Upper Mustang Trek

On arrival you will be greeted by your Inspiring Trek representative for your transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to either rest or explore Kathmandu independently. In the evening, there will be a briefing session with your guide regarding the trek and the route.

Tips:

• Get some rest and hydrate after your flight.
• Spend time shopping in the lively area of Thamel.
• Trek packing is done for the next day.

Trekking around in Nepal will take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (25 minutes) in the morning. When you arrive at Pokhara, you can explore the lakeside area or just chill and prepare for the rest (next part) of tour. You will be informed with information on the trek and have the chance to check your equipment.

Tips:

• The flight offers scenic mountain views — have your camera ready.
• Things to do in PokharaNepaly Settin When in Pokhara, do remember to try the local delicacies of the land.
• Check your kit for the trek and make sure Feb you got everything.

Wake up and have breakfast in Pokhara and then take a very early morning flight to Jomsom, a beautiful town that lies in the Kali Gandaki Valley. You get breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on this flight as well. After reaching Jomsom, we start carrying out the trek of Kagbeni, a picturesque village found on the boundary of the Mustang region.

Today’s trek is fairly easy, gradual uphill. We trace the Kali Gandaki River through wind-swept landforms, ghost villages and orchards. The village is well amazed with medieval architecture, traditional culture, and monastery. This place is the entryway to Upper Mustang & so is spiritually significant where many trekkers halt to adjust themselves physically before the further trek.

After lunch you spend the afternoon, exploring the narrow alleys of the village and visiting Kagbeni Monastery also known as Chöde Monastery, and the spectacular views of the mountain surrounding you.

Tips:

• Jomsom and Kagbeni have great photo prospects, so keep your camera handy.
• Always drink plenty of water while trekking, especially if head through dry and arid places.
• Savor the journey, and take little breaks when you need to (especially during the uphills!)

We are now on the less populated sections of the trek. After having breakfast, we hike to Chele, a small village in the Mustang region. The trail consists of a steady ascent through a variety of terrains: dusty trails, rocky trails, and stunning scenery to all sides. You’ll see the Kali Gandaki River for much of the day.

As we cross through this remote area, we will pass Tibet-style mini settlements, where life continues pretty much as it has for hundreds of years. The people here are kind and friendly, and you will see ancient homes made from mud and stone. Along the way, you will also catch your first glimpses of the towering mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Chele is a surreal and remote stop where you can unwind and admire the beautiful scenery. A few little tea houses here provide overnight accommodation, and it is a wonderful place to acclimatize to the increasing altitude.

Tips:

• It is slow and steady as you gradually gain altitude.
• Be mindful of local customs, particularly when dealing with the village people.
• Stay Hydrated to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Today, we see the continuation of our trek from the Chele to Samar, through high desert wilderness, narrow valleys, and steep slopes. This part of the trek is relatively hard because we cross an elevation of around 3,500 meters, hence we take it slow and acclimatize to the height.

We traverse tiny villages where we stop in one called Ekley, which features breathtaking views of the desolate terrain. It is going to be mostly an uphill route where the terrain will alternate between rocky paths and stretches of gravel. As to the time, once we go over to Samar from here, very nice surroundings will welcome us and this part of the Mustang valley will be opened in front of us. The Annapurna and Dhaulagiri summits will dominate the horizon.

Samar is a tiny village with only a handful of tea houses, and the perfect place to sit back and appreciate the scenery. The evening sky here is gorgeous with the colors of sunset in mountains.

Tips:

• Make sure your water bottle is full before you leave for Samar.
• Take a moment to admire the natural beauty surrounding you; this day provides some truly scenic views.
• Make sure you are eating light and keeping the energy up through the day.

Today’s journey from Samar to Ghiling is another editorial. The ascent is gradual and opens up toward the valley and other surrounding peaks. We come across a few isolated villages that are centered on agriculture and livestock. These villages really represent the ancient Tibetan culture that has not experienced much changes for centuries.

Our walk to the tiny settlement of Ghiling is along barley fields and besides patches of forest, a short respite from the arid desert. Ghiling is a bit bigger compared to most of the towns around, it sits at around 3,800 meters. And here you find pleasant tea houses, with decent facilities and friendly hospitality.

When you arrive in Ghiling, take some to explore the village or just unwind and appreciate the breathtaking views of the nearby mountains. Ghiling is also an ideal acclimatization location, letting your body get used to the elevation.

Tips:

• Be on the lookout for blue sheep and eagles in the area.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself today — give yourself time to acclimatize properly.
• Exploring the local monastery and talking to the monks to learn more about the area’s spiritual practices.

