Mustang Trek

An exploration of the fascinating medieval Himalayan Kingdom.

Mustang: then and now

Mustang trek is an exploration of the concealed valleys of upper Mustang in Nepal. Interestingly it nestled between Tibet and the Himalayas – a place different from the rest of the world. The wall city of Lomanthang used to be a part of Tibetan kingdom of Gungthang until 1830s. The early history of Lomanthang is embellished in myths and legends rather then the recorded facts. Even though the upper Mustang is changing it still surprises the visitors with its stunning vista and the stubborn way it cling to its unique culture. Indeed the culture is fighting back, crumbing art works are being restored. Crumbing monasteries have been rebuilt and refilled with the sound of bald-headed children in robes studying the ancient Buddhist ways.

There are around 275 houses in Lo Mangthang having four castes. The royal caste, the everyday folk, the blacksmiths and the butchers and millers. The whole Lo manthang village has solar electricity now a days. Decorative style small herb garden of various holy decorations, flapping flags and of course stacked firewood. There was a time when it was the mandatory of certain family to supply the firewood for the royal family. Sky burial and polyandry are still remain practice in this upper mustang region.

It is believed that Guru Rinpoche had fought with demon among the Mustang’s snow capped mountain, desert canyons, and grassland. Once Guru Rinpoche killed the demon, it is said he scattered the demon’s body parts across Mustang valley. Consequently its blood formed the towering red cliffs and its intestines tumbled near to Ghami where people have later on build the stone prayer wall. Thus the longest prayer wall in Nepal, on top of the demon’s intestines.

Upper Mustang trekking

Upper Mustang trekking in Nepal was officially opened in 1992. Particularly limited numbers of trekkers are only allowed each year. Thus to protect and conserve the local Tibetan tradition and the fragile environment. Mustang trek unfolds the fabled forbidden kingdom’s vast and arid valleys, eroded canyons, yak caravans. Further more the colourful – painted mud brick houses next to majestic mountain of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges .

Surprising this Upper Mustang trekking is one of the best trek to do even in the monsoon season in Nepal. Hence it lies in the rain shadow, north of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, completely sheltered from the monsoon. We take return Pokhara Jomsom Pokhara flight to avoid the lower rainy section hike in Annapurna region. The best advantage of doing this cultural trek in monsoon time is that the village are full of local people busy at their every day works. Further more the whole region are in bloom which makes really a fabulous contrast with the wind eroded hills, red cliffs and snow capped mountains on the back ground – a great vista. Thus upper Mustang trek is once in a lifetime destination to explore the fascinating medieval walled kingdom of Lo Manthang.

Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu / Welcome dinner, O/n at hotel / trek preparation

  DAY 1: IN KATHMANDU (1400m/4593ft)
  Soon you land in Kathmandu airport your group leader will be there to greet you and transfer you to the hotel.

  Highlights:
  • Pick up from the international airport.
  • Transfer to the hotel by your Group Leader.
  • Trek briefing and equipment distribution.
  • Arriving early gives you an opportunity to explore Kathmandu.
  • Welcome dinner and getting to know each other.

• Day 02: Cultural tour / trek preparation / drive to Pokhara

  • Visit to Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath.Flying or the other Today after the cultural tour in Kathmandu we drive to Pokhara fo the over night stay at hotel, Pokhara is the second biggest city of Nepal.

  Highlights:
  . We explore the sights and sounds of world heritage sites in Ktm in morning and later in the day we drive to Pokhara
  • 6 hours drive.
  • Very relaxing, fabulous scenery with multiple breaks giving you time to stretch and enjoy.
  • Being in Pokhara unlike Kathmandu will definitely add more excitement to your anticipation.

• Day 03: Fly to Jomsom (2725m/ 8,940ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2810m/ 9219ft). walk 3 hrs

  A short morning flight to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge with the glorious view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri is exceptional.
  Highlights:
  • 20 minutes breathtaking flight to the windy valley of Jomsom is unbelievable.
  • Great view with dozens of Himalayan giants poking into the sky.
  • Witness the Kali Gandaki river which dates back to 80 million old flowing from Tibetan Plateau.
  • After morning tea walk to Kagbeni, the gateway of Upper Mustang through the ancient salt trade trail is unique.
  • Easy walk, lunch at Kagbeni itself – and after lunch excursion around the antique village of Kagbeni which is not to be missed.

• Day 04: Trek to Chele (2920m / 10,006 ft ) (enter into the restricted upper Mustang area) walk 7 hrs

  Having completed the permit formalities today we enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. As said to be the desert of Nepal the valley widens with barren and arid surroundings with green villages in the middle that appears more like a mirage which is simply incredible.

