Description
Mustang Valley
- Arrive in Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from our company will receive you and escort to your hotel in Kathmandu. - In Kathmandu.
You can choose to take a day tour of Kathmandu city and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath. These places are enlisted as world heritage sites by UNESCO. They also offer insights into the culture, religious beliefs, and practices during the medieval times. As an option, you can sit back and relax in your hotel, prepare for the trek or take a stroll around the locality. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu. - Fly or drive to Pokhara (820m.)
After an early morning breakfast, you will be taken to the Tribhuvan International Airport to catch your flight to Pokhara (25-30 minutes), a popular tourist destination which also acts as the transit point for our trek. You can choose to drive to Pokhara while enjoying the scenery of the hills and winding rivers. The latter may take 5-6 hours in total. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. - Fly to Jomsom from Pokhara and trek to Kagbeni (2810m). 3 Hours walk.
From Pokhara, you’ll catch the flight to Jomsom. The first day of the trek commences at Jomsom and concludes at Kagbeni which lies to the north. The maiden hike may take a couple of hours and will take your through the Kali Gandaki river bed up to the green fields of Kagbeni. The trek takes you through Ekle Bhatti and number of Buddhist monasteries. Overnight stay at a lodge at Kagbeni. - Trek to Chele (3050m), 5-6 Hours walk.
The day begins with a steep climb up the cliffs on the eastern side of the Kali Gandaki gorge and follows through small ridges. There are many small villages en route which is well surrounded by green fields. Wheat, barley, and buckwheat are the major crops in the area. You will enter Tangbe and Chhusang villages before reaching Chele which will be around late noon. Overnight stay at a lodge at Chele. - Trek to Ghiling (3570m), 5 – 6 Hours walk.
The steep climb continues right outside Chele. You will find mostly dry terrain from here on with only sparse vegetation. The highest point thus far is at Nyi La Pass 4010m, which can prove to be a tough ascent. Some of the local peaks visible from here are Tilicho Peak (7134m) and few others in Annapurna region. After crossing Nyi La Pass, the trail drops steeply towards the village of Ghiling. Overnight stay at a lodge at Ghilling. - Trek to Tsarang (3560m). 4 Hours walk.
The trail to Tsarang passes through Kali Gandaki corridor and across a steel bridge at Tangmar Chu. After a while, the trail rises until you arrive at a plateau. Here, you get to see the longest and spectacular Mani (Tibetan spiritual words) wall in entire Nepal. Tsarang lies to the east of the wall. A huge Dzong (fortress) and a big red Gompa dominates the local scenery at Tsarang. Overnight at a lodge at Tsarang. - Trek to Lo – Manthang (3840m). 5 Hours walk.
From Charang, the trail passes through Tsarang Chu and descends until Tholung village. You will have to ascend a bit from here on to reach the windy pass of Lo, from where you get to see Lomanthang. It looks like a small walled city amidst the large desert. The trek until now concludes at Lo Manthang. Lo was the capital of Mustang kingdom before the entire region was annexed by Nepal in the 18th Century. Overnight stay at a lodge at Lo Manthang. - Lo Manthang (3730m) – the celebration of the first day of Tiji festival.
The celebration begins early in the afternoon with the loud blurts of the Tibetan horns, Dhungchen. It is generally accompanied by two double-reeled horns, drum and cymbals. The monks from the adjoining Choede monastery make their way into the courtyard. An enormous Thangkha (painting) depicting Padma Sambhava or Guru Rimpoche is hanged on the southern wall of the square. The dance only begins late in the evening when all the local authority takes their place. The masked dance portrays the age-old myth depicting the life of Dorje Jono, a supreme force who repelled all the demons from Earth. Overnight stay at a lodge at Lo Manthang. - Final day of the festival Tiji/visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar or Excursion to Chhoser (Western Valley)
The third day marks the end of the festival. It ends with ceremonial music and the portrayal of the end of the demon in most dramatic manner. More music, dance, shooting guns accompany the last day of the festival. With the end of Tiji festival, you can choose to visit the Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. These are highly recommended tourist destinations inside Lo Manthang. - Trek to Dhakmar (3820m). 6-7 Hours walk.
Instead of trekking back to Tsarang. Turn southwest towards Dhakmar. The trail passes through Lo Gekar and ascends steeply up to 4,000 m. You can get a last glimpse of Lo Manthang from here. Chogo La at 4,280m is the highest point of the trek. The trail descends until Ghar Gompa and takes you towards Dhakmar. Overnight stay at a lodge at Lo Manthang. - Trek to Syanbochen (3800m). 5 – 6 Hours walk.
