, we will enjoy a breathtaking glimpse of snow-clad peaks in the background. After passing through Gekar village, we will explore Ghare Gompa, the oldest monastery in Mustang. We will keep walking on the highland trail, crossing alpine meadows, and then descend a steep eroded gully to Dhakmat for lunch. After having lunch, we will traverse through the wonderful valley, ascend to a ridge, descend from there, and finally arrive at Ghami. Overnight stay at Guesthouse.
Today we hit the trail after breakfast to Samar passing through the arid and uninhabited land blessed with majestic sceneries. The trekking trail to Samar is relatively easy as most of the route is inclined downward. On the way, we will make brief stops in Ghilling and Syangboche before reaching Samar. The views are heart-touching as well. You may spend more time making a side trip or taking pictures of places that you stop by. You will also come across a beautifully painted Chorten before finally reaching Samar in the afternoon. On arrival, you can take a rest at the lodge.
After leaving Samar we will continue our trek to Kagbeni via. Chuksang. We will follow a descending path and cross a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. We will walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki River enjoying the view of the Himalayas, natural vegetation, and apple garden along the way. Gradually we will lose altitude and reach the Kali Gandaki River Valley. When we reach Kagbeni, we need to visit the ACAP office again to exit the special permit of the Upper Mustang. Check-in the hotel and take a rest.
Today we will head from Kagbeni to Jomsom saying goodbye to Upper Mustang and making entry into Jomsom. It will be our final trekking day. We will have lunch on the way. The journey from Kagbeni to Jomsom is a scenic one, taking you through spectacular landscapes and beautiful villages along the way. Meeting with the local inhabitants of Kagbeni and Jomsom is an opportunity to learn about the local culture, customs, and traditions. Overnight stay at lodge in Jomsom;
Today we will wake up early to catch the morning flight to Pokhara. By flight it takes about 35 minutes to reach Pokhara The mountains are seen from the window seat. On arrival at the Pokhara Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. After relaxing and refreshing in the hotel you are free to spend your time strolling around and doing some shopping at Lakeside. In the evening you may celebrate nightlife with a few drinks, dinner, and a Nepali cultural program with your guide. Or, just enjoy the lights over Phewa Lake.
As you begin the drive back to Kathmandu, you can say goodbye to Pokhara, Fishtail, and the Annapurnas. You will enjoy the wonderful views of verdant hills, rivers, and farms on the way to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu check in the hotel and relax. In the evening you will have time to explore Thamel, do some shopping, rejuvenate your body with a massage, or sip coffee in one of the many cafes and restaurants downtown.
Today is the last day of your stay in Nepal. You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the Tribhuvan International Airport as per your flight's departure time. As you board your flight, bid a fond farewell to our Himalayan Country, taking with you the memories of the snow-capped peaks, beautiful scenery, and the warm smiles of the people you have encountered along the way. Nepal will always hold a special place in your heart, and until we meet again, carry the beauty and charm of this land with you.
Here, we have published our small group guaranteed departures dates for this trek. If the published date does not fit your travel date, write to us with your date, and we will be very pleased to organize this trek at your desired date and time requested.
If you do not want to join our small group departure, we will be very happy to organize a private departure date to this trek to you and your group. Please write to us with your proposed travel date to this trek with us.
Start Date | End Date | Status | Price | Book Now |
---|