Embark your journey to a remote place untouched by any kind of modernization. You will experience the life that is similar to the civilization back in the time. The centuries back practice, lifestyle and customs are still prevalent in the Mustang region of Nepal. Lying beyond the mountains, Mustang is regarded as the forbidden kingdom and this part of the country is beyond any control and influence of the administrative centre of the nation. If you love adventure and want to see the centuries back lifestyle now in present time then Upper Mustang Trek is a suitable journey for you.
The land of Mustang is dry and barren as it receives very less rainfall. The exoticness of this place is beyond any word of description. The land is similar to that of the Tibetan plateaus – dry, barren and arid. The desert like landscape doesn’t possess any kind of vegetation except few plants that grow in dry places. The village of Mustang is alluring and captivating. The high walls with the views of rigid mountains in the background, it nothing less than a picturesque portrait.
Upper Mustang Trek is like a treasure hunt where you travel to the mysterious places. The desert like landscape will haunt you but the hidden caves and artistic monasteries built there is like a reward for your hard work and endurance capacity to spend your time in such a remote place. As you follow your trail, you will come across the Gompas, prayer flags and monasteries which is an evidence to the Tibetan Buddhist culture prevalent in this place. The local people residing in this region are Lobas. These people follow Buddhism and regard themselves as the descendants to Tibet.
Taking about the accessibility to this region, it is the less travelled part of Nepal. The people living here follow a lifestyle that we hear in the books and televisions some centuries back. Therefore, you can analyse how remote and secluded this region is. As the region is dry and barren, it is prone to windy storms in the afternoon and trekking in this region is beyond moderate. You must have good endurance capacity and compromising habit when it comes to food and accommodation. If you chooses, Upper Mustang Trek as your travel package, then you are a true adventure seeker who would like to give a new taste to your travel stories.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01 : Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
- Day 02 : Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
- Day 03 : Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/3020ft) Duration: 6 hrs
- Day 04 : From Pokhara fly to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 hrs
- Day 05 : Kagbeni to Chele (3110m/10200ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
- Day 06 : Chele to Geling (3500m/11480ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
- Day 07 : Geling to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 4 hrs
- Day 08 : Charang to Lo - Manthang (3840m/12595ft) Duration: 3 hrs
- Day 09 : Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar and return 4 - 6 hrs
- Day 10 : Lo-Manthang to Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) 6-7 hrs
- Day 11 : Drakmar to Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
- Day 12 : Shyangbochen to Chhusang (2980m/9775ft) 6 hrs
- Day 13 : Chusang to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 7 hrs
- Day 14 : Muktinath to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) Duration: 6 hrs
- Day 15 : Jomsom to Pokhara
- Day 16 : Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Day 17 : Farewell
Cost Includes
- All airport/hotel transfers by private vehicle
- Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
- Two night accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu with a tour guide and all temples/monuments entrance fees
- Round trip flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara including departure taxes
- Full baord meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
- Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
- An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide), porter to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Nepal Hiking Team duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
- All necessary paper work and permits (ACAP, Special trekking permit), please bring 3 passport size photos for permit
- Surface transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus
- A comprehensive medical kit
- All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
- Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
- Travel insurance
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
- Cold drinks, water, snacks and other personal expenses
- Hot shower during the trek
- Personal trekking equipments
- Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
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Day 01 : Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
You will be welcomed at the airport by one of our staff members and transferred to your hotel for check in. Our airport representative will explain further details of the program. Overnight at the hotel with breakfast included.
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Day 02 : Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Today, we will start our sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley which includes cultural heritage sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Pasupatinath Temple. Enjoy the artistic palace, paintings, sculptures and a brief look at the history of Nepal. Overnight at the hotel with breakfast included.
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Day 03 : Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/3020ft) Duration: 6 hrs
You will be met by your guide early in the morning for the drive to Pokhara. The drive is long but very scenic and interesting. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Pokhara hotel for check in. In the evening, you can enjoy boating on Fewa Lake and you might wish to photograph the reflection of Mount Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Range on the serene water. Overnight at the hotel with breakfast included.
