Keep Walk ing Nepal. Ang Tshering Sherpa

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4WD JOURNEY TO LO MANTHANG: MANTHANG: UPPER MUSTANG Welcome to the guided 4WD journey into the Forbidden Kingdom of Upper Mustang with your ultimate destination to Lo Manthang.

The route entails traveling across desert like landscape, barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and over 4000 meter high passes you will be spell bound.

1 4WD JOURNEY TO LO MANTHANG: MANTHANG: UPPER MUSTANG Welcome to the guided 4WD journey into the Forbidden Kingdom of Upper Mustang with your ultimate destination to Lo Manthang. Your 4WD journey is an adventure through the most stunning valleys of Mustang with spectacular mountain views and an opportunity to experience the ethnic culture of Nepal. The route entails traveling across desert like landscape, barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and over 4000 meter high passes you will be spell bound. Nestled on the border of Tibet, to the north of the Annapurna range and south of the Tibetan plateau, Mustang has been relatively untouched by outside influences. From the mid 1960 s Mustang was closed to the world, however in 1992, the Nepalese government reopened the region by special permit. Upper Mustang is made up of 34 settlements with the most densely populated settlement at Lo Manthang. There are many species of wildlife, many of which are endangered. Much of the Mustang area is made up of high altitude steppe. Vegetation cover is sparse and snow and strong winds accelerate the erosion process. The irrigated alluvial parts are use intensively for cultivation whilst the lower slopes and alpine meadows are used for grazing. Upper Mustang was once an independent kingdom, although closely tied by language and culture to Tibet. From the 15th century to the 17th century, its strategic location granted Mustang control over the trade between the Himalayas and India. This ancient trade route remained in use until China's annexation of Tibet in 1950.China revitalised the trade route and in 2001 completed a 20km road from the international border to Lo Manthang. Road building south of Lo Manthang has been made difficult due to the Kali Gandaki gorge and was completed in 2015 and is suitable for high clearance and 4wd vehicles only. Mustang is cold and arid with temperatures plummeting to -25C at times in Lo Manthang. All agricultural activities take place in April to October when the weather is mild. November to March is severe with snow. Mountain passes become blocked and many settlements are cut-off. Strong winds and high solar radiation are common, and the tough weather conditions cause a large winter migration into the lower regions of Nepal.Travel to Upper Mustang is notan adventure that is taken lightly. Your guides will ensure you are well looked after. Special permits are required for entry into the Forbidden Kingdom. This and the weather partly ensures the number of visitors to the area are much lower than in other areas of Nepal and this has led to Upper Mustang remaining true to its culture and way of life. The most suitable time to visit is March to May and October. In November and February it can be cold but it is still good travelling weather. December to January is for the diehard adventurers. We would be pleased to have you along on this remote wilderness adventure and introduce you to our way of life while your travel as part of my extended family. Ang Tshering Sherpa Family business owner / manager

Daily movements Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival Arrival Kathmandu - Sherpa staff will transfer participants to Hotel Tibet. After noon trek briefing and distribute sleeping bag,jacket and kit bag.

