Upper Mustang Trek

A representative from Nepal Gateway Trekking will welcome you to Kathmandu Airport for the transfer to your hotel in Thamel. He will be waiting for you outside the arrival terminal with your name. He will assist you with your hotel check-in and advise you of the evening meeting time with the manager.

The manager will meet you in the evening to meet your needs by briefing the program in detail. He will introduce the trekking guide, check the equipment you have for trekking and assist you in getting any gear by buying or renting. 

Today, we make the necessary permits for Upper Mustang Trek. So it is a free day for you. You can explore the Kathmandu Valley. 

After breakfast, you walk to the bus station to begin the scenic drive to the beautiful town of Pokhara, popularly known as “The City of Lakes”. We travel along the banks of the Trishuli and Marshyangdi Rivers with beautiful views of mountains, countryside villages and terraced farmlands.

Upon arrival at Pokhara, you are rewarded with close-up snowy peaks including Dhaulagiri (8,168m/26,794ft), Manaslu (8,156m/26,759ft), Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft) and the five peaks of Annapurna massif. We check in to the hotel and take a well-deserved rest. In the evening, you visit Fewa Lake and the surrounding restaurants, and perhaps visit Tal Barahi Temple located on an island in the Lake.

You drive to the Pokhara airport in the early morning for the 20-minute Trans Himalayan flight to Jomsom. The flight is very scenic and you fly through the worlds-deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki. Jomsom is the administrative centre of the Lower and Upper Mustang region. After having breakfast and permits are checked in Jomsom, the team is ready to move. From Jomsom, you take a jeep drive for around two hours to Chhuksang where you have lunch. It is an hour-long hike to Chele village. The trail is mostly gradual. 

Today is a tough day with a lot of ascents and descents. You start by taking the dusty road out of Chele until the suspension bridge that leads to Ghyakar. There used to be a trail cut into the cliff face, however, the roadwork has caused landslides across the trail, making it impassable. So now, cross the suspension bridge, walk through Ghyakar and then on to Samar (we come across the road again at one point but only cross it as you head to Samar). From Samar, there is a stiff climb up a big hill before a long steep descent to Chungsi cave and the cave gompa. There are normally a couple of Indian Sadhus in residence, and no issues with keys etc to explore the cave. From Chungsi we need to negotiate the Syangbochen Khola gorge – keep an eye out for the lammergeier nests before finally arriving at Syangbochen. It is a hard day but also very stimulating.

We start today by following a road to Tamagaon, then cross the countryside trail (to avoid the road) and a trek uphill to meet up with the trail from Ghilling. Then back on the road to Ghami where we take lunch. The scenery around Ghami is pretty, especially in autumn lovely colours at this time of the year. From Ghami to Dhakmar there are two (main) options – take the road heading east out of town, cross the bridge or take the low route to Dhakmar via the longest Mani wall in Nepal; alternatively, cross the river and head north on the high route to Dhakmar for some spectacular views. Plenty of time to wander around Dhakmar in the afternoon, taking in the incredible scenery.

There are two routes from Dhakmar to Lo Manthang; a steeper route and a less steep route. The less steep route goes directly to the pass. The steeper route involves traversing along the cliff tops. Both have stunning views over Dhakmar and fantastic views of the Annapurnas and Nilgiri. After a visit to the Gompa itself, it is a long climb to the Chogo La (with a couple of false summits along the way!!). From the top, It is an easy downhill stretch to Lo Manthang.

Today is a free day to explore this ancient capital Lo Manthang. Lo-Manthang has remained untouched since the 14th century. The city contains about 150 houses and residences for its many lamas. There are four major monasteries in the town. One of these is Champa Lhakang, which contains a huge clay statue of Buddha elaborated mandalas painted on the walls. The King's palace is an imposing building in the centre of town. His duties are largely ceremonial, the King is respected by the people and consulted about many issues by villagers throughout the kingdom. Your first overnight in the lodge of Mustang on full board meals. Lo Manthang to Chhosser caves and back to Lo Manthang for the night (optional by horse or jeep). We will visit the Chhosser on horseback taking a packed lunch. Chhosser is a mysterious place gifted with its beautiful architecture. The cave looks like a cliff. Inside the cave, there are many steps leading to 44 rooms. It is quite a surreal experience that gives the feeling of being in an alien place. After taking it all in we return to Lo-Manthang for overnight

You leave Lo Manthang after the morning breakfast to Yara village. You take a short climb up to a glacial valley with views of the reddish brown historical walled city during the return of some unforgettable images of the Lo. On reaching the ridge you are greeted by some stunning views along the ridge for around an hour. There is a descent down to the village of Dhi where you take lunch. It is a good day, the air is fresh with the meadows and farming fields near the riverside. After lunch, we cross the river to follow a path along the left bank to reach our overnight destination Yara.

Today you hike to Luri Gompa after breakfast. Luri Gompa was founded in the 13th century, also called Kagyukpa Cave Monastery. There are golden written lama’s books found here. The route continues up to Duyung Khola which runs from the Damodar Kund. This place is also famous for Hindu pilgrims. The headwater is an area of land from where the water runs down into the Kali Gandaki River. This place is famous for black ammonite fossils found hereabouts. Hindus and Buddhists collect these fossils to worship as an embodiment of the God Vishnu.

You leave Yara along a high winding path after a hot breakfast at the tea house in Yara. The trail leads down to the Dhechaeng Khola (river). The water in this river is coming from the Damodar Kund (basin). The trail crosses a small river of melting ice. You climb up for around one and a half hours to Dhi village after crossing the river. Then you walk on a winding desert mountain path to the Lo-Pa village of Tange. The inhabitants of this gentle religious group of Buddhism are mostly busy with local businesses. The small foothills roll away to distant horizons sheltering the villagers from the winds coming in from the valley. From the village to the north, you see some ancient sandy cliffs which head towards the small Tange village. 

Today, you leave Tenge village early in the morning with a packed lunch to Tetang because it is a long day. You climb up with steps to and over a suspension bridge following the trail on the right side. You reach the Yak Khola (river) before climbing a terraced hill to a pass at 4,210m, it is the highest point of the Upper Mustang Trek. Damodar Himal and Saribung Himal (6,346m) can be seen here. The main trail continues along flat land to the left and after one and a half hours you take lunch amongst some ruins of an uninhabited village. After lunch, you walk 4-5 hours with ascents and descents to reach Tetang village for an overnight stay.

You begin with a gradual up to Gyu La pass at an elevation of 4,077m. Today is a more beautiful, shorter and easier walking day than yesterday. You pass through Kharkas with many grazing domestic animals and wild mountain goats. It's a peaceful trek up the valley as you reach the top of Gyu La. From the pass, you see panoramic views of Thorong Peak, Nilgiri, Tukche Peak and the lovely Muktinath Valley. You reach Muktinath via Chhenkar village. You also explore the Muktinath Temple and Monastery before driving to Jomsom overnight. 

You take an early morning flight to Pokhara from Jomsom airport. It is a scenic flight through the mountains and takes around 20 minutes to land at Pokhara airport. Then you drive to a hotel for a relaxing time after the trek to Lo-Manthang in Upper Mustang. You can visit Fewa Lake and hike up to the World Peace Stupa in the afternoon. 

After breakfast at the hotel, you drive to the tourist bus station. The tourist buses leave at 7:30 am to Kathmandu. It is a 6-7 hours journey. After you arrive in Kathmandu, check-in at the hotel and you are free to enjoy your own time. 

One of our team will be with you to help you with your onward connection. He will assist you in checking out the hotel. Then he will drop you off at the Kathmandu airport.