Annapurna to Mustang Traverse via Teri La with Garry Weare

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 16.30 where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kitbag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out to dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight Radisson Hotel

Meals:  Nil

From Kathmandu we drive along the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway. We divert off the highway at the bustling town of Dumre. We follow the Marsyangdi valley to the bustling market of Besi Sahar, set on a plateau high above the river. Overnight Eco Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue our drive along a dirt track that winds high above the Marsyangdi river. We pass through secluded villages that once defined the route of the famous Annapurna Circuit. On reaching the village of Koto you will meet our staff and porters and prepare for the trekking stages ahead. This afternoon our local leader will endorse our trekking permits for the Nar Phu region at the local police station.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Koto the trail diverts and follows the Nar Phu river to our serene camp site –the upper Koto camp- set amid pine forest above the river. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the trekking routine while taking in views of Annapurna 2 (7932m) as well as a host of distant peaks that rise above the Nar Phu region.

Meals:  B,L,D

We ascend the Nar Phu Khola and enter a spectacular gorge with impressive waterfalls, to reach the substantial village of Meta that sometimes serves as a winter camp for the people from Nar. The ancient chortens and mani walls provide a constant reminder that we are entering a Buddhist region close to the Tibetan border. Just beyond Meta lies our camp at Nar Phedi.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Meta we cross the bridge over the Nar Phu Khola and head up a side valley to the village of Nar. It’s impressive country. The prosperous village comprises around 30 to 40 households with a history that can be traced to a time when there was lucrative trade between Manang (in the Marsyangdi valley) and borders of Tibet.

Meals:  B,L,D

A reserve day to assist acclimatisation that may be required as we head to base of Teri La or rest day at a later stage of the trek.

Meals:  B,L,D

From the ridge lined with prayers flags just above Nar we gain an initial impression of the route to Chaungseng Kharka. However, while the camp seems tantalisingly close it will take the best part of five hours trekking to complete. The descent is first, nearly 800m to the Labse Khola (the river flowing from the Saribung range that we follow for the next two stages). After following the course of the river for several km we commence a steep ascent to the meadow and spring line at Chaungseng where views to the Chulu peaks complete the panorama.

Meals:  B,L,D

While this stage continues to follow the course of the Labse Khola it necessitates further descents to the course of the river while at other times the trail ascends high above the valley floor. After approx four hours the trail reaches a bridge over the river where we can camp or continue for a further hour, with a steep ascent to an open-meadow. Villagers from Nar camp here during late spring when they harvest the highly sort after caterpillar fungus – the Yarsagumba – sold in China for its questionable medicinal properties.

Meals:  B,L,D

High above our trail golden eagles and lammergeier hover in the thermals while herds of bharal (blue sheep) are seen on the highest meadows, as we ascend the course of the Labse Khola. To reach camp necessitates crossing several fast flowing torrents to reach our base camp located on an extensive meadow just above the confluence of the Labse Khola and the tributary flowing from the Teri La.

Meals:  B,L,D

A big day. From camp we follow the course of the tributary that again requires crossing a number fast flowing streams. After trekking for approx three hours we reach a small meadows and potential high camp. After a short break we then complete the steep ascent that winds up to the prayers flags and rock cairns alongside the Teri La. The pass is a narrow defile that separates the headwaters of the Marsyangdi river from a source of the Mustang Khola that flows into the Kali Gandaki river. From the pass we head into Mustang. At first there is a steep descent to a plateau (potential campsite if the weather turns in). After a further welcome break our trail forges a way through extensive boulder and scree slopes to reach a vantage point high above the valley floor. widens with views to a cluster of peaks that form the Saribung Range. High above the ridge are a cluster of peaks that form the Saribung Range while way below our campsite offers a welcome reminder that this challenging stage is almost complete

Meals:  B,L,D

We have reserved two days to complete our descent to Tangge village. On the initial stages our trail winds through grazing meadows and stands of silver birch before reaching Kurano Kao where villagers from Tangge tend to their animals during the summer. Trek: 5-6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

A steep climb commences an exhilarating stage that ascends above the sheltered valley to an imposing ridgeline where we gain further views of the majestic peaks on the far side of the Mustang Khola. After three hours the location of Tangge village can be appreciated before we complete a long gradual descent to our camp village on the outskirts of the village.

