MUSTANG TREK

Anapurna
Village in Mustang (Photo: Jenny)

Mustang Trek: (21 days, 20 nights)
Mustang, the Buddhist Kingdom of Lo, is one of the many petty kingdoms in western Nepal. Mustang maintained its status as a separate kingdom with a Raja (King) until 1951 when it was incorporated into Nepal. Jutting into Tibet, Mustang is set amidst the Tibetan plateau with ancient forts, walled medieval villages and monasteries. Mustang is rich in Tibetan culture untouched by the Chinese cultural revolution. Essentially Tibetans, Mustangi's (people of Mustang) are skilled traders.

The trek is through a barren desert-like landscape. As Mustang falls in the rain shadow region, the area gets very little rain even in the monsoons. This allows for trekking to the region even in July, August and September while it is impossible to trek in other regions of Nepal.

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu (4,430ft).

Transfer to Hotel Tibet. Rest of day free. Welcome dinner in Thamel. (D)

Day 02 - Kathmandu (4,430ft).

Full-day sightseeing (while we obtain your permits). Visit Boudha, Pashupati and Patan. Lunch at Patan Museum Café. (B,L)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Pokhara

Fly to Pokhara. Overnight Hotel Fairmount. (B)

Day 04 - Pokhara to Marpha (8,750 ft.)

Early morning flight to Jomsom. Descend to Marpha. Overnight lodge or camp. (B,L,D)

Day 05 - Marpha to Kagbeni (9,215 ft.)

Begin your trek up the windy Kali Gandaki valley to its confluence with the Jhog Khola. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang and was formed in the 14th century as a checkpoint to control travel. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 06 - Kagbeni to Chele (9,950 ft.)

Heading north along the river, snowy Nilgiri (22,431 feet) will dominate the skyline in sharp contrast to the river canyon below. Enter Tange Village, a labyrinth of narrow alleys among whitewashed houses with fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple trees. Then continue toward Chhuksang along a trail lined with chortens (Buddhist wayside shrines) painted the traditional colors of red, black, and white -- colors made from local rocks and minerals. Eventually cross the Kali Gandaki River on a steel footbridge, then climb up to the village of Chele, perched on a ridge above the gorge. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 07 - Chele to Syangbochen (11,900 ft.)

Today will begin with an unrelenting climb -- the trail often hewn out of the canyon wall -- continuing more gently to your lunch stop at the pleasant village of Samar. In the afternoon, navigate over two more ridges (highest pass is about 12,500 feet) to Syangbochen, a small cliff-side settlement with a panoramic view of the Annapurnas. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 08 - Syangboche to Ghemi (11,300 ft.)

Start uphill to another pass of about 12,500 feet. The trail then descends with two drops into small canyons, and then continues with a gentle ascent toward Chyunkar and the Nye La (12,720 feet). From this pass, you'll have incredible views of the Annapurnas and Nilgiris as well as sweeping views of Mustang. Ghemi Village, built on the edge of a steep cliff, appears in the distance. Visit the 13th century gompa here. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 09 - Ghemi to Tsarang (11,500 ft.)

Descend to the tributary of the Kali Gandaki and cross on a steel footbridge. On the opposite side you will find the longest mani wall (tens of thousands of rocks carved with sacred prayers) in Nepal. Follow an alternate trail to two interesting villages, Tramar and Lo Gekhar. Lo Gekhar contains one of the oldest gompas in Nepal (built in the eighth century -- even older than Samye in Tibet), a great red-and-white structure surrounded by trees. At Marang turn to follow the drainage to Tsarang, the impressive village that contains a huge five-story white dzong (fortress) and well as the imposing red gompa, Dorje Dhen. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 10 - Tsarang to Lo Manthang (12,400 ft.)

The trail follows a gentle but unrelenting climb for increasingly beautiful views of the mountains to the south, past numerous caves in the cliffs adjacent to Lo La (pass) at 12,800 feet. From here, you'll have our first view of the impenetrable fortress of Lo Manthang. Enter this walled city through the imposing main gate. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 11 - Lo Manthang

Explore the maze of narrow streets winding through approximately 150 houses, and three important gompas built in the early 15th century. These temples (along with those in Tsarang and Lo Gekhar) have been rescued from the ravages of time by the efforts and heart of local people (Lo Gyalpo Jigme Foundation in collaboration with the American Himalayan Foundation) -- with stunning results. If you are very fortunate we may get an audience with the king or queen at the four-story palace. The king, Raja Jigme Parbal Bista, although his duties are mostly ceremonial, is well loved and respected throughout the region. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 12 - Lo Manthang to Dri (11,100 ft.)

Our route south is unusual; most groups return the same way they came, but we will make a loop following remote trails on the east side of the Kali Gandaki. Back over the Lo La, head southeast to the Tholung Valley, with terrific views of Nilgiri as we climb higher. Tsarang will come into view across the way, and finally descend steeply into the bowels of the canyon to the village of Dri, one of the most prosperous villages in Mustang. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 13 - Luri Gompa excursion

It is a whole day's trip to Luri Gompa and back via Yara and Ghara villages. The landscape here contains strange, fluted pinnacles eroded by wind. At 13,500 feet, Luri sits like an eagle's nest in the cliffs. This mysterious cave monastery dates from the 13th century. The central chamber is carved directly into the rock. The domed ceiling is covered with murals, and in the center of the chamber there is a large and finely crafted chorten. Luri is a true jewel in a most unbelievable setting -- the artwork here is considered to be some the finest and most unusual in the Himalayas. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 14 - Dri to Tange (11,050 ft.)

