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Upper Mustang is a remote, beautiful area of Nepal that. Picture a rocky coast with centuries-old caves, and communities whose way of life has remained unchanged for generations. On the way, you will cross small villages where you will be introduced to the daily life of people who follow a Tibetan-influenced culture. An important destination on this trek is the walled capital of Lo Manthang with its old monasteries and ancient buildings.Upper Mustang offers many things you can observe and experience. You will also be able to learn a lot about Nepal, and culture, and the traditions of the people that reside here. You will get to explore the walled city known as Lo Manthang. The caves and monasteries that you will explore here will reflect a lot about the people living here. If you are interested in learning about the traditional life and beliefs of the Tibetan culture, you will get to experience it all here.
Upper Mustang travel means stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains and distinct culture. You’ll walk across the rugged countryside, through small, pretty villages.Some highlights of this trek include:
The paths are easy to walk and the pace is slow. You’ll be trekking at high altitudes, which can leave you a little more fatigued than normal. It’s important to take breaks and stay hydrated. The trek is an excellent way to get outside and get some exercise. Knowing the physical demands of the trek and preparing properly will ensure a wonderful experience. Hydrate, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and rest as needed to avoid becoming fatigued or sick from altitude.The adventure includes walking hours a day which allows you to see some incredible landscapes and get outdoors. The trek is rewarding and has a different view every day. Every step is worth it thanks to the friendly people and stunning scenery. This is an experience that allows you to savor the beauty of Upper Mustang at your own pace.Cultural Heritage and Local Traditions The trek includes visits to ancient monasteries, including the Thubchen Gompa and Jampa Gompa in Lo Manthang. Mustang's architecture consists of mud-brick houses with flat roofs that allow the snow to melt quickly and village life revolves around herding, barley cultivation, and trade with neighboring regions. In villages like Kagbeni and Ghami, they live a life that's tied to the land. The locals plant barley, buckwheat, and potatoes.Upon your arrival, you will be met by the friendly hospitality of the Loba, the people of Mustang. Talking to locals even if just a word or two is a window into their cultures and worldviews. Prayer flags, mani walls, and traditional clothing such as chubas (woolen robes) are other visual manifestations of their cultural identity. Several local initiatives, often with support from international organizations, aim to preserve traditional practices, rebuild monasteries, and encourage sustainable tourism. This way the unique cultural tradition of Mustang will be passed on to future generations.
The plants at Mustang are hardy and can grow well in high, dry places. You will be able to see pretty flowers like rhododendrons at lower places. Local people here are aware of the properties of various plants and they try their best to grow these plants. Due to all of these reasons, all the plants should be treated as special in this region.Animals found in Mustang are also tough and do well in the high, dry land. If you get lucky you might get a chance to see a snow leopard. Besides the snow leopard, you will also see wolves, blue sheep, and small animals. We see many big birds flying in the sky, such as vultures and lammergeiers. Small birds such as finches also inhabit here. The riverside is the perfect house for birds.
Your adventure to Nepal starts upon reaching Kathmandu, a wonderful capital city. At the airport, you'll be welcomed and transferred directly to your hotel. Get Settled upon arrival at your hotel room, unpack and take your time to adjust yourself. More crucially, this remaining time gives you a chance to recover from your journey and get ready for the exciting adventure to unfold. If you prefer you can also take a look around the capital city of Nepal. You can also use this time for last-minute preparations. So take your time and get ready for your upcoming journey.
Day two begins with a drive to Pokhara, a picturesque city in the hills of Nepal. Connecting in Pokhara, we take a quick flight to Jomsom. This second flight gives you views of mountains and valleys to die for. Jomsom is a small town that serves as an important base for mountain treks. Jomsom is also a good place to acclimatize to the higher altitude. The flight itself is worth the trip, with breathtaking scenery the entire way around.
The third day is all about walking from Jomsom to Kagbeni so pack your bags and get ready because today you will be enjoying the countryside. The walk offers opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty in the area. The landscape transforms as you walk. You’ll see hills and trees. There is no hurry walking to Kagbeni. The village that we will encounter on the way to Kagbeni will seem a world away from the places we have just passed through. This is where the true adventure in the mountains begins.
Our day four trek takes us deep inside as we head towards Chele from Kagbeni. Exiting the village, we'll trek back down alongside the Kali Gandaki River. These trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and the region's unique geological features. The distance is not much and it is a nicely paced trek, giving us plenty of time to take in the changing surroundings. The trails abound with scenery, from unusual rock formations to distant mountain ranges. Approaching Chele, the landscape becomes more dramatic, with steeper cliffs and deeper gorges. The village sits in an astounding setting and it brings a real shift in the environment on the trek. Today is to experience both the beauty and barren beauty of Upper Mustang and the change from the lower valleys to the rough terrain ahead.
On day five you will walk to Syangboche and admire the scenery on the way. The trail features gorgeous mountain views and changing topography. You might witness little streams and animals, like birds or mountain goats. The air is fresh and clean. The trail to Syangboche is up and down, but despite the trail being up and dow,n you will be able to enjoy the scenery. It is a day of celebrating the beauty of nature. Relax, and explore Syangboche. It’s a good day for great views and fresh air.
