‘a journey to Nepal Far North-West around extension of the Tibetan plateau’
Highlights:
“Enjoy the dramatic journey around Nepal Far North-West to Upper Mustang. An exclusive adventures around picturesque country amidst beautiful landscapes. Amazing country Upper Mustang on an extension of Tibetan South West Plateau. Experience the impressive traditional cultures of Lo-people of Upper Mustang. Spectacular scenery of desert landscapes lined with great colorful canyons walls.”
Short Tour Summary:
Trekking Mode: In the best available Tea-House and Lodges.
Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.
Highest Altitude gain: On top Nyi-La Pass 3,932 m / 12, 900 feet.
Trekking Region: Nepal Far North West, around Mustang district.
Start and Ending Points: Pokhara to Pokhara.
Duration of Tour: 06 Nights and 07 Days.
Total Driving distance: Approx.460 k.m. / 286 miles. From Pokhara to Pokhara.
BEST SEASONS FOR UPPER MUSTANG OVERLAND TOUR:
The best times are late spring to pre-summer and autumn/fall seasons for Upper Mustang Overland Tour. The spring season starts from March till May, most days are fine and clear with longer sunshine hours until the late afternoon from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
But gets overcast during the afternoon sometimes, and chances of light snowfalls. Cold morning and in the late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon the altitude, and in designated overnight stops en route Lo Manthang. The next best season is autumn/fall, most days are fine and clear with sunny days for clear views. The autumn/fall season begins in September and ends in
November, it is one of the peak times for trekking and other adventures in Nepal. In the autumn time, days are shorter and get dark soon, due to limited sunshine hours. Morning, and late afternoon until nighttime will be much cold, as well as chances of snowfall.
CULTURE AND RELIGION AROUND UPPER MUSTANG:
Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around Upper Mustang are known as the Lobas. Which means people of Lo or Upper Mustang region, the natives of Upper Mustang are of strong Tibetan origin. Interwoven with the Tibetan Buddhist religion of Mahayana sects of Buddhism, similar cultural heritage of their Tibetan predecessors. The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines, as well as the famous monasteries of Ghami, Charang and Lo Manthang. The religious monuments include a series of prayer walls and spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religious and cultural interest. The highlanders of Tibetan origin celebrate various festivals, the main occasion is
Losar, New Year. This year 2024 is the year of a Dragon. The major festival of Lo Manthang is the Tije, fall during May as per Tibetan
Buddhist Calendar.
FOODS, ACCOMMODATION AND LODGES FACILTIES:
The food and lodge accommodations around Upper Mustang are from simple, basic to standard. From Kalapani to Kagbeni, Ghami and Lo Manthang offers good lodge rooms and food. The rest of the areas offer excellent rooms with a comprehensive food menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are best in Jomsom and Lo Manthang. The lodge accommodations on this tour are simple with nice rooms. The rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures above 3,000 m higher, using hot showers is at an extra cost.
All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions. In a large group with more than 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all. It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Tourism is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trek.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT AND INSURANCE:
This week long adventure includes three high passes. All members must be physically fit and in sound health. For a person with a
medical history and special dietary, please inform the company on booking. So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventures. Minimum age of 12 to a maximum of 70 years old. For minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well for elderly persons. All need to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. Sometimes, trips might needs to be re-routed to other safe destinations due to broken trails by landslides. Also, the unfavorable bad weather obstructs the route of drive. If some members get seriously ill, need immediate evacuation. By fastest means of transportation or using a Helicopter service to the nearest hospital. In this condition, if it arises, the trekker has to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. Should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim the reimbursement from your insurance. To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for this long high-altitude trekking.
OVERVIEWS:
Upper Mustang Overland Tour of 7 days, is an exciting and most memorable journey. Enjoy the drive in the comfort of a spacious seated 4 WD Jeep or similar vehicle, with stops to enjoy the dramatic scenery. This exclusive journey to Upper Mustang starts and ends at beautiful and scenic Pokhara. The city is blessed with the natural beauty of the Snow Mountains and picturesque lakes, and a renowned tourist destination in Nepal. The journey follows towards the Far North-West beyond the sub-tropical country of farms villages and towns. The drive heads towards cooler green hills to enter the world’s deepest gorge Kaligandaki River. Within the staggering giant peaks of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna-I with arrays of snow peaks. The views of the snow mountains follow throughout the journey, then reaching Lower Mustang at Ghasa and Kalapani Villages. Enjoy the superb views of the snowy mountain range amidst a beautiful forest of pines and rhododendrons. Slowly the drive leads towards an arid dry country
through the nice villages of Tukuche and Marpha. Then reaching Jomsom, the headquarters town of Mustang district, the drive
follows towards Kagbeni Village. It is the entry point of Upper Mustang and Restricted areas, from Kagbeni onwards to Upper Mustang. Travelers will be amazed by overlooking the spectacular scenery of vibrant landscapes lined with towering canyons and windblown cliffs. Upper Mustang is geographically an extension of the Tibetan South-West plateau, as well as the highest and largest tableland on earth. The drive follows through lovely Chusang and Syangboche villages and over the high passes facing the grand
vista of the Mustang picturesque country.The exciting journey leads across rows of Buddhist monuments of prayer walls
and spinning religious wheels. As the drive heads from Ghami and Charang attractive villages with yard crops fields and monasteries.
Finally, the journey enters the former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang, an amazing town of the medieval time era. It is truly, a wonderful place to explore its colorful cultures of age-old heritage and visit its important sites of religious interest. Lo Manthang, is the highest overnight stop of this marvelous journey, having time to enjoy and observe the local cultures. Achieving the goal and highlights of the most exciting journey, return drive on the same scenic route back to Pokhara. After a great, wonderful experience around the Far Western Himalayas on the Upper Mustang Overland Tour.
