Forbidden Kingdom of Lomanthang

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from Yeti Holidays will meet you at the airport and escort you to your designated hotel. The representative will help you check into hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Check In and Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: None

You are transferred to the domestic airport today for your flight to Pokhara. This is an exciting flight with excellent views of the Himalaya.

On arrival in Pokhara you will be transferred to your hotel.

Check In and Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast.

Approx. trek time: 03 hours
Approx. drive time: 01 hour
Approx. distance: 12 Kms

Early morning flight up the great Kali Gandaki Valley towards Jomsom is one of the world's most sensational. You fly right between the towering mountains and up the increasingly drier and narrower valley to the tiny airstrip at Jomsom. The dramatic change in landscape here is a clear indication that you are now on the edge of the vast Tibetan Plateau. We drive or trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni along the famous Kali Gandaki River. After lunch go for a walk to visit the local monastery and the village. This is very important for you to acclimatize your body to the high altitude.

Overnight at lodge in Kagbeni.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Approx. trek time: 08 hours
Approx. drive time: 02-03 hours
Approx. distance: 36 Kms

This is a perfect day to visit Muktinath and Jharkot.

Muktinath is a sacred place both for Hindus and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,600 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas), Mustang district, Nepal. The site is close to the village of Ranipauwa, which sometimes mistakenly is called Muktinath as well.The Hindus call the sacred place Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of salvation". It is also one of the 51 Sakthi peethas (shrines).

Overnight at lodge in Kagbeni.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Approx. trek time: 04 hours
Approx. drive time: 01 hour
Approx. distance: 14 Kms

After breakfast we take the off road drive by our private jeep or trek to Chussang, the upper Mustang valley. The drive is very beautiful with great mountain scenery and small villages with crops of green barley along the Kali Gandakhi riverside. Sometimes it is possible to trek right up the river valley, but the best solution is to use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand. However, the path is kept interesting by the passing of several mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and probably Tibet as well. On the West Bank of the river you can see Gompa Kang and some caves. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. Next you pass the village of Tangbe, which is situated alongside the east bank trail above the river, at an elevation of 2,926m/9,600ft. Here are the first black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The little village is a labyrinth of narrow alleys among whitewashed houses, fields of buck-wheat barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chussang village is only about 1-2 hours walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshang Khola and the Kali Gandaki.

Overnight at the lodge in Chussang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 04 hours
Drive time: 01 hour
Approx. distance: 09 Kms

After Breakfast our trek continues through whitewashed houses and fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards you pass some spectacular red cliffs and high inaccessible caves as you climb higher up the Kali Gandakhi valley to finally cross the great river on a large bridge. The trek or drive now leaves the Kali Gandakhi river. This village marks the end of the Manangi culture and the beginning of the Lo culture of Mustang. This is indicated by sheep horns above doorways and the presence of zor - twigs in the shape of a cross with five coloured threads woven in a diamond pattern. These are believed to capture threatening evil spirits and are unique to Mustang. From Chele you climb up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130m and then continue climbing quite steeply along the side of a spectacular canyon to a pass at 3540m. From the pass it is a long but gradual descent on a good trail to Samar.

Overnight at the lodge in Samar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 07 hours
Drive time: 01.50 hours
Approx. distance: 20 Kms

Across a couple of more ridges and a small pass and you reach the village of Shyangbochen (3710m) From Shangbohen we climb a small pass and look down at Gheling – the trail graduly climbs up passing Tama Gao and Jaitte – From here its ascent up to Nyi La Pass (12,959ft/3950m). This pass is the southern boundary of Lo or Mustang itself. The views are stunning down south of the Annapurna 1 and Nilgiri south and central. The descent from the Nyi La is nice and gentle. About half an hour from the pass is a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Tsarang, the left trail leads to Ghami, a small village sheltered by overhanging cliffs and next to a clear stream.

Overnight at Lodge in Ghami.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 05 hours
Drive time: 01 hours
Approx. distance: 09 Kms

After breakfast you will pass many chortens along the way. Always keep to the left as it is bad 'Karma' to go the wrong way round. You ascent up to the pass Chingyel Pass ( 3870m) and desecent down through magnificentviews of the countryside, the gentle contours of the north, in contrast to the rugged mountains in the east and west, are a source of inspiration. Four hours’ walking brings you to Tsarang, a large spread-out village inhabited totally by Lobas. Tsarang is a maze of trees, willow fields and houses separated by stone walls, at the top of the large Charang Chu canyon. The huge five-storey monastery fortress is perched on the edge of the Kali Gandaki gorge, on the East End of the village. The Gompa houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkhas.

Overnight at Lodge in Tsarang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 05 hours
Drive time: 01 hours
Approx. distance: 12 Kms

This is an exciting day as you will see the only wall city place in Nepal. You climb gently above the valley to a large isolated Chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail becomes a grand, wide thoroughfare and eventually you get your first view of the Walled city of Lo Mathang from a ridge at 12,631ft/3850m. A short descent leads onto the 'Plain of Aspiration'. The only entrance to the city is on the northeast corner, so you circumambulation the wall to the gate, where you are sure to find a group of people spinning wool and gossiping.

Overnight at Lodge in Lo-Manthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

There is much to do and see in this fabled city. There are some beautiful caves to explore in the Lo Mothang Valley - Some are 4 storey high and very historically old and ancient. We also visit the summer palace and meet the 23rd king of Lo-Manthang. He is a very humble and gentle king. The people of LO love their king. To visit these places we ride Mustang horses to get around the Valley. If time permitting we can also ride to the top of the Lo - mothang Valley to look down to the Tibetan Plateau. It’s great scenery and fantastic views of the mountain that surround the Valley of LO. There is always much activity in Lo Manthang as it was once on the ancient trade route from Tibet to India and although that has now gone, the Lobas still involve themselves in trade with China, Nepal and India.

Overnight at Lodge in Lo-Manthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Approx. trek time: 08 hours
Approx. drive time: 01.50 hours
Approx. distance: 21 Kms

We retrace the same way back to Ghami from Lomanthang.

Overnight at Lodge in Ghami.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 07 hours
Drive time: 01 hour
Approx. distance: 20 Kms

We retrace the same way back to Samar via Ghilling and Shangbochen.

Overnight at Lodge in Samar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek time: 03.50 hours
Drive time: 01 hour
Approx. distance: 09 Kms

The day’s trek is relatively of less time duration as we retrace the route, just dowhill this time.

Overnight at the lodge in Chussang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Approx. trek time: 07 hours
Approx. drive time: 01.50 hours
Approx. distance: 26 Kms

The day will mark a longer trek till our last destination at Jomsom via Kagbeni.

Overnight at the lodge in Jomsom.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Will cherishing memories of the trekking feat just accomplished, we will fly back to Pokhara and connect on to the capital for the last night in the Himalayan country.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the HOME.

Meals: Breakfast.