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long forbidden Kingdom of Mustang has always exuded an air of roman ce.
Mustang is the arid region at the end of the Kali
Gandaki, beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Lower Mustang is inhabited by people related to the Manangis whilst
in northern Mustang (the ancient Kingdom of Lo), language and traditions are almost purely Tibetan.
With a rich and complex history with written records dating back
to the 8th century Lo, like Dolpo, was once a part of the western
Tibetan region of Ngariand maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951.
It is a land of barley fields and pasture and vast expanses of gray and yellow rolling hills eroded by the wind that howl across the area most afternoons. Sun baked bricks of pale mud are used for almost all construction,ncluding the walls and palace of Manthang.
Where are you going?
Days 1-2: Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable
experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be
met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. In
the morning of day 2 a half-day city tour will introduce you to
some of the highlights of Kathmandu.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, or you
may choose to fly. USD67 one-way.
Day 4: A morning flight to Jomson, renowned for
the best apples in Nepal, is followed by a 4-hour walk along the
Kali Gandaki to Kagbeni, gateway to Mustang. Here houses are flat-roofed
in the Tibetan style and it is not uncommon to fine ammonite fossils
along the river. Nilgiri Peak dominates the skyline.
Day 5: Depending on the season trek either along
the riverbank or follow the high ridge-top trail. Passing the Nyingmapa
Gompa Kang reach Tangbe. This is the first of many stunning villages
marked by the black, red and white chorten typical of Mustang, and
of the Sakya sect to which most belong. Like Kagbeni and other settlements
in the area, Tangbe is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst whitewashed
houses surrounded by fields of buckwheat, barley and wheat and apple
orchards. The spectacular eroded red cliffs are a mass of inaccessible
caves as you climb out of the river valley to Chele. Here you enter
the area of Tibetan cultural influence – houses have sheep
horns above the doors, amulets to capture evil spirits and ferocious
Tibetan mastiffs guarding their property. The predominance of Chinese
rather than Indian or Nepalese goods indicates the changed trading
patterns – and that traditional trade routes continue to flourish
regardless of politics.
Days 6-7: After a long steep climb, reach a traditional
stopping place for horse caravans, Samar, situated amongst a grove
of poplar trees. Annapurna Himal is still visible to the south.
Ridges, gorges and small passes traverse barley fields and juniper
groves. Many of the villages have imposing chorten and, crossing
the Tangmar Chu River, climb past the longest and most spectacular
mani wall in Nepal. Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and
houses separated by stone walls at the top of the large Charang
Chu canyon. There is a large dzong and a gompa with a good collection
of statues and thangkas.
Days 8-10: Entering the Tholung Valley the trail
becomes a wide path across a desert-like landscape of gray and yellow.
Lo Manthang, the capital of Lo, lies within a tall white washed
mud brick wall. Narrow alleys wind between closely packed houses,
temples, gompas and the palace. The surrounding fields produce a
single annual crop of wheat, barley, peas or mustard. It is a prosperous
town whose wealth was built on the wool and salt trade from Tibet.
Despite disruption trade continues along this route and many Lobas
also travel south to India to trade during winter.
Days 11-13: Follow irrigated fields out of the
city, taking a last look back at Manthang from the pass. Ghar Gompa,
situated in a grove of trees by a stream, probably dates from the
same time as Tibet’s first monastic institution, Samye (built
775-87) and contains a self-eminating statue as well as hundreds
of painted carved stones, paintings and several large prayer wheels.
Rejoining the trail you trekked in on, continue back to the Kali
Gandaki and to Kagbeni.
Days 14-15: The route to Muktinath passes the medieval
village of Jharkot with its ruined dzong and Bon gompa. Continuing
to Muktinath, the afternoon is free to explore this fascinating
village, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, it attracts many pilgrims.
Here spring water flows from a rock face via 108 spouts (108 is
a sacred number to Buddhists). This water wall surrounds a temple
sacred to Vishnu and below the statue runs a trickle of water with
pale flames caused by natural gas. There are shrines to Shiva and
his consort and Padmasambhava as well as numerous chorten and the
surrounding poplar grove supposedly sprang from the staffs of the
84 Siddhas. The mass of Dhaulagiri I makes a striking contrast.
Return to Jomson
Day 16: Fly Jomson-Pokhara. Drive Kathmandu or
you may choose to fly (USD67 one way).
Day 17: Depart OR join your
For More Tours And Treks In Nepal |
| Itinerary
| Day |
Altitude |
Time |
1 |
Arrive Kathmandu |
1300m |
|
2 |
Kathmandu |
|
|
3 |
Drive Pokhara |
915m |
6 hrs |
4 |
Fly Jomson |
2720m |
|
|
trek to Kagbeni |
2900m |
3½ hrs |
5 |
Chele |
3200m |
6 hrs |
6 |
Ghiling |
3510m |
6 hrs |
7 |
Charang |
3650m |
5½ hrs |
8 |
Lo Manthang |
3730m |
5 hrs |
9 |
Lo Manthang |
|
|
10 |
Lo Manthang |
|
|
11 |
Marang La |
4353m |
|
| |
Ghimi |
3690m |
7 hrs |
12 |
Samar |
3700m |
6 hrs |
13 |
Kagbeni |
2900m |
5 hrs |
14 |
Muktinath |
3750m |
3½ hrs |
15 |
Jomson |
2720m |
5 hrs |
16 |
Fly Pokhara |
|
|
|
Drive Kathmandu |
1300m |
6 hrs |
17 |
Depart |
|
|
Trek Grade: 3
Duration: 17 Days ex kathmandu
Tour Style: This is a fully supported camping
trek including all camping equipment, food and meals.
Best time to go: April - November
Trek Cost: USD935 p/p
Flights:Pokhara-Jomson return USD 138/ Kathmandu-Pokhara USD 80
Mustang permit: USD920 p/p
Departures: This is a private
departure tour for 2 or more travelers (April-November)
For more information request
dossier
MUS-17
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