THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM OF MUSTANG TREK ITINERARY
Day 1: Today we'll fly to Pokhara. Transfer to Kantipur Hotel.
Day 2: POKHARA-JOMSOM-KAGBENI
We rise early to be at the airport in time for our flight to Jomsom (6 or 6:30am, first departure only). If the weather is good, we'll be treated to one of the finest views available in the world of aviation, as we thread our way up the Kali Gandaki River gorge, one of the deepest in the world. To our west is Dhaulagiri, and to the east Annapurna, sixth and tenth tallest peaks in the world, respectively
Day 3: KAGBENI-CHELE
As we leave Kagbeni headed north, we enter what had been until 1992 restricted territory. We are also leaving behind the region of the upper Kali Gandaki inhabited by the Thakali tribals, and entering a transitional area inhabited by people who call themselves Gurung, though they are less pure than their fellow Gurungs downriver, having married with people of Tibetan stock over the centuries. Today's walk can be difficult due to heat and the still air that often prevails beside the river, especially in the mornings. We'll enjoy a late lunch at Tangbe, where we may encounter our first Tibetan mastiffs of the trek. Though usually chained (the unchained ones tend to be tamer), they should always be given respect and a wide berth. After lunch, we continue to Chuksang (1.5 hours), where another police checkpost awaits us. We often stop here for a rest and a drink, as the heat of the midday sun is upon us and liquid refreshments will be rarer as we ascend the river. Another 1.5 hours brings us to Chele (10,000'), situated dramatically on a steep shoulder with a commanding view back towards Chuksang and Nilgiri.
Day 4: CHELE-TAMA GAON
Thankfully, we now leave the riverside trail behind and will stay up high for several days. This morning's route takes us along a cliffside trail, high above a gorge. The trail is wide enough not to cause anxiety, and offers stunning views of the village of Gyagar across the gorge. The ascent becomes more open and gradual, bringing us shortly to the first of today's three passes, the Swee La (11,580'). We descend gradually to Samar (10,800'), another green oasis in a world becoming drier by the hour. After dropping down to the river, we ascend steeply through a juniper forest (the last we'll see), contour past some chortens, and then begin the final ascent to a pass at 12,345'. Just beyond the pass is our lunch stop, at Bhena (called Eklobhatti on some maps). After lunch we ascend gradually to the next pass (12,850') along a trail which affords spectacular views of Nilgiri and Annapurna, weather permitting. We descend along a switchback trail to the small village of Shyangmochen, then cross a final pass and descend to the lone house known as Tama Gaon (11,950'), which looks out over the prosperous-looking village of Giling in the valley below.
Day 5: TAMA GAON-TRAGMAR
The trail contours in a westerly direction very gradually, then climbs more abruptly to today's first pass, the Jhiti La (12,800'), called the Nyi La in some books and maps. This marks the unofficial southern boundary of Lo (Mustang). We contour for awhile, then descend to the large town of Ghami for lunch. After lunch would be an ideal time to explore this town and its gompa, set atop a steep cliff overlooking the river below. What follows next is by now becoming an expected pattern: steep down to the river, steep ascent on the other side, followed by a more gradual ascent to today's final pass at 12,065'. Stop here, weather permitting, to enjoy the fine views of both the mountains and the long mani wall below, which sits astride the direct trail from Ghami to Tsarang. Camp is set in a beautiful meadow just above Tragmar ("Red Cliffs," 12,120'). The colors here are the most dramatic of the entire journey: vibrant green fields, burnt red cliffs, deep blue sky, brilliant white snow-capped peaks, all surrounded by subtle earth tones. It is possible to visit some of the caves that are built into the sides of the cliffs, and sunset from the cliffs above the village is spectacular.
Day 6: TRAGMAR-TSARANG
The ascent from Tragmar is steep and over loose rock at times. We arrive fairly quickly at the top, which is a false pass set dramatically between two large boulders (12,870'). There are great views and photo opportunities throughout the second half of the ascent. The ascent now is much more gradual, across a barren landscape, to the true pass at 13,230'. An easy ridge walk to the east brings us to a wonderful lookout point at 13,435', the high point of the entire itinerary. From here we can look back toward Nilgiri and Annapurna, the mountains that form the eastern border of Lo with Tibet, the villages of Marang and Tsarang where we're headed, and the gorge of the Kali Gandaki (or Mustang River) as it winds its way north toward Lo Manthang. We descend gradually for nearly an hour to our lunch spot at Lo Gyekar monastery, which is older than the oldest monastery in Tibet, Samye. We hope to be able to visit inside the monastery during our lunch break, depending on the caretaker being present. After lunch, we have a leisurely walk downhill gently with the river to Tsarang, one of Lo's largest towns and home to perhaps its most impressive monastery. We should arrive in plenty of time to explore both the town and the gompa.
