Keep Walking Nepal www.keepwalkingnepal.com MUSTANG NEPAL KAGBENI & MUKTINATH On the trail to Muktinath you are travelling through the gorge carved by the Kali Gandak River which originates in the Tibetan Plateau and eventually flows into the Ganges in India. You are in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas and the climate and landscape is similar to the Tibetan Plateau and can be cold and dry. The high altitude landscapes make unique and scenic environments where the bare bones of the hills can be seen. During this trip we visit the historic village of Kagbeni before reaching the sacred temple town of Muktinath. Flying into Jomsom, administration centre for the Mustang District and main gateway for Upper Mustang and Muktinath, the 25 minute flight from Pokhara is one of the most scenic in Nepal and well worth the early start. The strong winds that blow up the valley every day from late morning onwards prevents flights taking off from Jomsom after 11am. If you can t make it to Tibet but want to experience Tibetan culture then you don t have to go any further than Kagbeni. This beautiful village retains its medieval feel with narrow covered flagstone alleys and is home to the historic Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery built in 1429. The village was designed as a fortress town and was an important hub during the salt trade between Tibet and Nepal. Thorong La pass can be seen from the rooftops in the village, and at 5400m it is the highest pass in the world. Situated further up the valley is Muktinath at an altitude of 3710m at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass and the site of the Muktinath temple, a holy site that devotees flock to. The Hindu name for the temple is Chumig Gyatsa, meaning place of salvation. The Buddhist know it as Chumming Gyasta, which in Tibetan means Hundred Waters. It is an ancient sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is one of the most ancient temples of the Hindu God Vishnu and the Buddhist Dakinis goddesses known as Sky Dancers. Behind the temple is a semi-circular wall with 108 stone faucets which delivers ice-cold water diverted from the Kali Gantaki River. Pilgrims who visit the temple often stand beneath each of the spouts. The number 108 carries significance. In Hindu astrology, there are 12 zodiac (Rashi) and 9 planets (Graha) giving a total of 108 combinations. It is also one of the 24 celebrated Buddhist Tantric places. A number of optional side trips are included, taking us into Upper Mustang to view the 800 year old nunnery at Tiri. On the way back to Jomsom we detour to the village of Lupra, a small village deep in a quiet valley. At Lupra is the only Bon Gompa in the Annapurna area. The Bon religion predates Buddhism and coming from Tibet if influenced a lot of the Tibetan way of Buddhism. Above Lupra there is a good variety of rocks with Shaligrams (black ammonite fossils). These stones are use in the establishment of a Hindu temple of Vishnu anywhere in the world. 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
Trip Summary Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu Day 2 Fly to Pokhara, half day sightseeing Day 3 Fly to Jomsom, travel to Kagbeni O/N Day 4 Optional side trip to Tiri, travel to Muktinath O/N Day 5 Optional walk down to Jharkot meet transport & travel to exit point, walk to Lupra O/N OR Optional walk down to Jharkot meet transport & travel to Lupra via Eklaibhatti (Road access along the river dependent on the river flow?) Day 6 Walk to Eklaibhatti, optional side tour to Rajas Picnic Grounds. Transport to Jomsom O/N Day 7 Fly to Pokhara, rest of day at leisure Day 8 Travel to Chitwan Day 9 At Chitwan Day 10 Travel to KTM Day 11 In KTM, Half day site seeing options Day 12 Depart for home Cost: $ (USD 2,570 Per person) Cost Includes: Single Supplement: additional $165 Airport pick up and drop offs by private vehicle as per the itinerary. Transportation during mustang journey if needed. Accommodation in Kathmandu hotel Tibet including breakfast on twin sharing 1 Night hotel in Pokhara on Bed and Brekfast Domestic round trip flight from Kathmandu -Pokhara- Jomsom-Pokhara Transportation Pokhara-Chitwan-Kathmandu Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara 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 11 included in Kathmandu. Highly experienced local trek leader and Sherpa porters (all staff are transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipment and insurance while on trek 2 nights in Chitwan in full board and jungle activities Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) permit fees. National Park entrance permit and fees. 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 In Nepal: For more information contact: Ang Tshering Sherpa / Pemba Lamu Sherpa GPO Box 13418Kathmandu, Nepal Email: keepwalkingnepal@gmail.com Office: +977 4389 649 Mb: +977 9860 627 739, +977 9851 189 649 Web: www.keepwalkingnepal.com
Keep Walking Nepal www.keepwalkingnepal.com Daily movements Day 01 - Arrival transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu. Overnight hotel. Day 02 - fly to Pokhara: Half day site seeing. Overnight hotel. Day 03 fly to Jomsom (2700m), Travel to Kagbeni (2840m). Overnight lodge. Departing on an early flight from Pokhara, we fly to Jomsom. This 25min flight is along one of the most stunning valleys in Nepal. Jomsom Or Dzongsam meaning New Fort 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. There is plenty of accommodation and good food available in Jomsom. The houses in the villages in this area are designed to protect the inhabitants from the strong winds that blow up the valley everyday from late morning onwards. These winds are caused by the differences in atmospheric pressure between the Tibetan Plateau and the lower reaches of the valley. Therefore flights are prevented from taking off from Jomsom after 11am. Following a hearty breakfast in Jomsom, we board our private jeep and travel to 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 after lunch. The Thorong Las pass can be seen from the rooftops, and at 5400m it is the highest pass in the world. 