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Upper Mustang Trek is an exciting eight-day remote with rugged landscape journey (55.3 miles/89 km) from Jomsom Airport (2710 m) to Lo Manthang (3840 m) with a jeep tour (5-6 hours). Lo Manthang trek starts from Mustang district headquarters Jomsom connects a short flight from Pokhara or by road (175 km - 6-7 hours) following the Kali Gandaki River valley, passing through Kagbeni, Chele, Ghami and Tsarang village to the Lo Manthang cultural kingdom. Pokhara to Jomsom offers an 18-minute flight with aerial views of Kali Gandaki River Valley, Mt. Dhaulagiri, villages and forests.
Lo Manthang in the north of Mustang District is a restricted area, trans-Himalaya region, Buddhist Kingdom, rain shadow area, dramatic desertland behind Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Annapurna mountain (8091 m). Proper acclimatization and physical fitness suit the moderate-level difficulty trek to Lo Manthang. The ancient Tibetan culture and traditions of mud house city connected with the Pokhara-Mustang Road (264 km/164 miles) owns fascinating mountain people with Buddhism, air burial, polyandry marriage, food habits, and dress similar to Tibet. The 22nd cultural King (1964-2008) is Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (1930-2016), who ruled until 2016 December 16, whose history dates back to the 14th century.
Kagbeni village (2810 m) at Kali Gandaki riverbank with a Permit Check Post is the Gateway to Lo Manthang Trek. The trek required a 10-day special permit ($500) per head and an ACAP permit ($30) for a group of two people. The mountain journey reaches the deepest Kali Gandaki Valley to the Korala Border (4660 m) with Himalayas view. Jomsom to Lo Manthang takes a 6-day hike. The first King, Ame Pal, launched the walled city of 150 mud houses, a four-storied whitewashed palace, and four traditional wards, Mahakala, Tara, Dipankar Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha. The people Lobos have their own caste and hierarchy group, such as cardiac (Bista-King cast), Ghara (blacksmith), Shemba (butcher) and Emeta (musician).
Upper Mustang Trek is a 2567 sq km opened in 1992 for foreigners. Accommodation along the trekking route varies from basic teahouses to more comfortable lodges with basic amenities. Mountain people do farming, herding, caravan trading and lodge businesses that can be closed for winter settlement to Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Kathmandu. September-November and March-August (rainshadow area) are the trekking season. Upper Mustang is the UNESCO tentative list in 2008 AD. Mustang Golf Course built at 4645 metres altitude in August 2022.
Lo Manthang Trekking is worth and amusing thousands of natural caves, Chorten, monasteries, forts, palaces and mountain villages. Korala Border is 21 kilometres far from Upper Mustang. The Jhampa Gompa (1387 AD) is called a replica of the Ghangtse Jhampa Gompa near Lhasa, Tibet. The first King, Tashi Gon, built Thupchen Gompa. King A-Ham Tshewang Phuntsok Tskgyen Norbu built Chhyoede Gompa (1757). Tourists charge 1000 Rupees to visit these three monasteries.
Five-storied, fascinating Jhong Cave has 40 rooms in Chhoser (1000 Rupees entrance), reached in a 2-hour hike (30-minute drive) from Lo Manthang. A day hike approaches Nyphu Cave Monastery. Damodar Kunda (4890 m) is one of the sacred places of world Hindus reached in a few days trek. Annual local celebrates 5th, 6th, and 7th May 2024 Tenchi (Teji), Losar, Saga Lug Ka, and Duk Chu festivals according to their calendar. The Amchi School is a village clinic. Limited-time tourists complete the Mustang trekking in 8 days with a day Jeep tour. Upper Mustang Jeep tour and horse riding are available without hiking. The best time to trek to Lo Manthang is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons with clear and stable weather.
Lo Manthang Rural Municipality in the Mustang district spreads over 727 sq. km with 1,899 people and five wards to the Tibet border. Upper Mustang is 89 km road distance from the district headquarters, Jomsom, which opened only in 1992 for foreigners. The six-meter high, one-meter wide and 856-meter length earthen wall was built by the Mustang dynasty's first King Amae Pal in the 15th century. The historical and archaeological importance of a dozen caves have historical scriptures representing Buddhist philosophy and practices. Lo Manthang served as the trade and transit point between Nepal and Tibet in past times. The Lobas (88%), inhabitants of Lo Manthang are closely related culturally and ethnically to the people of Western and Central Tibet. The culture is Sakyapa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, and numerous ancient festivals, rituals and ceremonies are practised.
The monuments inside the Walls Palace and Monasteries are Jampa Lakhang and Thupchen Lakhang from the 15th century and the monastery of Choede Lakhang from the 18th century. Several rows of mane walls and Chortens exist along with the settlement and the circumambulation paths outside the wall. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main occupations. Domestic animals are yaks, horses, goats and ships. The local's staple food is rice, lentils, barley, wheat and buckwheat, apple, peach, carrot, radish, cabbage, and cauliflower.
