Upper Mustang trek is one of the best-preserved cultural destinations in all of the Himalayas. Trips to the region have been protected by special permit limiting tourist travel. Now, rare opportunity to travel within the Kingdom of Lo. Navigate Outdoor will take you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of this forbidden Kingdom.
Traveling in August to enjoy the wildflowers and vibrant green of crops grown in the region. Along the journey, we’ll meet agro – pastoralist that continue living as they have for centuries.
Our trip includes 12days trek across the desert plateau, past red cliffs windswept monasteries to reach the ancient capital of Lo Manthang. Here we wander the corridors of the walled city, visit rural villages by horse, and explore monasteries.
Jeep tour to Upper Mustang
We also organize a jeep tour to upper starts from Kathmandu -Pokhara- Jomsom – Kagbeni- Lomanthang and back drive back same way to Kathmandu.
We offer this tour who doesn’t want to trek/hike in the same trail/off-road to upper mustang, our tour cover and have quite similar route to Lo Mangthan Upper -Mustang.
please contact us for more details info of jeep tour.
- Destination:Annapurna Region, Nepal
- Trip Grade:Moderate
- Max Elevation:4300m
- Total Duration:12 - 18 Days
- Best Time:March - June, Sept - Dec ,
- Best culture trek in Mustang:5 star
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu Airport
- Day 2: While we are finishing last minute paperwork and short out with government
- Day 3: Fly to Pokhara 25 minute and transfer to the hotel. Elevation: 900meters/2952feet
- Day 4: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni. Elevation: 2670meters/8760feet
- Day 5: Trek Kagbeni to Chusang. Elevation: 2980meters/9775feet
- Day 6: Trek Chusang to Samar Elevation: 3150meters/10330feet
- Day 7: Trek to Gheling. Elevation: 3510meters/ 11510 feet
- Day 8: Trek to Ghami Elevation: 3490meters/11450feet
- Day 9: Trek to Charang Elevation:3620meters/11877feet
- Day 10: Trek to Lo- Manthang. Elevation:3840meters/12598feet.
- Day 11: Visit Namgyul Gompa and Tingkhar
- Day 12: Trek to Dhi Elevation: 3410meters/ 11188feet
- Day 13: Trek to Tangbe. Elevation: 3370meters/11056feet
- Day 14: Trek to Chuksang. Elevation: 3022meters/9915feet
- Day 15: Trek to Jomsom Via Kagbeni. Elevation: 2713meters/8900feet
- Day 16: Fly to Pokhara and stay in Pokhara
- Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel and stay.
- Day 18: Fly to Home.
Detail Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu Airport
- Navigate Outdoor’s guide/staff will meets you at the airport and transfer to the hotel, we arrange mid-range hotel which has 100% safe with best location for the food/restaurants, outdoor shops. As son as whole group got arrived we do group orientation of the trip at your hotel.
- Day 2: While we are finishing last minute paperwork and short out with government
- We also arrange for you to enjoy a city tour the places, Monkey Temple, Bouddhanath Stupas, Pashupatinath Temple and Durbar Square they are famous places to sightseeing and learn about the culture in Kathmandu.
- Day 3: Fly to Pokhara 25 minute and transfer to the hotel. Elevation: 900meters/2952feet
- The morning 25 minutes flight brings us to the scenic lakeside town of Pokhara where we have views of the Lamjung, Annapurna Range and Machhapuchhare/fishtail mountains.
- Day 4: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni. Elevation: 2670meters/8760feet
- Early morning we will take flight from Pokhara to Jomsom between two 8000 meters mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You will get to see amazing views of the 8000 Meters massif and one of the deepest gorges on the planet. Arriving Jomsom, you will meet our rest of the staff arrange logistic and trek to the Kagbeni the main gateway to the Upper Mustang
- Day 5: Trek Kagbeni to Chusang. Elevation: 2980meters/9775feet
- The trail leads towards the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River climbing many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tange village. The village is narrow alleys amongst whitewashed houses and field of buckwheat, barely, wheat and apple orchards. The views of Nilgiri and view from north of Annapurna is magnificent and amazing. We reach Chusang for night hold.
