Mysterious Mustang

The Trip

Mustang, from the Tibetan mun tan, meaning “fertile plain”  is the former Kingdom of Lo where Tibetan is still widely spoken and the traditional culture of Tibet remains. Mustang is currently one of the most popular and exiting travel area’s in Nepal. Life in Mustang still revolves animal husbandry and trade. Mustang’s status as a kingdom ended in 2008 when its suzerain Kingdom of Nepal became a republic. It is from recent years that the forbidden Kingdom is opened for tourists.  As is mysterious and remote area, it attracts many adventurers. Mustang is a geographic extension of the famous Tibetan plateau, a windswept land of mountains preserving the last authentic remains of the Tibetan culture. Most tourists seek to travel by foot over largely the same ancient and appealing trade route used in the 15th century, especially for salt. The population of traditional Mustang are primarily Tibetan. The landscape is almost grotesque , part of the river valley in the southern Mustang District forms by some measures the deepest gorge in the world and it ranges from a low point of 2750 m above sea level on the Kali Gandaki River just north of Kagbeni to the 6700 m high Khamjung Himal.

Himalayandreamteam offers a unique lodge and teahouse trek to this unique area where we trail to reach the ancient walled fortress city of Lo Manthang. Here we are on the threshold of the Tibetan border. After staying in Lo Manthang for another day we return on a different route via Drakmar.

Day by Day Program

More Tibet than Tibet itself

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel +D
Himalayan Dream Team will pick you up at the international airport for your transfer to the hotel. As a welcome you will have a typical Nepalese dinner with some of the staff members. Learn about momo’s and Dal bhat and do not forget to try our typical Nepalese drink with great mood of cheers.

Day 02: Sightseeing around in Kathmandu valley, o/n in a hotel +B
After breakfast we will start for the sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu, visit the main temples of Swoyambhunath (Monkey temple), Pashupatinath, the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Bouddhanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa of the world. In the afternoon we show you Durbar square with an orientation tour through lively Thamel. Entree fees and private transport included!

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara, o/n in a hotel +B
After breakfast you will drive by tourist bus to Nepal’s most enchanting city, Pokhara (200km). On the route we will see more of the amazing countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. In the afternoon, we will arrive. The city is famous for its magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna. It is the starting point for all the adventurous trekkings. Pokhara is also called the city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. You can explore the most accessible and beautiful of it, Fewa Lake during the afternoon -also by taking a boat. Explore, relax and dine by this tranquil Lake Fewa. You can even do some shopping during evening hours in the colorful streets alongside the lake.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni , 4 hrs, 2.850 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Early morning we drive to the domestic airport and take a scenic flight across the Himalayas to Jomsom, which is the district headquarters of the Mustang Region. Here we start to walk as it is the starting point of the Upper Mustang Trek. During our first easy trail we see the spectacular peaks of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak and Dhampus until we reach Kagbeni, a typical Tibetan village at the entry point of the upper Mustang for an overnight stop (4 hrs, 2850m).

Day 05: Trek to Chele, 5/6 hrs, 3.050 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Our journey starts with the usual permit check up and then we are really off onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki. During this walk we will stop at scenic picturesque places along the sandy and windy trails. First we reach the village of Tangbe with its narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. From there we trek forward to Chhusang and after crossing the river head up till we see the huge red chunk of conglomerate , that once broke from the cliff above, and now forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki flows. We head on over small ridges to arrive in Chele.

Day 06: Trek to Syanbochen, 6/7 hrs, 3.475 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Our second trekking day continues along steep, treeless and dry terrain, and a spectacular deep canyon till we pass a cairn of rock at 3.540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to some “chortens” (architectural reliquaries housing relics) on a ridge, and descends further on a more easy trail to Samar. The Annapurna Range, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. First we have to climb higher to Samar, after we will descend into a large gorge where the trail leads into another valley along the surrounding cool streams and junipers trees, ascending up to a ridge at 3800m. Today we will also see the Ramchung Cave before arriving at Syanbochen.

