Trip Introduction
Upper Mustang Trek used to be available only to people who were willing to camp but in recent years it has become possible to tour this region using tea houses. Upper Mustang is the hidden gem in Nepal’s crown and it remains isolated even today. It is located in the northern central part of Nepal, at the top of the Kaligandaki River, Mustang is truly magical unforgettable and of the beaten path. Upper Mustang, once a part of Tibet it is at an altitude of 4,000m. It has similar geographical features to Tibet being that it is rocky, dry and high.
Mustang is divided distinctly into two regions- the south and north region which is inhabited by Mustangis who bear a close resemblance to Tibetans and share a similar culture and religion. Until 1992, this region was closed to tourists. Even today, few trekkers chose this adventure. And this has left the place undisturbed allowing the tourists who do adventure here rewarded with a true experience. Upper Mustang trek will take you to Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. The trek involves going through high altitude dry land, climbing in and out of the huge valley of Kali Gandaki.
The best time to see this region of Nepal is March to November. It is an eighteen days trek. It begins with a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and starts the trek from there. You will stop at Kagbeni, an old village which is the entry point of the Upper Mustang. It takes about five days to reach Lo Manthang from Kagbeni. The trail to Lo Manthang follows the banks of Kaligandaki River upstream. Lo Gekar Monastery said to have been built by the famous Guru Rinpoche, in the 8th century is located close to Dhakmar. Upper Mustang trek will lead you to a place that is as remote as places go. Once, there, you will undoubtedly find yourself in a trip that will give you a once in a lifetime experience.
What's included
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Three Nights accommodation in a three star Hotel in Kathmandu and Two Night in Pokhara including breakfast. This will be for the two nights before trek and One nights after trek in Kathmandu and one night Befor trek and one night after trek in Pokhara.
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All necessary trekking paper, trekking permit (TIMS), Annapurna conservation permit and Upper Mustang Restricted area permit.
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Kathmandu –Pokhara , Pokhara – Jomsom and Jomsom – Pokhara, Pokhara – Kathmandu round flight ticket for Members, Guide and Assistant Guide as per group size.
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All domestic airport taxes.
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Trekking leader, guides accommodation and food.
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Porter accommodation and wages while on trek.
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Trekking Leader, guides and porters insurance.
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An English speaking tour guide for Kathmandu sightseeing and entrance fee.
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Private transportation in Kathmandu including all airport arrivals and departures. This is also for the sightseeing tours.
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All government Taxes and service Charge.
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Medical Supplies (First aid Kit).
What's excluded
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Nepal visa.
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International airfare.
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Travel and rescue Insurance
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Food in Kathmandu.
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Extra night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu if arrive early or late departure.
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All the hotel accommodation or meals in Kathmandu.( in the case return early from trek due to any reason)
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Personal expenses( bar bills, coke, beer, bottle of water, phone call, laundry service etc.
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Tips for guide porter.
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Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m).
Welcome to the country of Top of The World! As you arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will receive you and transfer to the hotel and check into the hotel there is time for a cup of tea, shower and then a chance to see the tourist district of Kathmandu by night as we go for dinner before an early night!
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Day 2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1300m).
A day in Kathmandu where we will take you to Swayambhunath which is a Buddhist stupa and Monastery, which is over 2000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. Here is a great chance to see across the valleys, see some monkeys and begin to learn about this fascinating country.The afternoon will be spent getting for the trek and some time to relax and make sure all the kit and packing is complete. Also the first time you can go shopping which in Thamel is an adventure in itself!
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Day 3
Kathmandu- Pokhara. (820)
In the Morning flight to Pokhara or by bus leaves from Kathmandu to Pokhara 200 km drive and takes 7 hrs. Over night at Hotel.
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Day 4
Pokhara –Jomso 25min. 2720m-Kagbeni 2.5hrs.2790m.
Morning fly to Jomsom and the trek begins to Kagbeni through Kaligandaki rive. Walking in the barren land and mostly facing the strong wind. Over night at Guest Hoiuse.
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Day 5
Kagbeni – Chele 6hrs. 3050m.
Before to inter into the restricted area of mustang, finish the protocol at check post and keep walking through gravel of riverbed. Climb mostly gradually up passing stone Chorten to arrive Tangbe. Here we can have a tea or even lunch and keep walking in the dry land to Chele. Over night at Guest House.
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Day 6
Chele-Geling 8hrs. 3570m.
Another beautiful days are welcoming you to go! You are walking steep,high altitude desert . You will see many colorful chorten and barley field. Mostly mixed culture of himdus,Tibetan Bompas and Boudhism. Over night at Guest House
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Day 7
Geling –Tsarang 6 hrs. 3560m.
The trail goes up through the barley field to Ghami. This is the most inhabited village in Lo. Ghami is surrounded by the extensive fields and half of the lands are barren because of the irrigation problems. The path to Tserang descends below the red and grey cliffs across the valley to small river. Visit perhaps most spectacular and the longest mani wall in Nepal. Keep ascends to the top and descend to Tsarang. Over night at Guest house.
