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Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days

Trip Facts

Duration 21 Days
Max. Altitude: 5350m
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 Lodge/Guest House
Meals Locally available Food Menu
DIFFICULTY Hard
/Adventure Trek
TRANSPORTATION Kathmandu/Pokhara by Bus and Pokhara/Jomsom both way Flight
LOCATION Upper Mustang
Arrival On Juphal
Departure From Juphal

Overview

The trek begins at the airstrip of Jomsom after flying up early from Pokhara. The trek is rather easy as most of the route goes along the bank of Kali Gandaki River and eventually leads you to Lo-manthang, the ancient capital city of Mustang situated an altitude of 3810m.

The inhabitants are mainly Tibetan origin and known as Lopas. The Upper Mustang only opened to trekkers in March 1992 and you will be part of a small privileged minority to visit this remote outpost of Nepal. The head quarter of the Mustang district is actually at Jomsom but the Tibetan influenced area north of Kagbeni is known as Upper Mustang and the Lo-manthang is the ancient capital city of last king Zigme palvar Dorje who passed away in 2017 recently. Lopas considers he is their own king but Nepal government has scraped his crown along with the last rulers of Nepal in 2008’s Revolt.

The kingdom of Mustang lies in the rain shadow formed by the Annapurna & Nilgiri Himalayas and thus gets very little rain, which fortunately, makes the area ideal for trekking even in the mid monsoon while the other areas of Nepal remain unsuitable for trekking due to heavy monsoon rains.

Fascinating areas: culturally and historically, picturesque villages, monasteries, unique landscapes with easy access and very few trekkers going to this area are the major highlights of this trip. The region of Mustang lies north of the main Himalayan range in the area known as the trans-Himalaya.

A vast high valley, arid and dry, it has a barren desert-like appearance similar to the Tibetan Plateau and is characterized by eroded canyons and colorful stratified rock formations. It was once an important route for crossing the Himalaya between Tibet and Nepal, and many of the old salt caravans passed through Mustang. Nowadays there are graveled road network has been developed around the upper Mustang, but the trekking trails remained untouched and since few year, there are good number of hotel, guest houses are available for accommodation but for a big group of 10-20 still required camping accommodation.

 

Tiji festival

Tiji festival is also known as “Demon chasing Monk Dance” or “Spiritual Battle”. The Mythology says that once a demon created disturbances in the kingdom by making water shortage and started to destruct the whole city.

A Buddhist deity called Dorje Jono who has fought a spiritual battle against the demon to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land. Local says the eroded red canyons above the village of Tsarang is the intestine of that demon and other parts etc are scattered around the valley.

Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth. Throughout the festival the events and story of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season (late winter/spring) and ushers in the wetter monsoon season. Tiji comes from the words “ten che” meaning “the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds” and is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

The Dancer Monks and Lama dressed in colorful red perform the dance with traditional ritual beating drums and bells and blowing horns.

If you are visiting the region and wants to observe these special events, try to customize you itinerary in spring season. The exact dates are fixed according to Tibetan Lunar calendar, which usually occurs in between April and May.

The winter season (Nov/Dec/Jan) are very cold with snow covered all the areas so not recommended to trek during this period.

Itinerary

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Includes in the Price

  • Welcome Lunch or Dinner
  • Special Trekking Permit & ACAP Entry fees
  • All land transport cost mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Pokhara/Jomsom/Pokhara airfare & taxes
  • Licensed & experienced trekking guide
  • Trekking staff’s insurances, equipment, food & Accommodation
  • 11 Day full board trekking Expenses (Accommodation, 3 meals with Tea and Coffee).
  • Evacuation flight arrangements in case of emergency
  • All government taxes

Not Includes in the Price

  • International flight tickets & taxes
  • Nepal entry visa fees (50$ ) and its on arrival at TIA KTM
  • International Insurance covering Evacuation costs
  • Personal equipment (trekking boot, sun glass, sleeping bags, sticks etc)
  • Personal medical expenses
  • Alcoholic beverages, mineral waters and  battery charge etc in during trek
  • Tips to staffs (4$/day)/Donations to social Club, offering to Monks & Monasteries etc.

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