Meals:  B,L,D

After visiting Tangge we undertake a gradual climb to a small pass to meet a dirt road extending from Tsarang on the far side of the Mustang valley. Our trail then winds down to a small irrigated site alongside the Dechyang Khola where we stop for lunch before a short but steep climb back up to a plateau leading to Yara village. If fortunate we gain unrivalled views of the high Dhaulagiri massif while to the east the snow- capped peaks of the Saribung range provide a formidable backdrop. Yara village is one of the largest in the area with a choice of comfortable campsites.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Yara we ascend a dirt trail to the ancient Luri gompa, enclosed in a tiny cave that houses an impressive statue of the Buddhist saint, Padmasambhava, the Guru Ringboche. Note, recent developments have placed restrictions on photography while entering the impressive cave (3880m). Beyond Luri we gradually ascend to the Amka La (4440m) to gain panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri before completing a short descent to the nomad settlement and campsite at Amka

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the next stages we explore a wild and rugged landscape that extends to the borderlands of Tibet. We follow trails linking isolated settlements and tiny gompas reflecting an abiding cultural affinity with Tibet. A land of vast plateaus, deep canyons and ancient rock caves in this remote corner of Upper Mustang. This is trekking in Mustang at its finest. From Amka camp the trail ascends over 700m to a windswept plateau with dramatic views extending to the borderlands of Tibet. A steep descent brings us to a valley bed with several stream crossing. We continue through an awesome canyons and past ancient mani walls as we complete our trek to Chod Zhong gompa. A visit to the 15th gompa is rewarded with its intricate wall painting that attract Buddhist scholars to this isolated corner of Mustang.

Meals:  B,L,D

We follow a trail lined with mani walls and chortens to an impressive river bed. It’s then a steep climb over 700m to a plateau and impressive views of a host of snow-capped peaks that form the Annapurna massif. Flocks of sheep and goats roam the high plateau while at night the wire corrals provide protection from wolves and the lone snow leopard. A descent to the sheltered encampment in the vicinity of Sam Dzong (border fortress) completes this stage. Due to water shortage some of the villagers have recently located to nearby settlement at Namashung leaving only a handful of families living at Sam Dzong to eke out a living. A visit to the ancient burial caves add a further dimension to this remarkable trek.

Meals:  B,L,D

We make our way across the river beds before commencing yet another steep ascent to Sam Dzong La (4050m) where we gain more dramatic views that extend to Lo Manthang and the peaks and ridges beyond upper Mustang’s historic capital while to the east we gain unsurpassed views of the Saribung Range. The trail then descends gradually to the outlying fields and settlements leading to the village of Chosar. Note: If we still have our contingency day we remain at Chosar and visit the remarkable cliff caves in the vicinity of the village before driving to Lo the following morning In Lo we explore the walled city including a visit to the four main gompas, including the Thubchen built in the late 15th century that has been extensively renovated in the last decade with intricate wall paintings restored by local artists. The vibrant markets are a further attraction displaying traditional arts and crafts that reflect the capital’s deep seated Tibetan history.

Meals:  B,L,D

One the most spectacular drives in Nepal. Shortly after leaving Lo Manthang we pass Tsarang, the former capital of upper Mustang and the historic town of Ghemi before continuing through villages that less than a decade ago were linked by foot trails. As we head south the rugged landscape beneath to the Saribung peaks can be appreciated while panoramic views of the Annapurna and Saribung ranges are a reminder of our location north of the Great Himalaya. After three to four hours our cars descend to cross the Kali Gandaki river to village of Chhusang. It’s a further hour to the check post at Kagbeni before we complete the drive to our lodge at Jomsom and a well-earned hot shower. Overnight Eco lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We conclude our journey with an exhilarating flight through the Kali Gandaki gorge that separates the 8000m Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. At Pokhara we board another aircraft for yet another spectacular flight, this time along the Himalaya range past the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang ranges. On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to our hotel. Overnight Radisson Hotel

Meals:  B

We have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling markets and significant landmarks. You may wish to explore the city’s two most important World Heritage listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you can wander the markets and bookshops in Thamel or explore some of the city’s significant sites including Swayambhunath (Monkey temple) or the World Heritage listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Overnight Radisson Hotel

Meals:  B

After breakfast trip concludes with a transfer to the airport

Meals:  B