Upper Mustang & Saribung Peak

 

01Day

Day 01: Kathmandu to Pokhara [823m/2,700ft]: 6 hrs drive

Early morning at around 7 am, you will set off for Pokhara on private transport. Enroute you will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. In afternoon, you will reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. You can explore the most accessible and beautiful Fewa Lake during the afternoon and enjoy boating too. You can xplore, relax and dine by tranquil Lake Fewa. You can even do some shopping during evening hours.

Overnight in Pokhara. (B)

02Day

Day 02: Fly to Jomsom trek to Kagbeni [2,858m/9,375ft]: 3-4 hrs.

After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes over the mountains with views of 8,000 meters such as Annapurna & Dhaulagiri, brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kali Gandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is very windy in the afternoon. You will continue on the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 hrs and finally reach at Ekley-bhatti village. After a good stop over here, an hour of easy walk will take you to Kagbeni, which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni is an interesting windswept villages situated on the main age old Trans-himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. In Kagbeni a major tributary, KakKhola, coming from Muktinath, meets Mustang Khola, and from there the river is called the Kali Gandaki. (B, L, D)

03Day

Day 03: Kagbeni to Chele [3050m/10,004ft]: 5-6 hrs.

Your journey starts with a special permit check up and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki up stream. During the walk, you will be having scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trail follows up and downhill. First, you will reach Tangbe village with narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. From there, you will trek forward to Chusang and after crossing the river head up to the huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki follows. You will head on to small ridges and reach at Chele village. (B, L, D)

04Day

Day 04: Chele to Syanboche [3475m/11,398ft]: 6-7 hrs.

Today, you will start your trek again and walk further to Eklo Bhatti. You will climb to Taklam La Pass (3,624m/11,923 ft) through plateaus and narrow stretches with views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda. Further, you will descend a little to the village of Samar. You will have to climb the trail that goes above Samar village to the ridge then descending steeply to a stream. Another 3 hrs similar walk will take you to Syangboche. On the way, you can relax along with the surrounding of cool streams and juniper trees. Locals use the dried leaves of junipers as incenses to invite deities and start any auspicious work. You will also pass by a cave famously known as Ramchung Cave. (B, L, D)

05Day

Day 05: Syanboche to Ghami [3520m/11,546ft]: 5-6 hrs.

After breakfast, you will be trekking uphill to the Yamda La (3,850m /12,667ft) passing a few teahouses, chortens and local villages which is like Tibetan style houses with open Veranda. You will be crossing mountains, and an avenue of trees and fields of Barley. Then you will have to climb to Nyi Pass (4,010m/13,193ft) which would be a little longer. Then, you will be descending to your overnight stop at Ghami. The third largest village in the Lo region, Ghayami is surrounded by large fields most of which are barren. (B, L, D)

06Day

Day 06: Ghami to Charang [3500m/11,480ft]: 4-5 hrs.

Today, you will be starting the trek after breakfast with a pleasant walk. After crossing Ghami Khola, the trail climbs to a plateau and passes beside a very long Mani wall, a sacred stone wall made by the Buddhism followers. From the end of the wall, the trail heads east to the village of Charang with a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls at the top of the Tsarang Chu canyon. There is also a huge white dzong and red Gompa to get to your teahouse for tonight's stop. (B, L, D)

07Day

Day 07: Charang to Lo Manthang (3700m/12,136ft): 5-6 hrs.

Today, you will be trekking to Lo-Manthang with a magnificent view of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and Bhrikuti peak. The trail first descends to Charang Chu Canyon and then climbs steeply after crossing the river. Further the trail ascends gently to the 3,850m windy pass of Lo, from where you can see the Lo-Manthang Valley. While descending to Lo-Manthang, views of the walled city appear magnificent with its hills on the Tibetan Border. You will stay at hotel for the overnight stop. (B, L, D)

08Day

Day 08: Explore Lo-Manthang

Today, you will be exploring the surrounding areas. You will be visiting Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa situated on a hilltop serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa, you will continue the tour to Tingkhar, the last main village to the northwest of Lo-Manthang and stroll back to hotel. Or you may have another option to visit the Tall ChampaLakhang "God house" the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attraction of this town. Another attraction is the four- storey building of the King's palace as well as the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalaya. (B, L, D)

09Day

Day 9: Trek from Lo-Manthang to Yara (3900m 6 hours trek)

We will visit Monastery in Lo Manthang and continue our trek. We will walk on dry ridges and then a steep descent will lead us to the river. We are in a narrow ravine before reaching the village of Dhi (3400m), dominated by its beautiful fort in ruins. After lunch, we will cross the Kali Gandaki River and then we will go back through a gorge overhung by immense cliffs and spectacular: a series of organ pipes pierced by a Nabatean city of seventeen floors. We will reach the village of Yara (3400m) where we will set up a camp.

Stay overnight at Tented Accommodation. Full Board

10Day

Day 10: Yara -Trek to Luri Cave Monastery 4005m- back to Yara

Today, we will make a short trek to Luri Gompa. In the morning, we will continue through the river route to Luri cave Monastery which takes about 2 hours. There are actually two monasteries. First we will visit one which is situated below Luri Cave monastery. Then a short steep ascent brings us to Luri Cave Monastery which takes us about 30 minutes. This is the oldest and most famous cave monastery in the Mustang region which was constructed in the 15th century. It is situated at an elevation of 4005m. Inside the cave we can see a big Old Chhorten and many images and statues of Protectors and Deities. There is also highly sacred religious text which is always closed.