2 Daily movements Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival Arrival Kathmandu - Sherpa staff will transfer participants to Hotel Tibet. After noon trek briefing and distribute sleeping bag,jacket and kit bag. Evening meal with the Sherpa leader in Nepali restaurant with cultural program. Overnight in Kathmandu. Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and special restricted area trek permit preparation. In Kathmandu.Half day sightseeing tour of the 2 major attractions in Kathmandu. We will visit Boudha (the second largest Buddhist stupa in the world) and Pashupatinath (one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati river). Afternoon at leisure for last minute shopping, or you may like to explore Durbar Square or the extensive handicraft shops in Thamel. Day 3: Fly to Pokhara and walk to Peace Pagoda An early start. Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara, 25mins. Have lunch in Pokhara and boat ride to lake side and then hike up to Peace Pagoda from where you will enjoy the view of Himalaya and great views of lake side and Pokhara. We will walk back to the other side of the lake and boat ride back to hotel.overnight at hotel in Pokhara. Day 4: Pokhara to Jomsom(2700M) and drive to Chuksang (2980M) Flight 25mins. Drive approx. 3hrs We catch an early flight to Jomsom Or Dzongsam meaning New Fort and walk to a local restaurant for breakfast. Jomsom is the region s administrative headquarters and the main travel hub for Upper Mustang and Muktinath. Situated at 2700m, the Kali Gandaki River flows through the town. Strong winds that blow up the valley every day from late morning onwards.the houses in the villages in this area are designed to protect the inhabitants from them. These winds are caused by the differences in atmospheric pressure between the Tibetan Plateau and the lower reaches of the valley. We then load up your gear into the jeep we travel a further 3 hours to Chuksang. Chuksang town has 3 separate parts and ruined castle walls on the nearby cliffs making a lovely stop for the night. For those who would like to stretch their legs we recommend you walk to the nearby picturesque ancient village of Tetan. Overnight at Chuksang. Day 5: Chuksang to Geling (3540M) Drive time approx. 4hrs After breakfast drive to Geling. Leaving Chuksang you are surrounded by huge red and orange sculptured cliffs with inaccessible caves that dominate the valley. The barren terrain is broken up with a patchwork of green fields which give a splash of colour. Looking back you have fine views of the peaks Nilgiri and Tilicho. Villages become more scattered as you enter deeper into the Mustang region. Rangbyung cave on the way to Geling contains stalagmites formed in the shape of chortens and is an extremely sacred place. Ghiling (Geling) is a traditional settlement with mud built houses and roofs made of twigs and straw.you will explore old Upper Mustang palace and monastery. Overnight at Geling.

3 Day 6: Geling to Lo Manthang (3810M) Drive time approx4to 5 hrs After breakfast you drive to Lo Manthang which is the Capital city of the region. Crossing the ridge above Lo Manthang you get your first views of the fabled walled city and the stunning scenery of the Mustang Khola and the peak of Mansail to the west. From here you can also see the stunning view of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna peak.your 2 night stay will give you ample time to explore the old walled city and the village that has spilled outside of the walls of the old town. Prior to the invasion of Tibet, Lo Manthang was a prosperous centre for the salt and wool trade. Visit the four storeys Durbar, Chyodi Gompa, Namgyal Gompa, Tingkhar and Tall Champa Lakhang Gompa. Through the centuries Lo Manthang evolved and is an important repository of Tibetan Buddhism. There are a number of images, frescoes and sculptures housed in the monasteries in and around Lo Manthang, including the Chosar and Luri caves. In 2007 a shepherd discovered a collection of 55 cave paintings depicting the life of the Buddha. The Mustang Caves or Sky Caves are a collection of some 10,000 man-made caves dug into the sides of valleys in the Mustang District. Archaeologists have found partially mummified bodies in these stacked caves that are at least 2 to 3,000 years old. Valuable paintings, sculptures and manuscripts were also found. No one has yet understood who built the caves and why they were built. Mustang is rich in Buddhist culture, similar to Tibet and is an alternative way to experience the Tibetan culture and landscape. Overnight at Lo Manthang. Note: The Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang is one of the most important and colourful in Mustang. Held annually to chase away demons, it is a time of prayer and dance as monks. Tiji consists of three-day of Tibetan rituals. The Tiji centres around a myth, which tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. Tiji comes from the word ten che meaning the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds and is effectively a spring renewal festival. Date for Tiji Festival 2017 in Lo-Manthang is 21, 22 and 23 May Note: The 2017 Yartung Festival in Lo Manthangis the annual horse race held in late July, dates to be confirmed. It involves a week of serious horse racing Tibetan styleand riders come from around the area to compete in various events that showcase their horses and riding skills. Day 7: Explore Lo Manthang Today we take a jeep safari to explore Lo-Manthangthe.Overnight at hotel. Day 8: Lo-Manthang to Ghami( 3520m) Drive Approx 4 to 5 hours Today we will be walking about an hour throgh the longest Mani wall in mustang and visit Ghami village overnight at Ghami. Day 9: Ghami to Muktinath (3710m) Drive time approx. 6 to 7 hours After breakfast you drive to Muktinath. Muktinath is an ancient sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Hindus know it as Chumig Gyatsa Place of Salvation. It is one of the most ancient temples of the God Vishnu. Buddhists call Muktinath Chumming Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means Hundred Waters. It is a sacred place of the Dakinis goddesses known as Sky Dancers, and is also one of the 24 celebrated Tantric places. It is situated at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass. Overnight at hotel. Day 10: Muktinath to Jomsom via Kagbeni Drive time approx. 3 hrs

