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. Hotel: Hotel Hyatt Regency
Max Altitude: 1300m/ 4265 ft
After your breakfast, you will precede to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you will tour the ancient palace, the temple of the Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal, Hanuman Dhoka, and Kasthamandap Temple with a guide knowledgeable about Nepalese history, architecture, and religion. From there, you will proceed by taxi, bus to the Buddhist site, Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the "Monkey Temple" because of its lively troops of resident monkeys. You will then visit Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine for Hindus, situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, a popular cremation site. Before returning to the hotel, you will visit Boudhnath Stupa, a Buddhist pilgrimage center and home to many colorful gompas, or monasteries. Once back at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about the trek and have a chance to meet your guides and ask any last minute questions before tomorrow morning's departure. Overnight in Hotel.
Max Altitude: 1300m/ 4265 ft
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
Max Altitude: 2,720m/ 8923 ft
Duration: 5 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
Max Altitude: 3,780m/ 12401 ft
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
Max Altitude: 2,920m/ 9580 ft
Today we drive the same route back to Jomsom via Kagbeni. Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge
Max Altitude: 2,720m/ 8923 ft
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
Max Altitude: 4,130m/ 13594 ft
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!
