Upper Mustang cultural trek - 15 days

Mustang Trek

This unique trek will take you into an otherwise unknown kingdom that remained shrouded in mystery until 1992. As you begin to venture on this trek; you will behold ancient monasteries that were once lost in mystery.....now open to trekkers who will be astounded with its timeless history....that will take you further across plateaus and ancient trails where once unknown terrain never trodden before by outsiders becomes the known as an ancient culture unfolds itself into a trekking adventure that will be remembered for a long, long time to come.

Mustang is a hinterland enriched with mainly barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and Moraine valleys. Its landscape is unrivaled for its stupendous wilderness, pristine scenery, snow capped peaks, spectacular 16th century monasteries and many other attractions of historical importance. The views of wind swept Kali-Gandaki valley, vast spaces around Kagbeni and sprawling ridges that straggle high mountains provide a mind-blowing experience for the brave adverturer.

Nepal’s Mustang region preserves a life almost unchanged for centuries. It lies hidden behind the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna at the very roof of Asia on the arid Tibetan plateau. It has long been isolated from the outside world (and only opened to trekking groups since 1992!). As you make your way through this secluded land, you’ll pass brightly painted chortens (Buddhist shrines) and tiny villages guarded by enormous monasteries. Vistas include unusual and arresting views of the snow-covered Himalaya to the south, and desolate high plateaus, deep canyons, and an ocean of windswept hills with colors of a desert sunset to the north. Once at the walled capital city of Lo Manthang, you’ll absorb a great sense of timelessness and appreciation for an ancient culture as you discover the ruins of old forts, monasteries rich in art and history, and caves replete with magnificent religious statues.

Mustang is the old kingdom of Lo. Actually, the capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom, but the real Tibetan style district lies north of Kagbeni and is usually referred to as Upper Mustang. The real capital, Lo Manthang, where the present king lives, is a fantastic square-walled town sitting on the ‘Plain of Prayers’. The small kingdom of Mustang, closed to westerners until 1992, is an enchanting land of windswept vistas, red walled monasteries, and feudal towns. This tiny kingdom was not only a major corridor of trade from the 1400's to before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but also figured importantly into early Buddhism in Tibet. Local legend tells the tale of the great founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, who before building Samye (the oldest monastery in Tibet) came to Mustang to stand guard against and do battle with the evil powers out to destroy Buddhism. The temple of Lo Gekhar in eastern Mustang was built by Padmasambhava after his triumphant battle and still stands guard today. This trek will be an adventure that will be stoked at the fireside for generations to come.
 

Itinerary of Manaslu trek in Details

Day 01

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (915m.) which takes about seven hours. This road is newly paved and is now one of the finest in Nepal! Immediately, you head up as you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, which you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyandi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti Gandaki River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful city with pleasant weather. It is well renowned as a paradise for tourists. This city is full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves and temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with a vast array of beautiful mountains. As you approach the city, there are wonderful views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon for a relaxing boat ride on Phewa Lake, shopping in the markets and shops, or just relaxing with a drink on the shores of the lake. Stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

Day 02

Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m.) which takes about 25 minutes and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810 m.) which takes another four hours. You take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom. After some initial preparation of loads and logistics, you begin your trek to the beautiful village of Kagbeni. Just out of Jomsom you cross a suspension bridge and then walk along the riverbank of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. It is also very picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri, whilst to the south can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Kagbeni provides you with a taste of scenes to come in upper Mustang, with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red gompa. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 03

Trek from Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900m.) which takes about five hours.
You trek right up the river valley, but you use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and Tibet. On the west bank of the river are some caves and Gompa Kang. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang which are of the Sakyapa sect, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. You stop for lunch at the village of Tangbe, where you come across the first black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The little town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys among white washed houses, fields of buck wheat and barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chusang village is only about a 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. There are three separate parts to this village and some ruined castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river from Chusang are some spectacular red organe pipe eroded cliffs above the mouths of some inaccessible caves. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 04

Trek from Chuksang to Samar (3150m.) which takes about three and half hours. There is a distinct change here, not only in the topography, but also in the culture, lifestyle and people, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic. The people of Lo or Mustang do practice agriculture, but because of the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land, scattering the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north, you reach a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the river flows. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of the tunnel and north of here the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable on foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky alley to the village of Chele. Watch out here for the ferocious Tibetan mastiffs which are chained to many of the houses. From Chele you climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees. This is a major stopping place for horse and mule caravans. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 05

Trek from Samar to Geling (3510 m.) which takes about five hours. You climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. You then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, you descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites which have formed in the shape of chortens and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and you enter another huge valley before descending to Geling with its extensive fields of barley. As in all the settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre-painted houses are constructed using mud and stones, with roofs made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 06

Trek from Geling to Ghami (3490 m.) via Ghami La (3520m.) which takes about five hours. From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields, up the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. You then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 07

Trek fram Ghami to Tsarang (36200 m.) which takes about five hours. Today's walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang, and much of your energy will be spent negotiating loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, are a source of inspiration. Finally, you come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge dzong [fortress] and a red gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 08

Trek from Tsarang to Lo-Manthang [Mustang] (3730m.) this takes about three hours. You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. You climb gently above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually you get your first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 09

Rest at Lo-Manthang. Stay overnight in camps.

Day 10

Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghami (3490 m.) which takes about six hours.
You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, you walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami. We then stay overnight at camp.

Day 11

Trek from Ghami to Samar and this takes about six hours. Leaving Ghami you begin to follow narrow winding path until you reach Geling crossing a small stream. On the way you can enjoy good view of the Nilgiri Mountains, deserted landscapes, Tibetan style villages, farming terraces and natural vegetation. From Geling the path turns broader till Samar passing deserted landscapes, natural vegetation, plateau, Tibetan style houses, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags and observe the distinct culture of the local inhabitants. Samar is a small village with terraces, Tibetan style houses, mani walls, monastery, prayer flags and here you find people following Tibetan life styles and traditions. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 12

Trek from Samar to Kagbeni which takes about seven hours. Following a descending path you reach Chuksang crossing a suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki. Now you walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki with views of natural vegetation, apple orchards and there is a chance to find fossils. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 13

Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2713m.) which takes about three hours.
Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through Eklebhatti. The trail is windy in the early afternoons. The river flows through a broader course. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang and it is split into two towns and between these two towns passes through the Kali Gandaki River. There is an access to the internet and banking facilities found here. From Jomsom, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. Here, you stay overnight at lodge or camp.

Day 14

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. A strong breeze blows during the afternoons and frequent changes in weather patterns prevent the flight from landing and take off in the afternoon. During flights in the morning, the sky looks very clear which gives you the chance to enjoy splendid views of different mountain peaks. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Day 15

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach the Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people engaged in their daily chores. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, gateway to the capital city of Kathmandu. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.