The parched yet vibrant terrain sharply contrasts with the endless snow-covered peaks. Lo-Manthang, a fortified city adorned with numerous monasteries, invites us for a cultural interlude. Mustang is celebrated as the most mythical area of Nepal. This high-altitude desert, situated in the heart of the Himalayas, is accessed via some of the world’s deepest gorges, particularly those of Kali Gandaki. It is an extraordinary journey that offers a glimpse into a culture that has remained largely unrecognized. Mustang’s geographical positioning provides it with protection from the monsoon, courtesy of the Annapurna massif.
The villages in this region are remarkably different, breathtaking, and authentic compared to other parts of Nepal.
A day of relaxation in Lo-Manthang offers an equally captivating adventure with a horseback ride to Chhoser, where you can explore a small religious community, such as Namygal Gompa, Chosar Village, and among others. You can also visit an ancient Jhong cave dwelling perched high in the cliffs.
The trekking routes that lead from Yara to Tangye, Tetang, and Muktinath offer an exceptional opportunity to explore the rugged splendor of the upper Mustang. The unspoiled and pristine nature of this region has consistently captivated travelers.
Trip Info
-
Hotel/Lodge
-
Spring/Autumn
-
3960m
-
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
-
Local Bus/Jeep
-
6-7 hours
-
Some places
-
18 days
Itinerary
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel
Meals, Welcome diner
Transport, private vehicle
After breakfast, we left for Pokhara, (by tourist bus). The city of Pokhara is best known to tourists for its lake, Fewa Tal, as well as the superb view of the Annapurna range and the famous Machhaphuchhare, the Matterhorn of Nepal. We have lunch on the road and during the day we start the visit and go boating on the lake.
Overnight at a hotel
Meals, Breakfast and lunch
Transport, Tourist bus
Fly to Jomsom in the morning, then walk to Kagbeni. Explore this stunning Tibetan-style fortified village, which serves as the entryway to Upper Mustang. Spend the night at Kagbeni.
Flight duration, 20 min
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
Transport, Private vehicle (hotel to airport drop)
The entrance to Mustang’s kingdom. The Kali Gandaki dive. The village of Tangbe (3060m) is a stunning fortress with winding streets that are dominated by a series of striking chortens. When the first chortens painted in the distinctive colors of Mustang—the protective deities of Mustang—are discovered, they join the village of Chele in the riverbed and cross it, signaling the beginning of the Tibetan-influenced area. Spend the night at Chele.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
After Chele, the stone penitents and a balcony path above an impressive gorge, descend to Samar, a typical village lined with poplars and surrounded by barley fields. There is a beautiful view of Annapurna and the Nilgiris. The descent is to Syangboche, an ancient caravanserai.
The Ghiling Plain is a beautiful village with an oasis of greenery and the red gompa, whose architecture is remarkable, especially its spectacular and majestic line of chortens. Spend the night at Ghiling.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
After the village of Ghiling, proceed to traverse the Nya La pass. A beautiful view of Mustang, the Annapurnas, and the Nilgiris before reaching Ghami and its white houses, which are huddled together on the edge of the Tsarang Chu canyon. One can ascend to the village of Dhakmar situated at the base of the red cliffs via a balcony path and steep troglodyte caves. Spend the night at Dhakmar.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
After ascending from Dhakmar and climbing to a pass, we will have a final glimpse of Lo and the mountains of Tibet. Subsequently, we will embark on a brief and easy stage through a desert landscape, a village clinging to the rock, and an impressive monastery. Today, we arrived and spend the night at Tsarang.
Overnight also at Tsarang.
Walking duration, 3 to 4 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
Tsarang is a pretty village with an old palace made of ochre, blue, and white colors. You can visit the monastery nearby. Walk in the Thulung valley to the Lo (Day) La pass (3950m). There are many prayer flags floating on the pass. From there, you can see the capital of Mustang and its surroundings. The old kingdom of Lo was fortified and had a summer palace for the king and three important monasteries. Spend the night in Lo-Manthang.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
Today, the ancient citadel was discovered along the cliffs in a desert setting. Explore the major landmarks and sites in the Lo Manthang area, including monasteries with exquisite mandalas and distinctive paintings. Spend the night in Lo-Manthang.
Walking duration, 4 to 5 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
The same route was taken for the return and the lengthy descent to Dhi, which was extremely steep in the hollow of the fairy chimneys. It crossed the river and then went back up through a gorge that overlooked the Yara Valley’s enormous and breathtaking cliffs. Compared to the other return, this one will be wilder and more abandoned. Orchards of peaches and apricots.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
Above Yara is the Luri monastery, which is located in the cliffs inside the caves. An impressive site was dug into the rock and surprised paintings, back to Yara.
Walking duration, 5 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
There is a steep descent and a plateau to cross the torrent and dive through fairy chimneys. The village of Tangge is the most picturesque in Mustang with a magnificent alignment of photogenic chortens. Spend the night in Tangge.
Walking duration, 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
The longest part of the journey. While crossing a plateau, you can see the Annapurna massif, Tilicho Peak, the Nilgiris, the Dhaulagiri, and beautiful mineral landscapes. Then started the long journey down to Chhusang. Spend the night in Chhusang.
Walking duration, 8 to 9 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
To reach Muktinath, which is a Hindu temple, you need to climb a long and steep hill. But the view is amazing. You can see many mountains like Muktinath Range, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Thapa Peak, and Nilgiri.
Walking duration, 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
It takes a long, steep climb to get to the Hindu sanctuary of Muktinath, but the view of the mountains, including the Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Thapa Peak, and Tibetain Range, is breathtaking.
Note : (Option : An alternative is to take a Jeep from Muktinath to Jomsom; the drive takes about two hours). Spend the night in Jomsom.
Walking duration, 5 to 6 hours
Overnight at guest house
Meals, Breakfast, lunch and diner
The morning flight depends on the weather conditions. A trip to Pokhara and its valley.
Flight duration, 20 min
Overnight at a hotel
Meals, Breakfast and lunch
Transport, private vehicle
Return to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Transfer at hotel.
After you get to Kathmandu from your trek, in the afternoon. Before you leave, take advantage of your free day to shop for souvenirs.
Driving hours, 6 to 7 hours
Overnight at a hotel
Meals, Breakfast and lunch
Transport, Tourist bus
Transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for your final departure.
Meals, Breakfast
Transport, private vehicle
