upper mustang trek (tent)

Until the 1990s, the isolated region of the Kali Gandaki valley known as Upper Mustang was closed to trekkers due to its sensitive location next to the Tibetan border. Today, however, if you can afford the $500 trekking permit, you can venture into this arid and remote region, which is home to a relatively undisturbed Tibetan culture.

Mustang is one of the few places in the world that has long-lived a very close-niche life and that region was, until recently, inaccessible to outsiders. This isolation helped the people of Mustang to maintain their lifestyle and heritage that remained almost unchanged for centuries. Hidden behind the majestic Himalayan ranges of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, Mustang is filled with beautiful trekking zones. Special Area Trekking Permits are required by trekkers when they visit this region and a Liaison Officer still accompanies every trek to Mustang.

Although officially part of Nepal, the Mustang region in the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River is a world unto itself. Long closed to foreigners because of its strategic location on the Tibetan border, Mustang has only been open to trekkers for less than a decade and is closely regulated by the Nepali government. Only organized treks are allowed into the region, and those require an expensive trekking permit. Consequently, treks into Mustang are among the most expensive in Nepal. However, for many people the cost is more than justified by the chance to explore this high desert region that has far more in common with Tibet than it does with Nepal. The brown landscape, jagged peaks, and mud-walled villages are reminders of what Tibet must have been like before the Chinese invasion.



Days 01 : Arrival

Arrive at Tribhuwan international airport, Kathmandu, you are welcomed by the hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to your hotel. Short briefing will be followed about necessary formalities and rest of the program. Depending on arrival time you will have choice of visiting nearby sanctuaries or have a rest day.

Days 02 :

Sightseeing of kathmandu city

After breakfast we drive to Swoyambhunatha stupa has it that Manjushree, found of Kathmandu valley, and discovered the lotus of ancient valley lake on which site the great stupa of swoyambhunath was later built. The omni sighted stare of Buddha greets visitors & residents a like compassion. This is one of the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world, which has been registered in UNICEOO heritage side. We then visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu durbar square situated the center of Kathmandu where you can see the House of Living Goddess”KUMARI” Kasthamandup temple” Said that was built from single tree in 16th century, big bell-big drams, erotic carving in old temple, old palace etc. We then finally were sightseeing to Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar square is one of the beautiful Durbars square in Kathmandu valley. It is very famous for woodcarving, Metal works, Temples and Monasteries. Tour of Patan includes tour of Krishna temple, Patan king’s palace, Golden temple and much more.

Days 03 :Driver to pokhara

This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km) the road mostly follows the River Trisuli and Marshyangdi, depart 7:00 AM in the morning, approximately 6-hrs way by tourist bus and 5-hrs drive by private transport. Along the drive you will enjoy beautiful scenery. You will arrive late afternoon at Pokhara with enough time to enjoy the colorful town of Pokhara.



Days 04 : fly to jomsom

Early in morning fly Northwest from Pokhara toward the great portal between the snows covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You will enjoy the well-raised massifs of more than 8000 meters, and the river created deepest gorge on this planet. Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang zone. On arrival to Jomsom meet the rest of the trekking staffs, the guide will be with you from Kathmandu, and start the trek to Kagbeni, the main gate to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni situated at an altitude of (2807m) is one of the important places since centuries. Kagbeni village was formed around 14th century as a check post for traders between Nepal and Tibet and still there is a checkpoint to control the groups departing toward Muktinath and Mustang, is the main gate to enter Mustang. There is a monastery, a Police check post and ACAP (Annapurna conservation area project) office inside this visit worthy village.



Days 05 : Chele

The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki climbing over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peak, dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni, will be enjoyed all the way by different shapes. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village in about 1-½-hrs trek and crosses the river and continues north climbing up to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at (3030m) from here the culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.



Days 06 :Geling

The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock at (3540m) then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar village. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at (3800m) the route climbs over yet another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there gently climb to a pass at (3770m) and descend to Geling Village.

Days 07 :Tsarang

From Geling village the trail climbs gently up to an interesting pass Nyi-La and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) you will arrive to a Mani wall perhaps the longest and most spectacular Mani wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at (3600m), the route makes a long gentle descent to Tsarang village. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are the main attractions to visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha's.





Days 08 :Lo-manthang

The trail descends about 100 meters down from Tsarang, crosses the Tsarang–Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally from a ridge at 3850m there is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo-Manthang.





Days 09 :Lo-Manthang

There are four major places and several other places like the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house", the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attractions of this town. Another attraction is the four–story building of the Raja's Palace as well as the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas. Having seen one, you are excited to see the others. Besides Lo-Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth visiting. The western valley Tingkar, the sight of Raja's summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyals "The Monastery of Victory " is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo. The eastern valley contains Chosar, the site of a High School, Garphu and Nyphu Gompa and is the main trading route to Lhasa.



Days 10 :Dhi

From Lo-Manthang the trail walks straight till Dhi pass (4100m). and descends down to Dhi village. The trek from Lo-Manthang to Muktinath is harder, but more rewarding and interesting than the west side of the valley. Dhi village is one of the best villages of whole Lomathang and it seems more prosperous and it is settled in a very suitable place.



Days 11 :Luri Gompa

After breakfast, trek to Luri Gompa via Yara and Ghara villages. It is a whole day's trip to go up to Monastery and return to Dhi. One can go even on horseback but it is recommendable to trek up and down. Located above the villages of Yara and Ghara, Luri Gompa (Monastery) sits high above the crumbling landscape like an eagle's nest. It is some of the last cave monasteries in Lo and Tibet. No written record exists for the construction of Luri Gompa. Luri Gompa and some other monasteries are affiliated with the Kagyu sect (one of the sect of Buddhism). The style of painting suggests they were done by Nepalese (Newari) artists working for Tibetan patrons. The cave temple dates from the 13th - 14th century. The central chamber of the Gompa is carved out of the rock creating a domed ceiling on which are painted a series of Mahasiddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Chenrezig figures etc, which are the true masterpieces. Lining the walls are series of 14th century paintings, which depict India Mahasiddahs. Some are real individual and other mythical.



