The Upper Mustang Trek introduces the forbidden isolated Buddhist kingdom of Mustang. Mustang is a Buddhist/Tibetan kingdom that falls within the boundaries of Nepal. Because of its isolation and unique alliances with the leaders of Nepal, it represents perhaps the purest existent Tibetan culture in the world. Its capital, Lo Manthang, is a medieval walled city where the King’s palace still stands and you will be treated to an audience with him.
The landscape of Upper Mustang is indescribably beautiful. Eroded cliffs, red-walled monasteries, and snow-capped peaks are bathed in hues of orange and red rocks. The landscape is reminiscent of Tibet.
Until 1991 Mustang was a forbidden area for foreigners. We have to have at least 10 days permitted for which we pay USD 500. Then the additional charge is US$ 50 per day. We walk in a desolated area with rugged rock formations with beautiful colors and cross some high passes around 4000 meter. In the landscape, there are many Buddhist relics, like chyortens, stupas and mani walls. We walk through several small Tibetan villages and drink in this ancient culture.
The people in Mustang love to involve in various types of business to earn living. They bring the goods from Tibet and make business with the people living in lower lands than Mustang. The cultivable land is limited here, so very few of them are involve in farming. The people living in this area wear the traditional dress of Tibetan and follow mostly the Tibetan culture.
In some parts of the trekking, Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition leader will manage horses for us if we wish. In some places, the road is rough but we see some vehicles running on the road especially; jeep and tractors.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu(1337m)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 03: Kathmandu-Pokhara (827m)
Day 0 4: Pokhara- Jomsom (2720m)-Kagbeni (2810m)
Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3050m)
Day 06: Chele to Shyangbochen (3800m)
Day 07: Syangboche-Ghami (3520m)
Day 08: Ghami to Ghar Gumba (3950m)
Day 09: Ghar Gumba to Lo Manthang 3810m
Day 10: Lo Manthang Rest
Day 11: Lo Manthang – Chosar – Namgyal Gompa – Lo Manthang
Day 12: Lo Manthang – Yara (3650 meter)
Day 13: Yara-Luri Gompa (4050m) -Yara
Day 14: Luri Gompa to Tangye, 3240 meter
Day 15: Tangye to Paha (4218m)
Day 16: Paha – Tetang (2950 meter)
Day 17: Tetang – Muktinath (3760 meter)
Day 18: Muktinath to Kagbeni (2850 m) to Jomosom (2850 m)
Day 19: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight and Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight (1337m)
Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu(1337m)
Important Information:
Our Guest’s security is of dominant concern to Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition. Please understand that the HV Treks trekking leader has the authority to adjust or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is found prudent. Unfavorable circumstances may occur during the trek. Such as dangerous weather conditions, the condition of a group member, natural events like landslides, can force changes in the itinerary. All efforts will be made to keep to the planned itinerary. The HV Treks leader will try his/her best to ensure that the trip goes smoothly and according to plan, but please be ready to be flexible if necessary. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition is capable, experienced, and prepared to give a 24-hour emergency response to any accident or condition that requires attention or evacuation.
Important Also:
The Airport is at high-altitude and flights in or out are prone to delays due to weather conditions. In the wetter, cloudy months, flights are sometimes delayed or canceled until next day or when the weather permits. Guests should please make sure their timetable for the trip allows for these possible delays.
Important Also:
Himalayan Vacation Treks & Expedition requires that trekking and expedition guests have Insurance Policies. A Travel Insurance Policy should cover the cost of emergencies (including altitude sickness), injuries, and evacuations. Please, it is essential to bring your Travel Insurance Policy, or copies of your pertinent existing insurance coverage with you to Nepal. HV Treks will require a copy for our office records. We, as well, advise you to inform your existing insurance agent/company of your itinerary, including trekking, climbing, and hiking, and insure your current policy provides sufficient coverage.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu(1337m)
You are welcomed to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal renowned for historical monuments, Hindu Temples, and Buddhist Stupas/Monasteries. We meet our guests at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative will be waiting with a Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition placard with our guests’ names displayed. After dropping luggage at the hotel, guests are taken for a short sightseeing tour. In the evening, guests are invited to a Welcome Dinner at a Nepali restaurant.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
A local guide will be available. According to your wishes, the guide will escort you for sightseeing. Sightseeing may include the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati, Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square, and the Swoyambhunath areas. Starting after breakfast, usually at 9.00am, the exploration of Kathmandu Valley can continue until 5.00pm. Lunch and dinner, you will be responsible for.
