
In Tibetan, Mustang means "fertile land." Mustang, or the Kingdom of Lo, is an area located at the North-East of Nepal and it borders Tibet. Mustang was a prohibited access area to foreigners up until 1991. Formerly independent, it's now an integral part of Nepalese territory (since 1951.) Located behind a mountainous barrier, Mustang sits in a rain shadow, unaffected by the monsoons. It has a dry, desert-like, and windy climate. Here one lives with the rhythm of the seasons isolated from modern time. Fantastic canyons with red cliffs, chimneys of fairies, & monasteries; Lo Manthang, the royal capital city strengthened by high Mustang, is an exceptional voyage to the meeting of an authentic culture full of legends and secrets.
Total Days: 17 days
Trekking Days : 12 days
Hotel in Kathamndu: 3 days
Hotel in Pokhara: 2 days
Trek Grade: Moderate
Altitude Maximum: 3900m (Lo-Manthang)
Type of Trek: Lodge (Recommended for camping also)
Walking Time: 5-6 hour each day
Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel by one of our representatives.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m
Day 02 : In the morning, we will visit Patan, a true open air museum with its pagodas, temples, & monasteries. In the afternoon, we will visit Durbar Square, the old royal palace, & the house of the Kumari (living goddess,) reincarnation of Kali.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m
Day 03 : Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m) by tourist coach bus: In the afternoon we will visit Devi’s falls, a waterfall flowing through a very deep and narrow canal. We will also visit Guptesowri Cave, a very natural and attractive cave, and Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal.
Overnight: Hotel
Drive Time: 4-5 hours (200Km)
Difference in Elevation: - 514m
Day 04 : Fly Pokhara to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2800m): We will fly 20 minutes to Jomsom and then start our trek to Kagbeni. Jomsom is a big, beautiful village with many facilities and a small domestic airport. The airport is connected only with Pokhara. Jomsom is the administrative headquarters of the district. From Jomsom, we will walk 3 hours to Kagbeni (2800m). On the way you will see a lot of black fossils, "Saligram" which local people may be selling. Kagbeni is a very interesting and medieval village with stone houses, narrow alleys, green fields, and high mountains. It is not very far from the legendary Mustang and Lo Monthang.
Overnight: Lodge
Flight Time: 20 minutes
Walking Time: 3 ½ hours
Difference in Elevation: + 1980m
Day 05 : Trek Kagbeni to Chaile (3060m): The trail follows the East bank of the Kali Gandaki River and climbs over many ridges as it heads north to reach Tangbe Village. From Tangbe Village, the trail goes to Chhusang and then crosses the river, climbing up to reach Chaile.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 260m
Day 06 : Trek Chaile to Geling (3500m): Our climb today continues along the treeless and waterless terrain along a spectacular and steep canyon. We pass a rock cairn at 3540m. After that the trail makes long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge and then the trail descends further down to the village of Samar. The trail then climbs above Samar to a ridge, and descends into a large gorge and follows along another field, crossing a stream and climbing up to a ridge at 3800m. After that, the trail again climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes before the final descend to Geling.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 440m
Day 07 : Trek Geling to Charang (3580m): From Geling, the trail gradually climbs to a pass and then descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Tangmar Chu River, we will arrive at a Mani Prayer Wall. After climbing over another pass at 3600m, the trail makes a long, gentle descend to Charang. At Charang, there is a five story, white dzong and red gompa which is worth visiting.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 80m
Day 08 : Trek Charang to Lo-Manthang (3900m): The trail descends about 100m down from Charang and crosses the Charang–Chu. After that the rocky trail climbs steeply up to the cairn on a ridge at 3850m. Finally, we will view the walled city of Lo and after a short descent, cross a stream then climb up to the plateau of Lo-Manthang.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 320m
Day 09 : Rest Day in Lo-Manthang (Capital city of ancient Mustang): We will explore Lo-Manthang village today and you will be able to visit the Tungchen Gompa, the Champa Lakhang (God House), the Chyodi Gompa and Raja's Palace. We will be surrounded by the panoramic views of the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas.
Overnight: Lodge
Day 10 : Trek Lo-manthang to Ghami (3570m): We start heading back now. We will visit Lo-Gekar Gompa (oldest monastery in Buddhist history) on our way down. It is older than famed samye gompa in Tibet. The trek takes approximately 5-6 hours to reach Ghami.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference Elevation: - 330m
Day 11 : Trek Ghami to Samar (3600m): We will follow same route which we had done earlier on our way up.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference Elevation: + 30m
Day 12 :
Trek Samar to Kagbeni (2800m): We will follow same route which we had done earlier on our way up.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5- 6 hours
Difference Elevation: - 800m
Day 13 :
Trek Kagbeni to Jomsom (2750m): We will follow same route which we had done earlier on our way up.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 3 ½ hours
Difference Elevation: - 50m
Day 14 : Flight Jomsom to Pokhara (820m): We will have scenic flight to Pokhara for 20minutes. Then we will explore Pokhara in the afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel
Flight Time: 20 minutes
Difference Elevation: - 1930m
Day 15 :
Drive Pokhara /kathmandu by Bus/van
Overnight: Hotel
Drive Time: 4-5 hours (200Km)
Difference in Elevation: + 514m
Day 16 : Today we will visit Pashupatinath, the ancient and one of the holiest temples of Hindu, Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal, built in 14th century, and Soyambhunath, one of the world’s most glorious stupas’, famous for its Buddha eyes which seems to be observing the world from four different directions.
Overnight: Hotel
Difference in Elevation: 1334m
Day 17: Transfer to the airport and departure
Special Note:
This Itinerary can be customized according to the duration of your holiday. The Trek can be operated with Lodge/tea house and/or camping accommodation, based on your preference. We have many options for shorter visits based on your interests and budget. For the Pokahara-Kathmandu segment, we can depart by flight or by bus/van.
NOTE: The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size.