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Trip Overview
Mustang is an unofficial Buddhist kingdom of Nepal, known as the lost Tibetan territories lies northwest of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri Himalayas. Upper Mustang trekking is the ultimate open museum and live gallery of old Buddhist kingdom, Tibetan Buddhist Arts, Isolated landscapes, and vivid natural beauties, which is still closely like Tibet.
Upper Mustang is restricted region for foreign travelers and hence the trekkers to Mustang area needed to obtain the special permit. The special permit costs the US $500 for the first ten days and 50 dollars per day for additional days. It caters to the outstanding views of scenic mountains, which have interesting myths attached to their colors. The Mustang trek also offers the unique culture of people of Lo-Manthang (Capital of Upper Mustang).
Table of Contents
Main Highlights of Mustang Trekking are:
- Lo-Manthang is the capital of Upper Mustang (unofficial Buddhist Kingdom)
- Observe the scenic views of Mountains like Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna, and Mt. Nilgiri with others
- Visit monasteries like Chhairo Monastery and Ghar Gompa
- Muktinath Temple, a sacred place for Hindusm and Buddhism pilgrims
- Celebrate Tiji festival with the local commune peoples
Mustang Trekking Guide
Mustang Trekking start point is the most popular touristic town of Nepal, Pokhara. The scenic flight from Pokhara takes you to the airstrips of Jomsom from where the real trek begins. Treading along the trails of Lower Mustang in Kali Gandaki Valley, the trek goes through Kagbeni (the borderline from where the restricted region of Upper Mustang begins). As the trek goes beyond Kagbeni, it begins to cater to the landscapes, which are dramatically barren yet so beautiful. As the Mustang trek goes closer towards Lo-Manthang, the trekkers get to see the sky burials in the caves. It represents ancient death rituals of the people of Upper Mustang, who migrated to the region from Tibet centuries ago. At Mustang the ruins of the ancient palaces of the king of Upper Mustang are a primary highlight. The places in close proximity of Lo-Manthang highlight fascinating remote villages and ancient monasteries.
The other adventure of Upper Mustang Trek include the incredible Himalayan panorama of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna, and Mt. Nilgiri among others. The spirituality of Buddhism can be observed in the monasteries like Chhairo Monastery and Ghar Gompa. Similarly, the trek also caters to the culture of Bons in the Monastery at Lubra Valley as well as Hinduism at the sacred temple of Muktinath.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival is a 3 days-long festival celebrated in the – Upper Mustang, Lo-Manthang. The mysterious Buddhist festival one of the main celebrations in the upper Mustang. In the year 2023, They celebrate the Tiji festival from 07th May till 10th May. However, day 2nd and 3rd is more colorful with the various mask dance performance by Buddhist monks and lamas. Sign up today if you are interested in this festival trek to Mustang and for detail please Read details/blog about the Tiji festival.
Best Time to Trek Mustang
The Spring and Fall seasons are the busiest times to travel Mustang. We operate the tours for Mustang Trekking from April – October. Even in Monsoon season you can trek Mustang as entire Upper Mustang lies in a rain-shadow area in the trans-Himalayan mountain region. In May, you can observe the Tiji festival celebrated by the Buddhist pilgrims.
Trip Grading
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Facts Overview
- Trip Code: NFH10
- Trip Type: Trekking
- Start/End: Kathmandu -
- Group Size: 2-14
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Best Season:
April to October - Daily Walking Hour: 5 to 7 Hours
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Detailed Itinenary
Arrival in: Kathmandu | Departure from:
1 Arrival in Kathmandu, Transfer to Hotel
Land to Kathmandu TIA International Airport, Our representative will welcome to you and short left hand drive to hotel in Bhaktapur Culture city. Bhaktapur City is one of the oldest town and UNESCO city of Nepal. Where you can visit many Temples, Pagodas, King Palaces and tradition of Bhaktapur. Evening a typical Nepalese/Newari dinner together with your Guide.
2 Drive/Fly to Pokhara and Explore Pokhara lake site hotel.
As the plan we drive or fly to pokhara. Pokhara is another beautiful, clean and touristic city of west Nepal. It is hub for Annapurna, Mustang and Dhaulagiri trekking. Also famous for Mountain view, Lakes and some of pilgrimages temples and caves. We make small walk around the fewa lake site and free evening. Hotel B/B plan.