Day 03: Kathmandu-Pokhara (827m)
Seats will be booked on the comfortable, air-conditioned Tourist Bus that runs from Kathmandu to Pokhara on the Prithvi Highway. A distance of 200km, it takes generally 6 hours including rest and meal stops. On the way, there are views of Ganesh Himal, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna, as well as the Trishuli River Valley. In the more rugged areas of the Valley, there are rapids with kayaking/rafting to be seen. In the evening, your Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition guide will give a briefing about the next day’s trek.
Day 0 4: Pokhara- Jomsom (2720m)-Kagbeni (2810m)
We fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, a short 20-minute hop, early in the morning, arriving by noon, in a small 14seater plane. Jomsom is an entirely different, drier landscape than Pokhara, and we head for the Kagbeni region after tea/coffee. Kagbeni Village is the beginning of Upper Mustang area, the dress of the people is Tibetan, and prominent is a Buddhist Gumpa (monastery).
Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3050m)
From Kagbeni we walk the riverbed of the Kali Gandaki River. Along the way, as we go towards the village of Chele, we pass through Buddhist villages with their Geonpas. Coming to Chele, the Gandaki River flows quite amazingly through a natural rock tunnel. Chele is a village of people originally from Tibet, and they speak Tibetan.
Day 06: Chele to Shyangbochen (3800m)
Today, we cross 4 passes. The first one is Taklam La (3624m), the second one is Dajori La (3735m), the third one is Bhena La (3860m) and the 4th is Yamda La (3860m). The scenery is of vistas of mountains and barrens. We reach Shyangbochen where there are lodges. Telephone and mobile service are available here.
Day 07: Syangboche-Ghami (3520m)
We walk first uphill, then on flat land, and lastly downhill. We visit the village of Geling, with a Goenpa, beautiful Stupas, chortens and mani walls. We cross Nyi La pass at 4025m. From the pass, before us are Mustang valley, the Annapurna Range and Mt. Neelgiri. On the way to our destination, the medieval village of Ghemi, we cross a pass called Ghemi La (3765m). It is an isolated, deserted place.
Day 08: Ghami to Ghar Gumba (3950m)
We cross a wooden over Ghemi Khola then the path goes uphill. We see a hospital made by Japanese that provides health services here and the longest Mani wall of Mustang on the way. We cross a village called Dhakmar that lies in the altitude of 3820m. After this village we cross red cliffs where we can get the chance to view blue sheep. We cross a pass called Mui La (4170m). From the pass we see the most parts of Mustang valley and various peaks of Himalayas. We walk flat and downhill to Ghar Gumba. A big monastery lies here. We camp beside the Gumba (monastery). If we visit the Gumba, we will be welcomed by Tibetan Butter Tea (su tea). A big Sculpture of Buddha in Padmasanbhava is seen inside the Gumba.
Day 09: Ghar Gumba to Lo Manthang 3810m
The path goes uphill first then flat for some time and then downhill to Lo Manthang. We cross a pass called Lo La (3950m) before we reach Lo Manthang.
Lo Manthang the captal city of Mustang Kingdom is surrounded by a very high wall with square towers at the corner points. Only a white palace of four levels and three red colored monasteries can be seen. The town has only one port. We can camp outside the city wall.
Day 10: Lo Manthang Rest
Today we have a rest in this beautiful city of Mustang. We can go to visit the palace and meet the King and Queen of Mustan riding the wooden ladder. Also we can take picture along with the royal couple. But we have to take an appointment at least a day before. We are welcomed by Tibetan Su Tea in the palace which we drink staying along with the royal couple. We have to honour the royal couple with the Khada.
Lo Manthang has lots of stupas, few Gumbas, chyortens and we can see the city decorated by lots of colorful prayer flags. A school and police check post lie here where our permits will be checked. Internet and telephone facility are available here. Also we can use cell phone.
A special festival called Tiji falls in the month of May here. Tiji festival is one the greatest festival and celebrated for 3 days.The people around the Lo Manthang gather in the city in great number (around 5000-6000). The tribes living around wear their cultural costumes during the Tiji. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition trekking guide arrange for our visit to the various places today.
