Trek in High Mustang

Upon arrival at the international airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, depart for Pokhara.
Pokhara is a place of remarkable beauty. This charming city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. The serenity of the lakes and the grandeur of the Himalayas in the distance create an atmosphere that has made Pokhara a popular place to relax and enjoy nature's beauty. Tourism is concentrated in the Damside and Lakeside districts (known as Pardi and Baidam in Nepali, respectively).
Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to the hotel.
The rest of the day is free.
Overnight at the hotel in Pokhara.

After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara airport for your flight to Jomsom. A spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom, where you will be welcomed by our trekking team on the small airstrip.
Jomsom, located north of the mighty Himalayas, is a mirage on the desolate Tibetan plateau, at 2,713 meters above sea level. It is the capital and administrative seat of the Mustang district, which stretches southward near the Tibetan border to Ghasa along the Gandaki River. The river carves deep ridges as it flows between Mount Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, creating the world's deepest gorge.
Upon arrival in Jomsom, trek to Chusang via Kagbeni.
After an initial preparation of loads, we begin our trek toward the charming village of Kagbeni. Just outside Jomsom, we cross a small suspension bridge and walk along the Kali Gandaki Riverbank. The trail is flat and rather barren, with steep rocks and sand lining the way, making the walk very easy. We will have a stunning view of towering peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri, while to the south, we can see the entire Annapurna massif. Kagbeni, with its narrow alleys, tunnels, irrigation channels, wheat and barley fields, and a large red Gompa, gives us a glimpse of the scenes we will encounter in Upper Mustang. At the northern end of the village is a police checkpoint, where we will complete formalities before entering this long-forbidden region of Nepal. Continue the trek to Chusang.
Overnight in a lodge in Chusang.

After breakfast, trek to Samar via Chele.
The trail widens considerably, revealing an endless expanse of sand, but the journey remains interesting due to mule convoys transporting goods from Mustang and Tibet. On the west bank of the river are a few caves and the Kang Gompa. Unlike most Upper Mustang monasteries of the Sakyapa sect, the Kang Gompa belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. We stop for lunch in the village of Tabgbe, where we encounter the first black, white, and red Chortens that characterize Upper Mustang. The small town is a maze of narrow alleys with whitewashed houses, buckwheat and barley fields, and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peak continues to dominate the southern horizon. The village of Chhuksang is only about two hours beyond Tabgbe, at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and Kali Gandaki. This village consists of three distinct parts and features castle-like walls in ruins on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river from Chhuksang are spectacular red cliffs, eroded above the openings of inaccessible caves.
There is a shift here not only in the topography but also in culture, lifestyle, and population, with settlements becoming more scattered, smaller, and more rudimentary. The people of Lo or Mustang practice agriculture, but due to the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is limited to sheltered plots, dotting the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north, we reach the river. A steel bridge spans the river opposite the tunnel, and north of here, the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable by foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply into a rocky canyon toward the village of Chele. Be wary of fierce Tibetan mastiffs tied to many houses here. From Chele, you climb a steep rocky spur, then continue climbing along the side of a spectacular, steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass, we descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, located in a poplar grove. It is a major stop for horse and mule caravans.
Overnight in a lodge in Samar.

We climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge, passing a Chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. We then cross a stream, and after climbing to a pass, we descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen, a tiny hamlet with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave with stalagmites shaped like Chortens and one of Mustang's holiest places. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen, and we enter another wide valley before descending to Ghiling, with its vast barley fields. Like in all Mustang settlements, the white and ochre houses of Ghiling are built with mud and stone, while the roofs are made of branches, straw, and a mixture of mud and stones.
Overnight in a lodge in Ghiling.

From Geling, the trail climbs gently through fields in the center of the valley, passing above the hamlet of Tama Gun and a large Chorten. We then begin a difficult ascent through the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass (3,840 meters). The descent from the pass is quite gentle, and about half an hour later, we reach a fork in the trail leading to Dhakmar.
Overnight in a lodge in Dhakmar.

We explore the Mula, Gompa Marang La, and Cogo La passes before setting off for Lo Manthang. We climb gently above the valley to a large isolated Chorten, marking the boundary between Charang and Lo Manthang. The trails finally offer our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance, so we skirt the wall to reach the gate located at the northeast corner.
Overnight in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

Today, you are free to explore the fascinating city of Lo Manthang. The city has about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples in the city, one of which, Champa Lhakang, houses a massive clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborate mandalas painted on the walls. The king’s palace is an imposing building at the center of the city and is occupied by the current king and queen. Although his role is largely ceremonial, the king is respected by the people. Throughout the kingdom, villagers continue to seek his advice on various matters. It is possible to rent horses to visit these valleys, but this short excursion will incur additional costs.
Overnight in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

Today, we have the opportunity to explore some of Upper Mustang's mysteries. A short hike to the Chhoser area marks the start of a day you won’t forget! Here, we find what is known as the Jhong Caves, or even Sky Caves. These are five-story caves built into the cliffside. Researchers still wonder who built these caves and why. It is believed they were used as burial chambers, refuges, meditation sites, and later, monasteries. But no one really knows the origin of these incredible caves. We can explore some of these caves, bringing along a packed lunch to enjoy the atmosphere of the caves, the lunar landscape, and the mountains while relaxing. Afterward, we return to Lo Manthang, where we will spend the night again.
Overnight in a lodge in Lo Manthang.

