‘adventure on an extension of vast and highest Tibetan plateau’
Highlights:
“Adventure on an ancient Trans Himalayan Salt Trade and Caravan routes. Explore the lovely cultural traditional villages adorned with age-old cultures. Exceptional scenery of picturesque landscapes with snow-capped peak range. Amazing country outlined with massif Canyon Walls and staggering mud cliffs.
Enjoy the fabulous journey visiting the former walled kingdom of Lo Manthang.”
Short Trek Summary:
Trekking Mode: In best available Tea-House, Lodges and Guest Houses.
Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.
Highest Altitude: On top Nyi-La Pass 3,932 m / 12, 900 feet.
Trekking Region: Nepal Far North West, around Mustang district.
Duration of Tour: 11 Nights and 12 Days from Pokhara to Pokhara.
Total Trip: 16 Nights and 17 Days from arrival to final departures.
BEST SEASONS FOR UPPER MUSTANG TREKKING:
The best time are late spring and early autumn/fall seasons for Upper Mustang.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 get overcast during the afternoon sometimes, and chances of light snowfalls. Cold morning and in the late afternoon till nighttime. Depends upon the altitude, and around designated overnight stops as per the itinerary. The next best season is autumn/fall, most days are fine and clear with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall season, begins from September and ends in November, it is one of the peak time for trekking and other adventures in Nepal. In the autumn time, days are shorter and gets 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 and Eco- Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trip.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT AND INSURANCE:
For Upper Mustang Trekking, the adventure includes climbing high passes. All easers 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. If some members get seriously ill, need immediate evacuation. Using fastest means of transportation including services of Helicopter to transfer the sick to the nearest hospital. In this condition, the client have to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. The extra expenses should be claimed from the insurance company. The company, and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim for the reimbursement from your insurance. To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other mgood 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 Trekking, an adventure around Nepal Far North Western Zone of the massif Himalayan ranges. Where route follows the ancient and famous Trans Himalaya Caravan and Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet, China. In the early day’s caravans of yaks, mules and horses followed the scenic and classic route. Laden with spices, rock salts, textiles, artistic items and other materialistic goods passed through from both side of the borders. After the mainland China annexed Tibet into TAR (Tibet Autonomies Region),
from then on it remained as a forbidden land. Until it was open from 1991 onwards for the outside world travelers to enter thehidden former kingdom Upper Mustang. Although region has opened up its door, but remains as restricted area in Nepal,
where all foreign visitors. Requires a special permit to enter the former forbidden Upper Mustang from Jomsom and Kagbeni Village.
Upper Mustang Trekking leads you to one of the most amazing areas around the far flung corners of the Himalayas. Located beyond the great Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range within the rain-shadow, and an extension vast and high Tibetan Plateau. Upper Mustang with a moonscape appearance makes one of the unique and photogenic country, around the Himalayas Besides its beautiful spectacular landscapes, the local traditional cultures are equally fascinating to experience. The adventure begins from scenic Pokhara city to reach district of Mustang at Jomsom. From here onwards the exciting walks starts heading further North-West towards Upper Mustang. The adventure follows Kaligandaki River upstream through the Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. As well towards our final destination the former forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang. From Kagbeni starts the wild deserted windswept country walled by the amazing and staggering colored huge canyons and towering cliff. The sudden dramatic changes of landscapes make Upper Mustang as one of the most picturesque country around the Himalayas. Enjoy the walk from one traditional villages to another lovely area with a huge crops fields of barley. Most villages outlined by few willow and Populous, Juniper the only surviving trees around the high altitude and barren country. The trail follows above few passes offers stunning panorama of the Mustang vast
and scenic landscapes with snow peaks. A great exciting walks through nice villages of Ghami, Charang and then reach the main highlight destination. Enter the ancient walled kingdom Lo Manthang, takes you back to medieval time an amazing place to experience. Narrow near paved lanes lined by stone built houses of typical Tibetan architectures with beautiful intricate carvings.
As you explore around Lo Manthang, greeted by the cheerful natives with similar looks and culture like their Tibetan predecessors.
At Lo Manthang have time to explore around its famous historical sites and places of great religious interest. Enjoy the tour of age-old monasteries and the Great Hall where the famous colorful Tije Festival held annually. After a great wonderful and mesmerizing experiences, return journey back to Jomsom. Enjoy the scenic and cultural walks around the beautiful landscape terrains through lovely villages. Then finally the adventure comes to the end reaching Jomsom Town for exciting sweeping flight to Pokhara.
From Pokhara after a pleasant stop, and then back to Kathmandu, after a delightful experience on Upper Mustang Trekking.