Upper Mustang Trek- 18 Days

The first place you will visit today is the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is located in the center of the Kathmandu Valley. This area has a long history dating back to the sixteenth century and is dedicated to the Nepali tradition. Also known as the Hanuman Dhoka (palace), this was once the seat of the Malla rulers, who ruled over the valley of Kathmandu.

You won’t want to skip any of the numerous stunning monuments when you get here. After that, you will get the chance to go to the Kumari temple, which is home to the nation’s only living god. The Kumaris chosen for this purpose are very young children who are viewed as bearers of divine power.

Following a bustling and entertaining tour, we will take a quick drive westward to get to Swoyambhunath Stupa, our next stop. Standing on a hill, it offers panoramic scenes of the surrounding hills and the valley. When the weather is clear, you can see high, white peaks to the north of the hill.

Swayambhunath, among the oldest cultural landmarks in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is over 2,500 years old. The stupa is made up of ancient Buddhist temples that have a massive stupa in the form of a dome on top. You are going to experience a spiritual sense of fulfillment here, with the four magical eyes of Lord Buddha gazing in all four directions.

From there, we will be going to our next location, which is not too far away. Hindu pilgrims consider the Pashupatinath Temple region to be among the holiest sites on earth. It is forbidden for non-Hindu tourists to enter the main temple. Nonetheless, it is possible to go to the neighboring shrines and observe the temple from a distance.

The primary temple features four silver entrances and a roof tier similar to a pagoda. During Shivaratri, which honors Lord Shiva’s birthday in mid-February, this location is crowded with both domestic and foreign pilgrims. Hindus perform funerals and cremations on the other end of the Pashupatinath temple and along the Bagmati riverbank.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Our drive to Pokhara will be on a private vehicle instead of opting for commercial rides like most other travel agencies do. One of the best things about private rides is the control over where you want to stop for a break. Since Kathmandu to Pokhara is a 7-hour long drive, we will have to take several breaks along the way to refresh ourselves and for lunch as well.

We will start moving to Pokhara after a filling breakfast in the three-star hotel. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the city of Lakes which is also the most beautiful city in Nepal.

If you want to avoid 7 hours of road transport, you can opt for a flight instead which lasts for only 25 minutes. Kathmandu to Pokhara is only around 140 km apart (aerial distance) but since the roads are windy, the total distance we have to travel is a little over 200 km. You are welcome to take a flight to Pokhara but your flight fare will not be covered by our trek package while the land transport is covered.

Duration

25 mins (Flight) / 7 hrs (drive)

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

There are few flights in Nepal as captivating as the one to Jomsom. Your eyes will be treated to an unbelievable view of lovely mountains and terrain throughout this 35-minute trip, particularly when you are halfway between the summits of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Those are dramatic opinions. After landing in Jomsom, we will have a filling meal and drink plenty of water before setting off to Kagbeni.

The trekking trails leading to Manang and Upper Mustang begin at Jomsom. This hiking route’s memorable environment and culture offer an interesting peek into the daily lives of many ethnic populations in Nepal.

At 2800 meters above sea level, Jomson spreads over the Kali Gandaki River Gorge’s bank. The vast majority of people living in the region are Thakali. who are known for their food and Tibetan-based culture.

There is a museum and a Buddhist monastery in Jomsom which you can visit. Taking a stroll through Jomsom and visiting a few of the Himalayan bazaars is a great idea. A grocery store, a cafe, and other facilities are available in this highland town far from major cities.

We will pass by a few tiny monasteries and vibrant Chortens colored red, white, and grey, as you head out of Jomsom. We will follow these Chortens to the little town of Lubra, an amazing Bon community which is picturesque as well. After passing through the charming village of Eklobhatti, we will join the path that leads to Kagbeni.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Most of the first day of the walk from Kagbeni is spent on the road, but the beautiful scenes of the Kali Gandaki Gorge make up for it. Additionally, a couple of trail segments do cross, both up and down, giving the trip a little spice. The route rises steadily and passes above the picturesque town of Tangbe before arriving at Chhusang.

A lot of travelers stay at Chhusang (2980 m), which is ideal for lunch and has a large number of guesthouses. A few kilometers farther on lies Chele (3050 m), a picture-perfect town located on a hill with a dominating scene. It’s a great place to spend the night and feels pleasantly secluded.

We will be greeted with the Kali Gandaki Gorge as we ascend from Kagbeni. The river splits and reforms into numerous channels, making its way through intricate patterns. The stone cliffs, which rise on either side, are colored in shades of ochre yellow, brown, and red. We will be able to enjoy the scenery at all times due to the open, open sights, almost nonexistent fellow hikers, and almost no traffic.

We will go on a short 3 km trek to Chele on a gravel road after lunch in Chhusang. We will follow a steep trail of rough rock and sand that leads up to the settlement after crossing the tight river beneath cliffs filled with little caves that have been dug by people. By then the wind should be picking up speed, and our guide will show you to your reserved lodging, which offers superb meals, reasonable rates, and outstanding views from the rooftop.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

From Chele, the route climbs sharply until it crosses a wide canyon on the suspension bridge that leads to Ghyakar. The shorter track to Samar has since been obliterated by road development.

