UPPER MUSTANG TREK

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu International Airport 

On arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport, Katmandu, one of our team will be there to welcome and greet you, then drive to the hotel so you can unwind and rest, hook into the free wifi or explore the local area.During the evening there will be a welcome dinner to meet and greet with your ‘trekking guide team’ members and all other trekkers going o the Mardi Himal adventure trek.

Day 02: Trip Orientation  and Briefing at Hotel 

After a delicious breakfast in the hotel we will have a trip orientation meeting to learn about your stay in Nepal and answer any questions/concerns about the itinerary.Most importantly after the briefing, we will go through the checklist of all the required gear and items to make sure you are equipped for the journey. If you require more items, there are many local trekking shops to accommodate what you need.When all are satisfied each person is fully equipped, we’ll go out on a Katmandu Sightseeing Day Tour, around one of the important cultural hubs of the valley.  Katmandu city alone holds four heritage sites that are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

Day 3: Route Kathmandu-Pokhara

After an early breakfast, you take public transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The Himalayan

Mountain range looms into view as you leave the Kathmandu valley through the small mountain pass of

Thankot. (1400m); you can admire the towering peaks of Ganesh Himal (7400m), Langtang (7200m) and

Manaslu (8163m). Drive on through several valleys and along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers to

Pokhara valley at the foot of the Annapurna.

Drive: 6 hours

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: flight Pokhara-Jomsom-Chhusang (3000m

Today begins with a domestic flight between Pokhara and Jomsom (2700m). Weather permitting, this

mountain flight offers magnificent views of the Annapurna, the Dhaulagiri massif, and Kali Gandaki

gorge, the deepest in the world. At Jomsom, you take a local vehicle to Chusang, a pretty village mainly

inhabited by Gurung and Thakali people. At Kagbeni- the entry point to Upper Mustang- you must

complete government formalities relating to the Mustang Special Permit before entering the

multicolored mineral universe of Upper Mustang.

Elevation: +300m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 5: Chusang. Chele (3100m) - Taklam Pass (3625m) - Dajong Pass (3660m) –Samar 93600m)

Enjoy breakfast with wonderful views of Nepalese landscapes. Today’s walk crosses the Kali Gandaki

gorge and then it is a short climb up to the small village of Chele. After Chele, a beautiful trail carved into

the rock leads in turn to Taklam-la (3625m) and Dajong-la. It is a beautiful walk down to Samar (3600m),

a very old village found in the middle of a wooded grove next to a stream.

Hiking: 5 hours

Elevation: + 650m/-150m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 6: Geling- Nyi la pass (4000m) - Ghumi Pass (3765m) Ghemi-Dhakmar (3820m)

Today you cross two mountain passes: Nyi La (3920m) and Ghumi la (3750m). Stop in Ghemi village

(3510m) for lunch. Here, you can visit the small monastery in the heart of the village; it is surrounded by

caves which, in the past, severed as a shelter against invaders. This afternoon’s agenda features an easy

climb in one of the most dazzling places ever along the iconic red Mustang walls which dominate the

village of Dhakmar.

Hiking: 6 to 7 hours

Elevation: +860/-610m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 7: Dhakmar- Mui la Pass (4100m) - Ghar Gompa (39200) - Marang la Pass (4230m) - Chogo Pass

(4320m) - Lomanthang (3840m)

Today is not the most challenging hiking day but it is the longest, it is an easy uphill walk to Mui la Pass

(4100) and towards the oldest Mustang monastery: Ghar Gompa. This Nyingmapa school monastery has

beautiful, newly renovated frescoes which are well worth a visit. After lunch, you cross the Marang and

Chogo passes and plunge into Lomanthang, the capital of Mustang which is surrounded by striking

scenery.

Hiking: 7 to 8 hours

Elevation: +900/-850

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 8: Lomanthang – Rest day and discovery

You are in the Mustang capital! Lomanthang is a small, walled city featuring early iconic 15th century

monasteries. Stroll through the winding streets of the village to discover the two historic monasteries of

Jamba Lhakhang and Tukche, and their sumptuous frescoes. Lomanthang is very close to Tibet and

Tibetan cultural influences can be observed.

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 9: Jhong-Nyiphu-chossar- Lomanthang

Today you take jeeps towards the Tibetan border Sicha Khola valley. Leave the jeeps at the foot of Jhong

cave, a real troglodyte skyscraper! On your way back, we visit the monastery of Nyiphu. Return to Lo-

manthang, through the fabulous lunar landscape of Chossar and several charming villages.

Transport: 30 minutes’ drive in jeeps

Hiking: 4hours

Elevation: +100m/-100m Accommodation: the same lodge

Day 10: Lomanthang- Dhi- Yara (3640m)

Climb up to Loday Pass (3950m) and walk along the plateau at 4050m above sea level, then hike down

to Dhi, you cross the Kali Gandaki river and arrive in the village of Yara.

Hiking: 5 hours

Elevation: +500m/-700m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 11: Yara-Luri- Yara

Discover the unique Luri Gompa monastery and its ancient Buddhist art. Visit the Luri caves and

beautiful 15th century Buddhist frescoes before returning to Yara.

Hiking: 3 hours

Elevation: +200m/-200m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 12 Yara- Sertang Pass (3945m) – Tangge (3420m)

Today you cross a rocky desert plateau, far from any civilization. It is a shot descent to Dhechyang Khola

River (the black river) where you can find lots of fossils! From here, you climb to Sertang Pass (3945m)

for a picnic; extraordinary views of the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri awaits us. We descend via several

stages to the village of Tangge.

