Upper Mustang Trek is a beautiful adventure that goes up to Lo Manthang in the Himalayas. This spectacular region was a restricted region until early 90’s. The remote area that is almost isolated from the modern world is a hub for cultural and natural wonders. The remoteness of the region itself is an attraction that has been blessed by the nature.
Overview
The trip explores diverse landscapes throughout from greenery filled lower elevation landscape to barren high elevation landscape. Certain section of the trail runs along the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki River gorge where one can see the power of nature as the river gurgles down the amazing gorge. Sandy trails, rocky landscape, apple orchard, beautiful villages, and marvelous mountains give a uniquely unparalleled flavor to the trip.
Trip Highlights
- Cultural sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.
- Breathtaking mountain flight overlooking Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range.
- Wonderful trekking in the Muktinath region along the Kali Gandaki river gorge.
- Beautiful sunrise over the mountain panorama from Poon hill.
- Cultural glimpses of the local villages along the trail
Itinerary
Today is the day of your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. As soon as you come out of the Kathmandu airport, you will find our representative waiting for you in the waiting area right outside the arrival lounge. You will be warmly greeted and welcomed by the representative and led to the vehicle. Our vehicle will take you to the trip hotel, most of the time in Thamel, that is 20-30 minutes drive, depending upon traffic, from the airport.
After you check into the hotel, you can take relaxing time on your own as there are no activities scheduled for today, except our trip briefing meeting. We will let you know about the briefing timing upon your arrival.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. We come to take your for a wonderful cultural heritage tour of Kathmandu valley. As part of the tour, we are going to visit four of the UNESCO Heritage monuments in Kathmandu valley. The places we visit today are incredible mixture of culture, history, spirituality, art and stories. Overnight in Hote.
Swoyambhunath
Believed to have been created on its own, this Budhhist stupa is the oldest of all the monuments in Kathmandu valley. Standing atop a small hillock, Swoyambunath, known as monkey temple amongst tourists, provides a fascinating view of the valley, surrounding hills and snow-capped mountain at the distance on a clear day.
Patan Durbar Square
One of the three medieval palace squares, Patan Durbar Square holds its medieval art and architectural grandeur. Amazing skill of the artisans is evident in each and every building that stands in the square. The square comprises of medieval palace, temples and museum.
Pashupatinath
This site is the most sacred Hindu temple area in the country. But, as the temple is strictly a Hindu only area, non-Hindu tourists go there to watch the unique Hindu cremation rituals on the bank of River Bagmati. The death rites of Hindu family there are so engrossing and heart-touching which make you feel the moment. It’s not any kind of intrusion in being there and watching somebody being cremated in an open ground. It’s a great cultural experience.
Boudhanath
This giant Buddhist stupa is considered as the biggest one in the world. This small square with giant shrine has a powerful presence of the spiritual vibrations. It’s an important pilgrimage site for the people following Tibetan Buddhism.
We take early morning breakfast and get ready to drive to Pokhara. Situated 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is a blessed city with beauty of nature and is the gateway to Annapurna region trekking. We drive along the highway that passes through several beautiful towns and runs along the river in most of the parts. The peaceful rural setting of Nepal looks fascinating during the drive. About 7 hours on the road brings us beautiful rural views along the highway before reaching Pokhara. Once we reach Pokhara, we can take leisurely wanderings around the serene lakeside.
We get ready for the early morning flight to Jomsom. A short but spectacular flight along the Annapurna range and then deeper into the gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri has breathtaking view of the mountains. We enjoy the short and stunning flight and land at the small airport of beautiful mountain town of Jomsom.
We spend some time to get ready for the first day of trekking adventure in this wonderful mountainous region. The walk today takes us to Kagbeni along the Kali Gandaki River. The trail goes on easy inclines almost throughout the day but it can get extremely windy in the afternoon. The windy trail can be a little difficult to walk with the wind and all the dust rising around. But, anyway, the walk today is a first fantastic day in the mountains to create a wonderful impression of trekking in the mountains.
Our destination for the day is Muktinath, a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhist pilgrims. The second day of walk on this trip takes us to the highest of the elevation on the trek. Once we start from Muktinath, we trek up towards the destination. When we reach Muktinath, we will have time to explore the spiritual and natural charm of the place. We can visit Muktinath temple that is the center of main attraction for the Hindu and Buddhist faith believers. We will find the atmosphere full of spiritual vibrations and natural wonders.
After exploring and exploiting the spiritual energies and natural wonders of Muktinath and surroundings, it is time to start the journey on our way back. The return trip takes us to Thini today on the way to Ghorepani. The stretch goes along the incredible landscape and views of the surroundings and exploring the local life and nature. We reach Thini to stay overnight.
Our walk for the day goes to Kalopani as our overnight destination. This day takes us through beautiful local villages of Tukuche, Larjung, and Kokethanti. The landscape that we trek through is amazingly scenic. We enjoy our walk along the dirt road through villages and enjoy the day before reaching Kalopani for overnight stay.
