Upper Mustang Trek

A journey to Pokhara awaits us today. The journey can be done either through the air or by road. The flight takes about 30 minutes whereas the road trip takes 7 hours. In Pokhara, you can choose to visit Phewa Lake, Davis Falls, and Mahendra Cave. Spend the evening by roaming around Lakeside. Overnight in Pokhara.

The drive to Jomsom from Pokhara goes through the Pokhara Baglung Highway. The journey is pretty pleasant and, at times, the bumpy road will test you. Along the way, we can see amazing views of the Annapurna range. We take a quick breather at Tatopani and then continue to Jomsom. Jomsom is a town in the Kali Gandaki Valley and was once a trading hub for Tibet. Overnight in Jomsom.

After buying some apples in Jomsom, we shall start the trek to Kagbeni. Our trail goes through the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. We need to navigate through Ekle Bhatti village before arriving at Kagbeni. It is a small settlement comprising of flat-roofed houses. You can also visit the old fortress which dates back hundreds of years. Overnight in Kagbeni.

We walk on the sandy banks of the Kali Gandaki River and then head towards Tangbe village. As we admire the whitewashed houses and apple orchards, we find ourselves walking on amazing ridges. The entire trek continues along arid barren ridges and trails for around 6 hours to reach Chele. It is a small settlement mostly comprising of Thakali people. Overnight in Chele.

The trail from today turns a bit hard and we have to cross two major passes which go by the name of Taklam La (3624m) and Dajori La (3735m). We get to enjoy great views of the Tilicho range along with the looming Damodar Danda. After descending quite a bit, we reach Samar and from there, it is a mere hour walk to Shyangbochen. It is an ancient Tibetan settlement with comparatively low people. Overnight in Shyangbochen.

The trail to Tsarang goes through the Yamdo La Pass (3860m) and the road is decorated with small teahouses and lodges. We pass by Ghami, which is the biggest village in this region. From here, we go to Tsarang. You will have to cross the Tsarang La Pass (3870m) in order to reach Tsarang which sits above the Tsarang Chu canyon. Overnight in Tsarang.

The trail sees descend from the canyon and later goes on an uphill path to Lo La Pass (3950m). You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding landscapes and Himalayas from the summit of the pass. From here, we gradually ascend until we arrive at Lo Manthang. From here, we can admire amazing views of Bhrikuti and Tibetan Himalayan ranges. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Today we shall be exploring the major settlements in Lo Manthang. It was once a restricted area and in recent years has it only been open to the general public. We shall spend the day visiting Niphu, Garphu, and other villages that sit north of Lo Manthang. If you want, then you can also take a pleasant hike to Thinggar. Alternatively, there are a number of sky caves around Lo Manthang which used to be inhabited by early civilizations. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

We pack our bags and leave Lo-Manthang. We shall pass through the Gekar village and take a quick stop at Ghar Gompa. Legends state that Ghar Gompa was also the resting place for Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery still has a number of artifacts from these ancient times. After exploring the Gompa, we continue the trek until we arrive at Dhakmar. Dhakmar is a great place to observe the panoramic display of mountains and the barren red cliffs. Overnight in Dhakmar.

The road to Ghiling is prone to strong winds so it is necessary to start the trek as early as possible. Our walk goes through dry plateaus and arid fields to reach Ghiling. The walk can be comparatively difficult if you have to tackle strong winds. Ghiling is a small settlement with very few households. You can get a clear view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains from here. Overnight in Ghiling.

From Ghiling, we shall make our way to Samar village. We will be using the Ghiling to Chhusang trail. On the road, we will visit the Chungsi cave which is great for exploration. On the road to Samar, we can even visit the Rachung monastery as well. Samar is a small settlement inhabited by Tibetan Buddhists. Overnight in Samar.

The trail is nearing its end and we shall make our way back to Kagbeni. The road goes through Chhusang village and we have to walk through the dusty and at times green trails. The trail also runs along the Kali Gandaki River to settle at Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a popular tourist destination and it has numerous Teahouses and small lodges. Overnight in Kagbeni.

From Kagbeni, we need to head back towards Jomsom. The road goes through Ekle Bhatti and follows the Kali Gandaki River for the entire trek. Along the way, you can admire amazing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. At Jomsom, you can explore the town and enjoy the hospitality of the Thakali community. Overnight in Jomsom.

From Jomsom, you have the option of either driving or flying to Pokhara. The flight takes about 20 minutes whereas the drive takes about 6 hours. Upon arrival in Pokhara, head to your hotel. You can spend the remainder of the day exploring the Lakeside. If you fly to Pokhara, you can also visit places like the World Peace Pagoda and the International Mountaineering Museum. Overnight in Pokhara.

Today, we shall head back to Kathmandu. The drive goes through the Prithvi highway and shows you the green hills along with flowing rivers and greenery. We shall stop at Damauli and Kurintar during the trip for breaks. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. The company will host you a farewell dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

A company representative will help collect your luggage then accompany you to the airport. We bid farewell today, and after completing your formalities at the airport you should be heading towards home. We part ways hoping our paths cross again and that we did a good job.