LOWER MUSTANG TREK
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Trekking -
Activity Levels
Moderate -
Duration
14 Days -
Price (USD)
per person -
Group Size
2 pax -
Elevation (m)
Overview
Lower Mustang Trek is specially designed for those who are eager to visit the Kingdom of Tibetan Buddhist within a short period of time frame. Lower Mustang Trek fall under Annapurna Region Trekking. It is moderate short trek and you don’t need expensive permits to trek to lower Mustang. The region has the largest protected biodiversity area in Nepal and passes by oldest monastery and unique lifestyle of people.
The Trek to Lower Mustang starts with a flight or Drive to Jomsom Via Pokhara. The Trek further takes you to Kagbeni to Muktinath to Lupra village. Lower Mustang is known as the best place to experience the Tibetan culture as it is considered to have a historical and cultural relationship with Tibet for a long time. With this, the trek offers you the opportunity to witness the Gurung community and their unique lifestyle. During your journey through Jomsom area, you will experience beautiful, traditional Nepali lifestyle and culture.
The highlights of lower mustang trek are visit Kagbeni which is a unique famous village of Baarah Gaun (lit. twelve villages) region in Mustang district and a gateway to Upper Mustang. It is a fascinating medieval village with closely packed mud brick houses, dark alleys and imposing Chhortens. The village stands in a little green oasis dominated by its red monastery.
Itinerary
DAY 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Sherpa Guide Services. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with Sherpa Guide Services display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to your hotelnearby Thamel as per your requirement. Thamel has great food from all over the world, fabulous shopping and Durbar square with its several temples and markets are nearby Thamel. Overnight at hotel. Includes: Accommodation,Transportation
DAY 02 Preparation for trek,meeting with guide and full Day sightseeing of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath&Pasupatinath - Hotel
After breakfast, your day will start for sightseeing of three Popular UNESCO Heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley with your professional tour guide. Our first destination for sightseeing will be at Buddhanath (the biggest & Largest Buddhist Stupa in the World). Stupa of Bouddhanath epitomizes Buddhism. In this Area, you will visit a Buddhist Monastery and stop for a lunch. If the weather is clear you will get glimpses of the mountain ranges close to Kathmandu, particularly Mt Ganesh Himal from the restaurant location. Your guide will enlighten you with detailed historical and cultural information about the place. After Lunch, we will visit Hindus temple Pasupatinath, one of the holiest temple for Hindu religion people. After this you will visit Living goddess home and Kathmandu Durbar square. Locally, this old royal palace area is called Basantapur Area or Hanuman dhoka Durbar Square. It normally takes 5 hours’ tour to visit all these 3 monuments within Kathmandu city. - Entrance fee for these UNESCO site should be paid in Nepali currency. We suggest you to carry some Nepali money while sightseeing. - Please cover your shoulders and while sightseeing - To show gratitude and respect, use both of your hands rather than one when giving or receiving something, even money. It seen as a gesture of respect. - Remove your shoes when entering a home, temple or monastery (and leather items in Hindu temples) - Remember not to point with a single finger but use a flat extended hand specially to indicate a sacred object or place. Meeting time at 3pm in your hotel with our office representative and he/she will help you to meet with your trekking guide. Your trekking guide will help you for shopping and collecting remaining equipment for the trek. Includes: Breakfast, Transportation, Accommodation
DAY 03 Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (850 m / 2788 ft)
We start our day early in the morning to catch a tourist bus at 7 am, we then set off for Pokhara via Nepalese country side that offer green hills, river, farms, streams etc. After a 200 km and around six hours drive we reach Pokhara (a city of Lake, literally); a city that offers us the magnificent view of various mountains namely Dhaulagiri (8167 m / 26135 ft), Manaslu (8163m/ 26122 ft), Fishtail (6,993 m/ 22378 ft) and other mountain of Annapurna range. Do some last minute shopping for trekking and self-exploration around the town (walk around few lake, boating etc). - If you want to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, 30 mins flight then we can upgrade upon to your request.
DAY 04 Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and trek toTikhedhunga (1540 m / 5052 ft), 1:30 hour drive and 4-hour hike
After our breakfast, we take an early morning drive to Nayapul which take about an hour and half. Our first day of Annapurna base camp trek is a bit easier hike through the bank of Modi Khola River, and the beautiful sight of lowland rice fields. Overnight at tea-house. - Walking from Nayapul to Tirkhedhunga, most of the way is through the road where few vehicle runs. If you want to skip road, then you can drive directly to Hile for 1:30 hours (from Nayapu) and hike to Tirkhedhunga for 30 mins hike.
DAY 05 Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2850 m / 9350 ft), 5-6 hrs.
After breakfast early in the morning Today we are leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with steep climb to Ulleri ascending a steep stone staircase (which has about 3300 steps), a difficult part for most of the trekkers. During our 6 hrs hike we will experience the majestic views, rhododendron forest, beautiful villages, fast flowing streams, flora and fauna and many more. Overnight at tea-house. - Stairs uphill for 2 hours at the beginning.
