Welcome to Kathmandu! A Company representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Late in the afternoon or early evening, there will be a briefing on the trek arrangements and important information about your stay in Nepal.

In the late morning, we take a scenic flight to Pokhara (2,700′), passing over the deep valleys and rivers of central Nepal and taking in views of the Ganesh, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna Himals. After checking into our lovely hotel we’ll enjoy a poolside lunch. This evening, you’ll enjoy a tour of the hostel and cultural show with the group and all the kids at Lama Pasang’s Children’s Care Home.

From Pokhara we take a very early 17 minute flight up the spectacular Kali Gandaki Gorge lying between the peaks of Dhaulagiri (26,788′) and Annapurna (26,538′) to Jomsom (9,053′), the administrative center of the Mustang district. Upon arrival, we meet our trekking staff and begin hiking along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni (9,315′), a medieval looking village that is the “gateway” to Mustang. We are now in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, and it’s easy to see how closely this area geographically resembles Tibet. The peak of Nilgiri (23,166’) dominates the southern skyline. (3 – 3 ½ hours hiking.)

We travel by jeep to the village of Tangbe (10,037′) and take in our first views of the uniquely colored chortens and landscapes of Upper Mustang, where beautiful red, yellow, and brown sandstone pillars rise from a barren, desert-like terrain. We’ll continue driving to Chhuksang (9,774′), at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Narshing Khola rivers. From here we leave our jeep and start hiking north. We’ll cross the Kali Gandaki before a short steep climb brings us to the village of Chele (10,168′), from where we’ll have a magnificent view of the southern valley of the Kali Gandaki. Continuing west from Chele, we make a steep climb that leads to a cairn from where we’ll see the village of Ghyakar (11,683′) and its surrounding fields across a massive canyon. The climb continues on a long, steep, dry trail and winds up the side of a deep canyon. After crossing a ridge, we enter a large side valley, gradually descending to our lodge at Samar (11,874′). Once a trading post for horse caravans, Samar is an oasis surrounded by groves of poplar trees amid the arid landscape. Overnight at camp. (Jeep ride: 2 hours. (4 – 4 ½ hours hiking.)

After breakfast, we take an alternate route to the main road in order to visit an ancient cave, Chungsi, that houses the Rhangchung Chorten (meaning “the chorten that built itself or appeared by a miracle”), hidden away in a deep canyon. We take a sharp descent to cross a ravine, then we deviate off the main trail, cross an even deeper ravine, then start the long hike up to a pass from where we will have a great view of the canyon to our north and east and of the snowcapped mountains to the south. After a very steep descent, we finally reach the cave monastery, which looks as if it’s growing out of the vertical wall. The cave, decorated with khatas (ceremonial scarves), numerous chortens, and  other ritual items, is believed to have been visited by Padmasambhava, the Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Tibet. After visiting the cave, we head north to Syangmochen. The trail passes through an area of small trees and green bushes in the narrowing gorge before it broadens into a valley. After a long gradual climb we arrive at Shyangmochen where we stop for lunch. After lunch we head to our camp at the scenic village of Geling (11,710′) with its poplar trees and vast, fertile fields. The main monastery overlooks the whitewashed houses that dot the valley. (7 – 7 ½ hours hiking.)

From Geling, we climb across the Karki La pass (13,186’), the southern boundary of the Mustang proper, and descend to the large village of Ghemi (11,513′) where we enjoy a hot lunch. We’ll then cross the Drakmar Chu River over a suspension bridge and walk above the most impressive and longest stretch of Mani wall (boulders with carved Buddhist prayer inscriptions) in Upper Mustang. Leaving the main trail ascend to the secluded village of Drakmar (12,529′), set under magnificent red sandstone cliffs dotted with numerous cave openings. We may possibly see blue sheep from this camp! (6 – 6 ½ hours hiking.)

A morning hike through amazing rock formations brings us to a beautiful ridge with magnificent view of the Annapurna range. We descend gradually to the ancient town of Tsarang (11,677′), with its picturesque entry portal. Nearby is a five-story dzong (fortress-monastery), formerly the home of the kings of Mustang, and the vast red Dorje Dhen Gompa, which we will visit before enjoying a hot lunch. After lunch we climb gradually up the valley through the village of Marang from where we get our first view of the famous Ghar Gompa, also known as Lo Gekar, meaning “true virtue of Lo.” This is the oldest monastery (Nyingma sect) established in the 8th century by Padmasambhava, in an effort to pacify the “demons” that were hindering the construction of the Samye monastery in Tibet, which is often considered to be the first monastery in the Tibetan region. The gompa was restored with the funding of the American Himalayan Foundation. We’ll camp above the gompa and make time for a visit. (7 hours hiking.)

After crossing several valleys, we reach the Chogo La pass (14,186′), the highest pass on the entire trek. After a long gradual descent, we finally get our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang in the distance, set among the fields and poplar trees. A steady descent brings us to our hotel just outside the walled town. (4 ½ – 5 hours hiking.)

