An Adventure In Upper Mustang | Part III
Upper Mustang is the picturesque pride of Nepal, life in this highland is tough, but this toughness brings about a smile that stays with you for the rest of your life. As you witness the Himalayas standing tall, all you wish to do is freeze this moment to cherish it for the rest of your life.
Day 6: Ghami to Charang
Altitude: 3560m
Trek Time: 4 hours
After a good night's rest at Ghami and breakfast, you shall head out to Charang. We advise you to walk cautiously. The trail is very rough and slippery right before the descent of Ghami Khola. During the hike, your hall comes across mani walls. Next up, you shall cross the Charang La pass at 3870m. You shall witness the majestic Charang Chu canyon during your journey. Atop it lies the beautiful village of Charang. The highlight of this village is its ancient fortress and red gompa (monastery) towards its east. As the trek time is approximately 4-5 hours, you shall have plenty of time to explore the village after lunch.
Day 7: Charang to Lo Manthang
Altitude: 3770m
Trek Time: 5 hours
The next day after breakfast, you shall make your descent down the canyon. You need to cross a river and ascend the Lo La pass at 3950m. At the end of the pass, you shall be greeted with your first view of the historic village of Lo Manthang.
This village historically was the capital of the Kingdom of Lo and is home to the royal palace of its king. Unlike the previous hamlets, you shall see a lot of Buddhist elements. The surrounding peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna and Bhrikuti Peak liven up the vibe of this ancient setting.
Day 8: Outing to Chhoser Cave
Trek Time: 6 hours
This day is fully dedicated to exploring the Chhoser Caves. Also known as sky caves, these are ancient dwelling spaces dug into the side of valleys. These caves are 155 feet or more from the ground. They are thought to be more than 1000 years old. The purpose, origin and creator of these caves are still unknown.
The cave society is equipped with burial chambers, monasteries, hidden rooms and living quarters. Researchers assume native inhabitants built these caves to escape predators and dacoits.
Day 9: Lo Manthang to Dhakmar
Altitude: 3800m
Trek Time: 7 hours
The trek to Dhakmar is more challenging than previous legs, but it features beautiful sights and sounds. En route, you should stop at Gyakar Village. It is home to the ancient Ghar Gompa. This monastery is home to some of the most exquisite rock paintings in the region. A tradition in this region is you must make a wish. Stange right? Once your prayers and wishes are conveyed, you head towards Dhakmar.
Day 10: Dhakmar to Ghiling
Altitude: 3860m
Trek Time: 6 hours
The trek to Dhakmar is more challenging than previous legs, but it features beautiful sights and sounds. En route, you should stop at Gyakar Village. It is home to the ancient Ghar Gompa. This monastery is home to some of the most exquisite rock paintings in the region. A tradition in this region is you must make a wish. Stange right? Once your prayers and wishes are conveyed, you head towards Dhakmar.
After a splendid night at Dhakmar, you are requested to hit the trail early as the winds are powerful in this part of the trail. You shall cross a dry plateau and notice patches of agricultural fields along the road to Ghiling. The winds are a nuisance, but the views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri are worth the difficulty.
Day 11: Ghiling to Chuksang
Altitude: 3050m
Trek Time: 6 hours
This leg of the trek is perfect for understanding the lifestyle of this region because you pass through numerous villages. You can engage with the locals and make cherishable memories.
Day 12: Chuksang to Jomsom
Altitude: 2715m
Trek Time: 5 hours
This is the last leg of your trek in the Upper Mustang. The whole you approach Jomsom, you are officially exiting the restricted region. Your lunch stop for the day is at Kagbeni. As the total trek time is an average of five hours, it gives you enough time to veer a bit off course and explore. Once you arrive at Jomsom, please don't forget to grab a few souvenirs and confirm your flight to Pokhara.
Day 13: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
Flight Time: 15 minutes
This is your last night in the beautiful high region of Nepal. Before boarding your flight, don't forget to get one last glimpse of the beautiful scenes around you. Once you arrive in Pokhara, please relax and hit your favourite eateries and bars. Upper Mustang is a challenge, and you've done it.
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An Adventure In Upper Mustang | Part II
The Himalayas are a cure for every spiritual turmoil. The trails of upper mustang offer you an opportunity to experience the dessert terrain, scattered green pastures and the majesty of the stunning peaks such as Nilgiri, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and Flight/ Drive to Pokhara
Once you land in Kathmandu, our team shall transport you to our hotel. After checking in, you can rest for a while before pursuing further. A flight to Pokhara is at an average of 15 minutes, whereas a drive ranges between 6-8 hours. A flight to Pokhara allows you to visit a few sights in Kathmandu. It also exempts you from a long bus journey.
Day 2: Flight to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni
Trek time: 3 to 4 hours
The flight to Jomsom from Pokhara is approximately 20 minutes. The real journey begins here. After you land at the airport, you are greeted with a teaser of the trek and views ahead. Your first destination is the mystical town known as Kagbeni. Firstly, you shall cross a small bridge. After that, the trail is well marked and relatively easy compared to the road ahead. When at Kagbeni, walled passages greet you with an archaic feel. The walls feature clay effigies and decorations. The stone houses transport you to a different realm altogether.
Day 3: Kagbeni to Chele
Altitude: 3050m
Trek Time: 6 hours
After spending a beautiful night at Kagbeni, the trek to Chele begins after a hearty breakfast. The trail follows the winding Kali Gandaki river. You get to witness the absolute depth of the valley gorges during this hike. The village of Tanbe is an oasis on the trail. You can stop here to catch your breath and admire the white-washed houses and the beautiful fields of buckwheat and barley. This landscape also features splendid apple orchards.
Did you know the apples of this region are prized for their rich taste? The locals also create various drinks and snacks with the apples. You should definitely grab a few to indulge during your trip. Further in the hike, you follow a ridgeline which takes you to Chele village.
Day 4: Chele to Syangmoche
Altitude: 3475m
Trek Time: 6 hours
The previous hikes seem easy compared to the trail ahead. During your journey to Syangmoche, you shall cross your first big pass- Taklam pass. The pass stands tall at an altitude of 3624m. As soon as you’re done with Taklam La pass, you are greeted with Darjori La pass at 3737m. Every risk comes with its reward. The trail offers breathtaking mountain views and glimpses of peculiar caves. As you walk further, you decend into Samar Village. You need to follow a ridge and cross a narrow steep trail during the final mile of Syangmoche.
Day 5: Synagmoche to Ghami
Altitude: 3500m
Trek Time: 5 hours
After a hearty breakfast, you shall embark on another challenging trail. You shall cross two passes in this leg Yamada La at 3850m and Nyi Pass at 4010m. As you embark further stunning landscape views of stone villages with lush barley fields greet you. Before you descend down to Ghami, you need to cross the second pass- Nyi Pass at 4010m. The village of Ghami is a picture perfect village. After refreshing yourself, you can indulge in a brisk village walk.
To be continued in the next blog…