Tibetan Heartland Upper Mustang Yartung Festival

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fiberfill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals:  Nil

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara. Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest town and in good weather we are greeted with sights of the entire Annapurna Range. We’re met by our jeeps where we load our gear and begin the drive to Tatopani, staying a short stroll to the hot springs. Drive approx 3-4 hours Overnight Tatopani Lodge, Tatopani

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we continue on our drive, leaving Tatopani via Jomsom and Kagbeni to reach Chuggsang on the banks of the mighty Kali Gandaki River. Here at the gateway to Upper Mustang, we collect our restricted area permits. Drive approx 5-6 hours Overnight Lodge, Chuggsang

Meals:  B,L,D

Drive to Ghemi via Samar where we’ll stop on the way for tea and meet with a local family. We pass dramatic red organ-pipe eroded cliffs, and explore the old part of the village en route. In Ghemi we’ll explore the ruins of the old palace. Drive approx 3-4 hours Overnight Lodge, Ghemi

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue by jeep to the 15th century walled city of Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is situated on a high altitude plateau with white washed walls enclosing around 150 homes, gompas and a palace. Drive approx 2 - 3 hours Overnight Lodge, Lo Manthang

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 1 of Yartung is Boys Day, which begins with an auspicious welcome for the Lama or Khenpo, who leads the parade ahead of the royal family members, on a horse decorated with finery such as intricately woven decorative blankets and elaborate horse trappings. The Khenpo guides a riderless or ‘empty’ horse which is meant for the deities. They call to the protective deities of the village by crying out “Lhagyal Lo’ several times. In late afternoon exuberant locals display their horsemanship on a track at the edge of the village. The villagers cheer them on with much merriment, traditional singing, dancing and drinking of chang, a local spirit made from fermented barley. The horse riders demonstrate death-defying wild riding skills by racing at breakneck speed and throwing rocks at stationary targets. With nerves of steel, they hang precariously from their horses to snatch up khatas (ceremonial scarves) from the ground. The excitement is palpable.

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 2 of Yartung is Girls Day and is called “Kyi Pal ma”. Girls are honoured by their families and other villagers, served chang and tea, and perform songs and dances unique to the village. Wine and grain are offered to the gods along with the burning of incense. The offerings are performed to remove obstacles.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we set off early to ride to Chosar village. On the way we’ll climb the ruins of Khechoe Dzong built around 1380 by Ame Pal, the first King of Mustang. From here you can see all the way to the Tibetan border. In Chosar village we will see a cultural showcase where the ladies wear the most extraordinary traditional dresses in all Upper Mustang. Overnight simple lodge in Chosar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we walk up through Chosar village passing the house where the 17th Karmapa took refuge on his escape from Chinese-ruled Tibet in 2000. We’ll meet our Tibetan ponies to the north of the village then walk or ride toward the Tibetan border, passing Nyamdo (4,168m) and the nomad grazing pastures and small settlement of Chumjung (4,170m) approx. (2 hours’ walk). Tibetan is spoken in this particular village. We meander toward the settlement of Kimaling, where we may witness the wool yarn dyeing that takes place here. We then meet our vehicles and drive through a dramatic landscape past Thinggar to Namgyal, visiting it’s ancient monastery. Overnight Lodge, Lo Manthang

Meals:  B,L,D

The morning is spent exploring the walled city. After lunch we head off on an excursion through a stunning landscape to visit the nomads with their herds of goats and yaks. We witness the handling and milking of the goats and watch the sun set over this atmospheric landscape. Return to Lo Manthang early evening for overnight. Overnight Lodge, Lo Manthang

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we drive to the royal capital of Tsarang. On arrival in Tsarang we will meet Tsewang Jonden Bista, the nephew of the Last King of Mustang. Tsewang who was born and bred in Tsarang has an in-depth knowledge of the local customs and traditional practices and because of his connections you’ll have a royal insight into the region and access to places and people many tourists could only imagine. Overnight Maya's Heritage Inn (owned by Tsewang Bista, our cultural attache)

Meals:  B,L,D

We have a full day in Tsarang today to explore the Palace and Lekshey Choeling nunnery. Later we will visit the magnificent monastery for a welcome puja. Overnight Lodge, Tsarang

Meals:  B,L,D

We bid farewell to Tsarang and drive to Ghemi via Lo Gekar, visiting the 10th century Ghar Gompa which is one of the oldest active gompas in Nepal. We follow stunning ridgelines toward the Kali Gandaki river where we’re afforded dramatic views of deep gorges and ancient rock formations. Overnight Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue our descent to Jomsom today in our 4x4 jeeps where we visit the ancient Guru Rinpoche monastery and see some incredible artefacts from 14th and 15th century Tibet. Overnight Lodge, Jomsom

Meals:  B,L,D

This is a fantastic way to conclude our journey. The spectacular flight down the Kali Gandaki defies description. The huge mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges tower above us as we retrace the valley we explored 2 weeks ago. 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 our hotel.

Meals:  B

Today has been set aside for a free day to explore Kathmandu at your leisure. A half day sightseeing tour can be booked on request at an additional charge. Overnight Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals:  B

Your trip concludes today. This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flights.

Meals:  B