DAY 06 Trek to Tatopani [1190m/3904ft], 7 hours
You can catch an amazing view of the sunrise from an ideal vantage point of Poon Hill. After breakfast, you descend to Tatopani through the rhododendron forest amidst the magnificent natural vistas. As you near Chitre, you get an awe-inspiring view of Dhaulagiri range. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue descending, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, you cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from thereon, it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name after the hot springs near the river below the village.
DAY 07 Trek to Ghasa [2000m6561ft], 6 hour
You have to follow the trail that ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. En route, you come across local people selling baskets of oranges. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. Thereafter, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge. You will find the layered stone path well-constructed and wide. As the rock cliff ends, you head towards Ghasa, a quaint Thakali village. You can see several flat-roofed Tibetan style houses in Ghasa. [Walk approx 5-6 hours].
DAY 08 Trek to Larjung [2560m/8398ft], 5 hour
After breakfast you trek from Ghasa towards Larjung. Few hours of descents soon follow other rock-strewn ascents through forests of fir, cypress and juniper along the riverbank of Kali Gandaki. As soon as you reach Larjung, you cannot help but marvel at the architectural grandeur of this small town; tunnels, narrow alleyways and houses built in traditional style presents an interesting sight.
DAY 09 Trek to Jomsom [2713m/8900ft], 5 hour
You begin to trek along the trail that follows the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Yet again, you get to see narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards as a protection against the unpredictable wind of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The trail further meanders through stonewalled orchards. Soon you will come across a stone gate that marks the entrance to Marpha. You can spot several white-walled houses. Marpha has well-maintained drainage system and is most popular for its local apple brandy. After a lunch in Marpha, you continue trekking towards Jomsom. As you approach your destination Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and greys contrasting with the white snowcapped peaks of Tilicho and Nilgiri.
DAY 10 Trek to Muktinath [3710m/12171ft], 7 hour
After breakfast you resume your trekking along the path up to the vast gravel riverbed of the Kali Gandaki. You come across a stream and verdant vegetation. On crossing a small ridge to Chhancha Lhumba at 2730 meters, you continue heading towards Muktinath. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri dominates the view as you ascend to Khingar (3200 meters). More meadows, streams and lush vegetation can be seen along the trail as it paves to Jharkot (3500 meters). You encounter the ruins of the Dzong and pristine villages of Purang and Changur. As you trek past mule stables and steep barren hillside, you enter Ranipauwa. Ranipauwa for years has remained an ideal resting point for pilgrims and travelers. On trekking further, you enter Muktinath. Temples and religious shrines are the major attractions of this holy place. Pilgrims flock to the Buddhist gompa and pagoda-style temple of Lord Vishnu. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
DAY 11 Trek to Jomsom [2713m/8900ft], 6 hour
Heading away from Muktinath, you retrace your steps to Jomsom taking on the magnificent view of Nilgiri. You stay overnight in Jomsom. In the evening you celebrate the completion of your trek with the crew, whom you have come to know so well over the last 9 days.
DAY 12 Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, 20 mins flight and rest in Pokhara
You board an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
DAY 13 Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (7 hrs drive).
Spend some hours in Pokhara and late morning flight to Kathmandu or drive to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Free time is for shopping and other individual sightseeing in Kathmandu, specifically Thamel. - If you want fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 30 mins flight then we can upgrade upon to your request.
DAY 14 Drive to the Airport to head back to that lovely place we call ‘home’’
After b/fast, our rep and office vehicle will be on standby at our hotel to transfer us to the airport for our connecting flight home. Serving you was a wonderful joy and pleasure, we at Sherpa guide Services will cherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this amazing country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful region of the Annapurna and ancient Mustang will give your lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed. Sayonara friends!
Please Note: that although we try to follow the itinerary given above, at times local trial or weather conditions may necessitate slight changes if necessary. The trekking itinerary may also vary slightly depending on our trekkers' acclimatization rates. This adventure goes into wild territory above the timberline, so we seek to request maximum flexibility if and when required for the safety of your trip and your life
Service Included
- International and Domestic Airport picks up & drops by private vehicle.
- Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu in a tourist bus fare.
- Tourist bus station pick-up and drop
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu in Private vehicle
- Flight fare from Jomsom to Pokhara
- Pokhara to Nayapul in a private vehicle (starting point of trek)
- Clean tea-house accommodation during the whole trek.
- Three-night accommodation in Kathmandu in a hotel with breakfast basis.
- Two-night accommodation in Pokhara in a Hotel
- Accommodation during whole trek will be in clean tea-houses, twin-share rooms beds with normal foam mattress and pillows included but shared bathroom and toilet.
- One government license holder English speaking Guide and his food, accommodations, salary, insurance,equipment, medicine and transportations.
- Porter in the ratio of 2 clients:1 porter and their accommodation, transportations and salary (A porter will carry max load 20-25 kg).
- Professional tour guide while sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
- Annapurna conservation permit (ACAP)
- Trekker’s information management system(TIMS) card fee (if needed)
- Travel & Rescue arrangements.
- Entrance fee while doing sightseeing around Kathmandu
- All our government taxes, VAT and official expenses.