Days 12 : Tange

From Dhi the trail goes through the river for around 2 hours and crosses a river from Damodar Kunda, one of the sacred lakes, there are no bridge on the river and need to deep the bare feet in the water to cross this river. After crossing the river the trail climbs up till high above a pass of (3850m). The trail goes through a grassless, treeless bare hill. After the pass the trail again drops directly to Tange village at an elevation of (3370m).Tange is a small village of around 30 houses but most of the houses are attached each other. On the rooftops one can see piles of dry woods, which also reflect the prosperity in their society.



Days 13 :Tetang

The trek begins with a fine trail for around one hour and crosses a river without bridge. After crossing the river the trail climbs high up till the Chacho-La pass. From Chacho-La pass one can enjoy a wide range of mountains including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukche peak, Tilicho Peak and Thorang peak etc. On this elevation one can enjoy also many varieties of flowers and blue ship etc. After the pass the trail descends to Pa Khola. From Pa the trail walks mostly straight with minor climbing and descends to the village of Tetang. The trail walks through a steep ridge of hill providing some fine views of wind carved hills. Continuing the trek you can see the village of Tetang. Tetang village is formed between 2 hills; they should have found it a safe place to avoid the strong wind that hits the entire Kaligandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of the Chuksang, which we visit on the first day entering to Mustang from Kagbeni. From Tetang village it takes one day to go to Jomsom and a day to arrive to Muktinath.

Days 14 :muktinath

From Tatang village the trail climbs till the Gnyu Pass, which take around 3:30 hours. The entire route provides a fine panorama of the Himalayan range and green valley with many kinds of Himalayan flowers. From Gnyu Pass you can see the whole Muktinath area in a distance of 2 hours gentle walk.





Days 15 :Jomsom

This is the last day of the trek. The trail goes through the village of Jharkot where one can visit the Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot, once served as palace. Continuing the trek toward Jomsom one will enjoy the view of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village the entry point to Mustang. We get a round trip of our trek in Ekle Bhatti visiting all the surprises of the human effort in this corner of the World of such an isolation and solitude. Arrive to Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trek will in Jomsom with all the trekking staffs.



Days 16 :fly pokhara

Jomsom we fly to Pokhara and transfer to your hotel in Pokhara. The trekking staffs except the guide will trek down till Pokhara and drive or fly to Kathmandu, which will take 4 days.



Days 18 :Sightseeinf of pokhara

After breakfast visit Pokhara City including David’s fall, Tibetan refugee camp and its handicraft centre. In the evening drive to Fewa lake side and enjoy free time. This free time can be used by making an hours boating on Lake Fewa enjoying the calm environment of sun-set time with the changing colors of the giant Himalayan range that cradles the Pokhara city. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal, to the mid-western region of Nepal. It is richly decorated by beautiful nature on earth. The most beautiful jewel of Pokhara Mountain called Mt. Machhapuchhare with Mt. Annapurna and Lamjung. By the 17th century Pokhara was part of the Kingdom of Kaski, one of the most powerful of central Nepal's Chaubise Rajaya or 24 Kingdoms. Kaski was ruled by a sub-branch of the Shah royal family. The hilltops surrounding Pokhara are dotted with the ruins of medieval stone forts. Kaski and the rest of the Chaubise Rajaya were annexed by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1786 and absorbed into the growing kingdom of Nepal. Around this time Pokhara developed into an important trade entrecote, lying on major trails between both Jumla-Kathmandu and India-Tibet. Each winter, mule caravans arrived from the north, laden with bags of salt and wool from the Tibetan Plateau. These were exchanged in Pokhara for grain and goods carried in from Butwal by porter. As a major government centre in central Nepal, Pokhara has naturally become a focus of development. Progress has been accelerated because it's such a pleasant place for to visit and live. Pokhara is now the biggest tourist destination in Nepal outside of the Kathmandu Valley, drawing 30% of visitors to Nepal.





Days 19 : Drive to kathmandu

After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Along the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu late afternoon. You're free in Kathmandu for shopping.



Days 20 : sightseeings of Pasupatinath and boudhanath

After breakfast drive to Pashupatinath. The holiest of holy Hindu temple in south Asia is the focal point of pilgrimage from all over the sub-continent. The holy river Bagmati flowing nearby is the cremation ground of the Hindus. Funeral pyres can be viewed from across the riverbank. We then visit to Boudhanath stupa. Probably the largest stupa in the world is also found in Kathmandu valley the great stupa of Boudhanath. Again the omni-sighted eyes of the Budha stare all the directions. This stupa is the place of worship of Tibetan Buddhists predominantly. We then drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is one of the oldest cities in Kathmandu valley. It is well known as Living Museum. Old brick paved enclave of old Royal palace, Nyathapola Temple, Datatriya temple exquisite artwork offers a picture of the grandeur of medieval Nepal. It is very famous for woodcarving and pottery products. Then after we have short visit to Changunarayan temple. This is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kathmandu valley that exists in the valley dating back to the 4th century.

Days 21 :Depature

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure

Min 2 pax:

cost include:

1. All  hotels in kathmandu and pokhara with breakfast basis.

2. Treking with tents with full board , all meals.

3. trekking porters, cook, sherpa and guide.

4.all the air tickets.

cost does not include:

1. all the insurance(guest)

2.all emergency rescue

3 Tips for staff

4: Mustang permit fees .