With hundreds of years of rich and complex history, Mustang is one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. Mustang is also quite popular among trekkers as Lomanthang. Mustang is probably a Nepali mispronunciation of the town of Mustang, the capital of Lo. The early history of Lo is full of myths. Trekkers are allowed to visit the area. Officially, Mustang is the name of the entire district along the Kali Gandaki River from the Tibetan border to Ghasa. Jomsom is the headquarters of the Mustang district. The restricted area of Tibetan influence is north of Kagbeni, and this place is referred to as Upper Mustang. The area has witnessed cultural, economic, and environmental changes over the years despite being protected as a restricted site.
Although Lo remained isolated for years, the local people are worldly, well- traveled and resourceful. They are essentially Tibetans and are skilful traders, travelers and merchant. Mustang is a Tibetan lost valley and stands as a hidden treasure of the Himalayan country of Nepal. Trekkers can enjoy visiting the Tibetans in the area with the most mystic landscape. It seems that "Mustang" is totally independent as the regional king "Mustangee Raja." He, however, does not rule.
• With hundreds of years of rich and complex history, Mustang is one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal.
• It seems that "Mustang" is totally independent as the regional king "Mustangee Raja." He, however, does not rule.
ITINERARY
Day 01:Drive to Pokhara (850 m) from Kathmandu (1,320 m.):
It takes about six hours’ drive with beautiful mountain views and villages or you can fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (30 minutes’ flight) and stay overnight at hotel
Day 02:Fly to Jomsom (2,750 m.) from Pokhara:
The 30-minute flight offers marvelous mountain view. Our trek starts from Jomsom. One can gain a unique experience while walking along the trail of this section. The landscape is barren. The sun is often hot and the powerful wind blows. The Kali Gandaki River-bed is about one-kilometer wide here. The river is divided into several streams. After completing about 3 hours of trek, we will reach Kagbeni, where we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 03:Kagbeni to Chele (3,050 m.):
The restricted area starts from Kagbeni. Foreign tourists are required to show permit at the local police post while going beyond Kagbeni. From Kagbeni, the trail climbs immediately to a ridge marked by a small stone chorten. Then, the trail descends and climbs over another ridge. After a few ups and downs along the narrow trail, we will reach a plateau at an elevation of 3,040 metres above sea level. The trail now drops steeply into a dry river bed and we need to make a short climb to Tangbe (3040 m). About one hour beyond Tangbe, we will reach Chhukung village. Some spectacular red organ-pipe eroded cliffs above the mouths of inaccessible caves can be seen across the Kali Gandaki from Chhukusang. After trekking for 5 and half hours’, we will reach Chele and stay overnight at camp.
Day 04:Chele to Geling (3,510 m.):
We will have to pass through desert-like high altitude area that climbs in and out of huge side valleys of the Kali Gandaki. The climb from Chele is up a steep spur to a chain and a view of Ghyakar across a huge canyon. After crossing the ridge the trail enters a large side valley and makes long gradual descent to Samar. The trail climbs above Samar to a ridge, descends steeply to a stream. The, it climbs back to a chorten painted in red, and yellow, black and white all pigments made from local rocks. It’s short gentle climb to the Syangmochen La (3850 m). From here, we can see Geling. On this day, we will have to walk for about 7 hours and stay overnight at camp.
Day 05:Geling to Tsarang (3,560 m.):
The trail from Geling turns westward and climbs gently through fields up the centre of the valley, passing below Tama Gaon and its impressive chorten. After then, we will reach Nyi La (4,020 m.) and have beautiful mountain views and landscape. After making a bit descent down to Ghami, we can see a long Mani wall along the way. The staring trail descends below the blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmar Chu. Then, the trail climbs past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch of Mani wall in Nepal. After Choya La pass, we will reach Tsarang. On this day also, we will have to walk for 7 hours. And we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 06:Tsarang to Lo–Manthang (3,730 m.):
The trail descends down to Tsarang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a chain on a ridge opposite the village at 3,580m. Then, the trail enters the Tholung valley and turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Tserang and Lo. Finally, we will reach Lo La (3,950 m). There is a view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang. A short descent leads onto the plain of aspiration, and then the trail crosses a stream and climbs up onto the plateau of Lo-Manthang. Our trek for the day ends after 5 hours’ walk. Then, we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 07:Lo–Manthang Rest day (explore around)
Day 08:Lo-Manthang to Lo –Gekar (Ghar Gumpa) (3,620 m.):
The trail goes gently up. After 2 hours’ walk, we will reach Chogo La (4,200 m.). We can have breath-taking views of mountains, valleys, and pasturelands with many yaks grazing. Then, we will head down to Lo-Ghekar. After completing about 4 hours’ walk, we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 09:Lo–Gekar to Ghami (3,490 m.):
After covering a distance of about 505m from Lo – Ghekar, we will reach Marang La and enjoy mountain views and Dhakmar village. We can also see a green community forest and nearby village with hundreds of caves at Dhakmar. Within 2 and a half hours, we will reach Ghami, where we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 10:Ghami to Syangmochen (3,810 m.):
We will follow the same trail.
Day 11:Syangmochen to Tetang (3,120m.):
From Syangmochen, the trail goes down hill passing through small villages of Samar, Chele and Chuksang and Tetang. We will stay overnight at camp.
Day 12:Tetang to Muktinath (3,760m.):
The trail goes up steep hill till Ghyu La (4,135m.) From here, we can have a panoramic mountain view Dhawalagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Thorong Peak and many more. The trail goes down hill cross the hanging bridge and walking through Dzong village and we will reach the famous pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Today’s trek will be complete within about seven hours of walk and we will stay overnight at camp.
Day 13:Muktinath to Jomsom (2,760m.):
The trail goes gently down hill to Eklebhatti. Then, the route to Jomsom is straight. Better to walk early in the morning because the wind blows after about 11 a.m. Today’s trip will be completed within 5 hours and we will stay overnight at camp or lodge.
Day 14:Fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom
Note: The departure schedule can be changed on any unavoidable circumstances such as weather hazards, trail slides, and avalanches.
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