Introduction
Culturally and geographically similar to Tibet, the
“Forbidden Kingdom” of Mustang was only
opened to trekkers in 1992. Its Buddhist monasteries,
unique and dramatic landscapes and hardy yet open people,
make it one of the most interesting and rewarding places
in Nepal, yet it remains visited by just a lucky few.
A spectacular destination for that “once in a
lifetime” journey.
12-day trek into Mustang
After a breathtaking flight between some of the highest
mountains of the Himalaya to Jomsom, we trek north up
the valley of the Kali Gandaki, finally arriving in
the unique earth-coloured landscape of Upper Mustang.
We'll trek through picturesque white-painted villages,
huddled against the wind and surrounded by fields of
buckwheat, barley, orchards of apple trees and groves
of Willow and Poplar. We visit the monasteries of the
area, painted in the horizontal grey, white and yellow
stripes typical of the Sakyapa sect of Buddhism and
also pass long walls of intricately carved mani stones.
Later we come across the red and white chortens (monuments)
which typify upper Mustang and are further evidence
of an ancient heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Lo Manthang - Ancient Capital
Finally we arrive at the ancient walled fortress city
of Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. Although Mustang
is culturally Tibetan it is actually part of Nepal.
The Raja (king) of Mustang has retained his title and
a certain degree of autonomy. The Raja's imposing four-storey
palace dominates the city. Formerly trade with Tibet
in salt and wool made the kingdom wealthy. We can visit
the temples of the city, some dating back to the 15th
century, built from the proceeds of trade. These include
the Champa Lakhang which houses a huge painted statue
of the Maitreya Buddha and the red Thugchen Gompa adorned
with massive wooden columns.
Fact Box |
|
Starting
from: |
Kathmandu |
Ending
at: |
Jomsom |
Grade: |
Moderate-Difficult
|
Highest
access of the trek: |
French pass (5300m),
Thapa pass (5200m) |
Culture
encounter |
Mixed |
Trekking
type |
Camping |
Himalayan
sights: |
Dhaulagiri, Fishtail,
Annapurna range, Manaslu, Nilgiri etc |
Most
Attraction of the trek: |
Close Mountain View,
Villages |
Best Seasion: |
February, March, April, May,
October, November |
Meal: |
breakfast, lunch, & Dinner) |
Activities:
|
Trekking |
Transportation:
|
Car / Van |
Accommodation: |
Camping |
Minimum
Group Size: |
1 |
Per
day Walking: |
5 to 7 hours |
Itinerary type |
Fixed / Customized |
Day
to Day Itinerary |
Day
01 |
Arrive
in Kathmandu Airport & Transfer to Hotel
Welcome dinner in the evening. |
Day
02 |
Full
day Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley.
We will be visiting three of the famous heritage
sites in Kathmandu. You will visit first the Swayambunath
Stupa (Monkey Temple). It is said that
Swayambunath Stupa is more than 2,000 years old,
and it symbolizes knowledge. The painted eyes on
all four sides symbolize the all-seeing power of
Buddha. It is an important Buddhist place where
pilgrims from all over the world come. It
is a 30 minutes drive to Boudhanath
Stupa, another important Buddhist pilgrims
site. This ancient Stupa is considered one of the
biggest in the World. Every morning and evening,
many Buddhist devotees come here to pray and circumambulate
enabling the visitors to observe local religious
practices. One
of the holiest hindu shrines in the world,
The fabulous pagoda houses the linga of
Lord Shiva and people bathe in the Bagmati River
with a faith of cleansing themselves spiritually.
Many Sadhus or Hindu Ascetics live here. During
religious festivals, Hindus come to make offerings,
and it is sometimes very crowded. Bhaktapur
Durbar Square: This former royal palace
complex offers the elegant 15th century Palace of
55 win-dows, artistic courtyards, the Golden gat.
Patan
Durbar Square : Durbar Square an enchanting
melage of palace buildings, courtyards and pagoda
temples, is the center of Patan's religious and
social life. |
Day
03 |
DRIVE
TO POKHARA. 7/8 hrs.
