Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang trek is a distinctly different trek that takes you into a more remote and typically Buddhist region of Mustang, also referred to as Lo. This region remains mostly isolated from the modern world and is so close to Tibet that it is as much influenced by Tibetan culture as Nepal. This trekking route takes you to probably the driest landscape in Nepal that is quite unlike the regions to the south. The mountain landscape is barren and dry, yet somehow sustains life for its inhabitants in this parched region.
Upper Mustang is an arid valley that runs north-south from the upper corner of the Annapurna Circuit. The capital of Mustang is Lo Manthang that sits in the shadows of the Himalayan Mountains and is subsequently deprived of rain. This trek is best known for its desert landscape and immense bluffs.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) & transfer to hotel.
On landing at Kathmandu airport you will be met by a representative from Uma Holidays, Travel & Tours and transported to your hotel where you will be briefed about your trek to Upper Mustang. If you have arrived early you will have time to explore Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu, or wander around the city taking in the sights.
Day 2 : Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (8,50m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
This morning your guide will pick you up at 6:30 am so as to catch a 7.30 am tourist bus to Pokhara.
Day 3 : Fly to Jomsom (2725m/ 8,940ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2810m/ 9219ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
This morning we take a short flight to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang and trek through the world’s deepest gorge - Kali Gandaki Gorge. We will have some awesome views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The 20-minute flight will give you a great perspective of the countryside and some enormous snow-clad peaks. The Kali Gandaki River flows from the Tibetan Plateau. After a short break, we head to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang trekking along the ancient salt route. This afternoon we can explore this town and get a feel for what lies ahead.
Day 4 : Trek to Chele (2920m / 10,006 ft ) Duration: 6-7 hours.
We start out early today in order to avoid the high winds that develop in this region later in the day. In the early morning light we can see the orange glow of Nilgiri as the sun reflects on it. We then follow the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River until we enter the broad Chhusang Valley. Soon after leaving Kagbeni we climb higher and enjoy stunning views of Kagbeni and Mt Nilgiri (7061m). We next arrive at Tangbe with its distinctive red and whitewashed houses sitting on the banks of the river and affording magnificent views over the Kali Gandaki River. The trail then heads to The trail then comes to Chele where we have views of the Himalayan Ranges. Tonight we stay at Chele.
Day 5 : Trek to Syangboche (3800m/ 12467ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we ascend into the hills and come to a stone cairn at 3540 meters at which point we descend to the small village of Samar with its chortens (Tibetan religious monuments) and other Buddhist structures. From Samar we descend into a large canyon and then again ascend to a 3800-meter ridge before again descending to the distant Shyangmochen Village where we will stay the night.
Day 6 : Trek to Ghami (3520m/ 11548ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
This morning we climb higher and through a small pass of 3800m/12,467ft with exceptional views of mountains and deep valleys carved out of the rock over millions of years. We will arrive at Ghami around lunchtime. From here you can see for miles with the peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Annapurna looming to the south. This afternoon we can explore this charming ancient village and its monastery, chortens, and mani walls.
Day 7 : Trek to Tsarnag (3560m/11679ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
This short trek to Tsarang leads us into the land of many chortens. This trail is of historical significance, once traversed by the Indian saint Padmasambhava (750-810 AD), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who created a fusion of Buddhism with the original Shamanistic religion of Tibet called Bon, making it a distinct type of Buddhism. After walking for an hour from Ghami we see the longest ancient mani wall of Mustang. After another 4 hours on the trail, we come to Tsarang and its ancient monastery. We can also spend time exploring this ancient village.
Day 8 : Trek to Lo Manthang (3800m/ 12467ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Today we finally reach the plateau of Lo Monthang, the capital city of Mustang. The walled city of Lo has a single entry point and within lives Lo Gyelbu, also named Jigme Palbar Bista who resides in a 4 storey palace within the walls of the city.
Day 9 : Exploration day at Lo Manthang.
Lo Manthang has around 150 houses and is home to the largest Gompas (temples) in Nepal. Lo Manthang has four old Monasteries and a huge fourteenth-century castle. Today we head to Chhosar, Nyphu Cave carved into the side of the large bluff, and the 2500-year-old Jhong Sky Cave that is divided into 44 compartments. This evening you can take a stroll to Thinker summer castle or investigate the old cloisters inside the walled city.
Day 10 : Trek to Dhakmar (3800m/12467ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Today we will visit the Tibetan cloister Ghar Gompa, a seventh century construction created by the priest Padmasambhava. We will stop for lunch at this seventh century temple before heading to Dhakmar, well known for its stunning red bluffs.