4 things to do in Kagbeni: I. Wander the cobbled streets II. Visit the Red Monastery (Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery) built in 1429. 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. III. Visit the now privately owned historic Red House Lodge which once had 108 rooms IV. Enjoy the scenery Day 04 Optional side trip to Tiri, travel to Muktinath. Overnight lodge. After breakfast there is the optional walking side trip to Tiri. This trip takes you into Upper Mustang (note since 2007 permits are not required to visit Tiri). It is approximately a 40min walk and home to an 800-year-old nunnery. From Kagbeni we cross the Kali Gandaki River on the bridge (opposite the Pilgrim Guesthouse) and head north. The trail improves after the avalanche scree just beyond the bridge. This is the summer route upriver taken only when the river is too high to ford. At other times it is possible to ford the river just down from the police check point. Returning to Kagbeni we pack up and travel by jeep to Muktinath, stopping at Jharkot for morning tea. We then proceed 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 Gyasta, 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 an altitude of 3710m at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass in the Mustang district. It is approx. 18kms NE from Jomsom. After lunch we will visit the temple complex. In early September there is the annual horse race known as Yartung. A week of serious horse racing Tibetan style. Day 05 Optional walk to Jharkot, travel to exit point, walk to Lupra. Overnight lodge. In the morning we pack up the jeep and those who want to stretch their legs can walk down to Jharkot, enjoying the beautiful scenery back down the valley. A quick cuppa and we travel by jeep down to the trail exit point. We then walk to Lupra approx. 2.5hrs. When walking to Lupra, at the base of the river before crossing to the Lupra side, is a cave approximately 50m up. This cave is used for long-term meditation ranging from 30 days to 6 months. There is a balcony with a seating area for meditation, a small cooking area and sleeping quarters. In Lupra you will find the only Bon Gompa of the Annapurna region. The Bon religion predates Buddhism. If the temple is locked ask one of the villagers if they will open it for viewing. The old Bon religion comes from Tibet and influenced a lot of the Tibetan way of Buddhism. Bon turn their prayer wheels anticlockwise and walk around the stupa anticlockwise. Above Lupra there is a good variety of rocks with Shaligrams (black ammonite fossils). These stones are use in the establishment of a temple of Vishnu anywhere in the world. Day 06 Walk to Eklaibhatti, optional side trip to Raja Picnic Ground, travel to Jomsom. Overnight hotel. We start the day with a 40min walk along the river back to Eklaibhatti. It is an opportunity to pick over the interesting rocks that can be found along the riverbed. At Eklaibhatti we have the option of crossing the long suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River and visiting the Raja Picnic Ground. We walk west to Pilling a lovely agricultural village with traditional flat roofs and white prayer flags. Walking onto Palak and take a rest outside of the lovely Gompa painted with lions or conch shells. We then walk onto Dhakarjhong, walking along the waterway to the Rajas Picnic Grounds. Taking the upper path (rather than descending to the new jeep path) and walking for 20 mins through beautiful alpine flowers. Walking steadily uphill you come to a sheer cliff with silk kharta scarves in a tree. From here 15mins further on is a chorten and stairs up to a cave. Inside the cave are pictures of the Dalai Lama and others. On the weekends the caves can be filled with picnicers. From the cave you can see huge waterfalls high up on the steep rock faces. Down the valley is views of Niligiri. The scramble back down takes 1hr to Dhakarjhong and we make our way back to Eklaibhatti to our waiting jeep and travel the short distance to Jomsom.Note: in the afternoon there is a strong wind when walking down the valley to Jomsom. Most walkers try to be back in Jomsom by lunchtime. An alternative option is to walk from Lupra to Jomsom or travel by jeep, spending the rest of the day in Jomsom at leisure. Day 07 Fly to Pokhara: day at leisure. Overnight hotel. Day 08 Travel to Chitwan Day 09 At Chitwan Day 10 Travel to Kathmandu. Overnight hotel. Day 11 In Kathmandu: half day site seeing. Overnight hotel. Day 12 Depart for home
Trip Inclusions: accommodation and most meals, road transport and airport transfers. A sleeping bag and kit bag are provided for use while on trek, with Sherpas and porters to assist you en-route and carry your gear. A medical kit will be carried by staff.mustang is in the Annapurna Conservation Area and permits are required. Please provide 2 passport sized photos so staff can organise your permit. Clothes: Days are relatively warm when there is no wind in the late morning. Bring normal warm clothes that can be layered on and off as required. Keep Walking Nepal will provide a down jacket for evening wear and supply sleeping bags for winter travel. Season for travel: 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 with snowfall in the area 4 to 10 feet. Summer (March to August) has daytime temperatures 20 to 24C and minimums 12 to 16C. The beginning of winter (Sept to Nov) the temperatures drop, daytime 16 to 18C, nights 0 to 4C. The winter temperatures (Dec to Feb) are 6 to 10C and 0 to -6C at night. June to Sept is the rainy season. Travel Options: Short of time? - Side trips to Tiri, Raja Picnic Grounds and Lupra by Jeep transport is also an option both or 1 way. Further adventures? - Combine this with a 6-day jeep trip from Jomsom into Upper Mustang, check out our website for more details. Note special permits are required for travel into this closed area and would need to be organised prior to departure from Kathmandu. Contact Keep Walking Nepal for travel options, walking or jeep trips available into this area. Trip Details: Adventure style touring, active outlook necessary Lodge based accommodation Private Jeep transport and some walking, Additional Optional walking side-trips available