4 w w w. k e e p w a l k i n g n e p a l. c o m Early in the morning you move to the Muktinath Temple for the Worship. Behind the temple is a semi-circular wall with 108 stone faucets. Water from the ice-cold Kali Gantaki River has been diverted to flow through the faucets and hardy pilgrims who visit the temple often stand beneath each of the spouts. People believe that taking a bath in the taps remove all the sins that you made in life. The number 108 carries significance. In Hindu astrology, there are 12 zodiac (Rashi) and 9 planets (Graha) giving a total of 108 combinations.after worship you walk back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you drive downhill to Jomsom, stopping on the way at the beautiful village of Kagbeni. The village is designed as a fortress town and was quite important during the salt trade between Tibet and Nepal. Kagbeni retains a medieval feel with narrow, covered flagstone alleys, antique chortens and large ochre monastery perched about the town. It lies on the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Rivers. It is a fascinating village with closely packed mud brick houses and well worth taking the time to explore. We will visit the Red Monastery (KagChode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery) built in There is a small entrance fee of 200NPR which helps towards its preservation. Being over 585 years old, this monastery provides a complete picture of how the construction of traditional Tibetan Buddhist monasteries were carried out in the past in the Mustang kingdom. It is only a short drive back down to Jomsom from Kagbeni. Overnight at hotel. Day 11: Early morning flight to Pokhara and rest of day at leisure. Evening drive to Sarankot for sunset views. Overnight at hotel. Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu and farewell dinner Day 13: Departure: After breakfast, we will drive to international airport for your departure unless further arrangements have been made Cost: US$ 4,125 ( joining Kathmandu) Cost Includes: Airport pick up and drop offs by private vehicle as per the itinerary. Transportation during mustang journey Accommodation in Kathmandu hotel Tibet including breakfast on twin sharing 2 Night hotel in Pokhara with half day tour Domestic round trip flight from Kathmandu- Jomsom\Pokhara-Kathmandu. Accommodation during the trek on twin sharing basis in lodge All Meals during the trek. (i.e. breakfast, lunch & dinner while trekking Dinner day 1 and day 12 included in Kathmandu. Highly experienced local trek leader and Sherpa porters (all staff are transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipment and insurance while on trek Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) permit fees. National Park entrance permit and fees. Mustang special permit fee Monastery entrance fee at mustang Use of and access to a First Aid medical kit by trained and certified staff (if you require first aid assistance) All trek equipment, which includes: Duffle Bag Sleeping bag Down Jacket Service Excludes: Other meals other than what has been described above. International airfares. Nepal entry visa fee Rescue & travel insurance. Items of a personal nature Alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, Drinking water, laundry, phone call, and internet Tips for guides, Sherpa, porters and drivers

5 w w w. k e e p w a l k i n g n e p a l. c o m Contact us Note: This Itinerary can be changed by your group leader depending upon the client's fitness and weather conditions, your safety and staff safety is our primary concern. Walking Option Available In Nepal: Ang Tshering Sherpa / Pemba Lamu Sherpa GPO Box Kathmandu Office: Kaldhara-16, Paknajol, Pipalbot Marga, Kathmandu keepwalkingnepal@gmail.com (office) Mobile:

Keep Walking Nepal. Ang Tshering Sherpa

Keep Walking Nepal. Ang Tshering Sherpa TREKKING JOURNEY TO LO MANTHANG: UPPER MUSTANG Welcome to the guided trekking journey into the Forbidden Kingdom of Upper Mustang with your ultimate destination to Lo Manthang. Your trek is an adventure