Trek in the Upper Mustang

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Kathmandu

  

  Upon arrival at the international airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• day 2

  Kathmandu to Pokhara

  

  After breakfast, departure for Pokhara. Pokhara is a place of remarkable beauty. This charming city has several beautiful lakes and offers exceptional panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. The serenity of the lakes and the splendor of the Himalayas stretching into the distance create an atmosphere that has made Pokhara a very popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Tourism is concentrated in the Damside and Lakeside districts (or respectively Pardi and Baidam in Nepali). Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel in Pokhara.

• day 3

  Pokhara to Jomsom to Chusang

  

  After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara airport for your flight to Jomsom. A spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom where we will be welcomed by our trekking team on the small airstrip. Jomsom: North of the imposing Himalayas lies Jomsom, a mirage on the desolate Tibetan plateau, at an altitude of 2713 meters. It is the capital and administrative seat of the Mustang district, which stretches south near the Tibetan border to Ghasa, along the Gandaki River. The river carves deep ridges as it flows between Mount Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, thus creating the deepest gorge in the world. Upon arrival in Jomsom, trek to Chusang via Kagbeni. After an initial preparation of the loads, we begin our hike to the charming village of Kagbeni. Just outside Jomsom, we cross a small suspension bridge and walk along the bank of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is flat and quite arid, with steep rocks and sand littering the path. This makes the walk very easy. We will have a magnificent view of immense peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri, while to the south, we can see the entire Annapurna massif. Kagbeni, with its narrow alleys and tunnels, irrigation channels, wheat and barley fields, as well as a large red Gompa, gives us a glimpse of the scenes we will encounter in Upper Mustang. At the northern end of the village is the police checkpoint. Here, we will complete the administrative formalities before entering this long-forbidden region of Nepal. Continue the trek to Chusang. Overnight in a lodge in Chusang.

• day 4

  Chele to Samar (7 hours of walking)

  

  After breakfast, trek to Samar via Chele. The trail then widens considerably, revealing an endless expanse of sand, but the path remains interesting thanks to the passage of mule convoys carrying goods from Mustang and Tibet. On the west bank of the river are some caves and the Kang Gompa. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang, which are of the Sakyapa sect, the Kang Gompa is of the Nyingmapa sect. We stop for lunch in the village of Tabbge, where we discover the first black, white, and red Chortens that characterize Upper Mustang. The small town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys with whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat and barley, and apple orchards. The Nilgiri summit continues to dominate the southern horizon. The village of Chhuksang is only about 2 hours' walk beyond Tabgbe, at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. This village consists of three distinct parts and features ruined castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. On the other side of the river from Chhuksang stand spectacular red cliffs, eroded above the mouths of inaccessible caves. There is a change of district here, not only in the topography, but also in the culture, lifestyle, and population, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller, and more rudimentary. The people of Lo or Mustang practice agriculture. But due to the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is limited to sheltered plots of land. This dots the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north, we reach the river. A steel bridge spans the river right in front of the tunnel, and north of there, the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable on foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply into a rocky canyon up to the village of Chele. Be careful of the fierce Tibetan mastiffs here, which are tied to many houses. From Chele, you climb a steep rocky spur, then continue climbing along the side of a spectacular steep canyon up to a pass. Beyond the pass, we descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, located in a poplar plantation. It is a major place for horse and mule caravans. Overnight in a lodge in Samar.

• day 5

  Syangboche to Ghiling (6 to 7 hours of walking)

  

  We climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge, passing a Chorten before entering another valley filled with junipers. We then cross a stream, and after climbing up to a pass, we descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen, a tiny hamlet with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites formed in the shape of a Chorten and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail rises gently from Shyangmochen, and we enter another vast valley before descending to Geling, with its wide barley fields. As in all Mustang settlements, the white and ochre houses of Geling are built using mud and stones. The roofs are made of branches, straw, and a mixture of mud and pebbles. Night in a lodge at Ghiling.

• day 6

  Ghami to Dhakmar (6-7 hours of walking)

  

  From Geling, the trail gently climbs through fields, in the center of the valley, passing above the hamlet of Tama Gun and an impressive Chorten. We then begin a difficult ascent through the head of the valley up to the Nyi La pass (3840 meters). The descent from the pass is quite gentle, and about half an hour later, we arrive at a fork in the trail leading to Dhakmar. Overnight in a lodge in Dhakmar.

• day 7

  Lo Manthang (5 to 6 hours of walking)

  

  We will explore the passes of Mula, Gompa Marang La, and Cogo La before heading to Lo Manthang. We gently climb above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the border between Charang and Lo Manthang. The trails finally offer us our first view of the fortified city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance, so we go around the wall to reach the gate located at the northeast corner. Night in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

• day 8

  Lo Manthang

  

  Today, you are free to explore the fascinating city of Lo Manthang. The city has about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples in the city, and one of them, Champa Lhakang, houses a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborate mandalas painted on the walls. The king's palace is an imposing building located in the center of the city and is occupied by the current king and queen. Although his functions are largely ceremonial, the king is respected by the people. Throughout the kingdom, villagers continue to seek his advice on many matters. It is possible to rent horses to visit these valleys, but this short excursion will incur additional costs. Night in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

• day 9

  Exploration of Konchok Ling, Choser and Niphu, then return to Lo Manthang.

