Mustang "The Ancient Kingdom" Trek
In common usage, the name Mustang refers to the arid Tibet-like region at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki (known to its inhabitants as Lo). Officially, Mustang is the name of the district along the Kali Gandaki from the Tibetan border south to Ghasa. The capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom; the region of Tibetan influence north of Kagbeni is generally referred to as upper Mustang.
The trek to Lo-Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape. Strong winds usually howl across the area in the afternoon, generally subsiding at night. Being in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, Lo-Manthang has much less rain than the rest of Nepal. During the monsoon the skies are cloudy and there is some rain. In the winter there is usually snow; sometimes as much as 30 or 40 cm accumulates on the ground.
In Lo-Manthang itself the countryside is similar to the Tibetan plateau with its endless expanses of yellow and grey rolling hills eroded by wind. There is more rain in the lower part of upper Mustang and the hills tend to be great red fluted cliffs of tiny round stones cemented together by mud. Villages are several hours apart and appear in the distance almost as mirages; during the summer season, after the crops are planted, they are green oases in the desert-like landscape. Because of the cold and snow, most of the population departs from Lo on trading expeditions during the winter. The trekking season, therefore, is from late March until early November. The trek does not go to extremely high elevations, but the cold, dust and unrelenting afternoon winds can make the trek less pleasant than other treks in Nepal.
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Itinerary
Day 01- Arrive in Kathmandu
You will be met by Holidays Destination Trekking and Travel staffs at Airport and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure for you to explore, Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. A pre-trek briefing will be given this evening.
Day 02- Drive or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara
You have 30 minutes flight or a scenic 7/8 hrs drive to Pokhara (by car/tourist bus). There we stay O/N in Pokhara at hotel.
Day 03- Pokhara fly ot Jomsom then treks to Kagbeni.
From Jomsom follow the Kali Gandaki River route forward to Eklebhatti and reach Kagbeni. From Kagbeni the route meets the junction where the trail splits for Muktinath, the pilgrimage temple and for Upper Mustang (Lo-Manthang). Kagbeni is a delightful village on the edge of the Mustang restricted area; it’s a hive of activity for donkey and yak caravans coming and going to and from mustang and for pilgrims taking a rest on route to Mukthinath. In Kagbeni, you can easily spend a few hours wondering around taking in this lovely village.the there we stay O/N at Kagbeni local lodge.
Day 04- Kagbeni to Chele (3100m)
From Kagbeni you enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The trail makes several ups and downs to arrive at Tangbe village (3060m). Walking further and descending you will reach to Chhuksang village (2980m) where you will see many beautiful white washed houses and agriculture fields. From Chhuksang making more ups and downs along the Kali Gandaki River you will get to Chele village. There we stay O/N at Chele local lodge.
Day 05- Chele to Geling (3570m)
From Chele the trail climbs up to the Chele La (3630m) (pass). After crossing the ridge from Chele La the trail enters a large sided valley and descends to Samar (3620m) where you will have views of the distant Annapurna Himal dominated by Nil Giri. The trail climbs up to the Bhena La (3830m) and to Bhena (3860m). Climbing to another pass, the Yamdo La (4010m), you will descend steeply following a ridge to Shyangmochen (3800m). From Shyangmochen you descend to the picturesque village of Geling, spend some time here soaking up the village atmosphere. There we stay O/N at Geling local guest house.
Day 06- Geling to Charang (3560m)
Turning west from Geling, climbing gently through the fields, passing below Tama Gaon and turning north you will reach Nyi La (4020m). The trail then drops steeply to Ghemi (3510m), a large village surrounded by many fields busy with the activity of the local people working this arid landscape. From Ghemi the trail first descends and then climbs a rocky path to Choya la (3870m). Making a gentle descent the trail reaches to Chharang. There we stay O/N at Chharang local lodge.
Day 07- Charang to Lo-Manthang (3840m)
The trail descends from Charang, crosses the Charang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail, then enters the Tholung valley. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the LoLa (3950m) where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo-Manthang where you will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important chortens. There we stay O/N at Lo-Manthang guest house.
Day 08- Lo-Mathang This day will be spent in this mystical and isolated city.
You will awake to the mystical sounds of monks chanting and the heady sent of temple candles. After having breakfast you will visit the four major temples within the city walls. The major attraction of this area is the three storey’s Jampa Lhakhang, the red Thubchen gompa with a massive assembly hall, Chodey gompa and Choprang gompa. After visiting the temples you will take a walk to visit the ACAP office and to Tarchun Gurung’s shop where you can climb up to the roof for a view of the town, and buy a memento to take away with you. Return back to Lo-Manthang Camp. Today day we stay O/N at Lo-Manthang same guest house.
