Trekking in Mustang

Description

The word Mustang comes from the Tibetan word Monthang, which means "the plain of hopes that inhabit the border". This small kingdom located in Nepal has always maintained privileged links with Tibet and in particular with its aristocratic capital of Lhasa. The dynasty of the Rajas of Mustang has been perpetuated until today. Cultural and religious links for these fervent Buddhists, geographical links too, because the absence of large passes has always made Mustang the mandatory passage between India and Tibet through the Kali Gandaki valley.

Closed to tourists since the beginning, the Mustang is now open to them. I therefore propose you to discover one of the last great authentic Himalayan destination in the heart of the sumptuous great Himalayas (Dhaulagiri and Annapurna) and the high Tibetan plateau.

You can also follow me on other routes in this beautiful Annapurna region:

• a roaming in the Nar Phu valley,
• the Mardi Himal trekking,
• and the Dhaulagiri balcony and Mardi Himalk base camp trek.

Program

D1: Kathmandu.
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

D2: Free day to complete formalities.
Night at the hotel.

D3: Kathmandu - Pokhara.
About 6 hours by bus.
Night at the hotel.

D4: Pokhara - Jomsom - Kagbeni (2800m).
Morning flight to Jomsom (2700m). Beginning of the trek towards Kagbeni, an amazing fortress village which marks the entrance of the Mustang.
About 30 minutes by plane and 3 hours of walking, night in a lodge.

D5: Kagbeni- Chéle (3050m).
The first village of the Mustang, Tangbe, is a site of rare beauty: ancient fortress, maze of alleys, alignment of chortens dominating the Mustang Khola river. You continue towards Chhuksang, a fortified place made up of several hamlets, at the foot of very beautiful coloured cliffs then climb to Chéle, perched on a rocky peak.
About 6 hours of walking, night in a lodge.

D6: Chéle - Gheling (3740m).
Direction Samar, on a balcony path above an impressive gorge, with the passage of a pass at 3550 meters then descent towards Samar, a typical village lined with poplars. Two routes are possible: the main path (6 hours) or the pilgrims' path (7 hours) with a steep descent into a gorge. You discover a sacred cave where nature has sculpted an immense chorten in the rock, then climb through a beautiful canyon to Syangpoche then to a pass (3860m) and descend to Gheling and its monastery.
About 6 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D7: Gheling- Dhakmar (3800m).
You climb to a pass and descent to Ghemi, a pretty village in the middle of an oasis of greenery and composed of beautiful Tibetan houses. The day continues towards Dhakmar, a village nestled at the foot of large red rock organs.
About 6 hours of walking, night in a lodge.

D8: Dharkmar - Ghargumba - Tsarang (3620m).
The day starts with a steep ascent in a beautiful canyon to a pass, before a descent towards Lo Gekar, monastery of the XI^th century. We continue towards Tsarang in the middle of barley, mustard and buckwheat fields, then to the big village of Tsarang, where we will stay in a basic lodge or in a local house. Tsarang is a beautiful village and the ruins of an ancient fortress are also a reminder that a king once lived there. You can visit the monastery overlooking the village. In the surrounding area, there are also many remarkable points to see (such as the big chorten at the entrance of the track coming from Gemi.
About 5 hours and a half of walking, night in a basic lodge.

D9: Tsarang - Lo Manthang (3790m).
Leaving Tsarang, we pass near a turbine which supplies the village with electricity. Several grist mills work on this torrent and a big chorten marks the exit of the village whereas troglodytic dwellings dominate us. We then follow a valley where Lo Monthang, the fortified capital of the ancient and mythical kingdom of Lo, is nestled. In a short hour's walk, we arrive under the walls of the citadel. The town has two gates: a north side, the main entrance passing under a large porch, and a south side, a concealed and discreet back door. Only the north gate was open during the day. The view is magnificent.
About 4 hours of walking.

