Lower Mustang Trek – 12 Days

Trip Facts

Duration 12 Days
Max. Altitude: 3,802 m/12,475 ft
Group size 2-10+
Best Time for Visit Spring (Mar/Apr/May),  Autumn (Sept/Oct/Nov) and Rainy ( June/July/August)
Activity Trekking/Hiking
Mode of Trek Camping, Teahouse/Lodge, Homestay
Meals Brekfast,Lunch, diner
DIFFICULTY Hard
/Adventure Trek
LOCATION Lower Mustang
Arrival On Kathmandu, Nepal
Departure From Kathmandu, Nepal

Overview

The lower Mustang and Muktinath Area lies  behind the Annapurna massif and Dhaulagiri mountains and is also the gateway to forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang. As it is in the rain shadow area it receives less rain in monsoon time.  This trip is not a trek in terms of walking hours, but an easy discovery of the ancient villages and pilgrimage sites of the Hindu and Buddhist belief with splendid mountain views and semi-arid and the wind swept landscapes.

The city of Jomsom is also the administrative district of Mustang district and most of the major government offices are located and a small airport is also located in the shore of Kali Gandaki. The old town of Kagbeni is only a four to five hour walk away, but it is more beautiful and atmospheric. The ruined medieval town, ancient monasteries, traditional mud-walled houses and narrow alleys with Tibetan prayer wheels are the main attractions of this trek.

Muktinath is the sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists and receives thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the Indian subcontinent every year. The main villages of this trek are the village of Marpha, Tiri gaon, the village of Lubra, Jhong and the monastery of Jharkot. A day hike to the Gyula 4077m viewpoint gives  you a perfect can Himalayan panoramic views of the Annapurnas, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri Mountains.

The valley is semi-desert and the arid climate and the afternoon winds in Jomsom are very strong. In cooler seasons, they can also be very cold. It is best to plan your days accordingly, avoid the afternoon winds and leave as early as possible.

Highlights

  • Discover an authentic Tibetan culture, medieval and magnificent landscape.
  • The trek durations are short and easy even for beginners.
  • The trek will not exceed more than 3700m and opportunity to climb to Gyu-la 4000m for those who ‘are interested in seeing the mountain ranges.
  • The region receives little rain during the monsoon.
  • The Pokhara Jomsom flight allows you to see the two giant peaks Annapurna and Dhaulagiri over 8000m.

Itinerary

Accommodation Hotel
Meals Dinner,Breakfast

Arrival in Kathmandu 1360m, reception and transfer to the Hotel. Briefing on the trekking program. Trek preparations (trekking equipment checks, permits etc.)
Depending on the time of arrival, visit the Showyambhunath stupa in the evening.

  •  Welcome dinner organized by the agency with the trek guide and other agency staffs.
  • Night at the Hotel, double occupancy room with breakfast.

Accommodation Hotel
Meals Lunch and dinner

Early breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to Baudhanath, a district inhabited mainly by Tibetan Buddhists and of Nepalese Tamang ethnicity. Maisonettes and monasteries surround the largest stupa in Nepal.
Visit the Buddhist monasteries then transfer to the Pashupatinath temple, located 1 km south of Baudhanath, the sacred place of the Hindus, its sadhus, cremations along the Bagmati river.

Transfer to Basantapur Durbar Square the former capital of King Malla for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the old palace of Kathmandu, the temple of Taleju which opens only once a year, the temple of Jaganath – quite artistic, the statue of Kaal Bhairab- god of justice with his fierce image and then why not bless by the living goddess of the capital – the Kumari. Visit this city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO then you will be guided to your hotel on foot by crossing the grocery market of Indra Chowk and Ason Tole.

 

Accommodation Hotel
Meals  Breakfast, lunch on the way and dinner included

Transfer by Tourist Bus / Coach / Jeep (depending on the number of participants) to Pokhara, the second largest tourist city in Nepal located 200km west of Kathmandu. This hectic route due to the state of the road will give you the opportunity to follow the Trisuli river, which rises at Langtang and Gosaikund.

You will enjoy the magnificent landscapes of rice fields and the view of the Manaslu, Ganesh and Annapurna mountains. Arrival in Pokhara, Lake Side district, bordering Lake Phewa and viewpoint on the Annapurna range.

 

Altitude Gain + 100m
Accommodation Lodge in Kagbeni

Pokhara-Jomsom flights by small plane with 12 to 14 seats depart early in the morning at 11:00 am before the wind blows from Jomsom. 20 minutes flight you allow a magnificent view of the landscapes and white mountain and arrival in Jomsom the starting point of trek.

Our first trekking day starts by crossing the Jomsom bridge and following the Muktinath road along the Kaligandaki river, lunch at Ekle Bhatti. After lunch, we will always follow the road to Kagbeni village. Arrival and facilities in the lodge and then small walks in the village.