- Day 6: Trek Chusang to Samar Elevation: 3150meters/10330feet
- We continue trek along the Kali Gandaki River climbing up to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel that the Kali Gandaki follows. The trek leaves Kali Gandaki River valley and climbs steep up a rocky gully to Chuile. From here, the culture changes from Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo. The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the sides of the beautiful steep canyon to a pass. The trail then makes a long gradual descent and reach to Samar for our night hold.
- Day 7: Trek to Gheling. Elevation: 3510meters/ 11510 feet
- We climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge. Trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to ridge at 3800 meters/12467 feet, follow a ridge descending into Shyanmochen. And climb and pass before drop to Geling for night hold.
- Day 8: Trek to Ghami Elevation: 3490meters/11450feet
- From Geling the trail climbs gently up to an interesting pass called nyi La and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing steel bridge you will arrive at what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular mani stone wall in Nepal.
- Day 9: Trek to Charang Elevation:3620meters/11877feet
- Climb over 11811feet/3600meters, the route makes a long gentle descent into Chrang. The main attractions in five story white Dzong and red Gompa. We will observe collections of statues and Thankas art and many large paintings of Buddhas.
- Day 10: Trek to Lo- Manthang. Elevation:3840meters/12598feet.
- This is an opportunity to visit two other villages along the trek. The trail climbs steadly to Lo – Gekar. The lo- Gekar Gompa is older than the Samye Gompa in Tibet, and one of the oldest Gopmas of all Nepal. After visiting Lo-Gekar, we will continue on Lo-Manthang. From the ridge you will sights breathtaking views of the walled city of Lo. After short descent, we will cross a stream and the climb up to the plateau of Lo - Manthang.
- Day 11: Visit Namgyul Gompa and Tingkhar
- Takes around two hours to reach Namgyal Gompa, which is situated on a hilltop and serves as an important monastery for the local community and local court. And visit Tingkhar which is a village of around 40 houses, the last village to the northwest of Lo-Manthang and stay in Lo-Manthang.
- Day 12: Trek to Dhi Elevation: 3410meters/ 11188feet
- From Lo-Monthang the trail continues straight until Dhi pass at 4100 meters and descends down to Dhi. This portion of trek is harder but more rewarding and interesting than the west side of the valley. Dhi is one of the more prosperous villages and settled in a very suitable region.
- Day 13: Trek to Tangbe. Elevation: 3370meters/11056feet
- Trail gose along the river more less 2 hours and then crosses to Damodhar Kunda, one of the sacred lakes.. There is no bridge we have to cross river bare feet and trail climbs up to a high pass of about 3850 meters/12631 feet. Along the trail there are no grass and trees either and drops directly into Tangbe Village. Tangbe village is quite small not more than 30 houses.
- Day 14: Trek to Chuksang. Elevation: 3022meters/9915feet
- The trail winds through a steep ridges of hills providing some fine views of the wind cover hills. Tetang village is between two hills, avoiding the strong wind that hits the Kali Gandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of Chuksang and night hold.
- Day 15: Trek to Jomsom Via Kagbeni. Elevation: 2713meters/8900feet
- Our last day of the Upper Mustang trek, the trail goes through the village of Jharkot, we can visit Monastery, a Tibetan herbal medical center, and old Forrest of Jharkot. Continue trekking towards the Jomsom passing Kagbeni and stay overnight at Jomsom.
- Day 16: Fly to Pokhara and stay in Pokhara
- Fly early morning to Pokhara and transfer to hotel, enjoy rest of the morning and pretty much whole day in the lakeside which is best way to wrap up your beautiful trek.
- Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel and stay.
- Day 18: Fly to Home.
Cost Includes
- Experienced guide (4:1 ratio), local porter (2:1ratio)+ porter.
• Domestic flights Ktm – Pokhara
• Domestic flights Jomsom – Pokhara
• Airport picks up and drops.
