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Thamel, Kathmandu,Nepal

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Trek To Upper Mustang

The upper mustang is a restricted zone and thus can be termed as a forbidden kingdom. You will need a special permit to enter this area. It is noteworthy to say that it still has a King that rules the place. Historically, the kingdom used to be part of Tibetan empire and thus this place is rich in Tibetan Buddhism culture and traditions. The Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and you walk in a complete desolate landscape, surrounded by rocks in all kind of colours and unique formations completely hidden to the modern world. Lo Mangtang is the capital of Upper Mustang where you can find the palace of the king, a huge four story high building. When the king is at home, you can even pay him a visit. Although the king does not have real power anymore, he is highly respected by the people of mustang. Thugchen Gompa, built in the 15th century is a major attraction to the tourists. Other places to see are Amchi (Amchi is a traditional Tibetan doctor) museum and Amchi school, founded to preserve their ancient wisdom and pass it to the generations. A horse ride to Chhoser will provide you an opportunity to explore a century old cave dwelling, situated high in the rocks. Buddhism is continued to be practiced in a very pure form here. The dress code, ornaments, languages, cultural rituals and their traditions are more similar to the feudal aged Mongolians empire. The villages are built in Tibetan style, with white washed houses with firewood tucked on the roofs. At a glance the houses, yak sheds and horse stables remains camouflaged to the landscapes. The Kingdom of Upper Mustang or the hidden valley beyond the Himalayas is a wonder that is not listed in the wonder list of the world.

 

Trek Profile:

Trek to Upper Mustang- A Forbidden Kingdom

Trek duration:

15 days

Trek difficulty:

Moderate

Accommodation type:

Tea house

Maximum Elevation:

3900 meters

 

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival, pick up by our staff and transfer to a hotel

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara/ Flight to Pokhara

Day 03: Fly to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni (2800m)

Day 04: Trek to Chussang (2920m)

Day 05: Trek to Samar (3290m)

Day 06: Trek to Ghiling (3600m)

Day 07: Trek Tsarang (3250m)

Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3780m)

Day 09: Excursion of Lo Manthang

Day 10: Trek to Ghami (3400m)

Day 11: Trek to Syangboche (3800m)

Day 12: Trek back to Chussang (2920m)

Day 13: Trek to Muktinath (3800m)

Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2740m)

Day 15: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (20 minutes) and fly/Drive to Kathmandu

Day 16: Airport drop for final departure

COST INCLUDES AND EXCLUDES

COST INCLUDES

  • All pick up and drop from Airport
  • Complementary Home stay dinner as a welcome dinner
  • 02/ 03 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu as per required
  • 01/ 02 night hotel accommodation in Pokhara as per required
  • All Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the trek
  • Accommodations on tea house based lodge during the trek
  • One professional English speaking license holder guide (as per 4 members) for the trek
  • One helper guide (for 4 members) for the trek
  • Porters for the trek (One porter for 2 members)
  •  All Domestic flights used during the trek
  • All sort of transportation fares used during the trek
  • Private vehicles used during the trek
  • TIMS card and Permits

 

COST EXCLUDES

  • Any sort of personal expenses
  • Lunch and Dinner during hotel stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Extra expenses occurred due to unforeseen conditions
  • TIPS to the guide and other staff
  • Alcohol, beverages and bottled drinks
  • Anything that is not included in cost include section

 

 

Trip Fact

Trek Profile:

Trek to Upper Mustang- A Forbidden Kingdom

Trek duration:

15 days

Trek difficulty:

Moderate

Accommodation type:

Tea house

Maximum Elevation:

3900 meters

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY:

 

Day 01: Arrival

You will be picked up from the Airport by the staff of Plan Nepal and driven to the hotel. After the check-in procedure of the hotel, you will be briefed about your trekking plans by a travel consultant from Plan Nepal Travels and Tours.  

 

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara/ Flight to Pokhara

On your second day you will either take a tourist couch or a flight to Pokhara. The drive will take 06 hours whereas the duration of the flight is only 30 minutes. At Pokhara you will have enough time to explore the city. The astonishing Phewa Lake reflects the shadow of holy mountain Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fish-tail Mountain) which is a spectacular scene. Pokhara, located at an altitude of 850 m is a popular choice of tourist with all kinds of facilities provided.

 

Day 03: Fly to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni (2800m)

You will catch a morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom which lies at an elevation of 2720 meters. The duration of the flight is 20 minutes. Jomsom is the districts headquarter of Mustang which lies at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Jomsom was used as a Salt Trade route to Tibet. There is strong wind blow in the afternoon. From Jomsom, the trek continues on the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 and half hour to reach Kagbeni, which lies at an altitude of 2800 meters.

 

Day 04: Trek to Chussang (2920m)

The ascending uphill path leads to harsh barren countryside all the way passing through few small villages to reach the village Tangbe. With another hour of good walk brings you to the destined stop at Chussang. Chussang lies at the confluence of the Narsang stream (a small river) and the Kali Gandaki River. The elevation of the place is 2920 meters and the total duration of the trek is 06 hours.

 

Day 05: Trek to Samar (3290m)

The trial leads to Chele village after crossing the stream through the broken canyons and ruin castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river there remain some spectacular red eroded cliffs above the mouths of inaccessible caves. After crossing the small bridge an uphill walk for 50 minutes brings you to Chele village elevated on 3290 meters. The duration of the journey is 07 hours.

