Short Trek to Upper Mustang – 12 Days

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Short Trek to Upper Mustang is great adventure trip to enter the Trans Himalayan Kingdom following the Kali Gandaki Valley.
Group size: Min 2 pax Max-Altitude: 3700m/12,136ft
Destination: Nepal
Arrival on: Kathmandu Departure from: Kathmandu
Meals: All meals during trek
Accommodation: Hotels/Mountain Lodges
Fitness level: Moderate

Trip Introduction

Upper Mustang trek is a great adventure trek that takes you along the “off beaten path” in the Trans-Himalayan trail and starts with electrifying flight to Jomsom from Pokhara. It is an easy trek that goes along the bank of the deepest gorge of the world, the Kali Gandaki River and takes you to the capital of Mustang, the Lo-Manthang at 3730 m. and is the highest point of this trip. Entering to the Majestic Kingdom Mustang, you will encounters the unique landscapes, picturesque villages, the ancient sky caves and monasteries along with the culture, lifestyle and heritage that remain unchanged for the centuries to this dates. The trail was once an important route for crossing the Himalaya between Tibet and Nepal, and many of the old salt caravans passed through Mustang. 

In addition, if you have wish to enjoy natural beauties, enhance cultural experiences with enough time to explore the Hidden Kingdom, you can join us our Mustang Valley Trek-17 days. Meantime, if you are shortness of time, you can also explore lower valley of Mustang- Jomsom Valley Trek.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (Altitude: 1,300m/4,264 ft. Meal: Dinner)
Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara valley (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Flight: 30 minutes Meal: B)
Day 03: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (Altitude: Jomsom: 2,715m/8,910ft. Kagbeni: 2,858/9,374ft Flight: 20 minutes Trek: 3/4 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 04: Trek Kagbeni to Chele (Altitude: 3050m/10,004ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 05: Trek Chele to Syanbochen (Altitude: 3475m/11,398ft Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 06: Trek Syanbochen to Ghaymi (Altitude: 3520m/11,546ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 07: Trek Ghaymi to Charang (Altitude: 3500m/11,480ft Trek: 4-5 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 08: Trek Charang to Lo-Mangthang (Altitude: 3700m/12,136ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 09: Explore the Lo-Mangthang (Altitude: 3700m/12,136ft. Meal: BLD)
Day 10: Drive Lo-Manthang to Jomsom (Altitude: 2,715m/8,910ft. Drive: 7/8 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Day 11: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Flight: 20 minutes Meal: BLD)
Day 12: Departure transfer (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Meal: B)

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (Altitude: 1,300m/4,264 ft. Meal: Dinner)

On your arrival in Kathmandu International Airport, one of our representative will pick up you and escort you to the hotel as well as help you to check-in at hotel. After your refreshment, you will be briefed about the next day trip. In the evening, we, the Hiking Nepal will offer you a welcome dinner introducing Nepalese cuisine and culture.

Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara valley (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Flight: 30 minutes Meal: B)

After having breakfast, our driver will drop you at Kathmandu domestic airport. Just flying of around 30 minutes, you will reach at Pokhara. Pokhara is most popular for its lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa.  You can go for boating on these famous lakes. Exploring the deep-seated mysteries of intriguing caves like Mahendra Gupha, Bat Cave will further heighten your adventure spirit. Spend your time at your own.

Day 03: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (Altitude: Jomsom: 2,715m/8,910ft. Kagbeni: 2,858/9,374ft Flight: 20 minutes Trek: 3/4 hrs. Meal: BLD)

Take an early morning flight to Jomsom over the mountains with the views of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri; you will land at tiny airstrip of a beautiful town, Jomsom. It is also a headquarters of Mustang region and a major village of the Kaligandaki valley that links the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt trade route to Tibet. After initial preparation of loads, begins trek to the pretty village of Kagbeni. Since, it will be very windy in the afternoon from Jomsom onwards, gradually starts trekking along the Kali-Gandaki River bed after crossing a suspension bridge in an easy trail. Grasp the closest view of the Mt. Dhauligiri, Mt. Tukuche, Mt. Nilgiri and the entire Annapurna massif in south. You will reach at a beautiful land with narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, wheat and barley field, a large red Gompa picturing the culture and nature if Upper Mustang. Kagbeni is a sacred place and a major junction of river Kagh Khola coming from Muktinath and Mustang Khola forming the River Kaligandaki. Here, at the north is a police station where you will need to complete a paperwork while entering to Upper Mustang- a forbidden region of Nepal. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 04: Trek Kagbeni to Chele (Altitude: 3050m/10,004ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)

Begins to walk up stream of the Kaligandaki River. On the way, catch the scenic photographs of some caves, and Gompa Kang. In the Upper Mustang, you will visit numerous monasteries of the Shakya-Pa sect, however, Kang Gompa is of Nyingma-Pa sect of Himalayan Buddhism. The trail you will follow will be the ups and downhill. You will reach at Tangbe for a while. Here you will see first black, white and red Chortens that symbolize the Upper Mustang. Tangbe is a tangle of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Walking for hours, you will reach at Chukkung, from here onwards, you will see the distinct change in topography, lifestyle as well as culture and people. Spots you encounters will be the brown landscape with patches of green. And continuing the trail towards north, you will reach at the river where, you have to cross a steel bridge that takes you to the ridge village Chele. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 05: Trek Chele to Syanbochen (Altitude: 3475m/11,398ft Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD)

