Upper Mustang Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport our guide and staff will receive you with traditional welcome. After knowing the staff of Himalayan Forever Treks, a short drive to your hotels. Located in the heart of a city within an exciting Thamel area, an interesting place where most good hotels and restaurants situated. Reaching at the hotel, check your lovely rooms, after getting refreshed join in for group briefing. Provided by your guide or Group Leader, offers useful and important information of the trek, hotels and local lodge. 

Morning after breakfast, our city and cultural guide receives you at the hotel for exciting tour. The drive leads in the heart of Kathmandu city, where interesting historical Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard located. The right spot to observe Nepalese cultures. Tour of ancient monuments listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, next tour takes you to old Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,600 years history.  A Buddhist monument situated on a hillock west of Kathmandu city outskirt, the famous landmark of the country.

1. Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Nestled within the bustling streets of the Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu Durbar Square stands as a living museum of Nepal's royal history. As the former royal palace, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an array of palaces, courtyards, and intricately carved temples. The architecture reflects a harmonious blend of Hindu and Nepalese artistry, with pagoda-style structures, ornate windows, and detailed wooden carvings that showcase the country's cultural diversity. Visitors can explore the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (the Living Goddess's residence), and numerous shrines that bear witness to the city's royal past. The vibrant atmosphere, with street vendors, local artisans, and traditional performances, immerses visitors in the authentic charm of Kathmandu.

2. Pashupatinath Temple:

A short distance from Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple emerges as one of the most sacred Hindu shrines globally, nestled along the banks of the Bagmati River. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this UNESCO-listed site draws pilgrims and tourists alike with its spiritual aura and stunning architecture. The temple complex encompasses a series of shrines, ghats, and courtyards, each contributing to the religious ambiance. The main temple, adorned with silver and gold, features intricate carvings that narrate Hindu mythology. Visitors can witness the solemnity of cremation ceremonies along the riverbank, a profound experience that underscores the cycle of life and death in Hindu tradition.

3. Boudhanath Stupa:

A beacon of Buddhism in Kathmandu, the Boudhanath Stupa is an imposing structure that commands attention with its colossal mandala. As one of the largest stupas in the world, it serves as a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The stupa's whitewashed dome is adorned with prayer flags, while the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha gaze serenely in all four cardinal directions. Pilgrims and visitors alike circumambulate the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras, creating a rhythmic and meditative atmosphere. The surrounding area is dotted with monasteries, shops selling traditional Tibetan artifacts, and rooftop cafes that offer panoramic views of the stupa and its vibrant surroundings.

From here back to hotel, afternoon at leisure and preparation for the trek to Upper Mustang Trek.

An exciting morning and interesting day, transfer to a private coach or in a regular Tourist Bus for drive to Pokhara. 

Traveling overland is interesting to observe the country’s rural farm life, as the drive leads beyond Kathmandu valley. Facing views of snow peaks along the drive, as the drive reach low warm farm villages and towns. The main highway follows Trisuli River for few hours, then heads west with great views of Manaslu and Annapurna Himalayas. Then finally ending the journey at beautiful city of Pokhara where all good hotels located by the serene Phewa lake side. 

(Options by air to Pokhara from Kathmandu a short half hour flight)

Having early breakfast transfer to Pokhara airport for scenic, short flight to Jomsom. Enjoy the flight in a smaller aircraft Twin Otter or Dornier, facing close views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan peaks. As the plane makes landing at Jomsom small airport. Jomsom a large town and headquarters of Mustang district. At the airport received by our trekking staff and guide, after a short refreshing stop at Jomsom. Walk starts heading to Kagbeni for first overnight stop around Mustang area in the comfort of a nice lodge.

From Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki plains to Kagbeni on route to Upper Mustang. A fascinating large village of strong Tibetan influence, with time to browse around the exciting places of cultural interest.

After a pleasant overnight in Kagbeni an interesting Tibetan style village, walk begins to enter the Upper Mustang. A short climb and then on gradual winding path, as walk heads towards dry country past smaller villages to Tangbe. 

Having short rest, walk continues in between grand canyons and red mud high cliffs to reach Chusang for overnight halt. A nice moderate size village surrounded by few surviving high altitude Populus and Willows trees. Chusang or Tsusang is situated on the confluence of Narsang stream and Kali Gandaki River.

Start the morning heading towards a wild and beautiful country, after first overnight in Upper Mustang at Chusang village. The trail follows to cross a stream amidst broken canyons and windblown red mud walls and towering cliffs.

As walk continues facing super scenery of red eroded cliffs and wide canyon walls, dotted with high inaccessible caves. The trail leads to cross a small bridge, as climb starts for an hour or less to Chele village. Enjoy possible lunch stop.

Afternoon walk leads to steep climb for an hour to a ridge at 3,130 m high.

From the ridge top enjoy grand views of Gyagar village across a huge canyon, head downhill, with another short climb. As the walk follow on a windswept terrain to reach a small pass at 3,540 m. From the top a gradual descent to Samar for the overnight stop.

After a pleasant overnight stop in Samar, morning starts with short climb above the village reaching a high ridge. From the top downhill to enter a large gorge past Buddhist monuments of colored Chorten. Painted in red, black, yellow, and white. 

