Upper Mustang Trek

Trip Information
  • Trip Duration18 Days
  • DestinationNepal
  • Trip Grade Strenuous
  • Max. Altitude 4,900m
  • Trip Type Trekking
  • Accommodation Camping
  • Transport Fly in - Fly Out
Highlights
  • Explore the tradition and lifestyle followed by isolated Mustang region
  • Trek to the strategic location of Upper Mustang setup on the border of Nepal and Tibet
  • Get glimpse of early Tibet, jagged peaks brown landscapes and mud walled villages

Upper Mustang Trek: Group Joining with Fixed Departure Date

Upper Mustang trekking will bring you in the hidden world of the old kingdom of Buddhist Mustang region referred as Lo, which was earlier a part of the entire Tibet Empire. Because of this, Lo or Upper Mustang region remains tied closely with Tibet based on geography, language and culture. Mustang is one among the few places worldwide, which has long-lived a life of close-niche and the respective region remained inaccessible among outsiders. Isolation of the Mustang area has allowed a large number of people living there to maintain their own tradition and lifestyle, while heritage of the region remained in almost unchanged state for many centuries.

Upper Mustang valley remains hidden behind the two famous yet majestic Himalayan mountain ranges i.e. Mount Annapurna and Mount Dhaulagiri. Mustang region remains filled with a large number of beautiful trek zones. Trekkers require special trekking permits to trek in the restricted areas of the Upper Mustang region, while a Liaison Officer takes the responsibility to accompany every trek moving ahead to Mustang. Despite Mustang region officially belongs to Nepal, the Mustang region in its upper area reaches to the Kali Gandaki River. The area remains closed to various foreigners for a long time because of its strategic location on the border formed by Nepal and Tibet. Mustang has remained opened for trekkers for about a decade and Nepal’s government regulates the entire area closely on a regular basis.

Upper Mustang Region thus has only a few organized treks and interested trekkers require a special yet an expensive permit to perform trek activities. Consequently, treks in this region are the most expensive ones in the entire Nepal region. However, the trek gives a pool of opportunity to explore the high desert area, more or less similar to the one in Tibet. Jagged peaks, brown landscapes and mud walled villages explored during the trek act as reminders of early Tibet before the invasion of China.

Itinerary
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Welcome by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Briefs about the trip. Meet with guide. Overnight at Hotel. (Kathmandu city Hotel or Hotel Thamel)

     In the morning after breakfast, we introduced your trek guide / leader. It will provide an opportunity to know your guide/leader and can ask questions about treks. After discussing with trek guide/leader, we start sightseeing tour. We provide private vehicle and guide for city sightseeing tour. We visit Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Rest of our time is for shopping in near your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Kathmandu city Hotel or Hotel Thamel)

       If we fly from Kathmandu, your guide will come at hotel for transfer Pokhara. It will take 25 min by domestic airlines. If we go by bus it will take 7 hrs by tourist bus. Overnight in Pokhara.

      Meal: Breakfast.

      Overnight at (Hotel third Pole or similar).

         After taking breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom of 20 minutes over the mountains with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang.Jomsom is also major village on the KaliGandki area linking the age old trans-Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is very windy in the afternoon, continue on the path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for 3 hours and finally reached Ekle Bhatti village . In Kagbeni a major tributary , Kak Khola coming from Muktinath , meets Mustang Khola from there the river is called the Kali Gandaki . Overnight in Kagbeni .

        Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

           After doing the formalities of showing your restricted area trekking permit in Kagbeni we start our trekking because in Mustang there is heavy wind which gets up later in the day, blowing dust and sand around.The climb from Kagbeni to Chele passes through beautiful village of Tangbe, which offers white washed traditional houses and fields of barley, buckwheats and apple orchards. On the way we enjoy good views of Nilgiri mountain .Passing several ridges we cross a stream after Chhusang village, leave the Kaligandaki valley behind and climb further to the village of Chele. From Chele we start observing the typical Tibetan settlements of Upper Mustang .Overnight in Chele.

          Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

             After taking breakfast, we start our trek through a forest of small trees and green bushes which are able to survive in the narrow gorge because the high vertical walls keep them cool and sufficiently moist. Soon the valley broadens out and we can see walls built in front of caves which are temporary homes for the herders whose animals graze here. Sometimes it is possible to see the rare blue mountain sheep in this area. After about one hour we are on a pass offering a good view towards Samar, the Kali Gandaki valley and snow-capped peaks in the distance. After Samar we cross a side-valley, descending to its base and crossing over a creek, before we trek all the way up again on the other side.From Samar is a red painted cave monastery, which looks as if it has been stuck on to the vertical wall. This is Rangchyungchorten(the chorten that formed itself’), one of the most sacred places in Mustang.The walk to Syangboche can seem never-ending. It is fairly easy, but a constant climb with the destination nowhere in sight, until, finally, a cluster of houses appears. It is much colder in Syangboche. Overnight in Syangboche.

            Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

               After taking breakfast we start our trekking. Today we pass three high passes with in 15 min. Yanda La, and passed a distinctive red chorten painted with Buddhism’s eight auspicious symbols and terraced valley with groups of yellowish trees appears and above the village of Ghelung are two red Gompas. Unlike other villages in Mustang, where the houses are built close together and look fortress-like, Ghelung is spread out wide on a patch of green grass and gives the impression of being a fairly affluent little community. Rising above the village are barren, brown hills and we can see the Nyi La pass straight ahead. The path descends gradually towards the Ghami La pass and on the way we see a rundown, deserted village downstream. Another broad valley comes in from the left-hand side and in its centre is Ghami, Mustang’s third largest town, which is high above the river and surrounded by fields. Overnight in Ghemi.

              Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                 We see the Mustang’s longest Mani wall(1000m) long and decorated with simple in well with the surrounding scenery outside the Ghemi. There is also a group of chortens standing in front of the red wall which forms the end of the valley. The architecture here is like a carvings, blending organic extension of nature. According to legend when the famous Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) came to the area and fought and destroyed a demon, its intestines landed at the site where the Mani wall stands, its lungs near the red cliffs behind and its heart at the spot where Mustang’s oldest monastery, Lo Gekar, was built. A steady climb takes us up a 3820m pass, after which a lunar-looking desert stretches to the horizon. The first indication of human presence we see next is the Tsarangchorten – the large red-painted Stupa is in the middle of the landscape and further down the monastery and the palace of Tsarang can be distinguished in the fields. A broad road leads to Tsarang, Mustang’s second town. Overnight in Tsarang.

                Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                  After taking breakfast, trekking begins on flat terrain and the view, apart from a chorten and a few caves, is unrelieved barrenness. After crossing a pass and waking through two rocks forming a natural gate we have finally arrived at Lo Manthang. Overnight in Lo Mangtang.

                  Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

                     After taking breakfast, we explore the surrounding areas, visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa situated on a hill top serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa , continue to the Tingkhar, the last main village of northwest of Lo- Mangthang and back to hotel. Overnight in Lo- Mangthang.

                    Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                       we begin our return journey from Lo Mangthang, taking the upper highland route. This highland route offers dramatic views of Lo Mangthang and the Charang Valley, with snow clad peaks in the background. Just past the settlement of Lo Gekar, we reach the oldest monastery in Mustang, the Ghare Gompa. Overnight in Lo Gekar.

                      Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                        We continue our journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded gully to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, we walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami.

                        Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                          Now we must retrace our route back over the Nyi La to Chhuksang. Overnight in Chuksang.

                          Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                            Take upper part route to Muktinath from where you will have the best breath taking views of surrounding landscape including Kagbeni valley. Muktinath is the most popular both Hindus and Buddhist pilgrimage center. It’s a beautiful Gurung people’s inhabitant and views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri is amazing from here. Overnight in Muktinath.

