The landscape in the Upper Mustang Area is spectacular and trail running in this trail can be a once in a lifetime experience. This trip covers the trail run, and subsequent return to Marpha.
Lo Manthang – the name itself conjures up a sense of mystique, and that is what you get. Trekking in the area, walking in the villages, meeting the inhabitants, savoring the local sights and sounds, is completely magical. Its the thinner air (above 3000 meters), the simple friendly people, the stark mesmerizing moonscape, the deeply pious mystique that emanates from deep-rooted Buddhism, or something, but its there, and you can feel it.
No photographs adequately capture what you see, and no words can really describe what you experienced on this trip. It is something that stays with you forever – your journey and yours alone. Enough said! A trip into Upper Mustang is a trip of a lifetime! You will never forget it. Period.
Highlights
We will fly from Pokhara to Jomsom which is of about 25 minutes. Today is the first day of trek; where we will walk about 4 hours to reach kagbeni and spend overnight at the tea house.
On this day, we will drive about 2 hours and reach Tsaile, located at an altitude of 3050 meters. We will follow the Kali-Gandaki river on our side trail. On reach to Tsaile, we will explore around the place and spend our overnight at the tea house.
Today we pass through plateaus and narrow stretches to reach Gharmi/ Ghaymi which is located at 4010 meters .Along the way we will get a spectacular view of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda.. Our over night stay will be at Lodge.
This day will be the short day since the destination will be quite shorter than other days. We will be riding on horse on a way to Dhhakmar which is at the altitude of 3820 meters. On our trail there is long Mani Wall. These sacred stones wall have carved wooden wheels inset in them, and buddhist religious people turn the wheels.
The trail to Lo-Mangthang offers a magnificent view of the peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and Bhirkuti. Lo-Mangthang Valley is situated at the altitude of 3050 meters, and the hills behind it which marks the border of Tibetain side. Our overnight stay will be at the lodge.
One of the ethical frestival of people from Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang, Tiji is a mesmerizing yearly three-day festival consisting of Tibetan ceremonies. The Tiji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. "Tiji" the name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which means "Prayer for World Peace".
The Tiji festival usually takes place around mid-May and lasts for 3 days. The monks of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances during the celebration. About 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul and Chhosyer reside in this monastery.
Drive to Sky Caves on a way to border of Nepal and TIbet. Overnight stay at Chhoser which is at the altitude of 4030 meters
This day our trail gradually ascend two small passes before we reach a village of Dhi. Further we continue along the river bed until we made it to Yara with spectacular view of clifft opposite direction.
Drive to Jharkot. Side trip to Kagbeni while you have the jeep.
This day we will drive to Jomsom via Marpha
Our flight will be schedule on the morning which will take us about 30 - 35 min to reach Pokhara. Upon the arrival, your guide will take you to your hotel.
Day | Location | Activity | Transport | Hotel | Meals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kagbeni | Fly to Jomsom | Trek to Kagbeni | air | hike | lodge | L | D |
2 | tsaile | Drive to Tsaile / Samar | jeep | explore | lodge | B | L | D |
3 | Ghami (Ghemi) | Drive to Ghami | jeep | lodge | B | L | D |
4 | Dhhakmar | Horse to Dhhakmar | horse | lodge | B | L | D |
5 | Lo Manthang | Horse to Lo Manthang | horse | lodge | B | L | D |
6 | Lo Manthang | Tiji Festival | explore | lodge | B | L | D |
7 | Lo Manthang | Tiji Festival | explore | lodge | B | L | D |
8 | Chhoser | Drive to Sky Caves and border and back. | jeep | lodge | B | L | D |
9 | Yara | Drive to River. Horse to Yara | jeep | horse | lodge | B | L | D |
10 | Chhusang | Horse to Chhuksang | horse | lodge | B | L | D |
11 | Jharkot | Drive to Jharkot | jeep | lodge | B | L | D |
12 | Jomsom | Drive to Jomsom | jeep | lodge | B | L | D |
13 | Pokhara | Flight to Pokhara | air | Self | - |
"View of Kagbeni from view-point"
"Magnificent view of Annapurna Range with Fishtail in between from Shanti Stupa, Pokhara". You can either drive here or hike which will be half day tour.
"Jeep"
"Tiji Festival"
GEAR LIST | What to bring on this Trek?
Think only safety. Safety from the rain, the cold, the heat and the altitude. So simply put the bare essentials would be