Introduction

Upper Mustang is a remote desolate and extremely fascinating almost moon like region of Nepal set among st wind eroded hills on the borders of Tibet. The region preserves a very strong traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture in Nepal. The number of tourists allowed to visit is strictly regulated and it is open to only a few select trekking groups each season. The trek follows established trails laid down centuries ago through some substantial villages that once served a thriving trade route between Nepal and Tibet.

The whitewashed settlements are set amid fields of barley in the summer time and the many impressive chortens and simple monasteries only go to reflect the stregnth of Buddhist culture here. The terrain is striking a semi-arid desert with deep ravines and rock shelves that are flanked by snowy peaks.Without doubt the highlight of the Trek in Upper Mustang is the visit to Lo Manthang where the once king of Mustang reigns over what was his tiny kingdom until recently.And whilst he has now(only in the last few years) surrendered his title he is still revered as a king by the regions  inhabitants.

Life in Lo-Manthang has continued much the same as it has for centuries people are steeped in religion with numerous Gompas, Mani walls (prayer walls) and chortens adorning the kings palace and surrounds. Prayer flags flutter above each household spreading good blessings to all corners of the world and the universe beyond.It is expensive to visit the region, a single permit cost $500 U.S. for ten days, extendable at a further $50 U.S. a day. All provisions must be carried in, accommodation is in a tented camp with full Nepali support staff.

This is a perfect destination where ample scope is offered for visiting Buddhists monasteries. This semi autonomous and heavily Tibetan influenced region was “described by Tilman as fascinatingly ugly country, the more fascinating for being so little known” indeed, the trek to Lo – Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill, panoramic view of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several others peaks make your trek memorable. A liaison officer is also needed for this trek.

Important Note and Optional Activities

All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.

Why Choose Off the Beaten Trek in Nepal?

For those wishing a trekking adventure which has a higher thrill component, then off the beaten track trekking is supremely ideal. These treks enable you to:

  • Get away from the busy foot traffic: In contrast to the typical Everest or Annapurna circuit, these off beaten paths have thinner traffic. Hence it becomes a more intimate experience.
  • Engage with the local way of life: Locals here live in arias where tourists do not visit frequently. This will enrich and extend the experience as one gets to see the Nepalese culture without the interference of modern tourism.
  • Discover breathtaking landscapes that are still wild and free: This trek will take you to areas which are still relatively unexplored by tourism therefore the nature is still wild and unspoiled.

 

Expectations on the Off-Trek Routes: The Trouble with Non-Conventional Routes

I would advise against attempting such treks if one has weak or no athletic abilities at all, for they can be more difficult than the well-trodden ones because of the following considerations:

  • Fewer amenities: These places rarely have any tea houses or lodges, which means you will, more often than not, find yourself camping or residing in very low-end guesthouses. Food is usually of a simple sort and there are no proper facilities.
  • further from civilization: The routes may involve walking in regions that are treeless with no established pathways and the surfaces may be rocky and twisted difficult to walk on. Occasional climbing or walking on uneven surfaces should be anticipated.
  • Higher altitudes: Many off beat trekking routes take you to high, and in most cases, above 4000m where you risk developing altitude sickness.
  • Inherent weather challenges: In the absence of the normal setup for forecasting and control of the weather, the weather forecasts tend to be more ambiguous than in normal cases. You may experience weather changes comprising of rains, snows, or extreme cold in a very short period hence being unprepared for such.

Taking all these into account, it is necessary to start working out and mentally gearing up for the hurdles in the future. But for those who want to take the challenge, the benefits are truly great!

Famous Treks in Nepal That Are Not Very Common
Away from the famous hiking routes, let us discover some few treks which are not that well known but are remarkably beautiful and rich in culture. Each and every trek poses its own challenges and delights and in this case, we will see what these challenges and delights are.

1. Upper Mustang Trek. Core Zone Trekking
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Since Upper Mustang used to be an administrative no-go zone, it was normal to contemplate it as a destination most often than not travelers dread. It is often referred to as the last insulated dominion of Nepal due to its geography, barren terrain, those towering old monasteries and incomparably the Tibetan way of living.
What makes it challenging:
• Altitude: The trek takes place on very high altitudes, (even up to 4200 meters) and due to the dry desert nature of this region, acclimatization is really important.
• Off the beaten paths: There are very few infrastructure in place and provisions will have to be gotten from local guest houses.
• Rough surface: The places traversed by the trek include narrow gorges, rocky paths, and dry hills, and wind especially at high altitude is very much strong.
Why it’s worth it. One of the fascinating aspects however is that the trek through Upper Mustang has magnificent views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges and cultural life rarely seen outside Tibet. The walled city of Lo Manthang is another of the primary attractions where ancient palaces and monasteries that are more than one thousand years old can be seen and explored.

2. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: A Remote Paradise
Trek Difficulty: Challenging
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and a trek to its base camp however involves crossing some uncharted and difficult places. The trek takes you through thick forests, rural settlements, and high altitude meadows.

3. Tsum Valley Trek : Une Voyage Spirituel
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
The Tsum Valley Trek, which is in the northern region of Gorkha district, is an off the beaten trek which allows you to enter a cultural heaven. This is the Tsum Valley whose preservation is thanks to the Tibetan Buddhists who, from ancient times, have built many hills with their stupas and have lived in an untainted manner.
What makes it challenging:
• Remote Location : The first and the foremost thing which needs to be accomplished is to reach the base camp which involves long hours of bus ride provided there is proper status of the roads.
• Altitude : The trek goes over 3700 meters to the highest points therefore the trekkers have to be properly equipped to cope with high altitude.
• Rugged Trails: The trekking camps are usually located on high altitude which makes it impossible to take the straight trail as the winding paths go over steep hills and rocky surface.
Why it’s worth it: Tsum Valley is Old and beautiful. It is sprinkled with remote and stunning Buddhist monasteries, and prayer wheels contrasting the blue sky all that gives strong vibes of culture in spirituality. This valley offers something never offered before with the scenic beauty of the Himalayas residing in the lap of an equally beautiful region with rich spiritual life. Trekking here seems like travelling to the any bygone futuristic era where the villagers still practice some ancient ways somewhere deep in the woods.

Inclusion

What's included ?

  • Accommodation in Kathmandu, 3 star category hotel, on bed and breakfast basis as per the itinerary
  • City tour in Kathmandu with guide by private car
  • Entry fees when sightseeing in Kathmandu
  • ACAP trekking Entry Permit
  • Special Permit for restricted area for 10 days, 500 USD (included)
  • Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) registration fee
  • First aid kit for comprehensive medical supplies
  • Round trip / overland transport as per the itinerary
  • Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara
  • Accommodation in guest houses/lodges best possibly with private bathroom, hot and cold shower, during the trek
  • Three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and a cup of tea/coffee a day during the trek and seasonal fresh fruit after every dinner
  • Qualified and experienced trekking guide and porter services
  • Transportation, accommodation, meal allowance, equipment and insurance for trekking staff
  • All the official paper work and all the applicable government taxes
  • Airport transfers for internal flights
  • Sleeping bag, down jacket, rucksack, duffle bag, trekking poles if required
  • T-Shirt or cap with Boundless Himalayas logo
  • Upper Mustang Region trekking map
  • Oxymeter for Altitude Sickness who wishes to check pulse rate and oxygen saturation to ensure better health conditions
  • Farewell Dinner with typical local cultural program
  • Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off on departure

What's not included ?

  • Meals other than breakfast when staying in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses and bar bills
  • Clients’ travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities

Day to Day Itinerary

  • Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu.

    Warm welcome and receive from Airport and transfer to Hotel. Introductory program and briefing about the tour

  • Day 02 : Sightseeing Kathmandu valley

    It includes the visits to many historical and architectural monuments, Temples, Stupas etc.

  • Day 03 : Drive to Pokhara by luxury tourist bus.

    Explore around and enjoy your time

  • Day 04 : Fly to Jomsom (2720m) from Pokhara.

    About 30 minutes flight from Pokhara. Upon arrival at Jomsom, meet the crew & set for the first day’s walk towards Mustang. The trail to Jomsom to Kagbeni (2800m) is other worldly experience & through the Kaligandaki River Bank. Now the landscape changes into barren, the wind blows very heavily. After 3 hours walk you reach to Kagbeni for the night halt.

  • Day 05 : Kagbeni-Chusang 2850m.

    The trail widens significantly an endless stretch of sand, pebbles and bounders. Vegetation is almost non- – existent except for small shrubs and thorn bushes. The Kaligandaki canyon is awe-inspiring. However, the trail is kept lively with several passing mule trains and horsemen bearing wares from after. This day is uphill, quite steep at times up to the little village of Tangbe 2900m where we stop for lunch. Then after the path flattens out up to Chusang a fairly large settlement inhabited mostly by a mixed ethnic group of Gurungs, Thakalis and some families from the land of Lo. There is a small Buddhist Gompa constructed out of stone and mud across the river, which can only be reached during the colder months when water is low. By itself Chusang is a very interesting village with narrow covered alleys running through the center.