• Hotel 3nights in Kathmandu twin sharing room with breakfast.
• Essential group First aid.
• Trekking permit and TIMS (Tourism Information Management System)
• Our staff’s guides and Porter's salary, food, accommodation, and their insurance.
•Food during the trekking, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast and hot drinks tea & Coffee,
Cost Excludes
∗ Travel/ trekking, accidental/ health insurance (mandatory)
∗ Personal Expenses (e.g. snacks, coke, Mineral water, chocolate during the day etc)
∗ Mineral Water and Alcohol and all bottled beverages.
∗ Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, accept sightseeing and other activities.
∗ International airfare and airport tax, Visa fee
∗ Guides/ Porter’s tip.
∗ Emergency evacuation.
Please be ready and keep in mind that adventure in the Himalayan Mountains requires an open & emphatic mind. During your trek you are lacking some of the basic need like attached bath, hot shower and electricity. Due to weather conditions, health issues, and other general issues of the group members or sudden natural disaster like landslide, snow storms, and other natural aspect we may to change your route. We try our best to follow our original plan when you booked your expedition, but your safety is our primary concern. In case the trip need reroute of your trek is necessary, our group leader/ guide make final call or decision. Essential Gear
- Camera, water bottle, extra money, sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, hiking loose fitting shorts/ synthetic T-shirt etc.
- Hiking boots, sports shoe, 3 to 4 pairs woolen socks, 1 pairs gloves, warm hat,
- Day backpack 35ltr to 50ltr , and a duffel bag for your clothing.
- Warm layers, down or synthetic jackets, fleece, hiking pants, Thermals.
Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA
Mani; Clearly you are chosen & Choose across the globe to make a lasting impact on our children. Your strength, calmness, guidance/wisdom, and patience are so evident. We will forever be grateful for the effort + Impact that you have made on our son. Thank you from our bottom of our hearts for this. It’s unbelievable. Peace & love to you forever. Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA 2018.
Journeying a river: Jai Karnali, January 2020
How did river Ganga come to be?
Mythology says that there was a noble King who requested that Ganga descend from heaven to bless humanity and quench the thirst of the land and its people.
Pleased to shower the world with blessings, Ganga rushed down with such gusto that people feared that all that came in the way would be washed away. The God Shiva came to the rescue and stopped the momentum of the water with his long thick long hair. Because of this, Ganga flowed smoothly and satiated the thirst of all beings and showered blessings on the land with each drop of precious water.
Ecologists interpret this myth as a metaphor- Shiva’s thick long hair is synonymous with dense jungles that help check the floods and stop the land from washing away as the river accelerates down the slopes from the melting glaciers.
Rafting down the river Karnali in Western Nepal last month, it felt as if the myth was true! In our group of 11 people were some seasoned sailors, kayakers, river guides, and rafting experts, but a few like me had never been on a raft. I am also not a strong swimmer; so, it was an act of faith and surrender to the river and expertise of our leader Mani, and river rafting expert Manu to go on the trip.
We put the rafts in the river after about 4 hours drive up the town of Surkhet at an altitude of about 800 m. The rafts and the equipment, including the tents and rations, were supplied with the generous support of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in the States.
This expedition was conceptualized and planned by Ravi, NOLS India Programmed Director, and Mani ( #navigateoutdoor Nepal) NOLS senior Instructor and who co-led the expedition. The two kayakers, Ganesh and Nanu Kayaks and were in the tumultuous waters of Karnali watching and guiding our rafts at each and every rapid that came along. They were plenty of challenges to varying degrees!
For the next seven days we were out on the river, and camping at some of the most beautiful banks. We witnessed a vast expanse of pristine natural habitats along the way both on land and in the waters. We parked the rafts often to take a walk over to beautiful villages and bought fresh vegetables, fish, milk and yogurt, etc. from the villagers. We savored some delicious meals in cottage eateries that you can find along the traditional walking routes of the shepherds, traders, and village folk, that connect the plains with the high Himal region in the kingdom of Nepal and beyond on the Tibetan plateau. The river crisscrossed some of the most wonderfully crafted hanging bridges on these routes as well.