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Day 04 : From Pokhara fly to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 hrs
Early in morning, we will fly between the snow covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Jomsom. The sights of towering massifs rising to more than 8,000 meters, and the river with the deepest gorge on the planet are just mind-blowing. At Jomsom we will start our Upper Mustang trek to Kagbeni. This is the main gate to Upper Mustang, situated at an altitude of (2,800m), Kagbeni village dates from around the 14th century when it was a check post for traders from Nepal. There is still a checkpoint to control the groups departing for Muktinath and Mustang. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 05 : Kagbeni to Chele (3110m/10200ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
The trail takes us to the east bank of the Kaligandaki river. We traverse several ridges to Tangbe village. This village is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. We can take in the view of the Nilgiri peak which dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni. Beyond Tangbe we will reach Chhusang village after about one and half hours walking. We cross the river and continue climbing to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki flows. We leave the Kali Gandaki valley and climb steeply up a rocky gully to Chele. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 06 : Chele to Geling (3500m/11480ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
Today we will ascend the treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass a rock cairn at 3540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to Samar village. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. We’ll climb up above Samar to a ridge and descend into a large gorge. The trail continues through another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800m. The route traverses another pass, follows a ridge and descends to Shyangmochen. From here, we gently climb to a pass at 3770m and descend into Geling Village. Overnight at a guesthouse -breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 07 : Geling to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 4 hrs
From Geling, the trail climbs gently up to the interesting pass of NYI La and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. We cross over the steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) and arrive at the longest Mani wall in Mustang. We climb over another pass at 3,600 m and start the long gentle descent to Charang village. The large five-storey white Dzong and red Gompa are impressive attractions here. We can also observe the collections of statues, Thankas and other large paintings of the seated Buddha. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 08 : Charang to Lo - Manthang (3840m/12595ft) Duration: 3 hrs
Our trail ascends steadily until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet. It is in fact one of the oldest Gompas the region. After visiting Lo-Gekar, we continue our upper Mustang trek to Lo-Manthang. The trail to Lo-Manthang is well-defined with some minor climbing. We will pass the walled city of Lo along the trial, then make a short descent, cross a stream and climb to the plateau of Lo-Manthang. Overnight at a guesthouse -breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 09 : Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar and return 4 - 6 hrs
We will hike for two hours to Namgyal Gompa. This is situated on a hilltop and here is an important monastery for the local community. It also supports a local court. After our visit to Namgyal Gompa, we continue our tour to Tingkhar. This is the last village to the northwest of Lomanthang with around 40 houses. After visiting both places we will return to Lomanthang. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 10 : Lo-Manthang to Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) 6-7 hrs
Today our trail ascends steadily and offers a last glimpse of Lo Manthang before climbing a ridge at 4070m and continuing to the Chogo La (4210m/13810ft). This is the highest point on our Upper Mustang Trek. The trail then advances to a short, steep descent and crosses the Charang River. We will climb to Lo Geker and arrive at Ghar Gompa, a small monastery. We then climb the ridge, cross a valley and alpine meadows, and then drop down a steep eroded path to Drakmar. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 11 : Drakmar to Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
The trail now descends, passing the stone walls and fields of Drakmar before climbing to a ridge. It further descends to the lower part of Ghami and then to Jaite (3820m), dropping again to Chhung-Kah. We continue to Tama Gaon (3710m) and down to Shyangmochen. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 12 : Shyangbochen to Chhusang (2980m/9775ft) 6 hrs
Our long hike now follows a stream all the way down to Chhusang. We can also take an alternative route to Samar visiting Ranchung Cave. The alternative route is just 30-minutes longer. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 13 : Chusang to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 7 hrs
Today we will follow the stream, pass Chhusang village and make a short steep ascent onto the valley floor. We keep ascending until we reach a small pass from where we can see Muktinath and the red painted Buddhist Monasteries. After traversing the pass, we drop down to the stream and cross via a suspension bridge. We ascend for a while and walk through the villages to Muktinath. This route is very popular for the Fossil stone “Saligrams” which is mainly found between Tetang and Gyu La Pass (4077m). It also offers a terrific 140 degree view of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Himalayan range. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 14 : Muktinath to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) Duration: 6 hrs
Muktinath is one of most important destinations for Hindu pilgrims and it is also an important place for Buddhists. In the morning, we will visit Muktinath Temple. We can enjoy the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri peak from here. There are water spouts which channel into the stream running above the temple. There is also a Buddhist Monastery nearby. Our trail descends through the village of Jharkot where we can explore the Jharkot monastery; this is both a Tibetan herbal medical center and an old fortress. We continue our trek back to Jomsom. The views of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village along the way are truly overwhelming. We pass by Ekle Bhatti and finally arrive at Jomsom where we can celebrate the completion of the trek with all the trekking staff. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 15 : Jomsom to Pokhara
Early in the morning we will take the return flight to Pokhara. The afternoon can be spent exploring this picturesque lakeside town as your fancy takes you. Overnight at a hotel - breakfast included.