  • Day 06 : Chusang-Samar (3050 m) approx.,4 hrs

    Having entered this long and secluded valley one feels also a distinct change, not only to topography but there is a world of difference in culture, lifestyle and landscape. Settlements are more scattered, smaller and basic. The people of Lo or Mustang practice agriculture but because of the lack of the rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land making the landscape of a pattern of brown with scattered patches of shaded greens. A little ahead of Chusang we cross a small bridge across the Mustang Khola River, across which is colorful little village called Chaili. The trail then veers northwest along steep lines right up to the village of Samar, out campsite, making it a tough four hours walk. Samar is a very old and small village situated amongst a grove of trees with a stream running through the middle.

  • Day 07 : Samar-Gelling (3720 m) , approx., 5 hrs

    As in all desert lands, settlements in Mustang are in oasis village most houses are constructed out of mud and stones with roof cast out of twins, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles. The trail descends crossing couple of mountain streams followed by a fairly flat stretch of two hours before we arrive into a wide valley. The Gelling village is located an hour walk away to the right of the main trail and in a valley between two hills. North of the village lies a Buddhist Gompa, which, though new contains exquisite wall paintings.

  • Day 08 : Gelling-Charang (3520 m), approx., 5 hrs

    The day walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang. Much of one’s energy is spent negotiating loose dry soil that give way every times you walk uphill, making it seem tiresome infertile at times. However, the magnificent views of the countryside the gentle contours of the north in contrast to the rugged mountain canyons in the east and west are the source in inspiration to walk on. A total walk of five good hours brings us to Charang, a large spread out village inhabited totally by the people of Lo who are of Tibetan origin. The old monastery and the adjoining Gompa are said to be some 500 years old and contain some of the finest religious wall paintings in the world.

  • Day 09 : Charang-Lo Manthang (3760 m) , approx., 4 hrs

    We spend part of this morning exploring this interesting village and its large old monastery. We then go a bit out of the way to see Dhakmar, a small-secluded village. Today’s walk is only for 4 hrs. But mostly uphill and then the trail flattens out till Lo Manthang, then capital of Mustang consisting of over two hundred houses. The entire village is walled and painted earth brown and white.

  • Day 10 : Lo Manthang: Rest and exploration day

    Today is the day to explore Lo Manthang. Visit the King’s Palace & the surroundings of Lo Manthang as well as the monasteries over there.

  • Day 11 : Lo Manthang-Lo Geker., approx., 5 hrs

    Today the trail climbs steadily to a pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail contours across the head of a valley and crosses another ridge, then drop into another large desolate valley. After ascending to the valley floor, the route heads to the right, up the center of the valley to it head. Cross a ridge at 4070 meters & traverses across the heads of two more valleys to an indistinct pass. Cross the pass to some meadows & a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley where LO Geker is situated in a grove of large trees alongside a stream. Visit the Lo Geker Monastery, one of the oldest gompas in Nepal that is still active built between 775 and 787.

  • Day 12 : Lo Geker-Ghami (3550 m), approx., 4 hrs

    Climb to a ridge the across a valley to cairn and a pass 200 meters above Lo Geker. The route crosses some alpine meadows to a crest, and then drops down a steep eroded gully to the upper part of the village of Tahmar “Red Crag”. A large stream meanders through this village, making this a particularly pretty valley. Most of the surrounding hills are pastel shades of Grey & yellow, but a huge red fluted cliff provides a dramatic contrast. The trail descends alongside the stone walls and fields of the extensive village, then climbs to a ridge. It is a short descent to Ghami at 3550 meters. Ghami is a large village of whitewashed houses situated above hectares and hectares of fields. Visit the Gompa in Ghami.

  • Day 13 : Ghami-Samar., approx., 6 hrs

    From Ghami, follow the direct route to the Nyi La, climbing to a cairn on a ridge and then contouring upwards to meet the trail from Charang. Continue to the pass and descend steeply into the Gelling to an isolated teahouse and descends gently to the three houses of Tama Gung. A steep set of switchback leads to a stream, then the trail climbs to a huge painted chorten. The trail rejoins the Gelling trail near the ridge, just below a chorten and the remainder of the days is on already traveled trails to Samar.

  • Day 14 : Samar-Kagbeni , approx., 6 hrs-Jomsom. , approx., 3 hrs

    Today is the same way that you already had. The trail passes through Chusang & other major villages like Tangbe. After Tangbe the trail still continues through the bank of Kaligandaki River as well as the windy landscapes & reaches to Kagbeni.

  • Day 15 : Fly Jomsom to Pokhara.

    Upon arrival in Pokhara airport. Transfer to the Hotel.

  • Day 16 : Drive Pokhara- Kathmandu by luxury tourist bus

  • Day 17: Departure

    Day 17: As per your flight schedule, transfer to airport and fly back to your next destination with beautiful memories of your trip.