  Highlights:
  • Walking on the extended trail with Kagbeni and Nilgiri mountain at the backdrop is dazzling.
  • Witness the different part of the world, the land of ammonites (pre historic stone) with striking views.
  • The stretch of Kali Gandaki river bed gives u the ancient history of its existence.
  • The dramatic setting of the landscape with canyons and wind eroded hills is phenomenal.
  • Lunch at Tangbe or Chhusang, another ancient village.
  • Chele is a small beautiful settlement from where u can overlook the valley with its picturesque setting.

• Day 05: Trek to Syangboche (3800m/ 12467ft) 5-6 hrs.

  Today’s walk is more into undulating trails with couple of steep climb and descents. Despite 6 hour walk the tremendous canyons with its unusual colour that opens out is extraordinary. In this bizarre the farming fields with rich red buckwheat and brilliant green and the south view offering you a panorama of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Tilicho Peak, and YakawaKang adds up to its magnificence.

  Highlights:
  • The initial steep walk through the hill cut trail in one of these tremendous canyons is remarkable.
  • You would witness the sky caves which date back more than 3000 years that were used as human settlement, burial chambers and now lama hermit retreats.
  • Lunch at the small settlement of Bhena which is now a jeep station but with fabulous scenic beauty.
  • Climb up to the pass before dropping down to Syangboche is remarkable for its unexpected views.
  • Syangboche is small settlement deep into the valley but has a theatrical setting.

• Day 06: Trek to Ghami (3520m/ 11548ft) walk 5 hrs.

  From Syangboche we climb gently to a small pass of 3800m/12,467ft with extraordinary views of mountains and deep valleys into the wind eroded canyons. Today’s walk is effortless with few short climbs in between but beautiful scenery alongside would hardly allow us to realize the passing away of time and arrive at Ghami for lunch.

  Highlights:
  • Endless colourful gullies to the north, east and west which is outstanding.
  • South is still dominated by the soaring peak of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna.
  • After lunch free afternoon to explore Ghami, the ancient village with time honoured monastery, Chortens and mani (prayer) walls.

• Day 07: Trek to Tsarnag (3560m/11679ft) 4 hrs.

  This short trek to Tsarang takes us into the ‘Land of Chortens”. This trail marks the history and legend of the Indian saint Padmasambhava (750-810 AD), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who created a fusion of Buddhism with the original Shamanistic religion of Tibet called Bon – whose influence upon the Indian Buddhism makes Tibetan Buddhism so fascinating.

  Highlights:
  • Half an hour walk from Ghami we see the Longest ancient mani wall of Mustang.
  • The soaring red cliffs to the west that tells you the legends of Padmasambhaba is intriguing.
  • 4 hours walk brings you to the fascinating big village of Tsarang that just looks dramatic.
  • After lunch visit to the ancient Monastery and the white palace of Tsarang which is their heritage.
  • Self exploration around maze like Tsarang is worth it.

• Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3800m/ 12467ft) 4 - 5 hrs.

  (3800m/ 12467ft) 4 – 5 hrs.
  Finally we get to the plateau of Lo Monthang, ‘The Capital city and the Plain of Aspiration’ of Mustang. The fabled walled city of Lo, the kingdom with a single entrance is a welcome sight! The king, “Lo Gyelbu”, named Jigme Palbar Bista, still resides at his four-storied palace inside the walled city of Lo Manthang.

  Highlights:
  • Fascinating solitary ancient chorten in the middle of the road after hour and a half walk from Tsarang.
  • The spectacular view of Lo Manthang, valley of Thinkar and Chhosar from 4000m pass of Lo-La.
  • View of varied historical ruined forts on the high hills is one of the highlights.
  • After lunch exploration into the legendary walled city of Lo.
  • Your group leader will organize various thrilling side excursion.

• Day 09: Explore day at Lo Manthang

  Lo Manthang the capital city of Mustang contains about 150 houses and has some of the largest and finest Tibetan Buddhism gompas in Nepal. The city itself is absolutely fascinating place with four major ancient Monasteries which are impressive and an enormous 14th century palace imposing 4-storey building in the centre of the city.

  Highlights and Excursions:
  After breakfast your leader will organize a jeep for Chhosar excursion.
  What u see in chhosar:-
  • Nyphu Cave monastery built into the side of a soaring cliff.
  • 2500 years old Jhong Sky Cave that has more than 44 compartments and gives u the pre historic settlement of humans.
  • During afternoon if you are not exhausted you can walk to Thinkar summer palace or explore the extraordinary ancient monasteries inside the walled city itself which is exceptional.

