Trekking Code: IH/BC/08
Tour Type: Cultural Tour/Overland Adventure
Accommodations: Hotel and tea house Lodges
Maximum Altitude: 3840m
Transportation: Flights /private car/4WD Landcruiser/Jeep
Starts & Ends in: Kathmandu
Upper Mustang remained a ‘hidden kingdom’ till as recent as the early nineties. The region was finally opened for tourism in 1992 by the Nepalese government allowing outsiders to visit this fabled ‘Shangri La’. With no contact with the outside world and devoid of modern day trappings the region remained suspended in time, following the same traditional way of life. A rough motorable road heading all the way to Upper Mustang and Lo Manthang – the old Kingdom of Lo, is slowly bringing change to this remote region.
Take a road trip on this very highway and discover the inspiring landscape of this erstwhile desert-mountain kingdom(though monarchy has been abolished, the ex-King of Mustang is still a highly respected figure). Being part of the Tibetan plateau, the landscape as well as the culture of Upper Mustang is Tibetan in nature. On this incredible journey explore ancient monasteries and cave dwellings, walk around old settlements, interact with some wizened locals who have never stepped out of Mustang and admire centuries old Buddhist art- statues, murals, frescoes and thangkas. The journey may be rough, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Traveling offers new perspective on life and this trip to the isolated region of Upper Mustang will definitely enrich your soul.
Kathmandu
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara/ Drive to Tatopani (3 hrs)
Day 3: Drive to Jomsom (2,713m) (4-5 hrs)
Day 4: Drive Jomsom to Samar (3620m) (4hrs)- visit Chungsi Rangbyung Cave Monastery
Day 5: Drive to Lo Manthang(3,840m) – (5-6 Hrs) – Explore the walled Kingdom
Day 6: Lo Manthang- Visit King’s Palace, Choede Gompa, Dragar Thegchen Ling Gompa, Jampa Lakhang Gompa, Thubchen Gompa
Day 7: Explore Chossar & Tingar
Day 8: Drive to Ghami (3570m)
Day 9: Drive to Jomsom
Day 10: Fly to Pokhara /Drive Pokhara
Day 11: Fly/ Drive to Kathmandu
Day 12: Depart Kathmandu
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Transfer from airport to hotel. A representative from our office will be there to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. At the hotel, you will be briefed on your itinerary.
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara & Drive to Tatopani (3 hrs drive)
We take an early flight to Pokhara(flying time-30mins). After reaching Pokhara we board a vehicle and drive to Tatopani, a typicl Nepali village lying on the banks of Kali Gandaki. Tatopani means ‘Hot Water’ in Nepali. Well-known for its thermal springs, the mineral rich hot-springs at Tatopani is said to be have medicinal and healing properties. If you feel like it you can enjoy a dip at a hot-spring.
Day 3: Drive to Jomsom (2,713m) (4-5 hrs)
Enjoy some adventurous ride on a rough jeep track with stunning mountain scenery all the way. Breathtaking views of Himalayan giants Dhaulagiri and Annapurna will leave you awe struck. As we gain altitude and ascend higher, the landscape changes dramatically. Green hills give way to barren mounds – characteristic of Mustang’s landscape. On reaching Jomsom, we check into your hotel and take a well deserved rest.
Day 4: Drive Jomsom to Samar(3620m) (visit Chungsi Rangbyung Cave Monastery) – (4hrs)
After an early breakfast we head to Kagbeni, the last settlement in Lower Mustang and the entry point to Upper Mustang. We complete the necessary paperwork to enter Upper Mustang at the local check post and drive on ahead on the rough gravel road to Samar. We visit the cave monastery of Chungsi Rangbyung. Inside the cave are stalagmites in the shape of chortens and murals of Buddha and Avalokiteswara, Buddha of Compassion. Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated at this cave. Lying at the base of a cliff, a visit to this cave involves an arduous ascent and descent.
Day 5: Drive to Lo Manthang(3,840m) – (5-6 Hrs) – Explore the walled Kingdom
Leaving Samar we drive on rough jeep track to the ancient Kingdom of Lo Manthang. En route we stop at Ghar Gompa(3940m). Dating back to the 8th century, the Gompa is regarded as the oldest Gompa in Mustang. It was built to purge demonic forces that were stopping Padmasambhava from building the Samye Monastery in Tibet. After reaching the ancient kingdom of Lo Manthang, you can rest at the hotel or explore the old lanes of this ancient walled city.
Day 6: Lo Manthang- Visit King’s Palace, Choede Gompa, Dragar Thegchen Ling Gompa, Jampa Lakhang Gompa, Thubchen Gompa
Today we explore some of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries. Jampa Lakhang Gompa, built in 1387, it is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in existence. There is a 50 ft clay statue of Jamba or Future Buddha which was at one time the tallest Buddha statue in Nepal. The monastery is decorated with 1500 mandalas and ornamental figures of Buddhist deities. Thubchen Gompa, dating back to the 15th century, was built by the third king of Lo. Dragar Thegchen Ling Gompa is a Sakya monastery built during King Ama Pal’s (the first king of Lo) reign. Choede Gompa has a Monastic School and a museum where old Buddhist artifacts and thousand year old relics are exhibited. If the former King- Jigme Palbar Bista, is in residence you might be lucky enough to get invited for tea at his old palace that lies at the centre of the walled city.
Day 7: Explore Chossar & Tingar
A day filled with delightful sights and insightful explorations. We explore the stark and beautiful Chossar & Tingar Valleys with their old fortresses, ancient cave dwellings and interesting gompas. We visit the Chosar Monastery, the Jhong Caves, Kangchuling Cave, Namgyal Monastery (the most active monastery in Lo Manthang) and the Summer Palace of the King of Mustang. Afterwards we return back to our hotel in the old city.
Day 8: Drive to Ghami (3570m)
After an early breakfast we leave Lo Manthang and head to Ghami, the third largest village in Upper Mustang. After a brief rest we explore the village on foot. Traditional whitewashed buildings and large brightly painted chortens contrast with the arid landscape surrounding the settlement. Near the village lies Nepal’s longest mani wall built, according to local legend, to bury the intestines of a demoness killed by Padmasambhava.
Day 9: Drive to Jomsom
Passing old settlements and stray herds of sheep or cattle, we take the rough ride back to Jomsom .
Day 10: Fly to Pokhara /Drive Pokhara
We take an early flight to Pokhara. If flying is not possible due to bad weather conditions then we will journey overland to Pokhara. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 11: Fly/ Drive to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu by flight (30 mins) or via the Prithvi Highway (5-6hrs). Evening, enjoy a complimentary dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.
Day 12: Depart Kathmandu
Our representative will drop you at the airport on time to catch your return flight.