Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trek itinerary details:

Day 1: Day 1: Arrival in Airport and transfer to hotel, rest day, itinerary briefing at the Above Himalaya Trekking office if you feel fresh.

Day 2: Sight-seeing of Kathmandu: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley. Your tour includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (A UNESCO World Heritage site) and the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. A visit to the Monkey Temple (Swyambhunath, 2000 year old temple) and a visit to the ancient city of Patan to view an amazing array of fine art,superbly carved and decorated temples. Back to hotel.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara: A 6 hour drive by tourist bus, or a 35 minute flight to Pokhara.

Day 4: Pokhara-Jomsom-Kagbeni Jomson is the District headquarters of the Mustang Region. From here we walk to Kagbeni, which is the starting point of the Upper Mustang Trek. The spectacular peaks of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak and Dhampus tower above the sparse brown landscape as you walk on gently undulating trails until you reach Kagbeni, an interesting and typical Tibetan village at the entry point of the upper Mustang for an overnight stop. Overnight teahouse/camping at Kagbeni.

Day 5: Kagbeni –Chele - The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe Village. The town is labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peaks, which dominate the southern skyline of Kagbeni provide a spectacular backdrop and continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang Village and crosses the river, continue climbing north up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above. forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kaligandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at 3030m.

Day 6: Chele- Geling - The climb continues along steep, treeless and dry terrain, along the side of a spectacular deep canyon to pass a cairn of rock at 3540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna Range, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climbing above Samar to a ridge, we then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800m. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geling.

Day 7: Geling - Charang - From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on our trek NYILA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) we will arrive at a MANI (Prayer wall) perhaps the longest and most spectacular Prayer Wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five-story white Dzong and the red Gompa are interesting and we will visit these to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha’s.

Day 8: Charang –Lo Manthang - The trail descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Charang- Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally, from a ridge at 3850m there is a view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang. After a short descent we will cross a stream then climb up onto the plateau of Lo- Manthang.

Day 9: Lo Manthang – Ghami via Gekar - This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on our return trek. The trail climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail descends across to the south through two more valleys and across a ridge at 4070m then descends across to the south through two more valleys, meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent to Gekar. Lo Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet and is one of the oldest Gompa’s in Nepal. We then cross a ridge after a little climbing, and the trail then drops down steeply to Thamar village. The trail descends along the side of the stone walls and fields of extensive villages, and then climbs to a ridge. It is a short descent to Ghami.

Day 10: Lo Manthang Rest day.
Another day in LO-Manthang gives you the chance to explore its many sights. The tall Champa Lakhang (God- house) the red Thugchen Gompa,Chyodi Gompa and the Raja's Palace, as well as to gaze at the surrounding panoramic views of the Tibetan plateau and the Himalaya.

Day 11: Rest day  
The western valley of Tingkhar, the site of the Raja's summer palace, is worth exploring. Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyal (The Monastery of Victory is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo) are also here. In the eastern valley nestles the village of Chosar, also rich in Gompas, this valley is the main trading route to Lhasa.

Day 12: Lo-Manthang Via Geker – Ghami
Visit the famous Lo-Geker Gompa on the way, which is one of the oldest Gompas in Nepal. It is older than the famed Samye Gompa in Tibet

Day 13: Ghami – Samar

Day 14: Samar To Kagbeni

Day 15: Kagbeni to Jomsom

Day 16: Jomson to Pokhara- Kathmandu Enjoy the evening with a special Cultural Show and Dinner

Day 17: Final departure Transfer from hotel to airport.