Upper Mustang cultural trek + Kathmandu(15+4=19 days)

Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

City sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley. (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Patan). Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (915m.) takes about seven hours. This road is newly paved and is now one of the finest in Nepal! Immediately, you head up as you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, which you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyandi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti Gandaki River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful city with pleasant weather. It is well renowned as a paradise for tourists. This city is full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves and temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with a vast array of beautiful mountains. As you approach the city, there are wonderful views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon for a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake, shopping in the markets and shops, or just relaxing with a drink on the shores of the lake. Stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

Trek from Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900m.) takes about five hours. You trek right up the river valley, but you use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and Tibet. On the west bank of the river are some caves and Gompa Kang. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang which are of the Sakyapa sect, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. You stop for lunch at the village of Tangbe, where you come across the first black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The little town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys among white washed houses, fields of buck wheat and barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chusang village is only about a 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. There are three separate parts to this village and some ruined castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river from Chusang are some spectacular red organe pipe eroded cliffs above the mouths of some inaccessible caves. Stay overnight at camp in Chuksang.

Trek from Chuksang to Samar (3150m.) takes about three and half hours. There is a distinct change here, not only in the topography, but also in the culture, lifestyle and people, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic. The people of Lo or Mustang do practice agriculture, but because of the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land, scattering the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north, you reach a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the river flows. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of the tunnel and north of here the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable on foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky alley to the village of Chele. Watch out here for the ferocious Tibetan mastiffs which are chained to many of the houses. From Chele you climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees. This is a major stopping place for horse and mule caravans. Stay overnight at camp in Samar.

Trek from Samar to Geling (3510 m.) takes about five hours. You climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. You then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, you descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites which have formed in the shape of chortens and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and you enter another huge valley before descending to Geling with its extensive fields of barley. As in all the settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre-painted houses are constructed using mud and stones, with roofs made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles. Stay overnight at camp in Geiling.

Trek from Geling to Ghami (3490 m.) via Ghami La (3520m.) takes about five hours. From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields, up the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. You then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs. Stay overnight at camp in Ghami.

Rest at Lo-Manthang. Stay overnight in camp.

Trek from Ghami to Samar takes about six hours. Leaving Ghami you begin to follow narrow winding path until you reach Geling crossing a small stream. On the way you can enjoy good view of the Nilgiri Mountains, deserted landscapes, Tibetan style villages, farming terraces and natural vegetation. From Geling the path turns broader till Samar passing deserted landscapes, natural vegetation, plateau, Tibetan style houses, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags and observe the distinct culture of the local inhabitants. Samar is a small village with terraces, Tibetan style houses, mani walls, monastery, prayer flags and here you find people following Tibetan life styles and traditions.
Stay overnight Samar.

Trek from Samar to Kagbeni takes about seven hours. Following a descending path you reach Chuksang crossing a suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki. Now you walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki with views of natural vegetation, apple orchards and there is a chance to find fossils. Stay overnight at camp in Kagbeni.

Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2713m.) takes about three hours.
Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through Eklebhatti. The trail is windy in the early afternoons. The river flows through a broader course. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang and it is split into two towns and between these two towns passes through the Kali Gandaki River. There is an access to the internet and banking facilities found here. From Jomsom, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. Stay overnight at hotel in Jomsom.

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. A strong breeze blows during the afternoons and frequent changes in weather patterns prevent the flight from landing and take off in the afternoon. During flights in the morning, the sky looks very clear which gives you the chance to enjoy splendid views of different mountain peaks. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach the Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people engaged in their daily chores. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, gateway to the capital city of Kathmandu. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.