Trekking in Nepal
Upper Mustang Trekking in Nepal
Upper mustang trekking in Nepal Mustang
is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom which lies in the northern central
part of Nepal and at the top of the Kali Gandaki River. Upper Mustang
consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern
where the languages, culture and traditions are alike to those of the
Tibetan people. This area is consider as one of the most interesting
and picturesque places in Nepal. The whole area has an isolated and
mystical feel to it, enchanting and inspiring visitors to this region.
The
trek to Lo- Manthang is through high altitude desert country climbing
in and out of the huge sided valley of the Kali Gandaki. In places the
gorgewhich the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the
world. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist
Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with quaint white washed
houses.
Facts of the Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Best season: March, April, May, June, July, August, September,October and November
Per day walking: 5 – 6 hours
Type of Trek: Teahouse & Camping
Duration: 13-18 days
Maximum Elevation: 4320m
Explore the ancient Himalayan Kingdom:# Interesting and picturesque places
# World Deepest gorge
# Buddhist monasteries
# Ancient and isolated village
# Unique culture and Tradition
Trekking Itinerary:
(Please
Note: If the Below schedule does not meet your need and interest, I
can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.)
Day
1: Kagbeni – Chele: 7 hours 2800 m -
3050 m 18 km.
Today we climbs quite steeply up into a jumble gullies and small towers,
zigzagging to a viewpoint over Kagbeni with Nilgiri providing a dazzling white
fluted back drop from the Kagbeni checkpost. The trail keeps to the east bank
of Kali Gandaki River, climbing and descending. We lunch at Tange village the
first village from Kagbeni to meet about 4 hours walk. It is also the Mongolian
village where the all villagers are mixture of Gurung, Thakali and some
families from the land of Lo. From Tanbe the trail again climbs to a high point
around 3100 m. The trail then drops steeply and undulates along the east bank
of Kali Gandaki for 1 ½ hours to the village of Chhuksang, from Chhuksang we
can see the Chele. After a short walk along the river bank, there is a solid
bridge across the Kali Gandaki at the point where it tunnels. Its way under a
vast block of red sandstone, from here it is a short sharp climb to Chele 3
hours walk after lunch.
Day 2: Chele – Syanbochen 6 hours 3050m -
3820 m.
The path climbs steeply up to a plateau region through a small tunnel like
gully, climbing more. Gradually, the village of Ghyakar appears to the west as
the path rounds a corner. The view South offers a panorama of Nilgiri, Tilicho
peak and Yakawa Kang. The peak that dominates the Thorongla Pass on the
Annapurna circuit. To the far-east the range of the Damodar Danda show peaks is
visible. From the pass it is a short descent to Samar, a pleasant settlement in
a grove of willows with good running water in irrigation channels. We get Samar
village after 3 hours from Chele . It is the lunch place. After leaving Samar
the trails dives steeply for about 70 m into a deep side canyon. Inevitably it
is a short steep climb out and after a brief respite it dives again into
another side canyon. This second climb is steeper and longer. After about 2
hours walk from Samar, the trail reaches 3750 m and descends slightly to the
first tea house. The second tea houses can be seen in the distance is called Eklo Bhatte, but once
more the trails dives into another steep canyon and it will take a further hour
to reach it. The trail climbs gently to a small pass at 3870m with views directly below into deep eroded canyons; which is one of the beautiful cave monasteries. About 1 1/4 hours from camp, is the tea shop of Syangmochen,. This place is known as Syanbochen . This is our camping place.
Day 3:Syanbochen – Ghami 6 hours 3520m.
After gentle climb levels out to a Chorten (3700m. 2 hours) and the
first view of Gelling villages below (3500m). From here the path descends
gradually into another less severe qully and climbs out to a collection of
houses for lunch after 2 1/2 hours. Geling would be a good camping spot, with a
monastery, Chorten and fairly extensive flat fields. From the lunch spot the
trail continues round above Gelling and starts the long climb to the Nyi pass at
3950m. A long descent, out of the wind, takes us down more steeply to Ghami
3520m. 11/2 hours from lunch.
Day 4: Ghami – Tsarang 6 hours 3520 m3500m
11 km.