  

  Today, we have the opportunity to explore some of the mysteries of Upper Mustang. A short hike to the Chhoser region marks the beginning of a day you won't forget! Here, we find what is known as the Jhong Caves, or even the Sky Caves. These are five-story caves built into the side of the cliffs. Researchers are still wondering who built these caves and why. It is assumed that they were used as burial chambers, shelters, meditation places, and later, monasteries. But no one really knows the origin of these incredible caves. We can explore some of these caves, taking a packed lunch with us to enjoy the atmosphere of the caves, the lunar landscape, and the mountains while we relax. Then, we return to Lo Manthang where we will spend the night again. Overnight in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

• day 10

  Lo Manthang

  

  Full exploration of Lo-Manthang. Night in a lodge in Lo-Manthang.

• day 11

  Lo Manthang to Luri Gompa (7 hours of walking)

  

  Today, we are going on a hike to explore the Luri Gompa monastery, a cave monastery in Upper Mustang built into an impressive cliff. Luri Gompa is a sacred Buddhist site located near the village of Ghara. It is famous for its unique murals, sculptures, culture, and history. You will feel a deep spiritual connection when visiting the cave monastery of Luri, the stupa, and the surrounding nature. The Luri monastery is perched on a cliff, and we had to climb a steep staircase to reach it. The climb was worth it, as the views from the top were simply magnificent. We spent time exploring the monastery and talking with the monks, who were incredibly welcoming and friendly. There are two rooms inside the cave monastery. The walls and ceiling of the monastery are decorated with many paintings dating from the 14th century, or even earlier. The mysterious Luri monastery is one of the best places to attain siddhi through meditation. The Chorten inside the cave monastery is decorated with eight auspicious symbols and four guardian deities. The Dom contains paintings of Namgyal, Khadcheri, Vajrasattva, and Lokesvara in the 4 directions: east, west, north, and south respectively. There are also many paintings of lamas, eight siddhas, and mandalas inside the monastery. The 700-year-old "Luri Gumba" is one of the most amazing attractions, a rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Upper Mustang, a remote and rugged region of Nepal. A visit to be made at least once in a lifetime to collect unforgettable memories. Overnight in a lodge at Luri Gompa.

• day 12

  Luri Gompa at Tangy (6-7 hours of walking)

  

  The journey to Tangye began early in the morning. The trail is relatively flat, with some downhill sections towards Lower Mustang, in Nepal. It crosses the barren landscape of Mustang, with its spectacular cliffs, deep canyons, chortens, monasteries, and impressive rock formations. Finally, you reach the village of Tangye, an isolated village with ancient ruins and a traditional way of life influenced by Tibetan culture. The village of Tangge is known for its unique architecture, with houses built of stone and mud, and a beautiful surrounding landscape. The local inhabitants of Tangge are largely subsistence farmers. They rely on animal husbandry and traditional farming methods to grow crops such as barley, wheat, and buckwheat. They maintain a deep connection with their land and culture, and are very proud to preserve their traditions and way of life. The village of Tangye, in Mustang, is a hidden treasure that offers a rare opportunity to discover a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Its unique architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage make it a must-see destination for exploring the remote corners of the world. The trek from Yara to Tangye is an unforgettable journey through the mysterious Mustang region of Nepal. Overnight in a lodge in Tangye.

• day 13

  Tangy - Chhuksang (8 hours of walking)

  

  We must resume our journey by returning via the Nyi La to Chhuksang. We will have a magnificent view of the Himalayan mountains during the trip. You walk on a wide and gentle path, with some ascents and descents. The trail passes through places that look like a desert, although you may see some small thorny bushes. Along the way, your path runs alongside the river and you cross a few small streams. To go from Ghami to Chhuksang, you cross the Kali Gandaki river. Night in a lodge in Chhuksang.

• day 14

  Chhuksang to Muktinath (5-6 hours of walking)

  

  The last stage of the journey takes us to Muktinath, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The trail from Chhusang to Muktinath is rough and demanding, but the views are impressive and the experience is worth it. The journey from Chhusang, Tetang to Muktinath begins with a long gradual ascent through rugged terrain, followed by a steep climb to cross the Gyu La at 4,077 meters altitude. After crossing the pass, the trail descends towards the village of Jhong, then to Muktinath. Jhong is a beautiful village with traditional houses, chortens, and monasteries. Muktinath is located at an altitude of about 3,762 meters and is home to a beautiful temple and monasteries. Once you arrive at Ranipauwa, explore the Muktinath temple and the surrounding highlights of the Mustang district in Nepal. It takes 6 to 7 hours to reach Muktinath from Tetang / Chhusang on foot. The journey from Chhusang to Muktinath is beautiful, adventurous, and rewarding. Overnight in a lodge in Muktinath.

• day 15

  Muktinath to Jomsom (7 hours of walking)

  

  It is a long and sad last day, passing through Kagbeni to reach Jomsom, where we finish our trek. Our last day will be a demanding day. It is best to start early, as before, and hike to Kagbeni. We finish the Upper Mustang trails and join the classic Annapurna circuit. After lunch in Kagbeni, we head to Jomsom to spend the night there. It is now time for us to enjoy a good hot shower. In the evening, we celebrate with the Sherpas and the porters, whom we have come to know so well over the past two weeks. Night in a lodge in Jomsom.

• day 16

  Jomsom to Pokhara (by plane)

  

  We take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki gorges to reach Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel in Pokhara.

• day 17

  Pokhara to Kathmandu

  

  After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• day 18

  Departure from Kathmandu

  

  Our team will take you to the airport so you can catch your return flight.