Day 07: TSARANG-LO MANTHANG
This morning's climb will be one of the hardest of the trip, taking us up steeply through dramatic canyons and scenery to our ridgetop trail (13,080'). From here the trail is relatively easy, but our exposure to the high-altitude sun takes its toll throughout the morning. We cross a small pass, strewn with prayer flags, from where we get our first views of Lo Manthang. We descend into the city, where a late lunch is awaiting us. There will be some time to explore inside the city walls this afternoon.
Day 08: LO MANTHANG
Full day to explore this medieval city, one of the last walled cities in the world in which the wall is intact and functional. In addition to the 1,200 or so human inhabitants, changed little over the centuries, the walls contain within them every night many thousands of animals: horses, donkeys, goats, cows, yaks, and ferocious Tibetan mastiffs.
Day 09: EXCURSIONS to – LO GARPHU & NYPHU GOMPA & return to Lo Manthang.
Day 10: Excursions to LO THINKAR & NAMGYAL
Day 11: LO MANTHANG-YARA
Leaving Lo Manthang we follow the Mustang River & trek to the village of DRI & onto the village of Yara. All through the valley, we'll see cliffside caves, which were the homes of the original inhabitants of Lo, prior to the arrival of Buddhism and its attendant uplifting of the people's way of life.
Day 12: YARA-DRI
Today is dedicated to our visit of Luri Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Lo and certainly its most spectacularly sited. It houses a small chapel and a magnificent stupa (chorten), one of only three of the originally built 25 which can still be seen, and appears to be built into the side of a sheer cliff, surrounded by caves. We have to walk 2.5 hours to reach Luri, which is the same time it will take us to get back down to our camp in Dri late this afternoon.
Day 13: DRI-TANGGYE (3320 M)
Day 14: TETANG
Day 15: CHUKSANG-MUKTINATH
Day 16: MUKTINATH-JOMSOM
Day 17: JOMSOM-POKHARA-KTM.
COST IN USD PER PERSON (MIN 4 PAX)
1. LAND COST – USD 1120 per person
2. MUSTANG SPECIAL PERMIT – USD 650 (13 DAYS)
3. AIRFARE KTM-PKR-JOM-KTM – USD 395
4. STAFF INSURANCE – USD 20
5. ACAP FEE – USD 30
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Full camping trek with all meals, camping gears, staffs, porter/mules for carrying luggages, camping charges, airport transfers & hotel accommodation in Pokhara & Jomsom on fullboard.
COST EXCLUDES:
Airfare, airport tax, insurance & emergency rescue charges, monastery entrance fees, personal clothing & accessories including sleeping bags, mules for personal riding.
Shorter Mustang trip for 14 days:
Day 1: Fly KTM-Pokhara. Check into Hotel.
Day 2: Fly PKR-Jomsom & trek to Kagbeni. Camp.(3 hrs/2800 m)
Day 3: Kagbeni to Chuksang (4.5 hrs/2950 m)
Day 4: Chuksang – Samar (4 hrs/3450 m)
Day 5: Samar to Geling (5 hrs/3520 m)
Day 6: Geling to Tragmar (5 hrs/3800 m)
Day 7: Via Lo Gekar to Tsarang. (7 hrs/3580 m)
Day 8: Tsarang – LO Manthang. (5 hrs/3750 m)
Day 9: LO Manthang
Day 10: Geling
Day 11: Chugsang
Day 12: Chugsang – Muktinath
Day 13: Muktinath-Jomsom
Day 14: Fly Jomsom-Pokhara-KTM
COST IN USD PER PERSON (MIN 4 PAX)
6. LAND COST – USD 900
7. MUSTANG SPECIAL PERMIT – USD 500 (10 DAYS)
8. AIRFARE KTM-PKR-JOM-KTM – USD 395
9. STAFF INSURANCE – USD 20
10. ACAP FEE – USD 30
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Full camping trek with all meals, camping gears, staffs, porter/mules for carrying luggages, camping charges, airport transfers & hotel accommodation in Pokhara & Jomsom on fullboard.
COST EXCLUDES:
Airfare, airport tax, insurance & emergency rescue charges, monastery entrance fees, personal clothing & accessories including sleeping bags.
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