                            Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                              It's a final day, passing back through beautiful village Jharkot and views of Kagbeni to Jomsom where we end our trek. It's now time for us to take a nice hot shower. In the evening, you celebrate with your guide and Sherpa and exchange your good experiences what you had on the trekking. Or you can visit Marpha village (near Jomsom), where you can see apple orchids. Overnight in Jomsom.

                              Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

                                We take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki gorge to Pokhara and rest of the day relax in Pokhara .This day you be free or if you want you may do Pokhara valley sightseeing in Pokhara – Over night in Pokhara. Overnight at (Hotel third Pole or similar)

                                Meal: Breakfast. 

                                  Take breakfast at the hotel and then your guide will take you by taxi/car to tourist bus station and then at 7:30AM drive back to Kathmandu.

                                  Meal: Breakfast and dinner.

                                  Overnight at (Kathmandu city Hotel or Hotel Thamel)

                                    After breakfast free time until your departure time.

                                    Meal: Breakfast. 

                                      Got a question about this trip or doesn't suit you?

                                      Cost Details
                                      Cost Includes
                                      • All the ground transportation by private tourist vehicles.
                                      • Ground transportation by tourist bus/car/van  from Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu
                                      • Domestic flights (Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara) and airport departure taxes
                                      • Full board meal 3 times a day during the trekking (Breakfast, Lunch & diner)
                                      • Hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara as per the itinerary with breakfast
                                      • Comfortable private vehicle as per itinerary
                                      • Professional tour guide on day trip in Kathmandu.
                                      • Monuments entrance fees in Kathmandu city tour
                                      • Government licensed English speaking Guide and Porters to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter Between 2 Person basis), their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipments, and medicine.
                                      • All necessary paper work Permit & TIMS card (Trekker's information management system)
                                      • Travel & Rescue arrangement.
                                      • Farewell dinner in typical Nepali Restaurant with cultural dance show
                                      • All our government taxes, vat, official expenses & service charges
                                      Cost Excludes
                                      • International Flight, Airport tax and Nepal Visa fee
                                      • Major meals in Cities (Kathmandu and Pokhara)
                                      • All personal expenses such as bar bills, water, tea / coffee, snacks, shower, battery re-charge laundry charge etc.
                                      • Personal clothing and gears, sleeping bag and Down jacket for trek
                                      • Tipping (expected by guides and porters, but not mandatory)
                                      • Cost raised by flight cancelation, emergency rescue charges, landslide, weather, political unrest, illness, re-routing etc which are not under our control
                                      Essential Information

                                      Note: B.B : Bed and Breakfast, B.L.D : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

                                      Min. 2 person in the Group USD 2000 per person
                                      Single Supplement Fee USD 200
                                      (If you book the trip early and in a group you will get special discount)

                                      What Our Clients Says
                                      • B
                                        BeckyChina,March 19, 2019
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                                        Great upper Mustang Treks

                                        To travel with Welcome Nepal Treks it’s really an experience of professionalism and friendship! We have visited Kathmandu, Pokhara and Mustang day tour with best guide always without any kind of problem. Despite the three of us changing all pre-planning for our trekking tour well during the trip and despite of the changes due to unpredictable weather conditions, Hari and his team were perfectly able to cope with their organization -many thanks especially to Parshuram our tour guide. Prices are also nice and calculated on a fair and understandable basis. Therefore 5 stars and hopefully back soon for another adventure.

                                      • M
                                        MikeUnited Kingdom,March 11, 2018
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                                        Professional & Awesome Service

                                        I and my friend recently did Mustang Trekking with Welcome Nepal Treks. It was one of my best experiences above all. And to make it happen i am very thankful to Mr Hari and his company. The price over here is what I find cheaper comparing to other company. And this guy Hari managed everything like transportation, Guide, porter, permit, meals, accommodation and all those other things very perfectly that we didn’t have any trouble at all. Everything was well managed and perfect. If you are looking for a trekking company in Nepal, you can choose Welcome Nepal Treks with total confidence. This is a company that does it right!

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