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Mustang
Trek |
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The
last forbidden kingdom of Nepal, Mustang is located
beyond the great Himalayas and is host to a large museum of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Those
who visit this region are rewarded by the
opportunity to witness and learn about traditional
customs, a unique lifestyle and breathtaking views
of Silvery Mountain and canyon-like valleys. The
popularity of visiting this region is strictly
controlled by the Department of Immigration, through
which you must obtain a trekking permit, in order to
protect Mustang from the overwhelming influence of
development, and to protect the environment from
overuse and neglect.
The Capital, Lo Manthan is an old walled town still
undisturbed and untouched by western civilization,
and daily life is much as it has been over the
centuries. Around Lo Manthan one can explore the
nearby Namgyal Gompa, the village of Tenger and the
Nyamook Gompa. Strange are the cave dwellings that
are the villages of Guruk and Sija, cut into the
surrounding cliff sides, inhabited even today.There are many possible trekking routes in Mustang.
Try the Tibetan influenced region between the Kali Gandaki and Kagbeni rivers, known as 'Upper
Mustang'. Further North, you can trek to Lo Manthang
through a barren, almost tree-less landscape, on a
steep and rocky trail for panoramic views of Nilgiri,
Annapurna,
Dhaulagiri and several other peaks.
Highest Elevation : 3890 m.
Duration : 19 Days
Duration of Trek : .... Days |
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Itinerary : |
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Day 01 |
Kathmandu to Pokhara:
Drive to Pokhara by bus. Pokhara lakeside village sits
"front row centre" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan
panoramas in the world. The splendour of its snowy mountains
is yours here at Pokhara. |
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Day 02 |
Pokhara to Tikhedhunga: (1491m):
Drive to Nayapul via the large village of Lumle and walk to
Birethanti. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti
through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and
swimming hole. From Sudami climb steadily up the side of the
valley, reaching Hille at 1495m, close to Tikhedhunga. Along
the way various hamlets offer numerous camping possibilities
but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next day it is
best to push on to Tikhedhunga. |
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Day 03 |
Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani: (2855m):
The trail crosses a stream via a suspension bridge near the
camp site at Tikhedhunga. It then ascends a steep stone
staircase to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2070m.
Above the village the trail climbs gently through pastures
and cultivated fields. The trail crosses two sparklingly
clear streams before making a short final climb to
Nangethati. After an hour trek from Nangethanti you will
reach the Ghorepani pass. |
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Day 04 |
Ghorepani to Tatopani:
Climb Poon Hill (3195m) from where you can observe many
white mountain peaks. Ghorepani means 'horse water' in
Nepali and it is no doubt a welcome watering stop for the
teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads between
Pokhara and Jomsom. From Ghorepani the downhill trail
follows the Jomsom route. Crossing a rhododendron forest we
pass some small villages and walk alongside the Ghaja khola.
In Tatopani (meaning hot spring) there are natural hot water
springs. |
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Day 05 |
Tatopani to Ghasa:
Walk the Kaligandaki riverside and gradually ascend
observing the transition to non-sub-tropical vegetation.
Here a very interesting suspension bridge has to be crossed
making the trek very exciting. Arrive at Ghasa, an ethnic
Thakali Village. |
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Day 06 |
Ghasa to Marpha: (2670m):
The trail follows the Kaligandaki River through a narrow
gorge passing Thakali traditional villages along the way.
Marpha is the main habitation of the Thakali ethnic group.
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Day 07 |
Marpha to Kagbeni: (2800m):
Easy walking along the riverside to Jomosom, the district
capital of Mustang, which is the most interesting town in
the area. The spectacular views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri,
Tukuche peak and Dhampus peak will make you buy some extra
rolls of film. Arrive at Kagbeni, the entry point of the
upper Mustang. |
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Day 08 |
Kagbeni to Chele: (3060m):
There is a trail along the east bank of the Kaligandaki that
climbs over numerous ridges as it heads north and reaches
Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys
amongst whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley,
wheat and apple orchards. Nilgiri peak, which dominates the
southern skyline at Kagbeni, looms massively at the foot of
the valley. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village and
cross the river there. Continuing north, climbing up the
trail, we reach a huge red mass of conglomerate that has
fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which
the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kaligandaki
valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at
3030m. The culture changes from the Managi culture to that
of the Tibetan of Lo from this point. |
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Day 09 |
Chele to Geling: (3510m):
The climb continues through steep, treeless, waterless
terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a
pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. This is followed by a long
gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge before
descending further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The
Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the
south. Climb above Samara to a ridge, and then descend into
a large gorge and to another valley field. Cross a stream
and climb up to a ridge at 3800m. The route climbs over yet
another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to
Shyangmochen. From there gently climb to a pass at 3770m and
descend to Geling. |
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Day 10 |
Geling to Charang: (3620m):
From Geiling the trail climbs gently up to the interesting
pass on NYI LA and descends below blue, grey and red cliffs
across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmar Chu
River. We then climb past what is perhaps the longest and
most spectacular stretch of main walls in Nepal. Climb over
another pass at 3600m then make a long gentle descent to
Charang. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa makes
an interesting visit in which to observe collections of
statues and Thankas as well as numerous paintings of seated
Buddha's. |
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Day 11 |
Charang to LO Manthang: (3890m):
The trail descends for about 100m from Charang, crosses the
Charang-Chu and climbs steeply via a rocky trail to a cairn
on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally, from a ridge at
3850m, there is a view of the walled city of LO. After a
short descent cross a stream before climbing up to the
plateau of LO Manthang. |
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Day 12-14 |
LO Manthang:
There are four major attractions, and several other places
to visit, here. The Tall Champa Lakhang 'good house', the
red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the entrance hall are
the main attractions of this town. Another attraction is the
four-story building of the King Palace as well as the
surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas. Besides LO
Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth
visiting: The western Tingkhar, the site of the King's
summer Palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of
Nangyals 'The Monastery of Victory', which is the newest and
most active Gompa in LO. The eastern valley contains Chosar,
the site of a high school, Garphu and Nyphu Gompa.This is
the main trading route to Lhasa. |
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Day 15 |
LO Manthang to Ghami via Gekar:
The trail climbs steadily to a pass marked by a cairn
offering a last glimpse of LO Manthang. The trail contours
past two small ridges and valleys before crossing a ridge at
4070m and descending southwards through two more valleys,
meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky
descent to Gekar. LO Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa
in
Tibet
and is one of the oldest Gompas in Nepal. We cross a ridge
after a little climbing and drop down steeply to Thamar
village. The trail descends alongside the stone walls and
fields of extensive villages before climbing to a ridge. It
is a short descent from there to Ghami (3490m). |
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Day 16 |
Ghami to Samar: (3160 m):
From Ghami climb to NYI LA and descend to Samar via the
outward route. |
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Day 17 |
Samar to Kagbeni: (2800):
Return trek to Kagbeni. |
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Day 18 |
Kagbeni to Jomsom: (2750m): |
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Day 19 |
Jomsom to Pokhara:
Fly back to Pokhara. |
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Includes : Transportation .....
Meals .....
Entrance Fee .....
English Speaking Guide .....
Accommodation .....
Make Reservation |
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