Kingdom of Mustang
Walk in the impressive Mustang
12-day trek into Mustang
After a breathtaking flight to Jomsom, we trek north up the valley of the Kali Gandaki. Passing through picturesque white painted villages, huddled against the wind and surrounded by fields of buckwheat, barley and wheat, orchards of apple trees and groves of Willow and Poplar we arrive in the unique earth-coloured landscape of Upper Mustang. We visit the grey, white and yellow striped monasteries of the area and pass long walls of intricately carved mani stones. Later we come across the red and white chortens (monuments) which typify upper Mustang and are further evidence of its ancient heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Lo Manthang - Ancient Capital
Finally we arrive at the ancient walled fortress city of Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. Although part of Nepal, Mustang is culturally Tibetan. The Raja (king), whose imposing four-story palace dominates the city, has retained his title and a certain degree of autonomy. Formerly trade with Tibet in salt and wool made the kingdom wealthy and we visit the temples built from its proceeds. These include the Champa Lakhang with its huge painted statue of the Maitreya Buddha and the red Thugchen Gompa with its massive wooden columns.
Comment
Walking is graded strenuous (averaging 6 hrs a day) but does not go to extreme elevations (Max Altitude 4325m). You need to be fit and have prepared to enjoy this trek. We have built a buffer day into this tour to allow for flight delays to/from Jomsom and in the event of further delays would take the newly constructed road.
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Itinerary / Highlights
Trip HighlightsKathmandu Half day walking tour in bazaar and Durbar Square, half day guided tour to temple of Pashupatinath and Bodnath Stupa.
Mustang Trek through the spectacular Tibetan scenery and Buddhist heritage of the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ to the legendary walled city of Lo Manthang.
Ancient Monasteries of Mustang and see the imposing 4-storey palace of the Raja of Mustang.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Join Tour Kathmandu
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2: Kathmandu Walking tour
After breakfast we will go on a walking tour, visiting the bazaar and the Durbar Square area, the centre of old Kathmandu. Much of the day to day life of Kathmandu takes place in the bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling fruit, vegetables and spices; potters spinning their wheels to produce small household bowls and containers for temple offerings; devotees visiting their favourite gods at temples and small shrines dotted along the sides of alleyways; rickshaw wallahs honking their horns and the ever-present sacred cow wandering amongst it all. After lunch there will be a pre trek briefing by your tour leader to let you know the programme for the next few days, to check that everybody is properly equipped, and to give you an idea of what to expect on a day to day basis whilst on trek.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara
We take a flight to Pokhara where we have the rest of the day at leisure. Pokhara is famed for its lakeside situation and fine mountain panoramas. We should have time to explore the lakeside area, take a boat trip or ride a bicycle to visit a nearby Tibetan village.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom; trek to Kagbeni
We take an early morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. (Adverse weather conditions such as cloud or high wind and other local factors can cause delays and cancellations. Although seats are booked and confirmed well in advance it may prove necessary to adjust the itinerary to ensure the best use of your time.) This flight takes us up the Kali Gandaki valley and between the peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, to land at the small airstrip at Jomsom (2760m) where we meet our trek crew. From Jomsom we begin our trek, heading north along the riverbank of the Kali Gandaki to reach the attractive village of Kagbeni (2840m). Kagbeni, surrounded by orchards and fields of barley, is like an oasis in the surrounding arid landscape and with its old houses, narrow Carealleyways and large red gompa (monastery) is a foretaste of things to come as we travel further north into upper Mustang. About 3hrs walk.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Acclimatisation excursion to Muktinath; return to Kagbeni
Today is free for acclimatisation. The best option is to walk up to Muktinath, a village at 3800 metres which is an important pilgrimage centre for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here, various shrines and temples are set in a grove of poplar trees. One old temple shelters jets of burning natural gas and a sacred spring – a combination of earth, fire and water which is considered of great religious significance. 4hrs and 900m ascent and 3hrs to return.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele
Once we have completed formalities at the police checkpost at the end of Kagbeni village we are then allowed to pass the sign which says ‘restricted area’ and enter the once forbidden region of Mustang. Using a combination of the route along the river bank and a higher trail we reach Tangbe village (3060m), with its black, white and red chortens, narrow alleys and white painted houses surrounded by fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Continuing north we cross the river by a bridge just before the Kali Gandaki enters a tunnel and climb steeply up a rocky gully to Chele set amongst extensive barley fields at 3100 metres. From this village as we travel north we are in the true Tibetan culture of the region of Lo. Approx 6-7hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Trek from Chele to Samar
A more gentle day to aid acclimatisation. From Chele we continue climbing to a cairn from where we have views across a huge canyon. A further steep and somewhat unrelenting climb brings us to a pass at 3630m and then we descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees at 3530m and a major stopping place for horse caravans. Approx 3hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Trek from Samar to Geling
Today we cross several passes as we go up and down across east/west valleys running down to the Kali Gandaki. From Samar we climb to a ridge and descend into a gorge, passing a large chorten (memorial) painted in red, black, yellow and white. Cross several pasture areas then ascend to and cross the pass at Phyangbo La. Follow zig zags down into a narrow gorge then ascend steeply to the Chungjen Rangjen Gompa tucked away in a side valley. The gompa houses a Guru Rimpoche stone carving and is a popular pilgrimage destination for local people. Himalayan Griffon vultures next in the cliffs above. Make a steep ascent to reach the small village of Shyangmochen and then the Shyangmochen la 3850m. Finally descend to Geling (3580m) surrounded by extensive fields of barley. Approx 7hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek from Geling to Tsarang
From Geling the trail climbs gently up the centre of the valley, and then more steeply to reach the Nyi La pass (4020m). We then make a more gentle descent, cross the Tangmar Chu (river) and then climb past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch of mani wall in Nepal. We climb to cross yet another pass at 3870 metres before making a long, more gentle descent to Tsarang (3560m). Tsarang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses situated at the top of the Tsarang Chu canyon and dominated in the east by the white dzong (fortress) and red gompa (temple). Approx.
