UPPER MUSTANG
UPPER MUSTANG
Blue skies and ochre rock faces is what greets you in Upper Mustang. A landscape unique to this region, a culture dominated by Tibetan Buddhism, Mustang is in fact nothing like the rest of Nepal. The trek leads you through some spectacular landscape from the Kali Gandaki valley to Jharkot and Muktinath.
Mustang, a former kingdom beyond the Himalayas
Once we reach Mustang, we are traveling in a region dominated by Tibetan cultural influence. Villages, monasteries and chortens all speak of the culture of Tibet and in the background are seen the snowy peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Due to its geographical location, Mustang, once a small Himalayan kingdom, has always maintained privileged links with Tibet, and in particular cultural and religious ties that dominate the life of the inhabitants. In addition, the absence of large passes made Mustang the ideal place of passage between India and Tibet through the valley of Kali Gandaki. This hike takes us to this well-preserved, partially isolated region of Nepal. The arid land of Mustang contrasts with the snow-capped peaks that are seen in the background. Lo Manthang, a fortified town with several monasteries, welcomes us for a cultural stopover.
- A summer trek on the Tibetan plateau along the Kali Gandaki canyon.
- A remote region of Tibetan culture, lively and well-preserved.
- A rich cultural heritage restored in Lo Gekar, Lo Manthang, Luri Gompa.
- A spectacular mountain flight between Jomsom and Pokhara.
Gallery
Itinerary
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Welcomed by Base Camp Trek staff, transfer to hotel
- Accommodation: Hotel
We drive to Pokhara and reach there in the afternoon.
-Duration of drive: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lake Side Retreat Hotel on BB basis
Leaving Pokhara in the morning, we fly between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains; an exciting flight to Jomsom. Reaching Jomsom, we start our trek to Kagbeni, the gateway to Mustang.
- Elevation positive 150m
- Elevation negative: 0m
- Duration of hike: 3hr
We leave Kagbeni and head for the fortified village of Jharkot. Optional excursion to Muktinath (3,800m) to visit the famous Vishnu temple and pilgrimage site (2 hr walk). This hike helps you to better acclimatize to this altitude.
- Elevation positive 750m
- Elevation negative: 50m
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We enter upper Mustang through Dzong village and visit a small monastery above the village on a rocky hilltop. Then we climb to Gyu la Pass (4000m) and make a long descent in a spectacular setting of ochre rock walls to reach the village of Chhusang.
- Elevation positive 650m
- Elevation negative: 1 200m
- Duration of hike: 5 to 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
After crossing the Kali Gandaki gorges, it’s a short walk to Chele. After Chele, we walk on a trail that has been carved on a rock face and goes up to the Taklam Pass (3,650m). After that we make a short descent to reach our camping site in Samar village.
- Elevation positive 650m
- Elevation negative: 150m
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Elevation positive 700m
- Elevation negative: 400m
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We visit the small monastery in the heart of the village surrounded by caves that once served as shelters against invaders. In the afternoon, we make an easy climb to one of the most dazzling of Mustang’s landscapes of red walls that dominate the village.
- Elevation positive 650m
- Elevation negative: 550m
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
This is the longest day of our trek but poses little difficulty. We make an easy climb to Mui la pass (4,100m) to reach the oldest monastery in Mustang, Ghar Gompa of the Nyingmapa School where precious frescoes have been successfully restored. After lunch, we cross the Marang Pass to descend on Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang, in striking scenery.
- Elevation positive 900m
- Elevation negative: 700m
- Duration of hike: 7 ½ hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
Today we visit or rest in Lo Manthang, a small walled city on the Tibetan plateau. In the 15th century, this was an important religious hub and a trading center between India and Tibet. We stroll through the winding streets of the settlement to visit the two historic monasteries, Jamba Lhakhang and Tukche where remarkable frescoes have been restored by an Italian team.
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Elevation positive 500m
- Elevation negative: 700m
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We embark on an excursion to the Tashi Kabum cave and the Luri Gompa monastery which have well-preserved 15th century Buddhist frescoes. Then we head back to the same camp.
