Mustang Hidden Kingdom

First you will visit the overwhelming Pahsupatinath temple, which is the holiest Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then you visit Boudhanath Stupa, the biggest Buddhist stupa architecture of 7th century, a “must go”pilgrimage site for Buddhist people in their lifetime. You will finish this exciting day of sightseeing with a visit of Bhaktapur, which is the best-preserved medieval Malla Kingdom. Overnight hotel in Kathamandu

Fly to Pokhara. visit lake side. Afternoon rest. Overnight at Pokhara Hotel.

In the morning we will take a short flight to Jomson. After final preparations, the trekking starts from Jomson, where we cross the suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki to the eastern river bank. We will go along the old carawan trail for about 3-4 hours passing through a stony valley that is well known for its strong winds till we finally arrive in Kagbeni. Its gompas, stone houses and dark winding alleys characterize this village inhabited by people of Tibetan descent. From here you have a view to Tilicho Peak and Dhaulagiri. We will have plenty of time to explore this border-village that appears to date back to medieval times. 5 hours walking time. Mustang a Hidden Kingdom

In the morning we will conduct the border formalities at the police check post situated on the way out of Kagbeni. Then we will step across the border to a formally forbidden land-the trekking tour through Mustang begins! We follow the course of the Kali Gandaki on the eastern side to Chusang and then ascend to the village Tsele (3030m), where we will set up our camp. Walking time 6 hours.

After passing through a deep gorge with fantastic views to the bottom follows the ascent of a mountain-pass. Lunch will be provided shortly after, reaching the village of Samar. This hearty lunch will give us enough energy to climb over two passes from where we have good view into the valley. Finally we will reach the village Tamargaon and the night is spent there.

The next stage leads us over the two passes Tsete La (about 3.900 m) and Gemi La (aprox. 3.900 m). The next village Gemi is worth visiting and we will stop there for having lunch. From there we go along a river to one of the largest mani walls in Mustang. After that, a quite strenuous ascent of the Tsarang La (3.830 m) has to be made. Walking downwards we will reach the second biggest village in Mustang called Tsarang (3.540 m). 8 hours walking time.

Before leaving the village we can visit the monastery and the former residency of the king. At that point we are only half days stage from Lo Manthang. To see the Lo Gekar Gompa we will do a little detour. The strenuous trail passing two higher passes of 4240 and 4000m is decorated by nice chorten. In the distance Lo Manthang can be seen. After a long but gentle descent we will reach the capital of Mustang. The landscape is barren, the horizon is framed by the Tibetan mountains in the north, and behind us the Annapurna range can be seen. We will set up our camp for two nights. 6-7 hours walking time.

In the morning we visit Lo Manthang, which is characterized by its rectangular alleys, and we will take a look at the gompas and courtyards of monasteries. The Loba’s houses have flat roofs and are scattered around the royal palace, which can be seen as the heart of Lo Manthang. In the afternoon a walk around the village and the surrounding is very interesting. Mustang exists due to the trade between Tibet and Nepal that has been re-authorized the last years. Apart from trade the Mustangi people live from cultivation of barley and stock breading (Yaks, sheep, goats). Sometimes the king, whose dynasty reins since 1430, holds an audience.But you need lots of luck to be there at the right time and to be permitted to participate.

We leave Lo Manthang, the northern part of our tour and trek in about an hour to a 3.920 m high pass. After another 1 1/2 hrs on a mountain ridge the steep descent to Dri starts. In the afternoon we climb in the side valley of the Puyon Khola to the village Yara where we will set up our camp for the night.

We continue our way back. First we cross a small pass and then we trek on the plateau with a view of the Dhaulagiri to finally descend to the Ghechung Khola (3.370 m), to camp at an appropriate spot.

In the morning we will manage the strenuous ascent to a pass of 3900 m followed by a long sloping trail to reach our picknick spot in the village of Tangye From there we have to face a 800 meter ascent to reach the 4.150 m high Tangye-Pass. After 7-8 hrs we will arrive at our camping spot the Alm Pee. Walking time 7-8 hours. Mustang a Hidden Kingdom

A long way with a lot of ups and downs ascending to the village Chusang (2.900 m), which is situated at the mouth of the Narshing in the Mustang Khola river. About 8 hrs walking time and fantastic views of the opposite trail, the Daulagiri range and a bizarre canyon lie behind us 7-8 hrs walking time.

From Chusang we will proceed to the side valley of the Narshing Khola to Tetang (2.950 m) and ascend a basin situated below the Dzong La (aprox. 4 hrs). Then we will have lunch. After lunch we cross the Dzong La (4.050 m) and descend in about 4 hrs to Muktinath, a place famous with pilgrims. 8 hrs walking time.

In the morning we will stroll to the temples and religious shrines of Muktinath, which are sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus. The Hindus praise the holy springs of the Krishna Gandaki River, which come out of 108 waterspouts, while Buddhists worship the perpetual holy flame inside a gompa that is produced by natural gas jets. The afternoon is free. walking time 2 hrs. Mustang a Hidden Kingdom

Today we descend via Jharkot to Kagbeni and go back through the wide and stony valley of Kali Gandaki back to Jomson. After 5 hrs we will reach the last point of our trekking and will accommodate us in a nice lodge near the runway. The rest of the day we will relax and say goodbye to our crew. 5 hrs walking time.

We have to get up early today to go to the runway of Jomson, to cross the valley of Kali Gandaki, the world’s deepest gorge, by plane to Pokhara. From there we will be brought back to Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport for departure.