Trip Overview
The small isolated kingdom of Mustang occupies just over 3000 square kilometers with an average altitude of 4000m just below the Photu –La pass (4600m,which is itself only 75 meters above the Tsangpo plain of Tibet. Upper mustang trekking is a cultural and historical trekking tour package.
Geographically, culturally and climatically, this region belongs with Tibetan Platue. Now it is with some autonomous belongs to Nepal.
The Thak Khola/Kali Gandaki originates here and flows out of the Mustang valley in a series of deep gorges. The place is described as Lost Kingdom by a French anthropologist, Michel Peissel.
Mustang is said to have existed as an independent state as early as the fifth century AD, but was absorbed into Tibet under Songtsenampo in the seventh century. Later it achieved a degree of independence, becoming an important centre of the Lamaistic Sakyapa sect.
After the disintegration of Gumthang in the early 15th century, Gayalpo Ame Pal (1380-1450) founded a dynasty that has survived until the day of today.
Upper mustang is best for monsoon trekking in Nepal. Explore upper mustang trekking – the forbidden kingdom, historical monasteries and Himalayas. Trek to Rain-shadow area of Nepal.
Detail Itinerary
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Day 1 Kathmandu to Pokhara – (900m)
either by flight or by overland-Driving takes nearly 7 hours journey for 200 km. Evening Pokhara city, lake exploration. Overnight rest at hotel.
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Day 2 Pokhara to Kagbeni – (2800m) 9 hrs [Average/good lodges available]
Morning fly to Jomsom and hike to north called Kagbeni. The route crosses a short hanging bridge just out of Jomsom, then follows the Kali Gandaki river. The route is desert with rocks and sand, though the surrounding peaks – Dhaulagiri (8167m),
Tukuche peak (6920m in the western Nilgiri and the whole Annapurna Massif to the south and southwest surround it. Overnight at camp. -
Day 3 Kagbeni to Chhuksang – (3000m) [8 hr basic lodges available]
Kagbeni is a beautiful village of traders resident who have been a link in the supply of foods & essentials between Mustang and the land of Lo & the rest of Nepal. The Nilgiri View is the first himal which can be encountered while arriving in Kagbeni from the south, then the trial goes to the widening path due north, crossing endless stretches of sand, pebbles and boulders. Mule trains on long distance routes passes frequently. Much of the first half of the trial is uphill, sometimes quite steep and depending on the season, you can either walk along the dry river valley occasionally traversing tributaries of the Kali Gandaki. The trial stops at Tangbe Village for lunch and path heads for two hours to Chhuksang, a large settlement populated by a mixture of Gurung, Thakali and some families from the land of Lo. The small mud & stone made Buddhist Gompa lies just right here. Overnight Camp.
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Day 4 Chhuksang to Samar – (3400m) [5 hrs/Basic lodges are available]
This long valley offers a sharp change, both in topography and in culture, lifestyle and landscape. The houses are more scattered, smaller & more basic. The place is very dry and much of the soil is poor, so farming is restricted to isolated patches creating a brown and intermittently green landscape. A little walk from Chhuksang the trek crosses a small bridge over the Mustang River. Explore out for attractive caves hollowed in the magnificient red cliffs along the river. The trials veer northwest climbing steeply. Just north of the Chele is a spectacular view of the earth-walled village of Ghyakar over a wide canyon. The day is hard walk with 5 hours to the village Samar for Campsite.
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Day 5 Samar to Ghiling – (3500m) [7 hrs basic lodges]
The path is uphill for an hour then undulates, passing through some relatively fertile valleys and climbing over ridges before descending to the village of Shyangmochen where Nepali refreshments available. The environment is largely arid with occasional Oasis-like villages typical of Mustang. The trial then climb over a further ridge leads to a temporary separating of the path: the left fork is the more direct route to the north via the tiny village of Tama Gaon towards the Nyi La pass, while the right fork leads to the place for overnight camp at Ghiling. Ghiling is an hour descent from this junction, nestled in a valley between two hills.
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Day 6 Ghiling to Ghami – (3520m) [5 hrs/ basic lodges]
Morning time Ghiling can be explored. The trial is a steep climb up to a ridge (the Nyi La pass) at nearly 400m,above two hours walk. After this pass, you can enter Mustang or also known as Lo. A comfortable thirty minutes descent from here and you reach another junction from where a short walk to the west brings you to Ghami for overnight camp. This is a small village sheltered by overhanging mountain cliffs and beside a clear stream. Many Buddhist monuments can be explored along the trial.