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Day 8
Tsarang –Lo Manthang 5hrs.3810m
After half an hours you are going in Tholung valley. We are taking you gradually up to the Lo border. The city wall, 750m long, 9m high and have 14 tower makes your trip more interesting. Then you are already in Lo manthang for lunch. And will have time Exploration day, visiting the palace, Monastery, Temple, shorten, Health post, vegetable garden, experience the local culture and many more. Over night at Guest house.
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Day 9
Lo manthang to Choser village day trip.
It is our exploring day in Chhoser Vally and in Lo- Manthang. You can explore the surrounding area of Lo- Manthang. Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar, Tall Champak Lakhang, Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall are important sites. Four- storey building of Raja’s palace is another attractive spot. The walled city of Upper Mustang provides enough insight about Lo-Manthang People. We stay overnight in the same hotel.
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Day 10
Lomanthang to Gar Gomba Tsarang 7hrs. 3800m.
As your final destination is reached so we are processing to trek back. Even some of the interesting places are there for visit on the way up Gar Gomba which is build by guru rinpoche in the 8th century. So you are going down quickly. Over night at Tsarang Guest House.
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Day 11
Tsarang to Yara & Explore Luri Gumba Overnight in Tea house (3720m)
Take same way back from Tsarang to until Lo La pass and turn to left side. Follow the small path which is dragging along the barren Collins and steep rocky descending to the Die village. Die means a village a bid shadowed from windy and likely a Lakeland make a lunch break here and step forehead to Yara along the small river meanders and climb up to little typical designed settlement. The lodges are very simple and have to eat local food what are available. If you are camping group it doesn't matter everything will be supplied from trekking kitchen but if you are on lodge trekking, you have to be satisfied by what you get. If you have longer time you can make a day break here and hike up to visit Luri Gumba and Yara Ghara Gumba for day excursion. The famous Bodisatwa padmasambhava ( Guru Rimpoche) had meditated in this cave for a long time so it is considering the mighty holistic place.
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Day 12
Yara to Tange Overnight in Tea house (3520 m)
Today it could be strong day so morning breakfast should be made very early because you have to cross pandey River. Hot lunch is not possible for the day so we must carry picnic from Yara. If we start late, River grows higher because of ice melting and makes difficult for cross. We have to take off shoes to cross the River. Many local people are running along the bank looking for fossils because only this river flow them. After crossing; it turns to steady up layer to layer like paper pages for couple of hours to the little col, then gradual descending along brown barren lands to Tange.
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Day 13
Tange to Tetang Overnight in Tea house (3310m)
This small settlement under the brown hill with terrace agricultural cultivating area is the earnest village. Above the village still there are live marks of ancient caves where the people from this area used to live, but moved down after they learnt building houses. Cross the suspension bridge and catch the way which leads to steady up to the hill top call Pa (4060 miter). It is very interesting way however very challenging, Mountain Tilicho, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Mustang Peak are visible from the way. The trail often leads along the ridge so views of landscape and valley are quite interesting over the day. Walking in jig-jack, one ridge to other ridge, hill to the other hill is long and challenging. It descends quite down from Cha Cha La pass (4040 m) and may be very slippery downhill in winter season.
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Day 14
Tetang to Muktinath Overnight in Tea house( 3800m)
It is almost steep up for a couple of hours then it goes easy climbing/walking. Take pack lunch and enough drinking water for the day. Cross the finest village Zhong, Thinggar to Muktinath holistic town.
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Day 15
Muktinath to Jomsom: Overnight in Tea house(2800m)
Before breakfast go to make tour in temple where morning activities is most powerful. Thousands of pilgrims are queuing and holding the offering to the temple. The main temple is call Bishnu (the deity protector) behind the temple 108 taps are containing to offer the fresh sprouting water shower for pilgrims. 24hours lighting flame on the water monastery is about 100 meter away from the temple and only nuns are living in this monastery. This is the important place for both Hindus and Buddhist pilgrimage.
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Day 16
Jomsom- Pokhara Flight and Pokhara city tour
On this day, you will catch a flight to Pokhara. The flight is short-scenic with exciting views as it goes through the two huge mountains- Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The flight is adventurous with scenic beauty of about 30 minutes or less. As we arrive in Pokhara, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can explore Pokhara city or rest there. We stay overnight in a hotel.
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Day 17
Fly back to Kathmandu
On this day, we retrieve back to Kathmandu by airways. You can enjoy exciting natural views of mountains and landscapes while you are in the sky. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be received by our representatives and transferred to hotel. There will be celebration dinner with our team in the evening. You can catch last moments to visit some sites or shopping in the markets.
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Day 18
Depart
Return to the home. Extra days are available at your own cost but we will be happy to arrange this for you.