Day 11 : Trek to Syanboche; Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we retrace our footsteps to Syangboche.
Day 12 : Trek to Chusang (3040m/9973ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Once again we head south and will visit the Chungsi Cave Monastery where the Saint Padmasamvaba meditated in the seventh century. We stop for lunch at the wooded town of Samar before descending to Chhusang from where we have fantastic views of Nilgiri and the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Chhusang has a reputation for its apple orchards.
Day 13 : Trek to Kagbeni (2810m) Duration: 4-5 hours.
This morning we head south and along the way have some great views of. Nilgiri and a wide section of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. s huge. We exit from the Mustang region and will stay at Kagbeni tonight.
Day 14 : Trek to Jomsom (2720m) Duration: 3-4 hours.
This morning we head out on the trail and pass numerous apple orchards and also witness the unique back-loom weaving methods being carried out by local women.
Day 15 : Fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom & transfer to hotel.
Our flight path today takes us through the Kali Gandaki Gorge that is situated between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Day 16 : Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,350m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today we head on a 6-7 hour road trip to Kathmandu. The alternative is to fly (extra cost). On arrival at Kathmandu, you will be taken to your hotels where you can enjoy a hot shower and then have free time to wander around Thamel for some last-minute shopping before your departure tomorrow.
Day 17 : Transfer to the international airport for your final departure.
A representative from Uma Holidays Travel and Tours will take you to the airport at least three hours prior to your departure. We hope you can make time to comment on your trek to Upper Mustang. Should you require guidance on your next Nepali adventure, then please contact us.
SERVICES
Cost Includes
- All ground transportation by private Car/Jeep including airport transfers.
- Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
- Two-night accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
- Bus transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu.
- Both way flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara including departure taxes
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
- Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
- An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide), porter to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging
- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Uma Holidays Travels & Tours duffel bag, and trekking map.
- All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP, Special trekking permit), please bring 2 passport size photos for permit
- A comprehensive medical kit
- All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
- Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
- Personal Travel insurance
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
- Cold drinks, water, snacks, and other personal expenses
- Hot shower during the trek
- Personal trekking equipment’s
- Tips for trekking staff
EQUIPMENTS
Trekking equipment
The Following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek as the backpack for the hiking in Nepal and the gear play a vital role for the successful trip and we suggest you to have all the necessary gear for the trip and not to have unnecessary equipment/things that you will not be using for the trip and list of the gear you need for the trek are:
- Good down Sleeping bag (Optional/we can provide one if you do not have on your own and it is to be returned after the trek.
- Duffel or Rucksack bag to keep your all the gear and this will be carried by the porters.
- Daypack bag for yourself
- A down Jacket
- Shade hat
- Warm wool hat to cover your ears
- A pair of lightweight warm gloves.
- T-shirts 2- 3 pieces
- Lightweight thermal tops.
- Fleece jacket.
- Fleece Wind-proved jacket (optional).
- A pair’s nylon hiking shorts which are quick drying one
- Underwear
- Two pairs of lightweight long underwear.
- Two pairs trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts
- Four pairs of liner warm socks
- A pair of light to medium weight waterproof hiking/trekking boots.
- A pair of light trekking shoes for camp/lodges
- A pair sandal (Optional)
- A water bottle.
- Head/Torch Light.
Medicines and First Aid Kits
- Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude-related headaches like DMX.
- Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.
- Imodium or Peptone besom, Flexon capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Diamox 125 or 250mg or 400mg tablets for altitude sickness.
- 1 small personal sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as moleskin, band-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc.(Uma Holidays Travels and Tours company's team also provide first aid kits)
Miscellaneous but Important
- Passport and extra passport photos (4 copies)
- Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
- Lip care (Balm) At least SPF 20, 2 sticks.
- Sun’s cream with SPF 40 is recommended
- Pocket knife.
- Water purification Iodine tablets
- Toiletry kits and be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.
Note Regarding Itineraries:
Although we generally adhere to the schedule, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions, suitable campsite availability, and the group's general fitness level. It is important to understand that our trek is logistically complex and it is not unusual that adjustments be made. Our guide will orient you each evening to the following day's plan and their good judgment is the key to the long history of successful treks that Uma Holidays Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd. Please remember that our ability to make adjustments as needed helps to ensure that your trek is safe and successful. Your safety is paramount
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