Upper Mustang Trek & Jeep Adventure – 14 Days

Beautiful views of the city, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below will greet you as you land in Kathmandu. After passing through customs, you’ll be greeted by a representative who will help you get comfortable in your hotel after you overcome the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s winding, rickety streets.

Depending on when you arrive, you can start a walking tour of the bustling, historic market. Discover the hidden courtyards and alleyways of ancient Kathmandu, which are filled with Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples. Navigate the crowds of little stalls selling a variety of goods, including fruit and vegetables, spices, clothing, brass kitchenware, and more. Visit the close-by Kathmandu Durbar Square, a legendary seat of royal and spiritual authority. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace is the focal point of this diverse combination of architectural styles.

Consider eating your first meal of the trip that evening in Thamel, a popular tourist destination where restaurants serve both Western and native Nepali cuisine.

With a full day of escorted sightseeing, get to know the amazing Kathmandu Valley. You’ll meet your expert in the lobby of your hotel and be driven in a private vehicle to three amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Your first destination should be Patan, also referred to as Lalitpur, an old center of fine arts. At Patan Durbar Square, you’ll see magnificently restored temple and palace complexes. The largest stupa in the world, Boudhanath, is the next structure. The building is decorated with four pairs of eyes, each of which is pointed in one of the four cardinal directions to keep an eye out for moral behavior and human prosperity. The stupa is surrounded by lamas’ homes (Buddhist priests), monasteries, and businesses. It is built on an octagonal base with prayer wheels placed into it.

One of the holiest shrines in the Hindu religion, Pashupatinath, is where your journey will end today. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva because it is thought to be where the Hindu god was born. A steady stream of sadhus, or Hindu pilgrims, who travel from India and other parts of Nepal to this significant place will undoubtedly join you.

On the banks of the revered Bagmati River, where cremation can be performed, lies Pashupatinath. You’ll see cremation ghats surrounding the edge of the lake, indicating that this is the primary Hindu cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley.

You’ll be driven to the domestic airport this morning, where you’ll catch a flight to Pokhara. Four of the fourteen massive mountains in the world that are higher than 26,247 feet (8,000 m) will be visible during this breath-taking 30-minute fly along the Himalayan Range: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Manaslu, and Shishapangma. You will arrive at the quaint lakeside town of Pokhara, where you can spend the remainder of the day relaxing in your hotel or exploring the area.

There are numerous activities available in Pokhara to suit every mood. You can take a leisurely boat ride on the lake, hike up to the World Peace Pagoda for stunning Himalayan views, visit one of the Tibetan refugee communities scattered across the area for Tibetan carpets and other handicrafts, or rent a bike and ride along the lake’s edge. Try zip-lining, mountain biking, tandem paragliding with a trained pilot, or touring on vintage Enfield motorcycles if adventure is calling!

There are lots of wonderful stores, yoga studios, and lakeside cafés where you can unwind and take in the scenery if you feel like taking a stroll about the town. You’ll be on your own for lunch and dinner, but if you’d want suggestions for restaurants, your regional experts will be pleased to share their top picks.

You’ll leave for the airport at the crack of dawn today for your breathtaking mountain flight to Jomsom, the administrative center of Mustang. When you arrive, you can explore the town before making the difficult ascent to Kagbeni, where you will spend the night. Views of the nearby peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, and the entire Annapurna Massif to the south can be seen from the broad trail that follows the sandy riverbed. There’s no urgency to leave Jomsom if you want to do a little exploring because the trek only takes a few hours.

The final town in Lower Mustang, Kagbeni is perched on a cliff overlooking the junction of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola rivers and protects the entrance into Upper Mustang, which is visible over the Kali Gandaki riverbed. It is a haven of lush greenery in stony, desolate mountains, with Niligiri towering majestically behind it. With its winding lanes and tunnels, irrigation canals, lush barley fields, and enormous, recently renovated 800-year-old brick-red Sayka Gompa, this historic, half destroyed fortress town offers a preview of what’s to come in upper Mustang. The century-old, dilapidated King’s Palace, which has 100 rooms, is also accessible.

Walking time: Approx. 3-4 hours

The majority of the morning will be spent taking in the scenic trip upriver via Upper Mustang’s restricted area. When you get in Chuksang, which is 9,678 feet (2,950 m) above sea level and is known for its crumbling dzong (fortress), you’ll notice a number of ancient cave settlements perched high above the Kali Gandaki river.

The Kali Gandaki flows through a naturally created tunnel that is located below Tsaile, through which you must cross a tiny river on a precarious bridge. You’ll see that the culture gets notably more Tibetan as you travel on as sheep horns and Zor, protecting cross-shaped amulets, are displayed on the walls of the dwellings. According to legend, these Zor can snare malevolent spirits and guard the home’s occupants.

