Mustang Trekking - 18 Nights 19 Days

Max. altitude: 4300 mtrs
Grade: 'B+'
Minimum group size : 2
Departures. Throughout the year.

Overview:

The tour begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom via the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara. We commence our trek in Jomosom (lower Mustang) passing along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River towards Kagbeni. On route to Lo Manthang in upper Mustang we pass through the extraordinary village of Tsarang. In this village (around 800 years old) a set of human hands, said to belong to the site's master builder, still remain. According to legend, the king cut the builder's hands off to prevent him from constructing any other place to rival it.

The forbidden Kingdom
Situated North of the Annapurna Himal on the Tibetan border, Mustang is a rugged mysterious arid and haunting wilderness region set amid a lunar landscape of wind eroded hills and cliffs.

A Kingdom within a Kingdom, Mustang's wealth was derived from its position on the Kali Gandaki / Thak Khola trade route to Tibet, the region still retains its own King.

Forbidden to foreigners until 1992 Mustang remains a controlled region which very few people visit, a deliberate policy of cultural and environmental preservation. Our destination is the exotic walled city of Lo Manthang the seat of the King. The Kings Palace is surrounded by a maize of gompas and private houses all enshrined within the city boundary walls. Unmolested Mustang is frozen in time it remains one of the ultimate journeys ever likely to be made in one lifetime. The trek allows us to visit all the major villages on route.

Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu
Our staff will meet your flight and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Your guide is available to help with anything from last minute equipment advice or rental to helping confirm return flights, handling problems with luggage or suggesting places to see, shop or eat in Kathmandu. There will be a late afternoon briefing session at which time our senior staff will explain arrangements, logistics and schedules for the coming trek. At an evening "get acquainted dinner" you will get to know your staff and your fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2 : Kathmandu
An extra day in Kathmandu is very helpful for overcoming jet-lag, acquiring necessary permits and beginning your appreciation for the Nepali culture and customs. We include a tour by vehicle of Kathmandu and surrounding sites including Swayambhunath, Boddhanath, Patan, and the Old Bazaar. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore. (B)

Day 3 : Kathmandu/Pokhara
In the morning, take flight to Pokhara where your afternoon is free to explore the Phewa Tal lakeside area or visit the Tibetan refugee camp at Hyenga. Overnight in local hotel by the lake. (B)

Day 4 : Pokhara/Jomsom (flight)
Catch an early morning flight to Jomsom (8,900') that takes you up through the Kali Gandaki gorge between the towering snow-capped peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna rising thousands of feet above. This makes for truly one of the world's most spectacular flights! Upon arrival in Jomsom, you'll meet the rest of your staff for lunch. Overnight in Jomsom Base Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Jomsom/Kagbeni
This is an easy half day of trekking to Kagbeni, along the Kali Gandaki River Valley towards Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted zone of Mustang. The strong afternoon winds that blow up the Kali Gandaki will be at your back, so you will want to bring along adequate protection to keep the dust out of your packs and cameras. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Kagbeni/Chele (4)
From Jomsom to Tangbe the trail winds along the east riverbank and occasionally ventures out into the rocky river bed. Be on the lookout for black ammonites, small fossils of coiled sea mollusks that inhabited the Tethys Sea, once covering the Tibetan plateau millions of years before the Himalayas were formed. On the lower side of Tangbe, you will see three elegant chortens and the remnants of an old abandoned fort. In September, the surrounding apple orchards will provide a bountiful supply of delicious fruit. In the dry season, it is possible to trek this entire route up the river along the sand and gravel of the riverbed. Overnight camp in Chele. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Chele/Geling (4)
The climb from Chele is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3,130 meters. Here there is view of the village of Gyagar across a huge canyon. A long wall of packed earth encircles Gyagar and its field. Your climb continues along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rocks at 3,540 meters. Here, the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chorten on a ridge, then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samer. Climb above Samer to a ridge, descending into a large gorge past chorten painted in red, black, yellow and white. Along the way, the Annapurna Himal is still visible far to the south. From here you will descend to Geling with its extensive field of barley at 3,600 meters. Overnight camp in Geling. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Geling/Charang (6)
From Geling, the trail climbs gently through fields up the center of the valley, passing below the settlement of Tama Gaun and an imposing chortens. It rejoins the direct trail becoming an unrelenting climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass at 3,950 meters, the highest point reached on the trek. Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls at the top of the large Charang Cho Canyon. The huge five story white dzong and red gompa are perched on the edge of the Kali Gandagi gorge on the east end of the valley. Near the Gompa is the house of Maya Bista which, if you have the nerve to get past the ferocious mastiff at the door, doubles as a hotel and restaurant. The village has its own electricity system. Overnight in Charang. (B,L,D)

