Mustang/Lo Manthang Trek

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Trip Facts

  • Destinations: Nepal
  • Total Duration: 17 Days
  • Trekking Duration: 15 Days
  • Trip Grade: Medium
  • Max Elevation: 3720m
  • Best Season: May to October
  • Walking Hours: 5-6hrs everyday
  • Styles: Tea House
  • Starting point of trek: Jomsom
  • Finishing point of trek: Jomsom
  • Meals and Drinks: Guest houses managed by local people
  • Group Size: 2 to 16

Trip Map

  • Destination:Nepal

Mustang is well known lower and upper Mustang. It is similar to the Tibet plateau with endless expanses of yellow and grey rolling hills eroded by wind.

Upper Mustang where Lo Manthang is located. Upper Mustang was called a part of western Ngari Tibet China before 1770 AD. It is said that the first king of Lo was Ame Pal Tibetan who founded Lo in 1380. The present king is Jigme Parbal Bista and the Queen is from the Lhasa family of the aristocracy. The present king is the 25th generation of Ame Pal. Ame Pal father of Jigme Parbal Bista was very powerful so he conquered a large area of Upper Kali Gandaki and developed Lo Manthang Kingdom.

Lo Manthang was solidity and unique even more before Rana rulers in Kathmandu and King Tribhuvan’s time linked relation between Shah Kings and Raja of Lo Manthang after1951. Shah Kings gave the Rajas of Lo Manthang the honorary rank of colonel in the Nepalese army. The people of Lo Manthang are Tibetans. The place is yellow and grey eroded by wind. Bare hills with red cliffs and dried mud its natural feature forms. The village’s houses with open and flat roofs join to the one house to the another to the whole village. The trek is through treeless and barren landscapes. Less rain in this region. The upper Mustang area has several caves dotted throughout the villages. More than centuries ago there was a trade border exchange of Tibet salt and wool for Nepali grain from Kora La which is very soon going to be used as a border point between Nepal and China.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu (1200m)
  • Day 02 Sightseeing Swayambhu, Boudha and Durbar square
  • Day 03 Drive to Pokhara (7-8hrs) (820m)
  • Day 04 Fly to Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810m)(2-3hrs)
  • Day 05 Kagbeni to Chele (3050m) (5-6hrs)
  • Day 06 Chele to Geling (3650m) (6-7hrs)
  • Day 07 Gelling to Tsarang (3560m)(6-7hrs)
  • Day 08 Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3810m)(4-5hrs)
  • Day 09 Explore Lo Manthang
  • Day 10 Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3820m)(5-6hrs)
  • Day 11 Dhakmar to Shyangbochen (3800m)(5-6hrs)
  • Day 12 Shyangbochen Chhuksang (2980m)(6-7hrs)
  • Day 13 Chhuksang to Jomsom via Kagbeni (6-7hrs)
  • Day 14 Fly to Pokhara
  • Day 15 Rest day  in Pokhara
  • Day 16 Fly to Kathmandu
  • Day 17 Departure from Kathmandu

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu (1200m)

When you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport then transfer to your hotel. A short briefing is given concerning the trekking itinerary.

Day 02 Sightseeing Swayambhu, Boudha and Durbar square

Day 03 Drive to Pokhara (7-8hrs) (820m)

We drive to Pokhara by private car which takes about 7-8 hours. During the driving, the day is furnished by a view of local villages, colorful rice terraces, popular rafting river Trishuli, huge rocky zones, and tropical plants. Stay at a hotel in Pokhara.

Day 04 Fly to Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810m)(2-3hrs)

Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom Early morning flight to Jomsom takes about 25 minutes. Jomsom is situated at 2700m and it is the district headquarter of Mustang. Many more and comfortable standard hotels Guesthouses and restaurants are available. Banking, money changer, transportation like bus, jeep, and car are available. 2-3 hours walking flat along the bank of Kali Gandaki River from Jomsom, reach Kagbeni which is like a medieval village situated at Kali Gandaki River confluence. There are mud houses closely packed with each other. There is an old monastery which is believed to be more than 600 years in red color. Kagbeni starting point to upper Mustang/ Lomathang

Day 05 Kagbeni to Chele (3050m) (5-6hrs)

Today’s trek starts with checking post at the police at ‘restricted area’. There are two trails to Chele Riverbed Route and High Route. High Route is longer than access climb but Riverbed Route short and possible in the dry season, the trail climbs the Kali Gandaki Nadi (river) the trail mostly follows a gravel road to the north steep slope. Up and down the trail passes across a plateau and then reach the village of Tangbe(3060m) has widened land with whitewashed houses, wheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchard. From Tangbe one hour away is a village of Chhuksang (2960m) wherefrom left side Kali Gandaki and from right side Narshing Khola joint. The trail across the Kali Khola and climbs steeply up to Chele is a small village with lodges and teahouses.

Day 06 Chele to Geling (3650m) (6-7hrs)

Geling trail passes through high altitude descent area climbing in and out of huge valleys of Kali Gandaki. You can view Gyakar, cairns marking then gentle descent to Samar (3620m) is a popular horse stopping place. Nilgiri mountain views far beyond. From Samar the trail climbs to a ridge then descends to a stream then again climbs to chorten. The route passes through valley and juniper trees eventually to the Bhena La (3830m). The route to Yaddo then Yamdo La (4000m). And descends to Shyanbochen (3800m) where there are teahouses. A gentle climb to the Shuangbochen La (3860m). The descent route past a painted chorten and comes to a junction. The right side route descends to the village of Gelling (3570m) has beautiful trees and extensive fields of barley. You find hotels with camping grounds.