Day 11: Lo Manthang – Chosar – Namgyal Gompa – Lo Manthang
Today is the special and exciting day in Mustang. We hire horse for hiking. Let’s say we are going for ‘horse hiking’. We ride the horse almost for the whole day today. We visit to Kimaling, Chosar amd Ghar fu, small and beautiful villages in Himalayan region. We visit several caves. We visit a special monastery made in cave. Hence, we have to carry small torch lights today. We visit the cave that lies in the altitude of 4275m. We cross several wooden bridges over Chhokardokpa Khola and Nhichung Khola during our horse hiking. We walk through rough roads in some sections. We back to the other way round to Lo Manthang crossing Namgyal Gompa, the famous monastery in Mustang.
Day 12: Lo Manthang – Yara (3650 meter)
Today we begin the trip with the trip to Yara. First we cross the Dokpolo Khola. Then we go uphill and cross a windy pass from where the view of Lo Manthang is spectacular. Then the path goes downhill and flat. Then the path is steep decent to Kali Gandaki River. We cross the big river in Mustang (Kali Gandaki) on the eastern shore. But first, the path takes us on a high-altitude route from where the views are fantastic. The steep descent to the river is just as spectacular and the only bridge made of two separate wooden beams. So we need to be aware while crossing. We may also hire a horse to cross the river. After crossing the river we go directly into a side valley to spend the night after a strong rise in the village of Yara.
Day 13: Yara-Luri Gompa (4050m)
Today we are going to have a hiking to visit the village of Tashi Kabum and Luri Gompa. Luri Gompa is one of those places in the Himalayas where words fail. In a bizarre landscape of pink and yellow pinnacles and humps stand two little monasteries. One of the monasteries is housed in a cave. This cave is then almost completely filled with a stupa which local people say it was born naturally. The whole is framed with fantastic rock paintings from ancient times and also very different from the ideas that we normally see in Buddhist monasteries. If we wish, we can hire a horse even today.
Day 14: -Yara to Tangye, 3240 meter
In the beginning we walk downhill then the path goes flat for long time. After we cross Puyung Khola, a stream then the path goes uphill. Between Yara and Tangye there is no village or house. We walk towards south and cross twice a ridge of the mountain over. The first is a low and consequently does not as much as before. After we cross Dhechyang Khola, another stream, through knee-deep water we start a second climb. That takes a lot longer. Again beautiful views around the highest part of the path. From the plateau, the path leads through a corridor of palings into the valley.Finally we camp in Tangye which is a very nice pleasant village with a row of glorious stupas.
Day 15: Tangye to Paha (4218m)
After we cross the Kali Gandaki River where the Saligrams are found, the path goes flat for some time then it goes uphill for long. This is the hardest part of this trek. So we walk slowly and camp in Paha. There is no lodge to stay in, no village to visit in this point. We can enjoy the most spectacular natural views all around from Paha.
Day 16: Paha – Tetang (2950 meter)
The path goes still uphill for sometime then we can enjoy walking in the flat path. We can enjoy very beautiful views of nature today. But today we are walking through Siyarko Tangk Danda, a famous hill of this region, where we cannot get the natural source of water to quench our thirst on the way if we are making trek in this region in the months out of monsoon. But during the monsoon, water sources will be available. So, we need to prepare for this with enough water carrying with us. We witness really splendid natural and colourful views of the barren lands from Siyarko Tangk Danda. After crossing this famous hill, the path goes steep downhill, After the downhill is over we meet a small village called Tetang where we camp for the night. Tetang is a Buddhist village so Mane walls and stupas are witnessed here.
Day 17: Tetang – Muktinath (3760 meter)
From the campsite of Tetang first we cross Nari Khola on foot. There is not any kinds of bridge over it. We can witness water mill which is called Paani Ghatta in Nepali in Nari Khola. Then we climb to the ancient village of Tetang. After crossing Tetang too, the path goes uphill until we cross a pass called Gyu La (4077m). Then the path goes downhill. We, of course, witness very beautiful views of Annapurna region, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Mustang valley from the pass. The path goes slightly flat after the pass. Before an hour we reach Muktinath, we cross a suspension bridge over Tangaighiu khola. Muktinath is one of the famous pilgrimage of Nepal.
Day 18: Muktinath to Kagbeni (2850 m) to Jomosom (2850 m)
We can visit Buddhist / Hindu shrine of Muktinath early morning before we leave Muktinath. Then slowly we descend to the Kali Gandaki valley through village that is considered the entrance of Upper Mustang: Kagbeni. Kagbeni is beautifully situated between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range in a place where a tributary of the Kali Gandaki River flows. We are walking on the north side of the Himalayas and heding to Jomosom the headquarter of Mustang with the access of air service.