Overnight TENT. FULL CAMPING. FULL BOARD

11Day

Day 11: Yara - Parsche Khola(4200m) 4h [575m ascent - 350m descent]

Today, we will climb steep slopes of lunar landscape and it is the long step through two passes over 5000 m. The trails are well marked and easy to follow but can be a high risk for altitude. There is steepest descent down parche Khola.

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

12Day

Day 12: Parsche Khola - Damodar Kunda (4890m) 5h.

Today, we will go up the gorge over 200 meters before taking a large slope on the left bank of the river by a steep path that allows us to quickly gain altitude by crossing the pass of 5490 m that offers the views of Dhaulagiri and the peaks of Damodar Himal. We will reach the sacred lakes and pilgrimage site Damodar Kunda. It is Hindu shrine upstream from the camp and a very old Buddhist chorten on the ridge marking the sacredness of the place.

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

13Day

Day 13: Damodar - Base Camp (Japanese Camp) (5240m) 4/ 5 h [270m ascent]

Today, we will follow small paths running to lead kharkas. A magnificent trophy of Marco Polo sheep and many sheep decorate these saligrams altitude. The end of the route in the river bed is uncomfortable. Can be served directly to the camp where a large chorten built by the Japanese. The mules were filed the day before our equipment, beyond only holders can ride.

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

14Day

Day 14: Japanese Camp - H.Camp (Moraine Camp) (5720m) 5h [530m ascent - 50m descent]

The first part of the climb takes place on the left bank moraine of the glacier. The trail is very hard because of the snow. We must reach the glacier itself to follow through a long row of penitents, splendid. To 5700 meters, we will cross the glacier almost horizontally to change banks and join Moraine right bank. We will find the highest peak of the Damodar Himal: the Khumjungar Himal (6959 m).

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

15Day

Day 15: High Camp - Saribung Pass (6042m) - Saribung Peak (6328m) - Base Camp

We will have a pre-dawn start for this long day of trekking and easy climbing. The first stage is to trek up on moraine and then across a remnant glacier to reach the Saribung Pass (6020m), which will take around 3 hours. Then, with the sun coming up, we will trek across to the top of Saribung Peak (6327 m) across open snow slopes and a broad snowy summit ridge at an inclination never more than about 30 degrees. From the summit, there are fantastic views of several nearby peaks, including Chhib Himal (6581m) and also a glimpse into Tibet, now just 5 kilometres away to the east. Returning to the pass, we will descend easily across glaciated terrain until we reach a trail marked by cairns across moraine on the left side of the glacier. Anyone choosing not to make the ascent of Saribung Peak can have a later wake-up call and meet up with the climbing group on their return to the pass. We will set up our next camp at Basecamp.

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

16Day

Day 16: Base Camp - Nogaro ( Purano Gao) 6 hrs

With the highest and most challenging part of the expedition behind us, we will start our walk-out with a longish day down-valley to the first village we have seen for more than a week. Heading towards the south-east, then turning towards the south, we will cross a couple of tributary streams and climb up across a mound of glacial moraine. Here, we will find ourselves on a better trail (used by shepherds from Phu) and traverse alpine pastures to reach the abandoned summer settlement of Ngaru (4600m).

Overnight in Tent. Full Board

17Day

Day 17: Nogaro - Phu 4000m 5/6 hrs (4,080m)

From here, you can get your first view of the three villages in the area as well as the old “dzong” (Tibetan-style fortress) and the remains of two ruined forts, impressively situated atop the flatlands before the village. Just before crossing the bridge into Phu, a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape. After a rest and refreshments, we will take a short walk up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa to pay respects to Lama Karma Sonam Rinpoche who came to Nepal with the Dalai Lama in 1959.

Overnight : Tented Accommodation. Full Board

18Day

Day 18: Phu to Meta 3550m 5/6 hrs

The path descends the gorge of Phu Khola and we pass the through the abandoned villages of Kyang (used in the winter by some of the families from Phu) and Chyako, where it's great to find the first trees we have seen for some time. We continue to another seasonal settlement at Junam Goth and shortly thereafter reach a junction of valleys and trails, the one heading off to the right leads to the village of Naar. We continue down the main valley as far as Meta on a bluff overlooking the river.

Overnight at Tented Accommodation. Full Board

19Day

Day 19: Meta to Koto 2600m 5/6 hrs

Another day of largely downhill trekking, but with a fair amount of undulation, too. There are some sections of trail cut into the valley-sides and the river-gorge is narrow in places. Lower down, we will pass more temporary settlements which can be occupied during the winter by people from villages higher up in these valleys. We will also pass through some pleasant woodland shortly before our junction with the Annapurna Circuit at Koto.

Overnight at Lodge. Full Board

20Day

Day 20: Koto to Besisahar, drive in jeep.

Today we will take local jeep to besisahar (4 hrs drive).

Overnight at Guest House. Full Board

01Day

Day 21: Besisahar to Kathmandu drive in private transport.

End of the trek.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Enquiry About This Trip

Trip Facts

  • Duration21 Days
  • Tour GradeModerate
  • Max Elevation6042 MT
  • Best Month:Mar-May, Oct-Dec
  • Trip start/End:Kathmandu/Kathmandu

Trip Maps

  • Kathmandu: Standard Hotel. BB Plan
  • Pokhara: Hotel Lakefront or Similar - BB Plan
  • Trek: Tea House - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Restricted Area Permit, ACAP Permit
  • Trekking Guide English Spoken
  • Domestic Flight: PKR - JOM - PKR
  • Stuff Insurance
  • Cultural Visit in Kathmandu With IT SP Guide
  • Your Travel Insurance (Compulsary)
  • Nepal Entry Visa Fee
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
  • Personal Trekking Equipments
  • Nature of Personal Expenses
  • Personal Equipment (as per your necessity)
  • Tips to the Staff