Hidden Kingdom Upper Mustang Teahouse/Lodge Trek

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, airport pick up , drive to hotel, overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 02: Sightseeing Kathmandu (Swayambunath, Durbar Square), welcome dinner in the evening, overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 03: Sightseeing in Kathmandu  (Pashupatinath, oudanath), overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 04: Drive by simple tourist bus from Kathmandu (1,350 m) to Pokhara (884 m) (6 - 7 h), Drive by taxi from bus park to hotel, overnight stay in Pokhara 
Day 05: Airport drop by taxi, domestic flight from Pokhara (884 m) to Jomsom (2,720 m) (approx. 30 min.), breakfast in Jomsom, walk from Jomsom (2,720 m) to Marpha (2,670 m) (ca. 3 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/ lodge 
Day 06: Walk from Marpha via Jomsom and via Ekle Bhatti (2,740 m) to Kagbeni (2,900 m) (ca. 6 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 07 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Kagbeni (2,900 m) via Tangbe (3,060 m) and Chhusang (2,980 m) to Chele (3,100 m) (7 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge
Day 08 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Chele (3,100 m) to Syangmochen (3,800 m) (8 h), crossing  Chele La 3,630 m, Bhena La 3,830 m and Yamda La 4,010 m (La is Tibetan and signifies pass), Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge
Day 09 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Syangmochen (3,800 m) via Tamagaon (3,710 m), Chhunggar (3,750 m) and Jhaite (3,820 m) crossing Nyi La (4,020 m) and Ghami La (3,765 m) to Ghami (3,510 m) (5 h),  in the afternoon free time to discover the village Ghami on your own, Overnight stay in teahouse/ lodge 
Day 10 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Ghami (3,510 m) crossing Chinggel (Tsarang, Choya) La (3,870 m) to Tsarang (3,560 m) (4 h), in the afternoon visit the monastery and former King´s Palace, Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 11 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Tsarang (3,560 m) crossing Lo (Day) La (3,950 m) to Lo Manthang (3,840 m) (5 h), in the afternoon free time to discover the King´s city Lo Manthang on your own, Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 12 (Mustang Permit): Rest day in Lo Manthang. Visit four monasteries and the museum in Lo Manthang (Thupchen Gompa (15^th century), Jampa Lhakhang = Chapel /House of goddess (14^th century), Chode Gompa (Dragkar-Thegchen Ling Gompa) (13^th century) and Choprang Gompa = New Gompa ). Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 13 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Lo Manthang (3,840 m) crossing  one pass without name (4,200 m) to Ghar Gompa (3,920 m). Lunch break and visit monastery in Ghar Gompa. Crossing Muila Bhanjyang (4,170 m) to Dhakmar (3,820 m) (8 h),  Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 14 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Dhakmar (3,820 m) via Ghami (3,510 m) (Alternative Route) crossing Ghami La (3,765 m) and  Nyi La (4,010 m) further via Jhaite (3,820 m) to Geling (3,570 m) (5 - 6 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge 
Day 15 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Geling (3,570 m) crossing Syangmochen La (3,850 m) to Syangmochen (3,800 m) and via Chorate (3,824 m) to Samar (3,620 m) (alternative route) (5 – 6 h),  Visit Ranchung Cave, Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge
Day 16 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Samar (3,620 m) crossing Chele La (3,630 m) via Chele (3,100 m) to Chhusang (2,980 m) (4 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/ lodge 
Alternative:  Walk from Samar (3,620 m) crossing Chele La (3,630 m) via Chele (3,100 m) to Tetang (3,040 m) (6 - 7 h), Overngiht stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 17 (Mustang Permit): Walk from Chhusang (2,980 m) via Tangbe (3,060 m) and via Dzong to Ranipauwa (3,700 m) (6 - 7 h),  Overnight stay in teahouse/lodge,
Alternative: Walk from Tetang via Gyu La Pass (4,077 m) to Ranipauwa (3,700 m) (8 h), Overngiht stay in teahouse/lodge
Day 18:  In the morning short walk from Ranipauwa to Muktinath (3,800 m), visit the temple,  Walk from Muktinath via Lupa to Jomsom (2,720 m) (6 - 7 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/ lodge, Alternative: In the morning short walk from Ranipauwa to Muktnath (3,800 m), visit the temple, Walk from Muktinath via Jharkkot (3,550 m) and via Ekle Bhatti to Jomsom (5 - 6 h), Overnight stay in teahouse/Lodge
Day 19: Domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, Airport pick up by taxi to hotel, free day in Pokhara,  overnight stay in Pokhara 
Day 20: Drive by simple tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu (6 -7 h),  overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu,  overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 22: Drive to airport, departure 

Additional information

Tour- Highlights:

• Discover  Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu (UNESCO World Heritage)
• 14 days teahouse trek in Mustang region
• Visit former  kingdom of Mustang
• Walk through eroded desert canyons
• Fascinating mountain views to  Machhapuchare (6,993 m), Dhaulagiri  (8,167 m), Annapurna I   (8,091 m), Annapurna South  (7,229 m), Dampus Peak (6,012 m), Baraha Shikhar (7,647 m)

Tour details:

The Kathmandu Valley is divided into three regions:  Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan) and Baktapur. In contrast to Kathmandu, Baktapur and Lalitpur are ancient regions. Each of these regions has its own cultural heritage and they are of equal historical importance.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the main centre for hotels, restaurants and shops. In this city, the modern, the ancient and the historical stand side by side. Modern restaurants, bars, hotels with swimming pools, sauna and Internet can be found, but also old squares with narrow roads, tiny little shops, old temples that are 2,000 years old, stone gods and old houses with wonderfully carved peacock windows..