From the Gompa in Ghami two tracks level down into a gully east of the village,
one steeply past a trio of red, black and white Chortens that are a common
sight in upper Mustang. At the bottom of the qully are two bridges across the
river, there is a direct path to this point not visiting Ghami. The trail
climbs onto a gently sloping plateau and passes beside a very long mani wall,
about 1/2 hour, from Ghami , from the end of the wall, the trail heads east
away from a very dramatic red eroded canyon wall towering above the village of
Tramar in the distance, climbing steadily an altitude of 3770m is reached after
about 2 hours from Ghami. The descent to Tsarang is mostly gentle and completed
in a further 2 hours.
Day 5: Tsarang – Lo-Manthang 5 hours 3500
m - 3700m. 13 km.
The trail leaves Tsarang to the northwest and once clears of the village drops
steeply into the Tsarang Chu canyon. After crossing the river, the route is
initially very steep up a stony trach. As we round the corner and heads north ,
a fine view of the great white Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho and
Annapurna I behind Brikuti peak is visible to the south east, the trail climbs
gently along the west side of a side valley to an isolated chorten at 3620 m. 2
hours from Tsarang. A further hour takes us to 3700 m with some spectacular
caves high up in the cliffs to the east. Having climbed to around 3850 m. a
pass is reached and through a narrow ‘window ‘at the Summit the view ahead
opens out to display the western valley of Lo-Manthang. The bright red and grey
monastery of Namgyal sits on top of a pro monastery, with the wide valley
surrounding Tingkar (the site of the King’s Summer palace) and Phewa villages
behind Just down from the pass is the first dramatic view of the walled city of
Lo-Manthang and the ancient ruined forts on the chills behind. There is a
tremendous view to the east of the red, blue, grey, white and yellow eroded
Mustang Khola canyon, to the north lie the flattish red colored hills and the
Tibetan border. The western view is dominated by the snow-capped peak of
‘Manaslu‘. The descent to Lo-Manthang is short and after crossing the small
river and climbing briefly the fabled city is finally reached.
Day 6: Acclimatization
Day 7: Lomanthang and eastern valleys,
Nyphu, Ghaphu 5-6 hours round trip.
Day 8: Lomanthang and western valley,
Namgyal, Tingkar 4 - 5 hours, round trip.
It takes around 2 hours to reach Namgyal Gompa which is situated at the hilltop
serves as an important monastery of the local community and as local court.
After visiting Namgyal gompa continues the tour to Tingkar, which is the
village of around 400 houses, the laste main village to the north-west of
Lo-Manthang.
Day 9: Lo-Manthang – Surkhang (3670m) /
Yara Gang (Village) 4-5 hours.
From Lo-Manthang, the trail walks straight till Dhi pass (4100m) and descend
down to Dhi village. Dhi village is one of the best village of Lo-Manthang
regions. It seems more prospectuses and it is settled in a very suitable place.
From then, the trail goes through river around 2 hours then reaches Surkhang.
Day 10: Surkhang - Lori Gumba (Monastery) –
Yara Gang / 4-5 hours (4000m) and back to Surkhang.
Day 11: Surkhang – Tange Height - 3500 -
3240 m Time - 4 hours Distance - 10 km.
From Surkhang, we need to cross a river from Damodar Kunda one the sacred lake.
There is no bridge on the Ghechang River, so we need to walk across the river
in bare feet to cross this river. After crossing the river, the trail climbs up
till high above a pass of 3850m, the trails goes through grasslands, treeless
bare hill. After the pass the trail drops directly to Tange village at an
elevation of 3240m. Tange is small village with around 30 houses but most of
the houses are attached each other. On the roofs, one can see the piles of dry
woods, which also reflect the prosperity in their society.
Day 12: Tange – Tetang Height - 3240 - 2940
m Time - 30 hours Distance - 10 km.
The trail walk through the deep ridge of hill providing the fine views of wind
carved hills. Tetang village is formed between 2 hills as they should have
found it as a safe place to avoid strong wind that hit the entire Kail Gandaki
valley. Tetang is the upper village of Chuksang.
Day 13: Tetang –Kagbeni
Day 14: take the jeep to jomsom and again next transport to Tatopani(hotspring) or flight to pokhara
Day 15: From tatopani to pokhara by bus.
