The Upper Mustang Cultural trek is one of those treks that transports you on an surreal passage of time where you will be fascinated by the unusual landscapes of the wind swept Kali-Gandaki valley, enormous spaces around Kagbeni and ridges.
This trek allows you to explore Nepal’s Mustang region which is nestled between the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. Entry into this region was only permitted after 1992. The Upper Mustang trek gives you the opportunity to explore the old kingdom of Lo. This small kingdom of Mustang is a charming land of 16th century monasteries of vivid colors, ruins of old forts, caves and square-walled town.
The route of the Upper Mustang trek takes you through barren ridges, deep canyons, bare cliffs and moraines, the ancient kingdom of Mustang and snow capped mountain.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
15
Days
Type of Trek :
Tea House/Camping
Max Altitude:
3730 m.
Minimum Pax:
1 +
Mode of travel:
Flight/Land Transportation
Grade:
Strenous
Detailed Itinerary
Day
1
Drive
from Kathmandu to Pokhara (915m.) which
takes about seven hours.. 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.
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.
Day
2
Fly from Pokhara
to Jomsom (2700m.) which takes about 25 minutes
and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810 m.)
which takes another four hours. You take
the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom.
Just out of Jomsom you cross a suspension
bridge and then walk along the riverbank
of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren
with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly
flat, which makes it very easy going. It
is also very picturesque, with views of big
peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche
and Nilgiri, whilst to the south can be seen
the entire Annapurna Massif. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
3
Trek from Kagbeni
to Chuksang (2900m.) which takes about five
hours.
You trek right up to 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 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. Across the
river from Chusang are some spectacular red organe pipe eroded cliffs above the
mouths of some inaccessible caves. Stay overnight in camps.
Day
4
Trek from Chuksang
to Samar (3150m.) which 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
practice agriculture. Lack of rain and fertile
soil, cultivation is carried out in sheltered
plots of land, covering the brown landscape
with patches of green vegetation. 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. The
trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply
up a rocky alley to the village of Chele.
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 in camps.
Day
5
Trek from Samar
to Geling (3510 m.) which 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. The trail
climbs gently from Shyangmochen and you enter
another huge valley before descending to
Geling with its extensive fields of barley.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
6
Trek from Geling
to Ghami (3490 m.) via Ghami La (3520m.)
which takes about five hours. From Geling
the trail climbs gently through fields, up
to 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
in camps.
Day
7
Trek
fram Ghami to Tsarang (3620 m.) which takes
about five hours. Today's walk is through
perhaps the driest part of Mustang. However,
the magnificent views of the countryside,
from the gentle contours of the north to
the rugged mountains in the east and west,
are a source of inspiration. Finally, you
come to Charang, a large spread-out village
at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At
the eastern end of the village are a huge
dzong [fortress] and a red gompa which
houses an excellent collection of statues
and thangkas. Stay overnight in camps.
Day
8
Trek from Tsarang
to Lo-Manthang [Mustang] (3730m.) this takes
about three hours. You will spend part of
the morning exploring the interesting village
of Charang and its large monastery, before
setting out for Lo Manthang. You climb gently
above the valley to a large isolated chorten
that marks the boundary between Charang and
Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually
you get your first view of the walled city
of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance
so you circumambulate the wall to the gate
on the north east corner. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
9
Rest at Lo-Manthang.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
10
Trek from Lo-Manthang
to Ghami (3490 m.) which takes about six
hours.
You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before
dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, you walk
through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami.
We then stay overnight in camps.
Day
11
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 in camps.
Day
12
Trek from Samar
to Kagbeni which takes about seven hours.
Following a descending path you reach Chuksang
crossing a suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki.
You walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki with
views of natural vegetation and apple orchards.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
13
Trek from Kagbeni
to Jomsom (2713m.) which takes about three
hours.
Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through Eklebhatti.
The trail is windy in the early afternoons. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang.
From here you can have access to the internet and banking facilities. Here you
stay overnight at a hotel.
Day
14
Fly from Jomsom
to Pokhara which takes about 35 minutes.
The flights are available during the morning
time. 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.
Day
15
Drive from
Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus
that 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.
No. of Pax.
Normal Price per pax
1 pax
US$ 3050
2 - 5 pax
US$ 1960
6 - 10 pax
US$ 1810
11 and above
US$ 1675
The
price includes the following services:
Airport pick-up and drop off services
Trekking permit
Entry permit fee
Trekking guide
A cook
Necessary porters
Necessary kitchen helpers
Necessary sherpas
All surface transportation to the starting
point and from the ending point of the
trek
All meals three times a day (breakfast,
lunch, dinner, juice, tea, coffee, hot
chocolate, fruits etc.)
Necessary Camping equipment such as
tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet
tent, mattresses, down sleeping bag, down
jacket, cooking utensils, fuel etc.
Camping charges
Necessary insurance for trekking stuff
First Aid kits
Rescue assistance
The
price does not include:
Personal nature expenses such as all kinds of drinks, beverages, etc.
Drinks, beverages, hot shower, etc.
Tips
Hotel
accomodation, meals in Kathmandu
Note:
10% commission for the tour agents/tour operators.
50% discount for a tour leader if there are 10-15 pax
in a group and 100% free for the tour leader if there are 16 and above
pax in a group
The Upper Mustang Cultural trek is one of those treks that transports you on an surreal passage of time where you will be fascinated by the unusual landscapes of the wind swept Kali-Gandaki valley, enormous spaces around Kagbeni and ridges. 
