Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Trek
18 days
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Small Group Tour
The name Mustang is derived from the Tibetan word ‘mun tan’ which translates in Nepali to mean ‘fertile plain’.Tibetan is widely spoken and the traditional culture of Tibet largely remains throughout the region. The 18 day Upper Mustang Trek utilises the lowest pass through the Himalayas, west of Sikkim in India.On this expedition-style trek, you’ll learn abo...
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule
Highlights
- Hike Behind the Annapurna ranges, hiking towards the border of Tibet and the beginning of the Tibetan Plateau The lowest pass through the Himalayas, west of Sikkim in India To the mysterious Kali Gandaki caves
- Explore One of the most interesting cultures and picturesque regions of Nepal Some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Nepal, amidst a traditional Tibetan culture Watch the landscape unfold from the heights of the Himalayas, to the vast Tibetan Plateau
What's this trip about?
The name Mustang is derived from the Tibetan word ‘mun tan’ which translates in Nepali to mean ‘fertile plain’.Tibetan is widely spoken and the traditional culture of Tibet largely remains throughout the region. The 18 day Upper Mustang Trek utilises the lowest pass through the Himalayas, west of Sikkim in India.On this expedition-style trek, you’ll learn about the Mustang’s status as a forbidden kingdom, which ended in 2008 when its ruling kingdom of Nepal became a republic. We’ll start our trip by exploring the temples and markets of Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital city, before flying to the lakeside city of Pokhara at the foot of the Himalayas and onto the large village of Jomsom to start our journey.Our journey will take us behind the Annapurna ranges, hiking towards the border of Tibet and the beginning of the Tibetan Plateau, passing through the green oasis of Thakali and into a desert plain - a view that will literally stop you in your tracks!
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Details
Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityKathmandu
End CityKathmandu, Patan Durbar Square
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- All guiding services Two experienced guides per trip. Each season we send over a team of experienced Active Adventures guides from New Zealand. One of these guides will lead your trip alongside our incredible local Nepalese guides, as well as a team of local porters. You won't find a better combination!
- All accommodations Local lodges chosen for their comfort, cleanliness and charm. In the smaller villages we'll camp 'under canvas', with the stars above us and the orchards alongside.
- All meals Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rest assured you'll be well fed and well hydrated.
- All activities Trekking, trekking permits, Nepalese government royalty fees, Tibetan Centre and Himalayan Mountaineering Museum visits, historical cave exploration and local markets.
- All domestic transport Airport transfersDomestic Flights to and from Kathmandu and PokharaDomestic flights to and from Pokhara and JomsomJeep travel where necessary
- Hiking poles, down sleeping bag and puffer jacket
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Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu
Your trip starts in the lively and bustling city of Kathmandu with an explosion to the senses - take a deep breath! You’ll be met at Kathmandu Airport by a friendly face from Active Adventures Himalayas who will accompany you to our hotel. If you arrive early, you can he...
Day 2 Fly to Pokhara, visit Tibetan Centre
After breakfast in Kathmandu, we’ll take a stunning flight west to the adventure capital of Nepal, Pokhara. Nestled beneath the majestic Annapurna mountain range on Phewa Lake, this town is the starting point for many explorers. We’ll head to the picturesque Pokhara Tibe...
Day 3 Fly to Jomsom, hike to Kagbeni
We take the spectacular 30 minute early morning flight to Jomsom (famous for its apples), where we’ll meet the rest of our trekking crew to begin our expedition. After checking our gear and organising our donkey train, we’ll begin our trek to the pretty village of Kagben...
Day 4 Hike from Kagbeni to Chhusang
Using a combination of high road trails and riverbank pathways, we meander up the valley. We’ll pass cashmere goat herds and small cows moving up the hillsides and marvel at the size of the eroded cliffs and the caves formed by years of weathering. Passing large apple or...
Day 5 Hike from Chhusang to Samar
Today is a fascinating walk from the beautiful town of Chhusang, further along the Kali Gandaki Valley amidst towering red cliffs. Just before you reach the village of Chele, you’ll cross the Kali Gandaki via a bridge beside a chunk of rock, which has fallen from the cli...
Day 6 Hike from Samar to Geling
After climbing above Samar and marvelling at the green valley below, we continue over a couple of passes in the morning, before descending along a ridge to Syangboche, a tiny settlement with a few tea shops where we’ll enjoy lunch. The trail climbs again from Syangboche ...