Day 07 Gelling to Tsarang (3560m)(6-7hrs)

The trail to the left side through fields in widen valley reaches Chhungar. Heading north rejoins the road and climbs down to the village of Ghemi has opened extensive fields. A police check post in the village including some guest houses in traditional local houses design. The Tsarang trail offers you different color of cliffs, chortens and to a steel bridge which is crossed then to Dhakmar. The trail leads to the most spectacular mani wall the longest Mani wall in Nepal. A little further the route ascends through Chaya La (3870m) and then descends to Tsarang has many more things to see fields, willow trees, gompas, and Tsarang gorge. It is said these houses, gompas, and statues were made in the 13th and 14th centuries. In Tsarang there are restaurants, hotels and camping places.

Day 08 Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3810m)(4-5hrs)

The descending trail follows the road that enters to Tholung valley. Passing the dusty road climb to Sungda chorten and then to Lo La (3950m) from where you can view of Lo Manthang. It is a big city with 750m long and 9m high walls in white color around Lo Manthang. The temples, houses, and the palace are closely packed. The walls protect inside schools, houses, families, and chortens. In Lo Manthang there is several guest houses comparatively high price during the trek. In the city, there are a hundred and fifty families with about one thousand population. Each family has fields to irrigate them a canal flows through the city. The people of the city produce one crop a year of buckwheat, barley, and wheat.

Day 09 Explore Lo Manthang

As it is a historical city which has King’s palace, gompas, chortens, and museum surrounding areas keep you busy. One of them the main attraction is the king’s palace which is a four-story building. It is a resident of the present king Jigme Parbal Bista and his wife (Queen) is from an aristocratic family of Lhasa Tibet. The king is respected by the local people and many issues are final words by him. Visiting the city is interesting ever in life. Four major gompas inside the city are amazing to visit them. The first one has three stories Jampa Lakhang was built between 1447 and 1448. The gompas have a big courtyard and inside wooden pillars have been used. The second gompa Thubchen which was built in the 15th century. Assembly hall of the gompa used with a column of woods are surprised to see them. Inside the gompa there are statues of the four protectors have been seated. The other gompa Chade which was completed in 1710. As you see painting bronze, brass, and copper statues of gods are remarkable. The last one is Choprang mainly for student monks. It is related to Shakya Buddhist.

Day 10 Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3820m)(5-6hrs)

The route to Dhakmar past Chago La (4200m) to the south from Lomanthang. This la is the last view of Lo Manthang and also the highest pass on the trek. The trails descend above to a large Chorten then continue the descent to Tsarang Khola over the Khola across a bridge then climb to Lo Gekar (3825m). A short climb to a ridge then across cairn alpine meadows a pass then drop down to Dhakmar.

Day 11 Dhakmar to Shyangbochen (3800m)(5-6hrs)

From Dhakmar the route follows along a stream passing field of Dhakmar. The trail climbs to chorten ridge then descends to a stream then again climb to the hill of Ghemi (3570m). From Ghemi the route makes short descend and then climbing to the Nyi La (4010m) Descend steeply to Geling valley but follow the right side along the road crosses Jhaite (4020m) Chhungar (3250m) and Tama Gaon (3700m). From Tama Gaon the route descends to a rocky canyon meets steam then the trail climbs to a huge chorten at Shyangbochen La from the la right side down to Shyangbochen has three hotels with garden camping.

Day 12 Shyangbochen Chhuksang (2980m)(6-7hrs)

Today retrace up and down the trail passing Yamdo, Bhena, and Chele to Chhuksang.

Day 13 Chhuksang to Jomsom via Kagbeni (6-7hrs)

Today is the last trekking day. Return back the same trail to Kagbeni then to Jomsom. In the afternoon a strong wind blows between Kagbeni to Jomsom.

Day 14 Fly to Pokhara

Day 15 Rest day  in Pokhara

Day 16 Fly to Kathmandu

Day 17 Departure from Kathmandu

You are assisted to reach at the airport by our staff. You have to reach the airport before your plane leave.

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick-up and drop off
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with B & B in Kathmandu
  • 3 night hotel accommodation with B & B in Pokhara
  • Licensed trained trekking guide
  • Porters to carry goods
  • Accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner in trekking) included coffee & tea
  • Transportation by land and air
  • All necessary documents permit for trekking.  National park/ conservation area entry permit
  • City tour in Kathmandu (Durbarsquare, Swayambhu, Boudha stupa)

Cost Excludes

  • International air fare
  • Travel trekking insurance
  • Major meals, lunch, dinner during stay in Kathmandu
  • Excess baggage charge more than air lines allowed both domestic and international
  • Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, drinks, phone & laundry
  • Visa fee (easily get on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport
  • Tips and gratuities for field staffs
  • Rescue travel insurance, trips cancellation costs
  • Lost theft and damage to baggage, accident or health emergency

Equipments & Gears

Trekking shoes-  1pair

light shoes-  1pair

slipper-  1pair

down jacket - 1

trekking pant -  2pair

tights-  2pair

t-shirt-  4

gloves

hat

woolen cap

sunglasses

raincoat

headlamp

walking stick

water bottle

sleeping bag

trekking bag waterproof

changing clothes

sun cream

reading books

indoor games

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Sam Rock,
United Kingdom

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Jean Clause,
USA

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Bon Jovi,
Australia
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