Today, you will have a climb in a steep trail and cross a Taklam-la Pass (3,624m/11,923 ft.) and Dajori la Pass (3735 m/12325 ft.). Walking through the plateaus and narrow stretches, you will view the mountains including Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda. After crossing passes, descend down on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of a poplar trees. It is a main place to stop for horses and mule caravans.  Then, following the ascending trail above Samar village, you will reach to a ridge and starts descending steeply to a stream. Walking for nearly 3 hours in ups and downhill, you will reach at Syanbochen. On the way, you will enjoy cool streams, juniper trees, Chortens and some caves including a famous cave known as Ranchung cave. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 06: Trek Syanbochen to Ghaymi (Altitude: 3520m/11,546ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)

Starts walking gently in uphill trail to a huge village and descending for a while, you will reach at Geling. You will see the Tibetan style houses with walls of mud and stones and a roof with twigs, straw and a mixture of a mud and pebbles. From here, you will walk uphill through the mountain passes following the trail with poplar trees. Then, begins climbing to the Nyi-La Pass (4,010m/13,193ft.), would be a bit linger but interesting Viewing Mountains: Mustang, Annapurna and Nilgiri. The gentle descent from the pass will takes to a junction from where you will take left direction towards Ghami for overnight stay. Ghami is one of the largest village of Lo region surrounded by large fields, mostly barren. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 07: Trek Ghaymi to Charang (Altitude: 3500m/11,480ft Trek: 4-5 hrs. Meal: BLD)

After breakfast, you trek starts with a pleasant walk crossing Ghami Khola. You will climb to a plateau and passes a longest Mani wall; then catching the trail towards east, you will continue to walk to the village of Charang. It is a large spread-out village with mess fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village, visit a huge white Dzong and Red Gompa that exhibits an excellent collection of ancient statues and Thankas. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 08: Trek Charang to Lo-Mangthang (Altitude: 3700m/12,136ft Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)

Today, spend morning time exploring village of Charang and then get ready to trek for Lo-Manthang.  You will gently walk in downhill to Charang Chu Canyon and then steeply climb above the valley crossing a river and gently ascending to a windy pass (3850 m) of Lo for a beautiful view of Lo-Manthang. Then walking for a while you will reach to a large isolated Chortens which is the entry point of Lo Manthang. View the walled city of Lo Manthang with a single entrance on the north east corner. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 09: Explore the Lo-Mangthang (Altitude: 3700m/12,136ft. Meal: BLD)

Today, take your own time to explore the surrounding of Lo Manthang. The city has around 150 houses, temples and monasteries. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar that lies on a hill top and stands as an important center of local communities and even a local court. First, you can visit Namgyal Gompa and the make your next destination to Tingkhar which is the main village in the northwest corner of the Lo Manthang. You can also make your journey to the Tall Champa Lakhang “God House” that contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as wall painting of “Mandala”; Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attraction of the city. Likewise, the four stoyred palace of King at the center and the panoramic view of the Himalayas makes your trip overwhelming. Spend Overnight at local lodge.

Day 10: Drive Lo-Manthang to Jomsom (Altitude: 2,715m/8,910ft. Drive: 7/8 hrs. Meal: BLD)

It will be a long and exciting drive from Lo-Manthang and a sad final day of your trek in the Mustang. You can have good time with a nice hot shower. Celebrate final evening with Sherpas and porters and don’t miss to taste the “Marpha”, the local drink. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 11: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Flight: 20 minutes Meal: BLD)

Take a spectacular early morning flight to Pokhara. It will be a 20 minutes dramatic flight between gorge of two giant mountains- Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhauligiri. On your arrival at airport in Pokhara, you will then, catch a flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the time, enjoy at your own. (Option: could make a flight to Kathmandu on next day). Spend overnight at Hotel.

Day 12: Departure transfer (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Meal: B)

Our tour officer will pick you up from your hotel three hours prior to your departure time. You will be escorted in a private vehicle to the airport for your final departure. Have a safe flight home.

Important Note

During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.

Included / Exclude

Cost Include

  1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle.
  2. Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast (3 nights).
  3. Basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms (6 nights).
  4. Local licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
  5. The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
  6. Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
  7. Everest National Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking.
  8. Airfare from Kathmandu – Lukla - Kathmandu including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airports.
  9. All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
  10. Official expenses.

 

 Cost Exclude

  1. Dinner and lunch in Kathmandu except for welcome and farewell dinner. 
  2.  Your personal expenses for mineral water, soft beverages ,confectionaries ,laundries, phone calls, hot drinking water, barbills, showers etc. 
  3. Internet facility, battery chargers, multi plugs etc. 
  4. Extra baggage excess while flying to Lukla.
  5. Extra porter if you require. 
  6. Personal trekking equipments.
  7. Your travel insurance that covers Helicopter evacuation.
  8. Medical expenses and trip cancellation. 
  9. Any other extended trips and accommodation.
  10. Tips of guide, porters and driver as  a token of appreciation. 
  11. Monument entrance fee for sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
  12. Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in “cost includes” list. 
  13. Nepal arrival visa. 

Best time to travel

Spring (March, April, May, early June) & Autumn (September, October, November, early December)

Physical Condition and requirement

Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes, however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is important that we consult with our doctor before we decide and set up for the Everest Base camp trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Treks Planner Nepal before booking the trek.

Additional info

Trekking in the Himalayan region goes through unexpected complication like natural and health challenges resulting changes in the itinerary for your own security reason, If such incident happens during the trek our professional Guide, Porters and leader take you to final point safely for evacuation so, please be friendly with your guide for more achievements and protections. Flights in the Himalayan region often get cancelled even in the best season due to bad weather so we request our travelers to carry luggage for extra days.

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip but if you want, we can still customize the itinerary according to your wish and preferable time for visit. Feel free to write to us or you can even give us a call if you would like to discuss any aspect regarding the trip.

Important notes

During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.


Source:www.treksplannernepal.com