7-8hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek fromTsarang to Lo Manthang
We descend from Tsarang to cross the Charang Chu then climb steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on the ridge opposite the village at 3950m for first views of the walled city of Lo Manthang. We then descend to the ‘Plain of Aspiration’ and climb to a plateau where the city is situated at 3840m. Total 4.5hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: In Lo Manthang
This morning we may visit the monasteries and the monastic school. The prosperity of the Mustang region was built on the trade in salt and wool with Tibet and the city of Lo Manthang probably dates back to the late 14th Century – the current Raja can trace his ancestry back to the first king of that period. His palace is an imposing 4-storey building in the centre of the city. Two of the most important monasteries of the city were built in the early 15th Century. The Chompa Lakhang contains a huge painted clay statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and the red Thugchen Gompa has a massive assembly hall supported on huge wooden columns. In the afternoon it might also be possible to visit nearby villages.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek from Lo Manthang to Dhakmar
Leaving Lo Manthang we take a slightly different return route and follow a trail to climb to the highest pass on our trek, Chogo La (4325m) before descending to Lo Gekar monastery (also called Ghar Gompa) which, dating back to the 8th Century, is thought to be one of the oldest gompas in Nepal which is still active. From Lo Gekar we climb to a ridge before descending to a pretty valley where the village of Dhakmar is situated at 3820m. Camp with views across grassy meadows to the red cliffs of Dhakmar set dramatically above. Approx 6hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Trek from Dhakmar to Shyangmochen
In the morning look for the vultures atop the cliffs spreading out their wings to dry from the overnight dew. We cross a ridge and descend again to Ghemi (3490m) a large village of whitewashed houses surrounded by fields. Climb to a pass at4020m before descending steeply into the Geling valley to the hamlet of Tama Gaon where we rejoin the main trail and continue to Shyangmochen 3860m to camp. 6.5hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Trek from Shyangmochen to Chukksang
Day 14. Shyangmochen to Chukksang
We take a different route back from here passing through dry, scrubby terrain and crossing the Yamdo La 4010m and the Bena La 3860 before dropping down to Samar. Here we rejoin our upward trail and continue through Chele to descend to Kali Gandaki river before turning south to Chukksang and our camp (2980m). 5 hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Trek from Chukksang to Jomsom
From Chukksang we return to Tangbe and Kagbeni and then continue back down the river bed to Jomsom (2760m). 6hrs walking.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Fly to Pokhara (Buffer day in case of flight delays)
This morning we plan to fly from Jomsom to Pokhara where we can enjoy some post trek relaxation in this laid-back lake side town. This day has also been planned as a 'buffer day' in the itinerary, in case of weather related delays to either our flight up to Jomsom or down from Jomsom. If we need to spend an extra night in Jomsom we will spend today exploring Marpha located about 1.5 hours further down the Kali Gandaki. Marpha is a unique paved, whitewashed Thakari village with splendid examples of the houses of the salt trade days. In the exceptional event of further flight delay we would aim to travel out of the mountains by local jeeps on the rough road that now reaches Jomsom.
Please note that if we do spend an extra night in Jomsom we will camp and breakfast only will be provided.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 17: In Pokhara
Today has been left free for you to continue exploring this delightful setting as you wish. Once part of the bustling trade routes between India and Tibet, Pokhara has always been a centre of trade and even today mule trains can sometimes be seen around the outskirts of the village, bringing in goods to the local Guring and Magar farmers. You could spend part of this afternoon doing some trading of your own, enjoying a walk amongst the markets in search of souvenirs.Other options inclusing hiring bicycles for rides into the surrounding countryside or taking a boat out onto the lake.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu
We plan to take a morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. In the afternoon we plan to visit the temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal, and also to visit Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 19: Tour ends Kathmandu
In the early morning there will be the opportunity (optional, weather permitting) to take a mountain flight with outstanding views of the Everest region. The flight lasts approximately 45 minutes, flying initially west to east towards Everest and then turns and returns to Kathmandu, thus those on the right get good views on the outward leg and those sitting on the left get the good views on the return. The tour ends after breakfast.
Passengers travelling on the overnight group flight back to London will be free in Kathmandu until their afternoon departure to the airport.
Included meals: Breakfast
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