Today, you’ll encounter many tremendous canyons en route. It opens to the farmlands popular for buckwheat. While trekking back, you can get the close glimpse of the surrounding peaks, namely; Nilgiri (7061m), Annapurna (80991m), and Tilicho Peak (7134m). You will arrive at Syanbochen following the path through Ghami and numerous passes. Overnight stay at a lodge at Syanbochen. - Trek to Kagbeni (2800m) Duration: 6 hrs
You will retrace your trail back to Kagbeni. The trekking is comparatively easier and will take around 6 hours to complete. You can spend the evening enjoying local apple brandy, ‘Marpha’ or talking with the locals. The night is colder so it is best that you stay inside the dining area with the heating system on. Overnight stay at a lodge at Kagbeni. - Trek to Jomsom
The trek concludes at Jomsom. On the last day of the trek, you can choose to take the stroll around the market and shop for local products. Apple brandy, Churpi, sweets, and other stuff are popularly demanded by the visiting tourists. The region is also heavily influenced by Buddhist faith. Overnight stay at a lodge at Jomsom. - Fly back to Pokhara.
You’ll catch your flight back to Pokhara. On the way, you will get to see some extraordinary view of Annapurna Himalayan range, Machhapuchhre (6997m) and Dhaulagiri peak (8167m). To enjoy the success of the trek, you can choose to take a short tour of Pokhara or try boating at Phewa Lake. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. - Pokhara to Kathmandu
You can choose to fly or drive back to Kathmandu. While on the way, you can bid adieu to Annapurna and Machhapuchhre range in the distance. The serene ride will take you through the hills and back to Kathmandu. You can rest in your hotel or explore the local marketplaces to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu. - Final departure
Transfer to Airport. See Off.
What’s Included
Cost includes:
- Airport pickup in Kathmandu
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- An English-speaking, government-licensed trekking guide
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Trekking lodge accommodation during the trek
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit and special Upper Mustang permit
- Airfare Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara including airport transfer
- Medical supplies (first-aid kit provided)
- Government taxes, service charge and official expenses
- Porter
Cost excludes:
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, mineral water, laundry, phone calls, internet
- Emergency rescue evacuation if required
- Tips for guide and porter
Nepal Highlights:
Best time to visit Nepal – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal can be visited all year round, but a few natural hazards are worth noting: heavy flooding during the monsoon (mid-July to mid-August) and extreme cold in the high Himalaya (late November to mid-December). Nepal is a land of hills and mountains, and its high peaks are one reason the country is so rich in water resources – fast-flowing rivers and beautiful lakes. Heavy rain, or even several days of light rain, can cause flooding in the lowland Terai region, so extra caution is advised there during the monsoon. Away from the monsoon, the hill regions enjoy sunny days even in winter, making for a pleasantly mild travel season.
Seasons in Nepal – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal recognises six seasons: Basanta Ritu (spring), Grishma Ritu (early summer), Barkha Ritu (monsoon), Sharad Ritu (early autumn), Hemanta Ritu (late autumn) and Shishir Ritu (winter).
Outside the monsoon (early July to late August), any season is suitable for a trip – Yetiland-nepal.de advises against travelling in the Terai lowlands during the monsoon.
Summers can be hot, with temperatures ranging from around 25 to 40°C depending on location. In the upper Himalayan region, summer temperatures reach up to about 30°C, while the lower Terai plains in southern Nepal can see highs of 40°C or more.
Winter days are mostly sunny, with cold mornings and evenings. If you’ve experienced winter in Greece, the feeling in Kathmandu is similar – from mid-December the sun keeps days pleasantly warm, while evening temperatures can drop to around 5°C. In the high Himalaya, however, temperatures fall well below 0°C.
Buddha was born in Nepal – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
This is a matter of pride for Nepalis: neighbouring countries, India in particular, sometimes claim Buddha’s origins lie there, which stirs up debate from time to time. In fact, Buddha was born in Nepal.
Well worth a visit is Lumbini, his birthplace southwest of Kathmandu. The prince who left his palace in search of lasting peace and meaning in life attained enlightenment (Nirvana) there. His teachings have since spread across the world and are followed by millions of people; in modern Western society too, Buddhism and meditation – a path to self-awareness and inner peace – have become popular everyday practices.
Take a look at our tours that include a visit to Lumbini.
