Lo-manthang Trekking

Lo-Manthang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom which lies in the northern central part of Nepal and at the top of the Kaligandaki River, in the upper Mustang Region. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern where the languages, culture and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people.

This area is consider as one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. The whole area has an isolated and mystical feel to it, enchanting and inspiring visitors to this region. The trek to Lo- Manthang is through high altitude desert country climbing in and out of the huge sided valley of the Kali Gandaki. In places the gorge which the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the world. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with quaint white washed houses.

At present Mustang is a very popular trekking region in Nepal. The Home Ministry of Nepal announced the Opening of the restricted areas in October 1991. There is also strict control in obtaining a special permit from the Department of Immigration to protect their tradition from outside influence as well as to protect their environment. According to government rule, liaison officers should always accompany with the trekking groups.

• DAY 1

  ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

  When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu. (Welcome-Dinner)

• DAY 2

  KATHMANDU CITY TOUR

  After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 3

  KATHMANDU / POKHARA

  You have breakfast being of the early morning before 7:00 AM. This morning you will be drive to Pokhara (200km), departure early in the morning, approximately 6 hrs away by tourist bus. You see along the drive good scenery. You will be arrive late afternoon at Pokhara. Pokhara lakeside villages sits, "front row centre" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. In the evening you will prepare yourself for your trek to Upper Mustang. O/N in Pokhara. (B/L/D)

• DAY 4

  POKHARA / JOMSOM / KAGBENI

  Fly to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang. This is the most interesting town in the area. The spectacular views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak and Dhampus peak will make you buy some extra rolls of film. After breakfast trek along the Kali Gandaki River. Arrive Kagbeni, the entry point of the upper Mustang for overnight stop. O/N in Kagbebni at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 5

  KAGBENI / CHELE

  There is a trail up the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. Nilgiri peak which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village about 1 1/2 hrs trek, and cross the river from there and continue north climbing up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at 3030 Mt. The culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo from here. O/N in Chele at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 6

  CHELE / GELING

  The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock at 3540 Mt. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 Mt. The route climbs over yet another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there gently climb to a pass at 3770mt and descend to Geling. O/N in Geling at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 7

  GELING / CHARANG

  From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on your trek NYI LA and descend below the blue, grey and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmar Chu ( river), then climbs past what is perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600m, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five storey white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddhas. O/N in Charang at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 8

  CHARANG / LO MANTHANG

  The trail descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Charang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally from a ridge at 3850 Mt. there is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of LO Manthang. O/N in Lo Manthang at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 9-10-11

  LO MANTHANG

  There are four major places and several other places like the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house", the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attractions of this town. An another attraction is the four storey building of the King's Palace as well as the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalaya. Having seen one, you are excited to see the others. Besides LO Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth visiting. The western valley Tingkhar, the sight of Raja's summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Nangyals "The Monastery of Victory " is the newest and most active Gompa in LO. The eastern valley contains Chosar, the site of a High School, Garphu and Nyphu Gompa and is the main trading route to Lhasa. O/N in Lo Manthang at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 12

  LO MANTHANG / GHAMI VIA GEKAR

  This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your return trek. The trail climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of LO Manthang. The trail contours past two small ridges and valleys and across a ridge at 4070m then descends across to the south through two more valleys, meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent to Gekar. LO Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet and one of the oldest Gompa in Nepal. Then crosses a ridge after a little climbing and drops down steeply to Thamar village. The trail descends along the side of the stone walls and fields of extensive villages, then climbs to a ridge. It is a short descent to Ghami. O/N in Ghami at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 13

  GHAMI / SAMAR

  From Ghami climb to NYI LA and descend to Samar through the same route. O/N in Samar at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 14

  SAMAR / KAGBENI

  Return trek to Kagbeni. O/N in Kagbeni at Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 15

  KAGBENI / JOMSOM

  Trek back to Jomsom. O/N in Jomsom. (B/L/D)

• DAY 16

  JOMSOM / KATHMANDU

  Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 17

  KATHMANDU

  After breakfast you're free as your own in Kathmandu. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 18

  DEPARTURE

  After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international airport for your final destination. (B)