On day six of our trek, you will be packing up again to head toward a place called Ghami. We'll be walking for a good part of the day, which means more time to look around at the amazing scenery. The mountains will be all around us, and we'll pass through some lovely valleys or see the hills stretching out far into the distance. We can keep an eye out for any pretty wildflowers or interesting birds along the path. The air is pure, cold and clear, offering crisp cleansing breaths and witnessing nature's splendor. This walk is not about rushing, but about soaking in every detail. You'll get to Ghami eventually, but it's more about the journey than just the destination. Each little step forward is another moment to appreciate this experience.
Today, on day seven, we'll be walking to a place called Tsarang. Think of it like a slow adventure, rather than a race. We will notice the small things, perhaps the way the sunlight falls on the ground, the different plants, or maybe a few birds flying overhead. The trails won't be the same all the way, some may go up and some may go down. It will give us a real feel for the area. We'll have time to take it all in, soak up the views, and get the chance to see the stuff you don’t notice if you’re speeding. Tsarang itself is waiting for us, but the journey is just as important. It is all part of the adventure of our trek. This means we should take our time and just enjoy the walk.
It's a special day because the goal is Lo Manthang, often called the "jewel" of Mustang. This place is the old and far-off capital of the Mustang area. Getting there is a big part of the journey. Think of it as an entrance into a secret kingdom. After a long trek, this is the most sought-after destination. A place where modern times have made very little inroads; hence, stepping inward feels like getting into a separate world. This day is a real highlight, showing that hard work pays off with a truly special destination.
First, you'll see the royal palace. It's not like the palaces you might see in a big city,it's older and has a lot of history. Then, there are the monasteries. These are peaceful places where people go to pray and learn. You can walk around, maybe see some monks, and feel the quiet calm. But it's not just about seeing things. It's a chance to meet their culture and understand how things are done in Lo Manthang. It's a full day of discovering this special place and the people who call it home.
Day ten marks a change in direction. Instead of going further up, the plan is to head back down. Your destination: the village of Dhakmar. This means we will be retracing some of our earlier steps, going back down the paths we had climbed a few days before. It is a different experience going downhill. The views seem to change since we had seen them in reverse, and the way the sun hit the landscape is new. We keep a steady pace, mindful of our footing on the sometimes uneven trail. We occasionally stop to take water breaks, enjoying the scenery along the way. The air feels a bit different at this lower elevation, and we will be getting used to how our bodies react during the trek down. The village of Dhakmar slowly comes into view promising a welcome place to rest after a day of walking.
Today is the eleventh day, and it's time to head back a bit. We're going to be walking along the paths again, making our way towards a place called Ghiling. Think of it like retracing our steps through some peaceful countryside. These trails are nice and calm, so we’ll be able to enjoy the quiet surroundings as we walk. We can take our time and look around at the scenery. We’ll likely see some of the same pretty views we enjoyed before, but maybe the light will be different, giving them a fresh look. The trek shouldn't be too hard since we've already covered this ground, so we should have a good day of walking through quiet nature, eventually reaching Ghiling.
Today, we're walking back to Jomsom. It's the end of our big adventure. As we trek along the familiar path, it’s nice to look back on everything we've seen and done. Remember those high mountain views? The little villages we passed through? All the friendly people we met? We’ve gone far and seen a lot. Maybe think about your favorite moment of the trek. What was the best thing that happened? What was the toughest part? It's cool to remember how far you walked and how much you experienced. Soon, we'll reach Jomsom, a place to relax after our long journey. We’ll be getting ready for what’s next, but for now, just enjoy the walk and all the memories.
Day thirteen is all about travel. First, you'll hop on a plane and enjoy a calm, easy flight back to Pokhara. Flying is generally a good way to chill out and view the landscape from up there. As soon as you land in Pokhara, you will not linger there much; soon, you will board yet another flight for the next journey towards Kathmandu, the capital city. This flight, like the first one, should be pretty smooth. Think of the day as a chance to unwind a little after all the exploring. You can look out the window, maybe read a book, and just enjoy the ride. It's a day focused on getting you safely and comfortably back home, even if you're not quite there yet.
You will take a scenic flight from Pokhara back to the bustling capital city of Kathmandu. The flight is a chance to enjoy one further perspective of Nepal's different geographies. Once you land in Kathmandu, you will be transported back to your hotel, where you will have the rest of your day to enjoy as you please. For those eager to explore, Kathmandu offers a wealth of artistic and literary spots. You could visit the ancient Durbar Square, wander through the serene auditoriums of Pashupatinath Temple, or maybe explore the bustling streets of Thamel, picking up monuments to flash back on your trip. Alternatively, you might choose to relax at your hotel, reflecting on your trip and preparing for your departure.
It’s a 14-day trek to a place in Nepal called Upper Mustang. You’ll trek through stunning mountains and visit ancient villages.
High in the mountains is Muktinath, a very holy place. It is significant to both Buddhists and Hindus.
Yes, it can be challenging. You will be trekking for several days at a great altitude.
You will enjoy breathtaking mountain views, ancient monasteries, unique landscapes, and special culture. You’ll also pass the holy Muktinath temple.
Yes, you require a special permit to go to Upper Mustang. It is not the same as the standard trekking permits.
Bring warm clothes, good walking shoes, a sleeping bag, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit. Bring protective items against the sun and the cold.