13 Days Lower Mustang Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by Nepal Hiking Adventure Company staff and transferred to the Hotel, where an NHAC guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek, do’s and don’t, and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

Accommodation : Hotel Meals : Breakfast

As per the drive time, transfer for the scenic driving journey to Pokhara. After 5-6 hours of good ride us to the stunning Pokhara Valley, on arrival at Pokhara transfer to the Hotel. Pokhara is the second largest township in Nepal and enjoys a beautiful setting beside the large lakes of Phewa, Rupa, and Begnas.

Accommodation : Hotel Meals : Breakfast

We begin our trek at Nayapul, driving to the end of the road. A 15-minute walk along the bank of the Modi Khola River brings us to Birethanti (1065m), a large village with many shops & teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. From there the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hill at 1495m, and a further short climb to Tikedhunga at 1525m. This is a short and relatively easy day, allowing us to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we leave Tikedunga, we begin with a steep climb to Ulleri. Ulleri is a large Magar village at 2070m. Then the trail continues to climb more gently through fine forests of oak & rhododendrons towards Banthanti at 2250m. From there we trek towards Nangethanti at 2460m. An hour further walk brings us to Ghorepani at 2775m.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, very early in the morning, we rise to hike the 1-hour climb to Poon Hill 3210m. A brilliant spectacle, this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of sunrise over the high Himalayas. We spend around 40 minutes taking in the wonderful spectacle, before returning to Ghorepani for a well-deserved breakfast. After breakfast, we start for Tatopani. The trail descends steeply to Chitre at 2390m. As the trail drops down through Sikha, the hills are extensively terraced. Sikha is a large village with shops and hotels at 1980m, from there the trail descends gently to Ghara at 1705m. A further steep descent of 500m takes you to the Ghar Khola where the trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge. We then climb up above the Kaligandaki River before crossing that too, before turning north to Tatopani. Tato means ‘hot’ and pani is ‘water’, a name earned courtesy of the hot springs by the river.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is considered to be the deepest in the world which is situated as it is between the two 8,000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. From there, the trail rises gently up to Dana at 1400m, & on to Rupse Chhahara at 1550m, there you can see a stunning waterfall. As the trail crosses to the eastern bank of the river, you will reach Kopchepani, & then cross back to the western side on a suspension bridge at 1935m. From here it is a short climb to Ghasa at 2080m. The trail continues to ascend & pass through Lete at 2470m, shortly before arriving at Kalopani at an elevation of 2560m, where we obtain superb views of the Nilgiri peaks to the east.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

This day we start the trek by crossing to the eastern side of the river but cross back again further up the trail before entering Larjung at 2560m. The trail continues on a short distance to the interesting village of Khobang with its narrow alleyways. Then will have lunch at the ancient Thakali village of Tukuche at 2590m. After Tukuche, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki. As we pass through the gorge, the terrain becomes much more barren & the breeze increases. We continue towards Marpha at 2665m passing a Tibetan refuge settlement & then a horticulture research station. Marpha is a large Thakali village with many excellent teahouses; however, it still retains the typical architectural features of narrow alleyways, flat roofs, & whitewashed buildings. There we will visit a superb Nyingmapa Buddhist gompa.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

From Marpha, we climb along the side of the valley to Jomsom at 2713m. Jomsom is a large, bustling settlement, and is the administrative centre of the region, containing the airport, army camp, numerous hotels, shops, banks & government offices. On the way, we cross the river to the eastern bank and then walk onwards to Eklai Bhatti at 2730m. From here we follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2810m which is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola & the Kali Gandaki, the northernmost village that can be visited without a permit to continue to Mustang. This village is rich in Tibetan culture and its unique hospitality.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

As we leave kagbeni and walk up to Jharkot, the trail climbs up to our ultimate destination of Muktinath at 3, 800m. We initially visited Ranipauwa, where there are many tea houses and shops. Our overnight stay will be here. 10 minutes further up the hill, we will be rewarded with the actual religious site of Muktinath & this area is kept free of hotels and camping sites. Muktinath is a pilgrimage center for Buddhists and Hindus. There we can see Tibetan traders as well as sadhus from the far south of India. There is a shrine in a grove of trees including a Buddhist gompa & the Vishnu temple of Jwalamai. An old temple nearby shelters a spring and natural gas jets that provide Muktinath’s famous eternal flame. It’s the Earth, water, and Fire combination that accounts for Muktinath’s great religious significance.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

A good gradual walk on the downhill slope all the way to the Kaligandaki River Valley from here the path is almost level all the way to Jomsom.

Accommodation : Tea House Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early morning flight to Pokhara, on arrival Nepal Hiking Adventure Company staff will pick you up for a short drive back to your respective Hotel, afternoon sightseeing of Pokhara, and a boat ride.

Accommodation : Hotel Meals : Breakfast

After a memorable time in Jomsom and Muktinath and the scenic Pokhara, morning drive on the busy highway to Kathmandu following the River Trisuli for a few hours, and then reaching Kathmandu by mid or late afternoon, on arrival check in at the respective Hotel.

Accommodation : Hotel Meals : Breakfast

Depending upon your flight time, Nepal holiday trip staff will transfer you to the International airport for the flight back home or to your respective destination.

Meals : Breakfast