14 day trek to Mustang with 4 days in Kathmandu and 1 night in Pokhara

The land of "Lo". Remote and forbidden to travellers for centuries is now open to trekkers.

Your journey begins with a late afternoon flight to Pokhara followed, the next morning, by a flight to Jomosom. From here the trail leads along the left bank of the Kali Gandaki river through the villages of Kagbeni, Chusang, Samochin and Charang to the walled capital of Mustang - Lomanthan. The return is mostly via the same route, except for the detour to Muktinath which is an important pilgrimage site for both the Hindus and the Buddhists.

This trip gives you the opportunity to go where few have been before. Most of the trek keeps to arid, high deserts inhabited mostly by people of Tibetan stock. The menfolk are either traders or farmers while the women mostly tend the fields.

Along with insights into the everyday lives of the people of "Lo" you will have the opportunity to witness their vibrant culture and also a chance to get a look at Lamaist Buddhism little changed by time.

Day 01 Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 Free day in Kathmandu to make final preparations for your trek. If you feel that you are adequately prepared and would like to have an escorted sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, we will be glad to arrange it for you. Please ask for this service from our representative upon arrival.

Day 03 Fly to Pokhara, a picturesque town about 200 km west of Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04 Early morning transfer to the Pokhara airport for the flight to Jomsom. Your crew will meet you in Jomsom where your duffle bags will be divided into loads for porters to carry. The kitchen staff will have your lunch ready at one of the lodges. The lunch will have been prepared by your staff at a "hired" kitchen. After lunch trek along the right bank of the Kali Gandaki river for about 3 hours to the village of Kagbeni (2870 m). The walk is moderate but the wind may be very strong. Overnight at a lodge in Kagbeni. Overnight at a lodge is preferable to tents here because of the possibilities of very strong winds which have been known to blow tents over. Occupants and all!!

Day 05 Starting early to avoid the wind, which generally starts up around mid-morning and gets progressively stronger you walk for about three hours, continuing along the east bank to Tambay where lunch will be waiting for you. It is very likely that the village will bear a deserted look in the mid morning during planting and and harvest times. This is because most residents go to the fields to work during the day. After lunch still continuing up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki you reach the village of Chusang after crossing the Narshing Khola (Khola = river). Camp will be at the village of Chailey a short distance from Chusang.

Day 06 Continuing from Chailey you cross the Kali Gandaki river near Ghayakar and then leaving the river climb up to the village of Samar. After lunch, still climbing, you pass through Soya La (La = pass), from where magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri range are available, and carry on to the village of Samochin.

Day 07 Starting out early you move steadily uphill to Giling and then to Ghimi. From Ghimi, climbing still further you reach Tsarang which is the second most popular settlement after Lomanthan. At Tsarang there is an old palace where the piece de resistance is a set of human hands. Said to belong to the master builder of the palace these were ordered to be cut off some eight hundred years ago to stop him from building another palace in the same grandeur.

Day 08 This is a rest day. Primarily, for you to acclimatize to high elevation but, can be used for laundry, reading, resting or for optional day hikes to explore the surrounding area.

Day 09 A casual walk brings you to Lomanthan (3820m), the ancient walled capital of Mustang and the resident town of the king of Mustang. The afternoon may be used at your discretion.

Day 10 Set out from Lomanthan on horse to explore the surrounding area and villages. First on your itinerary is a visit to the Namgyal Gompa (Gompa = Buddhist place of worship). This is one of the most important Gompas in Mustang and houses some very ancient thankas (Tibetan art with religious themes). Next you visit Tenger, a typical village in these parts and then the gompa at Nymook. Continue to the villages of Shija and Guruk where you will find what are, probably, Nepal's only cave dwellers. You then return to Lomanthan via the village of Dyuk. Since there is a lot to see on this day you will be carrying packed lunches which will be distributed to you after breakfast, before you leave camp.

Day 11 Leave Lomanthan and head south west to Ghimi on a route different from the one used on your way in. After about 4 hours of strenuous walking you will reach Ghargomba where lunch will be served. After lunch you trek to Thakmara, literally meaning "place of rest". From Thakmara a casual half hour walk brings you to Ghimi.

Day 12 You retrace your steps from Ghimi via Samar to Chele.

Day 13 Back to Chusang.

Day 14 Carry packed lunch and set out early in the morning from Chusang via the village of Chomnang towards the high pass on your way to Muktinath. This is a long day and the packed lunches are necessary because of the non availability of suitable cooking spots along the way.
Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists who flock there annually for their respective festivals. In the late afternoon explore area. Of particular interest is the temple of the Hindu God Vishnu and the one hundred and eight water spouts where devotees bathe. From Muktinath there are beautiful views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.).

Day 15 Heading west from Muktinath, through the village of Jharkot, you meet the main trail along the Kali Gandaki river and turn south. Walking along the east bank of the Kali Gandaki you reach Jomsom.

Day 16 There is usually a rush of people trying to get out of Jomsom and the planes are usually full. If for some reason your arrival in Jomsom is delayed, due to illness or other reasons, then there is the danger of missing your flight. In which case, you will have to join the queue of people vying to fly out and it can be days before your turn comes. It is always better to be prepared to face these delays. Therefore, this rest day has been built into your itinerary to allow for such contingencies. Your flight out of Jomsom is confirmed for the next day.

Day 17 Fly to Pokhara and and catch the connecting flight to Kathmandu.

Day 18 In Kathmandu. This is a cushion day that has been built into the itinerary to allow for delays due to flight cancellations or other reasons beyond our control. If you are able to complete your trek in time then this day maybe used for sight seeing around Kathmandu.

Day 19 Transfer to the airport. Fly out of Nepal