Dolpo Mustang Traverse Trek – 16 Days
Highlights
- Summit the iconic Island Peak (6,189m) with epic views of the Himalayas
- Trekking in the wonderful landscapes in the world-renowned Everest region.
- Acclimatization days for higher altitude adjustment.
- Trek through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant Sherpa culture and visit Buddhist monasteries.
- The assistance of professional mountaineering experts from Inspiring Trek Pvt. Ltd.
Nine days of walking through stunning landscapes complete the circuit It is much more than a trek. The Dolpo Mustang Traverse Trek is a journey through two of Nepal's wildest and beautiful places, Dolpo and Mustang. This pilgrimage leads you deep into the heart of the Himalayas, where ancient monasteries, traditional Tibetan villages, and a rich culture lifestyle appear, relatively undeterred by the hands of modern civilization. The route follows high-altitude passes and provides stunning views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.
The trek, starting and finishing in Kathmandu, begins with a flight to Jomsom, Mustang’s gateway. Now, you’ll traverse rugged terrains and into the wilderness of Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is home to Nepal’s deepest lake and scarce wildlife. The trek takes you over some rugged passes such as Ghuma La, provides opportunities to meet local Tibetan people, and experience the peace of the Dolpo region.
Dolpo and Mustang are iconic regions of Nepal, known for their Tibetan culture and lifestyles. This trek provides not only a physical challenge, but also the chance to discover a culture, connect with the divine, and walk in a living history.
Inspiring Trek Pvt. Ltd. will be the best companion for this journey. We take care of you every step of the way after 15 years in the business. This trek, with its expert guides, local Sherpas, and attention to detail, is the experience of a lifetime.
Permits
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
- Permit for Shey Phoksundo National Park
- This includes Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).
Detail Itinerary
Our representative will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you to the hotel in Kathmandu. After that, we will be briefed about the trek and climbing trip after we check in. In the evening, welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant.
We board an early morning scenic flight to Lukla, the entry point to Everest, where we meet our porters and start trekking. The trail then descends to Phakding through Chaurikharka village and beautiful woodland.
You are up to date with information until October 2023. In Monjo, the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, our permits are checked and we cross the bridge. We then ascend through pine forests, with glimpses of Mt. Everest, Thamserku, and Kusum Kanguru before arriving in the busy bazaar of Namche.
Namche is the commercial center of the Khumbu region with lodges, restaurants and shops. After settling in at our teahouse, we remain in town to visit a nearby monastery or kick back over a steaming cup of tea and soak up the breathtaking mountain scenery.
Acclimatization is key to getting to the summit. Today, we take a short hike to the 3,880m Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-altitude hotels in the world, where we get our first close-up view of Mt. Everest, as well as Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
We also visit the villages of Khunde and Khumjung, which are home to the infamous Yeti scalp monastery. Back in Namche, we can spend the rest of the day resting, shopping, or having a nice bakery item.
From Namche, the trail hugs the mountainside with spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. After Phoenky Thenga we engage on difficult ascent through the rhododendron woods to Tengboche Monastery, the biggest monastery in the Khumbu place.
At Tengboche, we participate in Buddhist rituals and walk up to panoramic mountain views. The ambiance is serene and the energy is powerful, making this a very special stop.
Today’s hike drops through a green forest and crosses the Imja Khola River. We climb to Pangboche, the highest permanent Sherpa village. As we continue on we enter an alpine setting away from thick forests. Finally, nearing Dingboche, the land levels out, revealing breathtaking views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Makalu.
As we hike higher, it’s important to acclimatize and a rest day in Dingboche is essential. A short yet strenuous hike takes us to Nagarjun Hill (5,100m), an excellent viewpoint that grants us all around views of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak. This climb also allows for altitude acclimatization, gearing us up for the epic trek ahead.
Back at Dingboche, we spend time relaxing, exploring the village, or chit-chatting with fellow trekkers. Dingboche has stone-walled fields to shield crops from fierce winds.
Chhukung: Today’s trek to Chhukung is a short one, but it’s a necessary step for continued acclimatization. The Easy route goes up the Imja Valley, so the views are amazing seeing Island Peak, Lhotse and Amphu Lapcha Pass. Chhukung is the final village prior to Island Peak Base Camp.
