Mustang

Overview

Mustang is a region located in the northeast of Nepal. It is a historic territory whose capital is Lo-Mathang. The kingdom of Mustang had been closed to foreigners for a long time, now it is one of the top 10 treks to do absolutely in Nepal which was opened in from 1992AD for the foreigners. In the beginning, only a few hundred visitors were allowed per year. Trekking in an unknown Mustang with centuries-old Tibetan culture and rich in colors and encounters to the local people and their daily life style.

The Mustang region, located in the North West of Nepal, offers a dazzling trek through these contrasting landscapes composed of arid and desert lands, surrounded by snow-capped peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs who are more than 8000m. Going up the Kali Gandaki River, we will gradually cross 4 culminating passes at more than 4000m for a slow acclimatization and we will marvel at the authenticity of the villages, Buddhist Gompas (monastery) and Chortens, but also facing the grandeur of the Himalayan landscapes of this Tibetan enclave. In addition to the comfort of a solid accommodation during nights in lodge or homestay, you will discover the warm and generous welcome of the “Lo-Ba”, Tibetan ethnic group.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 2 Kathmandu – Pokhara

Day 3 Pokhara / Jomsom flight and walk to Kagbeni (2810m)

Day 4 Kagbeni (2,800 m) – Chaili (3,060 m) – Samar (3,660 m)

Day 5 Samar (3,660 m) - Geling (3,570 m)

Day 6 Geling (3,500 m) - Drakmar (3,860 m)

Day 7 Drakmar (3,860 m) - Tsarang (3,550 m) by Lo Gekar

Day 8 Tsarang (3,550 m) - Lo Mantang (3,780 m)

Day 9 North of Lo Mantang – Chhoser (3,780 m)

Day 10 Lo Mantang (3,780 m) - Yara (3,600 m)

Day 11 Yara (3,600 m) - Luri - Yara (3,600 m)

Day 12 Yara (3,600 m) - Tange (3,060 m)

Day 13 Tange (3,060 m) - Tsuksang (2,965 m)

Day 14 Tsuksang (2,965 m) - Musktinath (3,760 m) - Jomosom (2,720 m)

Day 15 Flight Jomsom - Pokhara early in the morning and flight to Kathmandu

Day 16 Free day in Kathmandu

Day 17 Free time until transfer to the airport

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
You will be welcomed by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Briefing and presentation of the stay, installation in the rooms. If you arrive early in the morning, rest day or possibility to freely visit some sites for the wisher.

Day 2 Kathmandu – Pokhara
After having in the hotel Breakfast depart to Pokhara by road. This journey will allow you to discover the Kathmandu Valley, crossing the green rice fields and soaking up local life along the way. Stroll by the lake at the end of the day in the peaceful town of Pokhara.

Day 3 Pokhara / Jomsom flight and walk to Kagbeni
We are supposed to be at the airport early in the morning, because aircraft fly only in the morning to avoid bad weather in the afternoon. We fly in between two huge massifs Annapurna and Dhaulagiri (who are above 8000, to reach) Jomsom. We meet our team and start our hike. We follow one of the holy river Kali Gandaki. the track can be little bit dusty since some part of the path follow the road which join Kagbeni, the gates of Mustang.

Day 4 Kagbeni – Chaili – Samar
After check in our permits at the check point we leave rout of the classic Annapurna round to enter Upper Mustang. Our path will be dusty since the road construction is nearly finished and frequented by vehicles, so we will take a jeep to the Chhusang from where we start today’s hiking. The road runs along Kali Gandaki and passes through the village of Tangbe and near by a big green apple farmland. After crossing the Kali Gandaki we attack an ascend to a beautiful Tibetan villages Chaile and Gyager. End of the day will be in the beautiful village of Samar lined with Himalayan poplars.

Day 5 Samar - Geling
After having breakfast with sunshine, we take walking trail below the road to join the Chungsi cave which was a place of meditation of Padmasambhava in 7th century. Having visited the cave we follow the left gorge to join our lunch place Syanboche. Then Climb up to a small pass with a beautiful view of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range and descend towards Geling. Visit the green village of Geling, a beautiful oasis.

Day 6 Geling - Drakmar
It is a special day for that you are crossing your first pass above 4000m. So we will Ascent to Karki La pass (4075 m) with the sunshine. From the pass we are going to descend to Ghemi (3,545 m), with its white houses pressed against each other at the edge of the deep canyon of Tsarang Chu. This will be our lunch. Visit this beautiful village with windows decorated in red, green, and black. Gompa. Other side of Ghami we see ruins of the old Ghemi, abandoned for lack of water, merge with the very cut ocher cliffs. Ascent to the village of Drakmar at the foot of the red cliffs at 3,860m. we are going to pass a long Mani walls which is most probably longest Mani wall of the Nepal.

Day 7 Drakmar (3,860 m) - Tsarang (3,550 m) by Lo Gekar
You are going to leave a beautiful and quite village and amazing red cliffs of Drakmar. After climb up to the huge plateau you will have superb and really breathtaking view of the Annapurna and the Mustang where you will feel absolute peace and harmony. After having such an incredible moment we follow the plateau to get your second pass above 4000m. Arrival at the very old monastery of Lo Gekar (or Ghar Gompa), during preparation our lunch in a small Gompa’s canteen, we are going to visit the monastery where all the walls are field with admirable sculptures of Panchadhyani Buddhain stone plates.

Day 8 Tsarang - Lo Mantang
Walk along the cliffs in a desert landscape. At the top of a pass appears Lo Mantang the capital city of Mustang which fortified city sheltering the palace of the king and three important monasteries. After crossing your third pass above 4000m in the descending into the vast plain of Lo Mantang. The fortified city appears in the distance.