FLIGHT
For the Upper Mustang Regin Treks, you will be flying from Kathmandu – Pokhara to Jomsom and then at the end of the trek you will need to do the return flight. This flight is very weather dependent and can be delayed or cancelled at short notice if the weather is not suitable for this mountain flight. At Top of the World Treks we will do our best to manage this situation and if your flight is cancelled we will do all we can to get you on the next available flight. It maybe be possible for a helicopter to be charted but this will be at an extra cost and up to the group at the time. We plan extra days into our itineraries in case this happens but you are also welcome to plan extra days if you wish.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please be aware that your safety while in Nepal is our number one propriety. All itineraries are subject to change if there are safety concerns, health concerns of people in the group and/or weather concerns. This will be decided by the trek leader but we will always discuss the options with the group where possible to ensure peoples wises are taken into account, however the Treks leader decision is final.
Book our fixed departures
Equipments
Equipment Check – List
What clothing and equipment to take is one of the things that people worry the most about! We can advise you and help you and it does of course depend on the time of year, the area, the altitude and how many days you are trekking/climbing. When you arrive in Kathmandu we will go through all your equipment to ensure that it is correct for your trip. In Thamel (the tourist area of Kathmandu where you will be staying) there is an abundance of shops seeling equipment and clothing so if anything is forgotten it can easily be sourced.It is also possible to hire climbing equipment and also items such as down jackets, and sleeping bags saving you a large purchase.
The following equipment list is suggested and necessary for both camping and tea house treks. Use this list as a guide line. The basic check list should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weight no more than 15kg. Please remember this is just a check list and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed bellow.
GENERAL CHECK – LIST
The following basic check list should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weight no more than 15 kilograms. Please remember this is just a check list and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed bellow. Use your own experience and judgment to make your decision.
-Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
-Fleece jacket or pullover.
-fleece wind –stopper Jacket (optional)
-Waterproof sheel jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
-Lightweight thermal gloves.
-Underwear (4)
-Shorts (2)
-Lightweight cotton long trousers / pants .
-Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms.
-Sun hat or Scarf.
-Warm fleece hat or light balaclava.
-T- shirt (2)
-Thin, light weight (inner socks) (4).
-Sunglasses with UV protection.
-Sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees ¾ season
-Head lamp (eg petzl) Spare bulbs and batteries.
-Small padlock to lock trek bag.
-Basic first aid kit(see First aid medicine bellow)
-Plastic bags –for keeping items dry inside trek bag.
-Daypack ( 35 to 40 litters/ 2500 to 3000 cubic inches.)
-Camping mattress, eg thermarest pad.
-water bottles.
-Tolietries.
-Small wash towel.
-Footwear appropraite to the trip.
-Waterproof shell trousers / pants. (Preferably berathable fabric)
TREKKING CHECK LIST
In addition to the items listed in our general check list you will need to take the following on your trekking trip:
-Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof sheel outer.
-Down vest and/ or jacket (optional).
-Fleece or wool trousers/ pants.
-Trekking/ hiking boods with spare laces.
-Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
– Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and /or sandals.
-Gaiters (optional).
-Telescopic trekking/ ski poles (optional)
MOUNTAINERING / CLIMBING CHECK LIST
In addition to the checklists for general trekking equipment above, and depending on the trip you have chosen, various items of mountaineering equipment may also be required, eg:
-Plastic boots and crampons (preferably step – in bindings ) with front points.
-Mountaineering Safety harness.
-Mountaineering Ice axe(60 to 75 cms long – depending on your height and personal preference).
-120 cms (4ft) climbing sling and to locking and unlocking caravines.
-Telescopic ski – sticks (optional).
-Prussik loops .
-Climbing helmet (optional).
-Jumer (Ascender & Descender).
-Pocket Knife.
-Head lamp.
-Mattress.
-Rope and Snow bars.
-Ice crew.
-High altimeter.
Most if not all of this equipment will be needed for any trip that crosses steep, snow – covered ground, or which includes sections of glacier travel. Our recommendation that you take no more than fifteen kilos of trekking equipment dose not include your plastic boots, ice axe , Crampons ot herness/ carabiners . During the trek, climbing hard wear will be carried separately from your personal trek bag, in group bags untill needed.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
In order to minimize your expense outlay for trekking and climbing equipment you may never use again, equipmeent rental and buying is possible in Kathmandu. You find them lot cheaper than you find in europe and in Usa. Shops in Thamel offer a wide range of equipment available for rent and buy. Here is some cost which give you an aidea of the cost to rent in Kathmandu.
-Sleeping bags.
-Down Jackets.
-All purpose mountaineering Ice axe (60 – 70 cms)
-Ice hummer.
-Climbing Harness .
-2 looking Carabiners , Climbing Sling.
-12 – point Crampons.
-Plastic Climbing boots.
-Helmet.
FIRST AID MEDICINE
-Bandage for Sprains.
-Plaster/ Band- aids.
-Iodine or Water filter(optional)
-Moleskin/ Second skin – for blisters.
-Antiseptic ointment for cuts.
-Anti- bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
-Aspirin/ paractamol- general painkiller.
-Oral rehydration salts.
-Broad – spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxin).
-Anti – diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
-Diarrhea stopper (Imodium – optional).
-Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria.
-Diamox (Altitude sickness – can be bought in Kathmandu.
-Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution).
– For more details please see our staying healthy topic.