It is a short distance walk today when we trek to Ghasa from Kalopani. This stretch of the trek goes through beautiful areas along the Kali Gandaki River gorge. Greeneries around, villages along and some spectacular landscapes around make the day wonderful. We try to exploit the most out of the day. When we reach Ghasa, we will have enough time to explore around and enjoy the surrounding.
Another short day walk to have a relaxing stay at the destination, we trek to Tatopani today. The day trek takes us along the Kali Gandaki River gorge. We trek past a beautiful water fall called Chhahara along the road to Tatopani. Once at Tatopani, we can go to take a relaxing bath at natural hot spring there that is what Tatopani literally means -Tato: hot and – Pani: water. We can spend time lazing around Tatopani.
After an incredible Annapurna Circuit Trekking in the higher elevation, we start two days of trek in the lower Annapurna region to return back to Pokhara. We trek to Ghorepani today where we will be welcomed by magnificent views of the mountains. Almost all the way through, a gentle uphill trail gives us a challenge. It goes through several beautiful places like Chitre, Ghar Khola, Sikha etc. to reach Ghorepani to stay overnight.
We have a very early morning start today as we are hiking to Poon Hill for a sunrise and more spectacular view of mountains. We carry flash lights; keep ourselves warm enough for the morning temperature and start hiking up towards Poon Hill through rhododendron forest. When we reach the top of the hill, we are astounded by the panoramic view of the mountains in Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range. We enjoy the enthralling views and wait for another wonder, sunrise over the mountains, to take our breath away. The magical sunrise over the Himalayas fills us with the energy and zeal to go for the adventure walk of the day.
We descend back to the lodge at Ghorepani for breakfast. Later, we check out the lodge to walk to Tadapani for about another five hours. The trail passes through forest, pasture, and winds up and down the hill with thrilling adventure before reaching Tadapani.
Its a beautiful day of trek today through a lush forest to Ghandruk. About four hours of easy trail traversing brings a beautiful nature walking experience before reaching Ghandruk for the lunch. We can enjoy spectacular views of mountains, surrounding nature and the culture of the village. Later we drive back to Pokhara via Nayapul.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we get on the bus to drive back to Kathmandu. About seven hours of overland journey takes us back to Kathmandu. Once we are in Kathmandu, we go to hotel and spend the whole day at leisure on our own. Finding relieving massage, good food, souvenir shopping, and wandering around can keep you busy for the day.
A farewell dinner is scheduled for this evening. We will let you know the departure time for dinner once we reach Kathmandu.
The final day of the trip, we drive you to airport for your scheduled flight homebound or other destination. We will pick you up 3 hours prior to your flight schedule.
The Trip Cost Includes
- Airport Pick and Drop for both International and Domestic flight by Private vehicle.
- Welcome, Farewell dinner with cultural program.
- 3 Nights Tourist Standard Hotel Accmmodiation in Kathmandu with B/B basis.
- Half Day Guided Cultural Tours in Kathmandu with all the Entrance fees.
- 2 Nights Tourist Standard Hotel Accmmodiation in Pokhara with B/B basis.
- Transportation from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by Tourist Coach.
- Transportation from Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara by local jeep.
- Standard Lodge Accommodation (best available) with twin sharing basis during the trek.
- Full Board Meals (3 Meals a day) while on the trek.
- Trekking Permit (ACCAP) and Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees.
- Professional & highly expertise Government Licensed holder Trekking Guide.
- 2:1 Porters to carry luggages.
- All expenses of the staffs (Guides/Porters) that includes Food, Accommodation, Salary, Insurance, Equipment during your travel period.
- All the necessary trekking gear for porters like jacket /trousers, trekking shoes, gloves, shocks, sunglasses etc.
- Friends Adventure Team's Sleeping Bag, Walking Poles and Duffel Bag, to be return after trip completed.
- Comprehensive First Aid Kit.
- Arrangement of all rescue and evacuation promptly, in Worst Condition
- Group Trekking Gears.
- Trekking Map, Friends Adventure Team's special Souvenir.
The Trip Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, nutria-bars.
- All desserts, sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Items of personal nature, Laundry Expenses.
- Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking Gears.
- Any additional staff other than specified.
- Medical and Travel Insurance and Emergency rescue by any means of Transportation including Helicopter evacuation if required.
- Rescue, Repatriation, Medicines, Medical Tests and Hospitalization expenses.
- Airfare of international flights.
- Nepal entry visa fee (Visa issuance is easy at the arrival).
- Gratuities to guide, porters and driver (Not mandatory but expected as customizetripomary thank you for the service).
- Any other item not included in "Cost Includes" Section.
Frequently asked Questions
Jomsom Muktinath Trek is a Medium difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 3,760m. This is the elevation of Muktinath (3,760m). Muktinath (3,760m) is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, Jomsom Muktinath Trek can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For Restricted Area Trek, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