Day 9 North of Lo Mantang – Chhoser
Today we are going to discover another mysterious Choeser Valley towards Tibet. The monasteries of Niphu and Garphu and a troglodyte cave. The serenity of the place, the beauty of the site rewards the trying march. Back to Lo-Manthang.

Day 10 Lo Mantang - Yara
You are going to leave the capital city with incredible memories and heart touching moments, after Climb to a 3,910 m pass on the road to Tsarang, you will have last tear dropping panoramic scene of Lo-Manthang. Then saying bye-bye to the city and the valley, path on the left in gentle slope which becomes rather dizzying and narrow. Passage from a second pass (your fourth above) to 4,200 m. long steep descent of around 2h to Dhi, (3,410 m). You are going to make a Lunch break in this beautiful village on the edge of the Mustang Khola.you can see Peach and apricot orchards. Crossing the river on a bridge you will catch another river which Puyan. The path overlooks the river, while walking on the river bed you can find many fossils (Shaligram). At right the cliffs we leave the Puyan River and climb to Yara.

Day 11 Yara - Luri - Yara
This is a day for the excursion to wards Luri cave monastery, we are following Puyan Khola to be in the Luri that going to be 2 hours of walking in the bed of the river. Climb to the Lori monastery hanging in the cliffs inside the caves, where an old Lama lives. It is reached to the monastery you are supposed to take a ladder. The first cave shelters statues of Padmasambara (Guru Rimpochhe). The second is occupied by a magnificent stupa. Ceiling painted with original patterns. After visiting the cave monastery we take a path to Ghara village where we make a lunch break. The Yara village is just 45 minutes down form there.

Day 12 Yara - Tange
After taking breakfast in sunshine w climb on the huge plateau facing Yara then walking an hour along the plateau we have very steep descent on the Dhye River in the bed of which we find the most beautiful fossils. Then we climb up to a small pass. We have several hours of ups and down walking to get Tange which is a small village with white houses grouped under an organ pipe cliff at 3,060 m. The village is decorated with outstanding cultivated terraces and Beautiful groups of Buddhist monuments (Chörtens).

Day 13 Tange - Tsuksang
Today we have to depart very early in the morning from Tange for a long stage. Crossing the Tange River and very steep climb for 4 hours to reach a Paha pass at 4170 m offering beautiful views to the north on the Mustang, the basin of Lo Mantang and to the south, on the Dhaulagiri. We descent to a source at 4000m. For lunch break. Here we have to take (fill your bottles) enough water for rest of the day because there is no any water source before the village Tsuksang. After lunch, cross another passes at 4200m. Which is the highest point of our trip. From there, fantastic view of a chain of cliffs below which look like fairy tale castles. In the distance the Thorong Pass and Muktinath. Then a descent first easy then abrupt to the village of Tsuksang at 2,965 m, on the edge of the Kali Gandaki.

Day 14 Tsuksang - Musktinath - Jomosom
This is our last day of walking last pass to pass at 4,100m as we head due east to reach the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath. This is where the Annapurna Tour hikers arrive after crossing the Thorong La pass (5416m). Visit the magnificent and impressive site before we descend by jeep to Jomosom for the night. One hour jeep transfer (22 km) to Jomsom.

Day 15 Flight Jomsom - Pokhara early in the morning and flight to Kathmandu
After a breakfast in Jomsom, we will move to Pokhara, an then catch a flight back to the Capital city, Kathmandu.

Day 16 Free day in Kathmandu
This day is your day, you can use as you wish, shopping, hang out in the streets etc.

Day 17 Free time until transfer to the airport
Last formalities of departure and drop to the Airport.

Date & Cost

Trips Dates	Trip Cost	Trip Status

What's Included

Included In The Cost

- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
- An experienced, government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation
- Agency’s trekking bag/duffel bag, t-shirt and trekking map are yours to take
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes

Not Included In The Cost

- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)

Equipments

Important documents and items
- Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
- Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
- Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash to pay for Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
- Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.
Head
- Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty and windy conditions
- Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Prescription sunglasses (if required)
Upper Body
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket
- Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
Hands
- 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
- 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
- 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)
Lower Body
- Non-cotton underwear briefs
- 1 pair of Hiking shorts
- 1 pair of Hiking trousers
- 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
- 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
- 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Feet
- 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
- Cotton socks (optional)
- Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version
- 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
- 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
- 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
Sleeping
- 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
- Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
Rucksack and Travel Bags
- 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
- 1 large duffel bag *
- A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
- Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
- 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
Medical
- Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
- Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
- 1 skin-blister repair kit
- Anti-diarrhea pills
- Anti-headache pills
- Cough and/or cold medicine
- Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
- Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
- Water purification tablets or water filter
- 1 set of earplugs
- Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
Practical Items
- 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
- 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
- 1 compass or GPS(optional)
- 1 alarm clock/watch
- camera with extra cards and batteries
- large Ziplocs
- 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
- 1 small folding knife
- Binoculars (optional)
Toiletries
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Anti UV sun block cream
- Female hygiene products
- Small mirror
- 1 medium-sized quick drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
Personal Hygiene
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
Extras/Luxuries
- Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
- Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
- Lightweight pillow case (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow
- Reading book
- Trail map*
- Journal and pen
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)
- 1 modest swim suit
- Binoculars (optional)

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100% Satisfaction

Max-Altitude: 3,780 metres
Destination: Mustang
Arrival on: Kathmandu
Departure from: Kathmandu
Meals: Authentic Nepali cuisine, common international cuisines like Indian, Italian, Continental
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in the city; teahouses and lodges during the trek