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Day 16 : Pokhara to Kathmandu
Today we will drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at a hotel - breakfast included.
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Day 17 : Farewell
Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Nepal Hiking Team will bid you farewell after taking you to the International airport. You will take away your photographs and memories of a truly remarkable adventure.
Upcoming Trip Departure
- Guaranteed - Trip is Guaranteed to run.
- Available - Trip is available to run if minimum group size is filled
- Limited - Only few space available
| Trip Start Date | Trip End Date | Price | Availability | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jul, 2017 | 10 Aug, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 30 Jul, 2017 | 15 Aug, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 08 Aug, 2017 | 24 Aug, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 12 Aug, 2017 | 28 Aug, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 18 Aug, 2017 | 03 Sep, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 25 Aug, 2017 | 10 Sep, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 30 Aug, 2017 | 15 Sep, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 05 Sep, 2017 | 21 Sep, 2017 | USD | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 10 Sep, 2017 | 26 Sep, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 14 Sep, 2017 | 30 Sep, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 19 Sep, 2017 | 05 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 25 Sep, 2017 | 11 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 29 Sep, 2017 | 15 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 03 Oct, 2017 | 19 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 06 Oct, 2017 | 22 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 10 Oct, 2017 | 26 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 15 Oct, 2017 | 31 Oct, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 20 Oct, 2017 | 05 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 25 Oct, 2017 | 10 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 30 Oct, 2017 | 15 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 03 Nov, 2017 | 19 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 05 Nov, 2017 | 21 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 09 Nov, 2017 | 25 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 11 Nov, 2017 | 27 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 14 Nov, 2017 | 30 Nov, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 18 Nov, 2017 | 04 Dec, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 23 Nov, 2017 | 09 Dec, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 29 Nov, 2017 | 15 Dec, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
| 01 Dec, 2017 | 17 Dec, 2017 | USD 1950 | Guaranteed | Book Now |
Garfield Saunders Victoria BC, Canada
I recently completed a most startling trek along with a friend to the restricted Upper Mustang Region of Nepal in April with the Nepal Hiking Team.
This was my second trek with Nepal Hiking Team to the Upper Mustang region. I have discovered that both my trips were well organized by NHT and everything was done very efficiently and wonderfully.
On my latest trek, I was in touch with Nepal Hiking Team and Ganga via email gave every detail about the trek. I was seeking for a trek that was different from my previous trek. Therefore, I decided to trek to the area on the east side of the Kali Gandaki River. All my queries were resolved via the emails within a short time. He also gave me a customized itinerary and quoted a price. I accepted his proposed program as it met all our requirements in a reasonable price.
For Upper Mustang Trek, a guide was must and NHT provided professional guides as well as a porter for two of us. The guide was Santa, a very admirable guide. He was much familiar with the areas that we strolled and looked after us very well. His main concern was our safety and wellbeing. The porter was Vishnu; he too was wonderful and strong. We enjoyed the company of both the porter and guide.
I hope that someday, I will trek to Nepal again and definitely I would book and trek with Nepal Hiking Team. I would highly suggest that anyone planning for visiting Nepal for a trek must contact them.
Thanks again Nepal Hiking Team.
Garfield Saunders (Age 77)
Victoria BC, Canada
Important Note
If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.
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Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Duration: 18 days -
Lower Mustang Trek
Duration: 14 days