Following the little but charming settlement of Ghyakar, the route ascends progressively along a dirt trail across a spacious landscape. It’s a brief switchback drop and ascent back into the road right above Samar, which makes for a great lunch stop.

Following lunch, there are two options. After leaving the settlement, the track splits in two. Regaining elevation is one route to reach the road, which can be followed to Syangboche.

An alternative route is to stick to a basic trekking trail, which involves ascending a steep way to get over a ridge, then dropping into a valley to reach Chungsi Cave, and finally continuing ascent to Syangboche.

A challenging but fascinating section of the trail awaits us as we descend abruptly to cross a valley and small creek and then ascend via a narrow stony passage. More moderate but gradual climbing over open terrain will follow before we rejoin the road, and descend to Samar for lunch.

We will climb a rough trail, drop to a second stream, cross a tiny river, and then climb for quite a while on a wide track before rejoining the road at Bhena Pass.

From there on, the route will essentially consist of asphalt roads, with the exception of a few places where the route crosses. The road walking could disappoint you, but the sights will only grow better.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

The trail lowers through the Tama Khola following the ascend from the hill of Syangboche and then rising to the little settlement of Tamagaon. From this point on, the broad valley spreads out, with Nyi La to the north and Ghiling to the east. Before Jhaite, a trekking track winds down the slope and meets the road.

The road alternates between Jhaite and a different trekking track that goes to the pass. The route continues along the road after passing Nyi La for a bit until a trekking trail splits off and heads up over Ghami La and down towards Ghami.

After ascending the hill from Syangboche, we will reach the top of the slope and come across a brightly colored, well-maintained chorten with an intriguing and unique design. Following a combination of roadway and trekking trail for a short while, we will trek down a gravel route to the Tama Khola bridge and then ascend the cliffside route on the opposite side.

For a while, we will trek an open terrain, all while following a gently sloping rocky trail. To the west, majestic mountains stand tall, and to the east, Ghiling is visible, sitting at the distant tip of the valley.

As we proceed north, we will soon come to a wider roadway than any that has come previously. As we navigate through the Jhaite village, we will be driven forward by the tranquil vibe of the remote authentic village. We’ll take a moment to appreciate the beautiful large chorten on the edge of the village. We will soon arrive at the foot of the major ascent leading to Nyi La.

From this point on, we choose the newest and broadest of the three dirt roads—the other two appearing to be unnecessary. The exposed curbs and unpaved roads will make the already arid and dusty climate even more so. Even if we can see intriguing stone structures from afar, we will once more be unable to fully appreciate them.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Traveling from Ghami to Charang (also Tsarang) often takes a full day on very few Upper Mustang trek itineraries. With the exception of a short stretch on the ascent towards Chinggel La, the shortest path from Ghami to Tsarang is entirely on a well-paved road. The hike to Tsarang is easy yet exhausting due to the long, moderate descent on a dirt trail after the Chinggel La pass.

After the morning meal, we will head out and trek through Ghami, down to the stream, and then up the opposite side to Mustang’s largest mani wall. It stretches out quite some distance at 350 meters in length. After turning east to connect with the path to Tsarang, we will catch glimpses of the red slopes of Dhakmar farther up the valley.

We will not be wasting any time as we make the climb up the dirt track while the road curves to our right and left time and again. When you get closer to the summit, the view will be dazzling, with multiple layers of mountains and hills overlapping to create visually appealing combinations of shades.

Looking east from the pass, the distant landscape seems to be a rough yet beautiful paradise, with rocky cliffs, deep gorges, and steep slopes. However, that will be much beyond where we are going, so with our focus on the path, we will go down the hill to Tsarang.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

It takes around a half day to trek from Charang to Lo Manthang. The path follows the slowly sloping road for the majority of its length after dropping until it crosses the river on the path. Though primarily it’s just a simple day trek to get through, there are certain points worth visiting along the way, such as a gigantic chorten and a few caves, and the far-off countryside is as beautiful as ever.

As we ascend towards the summit and have our first glimpse of Lo Manthang, the road gets narrower. After stopping at the summit to take in the view of the valley and the town below, we’ll head off-road and descend down the track through a small passage. Before long, we will be ascending once more and passing beneath the tall, newly constructed gate that indicates the boundaries of Lo Manthang.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Jampa Gompa, Thupchen Gompa, and Chode Gompa are the three monasteries that are typically visited on exploration day at Lo Manthang. Each of the three monasteries has distinct characteristics and is very different from the others. A ticket purchased at Dragkar Thegchen-Ling Gompa’s main building grants access to all three, with a monk providing tour guidance.

The earnings from the ticket, which costs 1000 NPR, or roughly $8 USD, go solely towards maintaining and restoring all three monasteries. The hours that you are welcome to visit are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is not permitted to snap pictures inside the monastery structures, but it is acceptable to do so on the surrounding grounds.