The new track will lead you to Samar, which was formerly a staging area for Khampa incursions into Tibet. After some enjoyable riding over the passes and into the hamlet of Shyangmochen (also known as “the Truck Stop”), there is a brief ascent to the Shyangmochen La. The trail crosses a sizable east-west valley, and your ride will end when you descend to the charming settlement of Geling. Old gompas perched above the settlement, ancient meditation caves in the nearby eroding cliffs, and typical Mustangi homes surrounded by barley fields are a few of the area’s fascinating landmarks.

You will ascend from Geling to the Nyi La, then contour around to the sizable settlement of Ghami while taking in the red oxide and silver tones of the jagged rocks across the valley. Another gorgeous village, with narrow alleys and tall walls on the homes that give the area a fortified appearance. Here is where you will spend the night before moving on foot the next day.

Walking time: Approx. 9 hours

You’ll travel to the Tangmar Chu river’s bridge this morning. The walk takes you through the tri-colored stupas of the Kingdom of Lo and on to what is reputed to be the longest mani wall in Nepal, with views across the valley to ochre, blue, and steel-grey cliffs. A group of enormous, old chortens with spectacular, sculpted cliff sides surrounding them looms in your direction.

As you continue from here and head up the river toward Dhakmar, you will encounter a sky burial place. The picturesque settlement of Dhakmar, tucked under the massive red cliffs, is reached after hiking through a massive group of old chortens and past the red, ochre, and yellow cliffs. It is stated that Guru Rinpoche arrived here to vanquish a demon who was impeding the building of Tibet’s first monastery. The color of the cliffs, the chortens, and the mani wall are all significant markers that cannot be separated from the tale of the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet. The tale states that the mani wall restrains her intestines, and the red color is a representation of her blood dripping across the landscape.

You must make an extraordinary ascent from Dhakmar through a severely eroded and tunneled landscape to reach a summit with views of the Dhakmar Valley. This steep, gorgeous route with truly untamed scenery. From the peak, the trail gradually flattens out before a much gentler rise leads to the Mui La, which is located at 13,681 feet (4,170 m). On your way back down south, you’ll stop in Marang and Tsarang, which you’ll see from here.

The Lo Gekar (which means “pure virtue of Lo”) and the Ghar Gompa, which were erected by the Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, are close by as you descend near the Tsarang Khola. Samye, in present-day Tibet, was claimed to have been the site of the first monastery; nevertheless, the Guru is said to have come here to pacify demons who had disrupted the structure. To capture the devil and open the way for what is now known as Tibetan Buddhism, Ghar Gompa was constructed. Knowing that this Gompa was the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery makes visiting it a truly humble experience.

After lunch, you’ll travel down the valley toward Tsarang while taking in the scenery. As you ascend into the old town of Tsarang, you will cross a river and go through a chorten. There are several guesthouses, willow trees, an irrigation channel, and stone walls dividing the homes in this sizable community that was constructed on top of the Tsarang Khola canyon. It also has its own hydroelectric plant.

The massive, five-story Tsarang Dzong, a fortified palace designed in Tibetan style and built in 1378, dominates the settlement; the vast, ochre-hued Tsarang Gompa is reputed to hold Lo’s largest library. The dzong features a beautiful, antique prayer room with a prayer book printed in gold, as well as an amazing collection of statues, offerings, and enormous Buddha images. The palace’s master architect’s 500-year-old withered hand is rumored to be present.

Before dinner, take a stroll through the maze of trails to the welcoming gompa and dzong and observe the local ladies shepherding their sheep through the congested, walled passages as twilight approaches.

Walking time: Approx 6-7 hours

You’ll depart Tsarang this morning on a trail that descends and crosses the Tsarang Khola. After making a difficult ascent up a rocky track to a cairn on the opposing ridge, you’ll continue along the Thuling Khola on the fresh dirt road in the direction of Lo. Take in the sights of the vast desert expanses north of the Himalaya as the multicolored canyons stretch out around you and the environment takes on a Tibetan appearance.

As you get closer to the Lo La, which has a height of 12,992 feet (3,960 meters), you will also start to glimpse a few snow-capped peaks in the distance. The pass travels through a portion ofa rock tunnel that is lined with colorful prayer flags from Tibet. For stunning views down to Lo Manthang and the appropriately titled “Plain of Aspiration” below, climb the ridge to the right.

You will then take a quick trip today to explore Lo Manthang. Only the King, Queen, and Kempo (Abbot) are permitted to enter this well-known walled city; everyone else must walk to the statue of Chenrezig, the most respected of all Bodhisattvas, to pay their respects.

Within the ancient walls of Lo Manthang, there are four important temples: the crimson Jampa Lhakhang (constructed in 1387), which is home to a magnificent 50-foot-tall clay figure of “Jamba” (or the Future Buddha); a Thubchen Gompa from the 15th century; Chhoede Gompa (where the Khempo resides); and Choprang Gompa. Additionally, there is a fascinating maze of a village to explore, as well as the Raja’s Palace, residence of the current King Raja Jigme and Queen Rani Sahib.