We saw how the simple and rich life of fishing communities sustainably harvest the bounty of fish from the river. They fish in their dug up canoes made from tree trunks. The fish from Karnali is famous across the region and fetches amongst the highest price in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. High value and low volume seem to be the guiding factor – it can be 2-4 days walk to sell and transport the fish, so, the fish is dried or smoked creating a very special, niche type of produce from the villages along Karnali.
Agriculture and livestock rearing is still flourishing in the villages. It was amazing to see some of the most appropriately designed dehusking, pounding, and winnowing equipment still in use – that has perhaps not changed in the last thousand years.
It is indeed a living culture that uses and maintains the landscape, in harmony with nature, using indigenous knowledge to enhance biodiversity and what we call ecosystem services. Our faith in the concept of the Gross National Happiness index was further strengthened. The common Human Development indices merely emphasize infrastructure and access to institutions such as hospitals and schools- but there is so much to be taken into account for true sustainability. While the intent is not to romanticize the old, biocultural heritage, the wisdom of the old seems to be working harmoniously and should well complement human development in a more meaningful way.
Some of the big questions being discussed in conferences and seminars across the world could be answered in a much more eco-friendly and happy way by experiencing the life and values of the community here and of other indigenous peoples across the world.
The modern idea of development as highly individualistic has become increasingly crippled with outdated notions of competition, rather than collaboration, also creating massive disparities in income and consumption of natural resources.
We could learn from the communities here, and take lessons from the past into the future: the dignity of physical work, interdependence, and interconnectedness are three principles that need to be central to human endeavor- there is no sustainability without equity and dignity.
Gradually, we descended down with the flow of the river, as it slowly calmed down in the Terai region. It’s a rich habitat for tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants, and another charismatic megafauna. The very sight of these deep jungles invokes awe. We got off the banks of the mighty Karnali at the little town of Chiso Pani.
We deflated the rafts, packed the gear, washed, and rushed to one of the many restaurants in this little town. Some of us relished the delicious fish from Karnali to their heart's content! For others like me, the restaurant served fabulous fresh greens with dal-bhat; as they say in Nepal “Dal Bhat power, 24 hours!”
May the river Karnali have a long life and continue to bless humanity as the King had anticipated in the ancient times. May present-day leaders start to wake up to the wisdom in conservation and sustainable utilization of the river, rather than damning it and threatening the sheer existence of these communities. May we all learn from the life of the people here; all the wonderful ways to weave a close-knit community and flourish together with nature.
Thanks for the whole team Chura Mani Aryal, Manohar, Nanu and Ganesh river experts, and beautiful Karnali River, and people from the river corridor.
Ajay Rastogi
Majkhali India
"I want to thank you and your guides and employees again for the wonderful memories I have of the Manaslu trek and the lovely side trip into the Tsum Valley. The scenery and experiences were great and I especially loved the variety of forests, the wildlife, and of course the incomparable mountain scenery. I want to add a special thank you to you for the special care you gave me when my foot and leg became very swollen. Your help and knowledge allowed me to complete the trek with minimal discomfort. I still experience the problem to a minor degree but still, look forward to further adventurous travel when the situation allows in the future. Conversations with you about Nepalese history were also an enjoyable and informative aspect of the trek".
I would like to thank Navigate Outdoor for organizing such a joyful and safe trip to the Tsum and Manaslu region. I'd like to thank Mani and his entire team to make our trip such memorable and extra care to all of us on the trekking. I really enjoyed having my own personal time exploring the side valley taking pictures and interact with local people on the trail. Mani is an experienced leader who allows space while trekking. He helped, and always available for other trekkers they need medical attention. I saw him support others and interact with them in a really professional way. I appreciated and enjoyed the 24 days trekking in the Tsum valley and Manaslu round trekking.
