On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, after clearing the visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Head towards departure exit, where our staff receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed join on the lobby with other members for Upper Mustang Overland Adventure briefing, provided by our guide, leader. On briefing full information of the tour, and hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara and lodges en route Upper Mustang. As well of local cultures with dos and don’ts, evening a lovely dinner an introduction to Nepali foods with exciting cultural programs.
Morning after breakfast, our city / cultural guide takes you on a tour visiting world heritage sites around Kathmandu city. Includes Old Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard, residence of Living Goddess the Kumari; and to Swayambhunath Stupa with more 2,600 years of history. Then head towards holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath a huge Buddhist Stupa. After an exciting and interesting tour back to hotel, preparation and packing for the Mustang Overland Adventure. Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Everest Adventure Tour.
Morning or afternoon as per the flight time for Pokhara, transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport. After going through security, get on board in a big aircraft for sweeping panoramic flight of 30 minutes. Enjoy the grand views of majestic Himalayas from Langtang, Ganesh and Manaslu Himal to Annapurna range.
Landing at Pokhara airport, a short drive to your respective hotels, located by the serene Phewa Lake side. Afternoon at leisure for short walks around the lakeside, where all best shops, stores, restaurants and hotels located. Enjoy the views of Annapurna peaks with towering Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish-Tail peak.
Morning as flight schedule for Jomsom, transfer to Pokhara domestic airport board on a small aircraft. Either in Twin Otter or Dornier of less than 20 seated plane. The flight heads west facing grand panorama of Pokhara valley and of Annapurna and Manaslu with Dhaulagiri Himalayas. Flying above beautiful country landscapes above green hills and valleys then landing at Jomsom airport.
Jomsom a large town and headquarters of Mustang district, from the airport walk to a nearby lovely restaurants for rest. After a short refreshing stop, transfer into a four-wheel drive for exciting drive to Kagbeni village. The drive of less than hour heading beyond Jomsom on windswept Kaligandaki River valley facing views of Nilgiris peaks. Then reaching Kagbeni a moderate size village with many nice lodge for overnight stay with great food menu. After checking into a lovely lodge, explore the village of great cultural interest with similar culture and traditional houses like of Tibet. Kagbeni the entrance point of Upper Mustang and the old Trans Himalaya Caravan route to Tibet.
From Kagbeni, after a pleasant overnight halt and then drive enters the former forbidden territory of Upper Mustang. The drive leads lead on the rough tracks heading higher through smaller farm villages. The journey continues following the Kali Gandaki River, and past villages of Tibetan houses. As road leads uphill to the high Nyi-La Pass 3,860 m, stopping on top for spectacular views of beautiful landscapes. Lined with great walls of canyon and towering wind-blown eroded cliffs with smaller cave holes. Facing views of snow-capped peaks of Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range with Mustang Himal.
After a grand vista the drive heads downhill and then on smooth dusty road to Ghami village for overnight at local guest-house. Ghami, one of the main villages around Upper Mustang, houses an impressive Gompa monastery. The village encircled by farm fields of buckwheat and barley the high altitude crops. The only main crops that survives the dry terrains of Upper Mustang with few poplars and willow trees. Rest of the afternoon relax and explore the nice village and its monastery of great cultural interest.
A short morning drive to Lo-Manthang our main final destination of the adventure and highlights. Morning after breakfast an exciting drive heading north as drive comes across several Mani walls near the large village of Charang. The drive follows uphill to a small pass facing first glimpse of the former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang. The road follows down to a stream with short climb to enter Lo-Manthang the former forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang.
Once inside the walled old capital of Lo-Manthang where travelers can experience the town of medieval period. On reaching the center of Lo-Manthang transfer to a lovely guest-house and lodges, an interesting building of traditional Tibetan design and architectures. After a good lunch enjoy short walks around narrow stone paved lanes, lined with shops, stores and restaurants.
Enjoy the rest day at Lo Manthang with visit to famous monasteries of Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House). The Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and Great Entrance Hall, the tour includes historical and cultural center one of the main attraction of Lo-Manthang. Time permitting visit the four storied former and late King Palace. The walled kingdom of Lo Manthang with more than 150 houses, includes residence of monks and priest.
The houses are and the palace, with the monasteries located at the bottom sections of vertical ‘L’ shaped houses. The school, health post, police post, and several important Chorten are situated outside the walled kingdom on the north gate.