 

Altitude Gain + 150m
Accommodation Lodge in Kagbeni 

Second day of trek, after breakfast in the morning in the lodge, we take the direction of the village of Tiri by crossing the Kaligandaki river. You will also admire to try your luck in looking for black fossil ammonites called Shaligram in Nepalese that dates millions of years and this is found here fully in the Kali Gandaki River.

We gradually climb a small moderate climb up to the monastery (Nonnerie) to see the magnificent landscape of the upper Mustang region. There is a real Italiano café open for the benefit of the monastery. We continue on a slightly difficult path towards the village of Tiri. It is a very old village and the peasants are Tibetan. We descend to Kagbeni for lunch and visit the ruined medieval town, ancient monasteries, traditional houses with mud walls and narrow alleys with Tibetan prayer wheels.

 

Altitude Gain + 900m
Accommodation Lodge in Ranipauwa

Today, we leave the village of Kagbeni after breakfast for the Muktinath. We will follow the path by the northwest crest of Kali gandaki passing by the Jhong monastery. There is a monastery of Shakya-pa denomination located on a fortress. We continue our day until Rani Pauwa where we find lodges. Lunch and installation at your lodge and then afternoon rest.

 

Altitude Gain +/- 300m
Accommodation Lodge in Ranipauwa

Today we will visit the two important places of Muktinath. After breakfast, we will visit the Muktinath shrine where we find several Hindu and Buddhist temples with eternal flames. We will also observe the puja of Hindu devotees by accompanying a bath on 108 fountains around the main temple of Muktinath. We will also visit the Chhengar monastery and then return to the hostel for lunch.

Afternoon we will also visit the village of Jharkot with its splendid Shakya-pa monasteries and Center of traditional medicine. Return to the inn.

 

Altitude Gain +/- 377m
Accommodation Lodge in Ranipauwa

Day devoted to see the mountains climb the col de Gyu-La, 4077m. It is the day of rest for those who do not want to make a small ascent but for those who are in good shape and interested to climb a small pass to see the snow-capped peaks in 140 ° panoramic view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Tukuché Himalayas.
Return to the inn.

Altitude Gain 1000m
Accommodation Lodge in Jomsom

We will descend by Dhanla Danda located east of Jharkot and join the road from Jomsom to Panda. Arrival in Jomsom, installation at your Lodge and small stroll in the village.

Altitude Gain - 400m
Accommodation Hotel

20 minutes flight early in the morning, arrival at Pokhara airport, transfer to the Hotel at Lake Side. Transfer to the international peace stoûpas, visit, lunch on site and descend to Lake Phewa, return by boat to visit the Taal Barahi temple located in the center of the lake. Free afternoons (Souvenir shopping, Ayurvedic massage, boat in the lake, mountain biking, paragliding, ULM, etc. recommended). Restaurant evening accompanied by Nepalese cultural dances.

Accommodation Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Breakfast, lunch included but dinner excluded

Breakfast, then drive to the capital. This route will allow you to discover the Pokhara valley: crossing landscapes with multiple rice fields and other cultivated fields. You will enjoy local life along the road and the Trishuli River! A short stop for lunch in Malekhu, then continuation to Kathmandu. Arrival and installation at the hotel. About 5 to 7 hours drive. Free afternoon, rest or the possibility of visiting the tourist district of Thamel Kathésimbu without a guide, also called Mini Swoyambhunath is highly recommended.

According to the schedules of return flights, transfer to the airport.

Flights could be canceled at short notice due to bad weather during the monsoon and winter months and sometimes it will take days to wait. If the bad weather conditions continue, we have to return by bus or Jeep to Pokhara, which takes around 8-9h.

Included in The Price

  • Trek full board including lodge accommodation, à la carte meals.
  • Internal flights and transfers indicated in the itinerary.
  • Trek permit (TIMS- Trekker's information Management System, entrance to the ACAP park).
  • English speaking guide service and portages (Your luggage is transferred by Jeep).
  • 3 Nights Hotel in Kathmandu (accommodation + lunch included in a standard category).
  • 2 Nights Hotel in Pokhara (accommodation / meals included in a standard category).
  • All government taxes, insurance for guides and porters.
  • Monuments entry and guided tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara (transfer included).
  • Agency Service Fees.

Excluded in The Price

  • International plane ticket and airport tax
  • Visa fees for 15 days tourist by paying $ 30 or equivalent (on arrival visa is issued at the airport, provide 2 photos or possible to fillup in the Internet  )
  • Your trekking equipment (walking shoes, poles, headlamp, thermal water bottle, clothing etc.
  • Travel insurance and medical insurance which covers evacuations in the mountains.
  • Your personal expenses, medical kits, alcoholic drinks .
  • Tips for guides and staffs Jeep (ports arranges with a jeep on this trip)

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