Day 19: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight and Pokhara to by fligh kathmandu
We have a choice. We can either fly to Pokhara or travel by jeep/bus. If we go by jeep, the road is slow and sometimes rough, but we get to spend the night at Tatopani. Tatopani is a favorite as there are hot springs for bathing. The hot natural mineral baths are restorative to our bodies, which by this time no doubt are weary from the long trek. If we go by air, we reach Pokhara within 30 minutes.
Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu(1337m)
Today, we check the list of all necessary documents and goods of our guest. We confirm the flight tickets before 72 hours of departure flight. We advise our guest to put passport and tickets at their handbag for convenience. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition staff representative will take our valuable guests to the airport (3 hours prior to your flight) and bid goodbye.
Included in the Cost
Number of participants
Minimum number of participants: 4
Maximum number of participants: 14
Max Altitude: 4760 meters
Best Season: Sep – Nov and Mar-May
Difficulty Level: Moderate
December, January, and February
It is called the winter season in Nepal. It is a season for snowfall in mountain region above 4300m in Nepal. So, trekking is possible below 4500m during this period. This season is noted for occasional snowfall at higher elevations in the Himalayas. Though it gets colder in a night, often it offers the clear day / blue sky and relatively fewer trekkers on the trail. Sunrise and Sunset are seen very clear and beautiful in this season. So, a tourist who wants to pass short holidays during this period Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes to see a splendid view of nature. During this period, we arrange a family tour to experience natural beauty with short hikes and cultural tour. It is suitable for homestay tour through which different rituals and culture can be experienced during this period. The famous homestay like Sailung Timal homestay,Timal homestay, Tamang Heritage Homestay, Ghalegaon Homestay are the special places to visit.
March, April, and May
It is spring season which is known as trekking season in Nepal. A smooth wind and gentle breeze are felt all over the country. Sunny days and clear weather are the supportive factors for trekking in this season. Presence of a cloud can be seen in the sky during this season. So a short rainfall can be felt during this period. It is the season of an expedition and climbing high peaks in Nepal. So many tourists from different parts of the world come to climb peaks above 7000m in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and journey for climbing during this period. Peak climbing period can be in length up to June so Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges attractive programs during this period. This period offers plenty of opportunities for clear mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom, and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendrons – coat the mountainsides with its colorful beauty throughout the spring.
June, July, and August
It is rainy season in Nepal. As it is the season of heavy rainfall. it is also known as the crops harvesting season in Nepal. In this season, trekking is slightly difficult in Nepal. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. Trekking in the rain-shadow (places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains) areas north of the Himalaya like Upper Mustang and Dolpo could be an ideal trek selection. However, Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and trek during this period in dry areas. We arrange treks and tour in dry areas like Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Leh Ladakh (India) and Tibet.
September, October, and November
Moderate temperatures, clear sky with outstanding views, making it a great time to do any of our treks. Occasional short storms may dump snow at high altitudes. This is the season of feast and festivals. This is also known as the special season for flowers in Nepal. Marigold is popular and found best in this season. Temples and holy places are visited during this period. Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath are celebrated during this season. Long national holidays are offered for this festival for workers. This season is known as the king of the season. No rainfall, sunny days and moderate temperature are the most favorable factors of this season for treks and tours in Nepal. Every kind of treks and tours can be done during this period. So many tourists come to see beautiful Nepal in this season. Many trekking routes are full of tourist during this season. Peaks 6000m to 7000m is the best destination for climbing in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes tourist to feel the splendid view of the nature of Nepal in this season.
Equipment & Packing List
This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Please understand that the items listed below will vary according to the season and the duration of the trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 12 kg. Your gear will be carried by your porter and you will be required to carry your own day-pack (with your valuables and things of immediate importance to you). We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary. Our list of equipment is prepared on the basis of our long experience. The Himalayan Vacation Trek & Expedition Team leader will check your gear to ensure you have all the necessary equipment at the start of the trek. If necessary, the HVTreks’ guide will request additions of necessary equipment when and where it is available.
Important documents and items
Head
Upper Body
Hands
Lower Body
Feet
Sleeping
Rucksack and Travel Bags
Medical
-Note: In the larger towns and cities of Nepal, pharmacies have available common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Western/foreign brand name products and prescription drugs are not. We suggest you bring the pharmaceuticals you use in enough quantity.
Practical Items