Upper Mustang Trek

A warm Nepalese welcome awaits as you exit the Arrival gates at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You are transferred to the hotel where you may rest. Later we have a short meeting to acquaint you with the scheduled programs for your trip.

After breakfast, we begin the sightseeing tour of the historic Kathmandu Valley. It includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites Pashupatinath, Baudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath. These sites offer a quick yet profound experience of the diverse culture, rich art, and architecture, and the way of life of Nepal. You are dropped off at the hotel and we check for any missing gear and equipment for the trek.

After breakfast, we will drive straight to Pokhara City, which is 200 km west of Kathmandu. It is a 6-7 hour drive by tourist bus. This drive will take you through beautiful forests, deep gorges, and some local villages on the way to Pokhara. After reaching Pokhara, check-in at the hotel. If the weather is clear, you can see the reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhre in the lake. In the evening, boating in Fewa Lake and exploring the lakeside. Overnight at Pokhara.

We fly to Jomsom in the early morning hours. The 20-25 minutes flight offers a wonderful bird-eye view of the arid landscape of the valley below and the strikingly beautiful view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Upon landing, we prepare our bags and instantly set out on the trekking journey north toward Kagbeni. Initially, the trial cross passes interweaving a series of suspension bridges over the Kali Gandaki River. Then we find ourselves walking a desert-like terrain with traditional Tibetan houses, and surrounded by stunning Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri, and Annapurna Ranges. We arrive at Kagbeni about 3 hours later, welcomed by the view of Mt. Nilgiri to the south. Kagbeni is a trading village with some cultural essences still intact. The day’s trek ends at a teahouse in Kagbeni.

Today the trek begins with a steep climb through the array of gullies and small towers, crisscrossing to a viewpoint of Nilgiri over Kagbeni. The trail continues on the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River, through several ups and downs until you reach the village of Tangbe. The trail onward again climbs to the elevation of 3100 m before sliding down steeply along the east bank of Kali Gandaki for one and a half hours to the village of Chhuksang. Chele is seeable at a distance from Chhuksang. A short walk along the river bank will bring you to a firm bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. Cross passing the bridge we enter the tunnel which is burrowed under a vast block of red sandstone. Beyond the tunnel, the short steep climb will bring you to Chele 3050m.

Today once again the Upper Mustang trek begins with gaining elevation sharply. It leads to a plateau through a small trough. Taking a sharp corner, the sight of the village of Ghyakar appears to the west. To the south panorama of Nilgiri, Tilicho peak and Yakawa Kang is awe-inspiringly amazing. Beyond the plateau, a short descent leads you to Samar. Three hours walk to Samar might have exhausted you and hence you will take your lunch here. Post lunch at Samar the trail tumbles down sharply for about 70 m into a cavernous side ravine. A short steep climb takes you out of it and after a brief breather, it pushes again into another side ravine. A steeper climb later we arrive at Bhena La at 3860m. The trail curves alongside the cliff before arriving at another pass of Yamda La 3860m. We then climb down the valley to arrive at Syangboche (Shyanbochen).

We begin along a trail that climbs gently to reach atop the Syanboche La 3850m before plummeting and then gradually emerges out to a collection of houses, monastery, chorten and wide pastures at Gheling. The trek continues above Gheling onward as we make a long climb to the Nyi La pass 4010m. On the other side, a long steep descent, out of the wind, leads us to Ghami 3520m.

From the Gompa in Ghami, two trail branch off. We follow the one to the east of the village that steeply passes a trio of red, black, and white chortens. We follow the trail that climbs onto a gently slanted plateau and passes alongside a long mani wall about half an hour’s walk from Ghami. From the touchline of the wall, the trail heads away from the east to a very dramatic red eroded canyon wall soaring above the village of Dhakmar in the distance. From here we climb progressively to an elevation of 3770m. From this point, the descent to Tsarang is quite gentle and it can be completed in about 2 hours.

