Upper Mustang Cultural Discovery

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival o/n in hotel +D

We will pick you up at the international airport and transfer to the hotel. After refreshment and visit around Kathmandu by your own. In evening we welcome you with a typical Nepalese dinner and also we discuss about the program, route.

Day 02: Sightseeing around Kathmandu o/n in hotel +B

The very next morning, after breakfast you will be taken for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You can visit center of pilgrimage Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites. The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhnath might make you feel calm and peace. Till then our staff member will be busy in preparing special permit for mustang.

Day 03: Jeep drive to Pokhara (200km, 6hrs) o/n in a hotel +B

This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km) Enroute we will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. Afternoon, we reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake.

Day 04: Jeep Drive to Marpha (2600m, 5-6hrs) (Attached bathroom) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Intensive exploration of the Marpha village including Kawaguchi House and Marpha Gompa.

Day 05: Jeep Drive to Samar (3620m, 5hrs) (Common bathroom) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

Today our journey starts with a special permit checkup and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki up stream. During the drive we have scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trials. This trail follows the up and downhill continues, treeless and dry terrain, along the side of a spectacular deep canyon to pass a cairn of rock at 3540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to some Chortens on a ridge, and descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. enroute visit Tiri Gaon, explore the Samar village and surrounding including NEW TEMPLE.

Day 06: Trek and Drive to Ghami (3550m, 4-5hrs) o/n in Lodge (Attach Bathroom) +B+L+D

Drive by jeep to Ghami (3550 m), enroute visit Rangchyung Cave Chorten/cave temple, there after we corss Yamda La Pass at Syangboche. Then drive to Ghiling, here we visit Geling Gompa - a 15th-century monastery. The monastery includes various statues, Sukya Gompa. After exploring Geling we further drive to Ghami. In route we cross Nyi La Pass is an ideal vantage point for the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Descending from Nyi La Pass, you will encounter blue, gray, and red cliffs until you arrive at Ghami.

Day 07: Trek and drive to charang (3500m, 2hrs) (Attached bathroom) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

Drive by jeep to Tsarang/Charang, en-route explore village and visit Gompa. This day we are crossing one of the longest Mani wall. If jeep client also interested to visit Dhakmar we can drive to Dhakmar which takes 30minutes longer and they can explore around. For Trek: trek to Dhakmar/Tramar about 2hrs including Red Cliffs, in Tsarang visit Lo Gekar Gompa, Thubten Shedrup Dhargyeling, Ruin of King's palace, jeep will wait till the crew reach back from Dhakmar. Then we further drive to Charang. If time permits you can visit Ghar Ghumpa one of the oldest monastery in the mustang and Marang village.

Day 08: Drive to Lo-Mangthang (3700m, 2hrs drive) o/n in Lodge (Attach Bathroom) +B+L+D

Today, we head out to our final destination towards the capital of Mustang where the king of the mustang still resides. Enroute visit Ghar Gompa and Sumdra Chorten, intensive exploration of Lo Manthang also Champa Lhakhang, Thubchen Lhakhang, Shakya Chyodi Gompa and King's Palace. Also you can enjoy Starting day of Tiji Festival.

Day 09-10: Explore Day in Lo-Mangthang (Attached bathroom) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Today we will explore Lo Mangthang and Chosyar valley. We will visit all the temples of the area and other villages. The palace of ame pal, Founder king of mustang. Continue to the villages of Shija and Guruk where you will find the only cave dwellers of Nepal. We will drive to Tibet border observing on the way villages and cultures. Thinggar Village it is the ultimate village of mustang. Same time we can enjoy the Tiji festival by observing the live event.

Day 11: Jeep Drive to Yara and hike or drive to Luri gompa and again drive back to Charang (4100m)(3700m, 5hrs drive 3hrs hike) (Attached bathroom) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Explore the village again and drive to yara. then after reaching Yara Gaon we take short trek to Luri gompa. It is one of the oldest monastery and Holy site of Mustang region. Drive back to Charang and stay overnight in Charang.

Day 12: Drive to Chusang (3040m, 4hrs drive) o/n in Lodge (Attach Bathroom) +B+L+D

Wake up in the morning enjoy your breakfast and drive back to Chusang.

Day 13: Trek and Drive to Muktinath (3785m, 5-6hrs drive) o/n in Lodge ( Attach Bathroom) +B+L+D

After breakfast we start drive to the Muktinath with the best panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, the Muktinath is an important pilgrimage center for Hindus and Buddhist. The most well-known holy place is a Vishnu temple where are 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows' heads, pouring forth water that is considered to be holy. This water is channeled from a stream running above the temple. The temple is built in Tibetan style and contains huge brass idols of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Kali. For the trek: we start trek from Jharkot to Muktinath, today also we trek around 2hrs. During the walk we will have scenic picturesque places to stop by and you can see the panoramic view of Himalayas with throng peak, Nilgiri south and Dhaulagiri. The trail climbs through a desert landscape reaches us to Muktinath.

Day 14: Drive to Tatopani via Lubra village (1100m, 6hrs drive) o/n in Lodge ( Attach Bathroom) +B+L+D

After Morning visit to Temple of Muktinath and Buddhist Monastery nearby we start our drive to the Tatopani via lubra. Lubra valley is the last Bon village (pre-Buddhist practice). The place is full of legend and history. This cute little village is special interest as it has a Bonpa-Monastery. Then drive further to Tatopani. You can enjoy hot spring in Tatopani.

Day 15: Jeep Drive to Pokhara (827m, 5-6hrs drive) o/n in Hotel +B+L

After breakfast we drive to Pokhara along the Kali Gandaki gorge and in afternoon at leisure in Pokhara.

Day 16: Jeep Drive to Kathmandu o/n in hotel (6/7 hrs) +B

Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu o/n in hotel +B

Day 18: Departure +B

Cost

Map

Landmark/Highlights

Explore the legacy of Kathmandu valley

• Pokhara:  a mountain town and on the bank of Pheva lake at beneath of Machepuchera peak

• Drive through scenic and adventurous off-road sections from Marpha – Jomsom – Kagbeni all the way to Lo-Manthang.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Thorang Peak throughout the journey.

• Explore the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang, rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture, monasteries, and royal heritage.

• Visit Ghar Gompa, Chosyar caves, and Luri Gompa — among the oldest and most sacred monasteries in Mustang.

• Experience the vibrant Tiji Festival (May) with traditional mask dances and rituals.

• Discover Yara Village (4,100 m) — the highest point of the trip, known for its ancient cliff caves and art.

• Visit the sacred Muktinath Temple (3,785 m), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

• Pass through Lubra Village, home of the last remaining Bon religion community in the Mustang region.

• Travel across diverse Himalayan landscapes — arid deserts, deep canyons, colorful cliffs, and High Mountain passes.

• Taste local apple products in Marpha, including apple pie, brandy, and fresh juice.

• Relax in the soothing natural hot springs of Tatopani after returning from the highlands.

• Enjoy short scenic hikes and village walks along the route while traveling comfortably by Jeep.

• A moderate and accessible adventure, suitable for all travelers without the need for strenuous trekking.