Day 07: Trek to Ghami, 5/6 hrs, 3.520 m, o/n in lodge + B/L/D
After breakfast our adventure continuous gently to the  Yamda La ( 3.850m). Through the day we will pass many chortens and  villages with typical charming Tibetan style houses. From here we will conquer the Nyi Pass (4010m) and trek down to Ghami which is the small village sheltered by overhanging cliffs surrounded by barren large fields. The afternoon we will see the driest part of Mustang but the spectacular views of this countryside are magnificent with the rugged mountains in the east and west.

Day 08: Trek to Charang, 4/5 hrs, 3.500 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
After breakfast, a rather pleasant walk awaits us passing  the very long Mani walls which Buddhists consider it their sacred store wall. The route now makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge white Dzong and the red Gompa are of special interest because of the many statues as well as the large paintings of seated Buddha’s. Tsarang is a large village inhabited by Lobas culture. The village is a maze of trees, willow fields and houses separated by stone walls, and situated on top of the large Charang Chu canyon. The huge five-floors monastery is like a fortress perched on the edge of the Kali Khandaki gorge, on the east end of the village.

Day 09: Trek to Lo-Mangthang, 5/6 hrs, 3.700 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
This is an interesting day, since our destination is near. We trail to Lo-Mangthang with a magnificent view on the peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and Bhrikuti. The trail first descends to the Charang Chu Canyon and then climbs steeply after we cross the river. The route then ascends gently to the windy pass of Lo at 3,850 meters, from where you can see the Lo-Mangthang Valley. While descending to Lo-Mangthang, the stunning views of the walled city appear with its hills on Tibetan site.

Day 10: Exploration day at Lo-Mangthang, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Our destination, the King’s city is worth a close exploration. The western valley of Tingkhar, the site of the Raja’s summer palace and surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas is well worth exploring. We will visit Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyal (the Monastery of Victory is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo). In the eastern valley we see the the village of Chosar, also famous for typical Gompas culture. This valley marks the main trading route to Lhasa.

Day 11: Trek to Drakmar, 6/7 hrs, 3.810 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today we leave the King’s city but take an interesting different route than that we came in. We trek to Drakmar via Gyakar and visit the more than 1200 years old Ghar Gompa which holds the Guru Rinpoche as their primary figure. The Gompa is also famous for its rock paintings. According to the legend, anyone who makes a wish at the Ghar Gompa, this wish will be fulfilled. We can explore this area in the morning, because later on dusty winds will come from the west.

Day 12: Trek to Ghiling, 5/6 hrs, 3.800 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
After breakfast, we get back to Ghiling for our overnight stay which takes us around 5-6 hrs. After arrival and lunch we will enjoy the day exploring the area.

Day 13: Trek to Chhuksang, 5/6 hrs, 3.050 m, o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today’s trail leads us to Chhusang which is a comfortable easy way down enjoying the Tibetan life style and culture. The country side scenery is amazing.

Day 14: Trek to Jomsom, 6/7 hrs, 2.700 m, o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Our last trekking day finnaly has arrived as we walk down to the southern border of the Mustang region at Kagbeni and our Upper Mustang Trekking is finished here. After lunch at Kagbeni we will head to Jomsom by following the Kaligandaki River Bank.

Day 15: Fly to Pokhara (30 minutes), o/n in a hotel +B
After breakfast we check in at the airport to fly back to Pokhara. A 30 min scenic flight between the gorges of the two huge mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. On arrival at Pokhara airport our guide will transfer us to the lakeside hotel, where we will rest at the beautiful lake and let the memories come back to us from this astonishing trek.

Day 16: Drive (or optional fly) to Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel +B
There is a choice between a 25 minute flight to Kathmandu or, we start our 200 kilometers drive by tourist bus back to Kathmandu. In both cases you can enjoy the scenery, but from the car you will witness the beauty of Nepali nature far more better when you drive along the Trisuli river. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 17: Free day for in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel +B
The free day in Kathmandu either will be for leisure to rest or for perhaps some shopping before going home or explore any sights we missed during our first day in Kathmandu.

Day 18: Transfer to international airport in Kathmandu +B
After breakfast we will transfer you to the international airport or if you leave by evening you can put your luggage at the Hotel and enjoy the city one final day.

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