Mustang Region Trek

Half-day sightseeing tour of UNESCO Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, including Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized. In the evening, sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu

We fly west from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the gem of Nepal and the starting point for Annapurna treks. Take some time in Pokhara to enjoy the town, the dramatic scenery, and a walk along the shores of Phewa Lake.

Today, we'll take a short flight to Jomsom, the administrative capital of the Mustang district, which reveals spectacular views of the region. From Jomsom, we will trek to Kagbeni. Kagbeni is the last settlement in lower Mustang with the greatest concentration of ethnic Tibetan traditions in the unrestricted area. We stay overnight here.

We enter the restricted area of upper Mustang today, trekking along the Kali Gandaki gorge to the village of Chele. This cluster of whitewashed buildings is huddled at the base of a sheer cliff. The flat roofs of the houses serve as safe storage for the stacks of precious firewood used for cooking and heating. Life here has not changed much over the past centuries.

Traveling west from Chele, today we cross several mountain passes (Chele, Bhena, and Yamdo). The rock formations, chiseled by wind and weather, line the route, providing a feast for the eyes. From Shyangmochen (3,800 meters), we descend to Geling. Set in a green oasis of barley fields, the town of Geling stands in stark contrast to the barren landscape that surrounds it.

Today we take a gentle climb upward through the fields of barley and then more steeply to Nyi La (Nyi Pass), the southern boundary of the Kingdom of Lo. Our descent brings us into the town of Charang, with its large monastery teetering on the edge of the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

We climb upward again to a final ridge, where we can look down through a natural gateway strung with prayer flags to the Plain of Inspiration. The walled city of Lo Manthang below is the summer home of the Raja of Mustang. A ring of rounded hills surrounds the city, each one topped with a fortress.

We spend the day exploring this ancient city, the capital of the kingdom and the center of its culture. Monasteries, temples, and ancient structures tell the story of the ancient Tibetan culture and the monastic traditions that are still alive here. We will also visit the huge seated Buddha in the Champa Lhakhang, which dates back to the 15th century. We will then examine the beautiful frescoes of the Thugchen Gompa. The Raja (king) might well be in residence at the Raja’s Palace, the largest building in Lo Manthang.

We will head out over pasture land and cross the Charang Khola to the isolated villages of Gekar and Ghar Gompa. Our walk leads us over hills and through green valleys to the village of Ghami, with its cluster of buildings surrounded by fields.

We climb today, up to the Nyi La pass, before heading down to Samar, a picturesque settlement surrounded by poplar trees. This is a stopping point for mule and horse trains carrying supplies to the remote villages of this kingdom.

Our trek today takes us back to Kagbeni, where we exit the restricted area of upper Mustang. Overnight in Kagbeni

Our trek today is short as we head back to Jomsom and a return to civilization, or the closest thing to it in this region.

Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.

Depart from Kathmandu. The trek itinerary is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.