• Day 10: Trek to Dhakmar (3800m/ 12467ft) 7 - 8 hrs.

  Today we will walk different west terrain which offers you the most beautiful view despite few steep down hill trials. We visit the world’s oldest Tibetan monastery Ghar Gompa built around 7th century by the incarnated monk Padmasambhava.

  Highlights:
  • We take a different trail that leads us to the world’s oldest monastery, Ghar Gompa.
  • The views of landscape and the mountain in the south is mesmerizing.
  • Lunch at 7th century monastery is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
  • Walk to Dhakmar is thrilling with different trail high above the canyons and eroded hills.
  • Dhakmar, a land of red cliffs is one of its kind where overnight is worth.

• Day 11: Trek to Syanboche

  We trace back to the village of Syanboche where on the way back you have ample opportunity to look back into the missed out views.

• Day 12: Trek to Chusang (3040m/ 9973ft) 5 – 6 hrs.

  We again trace back our trail towards south. We start early today to visit the Chungsi Cave Monastery which is one of the most attractive among all cave monastery of Mustang where the Saint Padmasamvaba meditated around 7th century. But be prepared for all the steep ascent.

  Highlights:
  • Early trek to visit the legendary Chungsi Cave Monastery built on the side of the vertical canyon wall, this is where Padmasambava meditated with a vision to bring Buddhism in Tibet.
  • We have lunch at a pretty village of Samar famous for its poplar grove.
  • Descending down to the Chhusang with a great view of Nilgiri and a wide stretch of Kali Gandaki is significant.
  • Chhusang is another pretty old village with apple orchard, there are too many nepali and Tibetan songs sung portraying the beauty of Chhusang.

• Day 13: Trek to Kagbeni (2810m) walk 4 hrs

  We again trace back our trail towards south.
  Highlights:
  • Descending down to the Chhusang with a great view of Nilgiri and a wide stretch of Kali Gandaki is significant.
  • Chhusang is another pretty old village with apple orchard, there are too many nepali and Tibetan songs sung portraying the beauty of Chhusang.
  • We exit from the restricted area of Mustang and stay overnight in Kagbeni

• Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2720)

  This morning we trek along the wonderful trail through more Mustangi villages, where we will feast on delicious apples and see the traditional back-loom weaving techniques being practiced by the local women.
  • Being it a last night fun activities follows with dancing, eating, drinking and tipping the local staff.

• Day 15: Fly to Pokhara after the Upper MUSTANG TREKKING

  We take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara – a fantastic way to round off the trek, flying right along the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Catch further flights to Kathmandu. Over night stay at Hotel.

• Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu / PM free in Kathmandu

  Today we take back the scenic drive back to Kathmandu which takes around 6 hrs. There is an option to have flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara on added extra cost as required. 

• Day 17: Mustang trekking ends / airport transportation

  It is time to fly back to home keeping all the exhilarating experiences of Nepal in mind. Please make sure that you have collected all valuable from the Mountain Monarch security department. Those people traveling by aircraft to further destination will be transferred to the airport and assisted with check in procedures.

Trip Inclusion

Cost Includes

• Arrival and Departure transfers on both domestic and international flights.
• Standard Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu / Pokhara on a twin share with breakfast.
• Full board meals while on Mustang trek.
• Accommodation at local teahouse on twin share bed while on Mustang trekking.
• Upper Mustang trekking special Permit
• Welcome dinner with ethno-cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
• Half day guided city tour with entrance fees as listed in itinerary.
• Private transportation to and from the starting and end points of the trek
• Jomsom Pokhara Jomasom domestic flights and airport tax as listed in the itinerary.
• Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable.
• Free use of quality trekking gear - sleeping bag, fleece liner, down jacket etc on Mustang trek.
• Professional local trekking group leader trained in Wilderness First Aid and comprehensive first aid kit.
• Trekking guides and other support staff.
• Mustang region trekking map.
• Porters to carry all personal gear and group equipment.
• Insurance of all staff including porters.
• Complementaty Mountain Monarch T-shirts and trek duffle bag.
• Comprehensive pre-departure information and trip dossiers for Upper Mustang trek
• Annapurna conservation entry permit.

Cost Excludes

• Nepal entry Visa fees.
• International Airfare.
• Your travel insurance of any kind while on Mustang trip.
• Drinks and main meals in cities.
• Tips and Items of a personal nature like postage and laundry

Price:

US$ 2,150.00 per person