Upper mustang trekking

(Trekking in Off The Beaten Trail)

Mustang Trekking (Camping Treks)

Best season :	Mar - Aug, Sep - Nov
Trekking duration :	18 - 25 Days.
Trekking grade :	D (Challenging)
Mx. altitude :	5,400 m.
Starting from :	Nepalgung
Ending Point :	Nepalgung
Culture :	Different Community with majority of Tibetan, Thakalis and Brahmins
Mode of Trekking :	Fully Organized Camping Trekking.
Himalayan Sights :	Annapurna, Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges, Thorong Peak and Tibetan rugged mountains
Highlight :	In upper Mustang you will experience the way of life of the tru mountain people, for years, cutt off from the rest of Nepal. In many ways, a trek into upper Mustang is similar to trekking in Tibet which geographically it is a part of.

Brif Info

Few regions of the great Himalayas remain unraveled. The ancient kingdom of Mustang in western Nepal is one of them. It is divided into two parts namely the Upper Mustang and the Lower Mustang. Upper Mustang is largely inhabited by Manangi people and goes up to the ancient capital of Lo Manthang. Whereas Lower Mustang covers the part of lower valley along the Kali Gandaki river. Forbidden & isolated from the rest of the world Mustang was able to evolve its own culture and traditional which so rich and unique. This is the only district in Nepal with its own religious King. The people of Mustang call themselves Lobas. Their house and temple construction all over the region use stone but mostly mud bricks that are sun baked. Some beautiful architectures in this region are the city wall and the four story palace in Lo Manthang. Untouched by modern civilization, life in Mustang goes on as it has for centuries in unhurried pace. There are so many caves, Monasteries, Schools and hills around Lomanthang where you can hike to observe Tibetan border.

Upper Mustang being in the Himalayan rain shadow is one of the few parts of the country that are suitable for trekking during the summer monsoon period. Even at this time, the upper Kali Gandaki valley is still quite dry with only occasional rainfall. The Mustang trek is not particularly difficult, the highest point reached in only 3,800m. But the conditions at times can be arduous. Cold in winter and windy and dusty all year. Winter treks are best avoided due to the cold when many of the locals migrate to southern parts of the country and even to India.Upper Mustang is restricted area of Nepal. According to government rule, liaison officers should always accompany with the trekking groups. There are few accommodation facilities available above Kagbeni so we must be fully self- sufficient especially in fuel. We can take mules/horses to carry the loads. The into the Kingdom of Mustang is through an almost tree – less barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks make the trek memorable.

Itinerary ( Note : Itinerary can be customized according to your duration of holiday )

Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1:	Arrival In Kathmandu This is the first welcoming day that we meet upon arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to Hotel. Short briefing will be followed about necessary formalities and rest of the program. Depending on your arrival time you will have choice of visiting nearby sanctuaries or rest of the time free for leisure.
Day 2:	Sightseeing / Cultural Day In Kathmandu Valley Half day sightseeing around Kathmandu, Patan city where you will have time to fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local tradition are highlighted on my guided tour. There’s time to explore the city’s many charms on your own or take a rest while I finalize trekking area permits. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. Q/N in Kathmandu.
Day 3:	Kathmandu - Pokhara Today we drive to Pokhara (200km), approximately 7 hours away by tourist bus. We will see good scenery of countryside while driving. We will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara around 2:00 o’clock. Pokhara is an enchanting Himalayan Valley of remarkable beauty. We can explore its scenic land on bicycle/on foot or as your own like boating in Fewa Lake over looking the region of Annapurna Himalayan ranges. In the evening prepare for the trek. Q/N..
Day 4:	Pokhara - jomsom - Kagbeni Today fly to Jomsom (20 minutes) the district headquarters of Mustang district and we start walking up to Kagbeni. An easy and lovely day walking along the riverside to Kagbeni just 3 hours. The spectacular views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak and Dhampus peak will make you buy some extra rolls of film. Kagbeni is the most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the upper Mustang for overnight stop.
Day 5:	kagbeni - 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 house, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peak, dominates the soughern skyline of Kagbeni, will be enjoyed all the way by different shapes. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village in about 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 Chaile at 3030 m. From here the culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.
Day 6:	Chele- Geling The climb continues along step, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. 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.
Day 7:	Geling – Charang From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on our trek NYILA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar chu (river) we will arrive to a MANI WALL perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five – story white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha’s.
Day 8:	Charang – Lo Manthang The trail descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Charang- 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.
Day 9 - 10- 11	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 Hal which are the main attraction of this town. An another attraction is the four- story building of the Raja’s palace as well as the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalaya. Having seen one, you are exciting to see the others. Besides Lo Manthang there are two other interesting valley worth visiting. The western valley Tingkhar, the sight of Raja’s summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as 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. If we have enough time we can hike surrounded green hills from were we can easily get views of Tibet and Mt. Kailas.
Day 12:	Lo Manthang - Ghami via Gekar This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on our return trek. The trail climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The descends across to the south through two more valleys and across a ridge at 4070m then descends across to the sough through two more valleys, meadows and a stream. The trail then makes along rocky descent to Gekar. Lo Gekar Gompa is older then Samye Gompa in Tebet and one of the oldest Gompa in Nepal. Then crosses a ridge after a little climbing and drops down steeply to Thamar village. The trail descends along the side of the stone walls and fields of extensive villages, then climbs to a ridge. It is a short descent to Ghami.
Day 13:	Ghami – Samar Frm Ghami climb to NYI LA and descend to Samar through the same route.
Day 12:	Samar - kagbeni Return trek to Kagbeni.
Day 13:	Kagbeni - Jomsom Three hours walking back along the bank ob Kali Gandaki River.
Day 14:	Jomsom - Pokhara Fly back to Pokhara in the morning. It takes about 19 minutes. Q/N in Pokhara.
Day 15:	Pokhara - Kathmandu Drive back to Kathmandu. Q/N in Kathmandu.
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