- Elevation positive 250m
- Elevation negative: 250m
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Elevation positive 600m
- Elevation negative: 800m
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Elevation positive 1100m
- Elevation negative: 1300m
- Duration of hike: 8 ½ hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
This is an easy day of walking through the village of Tangbe and we go on to Kagbeni where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we take an easy hike following the windy Kali Gandaki River to Jomsom.
- Elevation positive 50m
- Elevation negative: 250m
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We catch the early morning flight that goes between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges to reach Pokhara. We then fly on to Kathmandu.
Free time in Kathmandu.
- Accommodation: Hotel
We spend the day visiting the famous World Heritage Sites of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudha Stupa followed by a tour of the old Newar city of artisans known as Patan.
- Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight
End of our services.
What's included
- Domestic airport Taxes
- 4 nights in hotel Holy Himalaya or Similar in Kathmandu on BB
- 1 night in hotel Lake Side Retreat or Similar on BB
- Trek in Lodge full board
- English speaking Guide for trekking
- Trekking Staffs / 1 Assistant Sherpa from 4 pax / 1 Porter for 2 pax
- Carrying of luggage up to 13 kg/person during the trek
- Trekking Permit ACAP & TIMS
- Insurance of the staffs
- Domestic airport taxes
What's not included
- Mustang Special Permit
- Lunch & Dinner at Kathmandu & Pokhara except Breakfast
- Visa Nepal at the airport (50$ + Photos)
- International flights
- Insurance detail its compulsory
- Tips, Personal expenses, Drinks, Sleeping bag, hot shower, Battery recharge during trek...
Suppliments
>> Mustang Special Permits: 550$
>> Single room for 5 nights: 145$
CLIENT REVIEW
Jean Werlen Trip (Voyage) : UPPER MUSTANG Date of Trip : 09/08/2016 au 26/08/2016
The 3 passes of Kumbu bring together varied and prodigious landscapes. We were able to appreciate these marvels thanks to an efficient and empathetic support.
First of all when we arrived, complicated and very dispersed, a warm welcome by our attentive guide. Then to recover my baggage then "lost" at CDG, a mobilization of the agency to find it, then driving (by motorbike) and introduction with airport agents to, finally, find the equipment. This misadventure made us grasp our vulnerability but also the essential security provided by the agency.
More classically I want to underline the permanent attention of our guide throughout the course, transfers and journeys. Always in an equal and attentive mood, he never ceases to explain. The whole team is in unison, efficient and friendly. The mastery of French, and even some expressions in Alsatian, make the contact more fruitful. Obviously the size of the group (7 people) and prior knowledge considerably help the collective dynamic and facilitate mobility. The ability to constantly adapt, even to improvise securely, provides comfort and discoveries that are far more interesting than the development of a preliminary program.
In short it was a very nice trek, very nice and serene. Thank you all.
Jean - Michel & Corinne PECHENOT Trip (Voyage) : UPPER MUSTANG Date of Trip : 12 Sep - 03 Oct 2019
This is our sixth trip in six years to Nepal and always with Base Camp Trek. A true friendship is created with the team: Guide and porters. Nepal is not always easy and it's reassuring to know that behind the team that accompanies, this is a solid and reliable organization. In addition, during the trek, it is always possible to adapt the course according to the conditions of the mountain and the participants. We found this great flexibility that allows to better enjoy Nepal and avoids stress. In summary, that happiness!
Sylvie et Michel Trip (Voyage) : UPPER MUSTANG Date of Trip : 12/06/2022
Back from Mustang, we want to tell you that we are very happy with our trip and we would like to thank you very much for having prepared it personally by offering us this very complete program and which showed us the upper valley as we wanted to see it. Bravo for the good balance between 4x4 and walking tours of villages, monasteries and viewpoints. We are very happy to have avoided the crowd of tourists attracted by the Tiji festival.
Thank you also for the cultural guide (BINET) that you provided us with whose explanations in good French were very rich. He was also perfect for the organization and the availability. Thank you also to the very careful driver and also very available.
We didn't see the Chinese flag near the border.....but we knew it was complicated and we expected it.
The Katmandu part and its surroundings, and Pokhara Bandipur were very good too. But it is the upper valley that marked us the most.
Thank you again for all.
Best regards,
Sylvia and Michael
