Upper Mustang Trek

Upper mustang trekking takes you to the Trans Himalayan zone behind Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif. Trek offers some of the most spectacular view of the mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri. Upper mustang trek is idyllic for one who wish to take a challenge of trekking through off the beaten trekking trail in Trans Himalayan region of Nepal. 

Highlights of the trek are exploring the ancient Tibetan culture, tradition, dance, festival, Ancient Buddhist shrines (monasteries), visiting the walled kingdom of Lo- Manthang which dates back to 13th century which reveals the prosperity and rich culture of those Tibetan people in Mustang. Upper Mustang trekking is remote and forbidden trekking destination in Nepal. In mustang you will still find polyandry practice where all the brothers of family are married to single girl. Another major attraction of the Upper mustang trek is Tiji festival which is celebrated at the end of dry season and luckily falls on our trekking time in Mustang.

Upper Mustang trekking starts from Jomsom after you take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. From Jomsom you will trek through the trail which was once salt trading route between Tibet and Nepal. Following the Kaligandaki river gorge along ancient Trans Himalayan salt trading route you will reach the village of Kagbeni.   The village is beautiful with windswept relics made of rocks eroded by the wind. Passing through the apple farm, fields of barley, buck wheat and wheat, scenic places, juniper and willow trees, and passing through several villages like Chele, Syanbochen, Ghaymi, Charang you will reach the walled city of Lo-Manthang. There you will visit Kings Palace, old monasteries which are the major attraction of Lo-mathang. The place is surrounded by spectacular mountains. You will then trek back to jomsom through villages like Dhakmar, Ghiling and Chhuksang. In Dhakmar you will visit a 1200 years old monastery which is famous for its rock painting. It is believed that whoever visit this gompa and wish for anything his wish comes true.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu (1,400 m) Arrival Day

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing day

Day 03: Drive 211 km or Fly to Pokhara (835 m).~ 30 minutes in flight, Drive 6-7 hours

Day 04: Early flight to Jomsom (2,720 m), trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m).~ 25 minutes flight and 3 hours trek

Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,060 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 06: Trek to Syanboche (3,500 m).~ 6-7 hours

Day 07: Trek to Ghami (3,520 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 08: Trek to Charang (3,500 m).~ 4-5 hours

Day 09: Trek to Lo Mangthang (3,700 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 10: Excursion in Lo Mangthang.

Day 11: Trek to Dhakmar (3,810 m).~ 6-7 hours 

Day 12: Trek to Ghiling (3,860 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 13: Trek to Chhuksang (3050 m).~5-6 hours

Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2,720 m).~ 6-7 hours

Day 15: Fly to Pokhara and drive to Kathmandu (1,400 m).

Day 16: Departure day

More Information

Meals:
When you travel to the new place for your holiday, food is most concern part of travel. While, traveling with Yarsa treks, you can experience the delightful cuisine of typical Nepali food, continental food, Italian food, Chinese food and different international cuisine. You will be suggested by your guide for good food during your trip. During the trek do not order many dishes and waste food, they have to cater more trekkers before they run off stuck. It is very hard and takes week or more for caravan and porter to brings the food in these places. You will take lunch in route side, breakfast and dinner will arrange in the same lodge/Tea house.

Drinking Water:
During the trek you can get the bottled water but it is hard to dispose plastic and it will be the big problem for environment. We will provide purified mineral water during trek. In tea house you can get bottle water and mineral water in additional cost. It will better to drink mineral water rather than bottled water.

Accommodations:
We provide you best touristic hotel in Kathmandu/Pokhara with best location. During the trek tea house is main accommodation for trekkers. A tea house is combination of lodge and restaurant. In the tea house lodge are fairly basic, some tea house you can get separate room but in the high altitude rooms are spare with two beds with blanket and little additional furniture.  There will be large dining room where you can get the warm by Bukhara stove. In the tea house there will be the solar electricity but these days most of the tea houses have electricity for charge Camera, Mobile phones and other small appliances.