The trail follows the river for a while, and we'll negotiate five or six fairly shallow crossings of tributary streams (wading shoes will be necessary). This is a very good time to look for spiral fossils (saligrams) scattered among the rocks along the shore. Cross the river that is coming down from the sacred lakes of Damodar Kunda, and then over desolate terrain up to a pass of 12,600 feet. This is a long day, but finally the fields of the prosperous village of Tangye will appear below, and we'll arrive at camp after passing a series of large chortens. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 15 - Tange to Pa (13,300 ft.)

After another river crossing ascend steeply to a higher plateau. You'll have increasingly fantastic views of not only much of the Mustang we have traveled through, but of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukche, Tilicho, and Annapurna. You'll look for blue sheep and enjoy the wildflowers as we traverse to a shepherd's camp by the stone hut near the pass. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 16 - Pa to Tetang (9,900 ft.)

Ascending and descending, travel through the vast and silent world of the wild uplands. Along a ridge, again have views of Mustang, the wind carved hills all around, and the snow peaks stretching from Dhaulagiri in the south to Tibet in the north. Care must be taken on this path that contours along and into a steep and contorted canyon. Tetang is on the Narsing River above Chhuksang, which we passed our first day out of Kagbeni. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 17 - Tetang to Muktinath

It will take about five hours to reach the pass, Gnyu La, at 13,000 feet. It is a rewarding route providing fine views the entire way and wildflowers. From the pass one can see Muktinath, and within a few hours we will arrive at the final stretch where the trail goes through a grove of trees, across a bridge, past a nunnery, and finally joins the main trail from Manang. Here officially exit the restricted area of Upper Mustang. Muktinath is a holy place, the destination of thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims every year. We'll have time to visit the many fine temples and shrines. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 18 - Muktinath to Jomsom

On the last day of trek you'll be on the main Annapurna circuit route. Enter the village of Jharkot and visit the monastery and the traditional Tibetan medicinal center. Heading west to the Kali Gandaki, we'll pass Eklobatti, then south along the river to Jomosom. While still beautiful, Jomosom will be quite a culture shock compared to where we have been with all its busy activity -- perhaps including a newly arrived highway (which may even have some internal combustion vehicles plying the gravel and spewing exhaust). Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 19 - Fly Jomsom to Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Free day in Kathmandu. (B,D)

Day 20 - Kathmandu

Sightseeing in Kathmandu. (B,L)

Day 21 - Final Departure.


Transfer to airport for your final departure.

Price Includes

Does Not Include

To Book this trip

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of GBP/EURO/AUS$ 300 per person through bank transfer. Wire details will be provided. The balance must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks, cash or by credit card (VISA card only). If you plan to pay by credit card, the payable amount will be converted to US$ and a 3% surcharge will be added.

Download reservation form (Word)»

Cancellation policy:

- Cancel 30 days prior to the beginning of the trip, deposit valid for any trip undertaken within a year with us in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
- Cancel anytime prior to the beginning of the trip, forfeit trip deposit.
- No refunds once trek begins.

Currency of payment:

Prices are guaranteed for 2011. You may choose to pay in US$ or your country's currency. If you pay by credit card, you will be charged in US$.

North American clients:

Please book this trip with our US based sister company - Grand Asian Journeys. (Separate booking and cancellation policy applies.)

Grand Asian Journeys
PO Box 608
Indianola, WA 98342
Toll Free: 1-888-586-7750
Email: info@grandasianjourneys.com

Cancellation Policy

Cancel anytime prior to trip start date, forfeit trip deposit. No refunds for unused services after your trip begins.

Trip Difficulty

This trek is rated mildly strenuous and involves trekking at fairly high altitude – the highest altitude reached is a little over 13,500ft. The trek requires physical fitness and involves walking through rocky terrain and landslides.

Walking and hiking at high altitude is never easy. At high elevations your heart and lungs work harder. So if you really want to see the area and enjoy the trip, you must get into shape. And to get into shape, you need a regular program not only to increase your cardiovascular endurance but to increase your leg muscle and joint strength/endurance for the daily walking you can expect in the Himalayas. A good way to get in shape for this trip -- apart from leading an active life year-round -- is to go on daily hikes of at least one hour duration for at least two months prior to the trip. This, in addition to endurance-building cardiovascular conditioning (running, swimming, etc.) will prepare you adequately. Keep in mind that the better shape you are in, the better time you will have in the Himalayas.

Foreign travel can be tiring, so you will need to have patience and a sense of humor.  Also keep an open mind that is receptive to the richness and paradoxes of Himalayan cultures.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers each year. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us.

EQUIPMENT:

No technical climbing equipment is required for participation on the Everest Base Camp trek. A clothing list will be provided to you. We are also happy to provide duffel bags, down jackets and sleeping jackets for our clients for no charge. We do only have a limited stock and will provide these on a first-come, first-served basis.

FLYING TO NEPAL:

Flying from the UK:
Most economical options are either flying through Abi Dhabi (Etihad Airlines) or through Delhi (Jet Airways and Air India). Other options include flying through Bahrain on Gulf Air and through Doha on Qatar Airlines.

Flying from Australia:
Your best options are either flying through Bangkok (Thai Airways), through Singapore (Singapore Airlines), or through Delhi (Jet Airways).

Check out the following sites to compare prices for flights to Nepal:

www.kayak.com
www.sidestep.com
www.cheapoair.com

NEPAL TREK PREPARATION:

Click on the link for useful information that should help you better plan/prepare for your trekking journey in Nepal. This page will be continually updated based on client feedback/experience: NEPAL TREK PREPARATION

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

Mobile phone: + 977 98410-00724

Or feel free to provide us your Skype address/telephone number and a time convenient for you and we would be glad to call you from Kathmandu to answer your questions.