Mustang district is part of Gandaki Province, Nepal's second least population district beyond the Himalayas. The towering world's 7th highest Mountains, Dhaulagiri 8167 m, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Brikuti and Damodar Himalayas reveal breathtaking views. The religious and cultural importance of River Kali Gandaki, Muktinath Temple, Kagbeni, Apple villages Marpha and Tukuche are most popular among visitors. Pokhara to Korala Border road access made Upper Mustang the traveller's paradise. The eight-day trekking with a day jeep tour itinerary is below.
Day 01: Pokhara to Jomsom (2710 m), Kagbeni (2800 m) and Muktinath - 5/6 hours by flight and jeep
Day 02: Kagbeni to Chhusang (2920 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 03: Chhusang to Samar (3290 m) - 4/5 hours
Day 04: Samar to Geiling (3440 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 05: Geling to Tsarang (3600 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 06: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3840 m) - 4:30 hours
Day 07: Lo-Manthang to Jomsom by Jeep (88 km) - 7/8 hours
Day 08: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight (18 minutes)
Day 01: Pokhara to Jomsom (2710 m), Kagbeni (2800 m) and Muktinath - 5/6 hours by flight and jeep
The morning flight Pokhara-Jomsom offers a view of Annapurna, Pokhara, Sarangkot, Seti River, Dhaulagiri with glaciers and the deepest valley Kali Gandaki. Jomsom with Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri views is the district headquarters of Mustang situated at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. There is an army camp, police posts, shops, and hotels with electricity. A jeep or bus leaves for Muktinath Temple (22 km) which takes an hour driving. The bus stop near Rani Pauwa takes 25 minutes to reach Muktinath temple. Return to Rani Pauwa for lunch. Walk to the bus station at about 3 o'clock to book a bus ticket for Kagbeni. The bus leaves at 4:07 pm. Stay overnight at Kagbeni.
Day 02: Kagbeni to Chhusang (2920 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb the east bank of Kali Gandaki River with a view of the natural cave, Kang Gompa. The trek continues towards Tangbe village (2990 m) with Chorten, terraced fields, and Nilgiri view. This hiking continues to Chhuksang village with the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Narshing Khola. There is a salt mine above Narshing Khola. Stay overnight there.
Day 03: Chhusang to Samar (3290 m) - 4/5 hours
Cross a bridge over the Kali Gandaki River, and climb to Chele (3030 m) with a tea shop, and a terraced field of barley and wheat. Here are five villages, Chele, Ghyakar, Chhuksang, Tangbe, and Tetang. Climb uphill to a cairn (3480 m) with a view of Ghyakar, and descend gradually to the Chorten on the way to the Samar village with poplar trees, hotel, and stable with a view of Annapurna and Nilgiri. Stay overnight here.
Day 04: Samar to Geiling (3440 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb uphill to a ridge, and descend into a gorge with Chortens. The trail continues to a stream and a ridge descending to the Bhena. The hiking continues to a pass, then descends to Shyangmochhen (3650 m) with teashops. Climb gradually to a pass (3700 m) in the valley. Take a right, and descend to the Geiling with poplar trees, and barley field.
Day 05: Geling to Tsarang (3600 m) - 6/7 hours
Climb uphill through the Geling Valley to reach Tama Gaon and the Nyi La (3840 m). Descend continues and takes a left trail to Ghami village with whitewashed houses. Here are a police post, Gompa, potato field, and the red nunnery. The walk continues, crossing the Ghami Khola, then climbing uphill to Tsarang village with electricity, Mani walls, willow trees, and Red Gompa with a collection of paintings. There is a Five-storeyed fortress with 101 households. Stay overnight there.
Day 06: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3840 m) - 4:30 hours
Descend and cross Tsarang Chu, climb uphill steeply through a ridge and village (3530 m) toward Tholung Valley. Climb to a large Chorten between Charang and Lo. Cross a stream, and reach over a ridge (3850 m) with the view of Lo. Descending continues to cross a stream then climbs uphill to the Lo-Manthang with a police post, several monasteries, Chortens, the local King's palace, and a terraced field. Stay overnight here.
Day 07: Lo-Manthang to Jomsom by Jeep (88 km) - 7/8 hours
Take a jeep counter near Lotus Inn Hotel, which starts at 6:45 am. The jeep leaves at 8 to 9 in the morning. Lo Manthang to Chhusang takes almost 6 hours by Jeep. The jeep for Nepali cost 1500 Rupee and for tourists cost 3000 Rupee. The distance is 66 km with fair weather downhill road. Chhusang-Jomsom bus counter is situated across the stream. Jomsom takes almost 2 hours to drive, which is 22 km away. The jeep for Nepali costs 370 Rupees and the tourist costs 830 Rupees.
Day 08: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight (18 minutes)
The morning Jomsom-Pokhara offers a view of the Kali Gandaki River valley, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Ghorepani, Sarangkot, Phewa Lake with the World Peace Stupa and Pokhara Valley. Stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.