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Day 7 Ghami to Charang – (3560 m) [5 hrs/ basic lodges]
This day’s trek passes through perhaps the driest region of Mustang. After passing Tangmar Chu river bridge, the trial passes soft dry soil which is particularly when going uphill. The hardness of walking is compensated by superb magnificient views, with gentle slopes to the north contrasting with rugged mountains to the east & west. The climb from the Tangmar Chu River passes one of Nepal’s longest maani walls, built of stone and inscribed with the Buddhist mantra-Om Mani Padme hum. The walking is nearly 5 hours to Charang. This village is a large spread out inhabited by the people of Lo. This village is perched on a cliff overlooking a canyon. It has some gompas, a ground for campsite and hydro electricity plant for villagers. Overnight rest at camp.
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Day 8 Charang to Lomanthang – (3810m) [4 hrs/ good lodges]
Charang village with its large old monastry and secluded village of Dhakmar can be explored on first & foremost time. The trial for today is about 4 hours mainly towards uphill. As the path widens,it passes through a barren wilderness of pale pastel rock and earth where even occasional shrubs dotted along valleys and on slopes carved like organ-pipes struggle to survive. The first sight of Lomanthang, the capital of Mustang, is from s ridge about thirty minutes’ walk from the walled town, with the plain of prayerful aspiration in the foreground. This town consists of nearly 110 houses.
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Day 9 Lomanthang Excursion
The town is arranged around the Palace, built of stone like the other houses, next to the main street just east of the centre and the monastry and religious buildings which occupy much of the northern and western quarters, while Lomanthang’s residential area of some 150 households is concentrated to the south. There is small & basic clinic just to the north of the wall and a school & police station are located just in front of the entrance. The four storeyed palace dominates the central area of the town and is home of Lo Raja & rani. There are also four Gompas, but access to these is highly discretionary. Some excursions are possible from Lomanthang, but traveling north is especially to restriction which are enforced by police. May be two more days excursion can be extended to Nhejung & Nyamdo and Thinker. Overnight at camp.
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Day 10 Lomanthang to Ghami – (3520 m) [6 hrs to Dhakmar instead of Ghami/ basic lodges]
The different trial can be used while return from Lomanthang. The route headings in a southwest direction from this town. This is little longer and less clear than the eastern trial but much more interesting while returning with new path. After two ridges you come to the Ghar Gompa and the nearby Logekar village beside the Charang Khola river. Further south and situated in a small but relatively fertile valley is the attractive village of Dhakmar from where a short walk to Ghami. Overnight at Camp.
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Day 11 Ghami to Syangboche (3800 m)
Five hours descending walk after crossing Nyi-La pass along mostly flat trials to Ghiling. One can have a gentle walk with superb view and exploration of local lifestyle.Overnight at camp. Syangboche is two hour ahead from Ghiling.
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Day 12 Syangboche to Kagbeni –[Samar to Chhusang: 5 hrs/basic lodges]
A long day’s walk about 8-9 hours, stopping at Chhuksang for lunch before continuing south along the Kali Gandaki river to reach at Kagbeni. Overnight at Lodge.
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Day 13 Kagbeni to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara – (2800 m)
The descent to Jomsom is rapid, through dramatic arid lands. It is a most famous village on the Kali Gandaki trading route. The trial is barren with rocks & sand, though the surrounding peaks give an attraction to a tired life. The glittering snow peaks like Nilgiri,Tukuche and holy temple Muktinath. Alternatively, you can drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara.
Service Details
- 3 nights in Kathmandu and two night in Pokhara at three star hotel with Bed and Breakfast (Arrival day, rest day in Kathmandu for permit preparation, and return back from Pokhara and at the trek beginning night in Pokhara)
- Permit fee for upper Mustang
- Annapurna Conservation Permit fee
- Accommodation and meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) at tea house
- English spoken guide & necessary porters
- Airport transfer
- Transportation: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu
- Flight: Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu
- Trekking crews insurance
- Trekking allowance, food allowance for trekking crew
- Personal equipment for Trekking
- Travel insurance to Nepal
- Meals(Lunch & dinner) in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- Emergency Rescue evacuation
- Trekking Sleeping bag
- Personal expenses
- Tipping (Tips)
- Bar bills, Mineral water
- Departures taxes
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Max Altitute:5000 m
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Trip Duration:12 Days
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Trip Region:
Annapurna Region
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Trip Start From:Jomsom
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Trip End In:Jomsom
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DailyWalking Hour:5-7 hours
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Trip Route:Jomsom -Chhuksang - Lomanthang
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Permit:
USD 500 for 10 days and USD 50 thereafter per day and additionally, USD 30 for conservation permit per person
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Trip Season:September to November and March to May
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Activity Level:Strenuous Trek