Full exploration of Lo-Manthang.
Overnight in a lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Today, we embark on a hike to explore the Luri Gompa Monastery, a cave monastery in Upper Mustang built into a towering cliff. Luri Gompa is a sacred Buddhist site located near the village of Ghara. It is renowned for its unique murals, sculptures, culture, and history. You'll feel a deep spiritual connection while visiting the Luri cave monastery, the stupa, and the surrounding nature. The Luri Monastery is perched on a cliff, and we had to climb a steep staircase to reach it. The climb was well worth it, as the views from the top were simply breathtaking. We spent time exploring the monastery and talking to the monks, who were incredibly welcoming and friendly.

There are two chambers inside the cave monastery. The walls and ceiling are adorned with numerous paintings dating from the 14th century, or even earlier. The mysterious Luri Monastery is one of the best places to attain siddhi through meditation. The Chorten inside the cave monastery is decorated with eight auspicious symbols and four guardian deities. The Dome contains paintings of Namgyal, Khadcheri, Vajrasattva, and Lokesvara in the four directions, east, west, north, and south respectively. There are also many paintings of lamas, eight siddhas, and mandalas inside the monastery. The 700-year-old "Luri Gumba" is one of the most amazing attractions, a rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Upper Mustang, a remote and rugged region of Nepal. A visit to Luri is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to gather unforgettable memories.

Overnight at a lodge in Luri Gompa.

The journey from Yara to Tangye started early in the morning. The trail is relatively flat, with a few downhill sections toward Lower Mustang, Nepal. It traverses the barren landscape of Mustang, with its spectacular cliffs, deep canyons, Chortens, monasteries, and impressive rock formations. Finally, you reach the village of Tangya, an isolated village with ancient ruins and a traditional lifestyle influenced by Tibetan culture. The village of Tangge is known for its unique architecture, with houses built of stone and mud, and its surrounding stunning landscape.
The local inhabitants of Tangge are largely subsistence farmers. They rely on livestock and traditional agricultural methods to grow crops such as barley, wheat, and buckwheat. They maintain a deep connection to their land, culture, and take great pride in preserving their traditions and way of life. The village of Tangye in Mustang is a hidden gem offering a rare opportunity to experience a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Its unique architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination for exploring the remote corners of the world. The trek from Yara to Tangye is an unforgettable journey through the mysterious region of Mustang, Nepal.

Overnight at a lodge in Tangye.

We resume our journey by retracing our steps across the Nyi La pass to Chhuksang. We will have magnificent views of the Himalayan mountains throughout the journey. You walk along a wide, gentle trail with some ups and downs. The trail passes through desert-like areas, although you may see some small thorny bushes. Along the way, your trail runs alongside the river, crossing a few small streams. To travel from Ghami to Chhuksang, you cross the Kali Gandaki River.
Overnight at a lodge in Chhuksang.

The final leg of the journey takes us to Muktinath, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The trail from Chhusang to Muktinath is rough and demanding, but the views are impressive, and the experience is well worth it. The journey from Chhusang, Tetang to Muktinath begins with a long gradual climb through rugged terrain, followed by a steep ascent to cross the Gyu La at 4,077 meters in altitude. After crossing the pass, the trail descends to the village of Jhong and then to Muktinath. Jhong is a beautiful village with traditional houses, Chortens, and monasteries. Muktinath is located at an altitude of about 3,762 meters and is home to a beautiful temple and monasteries. Once in Ranipauwa, explore the Muktinath temple and the surrounding highlights of the Mustang district of Nepal. It takes 6 to 7 hours to reach Muktinath from Tetang/Chhusang on foot. The journey from Chhusang to Muktinath is beautiful, adventurous, and rewarding.
Overnight at a lodge in Muktinath.

It's a long and bittersweet final day, passing through Kagbeni to reach Jomsom, where we end our trek. Our last day will be a long one. It's best to start early, as before, and trek to Kagbeni. We complete the Upper Mustang trails and rejoin the standard Annapurna circuit. After lunch in Kagbeni, we head to Jomsom to spend the night. Now it's time for us to enjoy a nice, hot shower. In the evening, we celebrate with the Sherpas and porters, whom we have gotten to know so well over the past two weeks.
Overnight at a lodge in Jomsom.

We take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day is free.
Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Our team will take you to the airport for your return flight.