Elevation: +800m/-1000m

Accommodation: Home stay

Day 13: Tangge- Cho Cha la pass (4210m) - Chusang (2980m)

It is an early morning departure for a day of hiking. You cross Yak Khola and climb up to Cho Cha la Pass

at 4210m. Then, it is a short descent to your lunch spot in Paha, a beautiful afternoon walk along the

ridge awaits, then you make the steep descent into the valley of Nursing Khola and join Chusang village.

Hiking: 8 to 9 hours

Elevation: +120m/-1600m

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 14: Chhusang- Gyu Pass (4070m) - Muktinath (3800m)

Today begins with an easy climb to the beautiful village of Tetang at 3040m. Then, you climb to Gyu Pass

( 4070m). Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views of the “white mountain” Dhaulagiri (8165m) the

“blue mountain” Nilgiri and the villages of Muktinath and Jharkot. Next, you walk down to the temple of

Muktinath, dedicated to the Hindu god of liberation and flanked by 108 taps where Hindu and Buddhist

pilgrims take holy showers to cleanse their karma.

Hiking: 6 hours

Elevation: +1200m/-450m

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 15: Muktinath- Lupra- Jomsom (2720m)

You leave Muktinath through a small mountain pass at 400m with beautiful alpine landscapes. On the

way, with a little luck, you will see the Bharal (blue sheep) of the Himalayas. A steep descent leads to

Lupra, a village that sits well- hidden in the gorge of Lupra Khola. Lupra is rarely visited by tourists and

maintains a charming authenticity. After a quiet break in this village, you head back to Jomsom following

the Kali Gandaki river.

Hiking: 5 to 6 hours

Elevation: +100m/--1200m Accommodation: Lodge

Day 16: Flight: Jomsom- Pokhara- Kathmandu

Early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, a lovely journey above the Kali Gandaki, the deepest

canyon in the world flanked by the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Then you fly from Pokhara to

Kathmandu. You have some free time upon arrival.

Accommodation: hotel

Dinner not included

Day 17: Visit: Kathmandu

Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and home to the Buddha’s discerning eyes as well

as several surrounding monasteries. After the Buddhist stupa, you visit Pashupatinath temple. This is the

most important Hindu temple. It belongs to the God Shiva: the God of destruction and reconstruction.

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from Nepal and India pray, dance, sing and make offerings in this temple

every day. Traditionally, when Hindu people die, they are cremated and here we find the most

important site for cremations that take place on the bank of the holy river called Bagmati.

Accommodation: hotel

Meals: not included

Day 18: End of stay End of our services

The details in this programme are updated regularly but imponderables and unpredictable

circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your

demand, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the programme may be made. For

safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation in this programme at any time if

your technical level or fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those

around you. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.

UPPER BODY LAYERS 

Walking t-shirt  -2 merino wool, capilene or synthetic fabric over cotton t-shirt which is  quick dry.

Sleeping t-shirt -1 it can be cotton.

Thermal base layers top -1 mid weight long sleeved t-shirt of merino wool or polyester, capilene or polartec power dry. 

Insulating layers -1mid weight fleece that can be worn over other layers 

Fleece vest optional -advisable for those who feel cold 

Rain jacket -1 essential 

Down jacket -1 essential it’s very cold above 4,000 meters.

LOWER BODY LAYERS

Underwear - enough for trek (notice you can wash along them along the way)

Hiking trousers -2 quick dry and light weight trousers no cotton, but zip offs are good.

Sleeping trousers 1 light weight yoga style evening sleeping, but no jeans.

Trekking shorts -1 if no zips off trousers . below the knee for ladies.

Rain pants -1 advisable 

Thermal long johns 1 for evening or sleeping.

PACKS&BAGS

Duffle bag pack 1 to store excess luggage in at hotel. Soul Himalaya provides duffel bags for the duration of the trek. These are easier for the porters to carry.

Day pack with rain cover -1to carry your personal items during the treks eg camera and chocolate, water.

Sleeping bags -1 3season (4season oct-feb).

Compression stuff sack -1 for sleeping bags.

FOOTWEAR 

Trekking boots -1 must be well worn and comfortable with ankle support.

Socks -3 good and warm enough and worth spending money on quality socks.

Flip flops or camp shoes-1 light weight for evening use.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 

Water bottles -2 one or two liters nalgene or sig style or a bladder.  Bladders are preffered

Water purification drops -1 it is cheap and easy to buy in Kathmandu (piyous).

Lip balm -1 with SPF factors.

Sunglass -1 essential good uv protection. 

Suncream we recommend SPF 30 greater. 

Bandana -1 this useful for a variety of purposes. 

Baseball head (cap) it is useful for sun during the hiking. 

Warm woolen hat -1 it is very useful evening and morning when we hike above the 3500m.

Flash light or head torch -1head light is best as it leaves your hand free and extra batteries. 

Personal first aid kit -1 include any prescribed medication (should be your all personal medication).

Travel towel -1 light weight and compact. 

Wash kit -1 travel items for the trek. 

Instant hand sanitizer -enough for trek and alcohol based for keeping your hands clean. 

Camera with charge and enough batteries for your treks 

Book or journal as you like. 

Pack of cards/travel board games for evening fun. 

Trekking snacks enough for trekking and good selection available in Kathmandu. 

Toilet roll and rubbish bag it is very important we don’t leave rubbish in the mountains. 

Trekking poles optional and advisable for anyone with knee issues.

Gloves warm enough.  Preferably warmers as well 

Neck warmer \Buff. 

A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND ATTITUDE IS ESSENTIAL -DONT COME WITHOUT IT NAMASTE.

All of above the equipment you can get cheaply in Kathmandu. If you have any queries please feel free to ask.

                       www.soulhimalayatreks.com                                    info@soulhimalayatreks.com