Upper Mustang Trekking

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner.

A day in Kathmandu for trek preparation and tour at places of great interest around best historical and cultural places. Our city tour guide will take you to famous areas listed in World Heritage Sites and then back to hotel after a wonderful time at sightseeing tour with time to get organize and preparation for next day adventure trek to Upper Mustang. 

Morning as per size of a group a drive either in a car, coach or in regular tourist bus, ride takes you on Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. An interesting drive where one can witness lively scenery of Nepal beautiful landscapes with farm villages and towns. As drive continues views of distant snow mountain range and then finally reach Pokhara. A scenic city in the shadow of Annapurna and Manaslu Himalaya with majestic Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish Tail Peak.

On arrival at Pokhara, check in a nice hotel for overnight stop located near the Phewa Lake side with time for leisure stroll around lined with fancy shops, stores, restaurants and many nice hotels.  

(Option of flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara a 30 minutes by air facing sweeping panorama of Central and Western Himalaya range)

An early morning start with short transfer to Pokhara airport, on boarding a small aircraft, Dornier, Twin Otter or similar type. As flight takes off facing Pokhara city and the valley with snow mountain range of Annapurna and Manaslu.

Shortly the plane land at Jomsom airport, after 20-25 minutes flight with panorama of Dhaulagiri-Tukuche-Nilgiris with Annapurna and Machhapuchare Himal. At Jomsom airport received by our trekking staff with short refreshing stop at Jomsom in of its nice lodge restaurants. A large town and headquarter of Mustang district located on Kaligandaki River valley, where Old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route and Caravan laden with goods passed through Jomsom.

A major hub or Thakali people, the indigenous tribe of Lower Mustang follows Buddhism religion, and similar culture like people of Upper Mustang.

From Jomsom an easy walk on windy Kaligandaki River valley of few hours to Kagbeni for overnight stop, a lovely village with many good lodge and inns. The gateway and main entrance to Upper Mustang, here with time to browse around the village of great cultural interest.

From Kagbeni enter towards Upper Mustang, starts with slow climb to reach an exposed wide valley, hidden behind eroded large red colored canyons with high cliff edge dotted with small caves. Walk continues on a gradual path facing views of Nilgiris-Dhaulagiri and Mustang Himal, having short rest and then reach our first overnight stop within Upper Mustang at Chusang village, normally spelled as Tsusang. A nice farm village with Willow-Juniper and Poplars trees around the village outskirt, the only surviving trees and vegetation around this high altitude within arid dry zone. At Chusang after checking into your rooms with time to explore around the village.

After first overnight stop around Upper Mustang at Chusang village, having breakfast walk begins crossing a stream past high canyons which appears like a ruin castle, as walk continues facing grand scenery of surrounding landscapes then walk for an hour to Chele / Tshele village for short brief stop. 

From this village an hour climb to a ridge at 3,130 m high facing views of Gyagar village across a huge canyon. Trek continues with slow climb on windswept wide country to cross a small pass at 3,540 m high. 

Enjoy the view of surroundings great scenery and then a slow descend to Samar for overnight stop in a nice local lodge and guest-house of homely environment.

Morning walk start with short climb above Samar village towards a high ridge, then downhill to a large gorge past Chorten a religious monument painted red, black, yellow and white color the official color of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Trek carries on towards next scenic valley, where vegetation gets sparse with few juniper trees, then crossing a stream with climb above 3,800 m high, with short down and climb again to another small pass. As walk descend to Shyangmochen, a small isolated place with some small tea shops. After a pleasant break continue climb to a pass at 3,770 m high, then enter a wide valley as route heads downhill to our overnight stop at Geling, a lovely with large fields of barley that surrounds this nice village.

After overnight in Geling, morning starts with slow climb heading past farm fields situated in the center of a large windy valley. Walk continues with views of Tama Gung village down below from our high trail. As journey leads to a long climb across a valley to reach the highest point of the trek at Nya La pass 3,950 m high.

From the top enjoy grand panorama of Mustang wide scenic plateau with snow-capped peaks towards north, and west directions. The pass marks the barrier between the southern boundaries of Lo from rest of the Mustang areas. 

Enjoying the views then downhill to a junction; where right side of the trail leads direct to Tsarang, the left towards Ghami another main village of Upper Mustang. 

Walk down towards blue, grey and red colored cliffs across a valley then cross a steel bridge above Tangmarchu River, as climb come across a long and magnificent stretch of Mani (prayer) wall, one of the longest rows of prayer wheels in Nepal and probably in all Himalaya. 