Driving time: 1 hour

You’ll tour the monasteries in the ancient city this morning; the best time to view the religious artwork is in the morning light because it gets considerably darker once the sun is high in the sky. Please be aware that inside monasteries photography is not permitted (unless formal permission has been provided), so bring a flashlight.

Investigate the fascinating surroundings of Lo in the afternoon. Riding a horse allows you to explore the area, unwind, or explore the city’s fascinating streets. View the two schools, two new stores, a coffee shop, and the Tibetan herbal medicine clinic in the community (managed by an Amchi).

Another option is to ascend the valley northwest of Lo to the active Namgyal Gompa (the Monastery of Victory), which is magnificently perched above a barren ridge. You’ll see that this gompa’s design is distinct from that of the gompas in Lo. You can find several historic forts, gompas, and ruins if you follow the stream down to it and then climb up via a vast network of irrigated fields to the expansive settlement of Thinggar, which also houses the King’s summer palace.

You will leave Lo Manthang today by traveling through a broad canyon track, passing dry gullies and an old, deserted castle. Your goal is the deep-red Gharphu Gompa carved out of the rock face in the cave town of Chosar. Prepare to meet some lovely, small students since this particular gompa is dedicated to helping young initiates understand the fundamentals of monasticism. The 2,500-year-old Jhong Cave, a habitation site that may be explored by descending ladders and passing through tiny tunnels, is located behind the gompa.

The trail today is dotted with bubbling streams, lush meadows, and views of the little peaks that delineate Tibet’s border. Enjoy the vistas of the Himalaya on the way back to Lo, paying special attention to Annapurna, Tilicho, and Nilgiri.

Walking time: Approx 4-5 hours

On your way south, you’ll depart from Lo Manthang and go on a brand-new journey. You’ll turn around and head back toward Tsarang, where you’ll take a considerably shorter detour that leads to the Kali Gandaki and then up a side valley to Yara.

You will start the next section of your walk from Yara, descending back to the Puyang Khola on a narrow track. You will head east along amazing, sculpted canyons where you may witness the ruins of a network of ancient caves. You’ll arrive at the magnificent Luri Gompa and its intricate cave system around two hours later, some of which are accessible.

The upper prayer chamber, the famed Kabum Stupa, which is crammed with caverns and gorgeous murals, as well as a modest gompa in the lower area, may all be accessible to visitors. Buddhist frescos and massive, delicately painted chortens may be found throughout the Luri caves. They are believed to have been built during the 13th or 14th centuries and are related to the Tashi Kumbum caves, one of a network of interconnected cave residences in this area. The tangka paintings of the Newar people (of the Kathmandu Valley) are reminiscent of this painting technique. The piece was allegedly commissioned by Tibetans and carried out by Nepali (perhaps Newar) craftspeople, according to art historians.

Before getting back to Yara, you’ll walk the steep trail via the intriguing town of Ghara, which is encircled by terraced farms.

Walking time: Approx 3-4 hours

You’ll set out on your trek back to Jomsom today by first traveling toward Ghami in the south. Even though you’ll be returning to your original location, the Himalaya in front of you will be spectacular, so pay attention to the road and take in the scenery.

Prepare yourself for the afternoon winds as you make your way back to the Kali Gandaki river. The deep Kali Gandaki gorge acts as a wind tunnel, carrying warmer air from the lowlands to the mountains above. After arriving in Jomsom in the late afternoon, relax with a delicious celebratory dinner and take in your final night in the mountains.

As you return to the middle hills’ lush surroundings, bid the Mustang adieu. To get ready for your breathtaking 30-minute trip to Pokhara, you’ll need to get up early. After you arrive, you can spend the day as you choose because there are water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating), yoga studios, and hipster stores. Attempt paragliding if you’re feeling brave, or unwind with a cocktail during happy hour at a café with a view of Phewa Lake.

Enjoy the morning in Pokhara before departing for Kathmandu; when you arrive in the capital, a driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. You can spend the remaining time of the day relaxing or going on one last adventure in the vibrant city of Kathmandu. You can always ask your experts for some fantastic suggestions on how to spend the day:

• City Sightseeing Tour: Kathmandu is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, and in a day, you can visit three to four of them.
• Mountain Flight to Everest: This is the flight with the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga (the world’s highest and third highest mountains, respectively). This unique and awe-inspiring 1-hour flight also takes you past Dorje-Lakpa, Chhoba-Bhamate, Gauri Shankar, Cho-Oyu, Pumori, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Amadablam.

The time has come to bid Nepal adieu. Enjoy your final morning in Kathmandu with a breakfast in a café, a stroll through the city, and/or some souvenir shopping. A representative will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport in time for your trip back home. Arriving at the airport at least two hours before departure is advised.