Things to take:
This is very active trip we can’t stay in same place. You can take very light and necessary things. You will get porter he will carry 30 kg it means 2 trekkers=1 porter. Porters are allowed to carry 30 kg of your stuff. Porter will carry your necessary stuff in duffel bag.

Altitude Map & Route Map:
Yarsa Treks will provide you complete route map and altitude map. At the end of the trip we will provide you Yarsa Treks T-shirt for the memory of trekking with us.

Health & Fitness:
These treks are some of moderate and some of strenuous, passionate trekkers should have ability to walk for 4-7 hours a day. Trekking to the high altitude is more challenging than the low altitude. To complete the trip we have good health, average physical fitness, passionate, confidence, determination and positive attitude. If you have past hiking experience or exercising habits it will be the better for your trek. If you have pre-existing health problem such as lung, heart and other diseases it is better to consult with your doctor or inform Yarsa treks before booking the trip.

Suitable Time to Trek:
For Trekking to the high altitude we should concern about the weather condition. Autumn (Sept-Nov) and spring (March-May) is the best season for trekking in Himalayas. Trekking in summer and Monsoon (June-Aug) is affected by rain. You can also trek in winter but tempters could be most harsh for most trekkers.

Trip Dates/Cost:
Check available start date in our site and for cost please contact us for your departure date.

Important notes:
If you’re confused to pack up your necessary things just see in the check list tab. Bring light and necessary things. You will need medium size bag to carry your daily usable stuff. The weather is subject to change in high altitude so layered clothing is recommended throughout the trek.

Note: We can customize trip as possible client’s time frame. We are delighted to take you Himalayan region according to the itinerary.

Day 01: Welcome to Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Upon your arrival we assist you from Kathmandu airport to hotel. After getting rest and refreshed we will arrange Nepal dinner with cultural show and rest overnight.

Day 02: Full sightseeing day in Kathmandu valley.
Today we provide you a short tour over Kathmandu valley to visit the world heritage sites and sightseeing spots Hindus holy temple Pashupatinath , Boudhanath,  Swayambhunath and darbar squares. Prepare for the trek and rest overnight.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (835 m).
Today early in the morning we drive for 6-7hours from Kathmandu to Pokhara (900m). we drive to Pokhara from Prithivi highway along the Trishuli river which is very famous for rafting. Turn south from Mungling. Next after few hours we will be city of lake Pokhara. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 04: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m).
Today early morning fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and then trek for 3-4hours till Kagbeni (2,810m).  You will fly from Pokhara to Jomsom with scenery of high Himalayan view and trek 3 hours to ancient stone village Kagbeni which is also the gateway to Mustang. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 05: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3,060 m).
Today we trek from kagbeni walking for 5-6hours all the way to Chele (3,050 m). Today after short brief and breakfast we trek the beautiful natural surrounding following deep Kaligandaki from Kagbeni all the way to Chele (3,060 m). We start trail with the view of Mt Nilgiri and ammo nites (religious stone according to Hindu religions). Dramatic landscape with canyons and wind eroded hills. Next we reach small village Chele and rest overnight.Rest overnight.

Day 06: Trek from Chele to Syanboche (3,500 m).
Today we trek from Chele walking for 6-7hours all the way to Syanboche (3,500 m). Trails starts with climb and descend, we can get the farming fields of rice and buckwheat. On the way we can get panoramic view of Annapurna range, Tilicho peak, Nilgiri and many other peaks. Next we will reach Syangboche Rest overnight.

Day 07: Trek from Syangboche to Ghami (3,520 m).
Today early in the morning we start our trek walking for 5-6hours from Syanboche all the way to Ghami (3,520 m). We start trail climbing to small pass; here we get two trails. We move to the Nyi La Pass (4010 m); from here we can get magnificent view of Annapurna range, Tilicho peak, Nilgiri himal, and other many peaks. After magnificent view trail descend to largest village of Lo region Ghami village. Rest overnight.