Nick Green Australia 2018
I appreciate your attitude "Anyway life comes first and business comes second and other things." I can see you are really living that motto when you tell us of the wonderful time you are having with your family.
Dane, and I really enjoyed the trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. While I have been trekking in the Himalayas a number of times it was nice to do a trek with my son. Dane was very impressed to see the high mountains. Thanks for organizing Annapurna Base Camp trekking for me and my son Dane. Mani, I really appreciated sharing your previous experiences and telling stories about your own life and adventure career. We'll do another trip in the future. We'll share our experiences with our friends and recommended Navigate Outdoor. I can't express the joyful moment I had on the Annapurna Base camp trip you with, and felt 100% safe, thanks for taking care of us in the trekking.
Malcolm and Dane Dwyer Australia 2019
Karnali River Experience.
They say that the journey is better than the destination. That all the experiences along the way are like an accumulation of rocks along a riverbed. This story is another stone in a river.
I have known Mani Aryal for several years, meeting him in the United States, in the state of Utah. Mani and I were both on a work contract to take a group of students down Desolation & Gray Canyon on the Green River. After spending three weeks with Mani I knew that I made a paddling adventure buddy and that he would be a person that I actively stay in contact with. The years have a way of floating by with adventure and intentions. Every time I spoke to Mani he persistently invited me to Kathmandu to see his home and to float the rivers. Three years after saying “no”, I finally could say “maybe”.
Kathmandu is large in legend and small in structure. The shuttle ride from the airport is an example of whitewater: dodging potholes, must-make moves, and pure adrenaline. It’s best not to watch.
There are two options to get to the river when signing up for a Karnali River Expedition trip: 1) take the plane or 2) ride with the guides and gear on public transport. I was on a tight budget, so option #2 was the only way to go. Putting together a multiday river trip is always difficult, especially when you start combining buses, shuttles, and rendezvous. The first leg of the journey was via public transportation to Koholpur. The guides and I, hanging out at the main bus depot, loading all of the gear we would need for the next 12 days was a new experience indeed.
You see a lot of different people and livestock on the long-distance buses. Chickens and goats are not uncommon. If a woman is standing with a baby, it’s a norm to hand a baby to you, a seated passenger, to hold the child in order to give her a break.
The second half of the shuttle was a private bus to the put-in, the small village of Dungeshor that is located straight down a canyon. The route our bus driver picked was shorter to save fuel but longer because of road conditions. Our bus rocked, creaked and moaned down the road for 8 hours only to cover 85km. “Singletrack” may be a better description than “road” as there were only inches to spare between rock walls and open air.
Sideswiping other buses, scouting rock gardens, and pushing our transport were common occurrences that quickly become norms. We reached Dungeshor after 10 pm to hastily inhale some food and beer from a generous restaurant owner who opened his doors after hours. Afterward, we set up our tents on the riverbank to welcome a solid, unwavering piece of ground to usher in some sleep.
The next morning, the guides were in their prime, having already started getting breakfast ready for everyone. Mani was no exception, greeting me with a great, white smile and a coffee to help orient my mind back to my body. The biggest surprise was all of the children hanging about camp. We were all warned not to leave our gear unattended. Later that day, I realized a carabineer walked off to hang out with the children. The guides seemed to include me that much more by laughing and sharing stories of gear gone lost.
Throughout the six days, Mani and his guides were exceptional hosts. It seemed as if they never stopped moving. Always quick to put a coffee in your hand, help you set up your campsite, or to offer a meal. Every morning they would barter with local fishermen to add an extra flair to the menu. On the water, I felt safe and involved in risk management. All ideas were heard until a plan formed to be implemented with everyone on board. The standard followed by Mani was professional.
Six months after this trip, the strongest memories I have are of traveling to and from the river. Once I had oars in my hand and a blue sky above me I knew who I was and how I got there.
The total trip duration from Kathmandu to Kathmandu was 10 days included the bus journey.
Dan Colorado USA.
Thank you, Mani. I look forward to our next adventure.