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 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 (1300m) 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 Kathmandu to Pokhara(820m) 25mins. Free afternoon overnight at hotel. Day 4: Fly to Jomsom(2720m) and trek to kagbeni(2810m) Walk approx. 4 to 5 hours Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom which is famous for its apples, strong winds and the landscape. We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom which is ideally located at the bank of two rivers. The village is beautiful with flat-roofed houses and also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight in Kagbeni tea house. Day 5: Trek to Chele(3050m) Walk approx. 6 to 7 hours We get our permits checked then begin our trek on a trail alongside the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand amidst strong winds before ascending on a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river on our way. Next, we walk on a ridge before reaching Chele Village. Overnight in Chele tea house. Day 6: Trek to Ghiling(3570m) Walk approx. 6 to 7 hours The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and with a further descent before coming along a pleasant trail to Samar village. We climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge, which the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 meters. The route climbs over yet another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there we gently climb to a pass at 3770meters and descend to Geling Village. Overnight at tea house. Day 7: Trek to Charang(3560m) Walk approx. 6 to 7 hours From Geling village the trail climbs gently up to an interesting pass NYI LA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After
crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) you will arrive to a MANI WALL perhaps the longest and most spectacular MANI wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600meters, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang village. The huge fivestory white Dzong and red Gompa are the main attractions to visit and observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings, of seated Buddha's. Overnight at tea house. Day 8: Trek to Lomanthang(3810m) walk approx. 4 to 5 hours Finally we get to the plateau of Lo Monthang, The Capital city and the Plain of Aspiration of Mustang. The fabled walled city of Lo, the kingdom with a single entrance is a welcome sight! The king, Lo Gyelbu, named Jigme Palbar Bista, still resides at his fourstoried palace inside the walled city of Lo Manthang. Highlights: Fascinating solitary ancient Chorten in the middle of the road after hour and a half walk from Tsarang. The spectacular view of Lo Manthang, valley of Thinkar and Chhosar from 4000m pass of Lo-La. View of varied historical ruined forts on the high hills is one of the highlights. After lunch exploration into the legendary walled city of Lo. Your group leader will organize various thrilling side excursion. Day 9: Explore Lomanthang Lo Manthang the capital city of Mustang contains about 150 houses and has some of the largest and finest Tibetan Buddhism Gompas in Nepal. The city itself is absolutely fascinating place with four major ancient Monasteries which are impressive and an enormous 14th century palace imposing 4-storey building in the centre of the city. Highlights and Excursions: After breakfast your leader will organize a jeep for Chhosar excursion. What u see in chhosar:- Nyphu Cave monastery built into the side of a soaring cliff. 2500 years old Jhong Sky Cave that has more than 44 compartments and gives u the pre historic settlement of humans. During afternoon if you are not exhausted you can walk to Thinkar summer palace or explore the extraordinary ancient monasteries inside the walled city itself which is exceptional. Day 10: Trek to Ghami(3520m) Walk approx. 7 to 8 hours Today we will walk different west terrain which offers you the most beautiful view despite few steep downhill trials. We visit the world s oldest Tibetan monastery Ghar Gompa built around 7th century by the incarnated monk Padmasambhava. overnight at tea house.
Day 11: Trek to Syangbuche(3800m) Walk approx. 6 to 7 hour. We start our trek early to avoid strong winds and descend for the most part of the trek. Our trail passes through a dry plateau and fields before reaching Syangboche. The walk can be relatively difficult as we are most likely to experience strong winds on our face. Syangboche is mostly dry, but we still get good views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. Overnight at tea houses. Day 12: Trek to Kagbeni(2810m) Walk approx. 6 to 7 hours The day begins with a descent to Chaile 2 hrs. and then the trail follows the river bank of the Kali Gandaki. It is a really nice trail and we arrive at Chhusang village and onto Tangbe village and then arrive at Kagbeni. It is really beautiful walking day with excellent views to Tilicho Peak, Annapurna I, Nilgiri range, Dhaulagiri range and many more peaks. It is quite windy as well. Kagbeni is a beautiful valley where there is a big monastery and it is the entry and exit point containing a check post for Upper Mustang. Stay overnight at lodge. Day 13: Trek to Jomsom(2720m) Walk approx. 3 to 4 hours We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom overnight at hotel Day 14: Early morning fly to Pokhara and half day sightseeing Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu 200 km approx. 7 to 8 hours evening farewell dinner Day 16: Trek formally concludes after breakfast with transportation to the airport, unless other arrangements have been made Cost: US$ 3060 ( joining Kathmandu) Cost Includes: Airport pick up and drop offs by private vehicle as per the itinerary. Accommodation in Kathmandu hotel Tibet including breakfast on twin sharing 2 Night hotel in Pokhara with half day tour Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu Domestic round trip flight from Kathmandu Pokhara- Jomsom -Pokhara. Transportation Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist bus 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 15 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: 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
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 In Nepal: Ang Tshering Sherpa / Pemba Lamu Sherpa GPO Box 13418 Kathmandu Office: Kaldhara-16, Paknajol, Pipalbot Marga, Kathmandu 4600 Email: keepwalkingnepal@gmail.com +977 4389 649 (office) Mobile: +977 9851 189 649.