D10: Lo Manthang (3790m).
The day is dedicated to an excursion around Lo Manthang, hiking or horsebacking (optional), to visit secluded villages in the north of the Mustang capital (Gharphu, Nyphu....), monasteries and troglodyte dwellings... There are many walks around Lo Monthang, in the middle of barley, mustard and buckwheat fields. You can also stroll through the narrow streets of this old town to discover the inhabitants chatting in the royal palace square. Old monasteries have beautiful paintings and magnificent mandalas. Optional excursion to Chhosar, in the direction of Tibet. In this case we have to rent horses to go there and back during the day.
Overnight in a basic lodge.

D11: Lo Manthang - Yara.
We climb to a pass overlooking Lo Manthang followed by a path, some passages of which require special attention. The descent is steep in the middle of fairy chimneys to Die (3360m) and ends in a lunar scenery, in the middle of huge fairy chimneys. During the ascent in a rather wide gorge, one can see entire cliffs carved out of ancient troglodytic habitats. The day's hike ends with the crossing of the river and an ascent to Yara.
Approximately 5 hours of walking, night in a basic lodge or at a local's house.

D12: Yara - Tanggyé (3350m).
Beginning of the day on a long plateau then steep descent to cross a torrent before an ascent towards a pass (3860m) and a dive through fairy chimneys. We visit Tanggyé, its monastery and its magnificent alignment of chortens.
About 7 hours of walking.

D13: Tangye - Tetang (3000m).
The stage is long with the climb to a pass at 4100 meters and the crossing of a plateau with a very beautiful view on the right bank of the Mustang Khola and the Annapurnas massif. Beautiful mineral landscapes and a long descent to Tetang are waiting for you.
About 9 hours of walking (25km).

D14: Tetang - Muktinath (3800m).
We climb in a talweg with some pastures in the middle of rocks before a pass at 4050 meters, exit of the Mustang. You enjoy all the snowy massifs of Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri then go towards Muktinath.
About 5 to 6 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D15: Muktinath - Jomsom (2700m).
Last and long descent towards Jomsom with the crossing of the fortified village of Jarkhot.
About 5 hours walk, night in lodge.

D16: Jomson - Beni - Pokhara.
About 10 hours drive (119km from Jomsom to Pokhara). We take the local bus to Beni, then a 4WD vehicle to Pokhara.
Night at the hotel.

D17: Pokhara - Kathmandu.
About 7 hours by tourist bus, night at the hotel.

The price includes

• Supervision by the experienced guide.
• Airport/hotel/airport transfers.
• Flight Pokhara - Jomsom.
• Jomsom - Beni by bus.
• Beni - Pokhara by private 4WD vehicle.
• Kathmandu - Pokhara by bus.
• Pokhara - Kathmandu by bus.
• 13 days of trek on full board in lodge, each meal with tea or coffee plus lunch on the 15^th day on the Pokhara - Kathmandu route (except drinks, mineral water, coke, beer etc).
• One porter for 2 participants: according to the rules of the Nepalese porter's union, a porter carries a maximum of 20kg with his belongings, so your luggage should not exceed 10kg. If your luggage weighs more than 10kg, you will have to hire an extra porter.
• The Annapurnas conservation permit.
• The special 10-day Mustang permit ($500 / person).
• 2 nights hotel in Pokhara in double room with breakfast.
• Insurance for the whole Nepalese team.

The price does not include

• International flights.
• Meals in Kathmandu.
• Meals in Pokhara.
• Hotel in Kathmandu.
• Entrance fees for monasteries in Mustang.
• Luggage surcharge on the flight Pokhara - Jomsom (You are entitled to 15kg/person, in case of excess you have to pay 100 Rupees/kg).
• Personal equipment (duvet, hiking poles, water bottle, backsack, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.).
• Personal insurance (It is obligatory. Make sure your insurance covers medical expenses in case of accident, as well as evacuation and repatriation).
• Drinks.
• Entry visa to Nepal (check that your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date).
• Transport to and from Kathmandu.
• Entrance tickets for museums, monuments, monasteries, etc).
• Tips.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Any interrupted or shortened trip, any change of programme at the request of the participants (accident, illness, altitude sickness, early return, shortened trek, etc) will not give rise to any refund. Exceptional and unforeseen events (road cuts, landslides, bad weather conditions, snow, etc) may result in additional expenses.

Accommodation

• In lodges during the trekking.

• Share on twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Send by e-mail