All the colors made from natural rocks found around the soil of Upper Mustang wild country. The journey continues from one valley to another, crossing streams, with climb to a ridge at 3,800 m high. As walk leads down to Shyangmochen, a small settlement with few tea shops. After a pleasant stop, a slow climb to a pass at 3,770 m entering towards a huge valley. The trail then leads downhill to Ghiling for overnight halt, a lovely village with a large farm fields of barley that outlines the village.

After a wonderful time staying in Ghiling, morning begins with a gentle climb to a high ridge, amidst a wide valley. Overlooking a Tama Gung village below, the walk continues uphill to cross Nyi La pass 3,950 m. The highest spot of the adventure, which forms the southern boundary of Lo and rest of Mustang areas. 

From the top descent to the junction of Tsarang and Ghami villages, the trail drops below blue, grey and red cliffs. Reaching a steel bridge to cross Tangmarchu River, then encountering the longest stretch of Mani prayer walls. The longest in Nepal, an exciting walk finally reaches Tsarang/ Charang for an overnight stop. An impressive village within maze of barley field surrounded by willow trees. Close to a huge five-storied white Dzong and red painted monastery, situated at the edge of Kali Gandaki River gorge. Charang village runs its own hydro-electricity system from the nearby river, enjoy the overnight in a nice homely environment guest-house.

From Tsarang / Charang, walk today's walk leads to our destination at Lo Manthang. The trek begins with short descend to cross Charangchu River, and then steep climb to a high ridge. Leading to Tholung valley, as our path diverts towards north with gentle up reaching a large Chorten, a Buddhist monument.

Marking the boundary of Tsarang and Lo, as the climb follows to a high ridge at 3,850 m; facing view of the former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang. From the top a short descent to a stream that outlines the walled Lo-Manthang, a short climb to a plateau. Then enter the old kingdom of Lo-Manthang, at one time a city but it is more size of a town. On reaching inside the former walled kingdom transfer into best available lodge and guest house.

Enjoy the free leisure day exploring the mystical and exciting walled kingdom.Lo-Manthang lined with about 150 houses and several residents of the monks and priest. The houses are closely attached, apart from the palace and monasteries; which is at the bottom section in the vertical part of L-shaped houses. 

The school, health post and police post including Chorten are located outside the walls to the north of the gate. Apart from apparent squalor the people of Lo-Manthang, are prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community.

The inhabitants of Lo-Manthang are known as the Lobas, of strong Tibetan origin, with strong trade-link with Tibet. But since the Chinese annexed Tibet the trade was disrupted. Most salt and wool trade passed through Lo-Manthang to Tibet border and vice-versa, which, brought a substantial amount of economy to the Lobas of Lo-Manthang.

The Mustang king/ Raja's palace stands an imposing four-storied building in the center of Lo-Manthang. It is the home of the present and late Raja, Jigme Parbal Bista, and the Rani (queen), who is from the noble family of Shigatse near Lhasa, Tibet. Tour takes you to visit its famous monasteries of great religious and cultural interest, at Lo-Manthang. A great colorful festival takes place every year called Tiji, held in the month of May as per Buddhism calendar. 

After an amazing and marvelous time enjoying the two overnights in Lo-Manthang. Return journey leads on the same route for few hours, then climb to Marang village. From here the route leads west on an old trail to Drakmar village for overnight stop.

Enjoy the village farm activities at Drakmar, the walk follows to a longest and exciting series of Mani prayer walls. The trail leads to a bridge over Ghami Khola to reach Ghami village, from here few hours walks heading south to Ghiling for overnight stop.

On leaving Ghiling and its nice pleasant lodge, morning a gradual climb to Syangboche village. Then climb to a small pass of Yamda-La 3,860 m high, facing views of snow-capped peaks. Overlooking Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiris peaks, from here descent leads to Bhena and Samar village. The walk continues to cross a stream, then reaching Chusang village for overnight stop, after walking past Gyakar and Chele villages. 

From Chusang, our last day walk leads on moderate windswept terrain trails towards Kaligandaki River. After few hours of good walk reaches Kagbeni for possible lunch stop. Afternoon walk leads on a wide Kaligandaki River bank and then finally the trek ends reaching Jomsom town. Enjoy the last overnight around Mustang areas in the comfort of good hotels and lodge. Jomsom and Lower Mustang areas is inhabited by Thakali, practice Buddhism religion and culture.

From Jomsom morning fly to Pokhara, a scenic panoramic flight of less than half hour facing exciting views of rolling hills and snow peaks of Annapurna Himalayas. As the small aircraft lands at Pokhara airport, then transfer to respective hotels by the serene Phewa Lake side, where all good hotels located.

Rest of the day enjoy individual activities, Pokhara an amazing city offers various exciting adventure sports activities. From boating, Paragliding, Ultra-Light flight to Zip Line/ Flyer and much more. 

Depart from the hotel in Pokhara, for interesting overland journey back to Kathmandu on the same scenic highway. On reaching the hotel in Kathmandu by late afternoon, rest of day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. 

(Option for short flight of half hour to Kathmandu from Pokhara)

Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. Himalayan Forever Trek guide and staff transfer you to the airport. Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience to Upper Mustang Trek.