Day 9 : Charang/Lo Manthang (4)
The trail descends about 100 meters from Charang, crossing the Charang Chu climbing steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village at 3,580 meters, entering the Thulung Valley. The trail turns north and climbs gently as the valley climbs to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. Still climbing, the trail crosses a stream then becomes a grand wide thoroughfare, traveling across a desert-like landscape painted in every hue of grey and yellow. Finally, from a ridge at 3,850 meters, there is a view of your destination for the night, the walled city of Lo. (B,L,D)

Day 10 : Lo Manthang
There are four major temples within the city walls of Lo Manthang. Each of these buildings is locked. The villagers feel it is necessary to control access to the temples, so the caretaker and the keys are available only at certain times. Usually after a bit of negotiation you are able to enter one of the Gompas. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - 12 : Lo Manthang
There is a lot to do in Lo Manthang, besides visiting the Gompas. Spend these two days exploring at your own pace. You may want to consider renting a horse to visit some of the other villages in the area. (2B,2L,2D)

Day 13 : Lo Manthang/Ghemi (via Lo Gekar)
You have the opportunity to vary your return route and visit two villages that you did not see on the trek northwards. From Lo Manthang, the trail to Charang heads south. To reach Lo Gekar, you turn east along an indistinct trail that passes the irrigated fields of the city. The trail to Lo Gekar is not a main trading route and the area is crisscrossed with herders trails, so your local guide is particularly useful here. The trail climbs steadily to a pass marked by cairn, offering a final glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail contours across the head of the valley, crossing another ridge before dropping into another large desolate valley. After descending to the valley floor, the route heads across two more valleys to an indistinct pass. Cross the pass to some meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent down ravine to a grassy valley where Lo Gekar is situated within in a group of large trees nearby a stream. Lo Gekar ( Which means 'Pure Virtue of Lo") is also known as Ghar Gompa, or "House Temple". (B,L,D)

Day 14 : Ghemi/Samar
From Ghemi, follow the direct route to Nyi La, climbing to a cairn of a ridge before contouring upwards to meet the trail from Charang. Continue to the pass and descend steeply to the Geling Valley. Follow the trail that bypasses Geling to an isolated tea house and descend gently to the three houses of Tama Gaun. A steep set of switch backs leads you to a Geling trail near the ridge, just below a chorten. The remainder of the day is on previously traveled trails back to Samar. (B,L,D)

Day 15 : Samar/Kagbeni
Retrace the trail upwards, returning to Kali Gandaki and down stream, ending in Kagbeni for your overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 16 : Kagbeni/Jomsom
Return to Jomsom by way of Kagbeni. (B)

Day 17 : Jomsom/Kathmandu (via Pokhara)
Depart early in the morning (by flight) to Pokhara, and then continue on to Kathmandu. (B)

Day 18 : Kathmandu
This last day is open for pursuing your own interests. Assistance in shopping or sight seeing will be available. Many travelers also choose to take an Everest mountain view flight at this time. (optional, at extra cost) (B)

Day 19 : Kathmandu/Onward
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or continue your travels with an extension in Nepal.