Hidden Kingdom of Mustang

The best time for trekking tours in Nepal are the months of October and November. After monsoon season, the weather is mild, the volume of rainfall decreases and it starts to bloom everywhere. The second best season is from February to April, since before the rainy season you can find many plants in full bloom and the temperatures rise again.

Welcome to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu! You will meet your guide after baggage claim and go to your hotel. An oasis of calm, Dwarika's is located in the noisy and turbulent streets of the city. They will welcome you with open arms and a silk scarf. Now you have plenty of time to relax.

Time spent traveling from the airport to the hotel: 2 km / approx. 10 minutes

3 nights accommodation at Dwarika's Hotel***** with breakfast in Heritage Deluxe Room, Kathmandu, Nepal

After a hearty breakfast, you will first explore Durbar Square, the political and cultural center of the city since the Middle Ages. Durbar Square houses 50 pagodas and temples. Here you will have ample opportunity to experience Nepalese life up close. A statue of Hanuman, the ancient part-human-part-monkey god that many Hindus still worship today, guards the entrance to the central palace.

After an extensive tour, walk through the winding alleys to Thamel, a popular part of the city among tourists. You can reach the popular district through the Garden of Tranquility, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Here you will find the Kaiser Café, where you will be served a delicious lunch.

Fortified by your meal, you will then learn more about the birth of Kathmandu Valley. In ancient times, the entire Kathmandu Valley is said to have been a huge lake. A lotus flower seed was thrown into this lake. Some time later, the lake is said to have been divided with a sword on the southern shore. To this day the Bagmati River flows through the Chobar Gorge at this juncture. The lotus flower found its new place on the Sawayambhunath hill, where THE landmark of Kathmandu stands today.

Today you will leave busy Kathmandu and travel to an ancient era. Unlike in the capital of Nepal, there are no modern concrete buildings in Bhaktapur yet. You can actually experience the Middle Ages here. Once the political center of the country, the splendor of the kings at the Bhaktapur Durbar Square can only be guessed at. Of the formerly 99 magnificent buildings around the central square, only six remain today. Nevertheless, the square around the Royal Palace is a breathtaking piece of living history. You will also visit the imposing Nyatpola Temple, the largest of its kind in the entire country.

After eating at a local restaurant in Bhaktapur, it's time to get back to Kathmandu for a visit to the Pashupatinath Temple. The most important Hindu shrine in Nepal is located about five kilometers east of downtown. Pilgrims sometimes travel from very far away. The area around the temple is also open to tourists, but only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple.

At the end of this eventful day, you will enjoy dinner at Chez Caroline Restaurant.

Spend the morning sightseeing as you wish in Kathmandu before the transfer to the airport at lunchtime. After only 30 minutes, you will reach Pokhara, where you will be expected. Next you will be transferred to your accommodation and do what you want with the rest of the day.

Time spent flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara: 30 minutes

1 night at the Shangri-La Village Resort***** with breakfast in a Deluxe Room, Pokhara, Nepal

Today, a small propeller plane takes us to Jomsom, 20 minutes away by plane, and thus to the former kingdom of Mustang. The mountain airport is located at an altitude of 2,710 m and the approach through the dramatic Kali Gandaki gorge guarantees breathtaking views. Upon arrival in Jomsom, you will meet the accompanying team and drive by jeep for about 1 hour to Kagbeni, where you will have a fortifying lunch. After your meal, you will start your trekking tour. In the middle of the barren high valley, you will enjoy the fantastic view of the village, the Kaligandaki valley and the shining peaks of the Nilgiri mountains. The trail goes slightly uphill. You will discover traces of ancient settlements and take a short rest in the small village of Tangbe: Here you will be welcomed with a delicious tea. Your next accommodation is not far awar, in Chhuksang. Soon you can catch the first glimpse of the whitewashed houses and agricultural, cultivated fields.

Time spent flying from Pokhara to Jomsom: 20 minutes

1 night in a lodge with full board, Chhuksang, Nepal

Something great awaits you today. After breakfast, you will walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, which is not only famous for its fossils, but also forms the unofficial border between Lower and Upper Mustang. Abruptly, the wide valley ends here. You will cross the river over the bridge and continue hiking uphill to the wild and romantic village of Tsele. Pull out your camera: You will enjoy an excellent view over the Himalayas. About 2.5 hours later, you will reach the small village of Samar. After fortifying yourself with a nutritious lunch, hike past deep gorges. Enjoy the spectacular scenery - pure adrenaline! This is a day you will definitely remember for a long time.

