Mustang Trekking

Mustang is a very popular trekking region in Nepal and has been described as “desert in the mountain”. The trek to this region is a very rewarding one for those who want to experience the hospitality of the people living in this remote region. Department of immigration issued only a small number of special permit since 1991. This is a perfect destination where ample scope is offered for visiting Buddhists monasteries. This semi autonomous and heavily Tibetan influenced region was “described by Tilman as fascinatingly ugly country, the more fascinating for being so little known” indeed, the trek to LO – Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill, panoramic view of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several others peaks make your trek memorable. A liaison officer is needed for this trek. This trek begins from Jomsom - accessible by air, Pokhara – accessible by road or Besisahar – accessible by road (If starting from Besisahar include Annapurna circuit too).

Day 01
Kathmandu – Pokhara – Jomsom – Kagbeni
Fly to Jomsom (or trek up ) the district headquarter of Mustang and start trek to Kagbeni, the starting point of the “Upper Mustang”. Over night camping at Kagbeni.

Day 02
Kagbeni – Chele
There is a trail up the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst whitewashed house, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern sky line at Kagbeni, continue to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe, we reach Chhusang village and crossing the river, continue climbing north up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming the tunnel through which the Kaligandaki valley and the climbs steely up a rocky gully to Chele at 3030m. The culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.

Day 03
Chele – Geling
The climbs continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cain of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, before descending further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geling.

Day 04
Gelling–Charang
From Geling, the trail climbs gently to most interesting pass on your trek, Nyi La and descends beneath blue, Grey and red cliffs across the valley to a bridge over the Tangmar Chu(river,) then climbs past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular mani(prayer wall) in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five-story white Dzong(fort) and red gompa(Buddhist temple) contains a fascinating array of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddhas.

Day 05
Charang–Lo Mantang
The trail descends about 100 metres from Charang, crosses the Charang-Chu, climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally from a ridge at 3850m, there is a view of the walled city of Lo. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo Manthang.

Day 06
Lo Manthang
Another day in Lo Manthang gives you the chance to explore its many sights; the Tall Champa Lakhang(God house,) the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Raja’s Palace; as well as to gaze at the surrounding panoramic views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Tatopani/ Ghoirepani to Pokhara.

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