NEPAL: Mustang - From Snowy Summits to Hidden Valleys of Life
TOUR IN
$2294.82
per person
Availability: 2 places
Explore the small, ancient kingdom of Mustang; trek through this fabulous region with Tibetan cultural influences. Discover hidden villages, ancient monasteries and Buddhist chortens with a stunning backdrop of the snowy Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs... An ideal setting for a trek. Close to Tibet, and somewhat isolated from the rest of Nepal, immerse yourself in a land of contrasts, a world of arid high mountains and rich fertile lands, of colourful prayer flags and monochrome snow-capped peaks which run to infinity. Our small group sizes are limited to 10 people and we facilitate meetings and exchanges with the local population of Mustang, who welcome and accommodate us. Thanks to its geographical location, this small Himalayan kingdom, has always maintained privileged ties with Tibet. In addition, the absence of very high passes means that Mustang forms a natural passage between India and Tibet through the valley of Kali Gandaki. Discover the buzzing atmosphere of Kathmandu, the walled city of Lo-Manthang with its many monasteries and take a beautiful mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2
Route Kathmandu - Pokhara
Day 3
Flight Pokhara - Jomsom - Chhusang (3000 m
We take a domestic flight between Pokhara and Jomsom (2700 m); this short mountain flight offers, weather permitting, simply magnificent views of the Annapurnas, Kali Gandaki valley and the Dhaulagiri massif... At Jomsom, we take a vehicle to Chhusang, a pretty village inhabited mainly by Gurung and Thakalis people. The Kagbeni is our entry point to Upper Mustang. Here we complete the Government formalities relating to the Mustang Special Permit before entering the multicoloured mineral universe.
Elevation: + 300m
Transport: Domestic flight
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 4
Chusang - Chele (3100 m) - Taklam Pass (3625 m) - Dajong Pass (3660 m) - Samar (3600 m)
We begin our walk after breakfast. We cross the Kali Gandaki gorge and it is a short climb up to the small village of Chele. After Chele, a beautiful trail, carved into the rock, leads to Taklam-La (3625 m) and then Dajong-La. From here, it is a beautiful walk down to Samar (3600m), a very old village found in the middle of a wooded grove alongside a stream.
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation: + 650m/-150m
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 5
Samar - Chungsi Cave - Syanbodche (3800 m) - Geling (3570 m)
Todays' hike begins with an uphill stretch and then descends to Chungsi Cave. According to local legends, the 8th century Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, the Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava ,meditated in this cave. Our trek continues gently upwards to Syangboche (3800 m) where we stop for lunch. Then, we continue to Geling village (3570 m) and visit the old fortress and Sakya school monastery with its beautifulTantric Buddhism murals.
Hiking: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: + 750m/-800m
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 6
Geling - Nyi la pass (4000 m) - Ghemi pass (3765 m) - Ghemi - Dhakmar (3820 m)
Today, we cross two mountain passes: Nyi La (3950 m) and Ghemi La (3765 m). We stop in Ghemi village (3510 m) for lunch. Here, we visit the small monastery in the heart of the village, it is surrounded by caves which, in the past, served as a shelter against invaders. This afternoons agenda features an easy climb in one of the most dazzling places ever along the iconic red Mustang walls which dominate the village of Dhakmar.
Hiking: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: + 860m/-610m
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 7
Dhakmar - Mui La Pass (4100 m) - Ghar Gompa (3920 m) - Marang La Pass (4230 m) - Chogo pass (4320 m) - Lomanthang (3840 m)
After a good nights sleep at the foot of the red cliffs, we begin the longest day of our trek. Today is not the most challenging hiking day but it is the longest. It is an easy uphill walk to Mui la pass (4100 m) and towards the oldest Mustang monastery, Ghar Gompa. This Nyingmapa School monastery has beautiful, newly renovated frescoes which are well worth a visit. After lunch, we cross the Marang and Chogo passes and plunge into Lomanthang, the capital of Mustang which is surrounded by striking scenery.
Hiking: 7 to 8 hours
Elevation: + 900m/-850m
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 8
Lomanthang: Rest day and discovery
Lomanthang is a small, walled city featuring early iconic 15th century monastaries. Stroll through the winding streets of the village to discover the two historic monasteries of Jamba Lhakhang and Tukche, and their sumptuous frescoes. Lomanthang is very close to Tibet and Tibetan cultural influences can be observed.
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 9
Jhong - Nyiphu - Chossar - Lomanthang
We take Jeeps towards the Tibetan border Sicha Khola valley. We leave the Jeeps at the foot of Jhong Cave, a real troglodyte skyscraper! On our way back, we visit the monastery of Nyiphu. We return to Lo-Manthang, through the fabulous lunar landscape of Chossar and several charming villages. Transport: 30 min drive in jeeps
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation: + 100m/-100m
Accommodation: The same lodge
Day 10
Route Lo Manthnag - Jomsom
The journey from Lo Manthang to Jomsom is a scenic yet rugged drive that takes you through the dramatic landscapes of Upper Mustang. Winding along dusty mountain roads, you pass through ancient villages, deep gorges, and windswept plateaus carved by the Kali Gandaki River. The route gradually descends from the arid, high-altitude desert of Lo Manthang to the greener valleys around Jomsom, offering stunning views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna along the way.
Drive: 6 hours
Elevation: -1000m
Accommodation: The same lodge
Day 11
Flights: Jomsom - Pokhara and drive to Kathmandu
Day 12
Visit Kathmandu
Bodhnath, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and home to the the Buddha's discerning eyes as well as several surrounding monasteries. After the Buddhist stupa, we visit Pashupatinath Temple. This is the most important Hindu temple, it belongs to the God of destruction and reconstruction. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from Nepal and India pray, dance, sing and make offerings in this temple every day. Traditionally, when Hindu people die, they are cremated. This is the most important site for cremations that take place on the bank of the holy river called Bagmati.
Accommodation: Hotel Meals not included
Day 13
End of stay
End of stay