The fun is about to begin. You travel by minibus
through the foothills to reach the lush, flat Pokhara
valley with its paddy fields, winding rivers and
views of the Annapurna range, including of course
the famous ‘Fish Tail’ peak of Machhapuchhare.
The 6 or 7-hour drive gives a taste of all that
is Himalayan – amazing scenery, Third World
farming communities, colour, vibrant life and big
mountains. You fly back at the end of the trek to
sample both experiences. Overnight at Hotel |
Day
04 |
DRIVE
TO BAGLUNG AND BENI. (2,200ft/671m) 4 hrs TREK
TO SINGA. (2,800ft/853m). 3 hrs.
After hot breakfast is over, you drive up to Baglung
and on to Beni, the central hub of the
district with many buildings including government
offices. It will probably be hot and humid as
the trek begins west up the left bank of the Mayagdi
Khola, past a cable car over the river. You
pass many small villages before reaching Singa and
camp overnight at the school field. |
Day
05 |
TREK
TO DARBANG. (3,350ft/1,073m). 6½ hrs.
Beyond the village, the Mayagdi Khola meanders,
passing through many cultivated areas and villages
like Tatopani Shiman and Tal Kot; lunch after about
4 hrs is by a stream. It is a short climb to Babiyachaur
and then a high, winding path on a mountainside.
Here there are terraced hillsides and paddy fields
and the path is an easy walk, being either flat
or gently ascending. After Ratorunga the path follows
the river. After quite a bit of up and down, you
finally reach Darbang (3,650ft/1,113m). and on to
Darbang. Camp overnight. |
Day
06 |
TREK
TO SIBANG ( 5,905ft/1,800m), 7 hrs.
From Darbang, after crossing the Myagdi river over
the suspension bridge, the trail winds up gradually
for one hour. After leaving the river behind, a
steep climb of 1½ hrs leads to the ridge,
then a short pleasant walk will bring you to the
village of Dharapani, 1½ hrs, where lunch
is taken with stunning views of Putali and Ghurja,
the western peaks adjoining Dhaulagiri massif. The
path follows along the farm fields to the south
of the ridge from where Dhaulagiri
Himal is visible before reaching Sibang, 3 hrs,
where you camp overnight. |
Day
07 |
TREK
TO MURI. 4½ hrs.
The track descends towards the Gatti Khola for two
hours before a steady climb for a further two hours
until the large village of Muri is reached for the
overnight campsite. The inhabitants of this village
are mostly of the Magar tribe. You will have time
here after the camp is organised for a short visit
around the village of Muri and to wash clothes.
Camp overnight. |
Day
08 |
TREK
TO BAGAR. 6 hrs.
Your trek path skirts around and descends to the
warm areas of paddy fields partially penetrated
by the tributary Dhora Khola. After crossing it,
the main path ascends the cultivated valleys, passing
rural farmhouses, and goes through a hamlet to a
mountain path then skirts around the ridge. The
path continues winding steeply uphill for two hours
and coming out at the top of the ridge, the path
descends gradually to a small farm village at Bagar,
the last village en-route before Marpha village
is reached at the Kali Gandaki valley.
You camp overnight at the primary school playground. |
Day
09 |
TREK
TO DOBANG. (8,202ft/2,500m) 6 hrs.
The day begins with a very steep hill (30 mins)
after an hour from camp, then a descent with stone
steps cut from the rock. There are cliffs above
with massive bees’ nests and ropes for collecting
honey. Lunch is within the trees after about 4 hrs.
The high winding trekking path follows the village
through the grassy area, there is damp and slippery
ground, requiring concentration, before finally
descending as a steep stone path to the river’s
edge. You may see monkeys here. Following the river
for a while, the path follows a gently sloping mountain
and continues through a forested area with many
ups and downs grassy area you make the ascent through
the forest to emerge to camp overnight at the level
area of Dobang. |
Day
10 |
TREK
TO CHARTARE(SALIGARE)AND ON TO BHAINSI KHARKA. 7
hrs.
Crossing Konban Khola, once again you enter the
forested area until the ascent becomes a descent,
and you can see the west wall of Dhaulagiri I, between
the breaks of the trees. You head down to Myagdi
Khola side, take the left bank path and climb up
towards another khola called the Pakite Khola, without
ever getting too far from the Konaban river. You
will cross this little stream to the tableland of
Chartare(Saligare), lunch shortly before the hamlet
4½ hrs. There are some short steep sections
on mud where you use roots for hand holds- care!