3 Morning Fly to Jomsom Lower Mustang and Trek to Upper Mustang Border Kagbeni Village.
We need to go early morning airport to fly Jomsom. Because to jomsom they operate flight only in morning. Jomsom is windy valley after 12am always wind pressure strong and they can’t fly. After 20 minutes, short fly will be a dramatic mountain flight for you. We fly over two high Himalayas between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. After arrive jomsom stop for drinks and prepare our trekking crew and permits we continue trek to Kagbeni about 3 to 4 hours along the kaligandaki windy valley. Kagbeni is one of most windy village offer stunning view of Nilgiri mountain and Dhaulagiri, Monastery visit in evening, Local Guest house with full board meal. (2800m)
4 Trekking to Chaile Village via Tangbe/Chuksang.
From here your upper mustang trek enter the special permit zone. After breakfast and process of Permit check we walk along the Kaligandaki river. Dry landscape and dusty wind always from back and front. You will see amazing views and landscapes along the way. After few hours we will see some of the caves where before Mustange people lived. Cross small Tetang village and get lunch in Chuksang where we back for sleep before Muktinath. After lunch cross small Tetang river and walk continue another 2 hours to Chaile. On the way we cross kaligandaki river and walk long red soil cliff. It call the gate of Upper Mustang. Chaile is small village. Local Guest house with full board meal. (3200m)
5 Trekking to Ghiling Via Samar/Syangboche
Visit Enchanting Buddhist Monasteries and Villages. A longest day during the mustang kingdom trek. After breakfast we climb to Samar, Samar is a village on middle of dry hill. Where you can have beautiful view of mustang and Himalayas. After short rest we continue walk another 2 hours for lunch. Today we cross many small passes over 3500 meter including some of windy pass. We walk up and down many times that make your legs more tired when you arrive local lodge in Gilling village. Is small village form where we visit few monastery and school. Local lodge with full board meal. (3400m)
6 Trek to T-sarang Village via Ghami Village and Ghami La and T-sarang La Pass.
Today we need to cross another high passes and Ghami La and Tsarang La. After breakfast continue 2 hours to Pass will be quite difficult for us. From the pass you can see deep valley. After another 1.3 hour trek down we will arrive Ghami village. Ghami is one of biggest village where old kings relative and family lived there and they control all villagers before. There is a famous Ghami Monastery we visit and have lunch there. After cross the suspension bridge in Ghami river we follow the mustang longest prayer mane wall and climb the Tsarang la. After small rest in Pass we keep trek to Tsarang Village. Tsarang village is another powerful and big village of Mustang kingdom. Before village we cross beautiful Buddhist stupa which are most highlight of Mustang. In Tsarang village we visit famous Tsarang monastery. There are 2 monastery and king palace including many beautiful stupas insight the village. Stay at local Maya Guest house with full board meal.(3500m)
7 Trekking to the forbidden kingdom Lo – Manthang the mud city.
Today we walk only 4 hours to Lo-Manthang the mustang kindgom After breakfast cross the Tsarang River by suspension bridge our journey heading to Lo manthang village along the newly developed graveled road without cars. The road was connected form Tibet part and in the season Some Tibetan people/businessman they came to Tsarang to sell many things. Now we can only see the Goat and Sheeps, Cows and Yaks caravans along the way. After hiking 3 hours we reach small pass where we can see first view of Our Mustang trek highlight Kingdom of Mustang – Lo-Manthang city It called the city of Mud and clay and lost Tibetan Kingdom of Nepal. The pass is perfect location for photograph for Whole Mustang valley to Tibetan Border. We can see many other villages, Monastery and wide range of dry beautiful landscapes. After short break we continue down to Lo Manthang city after cross the small river just before the City. Lunch and relax day in the city. Local guest house with full meal. (3600m)
8 Sightseeing around Mustang Kingdom, Visit King Palace
Today we visit many places in Kingdom of Mustang. There are many stories monasteries and schools, museum and lifestyle of village. The village people speak Tibetan and they follow still Tibetan Buddhism. Same Guest house and full board meal. (3600m)
9 Day Excursion to High Mustang Area exploration Mustang.
Today after breakfast we begin our hiking with pack lunch in bag. Walk to Tsochar village to see the cave monastery and wild villages. Cross the mustang river then continue walk from village to village. At the end we visit famous Ghar Gompa which is one of biggest monastery in Upper Mustang. Back to Hotel at evening visit the mustang king palace and if possible visit king family in palace. Full board meal. (3600m)