8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains are in Nepal – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal is home to 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains: Mount Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,188m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna I (8,091m). Yetiland-Nepal offers three categories of trip in these regions: Expedition – climbing an eight-thousander (for experienced professionals only); Trek – trekking through the same region at much lower altitude (ideal for those who want to experience Nepal’s mountains without climbing them); and Holiday – for enjoying Nepal’s nature, scenery and leisure activities.
One of the world’s most dangerous airports
Lukla Airport, the gateway to the Everest region, is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Wedged between steep hills, it makes for a genuinely challenging landing and take-off. Pilots speak of a “point of no return”, beyond which all preparation and technical alignment must already be complete to bring the aircraft in safely. Thousands of passengers fly in during peak season each month – a truly unique experience. Thanks to their extensive experience across almost all of Nepal’s hill regions, Nepali pilots rank among the most skilled in the world.
New Year in Nepal – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal follows its own calendar, the Vikram Sambat. Nepali New Year falls around mid-April, marking the start of the Nepali summer. People also follow the lunar calendar for religious festivals and family celebrations. As Nepal is home to many ethnic groups, each with its own history, several local New Year dates exist side by side – a well-known example is Losar, celebrated among others by the Sherpa community.
Nepal’s unique flag – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal’s flag is the world’s only non-rectangular national flag, formed of two stacked triangles bearing the sun and the moon. These symbols reflect the character of the Nepali people: the moon for humility, the sun for courage. Nepalis are famed for their hospitality towards visitors – in the hill regions, hosts will traditionally slaughter their own livestock (such as chickens or goats) to honour guests. To this day, many Nepali soldiers, known as Gurkhas, serve in armies around the world.
A one-of-a-kind weapon
The handcrafted khukuri knife is world-famous and originates from Nepal. Carried by Nepali soldiers and used in both World Wars, it is credited in veterans’ accounts with contributing to the legendary fighting prowess of the Gurkha regiments. A khukuri also makes an excellent souvenir.
Suspension bridges – additional information on the “Mustang Valley”
Nepal is famous for its many suspension bridges spanning valleys between its hills, long a practical way of life for people in the mountainous regions. The idea even inspired Germany’s own Geierlay suspension bridge in Rhineland-Palatinate, built as a nod to Nepal’s example.
Landslides
As a very hilly country, Nepal is prone to flooding and landslides during the monsoon, especially in the lower-lying Terai region with its year-round vegetation. The combination of Nepal’s fast-flowing rivers and sustained monsoon rain can trigger landslides in the hill regions, so travel during the monsoon season is best avoided.
Earthquakes
Nepal sits in a zone of high seismic risk. This doesn’t mean major earthquakes happen constantly, but history shows a serious quake roughly every 50 years. The cause lies beneath the surface: the Indian Plate shifts about 5cm against the Eurasian Plate every year, gradually pushing the Himalaya upward over millions of years. The April 2015 earthquake (magnitude 7.8, at a depth of 8.2km) was one of the most recent major quakes, causing severe economic and geographic damage, killing around 9,000 people and injuring roughly 22,000.
Flying in Nepal
Nepal’s civil aviation is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal: CAAN – Nepal.
A number of airlines operate in Nepal, including Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, Himalaya Airlines, Simrik Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Sita Air, Summit Air and Tara Air.
Private helicopter charters are also available, including through Air Dynasty, Simrik Air, Prabhu Helicopters, Altitude Air, Fishtail Air, Manang Air, Makalu Air, Kailash Helicopter Services and Heli Everest.
Airports in Nepal
Numerous domestic airlines operate flights throughout the year. Nepal stretches roughly 880km along the Himalayan axis and 150–250km across, covering a total area of 147,516km². With an average domestic flight time of just 1.5–2 hours, all major airports are reachable within a maximum of 3 flying hours: Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla), Pokhara Airport, Simara Airport, Bharatpur Airport, Biratnagar Airport, Surkhet Airport, Nepalgunj Airport and Jomsom Airport.
Of these, Lukla Airport is considered one of the most dangerous in the world – a unique experience that thousands of travellers still make every month. When you book a complete package with Yetiland-Nepal, you don’t need to arrange any of this yourself.
Note that during winter (November to December), heavy morning fog often causes flight delays, and in some cases full-day cancellations after long waits. For this reason, Yetiland-nepal.de typically relies on tourist buses rather than domestic flights during this season.
Similar tour: Annapurna Base Camp
More background on Mustang
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