The Kingdom Of Mustang

The Kingdom of Mustang preserves some of the last vestiges of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet, it is open to only a few select trekking groups each season.

The trek follows established trails through substantial villages that once served a thriving trade route between Nepal and Tibet. These whitewashed settlements, set amid fields of barley and home to impressive chortens and simple monasteries, reflect the abiding Buddhist culture. The terrain is striking, a semi-arid desert with deep ravines and rock shelves, flanked by snowy peaks.

A highlight is the visit to Lo Manthang where the King of Mustang reigns over his tiny kingdom and surveys a world still culturally closer to the heartland of Tibet than to the markets and temples of Kathmandu.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all World Expeditions clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served
from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner.
Meals: NIL

DAY 2 Half Day Sightseeing Tour, afternoon at leisure.
This morning a sightseeing tour has been arranged, taking in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. In the afternoon you have time to explore Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the lesserknown towns that dot the valley on foot, by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty
and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.
Meals: B

DAY 3 Fly to Pokhara
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town and our first night's camp.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 Fly to Jomsom (2713m), trek to Kagbeni (2810m)
This morning we take a spectacular flight to Jomsom where we will meet our trekking crew. A half day walk brings us to Kagbeni, an impressive village that is our gateway to Mustang. To pass beyond this point you need a special Mustang permit. We will meet our liaison officer and the crew will prepare for tomorrow's crossing into Mustang.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 To Chele (3030m)
We enter Mustang and follow the east bank of the river over a series of small ridges. Across the river we can see Kang Gompa, a centre of the Nyingmapa sect. Approaching Tangbe we encounter the distinctive black, red and white chortens that typify upper Mustang. The town of white washed houses contains an intriguing pattern of alleyways and is surrounded by fields of wheat, barley and buckwheat, interspersed with small apple orchards. We cross to the east bank of the river and ascend to the village of Chele. Immediately, the strong influence of Tibetan culture of Lo is evident with the decoration of the houses.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 To Geiling (3440m)
The trail today is characterised by the crossing of a series of large spurs. At the top of each are chortens and an excellent view of this harsh but beautiful countryside. The valleys that dissect the trail have cool streams and juniper trees to enable us to relax for a while. These passes are at altitudes of up to 3800m. These altitudes should not present any acclimatisation issues, so we just
take our time and enjoy the walk.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 To Charang (3490m)
Avenues of poplar trees and fields of barley mark our trail as we head to Nyi La (pass). At 3850m this is the highest point of the trek thus far and the southern boundary of Lo. We descend to the Qumona Khola and pass a spectacular series of mani walls to the village of Charang with it's huge white dzong and red gompa.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 To Lo Manthang (3730m)
We leave the Charang Khola and climb the ridge to 3800m for our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The trail drops to a stream and then climbs onto the plateau where the city is situated. The only gate is in the north east corner and we make our way to the entrance. The white washed walls enclose around 150 homes, Gompas and a palace.
Meals: B, L, D

DAYS 9-10 At Lo Manthang
We have allowed two full days to explore this outstanding historical and cultural centre. There are 4 major Gompas to visit during our stay. The palace is the home of the raja and his rani (queen). Although the raja's function is now primarily ceremonial he is seen as a person who can help people resolve local issues. The town itself is fascinating, and offers countless opportunities to observe a
vibrant Tibetan culture.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 To Ghami
Reluctantly we depart Lo Manthang and head south. We have a choice of trails today and are not forced to back-track on the same trail. Climbing the ridge, we get our last view of the walled city and descend the valley towards Ghami.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 To Samar
We continue down the valley and rejoin the trail that we used to enter Mustang.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 To Kagbeni
Our last day in Mustang as we retrace our trail along the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14 To Jomsom
This will be our last day with the trek crew. After a morning walk we reach Jomsom. Tonight we will celebrate the achievements of the trek with the crew and reflect on our journey.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 15 Fly to Pokhara and Kathmandu
This is a fantastic way to conclude our journey. The spectacular flight down the Kali Gandaki that defies description. The huge mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges tower above us as we retrace the valley we trekked 2 weeks ago. At Pokhara we board another aircraft for yet another spectacular mountain flight, this time along the face of the Himalaya past the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang ranges. On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to the hotel.
Meals: B

DAY 16 Trip concludes in Kathmandu
After breakfast trip concludes with a transfer to the airport.
Meals: B