Day 7 Hike from Geling to Dhakmar
This morning we hike the Nyi La Pass at 4020 metres (13,200 feet). Upper Mustang lies on an ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet, exploiting the lowest pass at 4660 metres (15,300 feet), the Kora La, through the Himalaya. This route remained in use until China’s a...
Day 8 Hike from Dhakmar to Lo Manthang
This morning we’ll head up and out of Dhakmar, climbing to the ancient site of the Ghar Gumba and Lo Gekar, one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang. Legend has it when the famous Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava arrived here he faced an evil spirit. After a vi...
Day 9 Explore Chhosur Valley
Today we’ll be taking a 4X4 jeep ride 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) further towards the Tibetan border to one of the most impressive cave monasteries Mustang has to offer. Jhong cave is four stories high and we can clamber and climb through all the small portals in the cave,...
Day 10 Hike from Lo Manthang to Dhi
We’ll ascend out of the Lo Manthang valley and head south along the Thulung Khola waving goodbye to the last forbidden kingdom as we cross the Day-La pass. Heading back towards Charang, we’ll cross the Thulung Khola and climb over Dhi pass at 4100 metres (13,451 feet). A...
Day 11 Hike from Dhi to Luri Gumba Cave return
Today we take a very special side trip not often experienced by foreigners. You’ll have the option to hire a horse from our team of porters today, or if you wish to stay with your feet planted firmly on the ground, that’s fine too. We’ll follow the Puyon Khola, a tributa...
Day 12 Hike from Dhi to Ghami
We begin the day with a lovely river-side walk next to the Kali Gandaki before a bit of a climb for lunch at Charang, the second largest settlement in Mustang. From here you’ll be able to spot the palace and monastery of Charang. A feast for the eyes, each element by its...
Day 13 Hike from Ghami to Samar via Ranchung Cave
Returning over a couple of passes, we make our way back to Syangboche for lunch on a mixture of road and hillside paths. The views of Mustang are ever changing and returning to this place you’ll recognise how different it looks just to walk the opposite way. We’ll visit ...
Day 14 Hike from Samar to Chhusang, jeep to Jomsom
Returning to the wide braided river valley of the Kali Gandaki, you’ll feel nostalgic to walk out of Mustang as you say farewell to the amazing culture and people that you have been privileged to meet. Have one last sweet and crunchy Mustang apple as you pass by Tangbe. ...
Day 15 Fly to Pokhara
We’ll catch an early flight back to Pokhara and the beautiful shores of Lake Phewa. After lunch at a café, we’ll make a trip to the Himalayan Mountaineering Museum where you can learn about other cultures and mountains of Nepal. Maybe you’ll like to treat yourself to a m...
Day 16 Free day in Pokhara
Today you can choose to have a well-earned rest in the lakeside town of Pokhara, or enjoy another exciting day in Nepal’s adventure capital! Your guides will be able to offer suggestions and help you organise activities. Today is all yours to relax and explore. This even...
Day 17 Return to Kathmandu, visit Patan Durbar Square
This morning we’ll farewell the Himalayas in Pokhara and take a short flight back to Kathmandu. For those who are keen this afternoon, we’ll head an hour or two south to the city of Lalitpur, otherwise known as Patan, and thought to be one of the oldest Buddhist cities i...
Day 18 Return home
Today is the final day of your Himalayas trekking trip. If you have extra time after your trip, we’re happy to make suggestions on how to make the most of it. On the other hand, if you’re on your way home today, we’ll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great hiking and adventures you’ve had with us in Nepal!(Breakfast)
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Dates & Availability
Price From $7,199
Price per day$400
Last Updated: 3/1/2022
Note prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Active Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Active Adventures Reviews & Ratings
C
Stellar trip to Mustang:)
This was just an amazingly awesome experience. I've wanted to know what the Tibetan plateau was like, and now I really know. Not just from pictures, but the experien...
H
Upper Mustang - Nepal
Best trek I have been on, well organised, great food (3 chefs) and awesome guides, porters. The remote villages, mountains, the people, the chant/music of the Monks ...
K
Nepal, where my heart resides...
It's hard to describe how a place can grab your imagination and steal your heart, but Nepal does just that. This journey into the Mustang region revealed yet another...
J
Time Travel
Once you leave the tea house in Jomsom, headed for the Upper Mustang, you enter a different world. You slowly begin to travel back in time to an agrarian existence, ...
J
Mustang - The Trek of Treks
Personally, the Mustang Trek was as much a pilgrimage as it was a trek. At 71 with several recent operations, I knew this was going to be a most interesting adventur...
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Meals Included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rest assured you'll be well fed and well hydrated.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
activeadventure-120
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