Beyond the monasteries, Lo Manthang’s narrow streets offer a plethora of exploration opportunities. The abandoned King’s and Queen’s Castles on the ridges above, as well as the Namgyal monastery and the surrounding towns, offer alternatives for anyone wanting to get some fresh air and spend a few hours beyond the village walls.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Regardless of the route taken to get back from Lo Manthang, everyone departs in the same manner, going over the Dokpolo Khola by dropping from the recently installed gate and looking south. The western route then ascends to Chogo La and descends to Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar.

We will soon see the eastern path as we take a final look at Lo Manthang. Following the path, we won’t set foot on a paved road this day. The dusty path rises steadily through hills of mild green, with small, dome-shaped plants and harsh grass covering the ground beneath it. The sights to the east, which include towering peaks, crests, and ledges, emerge as we start following the ridgeline path.

They have the well-known appearance of being hardened after melting. Every single layer is a distinct color, however all of them are light yellow, orange, and grey tones rather than flashy colors.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Today’s hiking route flows upwards and downwards. We can take in the beautiful vistas of the snow-covered peaks and the rugged Himalayan desert as we tour the area around Dhakmar and Ghiling. We would be better off starting our walk in the early hours because
the afternoon will be gusty and dusty.

The majority of our trekking route goes downhill beside a river, passing by the fields of the settlement, and then rises to a ridge once more. Following that, we descend once more to arrive at the lovely settlement of Ghami. Mostly dry, Ghiling provides beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri Mountains.

The trekking adventure is currently in its second part. We plan to spend the night at Ghiling village today, following a tedious five to six-hour trip. It is recommended that Ghiling be explored in the evening because the breezy afternoon can be challenging for hikers to gaze around. Trekkers will come across villages, beautiful Chortens, monasteries, and the amazing beauty on the Ghiling trail today.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

We have our morning meal and then start on our trip to Chhusang. On the way to the charming village of Samar, our trail winds through a forest with small trees and bushes. We continue our walk after lunch at Samar, soaking in the amazing view of tall peaks and little valleys along the way. We next travel over the crossings of Taklam La and Dajori La until we arrive at the beautiful Chele village.

Next, we make our way downhill to the lovely village of Chhusang. Another charming historic village, Chhusang boasts an apple orchard, gorgeous vistas of the Kali Gandaki River, and Nilgiri Mountain.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

This will be the final part of the Upper Mustang trek where there will be a lot of trekking. Our trekking route neatly passes the settlement of Jharkot. After that, we reach the point where we must leave the Upper Mustang’s restricted area and join the established Annapurna Circuit trekking trail. Once at the well-known Kagbeni settlement, we take in the breathtaking vista of the Kali Gandaki valley.

The entrance to the Kingdom of Mustang, Kagbeni is an ancient town that has managed to hold onto its ancient beauty. Following our lunch at Kagbeni, we resume the hike in the direction of Jomsom. At this point, the Annapurna Circuit trail joins the Upper Mustang Trail, which comes to an end.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

After the last day of trekking, we will take a flight back to Pokhara. You will get to see the beautiful Mustang region for one more time during this scenic flight. We will have to take the flight in the morning as the afternoon in this region can be full of gusts and strong winds.

After reaching Pokhara, you have a full day to explore the beautiful and interesting destinations that the city offers. Among the places you can travel to, we recommend you visit the World Peace Stupa, a pagoda sitting atop a hill overseeing the whole Pokhara valley. Next, you can visit the Pumdikot Shiva statue which is not that far from the stupa.

In addition to that, you can also spend your time engaging in adventure sports such as bungee jumping, paragliding, canoeing, etc. These activities will absolutely make your day coupled with the serene vibes of the city.

If you are too tired for these activities, you can just relax by the Phewa Lake, eating your favorite comfort meal while the frequent waves of air hit your face. Phewa Lake also offers a boating trip which allows you to roam around the lake and also take a dive if you are up for it.

In the night, the lakeside comes to life as tourists and local people gather there for a vibrant nightlife. If you prefer, we recommend you live a nightlife in Pokhara as it will be a memorable event for you.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Leaving the beautiful city of lakes, we will travel back to Kathmandu on this day. A private vehicle will pick you up from your accommodation after you have had your breakfast. On the way to Kathmandu, you will travel along the Trishuli River, taking in the views of the green hills and calm Trishuli River to your left. We will have our lunch around 12 PM, taking a short break from the tiring travel.

As previously stated, you are free to opt for a flight instead but it will be your personal expense which our trekking package will not cover.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Lodge

After an exciting day in Pokhara and a long road trip to Kathmandu, you might be tired. So to make sure you are fully rejuvenated for your flight back home, this will be a rest day. You are expected to rest for the majority of the day with small trips to the local areas or you can just visit one of the sites you like.

Since we have already done a sightseeing tour of the valley, you can choose to visit the places that you have not yet visited or revisit one of the sites that captured your attention on the sightseeing tour. Either way, it’s important that you enjoy your time in Kathmandu and make sure that you are well-rested for tomorrow.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

We hope that you have had an unforgettable experience trekking with us to the remote Mustang region of Nepal. We are open to criticism and feedback if you have any. Your feedback is valuable to us as it provides us with insights on what areas we need to improve.

After we bid you farewell, our driver will take you to the international airport where you will take your flight back home.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Excluded