We take a day off from hiking to explore Lo Manthang, one of the last walled cities in Asia. We’ll start with visits to its two major 15^th century monasteries: Thugchen Gompa and Champa Lhakhang. Because of their remoteness, these monasteries have remained unaffected by modern times and entering them is like walking into another world, one heavy with incense and flickering yak butter lamps. When the chanting of monks or the moan of the long Tibetan horns is added to this, it’s possible to lose oneself in reverie for a long period of time! Thugchen Gompa, located near the center of town, contains fine Buddhist murals in its massive assembly hall that is supported by 35 tall, wooden columns. Sakyamuni, the main deity of Thubchen, is depicted with other deities such as Avalokiteshwora and Padmasambhava. The three-storied Champa Lhakhang, whose walls are painted with intricate mandalas, opens to a central courtyard supported by carved wooden pillars and contains a fifty-foot-tall image of Maitreya, the future Buddha. It sits on a pedestal that occupies the entire ground floor and is the largest clay statue in Nepal. A team of conservation architects has restored both monasteries with funding provided by the American Himalayan Foundation. We also visit the Choedhe monastic school. Although the monarchy of Mustang officially ended in 2008 by order of the Government of Nepal, the former official Raja Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista was recognized by Mustang residents as the king until he passed away in December 2016. He traced his lineage back to Ame Pal, who founded the kingdom of Lo in the 14th century. (Note—The PBS documentaries Journey of Transformation and The Lost Treasures of Tibet are about Mustang and the restoration projects of this fragile area.)

We leave Lo Manthang today, climbing up the pass overlooking Lo Manthang and continuing a while before walking down toward the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

The dry and dusty trail is steep and winding, with a clear view straight down to the rooftops of the village below. The final section of the trail drops sharply to the village of Dhi (11,119′), set by the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. Like most of the settlements along this river, Dhi is marked by a patchwork of fertile fields and trees. After a well-deserved break here, we’ll hike up to the village of Yara to camp. Just before reaching Yara, we will see an incredible series of gigantic 300-foot-high wind-scoured cliffs resembling giant organ pipes. The cliffs are dotted with numerous cave openings and offer one of Upper Mustang’s most spectacular sights. (7-8 hours hiking.)

Today we enjoy a side hike to the ancient Luri Gompa cave monastery (13,317′), one of the few remaining cave monasteries in the world. Luri remains one of the only monasteries in the region belonging to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and consists of a series of interconnected chapels covering various levels, all carved out of the cliff. The inner room contains a large chorten painted with deities. Kashmiri-style paintings of exquisite flowers, deities, and various figures of Indian origin cover the dome-shaped roof and the west wall. We return to camp at the end of the hike. (5-6 hours hiking.)

From Yara, we head south to Dhechyang Khola, our trail winding steeply uphill before opening to magnificent views of the landscape below. We’ll then continue downhill into the village of Tangge, a hamlet whose homes form a fort nestled below cliffs eroded into massive columns. The view of the settlement with its groups of chortens and mani walls of various sizes and shapes is stunning! Our camp is set in a walled compound to protect us from the dry winds of Mustang. (8 hours hiking

On our way out of Tangge, we’ll take an atmospheric walk through town past narrow rows of houses, under buildings, and up alleys, and past the mani walls and chortens to join the trail leading down to the Tangge Khola, where we’ll cross a suspension bridge. We’ll hike above the village and then descend again to the wide rocky plain of the Yak Khola. After one more river crossing, we’ll begin a steep ascent. Once we reach the prayer flag-adorned summit of Pha la (13,720’) we make a short descent to our beautiful camp just below the other side of the pass near the only water source

on this part of the trek. After a hot lunch in camp we’ll relax and enjoy stunning views of the canyon below. (5 hours hiking.)

Today, the trail winds uphill, opening to exceptional views of the whole of Mustang Valley, extending to the northern border beyond Lo Manthang. Some sections of the trail are fairly narrow, and care must be taken here, as the scenery is so dramatic you may be tempted to venture too close to the edge of the 3,000-foot gullies dropping down to the river below. Soon, the trail veers away from the rim and opens to the extraordinary southern view of the Kali Gandaki Valley below as it cuts between the Annapurnas, Nilgiris, and Dhaulagiri. To the east, an array of peaks surrounds the

famous Thorang La pass (17,764′). From this viewpoint, our descent begins along a steep and rough trail with loose scree. Eventually the trail flattens out on a plateau and splits in two. The right fork leads to Chhusang, while the left one leads on to Tetang. Tonight, we’ll stay in a small lodge in the village of Chhusang. (6-7 hours hiking.)

From here we drive about 1 hour to the edge Jomsom, enjoying wonderful views of the Nilgiris (23,160′ and 22,763′), we’ll hike 30 minutes into town and overnight at a lodge. Tonight we will enjoy our farewell dinner with our staff. (Jeep ride: 2 hours. Hiking time: 30 minutes.)

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (weather permitting)*. Transfer to hotel. Lunch and dinner at hotel. The afternoon is free to shop and explore Pokhara.  *Flights in and out of Jomsom’s tiny mountain airstrip are commonly delayed. We have scheduled an extra day at the end of the trek so as not to interfere with your homeward-bound flights.

A 25-minute flight brings us back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free to relax or do some lastminute shopping or sightseeing on your own. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a festive farewell dinner.

Fly home Transfer to the airport and depart Kathmandu on homeward-bound flights.