The trail continues northwest toward the capital of the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo – Lomanthang. As we leave the village behind the trail plummets steeply into the Tsarang Chu gorge. Then crossing the river beyond the gorge the route climbs along the steep hill at Sungda Chorten. A sharp bend appears and we head north with a great view of the majestic white Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Annapurna I sprawling before us. We can enjoy some spectacular caves high up in the cliffs to the east. We arrive at a Lo La pass at 3950 m. The view ahead extends out to display the western valley of Lo-Manthang. The bright bicolor monastery of Namgyal in the distance is observable with the wide valley surrounding it. Just down from the pass are the first theatrical view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang and the ancient ruins of the forts on the hills behind it. The descent to Lo Manthang is short and after crossing the small river and climbing briefly the fabled city is finally reached.

You can visit the monasteries within this once prosperous city with a sophisticated culture. Wonder around the Tall Jampa Lakhang, red Thubchen Gompa, Chode Gompa, or the most popular Raja’s palace. The external walls and the courtyards at these places are so magnificent you would adore them at first sight. Kindly note that photography inside most of the important sites at Lomanthang is strictly prohibited.

The valley east of Lomanthang includes Chosar with interesting sky caves. The Garphu and Nyphu gompas are also worth exploration that are located along this historic trade route to Lhasa. The ruined downfalls of countless forts along the trail provide a peek into the history of this site. We return back to our lodge in Lomanthang after a relaxed exploration of the important sites.

The highlights in the western valleys are Namgyal Gompa and Thingkar (Thinggar) village. This is about a 4 – 5 hours, round trip hike. It takes about 2 hours to reach Namgyal Gompa which is situated on a hilltop. It serves as an important monastery of the local community and as the local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa the exploration trip continues to Tingkar, a village of around 400 houses. It is the last main village to the northwest of Lo Manthang.

From Lo Manthang, we continue along the high eastern trail to cross the Dhi pass (4000m) and descend to the green oasis village of Dhi. Amazing canyons and colorful cliffs can be witnessed along this trail with continues further across the river to arrive at Surkhang. Overnight at Surkhang.

Today we advent on an exploration hike to the oldest monasteries of the region- Lori and Yara Gompas. Luri Gompa dates back to at least the 14th century. Resting atop a 100-meter-high cliff, the old mudbrick monastery can be accessed by a winding path that climbs onto a lower cave that eventually leads to the monastery. Impressive murals and painted ceilings adorn the inner chamber of this cave monastery.

The Yara Gompa also founded around the 14th century is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the Upper Mustang region. The architecture of Yara Gompa is also quite impressive which includes a complex network of caves that were carved into the surrounding cliffs. It houses a collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and artifacts, many of which date back several centuries. A round trip to Luri Gumba via Yara and Ghara, and a return to Surkhang is one of the major highlights of the Upper Mustang Trek with Access Nepal.

From Surkhang, you cross the Ghechang River, which starts from the revered lake of Damodar Kunda. After crossing the river, the trail ascends to a pass at 3850m and continues through the grasslands, eventually bringing you to walk along the naked hills. Beyond the pass, the trail nose-dives down to the village of Tange 3240m. Tange is a tiny village with around 30 houses. Most of the houses are attached.

Today the trail continues through deep ridges and provides astounding views of wind-imprinted hills on both sides and brings you to a small village amidst a similar landscape. Tetang Village nestles between two of these hills to shield it from the strong wind that hit the entire Kali Gandaki valley. Tetang is the higher-altitude village of Chhuksang.

This is the last day of the Upper Mustang Trek or the trek to the Forbidden Kingdom in Nepal. The trail climbs unrelentingly to Gyu La at 4077m at about the middle and gradually drops all the way to Muktinath. We may explore the sacred temple complex of Muktinath in the afternoon if we can spare the time. The Kali Gandaki Valley and Kagbeni village look beautiful from here. We then take a jeep to Jomsom in the late afternoon. Relax with some apple pies and overnight at Jomsom.

The flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is just about 20-25 minutes. You are transferred to the hotel upon reaching Pokhara. The remainder of the day may be spent with downtime in Pokhara or exploration of the sights and sounds around this beautiful city.

We drive back to Kathmandu today along the Prithvi Highway lasting about 7 hours. In the evening you are invited to a farewell dinner at a fine restaurant in Thamel.

The trip has come to an end. You may indulge in some shopping for souvenirs until your departure transfer to the airport. As per your flight schedule, our representative escorts you to the airport in a private vehicle. Hope to see you again.