After an exciting walk with last climb cross a ridge at 3,600 m, from here downhill to Tsarang or Charang for overnight halt. An interesting lovely village surrounded by wide farm field with some willow trees close to a large five storied high white colored Dzong / fort. At Tsarang with time to visit the Monastery or Gompa in local language, situated on the edge of Kali Gandaki River gorge.

Finally our adventure leads to our major highlight of the journey at Lo-Manthang, morning begins short down to cross Charangchu River, and climb on top of a ridge and then walk to Tholung valley. From here our route diverts heading north with slow uphill haul to a large Chorten, marks the boundary between Tsarang and Lo areas as climb follows a stream and then reach a wide windswept valley.

After an hour walk a short climb on top 3,850 m high pass, offers view of the walled former kingdom Lo-Manthang, a short descend to a stream that outlines from Lo-Manthang. From the stream short climb to the southern wall of Lo- Manthang. This is the only entrance inside the walled Lo-Manthang a former kingdom using the North East route. Enter the forbidden kingdom of Lo- Manthang, and then check into a nice lodge or guesthouses with time to browse around its narrow streets and alleys lined with shops and stores.

At Lo-Manthang, rest and free day enjoy the day exploring around the town reminds of mid-century or medvial era type of town, at one time the capital of Lo (Mustang district), and one of the largest settlement with more than 150 houses, that includes residence of priest, monks and high lamas, houses are closely packed with palace and monasteries located at the bottom section within a vertical part with houses on a L shaped. 

School, health post, police post and other important sites located outside the walled kingdom in the north and east of monastic areas. 

The people of Lo-Manthang are known as Lobas, means people from Lo the Upper Mustang region that extends towards Tibet border. All Mustang villagers follows Tibetan Buddhism and similar culture, where’s the local economy besides farming and life-stock, the villagers had strong trade relation with Tibet. Where salt and wool trade from Kali Gandaki valley passed through Lo-Manthang and this brought a substantial amount of economy to this great village / town. 

The Mustang raja's palace stands an imposing 4 storied building in the center of the city. It is the home of the former Raja (king), Jigme Parbal Bista, and the Rani (queen), who is from the noble family of Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet.

At Lo-Manthang visit its famous monasteries Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the great Entrance Hall with special permission to visit the palace interior.

After an enjoyable stay in Lo-Manthang for two overnights, morning start with descend and then short climb towards Ghami. The return journey from Lo-Manthang leads to slow climb over few small passes, with opportunity to catch last glimpse of Lo-Manthang in the distance from the top.

Walk leads on gradual trail with downhill to Ghami village for overnight stop, Ghami another major village of Upper Mustang.

Morning walk from Ghami village follows the same route with climb to the top of Nya-La Pass, from here the path descend across Geling Valley. Walk continues as route diverts from Geling village with slow downhill walk to a small settlement of Tama Gung.  From here a steep switchbacks path leads to a stream; as climb starts to a large painted Chorten, a religious monument and then the trail gets better heading straightforward route to overnight stop at Samar village.

Slowly our journey around Upper Mustang comes to an end, as walk lead downhill trail on the same direction for few hour past Chele village to Mustang Khola, from here on gradual path in between great canyons and eroded high cliffs towards Kagbeni for overnight halt, on leaving the Upper Mustang area.

From Kagbeni on the same route to Jomsom, as morning walk starts above the Kaligandaki River bed, to a nice small settlement at Eklay Bhatti where route of Jomsom, Upper Mustang and Muktinath area meets.

Walk from this nice small village with many good lodges, as route takes you on the valley floor of Kaligandaki River, facing glorious views of Nilgiris and Tilicho peaks. Finally our trek completes on reaching Jomsom for lunch and last overnight around Mustang region. 

Jomsom an interesting town, afternoon explore around the streets of Jomsom lined with many fancy shops, bakeries, restaurants and fine good hotels and lodge. The area around Kaligandaki and Lower Mustang famous for delicious apples and local products fresh from the apple orchard.

Morning after a good breakfast, a short walk to Jomsom airport after checking in then board in the small plane for short panoramic flight to Pokhara.

Sweeping panorama of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna and Manaslu Mountain range on less than 30 minutes flight. On landing at Pokhara airport, short drive to your hotel by the Phewa Lake side, afternoon free for extra activities.

With time in Pokhara, time permitting one can join for Paragliding, Ultra-Light flights, Bungee Jumping, hike to Peace Stupa, and a boat ride or just relax and enjoy the views of Annapurna Himalaya. 

Morning after a good breakfast an overland on the same scenic highway, where drive takes you past farm country, villages and towns as journey continues on leaving the Trisuli River behind where drive takes you on winding up to reach the suburb of Kathmandu valley. Enjoy the last hour drive as you enter into hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable time with fabulous adventure to Upper Mustang Trekking and around amazing Nepal Himalayas.