A representative from Himalaya Trekking Team will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport upon your arrival and transfer you to your hotel.

After a short briefing with our trekking guides, you begin your sightseeing tour, using private transportation. The Kathmandu Valley is home to no less than seven World Heritage sites. Accompanied by your guide, you visit three of them: the famous Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath temples.

Early in the morning, we take a tourist bus to Pokhara [884m], a 200-kilometre journey along a very scenic route. If you prefer, you can fly instead. Your guide will transfer you to your Lakeside hotel. You will then have the rest of the day to relax and explore Nepal’s second largest town, wandering along the shores of Phewa Lake and absorbing magnificent views of the entire Annapurna range, Manaslu [8156m], Machhapuchhare [6993m] and Dhaulagiri [8167m].

Flight time: 20 minutes / Driving: approximately 7-8 hours.

Early in the morning, we take a 25-minute scenic flight to Jomsom [2720m], Mustang's administrative headquarters. In Jomsom, we have breakfast and begin our trek, walking on slowly rising, sometimes windy paths along the Kali Gandaki River, past the small settlement of Ekle Bhatti [2740m] and all the way to Kagbeni [2800m]. Lying at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Khola, Kagbeni was originally surrounded by a defensive wall. Two female and male clay khenis or ghost eaters, remains of ancient Bön traditions, still guard its gates at each end of the village. Kagbeni is also home to an impressive Buddhist monastery and the ruined Kag Khar fort, which once housed 108 rooms.

Flight time: 25 minutes.
Trekking: 3 hours.

At the northern end of the village, a police checkpost marks the beginning of the restricted area. We have our special permits stamped and take our very first steps into the Kingdom of Mustang, climbing along the east bank of the Kali Gandaki until we reach the village of Chhuksang [3050m], with spectacular views of red organ-pipe eroded cliffs and inaccessible caves. After crossing the river, we head towards a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki flows. We keep on going, leaving the Kali Gandaki Valley, and climb steeply up a rocky gully to Chele [3100m].

Trekking: 5-6 hours.

We continue our trek and climb through plateaus and narrow stretches to the Taklam La [3624m], with breathtaking views of Tilicho Peak [7132m] and Yakawa Kang [6482m]. After crossing the Dajori La [3630m], we descend slowly to the village of Samar [3620m] where we have lunch. We then climb above Samar to another ridge before descending steeply to a stream. A further 3-hour walk through similar up-and-down terrain, across the Bhena La [3830m] and Beg La [3840m], takes us to Syangboche [3850m]. Or, from Samar, we can also take an alternative route through amazing canyons to visit the famous Ranchung Cave, also known as Chungsi Cave, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. A single monk now cares for this holy site, reached via a steep 10-minute climb above the Syangboche Khola.

Trekking: 6-7 hours.

After breakfast, we start our trek with an uphill walk to the Syangboche La [3850m]. Passing typical Tibetan villages, houses and imposing chortens painted in red, yellow, black and white, we climb to the highest point of our trek thus far, the Nyi La [4020m], and descend steeply to the village of Ghami [3510m] where we break for lunch. The trail then drops to the Ghami Khola. We cross it and continue uphill past a spectacular 305-metre-long mani wall, one of the longest in Nepal, to the Choya La [3870m]. Here we begin a pleasant, gentle descent to Charang [3560m], with its spectacular gompa, chorten and five-storey dzong.

Trekking: 7-8 hours.

Crossing a stunning desert-like landscape, we follow an easy trail to the recently restored Sungda Chorten and climb across the Lo La [3950m]. Finally, we catch our first sight of the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang [3840m] and its imposing four-storied palace, home of the last King of Mustang (Raja) or Lo Gyelbu, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (d.2016). A descent through the plateau of Lo-Manthang takes us to the city's only entrance. We spend the afternoon at the Tiji Festival, which begins today.

Trekking: 4-5 hours.

There is so much to see in the nearby Chhosar Valley. After breakfast, we take a jeep excursion to the Jhong cave complex, an amazing multistorey structure of interconnected dwellings reached by ladders and thought to be 2500 years old, and to Nyphu Gompa [3760m], carved into the side of a soaring cliff near the village of Garphu [3897m]. The afternoon will be spent in Lo-Manthang. The town, founded in 1440 by the first King of Lo, Amedpal (1388-1447), is surrounded by a 6-metre-high and 725-metre-long wall with massive square towers. Within these walls are some of Nepal’s finest and largest Tibetan Buddhist gompas. We can visit Thubchen Lakhang, Jampa Lhakhang, Chhoede Gompa and Choprang Gompa, as well as the royal palace, and then watch the masked monks of Chhoede Gompa perform ritual dances at the Tiji Festival.

Again, plenty of options this morning. We can visit the King’s summer palace in Thinggar [4030m] or Mustang’s largest monastery, perched on a hillside above the village of Namgyal [3870m], known as the Monastery of Victory. Alternatively, we can climb to a viewpoint on a hill just north of Lo-Manthang for stunning panoramas of the entire valley. In the afternoon, we say put in Lo-Manthang to watch the final celebrations of the Tiji Festival outside the King’s palace and then outside the city walls, where demons will be banished amidst loud cries and the firing of muskets.

Walking in the morning to avoid dust, we take a different route out of Lo-Manthang [3840m]. The trail first climbs steadily to the Chogo La [4230m], the highest point on our trek. Then, it’s an easy downhill to Ghar Gompa [3920m], with its amazing painted carved stones. Built in the 8th century, this is one of the oldest active gompas in Nepal. Legend has it that anyone who makes a wish there will see it fulfilled. Give it a try! Going further down the valley, we cross the Mui La [4170m]. The trail then drops down a steep eroded gully overshadowed by red rock towers to the upper part of Dhakmar [3820m]. According to legend, the dramatic cliffs above the village, dotted with ancient cave dwellings, were stained red by the blood of the Balmo, a huge demoness that Guru Rinpoche defeated in a duel.

Trekking: 6-7 hours.

We carry on an easy trail past the village Ghami [3510m] and its spectacular 305-metre-long mani wall, across the Nyi La [4020m], all the way to Ghiling [3570m]. After lunch, we enjoy the rest of the day exploring the area.

Trekking: 5-6 hours.

We start our day with a slow climb to the Syangboche La [3850m]. Retracing our steps across the Bhena La [3830m] and Beg La [3840m], with fine view of the snowy Himalayan peaks above, we reach the village of Samar [3620m] a few hours later. From there, we make our descent to Chhuksang [3050m], trekking downstream via the village of Chele [3100m].

Trekking: 5-6 hours.

Our last day of trekking will be a long one. We start early, following the Kali Gandaki, and return to Kagbeni where the Upper Mustang trail ends and our special permits expire. After lunch, we rejoin the normal Annapurna circuit route and head to Jomsom [2720m], where we spend the night. If you have an extra day, your guide can take you to the ancient pilgrimage site of Muktinath [3800m], a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists.

Trekking: 6-7 hours.

After an early morning breakfast, we walk to the airport and check in for our return journey to Pokhara, a dramatic flight between two huge mountains: Annapurna [8091m] and Dhaulagiri [8167m]. After landing, your guide will transfer you to your Lakeside hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to further explore Pokhara.

Flight time: 20 minutes.

After breakfast, we start our 200-kilometre drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Sit on the left-hand side of the vehicle if you can. It offers better views of the scenery. In the evening, we get together around a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of our journey together, with traditional dance and music.

Driving: approximately 7-8 hours.

Your Nepali adventure comes to an end today. Approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight, a representative from Himalaya Trekking Team will escort you to the airport and bid you farewell, until your next visit!