Upper Mustang 13-Day Trek

A well-liked route between Nepal’s capital and second-largest city, which is renowned for its scenic surroundings and adventurous pursuits, is Kathmandu to Pokhara. While Pokhara, often known as the “Lake City,” is well-known for its lakes, mountain views, and adventure sports like paragliding, Kathmandu is the nation’s center of culture and history. The voyage might be completed via a lengthy road trip or a quick fly. So, we will travel via bus to Pokhara.

After breakfast, enjoy a 20-minute scenic flight over the mountains to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, where you can see 8,000ers like Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri. This town serves as the headquarters for the Mustang region and is a significant community on the Kaligandaki region, which connects Tibet to the ancient Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route. It is really windy in the afternoon from Jomsom onward. After about three hours of walking along the Kali Gandaki riverbed, you finally arrive at Ekley-Bhatti village. After breakfast, enjoy a 20-minute scenic flight over the mountains to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, where you can see 8,000ers like Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri. This town serves as the headquarters for the Mustang region and is a significant community on the Kaligandaki region, which connects Tibet to the ancient Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route. It is really windy in the afternoon from Jomsom onward. After about three hours of walking along the Kali Gandaki riverbed, you finally arrive at Ekley-Bhatti village.

After completing a special permit check, we continue upstream to the Kaligandaki riverside. We have beautiful places to halt along the windy, sandy paths while we’re walking. This trail traces an uphill and downhill course. First, we arrive in Tengbe village, which is lined with apple orchards, fields of buckwheat, barley, and wheat, and tiny lanes between white-washed buildings. We then continue our journey to Chhusang, where we cross the river and ascend to the massive red boulder of conglomerate that fell from the cliff above, creating a tunnel that the Kaligandaki passes through. We proceed to Chele settlement, which is reached via little ridges.

Today through plateaus and slender sections, we ascend to Taklam La Pass (3,624m/11,923ft) today, where we can see Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, and Damodar Danda. Continue downhill to the settlement of Samar. Climb the path that leads to the ridge above Samar village and then descend sharply to a brook. We travel for another three hours to reach Syanbochen. We unwind en route through the juniper trees and refreshing streams. To invoke the gods and begin any fortunate task, the locals burn dried juniper leaves as incense. We also go by Ramchung Cave, a well-known cave.

Three high passes Syangboche la, Nyi la, and Ghemi must be crossed during the strenuous five to six-hour hike from Syangboche to Ghami on the Upper Mustang path. It is renowned for its striking Himalayan vistas, untamed landscapes, and the distinctive Ghami environment, which includes traditional whitewashed dwellings, red rock cliffs, and one of Nepal’s longest mani walls.

After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll to begin the journey. After traversing Ghami Khola, the path ascends to a plateau and passes next to a lengthy Mani wall, a hallowed stone structure constructed by Buddhists. At the top of the Tsarang Chu canyon, the trail leads east from the wall to the settlement of Charang, which is a labyrinth of fields, willow trees, and homes divided by stone walls. To go to our teahouse for tonight’s visit, there is also a massive red Gompa and white Dzong.

With breathtaking views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikuti peak, we hike to Lo Manthang today. The trail crosses the river, descends to Charang Chu Canyon, and then climbs again. The trail then pleasantly climbs to the 3,850-meter windswept pass of Lo, where the Lo Mangthang Valley is seen. Views of the walled city with its hills on the Tibetan border are breathtaking as you descend to Lo Manthang. We spend the night in the hotel.

Go to Tingkhar and Namgyal Gompa. Perched atop a hill, Namgyal Gompa functions as both a local court and a significant monastery. Continue the excursion to Tingkhar, the final major village northwest of Lo-Mangthang, after seeing Namgyal Gompa, and then stroll back to the accommodation. Alternatively, you could go to the town’s principal attractions, the Tall Champa Lakhang “God house,” the crimson Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Entrance Hall. The four-story structure of the Raja’s palace and the expansive Himalayan views that surround it are additional attractions.

We travel a different path on our way back from Lo-Mangthan. Guru Rinpoche is the main character of the more than 1200-year-old Ghar Gompa trek to Drakmar via Gyakar. The Gompa is renowned for its rock art as well. The folklore states that anyone who makes a single wish at the Ghar Gompa would have it granted. Investigate the neighborhood. Walking in the morning is advised due to the possibility of a dusty wind.

After a long walk that takes five to six hours, we return to Ghiling today for our overnight stay. Enjoy the day visiting the neighborhood after arriving and eating lunch, however it’s best to go for a walk in the evening because of the dusty wind in the afternoon.

It takes five to six hours to trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang [3050m/10,004ft]. After a five-hour walk, we return to Chhuksang for the overnight stay. As you travel, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Enjoy your journey and spend the night at the tea house.

It would be a long day for us. It is preferable to start walking early and trek to Kagbeni like previously. We join the regular Annapurna circuit trek after completing the higher Mustang trails. We’ll go to Jomsom for the overnight stay after lunch at Kagbeni. Alternatively, our guide will take you to Muktinath if you have an extra day.

We check into the airport to catch our flight back to Pokhara after breakfast. A thrilling 30-minute flight to Pokhara between the gorges of the two massive mountains, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. The guide will take you to the hotel beside the lake after you arrive at the Pokhara airport. The remaining time is spent exploring the lake and spending the night at a hotel.