10 Trek to Ghami Village via Ghar Gompa lo Gagher and Dhagmar village.
From today our mustang journey back to Ghami village via Lo-Gagher (Ghar Gompa). Ghar gompa is oldest monastery of whole Mustang kingdom. The legendary says Is was build before Shyame Monastery in Tibet 7nt Century by Padma Sambhawa to protected form demon. A great powerful monks of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit this monastery. Cross Marang La pass and trek to Dhagmar illage where you can see most beautiful red soil cliff in mustang region. Next hour trek to Ghami. Local lodge with full board meal.(3400m)
11 Trekking to Syangboche.
Climb Ghami La pass and walk down to Ghiling village then continue to Syangbochen and visit the Salt cave monastery in evening.( 3300m)
12 Trekking to Chuksang Village along the Kaligandaki River site. (3000m)
Today we continue follow uphill and nomadic downhill walk to Chuksang via Bhina, Samar and Chile. Then exit from gateway to mustang by crossing bridge over Kaligandaki river. Continue another hour walk we reach Chuksang village which is one of beautiful village with barley field, colors of Buddhism. Stay Guest house.
13 Trekking to Muktinath via Upper Mustang Trail.
After breakfast we continue uphill walk to pass via Tetang village . This is final day in Upper mustang for us. After reaching the pass we can see lower mustang par and the muktinath valley. After few hours walk form pass we connect popular trail Annapurna Circuit trek in Muktinath. Visit Muktinath Temple, Buddhist and Hindu Temple sightseeing and free relax in there with internet/Bakery and wifi. Local hotel with full board meal.(3800m)
14 Trek to Jomsom via Lubra Valley visit only the Bon Ri Monastery.
It was off the beaten hiking trail but now many people use this trek route because of road. A beautiful walk to top of hill where you can see the mustang region and deep lubra village valley. Hard step down to Lubra we make lunch and visit the only Bon monastery in Mustang region. Then continue 2 hours walk to Jomsom. Free and relax before fly to Jomsom. The trek will end from there.(2700m)
15 Fly back to Pokhara and self explore pokhara lake side. Hotel.
Early morning get ready for fly back to Pokhara arrived hotel. Pokhara can be a relax place for you after the long trekking from Mustang kingdom. Explore self pokhara city and hotel with B/B plan.
Trip Map
Inclusion
What’s Include
- Airport pickup, drop and all ground transport by private vehicle.
- Standard twin sharing Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast as per itinerary.
- Trekking Lodge (Tea House) accommodations throughout the trek.
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the upper mustang trek.
- All necessary paper works for special mustang trek permit, Annapurna Conservation Park Entry Permit and TIMS card.
- A highly experience and knowledgeable, friendly , English speaking well trained, Government License holder guide with his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport to jiri and insurance.
- Friendly and helpful porters with proper walking equipment, his salary, foods, accommodation and insurance (one porter for two people).
- Comprehensive medical box (first aid kit will be available).
- Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service (paid by your Travel Insurance company).
- Government taxes and official expenses.
- Flight Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara.
- Guided Kathmandu sightseeing tour with private vehicle.
- Assistant guide group size more than 4 person group.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in typical Nepalese restaurant.
What’s Not Include
- International Airfare from and to Kathmandu.
- Nepal entry visa fee (you may easily issue the visa on arrival at Tribhuwan International
- Airport – Kathmandu). $25 USD for 15 days Visa.
- Your Travel and Medical Insurance.
- Meals whilst you are in Kathmandu Lunch and Dinner as per itinerary.
- Your Personal Expenses and trekking equipment for the trek.
- All the alcoholic and non alcoholic cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the Tea Houses)
- All desserts sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging on the tea houses.
- Tips for the guide, porter and driver (Tipping is expected)
- Kathmandu sightseeing monument entrance fees.
- Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- Excess baggage more than 12 kg.(If you have extra baggage you can leave in Kathmandu office with full safety)
Departure Dates
The given prices is per person and exclude international flights. Fixed departure dates available for online booking. If the given date is not favorable for you, please contact us and we will happily customize your trip on dates more appropriate for you.
Dates
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Traveller Reviews
Jochen Angi
Munich, Germany
March 13, 2020
Erkunded mustang-Tiji Fest
Hello Nepal Wanderer!! Namaste!!
We two (Jochen and Angi) had a tour to Mustang through Nepal Footprint in the year 2019. We found them by some of Recommendation from Germany. The tour was as excellent and everything were as per planned as they offer us before the trek booking. The guide Raj is just perfect, very informative, know the local places, people and so helpful for other people as well. The company provide well first aid kits for the trek to back up. Choice of accommodation, food and local cuisine suggested by our guide.
Very important is the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang. That we ever have seen one of best fest in Nepal in the Buddhist kingdom. Colorful masks and dresses, very musical by local people, they offer us local drinks and explain about the festival. Thanks for this excellent trip to Footprint Trek.
Jochen and Anji
