UPPER MUSTANG TREK

This day you will visit to Bhaktapur which literally means a city of devotees is the oldest city of Nepal. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four distinct square (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole are is informally known as the Bhakapur Durbar Square, and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley. Later, you will be escorted to Patan City for sightseeing tour. Patan is also known as city of fine art is one of the major cities of Nepal and is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. Later, visit Tibetan Handicraft Center where you will find Tibetan Refugees and their handicraft skills. Return to the hotel. 

It takes about five hours drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Lake to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Lamjung ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty. 

After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is very windy in the afternoon, From Jomsom trek continues on the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 hrs and finally reaching at Ekley-bhatti village. After good stop here an hour of easy walk reaches you to Kagbeni (2,858m/9,375ft), which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni, an interesting windswept villages situated on the main age old Trans Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. On arrival, check in the hotel with afternoon free for a stroll around the village. 

After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is very windy in the afternoon, From Jomsom trek continues on the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 hrs and finally reaching at Ekley-bhatti village. After good stop here an hour of easy walk reaches you to Kagbeni (2,858m/9,375ft), which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni, an interesting windswept villages situated on the main age old Trans Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. On arrival, check in the hotel with afternoon free for a stroll around the village. 

The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki climbing over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peak, dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni, will be enjoyed all the way by different shapes. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village in about 1/2 hrs trek and crosses the river and continues north climbing up 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 Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chaile at 3030 Mt. From here the culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo. 

From Chele the trail climbs up to the Chele La (3630m) (pass). After crossing the ridge from Chele La the trail enters a large sided valley and descends to Samar (3620m) where you will have views of the distant Annapurna Himal dominated by Nil Giri. The trail climbs up to the Bhena La (3830m) and to Bhena (3860m). Climbing to another pass, the Yamdo La (4010m), you will descend steeply following a ridge to Shyangmochen (3800m). 

Turning west from Geling, climbing gently through the fields, passing below Tama Gaon and turning north you will reach Nyi La (4020m). The trail then drops steeply to Ghemi (3510m), a large village surrounded by many fields busy with the activity of the local people working this arid landscape. From Ghemi the trail first descends and then climbs a rocky path to Choya la (3870m). Making a gentle descent the trail reaches to Tsarang.

The trail descends from Charang, crosses the Charang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail, then enters the Tholung valley. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the LoLa (3950m) where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo Manthang where you will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important chortens. 

This day will be spent in this mystical and isolated city. You will awake to the mystical sounds of monks chanting and the heady sent of temple candles. After having breakfast you will visit the four major temples within the city walls. The major attraction of this area is the three storey’s Jampa Lhakhang, the red Thubchen gompa with a massive assembly hall, Chodey gompa and Choprang gompa. After visiting the temples you will take a walk to visit the ACAP office and to Tarchun Gurung’s shop where you can climb up to the roof for a view of the town, and buy a memento to take away with you. Return back to Lo Manthang Camp. 

Again you spend another day in Lo Manthang getting to know the place and getting an insight into how the people live in this remote and arid landscape. After having breakfast you will visit the raja’s Place which is an imposing four storey building in the centre of the city. Then you will hire a horse to visit some other villages in this area where you will observe the local culture, life style, tradition and warm heartedness of these people. Return back to Lo Manthang Camp. 

We begin our walk to Yara Pass after having breakfast. Today we will cross Yara Pass at 4300m. It takes about 7 hours to measure the footsteps from Lo Manthang to Yara.

This day we will stay at Yara to acclimatize with the altitude and will visit to Yara Gompa in the afternoon. We will also plan for the onward destinations. 

The trail goes along the river for about 2 hours and then crosses the river to Damodar Kunda, one of the sacred lakes. There is no bridge on the river so we need to walk across in bare feet. After crossing the river, the trail climbs high above a pass at 3850 meters. The trail goes through a grassless, treeless bare hill. After the pass, the trail drops directly to Tange at an elevation of 3500m. Tange is a small village of about 30 houses but most of the houses are attached to each other. On the rooftops one can see piles of dry wood, which reflects the families’ prosperity. 

A long way with a lot of ups and downs ascending to the village Chusang (2.900 m), which is situated at the mouth of the Narshing in the Mustang Khola river. About 8 hrs walking time and fantastic views of the opposite trail, the Daulagiri range and a bizarre canyon lie behind us.

From Chusang we will proceed to the side valley of the Narshing Khola to Tetang (2.950 m) and ascend a basin situated below the Dzong La (aprox. 4 hrs). Then we will have lunch. After lunch we cross the Dzong La (4.050 m) and descend in about 4 hrs to Muktinath, a place famous with pilgrims. 

Today we descend via Jharkot to Kagbeni and go back through the wide and stony valley of Kali Gandaki back to Jomson. After 5 hrs we will reach the last point of our trekking and will accommodate us in a nice lodge near the runway. The rest of the day we will relax and say goodbye to our crew. 

The flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is 20 minutes. In Pokhara, you can shop or relax at the hotel. 

This day is for you to do personal activities. You may book optional sightseeing and excursion through us.

It takes about five hours drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara. The higway follows the Trisuli River, you follow its junction with the Marsyangdi River. On reaching, check in to the hotel. 

This day is to enjoy your stay at Kathmandu. You will have a complete day to spend as per your interest. This day you may roam around the local markets and lake area for shopping and any other personal activities. 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for onward journey.