Pokhara
The name "Pokhara" means "Valley of the Lakes" and is derived from Pokhari, which translated means "lake". In the Pokhara Valley there are eight lakes altogether (Phewa, Begnas, Rupa, Maidi, Khaste, Gunde, Dipang and Kamal Pokhari).
Pokhara lies approx. 200 km west of Kathmandu and is best reached by bus (tourist bus) or by plane. Although the bis drive (Kathmandu – Pokhara) which takes about 5 to 6 hours, is considerably longer than the flight which only takes 35 minutes, it is advisable to go by bus at least once, due to the wonderful scenery. Pokhara lies at an altitude of 884 m and is warmer than Kathmandu. The relaxing atmosphere of the Phewa Lake and the fascinating views of the holy mountain, the "Macchapuchhre“ (Fish Tail – 6,993 m), the Matterhorn of Nepal, invite you to linger a while.

Marpha (2,670 m)
Marpha – well known as an apple paradise - is a large, well preserved village with traditional, narrow and paved avenues and runs.  The inhabitants belong to the ethnic group of the Thakalis.  Locally produced apple cider and fruit canned food as well as apple, apricot or peach  liquor (Nepalese:  Rakshi) are available in Marpha. 

Kagbeni (2,900 m)
With the clay houses, which are constructed close to each other, the dark buildings and avenues Kagbeni looks like a medieval village.  One Choerten (Buddhist monument/Stupa) and a large monastery lie above the city.  Kagbeni is named also the gate to Upper Mustang. 
A visit of the Kagchode Thubten Sampheling Gompa, a Sakyapa monastery estabilished in 1429 and surrounded by impressive red walls is recommendable.  In the main hall some costumes and Kangling (trumpets) as well as a 500 years old text written in golden ink, are shown.

 Muktinath (3,800 m)
The main part of the village Muktinath is well known as Ranipauwa (3,710 m).  The large temple and the religious shrines can be reached on foot in 15 minutes.  For Hindus and for Buddhists, Muktinath is a sacred place and it is very famous for pilgrimage in Nepal.  It is believed that sacred water flows in 108 pipes around the temple. 

Sightseeing possibilities in Pokhara

Barahi Temple
The two-storey Hindu Barahi Temple in pagoda style that lies on an island in the middle of the Phewa Lake, is the most important sanctuary in Pokhara and can be reached by boot. The Temple is dedicated to Ajima, the protector of the Goddess Shakti, in the manifestation of the boar. Shakti in the Hindu religion, is the Mother Goddess who embodies universal creativity and female power. On feast days, animals are sacrificed to her.

World Peace Stupa
The Buddhist World Peace Pagoda is a significant landmark in the region and lies at an altitude of 1,113 m on the mountain ridge, Anadu Danda, on the other side of the Lake, and it is one of the most beautiful destinations for excursions in the Pokhara region. The way to the World Peace Stupa commences on the quiet south bank of the lake, which can be reached most easily by boat. From the stupa there are splendid views of the surroundings. This stupa was built by a Japanese organisation in memory of the pioneer of peace, Siddhartha Gautama! Buddha, to spread the message of peace. In the four shrines around the stupa, Lord Buddha is shown in the four most important phases in his life – his birth in Lumbini/Nepal, the enlightenment in Boddhagaya/India, his first sermon in Saranath/India and his death in Kushinagar/India. The foundation stone was laid in 1973. However, the advanced building structure was completely destroyed in 1974 due to the urban and regional planning by the government. The Buddhists however, felt very emotionally attached to this place and continued to carry out their religious worship, services and rituals. In 1992, the foundation stone was laid once again by the then Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala. The inaugural ceremony took place on 30th October, 1999.

Devi's Fall  (Patala Chhango) - there is a  modern legend in connection with this interesting waterfall. The locals say that in 1961 a Swiss tourist called Mrs. Devi drowned here while she was swimming in one of the pools. The Phewa Lake flows downwards here to form the Pardi Khola (river) and disappears underground. The dam - which had just been built - had suddenly opened and she was swept away by the torrent of water.

Sarangkot (1,590 m) lies high up on the mountain ridge, north of the Phewa Valley and is by far the most popular view point in the Pokhara surroundings. Sarangkot comes from the language of the ethnic Magar group. 'Sarang' means sword and 'kot' is the defense position and storage place for arms and ammunition. From above one can enjoy a splendid view of the lake, and the views of the snow-covered mountains at sunrise are really spectacular.

Includes / Excludes

Included:

• All transfers (Usually by private vehicle) according to tour plan (incl. transport during sightseeing)
• Map
• Accommodation (double room) in Kathmandu, in Pokhara and in simple teahouses/lodges during the trekking tour *)
• Entrance fees in Kathmandu
• Entrance fees in Mustang (visit of monasteries and King)
• Special trekking permit for Upper Mustang (11 days, US $ 550) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
• English speaking travel/city guide in Kathmandu
• English speaking guide and porter during the trekking tour
• Food (full board) incl. country typical drinks (coffee, tea) during the trekking tour
• Domestic flights Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara
• Airport Tax
• Breakfast in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
• Welcome-Dinner in Kathmandu

Not included:

• Visa for Nepal
• Alcohol, soft drinks, mineral water during the trekking tour
• Extra charges for recharging camera or mobile batteries during the trekking tour
• Extra charges for hot shower during the trekking tour
• Extra charges for camera use
• Expenses for horse ride in Mustang
• All kind of drinks in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
• Food (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Food and drinks during the bus drive from Kathmandu – Pokhara and Pokhara – Kathmandu
• Other domestic flights
• Excess baggage charges domestic flights
• Travel- and health insurance
• Emergency transport / emergency evacuation
• Tips (for driver, city guide trekking guide and porter)
• Personal expenses
• Flight from home country to Kathmandu and back

*) single supplement charge has to be added, if requested.