The Kingdom of Mustang

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members.
Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town.
Overnight: hotel

This morning we board a scenic flight to Jomsom, the start of our trek and where we will meet our trekking crew. After a long journey from our respective homes we have a half day walk to stretch the legs that brings us to Kagbeni, an impressive village that is our gateway to Mustang. To pass beyond this point we will need a special Mustang permit. We will meet our liaison officer and the crew will prepare for tomorrow's crossing into Mustang.
Overnight: Eco-Lodge

From Kagbeni we enter the kingdom of upper Mustang. We begin to appreciate the remarkable change of geography north of the Great Himalaya divide. The lush verdant landscape gives way to a stark almost desert like land interspersed with whitewashed settlements set in the midst of thriving barley and wheat fields defined by main walls and distinctive chortens reflecting the kingdoms rich and abiding Buddhist heritage. After reaching Chhusang the road crosses the Kali Gandaki river before it gradually ascends to Tsarang, the former capital of upper Mustang.
Overnight: Camping

From Tsarang we complete the short drive to Lo Manthang, the capital of upper Mustang. En route we gain sweeping views of the mountain ranges that define the border of Nepal and Tibet where we will trek in the coming days.
Overnight: Camping

Today is yours to explore this outstanding historical and cultural centre. There are 4 major Gompas to visit during our stay. The palace is the home of the Raja (King) and his Rani (queen). Although the Raja's function is now primarily ceremonial he is seen as a person who can help people resolve local issues. The town itself is fascinating, and offers countless opportunities to observe the vibrant Tibetan culture. An optional side trip is also available either on horse or jeep to the nearby Chosar Valley. Chosar is a remarkable location with towering red-cliffs with caves that were inhabited as far back as 2,500 years ago. The cost of this optional side trip is paid locally (USD$35 for horse or USD$150 for a jeep that can fit up to 7 people).
Overnight: Camping

The wild rugged, windswept region north east of Choser is one of the truly unexplored regions of the Himalaya. We commence with a gradual ascend to the Sam Dzong La (4050) that affords panorama views that extend to the Damodar Range that forms the border between Nepal and Tibet. From the pass the trail leads to the settlement of Sam Dzong (4000m).
Note: Over the past decade the small settlement at Sam Dzong has been subject to water shortage to irrigate their fields. As in other Trans Himalaya settlements including in Ladakh this may be a result of climate change.
Overnight: Camping

A contingency day is included in these initial stages of the trek to assist acclimitization. This day may be included at Choser or at Sam Dzong.
Overnight: Camping

We traverse the Cho Dzong (4450m) to reach Cho Dzong (3900m). A 14th century gompa at Cho Zhong with its exquisite wall painting has attracted Buddhist scholars to this isolated corner of Upper Mustang.
Overnight: Camping

We cross open grazing lands crossing a series of ridges in the vicinity of 4500m to reach the Amka camp (4250m).
Overnight: Camping

From Amka camp we ascend the Amka La (4250m) that leads to the remarkable meditation cave at Luri. Luri gompa honours Padmasambhava, the Guru Ring poche and is believed to one of the oldest cave temples in Mustang. We descend for two hours to the village of Yara where we camp for the night.
Overnight: Camping.

This morning we cross the Puyung Khola and start a gradual climb for an hour or so to a view point where we will have views back at Yara village. From here it is a gradual descent to the Dechyang Khola where we may be lucky enough to spy the beautiful peaks of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. After crossing Dechyang Khola the trail continues towards Tangge. Your efforts trekking to the lunch spot (4015m) will be rewarded with a feast for the eyes as we savor the views of the Himalayas. After lunch we will descend to a plateau and on to Tanggye, our overnight stop.
Overnight: Camping

This morning we cross the Tangge and Yak Kholas before ascending once more along a fantastic trail with gorgeous views on your back, be sure to stop ever once and a while to soak them in. Tonight we will make camp in an area used by local herdsmen to graze their livestock when conditions allow.
Overnight: Camping

As is often the case, what goes up must inevitably come down. Today we make our final descent to Chhusang, gradual at first as we follow the ridge line towards the Kali Gandaki, on route the views of the surrounding area are bound to be as good as any other section of our journey. After approximately 3 hours and with Chhusang in view below, we make a rapid descent back to where it all began. Following lunch we return to Jomsom.
Overnight: Eco-lodge

This is a fantastic way to conclude our journey. The spectacular flight down the Kali Gandaki that defies description with the huge mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges towering above us. At Pokhara we board another aircraft for yet another spectacular mountain flight, this time along the face of the Himalaya past the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang ranges. On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.
Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

After breakfast trip concludes with a transfer to the airport.