Once we arrive, we check in to our lodge and spend the afternoon practicing with crampons, ice axes, and ropes to ensure that we are ready for the climb.
Today we trek to Island Peak Base Camp via a rugged trail that winds over rocky moraines and glacier-fed streams. The ascent becomes more strenuous, with footfall meticulous as we rise into altitude. The way alongside the Lhotse glacier provides magnificent views of Island Peak, Nuptse, and Lhotse.
Finally at the base camp we get in the tents and get a final briefing on the climbing techniques. Guides will teach effective harness use, rope use and climbing technique to keep you safe on the summit attempt.
early AM hours usually 2-3AM to get the cooler air and the safest way up. The first half is up, and the second half is steep scrambling through a mix of snow and rock. As we rise higher, ropes, crampons, and ice axes tackle the technical bits — including a narrow ridge, and a fixed rope section just below the summit. The last leg features breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam. At the top of Island Peak, you're going to feel a massive sense of accomplishment while soaking it all in.
It must be after cheering and celebrating on the top, we started descending from there to Base Camp. However, the descent can add some spice because we will have to pick our way down the more technical parts. Once we reach Base Camp we will rest, rehydrate and recover from the arduous ascent.
After the summit, a descent down to Chhukung. The hike back from Base Camp to Chhukung is significantly easier, though you still have to pay attention to where you step on the rocky ground. This day provides a soft recovery from the climb and an opportunity to reflect during a clear day of stunning peaks all around. After returning to Chhukung, we’ll settle into the lodge for some leisure time. We have a celebratory dinner with our team in the evening and share stories from the climb and discuss our experiences.
Today’s journey retracing our steps back to Dingboche is mostly downhill, a nice change from the uphill climbs of the past few days. As you sin, the terrain eases, and you’ll be able to admire the gorgeous alpine landscape. Dingboche is a quiet village where trekkers regularly stop to recharge after a tough trek. We spend the afternoon resting after checking into our teahouse.
In this period, you are free to unwind, wander the village or take a short stroll in the neighboring opened fields of absolute silence. Una vez que llegues, con la ayuda de su cuerpo, te ayudamos a recuperarte del esfuerzo de la caminata, te recomendamos comer bien.
We start trekking back towards Tengboche after a relaxing day in Dingboche. As we make our way to lower altitudes, we have stunning perspectives on Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from the trails. Sakara(a sacred place), Monastery towards Tengboche, where we can see the monks praying. The natural beauty and the serene surroundings provide peace of mind and tranquility. After settling in to the teahouse, you’ll take some time to contemplate the journey ahead of you.
Day 14: Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
We will trek back to Lukla, the last leg of our trekking adventure. On our descent on forested trails along the Dudh Koshi River, we’ll cross the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge again. The trek is not hard compared to the ascent and allows us to take a more sedate pace on the way back to Lukla. In Lukla we will overnight in a teahouse to mark the end of the trek and climb. We’ll have a farewell dinner with our porters and guides to commemorate the journey we’ve taken together.
Today we return to scenic flight back to Kathmandu, which better be the end of our Island Peak Climbing adventure. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the luxury of your hotel to rest and relax after the arduous trek and climb. If you have time, you may explore the vibrant markets of the city or historical sites. Finally, in the evening, a farewell dinner will be organized to celebrate your successful trek and climbing expedition.
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Local flight (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu)
- Hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights) with breakfast
- Island Peak climbing permit & Trekking Permits
- English Speaking professional trekking & climbing guide
- Porters (2:1 ratio) assisting with luggage
- Tea house & tented accommodation
- All meals on trek and climb
- Climbing gear hire (harness, ropes, ice axe, crampons, etc.)
- First aid kit with emergency oxygen
- Satellite phone for emergency communications
- Taxes and service charges by the government
- International Flights to/from Nepal
- Nepal visa fees
- High altitude travel insurance (required)
- Kathmandu lunch and dinner
- Individual climbing equipment (optional rental)
- How to tip your guides, porters, and staff
- Additional fees due to unforeseen circumstances. ( weather delays, etc.)
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Duration
16 days
Group Size
10
Starts From
Kathmandu
Tour Type
Difficulty Level
Challenging
Maximum Height
6,189m (Island Peak Summit)
Best Season
spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November)
