To the northwest
of the Annapurnas, this formerly restricted
area was opened in 1992 to a limited number
of tourists. A deliberate policy of cultural
and environmental preservation has meant that
Mustang remains one of the world’s very
special trekking destinations. Renowned to be
one of the most scenically rewarding in Nepal,
this new itinerary is a rare chance to combine
a beautiful trek with the cultural element,
for which Mustang is most famous. We will visit
fascinating temples and monasteries and enjoy
the breath-taking scenery of the rocky Tibetan
Plateau with its numerous fluttering prayer
flags with snowy peaked backdrop (Annapurna,
Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho).
| 15
Days |
|
Maximum
Altitude:3840m |
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| |
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|
DAY 01
|
Katmandu - Pokhara by bus (200 km) in 7h.
|
|
|
| We walk north
through the arid plateau lands that stretch
up to Tibet. The trail is quite barren with
craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat,
which makes it very easy going. This enjoyable
start is at the same time picturesque, with
views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri
(8167m), Tukuche (6920m) and, in the west,
the awesome mountain above Kagbeni--Nilgiri.
Over to the south and southwest the entire
Annapurna Massif can be seen. |
| DAY
02 |
Pokhara - Jomosom (2713m) by plane - Kagbeni
(2810m). A 4-hour walk. |
|
|
| Nice
views of the Gorkha Himal. |
| DAY
03 |
Kagbeni
- Chele (3000m) in 6h 30. |
|
|
| The
trail climbs up steadily towards the Tibetan
plateau. At first, the path follows the
river closely, later it leads eastwards
to a flat piece of dry and desert-like land.
The scenery is amazing with its red sandstone
pillars and canyons. Thousands of years
of erosion have formed the landscape; rock
formations in fantastic forms and colours
will be our companion throughout the trip.
The small town of Chele is nestled among
extensive barley fields that blanket the
hillside. |
| DAY
04 |
Chele - Geling (3500m) in 6h 30. |
|
|
| The
climb continues along the side of a spectacular
steep canyon to a pass at 3500m with great
views of the Himalayan chain, the Nilgiri
and Tilicho. From here, it descends on a
pleasant trail to Samar (3300m) situated
in a grove of poplar trees. This is a major
stopping place for horse and mule caravans.
Then the trail climbs steadily into a valley
filled with juniper trees to reach 3800m.
We then descend gently towards Geling. |
| DAY
05 |
Geling - Tsarang (3500m) in 6h. |
|
|
| The
trail climbs gently through fields, and
then becomes steeper to reach Nyi La (3840m).
This pass is the southern boundary of Lo
or Mustang itself. We descend to Tsarang,
a large spread-out village inhabited entirely
by Lobas. The huge five-storey monastery
fortress is perched on the edge of the Kali
Gandaki gorge, to the East end of the village.
The Gompa houses an excellent collection
of statues and Thankas. |
|
DAY 06 |
Tsarang - Lo Manthang (3700m) in 5h. |
|
|
| We
climb gently above the valley to round a
large chorten visible for miles around,
then continue to the final ridge (3850m).
Through a prayer flagged notch, a natural
portal, lies the ‘plain of inspiration’
beneath our feet. Out in front of us, the
red and grey monastery of Namgyal, summer
residence of the kings of Mustang. In the
centre, surrounded by a ring of rounded
hills, each topped by a crumbling fort,
stands the amazing walled city of Lo Manthang,
the capital of the inner kingdom, and the
seat of its great monastic tradition. The
prosperity of the city comes mostly from
the time of intense commerce with Tibet
(salt and wool). |
| DAY
07 - 08 |
Lo Manthang. |
|
|
| We
now have two full days to explore the many
monasteries, ancient halls and temples of
the walled city and the areas around it.
The centre of the city is dominated by the
three major buildings: the Champa Lhakang,
(housing an enormous painted seated Buddha,
claimed to be dating back to the early 15th
century); the Thugchen Gompa, with its wonderful
frescoes; and the Raja’s Palace, the
most imposing building in the city, with
its solid tapering walls sweeping up to
a full four stories. You might even have
the occasion to meet Jigme Dorje, the Raja. |
| DAY
09 |
Lo
Manthang - Ghami (3460m) in 6h 30. |
|
|
| For
the first part of the return journey to
Kagbeni, an alternative route crosses the
Tsarang Khola farther westward. Our track
meanders through this wide sparse pasture
land. Then we reach a greener valley and
descend past the isolated settlement of
Lo Gekar to the welcome lush green of the
trees around Ghar Gompa. Afterwards, we
walk up to a small pass and continue over
to the lovely green valley of Tramar, where
the distinctive red-fluted cliffs return
to contrast with the yellow hues of the
north. Continuing down through the village
fields we reach Ghami, a pretty whitewashed
village with a small gompa and a nunnery.
|
| DAY
10 |
Ghami
- Samar (3300m) en 6h. |
|
|
| We
rejoin our outward journey. We steadily
climb up to the Nyi La pass, then go down
and cut across Tama Gaon, avoiding descending
all the way to Geling. |
| DAY
11 |
Samar- Chuksang (3050m) in 4h. |
|
|
| A
steep descent towards Chele. The trail leads
south to join the Kali Gandaki route. We
are back amongst green fields. |
| DAY
12 |
Chuksang
- Kagbeni en 5h. |
|
|
|
|
| DAY
13 |
Kagbeni
- Jomosom en 4h. |
|
|
| A
short walk that gives us time for an excursion
to Marpha. A welcome or difficult return
to civilisation after the unspoilt simplicity
of Mustang. |
| DAY
14 |
Jomosom
– Pokhara by plane. |
|
|
| The
route gets easier. We start with a gentle
climb through paddy fields towards the small
Karcha La pass and descend through fir tree
and rhododendron forests to Tillije. |
| DAY
15 |
Pokhara
- Katmandu by bus. |
|
|
| Pokhara
- Katmandu by bus. |