Our journey today takes us from Ghiling to Charang, another beautiful village in the Mustang region. The trail is less steep, involving a series of long climbs and descents through wide valleys and high plateaus. While walking, you will pass multiple ancient monasteries so, if you are lucky and arrive at prayer time, you might be able to observe some Buddhist rituals.

Charang, for instance, is a quintessential Tibetan village with charming Tibetan homes and an ambiance of meditation. The village is located at an altitude of approximately 3,500 meters and provides excellent views of the nearby hills and mountains.

Arriving at Charang, you can rest and explore the village, its monasteries, and nearby places. The tranquility of the surroundings and the blue of the sky are ideal for reflection about this trek and what it means from a cultural perspective.

Tips:

• Pack enough snacks to eat and keep energy high during the day.
• Go on top of the monasteries, and question your guide about the region’s tradition and experience.
• Spend some quiet time in the solitude of the Mustang region.

Today marks the highlight of the trek, as we are heading towards Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. The trek to Lo Manthang is shorter in distance but you are climbing overall gradually, and you will be at a higher altitude, so take your time. On the trek, you will pass through colorful villages, monasteries and patches of isolated barley drip baking under the all-encompassing sun and through the rugged mountains and valleys of the region Mustang.

Lo Manthang is a walled city steeped in Tibetan Buddhist heritage. It is also home to the King of Mustang and many ancient monasteries. Once in the city, you can see the King palace, Jhong monastery, and many other pagodas that have been existing since centuries.

Lo Manthang is a cultural center, and a wonderful place to dig deeper into the Tibetan Buddhist traditions common to the area. Take a walk in the narrow streets during the evening to experience the serenity of the walled city.

Tips:

• Lo Manthang has many cultural treasures, so take your time to explore.
• Make sure to drink a lot of water to keep hydrated, particularly at the higher altitude.
• Honor the local customs and be sure to request permission before photographing inside a monastery.

You have a complete day in Lo Manthang to discover its numerous hidden treasures. Explore the monastery of Chosar, famous for its ancient murals, and wander around the city to admire the traditional architecture and fortified walls. And the King’s Palace is also an important site here, lending insight into the region’s history.

Tibetan Buddhist culture permeates the region, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind and ancient religious sites. You can also go on a mini excursion to nearby caves that were previously used as meditation spaces and are thought to be hundreds of years old.

Tips:

• Spend this day resting and adjusting further.
• Spend some time talking to the locals and hearing their way of life.
• Be sure to photograph the peaceful beauty of Lo Manthang.

After a relaxing day in Lo Manthang, we take the return leg of our journey through the remarkable terrain of the region, this time en route to Jomsom. Hoe: Trek from Lo Manthang to Dhakmar via an awesome valley view and rocky area. Dhakmar is famous for its impressive red cliffs and houses an ancient monastery.

Today’s trek is a little less challenging than the previous days allowing more time to absorb the scenery and contemplate your time up in Upper Mustang. Reach Dhakmar and spend some leisure time in the place before retiring for the night.

Tips:

• The descent can be a little hard on the knees so be warned.
• Stop regularly to admire the changing scenery.
• Observe the local customs and traditions in villages.

Today you will retrace your steps as we descend again through the Mustang region. The last few days on the trail from Dhakmar to Samar were very scenic and offered the chance to once again visit Philok which you had flown through earlier the trek. Descending gives you space to take in the wide expanse of the landscape and the rough beauty of the Mustang region.

When you do arrive at Samar, don’t forget to rest and recharge and just gaze at the beautiful sights in front of you and think about the journey you just took.

Today we return along the path we took earlier in the trek back to Kagbeni. The Kali Gandaki Valley, where you walk through, has enchanting beauties with unique rocks. After you reach Kagbeni, you can relish the calmness of the village and walk through its narrow alleyways.

We trek back to Jomsom on the last day of the trip. The trek itself is pretty straightforward, and as the trail descends, it gives you great views of the neighbouring peaks. After you make it to Jomsom, you can rest and rejoice in the completion of your trek.

Fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom (Scenic flight) (Breakfast). Then fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, where you're transferred to your hotel. Dinner and Final Thoughts: Farewell Dinner and Final Reflections on the Amazing Journey through Upper Mustang.

Tips:

• After the trek, spend some time to relax and just do nothing.
• Exchange tales with your trekking companions over a celebratory meal.
• And don’t forget to check in for your international flight and plan your return trip.