Then 2½ hrs of climb to a misty, moss-hung
clearing in the forest and camp for the night. |
Day
11 |
TREK
TO PAKHABAN (Japanese camp). 5-6 hrs.
Leaving your campsite, you continue following the
trail ahead leading to the forest areaknown as Italian
Base Camp, 10,499ft/3,200m, 40 mins. The trail leads
into a rocky area, then climbs the mountainside
with a steep hill at the end. After crossing the
steep hill, the path narrows until you cross one
glacier and descend to another glacier that originated
from the west wall of the Dhaluagiri. You climb
the opposite bank to a wide grassy area in a shallow
valley of Pakhaban, also known as Japanese Camp.
Pakhaban is a beautiful campsite with an impressive
view of the West wall of Dhaulagiri I and to the
rear the huge stonewalls
from Tsaurabong Peak press closer. You get a feeling
here that you are deep in the heart ofthe Himalaya.
Camp overnight. |
Day
12 |
REST
AND ACCLIMATISATION.
A rest day for acclimatisation, you explore the
glaciers for the next day’s ascent to Dhaulagiri
Base Camp. Camp overnight. |
Day
13 |
TREK
TO DHAULAGIRI BASE CAMP. (15,420ft/4,700m), 8 hrs.
You follow a lateral moraine from Pakhaban to a
rocky ridge, which finally descends to the glacier
again. This you follow as the valley bends to the
right to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From here you are
looking up at the impressive north face of Dhaulagiri
I, while to the west there are the peaks of Dhaulagiri
II, 25,423ft/7,749m and Dhaulagiri III, 25,305ft/7,713m
and Dhaulagiri V, 24,987ft/7,616m. In front of you
is the impressive icefall that descends from
the north east col. Camp overnight. |
Day
14 |
REST
DAY AT DHAULAGIRI BASE CAMP.
It will be very cold here but further acclimatisation
is necessary; it is important to prepare for the
days to come. |
Day
15 |
TREK
VIA FRENCH COL TO ABOVE HIDDEN VALLEY.
16,732ft/5,100m) 6 hrs.
You need to carry lots of water as you cannot fill
up. Leaving the glacier you climb a terracedhill
on the right bank, which runs along beside the glacier
for a while. You have to cross the moraine entering
from a gently sloping incline on the right. You
follow this valley to the French Col, 17,585ft/5,360m,
4½ hrs, naturally from here there is an amazing
view of Himalayan peaks in all directions, including
Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal and Tahshikang. All these
peaks surround the Hidden Valley. To the right you
can see Tukche Peak West and to the rear stands
Dhaulagiri I. A gentle descent along the snow-covered
landscape finally ends
at the wide Hidden Valley and grass for camp overnight. |
Day
16 |
TREK
TO ALUBARI. (9,842ft/3,000m), 7 hrs.
Alubari is much lower than Yak Kharka where we used
to camp, so much warmer and safer if the weather
breaks. It is a long day but worth it. It is an
hour to the bottom of the pass, care needed on easy
snow slopes. You then contour very high on north,
(left) bank which is a potentially dangerous pass
as the path stays above 15,420ft/4,700m for 5½
hrs before dropping very steeply. The ground is
featureless with shale slopes. There are superb
views of Tukche Peak, Nilgiri and perhaps the Annapurnas
behind, Tilicho becomes visible later;
there are also stunning views of Jomsom and towards
the arid trans-Himalayan zones towards Mustang.
The path then goes down to the right and crosses
a stream to reach Alubari, comprising several stone
huts. Camp overnight. |
Day
17 |
TREK
TO MARPHA VILLAGE. (8,750ft/2,667m).
You start with a sharp descent along a narrow mountain
path to a ridge from where Dhaulagiri is visible
again. You wind around to the right and descend
down by a long climb along a steep mountainside,
zigzag path. The final descent of the day brings
us to Marpha Village. Camp overnight. |
Day
18 |
TREK
TO LETE. (8,200ft/2,500m) 6 hrs.