1 night in a lodge with full board, Syangmochen, Nepal

Today's hike will take you through the two, picturesque villages of Gehling and Ghemi before you venture up to Nyi La at 4,010 meters. You will cross the Syangboche Pass and experience a fantastic panorama over the whole of Mustang. From here, you will continue downhill to Mustang's third largest village, Ghemi. From here, follow the trail along the Drakmar River until you reach the village of the same name. Today you can expect a shorter hiking day of about 5-6 hours.

1 night in a lodge with full board, Drakmar, Nepal.

The destination of your trekking route today is the capital of the Kingdom of Mustang, Lo Manthang. After breakfast at your lodge, you will leave Drakmar and climb the Mui La pass at 4,170m before descending into Tsarang Khola and exploring the oldest monastery in Mustang, Lo Gekar. Following this, you will climb again and pass through the two passes of Chogo La Pass and Samdrupling. From here, Lo Manthang is only 5 kilometers away.

After about 7 hours, you will reach the capital of the hidden kingdom and check into your lodge for the next three nights.

Note: If you feel tired, you can be driven by jeep directly to Lo Manthang. Or drive one way by jeep and hike the rest of the way. Please note that the jeep ride cannot be booked in advance and is subject to limited availability.

3 nights with full board in a lodge, Lo Manthang, Nepal.

Spend today as you wish. There is so much to see in Lo Manthang. Stroll through the narrow streets and visit the monasteries of the city as well as the royal palace. You will quickly realize that not much has changed since the city was founded about 600 years ago. With a population of about 1,200 inhabitants, Lo Manthang reminds us more of a village and the city wall, which served as protection from the enemies, is also still the same.

The caves of Chhoser are an experience you can’t miss out on! North of Lo Manthang, you will experience a real masterpiece: Built more than 3000 years ago, some are even between 70 and 100 m high - Simply gigantic.

After visiting the caves, you can spend the rest of the day as you wish. Explore other interesting places in the area or relax at your lodge.

Around 8 a.m., you will start the day with an unforgettable jeep ride. You will leave the capital of the hidden kingdom and set off for Jomsom: Spectacular scenery and small settlements await you. You will stop in the charming town of Tsarang: Visit the majestic 13th century palace and the fascinating monastery.

Afterwards, you will reach Jomsom.

Do you feel like seeing the pristine landscape of Mustang from a bird's eye view? Optionally, we will organize a helicopter flight to Pokhara or Kathmandu. Just contact us!

1 night in a lodge with full board, Jomsom, Nepal

A small plane will take you to Kathmandu via Pokhara. In the arrival hall, you will already be expected by your guide and transported to your hotel, the Dwarika's Resort in Dhulikhel. Here, relaxation is guaranteed. Enjoy the great view of the mountains and relax by the outdoor pool or in the wonderful spa.

Time spent flying from Jomsom to Kathmandu: approx. 1 hour

1 night at Dwarika's Resort***** with half board in a Junior Suite, Dhulikhel, Nepal

Today the last day of your great trekking trip through Nepal begins. Enjoy the last hours at the resort before you are driven to Kathamandu International Airport depending on your departure time. With all your new photos and great memories, you will start your flight back home. We hope you had an unforgettable time in Mustang.

We would be happy to organize an extension on site or in another region for you. Just contact us!

Duration of the trip: 13 days / 12 nights

Included

• 12 nights in mentioned accommodations or similar:
  • 3 nights in Kathmandu at Dwarika's Hotel
  • 1 night in Pokhara at Shangri-La Village
  • 7 nights in lodges incl. full board
  • 1 night in Dhulikhel at Dwarika's Resort
• 1x lunch on day 2
• 1x lunch + 1x dinner on day 3
• English-speaking guide
• Private airport transfer
• Transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Transfer in a non air-conditioned jeep to Kagbeni and from Lo Manthang to Jomsom
• Domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu
• Domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara
• Mustang permit fee

Not included

• International flights
• Meals and beverages not included in the package
• Excursions and activities that are not included in the service package
• Personal expenses like minibar and tips
• Visa (approx. USD 25)
• Insurances