 

Day 06: Trek to Ghiling (3600m)

The journey continues into another valley with alpine trees. After crossing the stream, the path ascends uphill to a ridge with an elevation of 3800 meters. The trail climbs over to another pass; from here the route descends to Shyangmochen, a small settlement with few tea shops at altitude of 3710 meters. The trial continues to a gentle climb to a pass at 3770 meters elevation entering towards a huge valley, and then downhill path leads to overnight stop at Ghiling with its large fields of barley on the outskirt of the village. The elevation of Ghiling village is 3600 meters and the duration of walk is 07 hours.

 

Day 07: Trek Tsarang (3520m)

The walk continues a long climb across the head of the valley to the Nye La pass at an altitude of 3950 meters. The pass itself is the southern boundary of Lo. From here a gradual descend leads direct to Tsarang. Our route drops below the blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmarchu River then the path climbs past to the long and magnificent stretch of “Mani” prayer wall, probably the longest one in Nepal. From here the final climb to a 3600 meters pass and a gentle descent leads to the overnight halt at Tsarang. The maximum elevation of Tsarang is 3520 meters and the duration of walk is 07 hours.

 

Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3780m)

The destination Lo Manthang is the capital of Mustang kingdom. The trek follows a short descend across Charangchu River with a steep climb on a ridge, then passing through the Tholung valley. The trail diverts north with gentle climb as the valley ascends to a large Chorten, follows to the stream, coming to a great wide windswept landscape, finally reaching the ridge at 3850 meters with a grand view of the walled large village of Lo-Manthang. A short descent brings you to the stream that outlines the walled village, form here a short climb on the plateau leads you to the southern wall of Lo Manthang village. The elevation of the village is 3780 meters and the duration of the walk is 05 hours.

 

Day 09: Excursion of Lo Manthang

Despite the apparent squalor of Lo Manthang, the village is prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community with the practice of pure spiritual Buddhism. The people call themselves Lobas, people from Lo, with much Tibetan culture and practice. The King’s palace stands an imposing four storey building in the centre of the city. The present king, Jigme Parbal Bista, and the Rani (queen) are from the noble family of Shigatse on route to Lhasa. The King can be visited at the palace with an arranged meeting.

 

Day 10: Trek to Ghami (3400m)

The trial descends with few short climb all the way to Ghami, leading to a steady climb to the pass offering the last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The walk from here on is gradual downhill slopes most of the way to Ghami village. Ghami is located at an altitude of 3400 meters and the duration of descend is 07 hours.

 

Day 11: Trek to Shyangboche (3800m)

The trial follows the straight route to the Nyi La, with a climb to the ridge and then ascend upwards and encountering the road from Tsarang. From the top of the ridge a steep descend leads to Geling Valley. The trail continues bypassing Geling and then a gentle downhill to a small settlement of Tama Gung. A steep switchbacks trail leads to a stream; the trail climbs to a large painted Chorten to reach Shyangboche. The duration of walk is 04 hours.

 

Day 12: Trek back to Chussang (2920m)

The trial is to descend back to Chussang with visit to Ching Si cave. The total duration will be 05 hours.

 

Day 13: Trek to Muktinath (3710m)

The path leads downhill slope most of the way to Muktinath on much wider trail with superb views of the Mt. Nilgiri and Tukuche peak in the Far East. After 2-3 hours of walk, crossing the stream in the gorge and uphill walk for an hour will lead to the village of Dzong. The path followed is almost gradual all the way to Muktinath at an elevation of 3760 meters. Muktinath has its 108 holy ancient water spouts. It is believed that taking bath in this holy water will cure Rheumatoid arthritis. The duration of walk is 07 hours.

 

Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2800m)

The trial follows an easy descends towards the Kali Gandaki River Valley passing through the old village of Jharkot. You will retrace your path back to Jomsom from the village.

Day 15: Fly from Jomsom to Kathmandu via Pokhara

Morning flight will take you to Pokhara and the connecting flight from Pokhara will take you back to Kathmandu.

Day 16: Departure

You will be dropped in the International Airport for the final Departure.

Useful Information

LIST OF TREKKING EQUIPMENTS

 

Clothing list:

  • Day bag pack (20 to 40 liters capacity) with rain cover
  • Sleeping bag (-15 degree Celsius) [Note: you can hire sleeping bags from us]
  • Lightweight walking boots
  • A pair of spare laces for shoes
  • A light sandal for using in guest houses and tea houses
  • Warm fiber/feather jacket or down jacket
  • Water proof/ wind proof jacket
  • Light wind proof trousers
  • Inner thermal wear for using at higher altitudes
  • Loose casual wear to be used in the lower altitudes
  • A warm woolen hat
  • A pair of gloves
  • 2 pair of woolen socks
  • 2 pair of thin socks
  • Personal wear as per you require
  • Towels

Accessories

  • UV protection and snow protection sunglasses
  • Water Bottles
  • Water purifier (pump, tablets or any kind)
  • Hiking poles
  • Head lamp with spare batteries
  • Personal daily use equipments
  • Sun cream and lip care cream
  • Camera with chargers
  • First Aid kits
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toiletries
  • Medicines like pain killer and high altitude sickness medicine

Note: Some equipments and trekking gears can be hired from us on a daily basis, please enquire us for more information