Day 09- Trip around Lo-Manthang
Again you spend another day in Lo-Manthang getting to know the place and getting an insight into how the people live in this remote and arid landscape. After having breakfast you will visit the raja’s Place which is an imposing four storey building in the centre of the city. Then you will hire a horse to visit some other villages in this area where you will observe the local culture, life style, tradition and warm heartedness of these people. Return back to Lo-Manthang Camp. Today day also we stay O/N at Lo-Manthang same guest house.
Day 10- Lo-Manthang to Drakmar
The trail climbs steadily offering a last glimpse of Lo-Manthang. The trail climbs a ridge at 4070m and continues climbing to the Chogo La (4325m), the highest point on the trek. The trail makes a short, steep descent and crosses the Chharang River, then climbs to Lo Geker and reaches to Ghar gompa a small monastery. Climbing to the ridge, crossing a valley along some alpine meadows, and then dropping down a steep eroded path you will reach Drakmar. There we stay O/N at Drakmar local tea house.
Day 11- Drakmar to Shyangmochen
The trail descends passing the stone walls and fields of Drakmar, then climbs to a ridge and descends to the lower part of Ghemi and further descending you will reach to Jaite (3820m) and descend again gently to Chhung-Kah. The trail then reaches to Tama Gaon (3710m) and continues descending to Shyangmochen. There we stay O/N at Shyangmochen tea house.
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Day 12- yangmochen to Chhuksang
The trail follows the quite stream all the way down to Chhuksang. There we stay O/N at Chhuksang guest house.
Day 13- Chhuksang to Kagbeni
Today we back to Kagbeni from Chhuksang and O/N at Kagbeni local guest house.
Day 14- Kagbeni to Jomsom
Trek back to Jomsom. There we stay O/N at Jomsom mountain guest house.
Day 15- Jomsom to Pokhara
Fly back to Pokhara. There we check in at hotel and after that we will do all day sightseeing around Pokhara city. There we stay O/N at Pokhara hotel.
Day 16- Pokhara to Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus.. Drive to Hotel, B.B. O/N at hotel.
Day 17- Transfer to the Airport for your final departure.
Holidays Destination Trekking and Travel team will take you to the airport for your flight home. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc.
Price determent factor for the Trip
The cost of the Trip depend group size, Category of the trip and your desire (budget). The above itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern, which we provide you. This trekking can be modified according to your time and requirements. The Itinerary may be changed after understanding by both agency and client. Additional activities could be added or reduce as per client's request before confirming the trip. Price for reduced activities could be deducted and additional activities could be added as per mutual understanding. The itinerary mentioned above is published from Airport to Airport services for the betterment of the client. Due to various categories Hotel facilities in the Capital City Kathmandu they may choice for their own and if required through us, we provide the facilities Also. The cost also affects the number of guides and porters.
Thus, please mail us for up to date prices for the above Trip (info@holidaydt.com)
Cost include
• Pick up and drop from Kathmandu airport to airport.
• Daily three meals (Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners with tea or coffee) during the trek
• Full board Accommodation of Lodges, Guesthouses in Twin Sharing Bases during the trek
• Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) entrance permit fee
• Upper Mustang Lho-manthang Special Permit fee
• TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System) Permit
• Necessary staff during the trekking period With Experience Guide and Porter
• 25 Kg Luggage free Per Person during the trekking.
• Trekking porter carry all personal gear and group equipment
• Surface transportation will be available as per itinerary.
• An Experienced Government license holder Trekking guide trained in wilderness first aid.
• Facility of Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all Trekking staff
• Group medical supplies (First Aid medical kit will be available)
• English speaking Tour guide for Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour by private car / van.
• Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
• All necessary paper works, office Service charge and Government Taxes, Local Taxes, complete pre-departure information, flight ticket reconfirmation and extend visa service(if necessary)
• Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu before departure
• Domestic airfare (Kathmandu -Pokhara- Kathmandu) or overland journey by tourist bus/car as required.
• Hotel accommodation according in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per your interest and budget
Cost Exclude
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Emergency rescue evacuation if required.
• Travel & Health Insurance (Most recommended)
• Personal accident insurance or Helicopter rescue.
• Airfare international flights
• Nepal entry visa fee, Visa issuance is easy at the arrival
• Any kind of Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks, hot shower
• Alcoholic beverages, Mineral water, laundry, phone calls, internments
• National Park entry fee and royalty (for off the beaten Trail and wilderness area) where we need special permit
• All kind of Personal Expenses
• Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
Note- If above itinerary could not meet your need, we can design a tailor made itinerary to suit your needs. Please let us know whether you would like to make it shorter or longer.