Upper Mustang Trekking

After breakfast, travel for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City. It includes visit to the Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) – an ancient durbar (palace) with its numerous old palaces, temples and pagodas, the Temple of Living Goddess “Kumari”, and the Kasthamandap Temple, which is believed to be constructed from the wood of a single tree from which Kathmandu derives its name. 

In addition, also visit the Boudhanath Stupa – an old enormous stupa and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the globe and the Pashupatinath Temple- the Temple of Lord Shiva situated on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. 

Pm: After lunch drive up to the Swayambhunath Stupa perched on a hill from where you may have a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley. The Swayambhunath Stupa is also known as the “Monkey Temple”!! 

Eve: Group goodbye supper at nice restaurant in Thamel. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Am: After breakfast check out from the hotel and start a scenic drive to Pokhara via Prithivi Highway en-route halt at Riverside Spring Resort for lunch. 

Pm: After lunch in the river start 3 hrs, scenic journey to Pokhara – which is a lovely valley (827m) sitting on the laps of the massive Annapurna Himalayan Range with numerous beautiful lakes and lush green surrounds. 

Eve: Walk around the colorful lakeside mart and dine at a nice restaurant. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to the Pokhara airport and fly to Pokhara / Jomsom. Upon arrival in Jomsom (2713m. /8817 ft.), welcomed by the Sherpa Team and hiked to Kagbeni – 2 ~ 3 hours. This is a short day to enable ample time for acclimatization, hire of porters and horses to make preparations for the trip ahead. 

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

The trail is up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River that climbs over many ridges as it heads north. Depending upon the rains we will use a combination of high trails and the riverbank routes. From here we can see the Gompa Kang and some caves on the west bank of the river. Unlike most Gompas in Upper Mustang, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. Along side the East bank is the village of of Tangbe at an elevation of 2930 m. Here are the trios of black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni, continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley with its white washed houses, fields of barley, buckwheat, and wheat and apple orchards. The Chhuksang village (2920 m) is reached after 1½ hours and lies beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshang and KaliGandaki. Up the Narshing river is the Gompa and the Tetang village. 6½ hours.

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

The climb from the Chailey is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130 m. From here there is a glimpse of the Gyagar settlement across a huge canyon. The ascent continues along the edge of the beautiful steep canyon to a pass at 3540 m. 

The trails make a long gentle fall to some Chortens on a ridge and then further descend on a beautiful track to Samar (3290 m) nestled in a grove of poplar trees. From Samar hike to a ridge then drop into a wide gorge past a Chorten decorated in red, black, yellow and white. The route continues into another valley studded with juniper trees, passes a creek and then climbs yet another pass and continues to Syangmochen settlement at 3710 m. Climb gradually from Syangmoche to a pass at 3770 m and enter another east west valley. 

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

The path slides over dunes and creeps through tight passages and spooky labyrinths, going down to Ghiling, which is strewn over large fields of barley in the pitiless wind. From Ghiling to Tsarang there are ruins dispersed everywhere; castles, palaces and temples, there are two passes to be crossed namely Nyi La Pass (3950 m) and another at 3600 m. 

Descend to Tsarang at 3520 m. It is a tangle of fields, willow trees and buildings divided by stonewalls. The massive 5 storey White Dzong and Red Gompa is positioned on the east end of the hamlet. The Gompa houses a variety of sculptures and thangkas as well as many big murals of seated Buddhas. 

Overnight Tea house lodge.

The trail dips about 100 m and over the Tsarang Chu and rises sharply up a rocky trail on a mountain opposite the settlement at 3580 m and reaches the Tholung valley. Turn north and rise gently to a solitary chorten and mark the boundary between Tsarang and Lo. Still upward, the trail crosses a brook and becomes a magnificent broad thoroughfare traversing across a desert like terrain, painted in every hue of grey and yellow. Finally from a ridge at 3850 m, there is a glimpse of the walled city of Lo. A short decline goes on to the plain of ambition at 3780 m. After crossing a stream, ascend up onto the plateau of Lo-manthang. The whitewashed walls around Lo Manthang are shaped like a malformed with a short vertical arm pointed north south and a very fat, almost square horizontal arm. 

Overnight camp in Lo-Manthang.

The prominent Temples inside the walls are Champa Lakhang (God House) which holds the huge 45 ft. statue of Maitreva, the future Buddha, The crimson Thugchen Gompawith several enormous images of Sakyamuni, Avolokitesvara and Maitreya, and the The Chyodi Gompa of the Sakya sect which has several monks in residence and is the venue of the yearly Mani Rimdu celebration in many which is described as ‘tegi’ in Lo Manthang. They are all said to have been built in 1420. Despite the seeming dirt of Lo Manthang, the city is affluent and maintains a strong feeling of community. Though the people name themselves Lobas- people from Lo, they are very much Tibetan and have a complex culture and economics. The King’s palace is an enormous 4 storey edifice in the middle of the city. It is the house of the ex king – Jigme Parbal Bista. The Honorary title “Bista– a high caste title in Nepali” was granted by the King of Nepal. Though his duties are mostly ceremonial, he is esteemed by the people and consulted about various matters by villagers throughout Lo. Horses are available on rent to tour the neighboring community. 

However, everyone is compelled to mount and dismount outside the city gates as only the King may ride a horse within the city walls. 

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

There are two valleys above Lo Manthang. A day hike to the North of Lo (Garphu/Nympho) is Worthwhile. There are some fascinating caves, monasteries in Garphu and Nyphu and numerous caves with houses inside them. On the way back, trek up-to the remains of Ketcher Dzong for extensive panoramic views of the valleys to the North and South. 

Horses are available for hire in Lo Manthang and it is feasible to make a circuit to the settlements in the East and West valleys (Chonup Chosar) in a single day. Starting from Lo, begin going to the North-West, visiting the town of Tingkhar – the site of the summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Namgyal Gompa – the monasteries of triumph, is in the west. We also visit Namdol before crossing the mountain to Chosar (east valley, the site of the high school, and then head down to Garphu and Nyapu Gompas. This is the main commerce route to Lhasa. It was utilized over the years by pilgrims, apostles, robbers and conquerors and along the road lying various fort remnants. 

Overnight at Camp.

After breakfast, jump into the local jeep and proceed to Shyangbochen. After lunch, start the trek to Samar. 

Overnight at Tea house lodge.

After a short climb to Chukksang village approximately an hour and board the waiting local jeep and continue to Jomsom. 

Upon arrival in Jomsom check in at a lodge for refreshment. 

Eve: Sherpa Farewell meal. 

Overnight at Teahouse lodge.

After an early breakfast walk to Jomsom Airport to board a 20 minute flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara transfer to the hotel for refreshment and rest. Later on travel for a sightseeing tour of Pokhara. The tour includes the visit of Bindabasini Temple, the Seti Gorge, Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. After the sightseeing trip, transfer to the lakeside for lunch. Rest of the day is free for shopping and personal leisure. 

Eve: Sunset boat cruise at Phewa Lake. 

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara domestic Airport, to join the 25 minute flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for rest and leisure. You may go for a walk to Thamel for last minute shopping and spend a peaceful time in the hotel. 

Eve: Group goodbye supper at nice restaurant in Thamel. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Check out from the hotel and meet Himalayan Holidays agent and transfer to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu for final departure.