Mustang is the hinterland enriched with mainly barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and Moraine valleys. Its landscape is unrivaled for it has a stupendous wilderness, pristine scenery, snow capped peaks, spectacular 16th century monasteries and many other unique attractions. The view of wind swept Kali-Gandaki valley, vast spaces around Kagbeni and vast ridges that straggle high mountains provide a mind-blowing experience.
Nepal’s Mustang region preserves a life almost unchanged for centuries. It lies hidden behind the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna at the very roof of Asia on the arid Tibetan plateau. It has long been isolated from the outside world (and only opened to trekking groups since 1992!). As you make your way through this secluded land, you’ll pass brightly painted chortens (Buddhist shrines) and tiny villages guarded by enormous monasteries. Vistas include unusual and arresting views of the snow-covered Himalaya to the south, and desolate high plateaus, deep canyons, and an ocean of windswept hills the colors of a desert sunset to the north. Once at the walled capital city of Lo Manthang, you’ll absorb a great sense of timelessness and appreciation for an ancient culture as you discover the ruins of old forts, monasteries rich in art and history, and caves complete with magnificent religious statues.
Mustang is the old kingdom of Lo. Actually the capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom, but the real Tibetan style district lies north of Kagbeni and is usually referred to as Upper Mustang. The real capital, Lo Manthang, where the present king lives, is a fantastic square-walled town sitting on the ‘Plain of Prayers’. The small kingdom of Mustang, closed to westerners until 1992, is an enchanting land of windswept vistas, red walled monasteries and feudal towns. This tiny kingdom was not only a major corridor of trade from the 1400's to before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but also figured importantly into early Buddhism in Tibet. Local legend tells the tale of the great founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, who before building Samye (the oldest monastery in Tibet) came to Mustang to stand guard against and do battle with the evil powers out to destroy Buddhism. The temple of Lo Gekhar, in eastern Mustang, was built by Padmasambhava after his triumphant battle and still stands guard today.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
15
Days
Type of Trek :
Camping
Max Altitude:
3795 m.
Minimum Pax:
2 +
Mode of travel:
Flight/Land Transportation
Grade:
Strenous
Detailed Itinerary
Day
1
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about six hours. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to explore the various sites of Pokhara. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day
2
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m.) takes about 25 minutes and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810 m.) takes another four hours. You take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom. 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, while to the south can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
3
Trek from Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900m.) 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. Chusang village is only about a 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
4
Trek from Chuksang to Samar (3150m.) takes about three and half hours. 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. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
5
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. 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 camp.
Day
6
Trek from Geling to Ghami (3490 m.) via Ghami La (3520m.) 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, you 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 camp.
Day
7
Trek fram Ghami to Tsarang (36200 m.) takes about five hours. Today's walk is perhaps through the driest part of Mustang. 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 is a huge dzong [fortress] and a red gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
8
Trek from Tsarang to Lo-Manthang [Mustang] (3730m.) 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 camp.
Day
9
Rest at Lo-Manthang. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
10
Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghami (3490 m.) 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. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
11
Trek from Ghami to Samar takes about six hours. Leaving Ghami you begin to follow a narrow winding path until you reach Geling, crossing a small stream. Samar is a small village with terraces, Tibetan style houses, mani walls, a monastery, prayer flags and people following Tibetan life styles and traditions. Stay overnight in camp.
Day
12
Trek from Samar to Kagbeni takes about seven hours. Following a descending path you reach Chuksang by 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 camp.
Day
13
Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2713m.) takes about three hours. Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through Eklebhatti. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang. From here you have access to the internet and banking facilities. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day
14
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 35 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Day
15
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about six hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first cable car is operated to reach Manakamana Temple.
The
price includes the following 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
Flight tickets from Pokhara to Jomsom and from Jomsom to Pokhara
Airport tax at Pokhara airport and Jomsom airport
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 staff
First Aid kits..
Rescue assistance
Airport pick-up and drop off services
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: We can arrange your hotel accommodation as per your interest & budget.
Mustang is the hinterland enriched with mainly barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and Moraine valleys. Its landscape is unrivaled for it has a stupendous wilderness, pristine scenery, snow capped peaks, spectacular 16th century monasteries and many other unique attractions. The view of wind swept Kali-Gandaki valley, vast spaces around Kagbeni and vast ridges that straggle high mountains provide a mind-blowing experience. 
