UPPER MUSTANG

TREK # 22
UPPER MUSTANG (LO MANTHANG)TREKKING
"THE LOST TIBETAN KINGDOM (NEPAL) OF MUSTANG"

Day 01:
Fly or, drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Stay overnight in a Hotel as the flights to Jomosom (2713m) from Pokhara departs early in the morning in between 6 and 7 Am..

Day 02:
Trek to Kagbeni (2810m). Jmosom is the administrative headquarter of Mustang. During the flight time you will witness excellent view of Ganesh peak, Manaslu peak, Fishtail peak, Annapurna range, Nilgiri peak, Dhaulagiri peak and Tukche Himal.
From Jomosom the trail goes along the sandy and graveled river bed of Kaligandaki. While walking on the riverbed one can find the ancient holy tone "Saligram" which was formed some 300 million years ago. After about 45 minutes' walk you will arrive at Aklai Bhatti. There are 2 hotels here. Form Aklai Bhatti the trail becomes gently ups and downs to the Kagbeni. It takes about one hour to Kagbeni from Aklai Bhatti. Total 3 hours' trek approx.

Day 03:
Kagbeni - Chele (3030m). From Kagbeni there is a trail up to the bank of Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges. After about 3 and half hours, you will arrive at Chhuksang. Continuing north, the trail now leaves Kaligandaki Valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele. This is the first village of upper Mustang valley. From here the culture changes from Manang culture to Tibetan culture. The approx. walking is 5 hours.

Day 04:
Chele - Geling (3600m). from Chele the trail is steep up to the Gyanger village. from Gyangar the climb continues a long, treeless, waterless desert-like sandy field upto the pass of 3540m and then the trail gradually descend to the village of Samar. After desert-like ridge northward of Samar, you will arrive at Geling. The approx. walking is 6 hours.

Day 05:
Rest and acclimatization at Geling.

Day 06:
Geling - Charang (3520m). From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields up the center of the valley passing below the settlement of Tamagung. The trail climbs to the Nyt La pass at 3950m (the highest point of the trek). Then gently descending from Nyt La, you will arrive at the village of Charang. The approx. walking is 6 hours.

Day 07:
Charang - Lo Manthang (3780m). From Charang the trail descends for about 100m and climbs steeply up a rocky trail and enters Tholung valley. Then the trail turns toward north and climbs gently towards the ridge at 3850m from where you can see the village of Lo Manthang. A short descend from the ridge leads into the walled city of Lo Manthang. The approx. walking is 6 hours.

Day 08:
Rest or explore around Lo Manthang.

Day 09:
Explore around Lo Manthang (Nyphu, Gharphu and Tinghar)

Day 10:
Lo Manthang - Ghami (3400m) via Lo Genker.

Day 11:
Ghami - Chhuksang (2920m).

Day 12:
Chhuksang - Jomosom.

Day 13:
Flight back to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

For further reading, refer to National Geographic Magazine, Vol. 192, No. 5, November 1997, pages 112 to 129, "Nepal's Forgotten Corner Mustang" article and photographs by Robert Caputo. And "National Geographic On Assignment, inside back-cover", same magazine, "Kingdom of Mustang - Reaching New Heights".

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