The Kingdom of Mustang

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 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  Nil

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town. Overnight: hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we board a scenic flight to Jomsom, the start of our trek and where we will meet our trekking crew. After a long journey from our respective homes we have a half day walk to stretch the legs that brings us to Kagbeni, an impressive village that is our gateway to Mustang. To pass beyond this point we will need a special Mustang permit. We will meet our liaison officer and the crew will prepare for tomorrow's crossing into Mustang. Overnight: Eco-Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

From Kagbeni we enter the kingdom of upper Mustang. We begin to appreciate the remarkable change of geography north of the Great Himalaya divide. The lush verdant landscape gives way to a stark almost desert like land interspersed with whitewashed settlements set in the midst of thriving barley and wheat fields defined by main walls and distinctive chortens reflecting the kingdoms rich and abiding Buddhist heritage. After reaching Chhusang the road crosses the Kali Gandaki river before it gradually ascends to Tsarang, the former capital of upper Mustang. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

An exhilarating day. After visiting the ancient fort and nearby gompa we head off to visit Ghar gompa, the oldest monastery in upper Mustang. We drive and then walk to the ancient site set in verdant meadows and sweeping views across to the Damodar range. The exquisite gompa dates back to the 8th century before Buddhism had established its foothold in Tibet and houses many priceless statues and tangkas of Buddhist deities and protectors. In the afternoon we complete the short drive to Lo Manthang, the capital of upper Mustang. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

The next 2 days you are free to explore the cultural centre of Lo Manthang and experience the Tiji Festival celebrations. Tiji festival is a historical Buddhist festival held over three days in the third Tibetan month to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. This festival is celebrated annually and is one of the most revered festivals that symbolises the hope and strength of the people in the Upper Mustang region. Each morning starts with monks assembling in the monastery offering prayers to the Vajrakilaya, the deity who embodies enlightenment. The festival continues in the afternoon with performances by vibrant masked dancers in the public square amidst prayers and chants. Each day depicts a major topic with each dance representing a deeper theme. The town is also home to 3 major Gompas and the Palace to Raja and his Rani (queen). Although the Raja’s function is now primarily ceremonial, he is seen as a person who can help people resolve local issues. The town itself is fascinating, and offers countless opportunities to observe the traditional Tibetan culture. An optional side trip is available either on horse or jeep to the nearby Chosar Village. Chosar is a remarkable location with towering red-cliffs with caves that were inhabited as far back as 2,500 years ago. If you would like to avail of this, let your leader know so it can be arranged for you, advance notice is required, provided there are at least 6 travellers the side trip is without additional cost. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

From Lo Manthang the trial winds down to the impressive cave of Makchung that marks the upper headwaters of the Mustang Khola (Kali Gandaki) before following the tributary to a small sheltered campsite, Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

We trek towards to high altitude grazing pastures at Amka. We follow the course of the Chaka Khola gaining ever impressive views of the Damodar Range to our camp where shepherds from local villages graze their flocks of sheep and goats through the summer. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

From Amka we gradually ascend to the Amka La (4440m). From the north we gain spectacular views of the wild and rugged Damodar Range while sweeping views to the south extend to the Annapurna ranges and the Dhaulagiri massif. We descend steeply in places to Luri gompa, one of the most celebrated gompas in upper Mustang. The main temple is carved out of a limestone cliff that houses intricate wall paintings depicting the Buddhist protectors and deities dating back to the 15th century. A repository of learning that has long attracted pilgrims and scholars to this isolated corner of the Himalaya. Note there is a need to preclude photography inside the cave. Luri gompa honours Padmasambhava, the Guru Ringpoche and is believed to one of the oldest cave temples in Mustang. We then descend gradually to the substantial Yara village. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

We commence a gradual ascent to a plateau to gain further views of the views of the high peaks of the Annapurna Range as well as the 8000m Dhaulagiri massif. After taking in the vast landscape we descend a deep gorge to our campsite alongside the Dechyang Khola. Overnight: Camping.

Meals:  B,L,D

A short stage to ensure we have time to explore this fascinating village. From camp we ascent to a ridge line directly opposite Tsarang before a long, gradual descent to Tangge. The village entrance is characterised by well-established chortens while the villagers graze their sheep and yaks in the high pasters throughout the long summer days. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trail ascends steeply in places to our campsite at Paha. As we ascend we take in a complete panorama of peaks that extend north towards Tibet while to the east are the impressive Damodar range with myriad of snow capped 6000m peaks. To the south we see the mighty Annapurna range including the distinctive peak of Nilgiri. Water is in short supply in the vicinity of the campsite that we may share with local herders, however our excellent Nepali team are on hand to ensure the needs of the group are met. Overnight: Camping

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we complete the descent to Chhusang, gradual at first before a steeper drop to the village of Chhusang. As we descend we gain ever more impressive views of the Kali Gandaki river and the villages and settlements that we passed on our initial days drive through upper Mustang. We then drive to Kagbeni where are permits are checked before continuing to Jomsom where we bid farewell to our crew. Overnight: Eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This is a fantastic way to conclude our journey. The spectacular flight down the Kali Gandaki that defies description with the huge mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges towering above us. At Pokhara we board another aircraft for yet another spectacular mountain flight, this time along the face of the Himalaya past the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang ranges. On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B

After breakfast trip concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Meals:  B