Mustang Trek
The Kingdom of Mustang
8 Days
2 - 8 people
Moderate
On the trans-Himalayan trade route, between the massive snow capped mountain range
Upper Mustang is also know as the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo, which had its own king until the mid 2000s when Nepal
became a republic.
Lo-Manthang is the ancient capital and here you can still see the palace of the old king. Today the capital of Mustang
District is Jomson, connected to the rest of the country by an airport and a rough road.
With an average elevation of over 3,000m, Mustang is the extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Located north of the Himalaya
range, including Annapurna, geographically it is part of the Tibetan highlands although today, politically, it is situated in
Nepal. In fact, Upper Mustang is very much like Tibet in appearance, with its high valleys, arid and dry landscapes,
characterized by eroded canyons, colourful rock formations and barren, desert like appearance. But just because it is dry
and arid does not mean there is nothing to see in this stark landscape. Take for example the thousands of cliff dwellings,
cut high into the rock which makes you wonder how those who lived there accessed them. Theorists believe that around
8,000 to 10,000 BC Mustang was a green land, home to many more inhabitants than live here today.
The entrance to Upper Mustang is at Kagbeni (a 3 hour walk, or short drive from Jomson). Beyond this point a special
permit is required to enter the restricted zone of Upper Mustang. Opened to trekkers only in 1992, this area still sees less
tourists. This makes the area both fascinating and much more authentic than lower Mustang.
On our Mustang programme you have an excellent opportunity to visit both Jomson and the ancient centre, Lo-Manthang.
On route you will also have the opportunity to visit some of the unique villages in the area, including the interesting tiny
village of Kagbeni. We will also pass colourful cliffs, the largest mani (prayer) wall in the country, and a large white Dzong
and red Gompa.
Tour Map
Tour Overview
8 Days
5 Days
Tea House
3,780m
(at Lo-Manthang)
(at Lo-Manthang)
2 - 8 people
Moderate
Jomsom
Itinerary
Day 1: DEPARTURE FROM HOME COUNTRY
We can issue your international tickets from your home country to Nepal, if necessary. Please ask us.
DAY 2: ARRIVE AT KATHMANDU (1,300M) AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our staff, who will escort you to the Hyatt
Regency Hotel. Here our office staff will give you a brief orientation about the programmes in Nepal and the do's and don’ts
of the area. They will also review any additional information that you might require while in Nepal. In the evening our staff
will guide you to visit Boudhanath Stupa, which is 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel. After returning to the hotel,
enjoy the spa and a delicious dinner.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hotel
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hotel
Hyatt Regency Hotel
DAY 3: HELICOPTER CHARTER FLIGHT TO JOMSOM (2,720M) AND DRIVE TO CHHUSANG (2,920M) 6 HRS
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport by private vehicle. Here it is an hour’s scenic flight to Jomsom by the latest
model private chartered B3E helicopter. Note: the helicopter may stop for about 15 minutes in Pokhara Airport to re-fuel.
Jomsom Valley lies along the banks of Kaligandaki River. In the afternoons wind rushes down the valley, making it a little
challenging for walkers. From Jomsom, our journey begins by private land cruiser, following the Kali Gandaki river bed for
about 45 minutes to Kagbeni. Kagbeni lies on the banks of two rivers and is an interesting windswept village on the main
age-old Trans Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang. We will stop for lunch and take a walk around the
village. From here we get our first glimpse of Upper Mustang when we look up the valley from the edge of the village.
From Kagbeni it is around 4 hours drive to Chhusang (2,920m). We stop here for the night,
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
DAY 4: DRIVE TO LHO MANTHANG (3,780M) 6 HRS
The drive today leads us to a ridge above Samar village, before descending to a large gorge. On the way we pass a
chorten painted red, black, yellow and white. Interestingly, all the colors are made from local rock. The journey continues
into another valley with juniper trees. Here the road crosses the stream and goes up hill to a ridge at 3,800m and through
a pass bringing us to Shyangmochen, a small settlement with a few tea shops. Once again the road climbs gentle to
another pass at 3,770m where we enter a huge valley, driving downhill to Geling with its large fields of barley. From Geling,
the road climbs gradually through fields up the centre of the valley, passing below Tama Gung settlements. We continue
on a long climb to the highest point of the trip, the head of the Nye La pass at 3,950m. The pass itself is the southern
boundary of Lo.
From here the road leads direct to Tsaran, dropping below the blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley and the Tangmarchu River. Climbing we witness the mani wall, probably the longest one in Nepal. From here the final climb of the day brings us to a 3,600m pass, then it’s a gentle drive downhill to Tsarang. This is an interesting village with a maze of fields, willow trees, and a huge five storey white Dzong and a red Gompa perched on the edge of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. One interesting fact is that Tsarang has its own electricity system. From Tsarang the road leads us to Lo- Manthang by crossing the Charangchu River.
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
From here the road leads direct to Tsaran, dropping below the blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley and the Tangmarchu River. Climbing we witness the mani wall, probably the longest one in Nepal. From here the final climb of the day brings us to a 3,600m pass, then it’s a gentle drive downhill to Tsarang. This is an interesting village with a maze of fields, willow trees, and a huge five storey white Dzong and a red Gompa perched on the edge of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. One interesting fact is that Tsarang has its own electricity system. From Tsarang the road leads us to Lo- Manthang by crossing the Charangchu River.
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
DAY 5: DRIVE TO CHHUSANG (2,920M) 6 HRS
After breakfast, visit Lo-Manthang palace and surrounding areas. Within Lo-Manthang visit Namgyal Gompa and perhaps
Tingkhar, the last main village in the northwest area. Lo-Manthang is a fascinating walled town, steeped in ancient history.
It hosts various religious festivals throughout the year. Please ask as about them in case they coincide with your available
dates. After visiting the town, we drive by the same route back to Chhusang.
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
DAY 6: DRIVE TO JOMSOM (2,720M) 4 HRS
Today we drive the same route back to Jomsom via Kagbeni.
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
DAY 7: FLY KATHMANDU VIA ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (4,130M) 1.5 HRS
After breakfast board the latest model private chartered B3E helicopter again to take you to Annapurna Base Camp. This
is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains on all the sides,
with particularly stunning views of Annapurna I (8,090m.), the tenth tallest mountain in the world. Here we will stop for
about half an hour and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate while posing for once-in-a-lifetime photographs before flying
on to Kathmandu. Note: the chopper may stop in Pokhara for re-fueling. In the evening, enjoy an authentic farewell dinner.
Overnight stay: Hyatt Regency Hotel
Overnight stay: Hyatt Regency Hotel
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Our staff will take you to the airport to wish you bon voyage. Please ensure you have reconfirmed your tickets; we can do
this for you. And please return again!
What Our Client Says
Very nice staff, porters and guide, who gave explanations about everything and went out of their way to help. They were also very knowledgeable of the terrain and the history of places we visited.
Onatibin, Tantanatia
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