Day 08: Trek from Ghami to Charang (3,500 m).
Today we trek from Ghaymi walking for 4-5hours all the way to Charanag (3,500 m). Our trail starts walk and crosses the Ghami River. After crossing river trail climbs to plateau and passes the long Mani wall. After Mani wall trail moves to uphill to Choya La Pass (3870 m) descend and flat walk to Charang; here we can see willow trees, maze field, separated house by stones, chortens gate and Red Gompa with library in Lo(old palace) Rest overnight.

Day 09: Trek from Charang to Lo-Manthang (3,700 m).
Today we trek from Charnag walking for 5-6hours all the way to Lo Mangthang (3,700 m). Our trail starts with the view of Bhrikuti peak, tilicho peak, Nilgiri peak and Annapurna range. Next trail drops to Charang Khola and climb steeply to windy pass of Lo (3,950 m) from here we can get the view of Lo-Manthang valley. Lastly descend to Lo-Manthang with the view of walled village and hills on the Tibetan border. Rest overnight.

Day 10: Excursion day in Lo-Manthang.
Today we explore Lo Mangthang. Visit local sightseeing spot, old monasteries and fascinating surrounded panoramic view of gigantic mountains. Here we can explore 14th century palace in the center of Lo-Manthang, 2500 years old Jhong cave, 4 major old ancient monasteries, summer palace, view2 point to the north side of  Lo-Manthang and if you are here in May you can see the ceremony of  Tiji festival. Rest overnight.

Day 11: Trek from Lo-Manthang to Dhakmar (3,810 m).
Today early in the morning we start our trek from Lo Mangthang walking for 6-7hours all the way to Drakmar (3810 m). We start trail pass cairn on a pass at 4000 m; here we can see the glimpse of Lo-Manthang. Beyond the trail climbs to ridge 4070 m and descend to Charang Khola then climb chortens, cross muddy field of Lo Gekar(3825 m). After climb we will reach Ghar Gompa at the grove of the large tree; which is more than 1200 years old. Gompa is very famous for its rock painting. Next climb to ridge and cross valley to cairn then reach to Mui la (4170 m) and descend to Dhakmar and rest overnight.

Day 12: Trek from Dhakmar to Ghiling (3,860 m).
Today we trek from Drakmar walking for 5-6hours all the way to Ghiling (3,860 m). Today we walk all the way to Gelling village; it is situated near by Jaite. We start trail passing the stone wall and field of Dhakmar village. Climb to the chortens in to the ridge (3710 m). Some up and down will lead us to upper part of Ghami. Next trail pass through Ghami la (3765 m), Nyi La (4,010 m) and descend to Geling/Giling. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 13: Trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang (3,050 m).
Today we trek from Ghiling walking for 5-6hours all the way to Chhuksang (3,050 m). Trail climb up to Syangboche La (3850 m) then gradually descend to Syangboche and fallow the trail through Samar village. From Samar village trail descend through Chele , Kaligandaki and leads to Chhusang. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 14: Trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,720 m).
Today we trek from Chhuksang walking for 6-7hours all the way down to Jomsom. We trek down along the edge of Kaligandaki River through Kagbeni and rest overnight.

Day 15: Fly to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Today we fly an early morning flight back to Pokhara and then drive back 204 km to Kathmandu after lunch. In Kathmandu there will be celebration last night of your journey and rest overnight.

Day 16: Farewell friends.
Today after lunch we assist you to Kathmandu airport for your final departure. There will be small program before your departure.

Cost Include:

• All ground transports in private vehicle including airport transfers.
• All accommodation with breakfast at Tourist standard HOTEL in Kathmandu.
• All trekking permits.
• Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
• Experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
• All national transportation fee.
• First aid medical kit
• Government taxes & office service charge

Cost Exclude:

• Travel insurance
• International airfare
• Nepal entry visa fee
• Extra food and beverage charge.
• Snacks and other personal expenses
• Personal trekking equipment’s
• Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
• Emergency rescue charge.