Today you follow the path on the left bank along
the Kali Gandaki river up to Tukche village, where,
in the past, it is said that trade between Tibet
and India flourished. You carry on further through
the cultivated areas and then the rocky area up
to the settlement of Larjung at 8,399ft/2,560m.
You head along the banks of the Kali Gandaki then
descend to the tableland of Lete. Once again, you
have excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Tukche Peak,
Annapurna I and Nilgiri. Camp overnight. |
Day
19 |
TREK
TO TATOPANI. (3,800ft/1,158m) 6 hrs.
Today brings many ups, downs and zigzags. You start
by going along the narrow valley of the Kali Gandaki
without going very far from the river and head up
to Kabre where the valley widens. From here you
descend along the zigzag mountain path through rocky
cliffs to enter the village of Dana, consisting
of little hamlets surrounded by orange groves. From
autumn to winter, baskets of oranges are offered
for sale to travellers along the way. The path ahead
meanders through small villages and finally reaches
the village of Tatopani. Camp overnight. |
Day
20 |
TREK
TO GHOREPANI. (9,600ft/2,926m).
Today you make the long ascent to Ghorepani. After
crossing a suspension bridge you carry on downstream
along the Kali Gandaki crossing a wooden bridge
across the Ghar Khola. You turn left and ascend
a steep stone path to Durun Dhara. From here you
descend along the rocky path to the Chhetri village
of Ghare with its red walled houses. Ascend through
terraced fields all the way up to Ghorepani. Ahead
of us is a panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri range.
Camp overnight. |
Day
21 |
TREK
TO TIRKHEDHUNGA. (2,000ft/609m). 5 hrs.
An early start is needed this morning to reach the
highest point on Ghorepani Ridge, Poon Hill, for
the close-up view of the south wall of pyramid-shaped
Dhaulagiri for the sunrise. Today is an easy day
with gradual walks through the main Trans-Himalayan
Trade Route through the rhododendron and rain forest,
descending to Ulleri and Tirkhedhunga villages,
a pleasant spot with waterfalls. Camp overnight. |
Day
22 |
END
TREK, DRIVE TO POKHARA.
You trek for about 3 hours, a very short distance
up to Nayapool. After this point you board your
bus to Pokhara after an enjoyable and adventurous
journey. The final walk of this superb journey leads
through a series of farm villages to a more sub-tropical
region, back to the rice paddies and following the
course of fresh flowing rivers with a cascade of
beautiful waterfalls as you come to Birethanti.
After this lovely village over the Modi Khola another
½ hr will bring you to the road head for
the 2 hr drive back to Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel |
Day
23 |
FLY
TO KATHMANDU.
Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus (202 km. 7/8 hours)
|
Day
24 |
Depart
Kathmandu
You will be transferred to the airport for your
final departure from Kathmandu. |
Trek Price as per above
program
Group Size |
01 |
2 - 3 |
4 - 5 |
6 - 7 |
8 - 9 |
10 - 11 |
12 + Above |
Price in US$ |
800 |
750 |
700 |
700 |
650 |
600 |
550 |
Package Price Includes
-
Airport Pickup
and Drop
-
All the ground
Transportation by bus
-
4 night hotel
in Kathmandu and 2 night hotel in Pokhara (Tourist
Standard)
-
16 night 17days
trekking in Tent
-
All the meal
during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
-
Trek Permit
& National Park fee
-
Tour leader
for entire tour (All camping equipment like tent,
Sleeping Bag, Kitchen Equipment, Jacket etc.)
-
An experience
guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), necessary
trekking staff and their meal/accommodation/transportation/salary/insurance/equipments.
-
Demostic
Airfare ( Jomsom Pokhara and domostic airport
tax)
Package Price Excludes
- Personal bar bill, travel
insurance/International airfare.
- Items of personal expenses
such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry,
tips etc.
- Nepal entry visa fee US$
30 (duration 60 days from date of issue)- Available
at Royal Nepalese Embassies and Royal Nepalese Consulates
abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International
Airport in Kathmandu.
- All the entrance fee of temple
in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- All
the meal while you are in Kathmandu
|