Having an enjoyable and exciting time at Lo-Manthang, morning return drive leads on the same route to Marang village. The drive continues on an old path to Drakmar village, encountering a long series of Mani Prayer Walls.
The ride leads to cross Ghami Khola over a strong bridge, as our route heads towards another pretty village of Ghiling for overnight stop. Enjoy the comfort of nice guest house with homely environment and hospitality.
From Ghiling onwards, slowly our adventure around Upper Mustang comes to an end reaching Jomsom town for last overnight halt. But before Jomsom the drive is pleasant and exciting, as it leads to nice village of Syangboche. As road follows uphill to Yamda La pass with superb views of the surrounding dramatic landscapes. Then head downhill to Bhena and Samar villages, drive continues towards Gyagar, Chele and Chusang villages. The journey leads downhill amidst windswept terrains, then reaching Kagbeni on leaving the wild country of Upper Mustang. From Kagbeni a short drive to Jomsom for overnight stop in the comfort of a nice lodge. Jomsom town and Kaligandaki areas of lower Mustang are famous for delicious apples and the products. A perfect place to enjoy the last night dinner with celebration on completing the journey to Upper Mustang.
Morning depart from the lodge to Jomsom airport, as the plane arrives from Pokhara, board in the small aircraft. As the plane lifts off enjoy the grand scenery of Mustang with towering snow-capped peaks. A short flight over hills, dales and valley then landing at Pokhara airport, having time for refreshment.
Then board in a bigger plane for short scenic flight to Kathmandu, enjoy the grand panoramic views. Shortly the plane makes landing at Kathmandu airport and then transfer back to your hotels. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities and relax with beautiful memories of Upper Mustang exciting adventures.
Enjoy the free leisure day for individual activities or with shopping spree for souvenirs’ of Nepal. Interested people can request for another exciting tour of Patan and Bhaktapur cities, well worth a visit and not to be missed while having time in Kathmandu with last free day.
Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your international flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal international airport bidding farewell to your guide and staff, after a marvelous and enjoyable journey to Upper Mustang Overland Adventure.
It all depends upon the trip cost as per the itinerary set by Everest Adventure Tour. Normally we accommodate trekkers on normal standard lodge having nice rooms with good foods. But if the clients request us to upgrade the standard of lodge accommodation, we will certainly comply with the request and need of our valuable clients. Where the cost will be slightly higher on Luxury type lodges than on budget or standard lodge accommodation.
But after Jomsom on route Upper Mustang, there are no luxury or deluxe standard hotels or lodges. Except in few large villages either Ghami and at Lo Manthang. Most lodges with common bath and toilets, but with nice spacious and warm dining rooms. Serves excellent food menu as per your choice of meals and snacks.
Travelers will be surprised to find good food menu of varieties, from Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and Chinese to Continental. Includes long list of snacks and drinks for the customer delights in most lodges on treks.
The lodge accommodation are nice and lovely according to the choices of the trekkers. From budget, standard to luxury accommodation till Lo Manthang, having attached or common bath and toilets.
One should remember as the tour leads beyond from main town of Jomsom attached bath and toilets are not available. Due to freezing temperatures in the night and morning time. Where all plumbing systems freeze, and stops the flow of water which will be filled with ice.
On higher areas the lodge provides rooms with common toilets and bathrooms, which is much better than having in rooms. However, all lodges are clean with good rooms, having large dining with potbellied stoves to make the environment warm and cozy.
All lodges have hydro-power to run electricity, or by solar power, where all guest can charge their electronic items and gadgets. A fee is charged per hour for each items, as for internet and Wi-Fi, have connection. Depending upon the areas in deep gorge and valley, as well weather wise, can be disturbing with bad receptions. The best place is Jomsom, Kagbeni and Lo Manthang, other places do works well with local SIM. Which can be bought in Kathmandu at reasonable cost.
For Upper Mustang Overland Adventure, all types of people can join for the tour, where altitude gains at gradual slow pace. Chances of catching High Altitude Sickness of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is very rare and slim.
The highest is 3, 840 m in Lo-Manthang for overnight stops, most place on route and with overnight halt is within safe altitude. Driving with frequent stops for photos, and staying at designated overnights villages. Allows travelers to get acclimatize with the surrounding altitude. The only toughness of the tour is the drive uphill and down hills with some bumpy roads.
A moderate adventure as well an adventurous tour, where all age group can enjoy the tour to Upper Mustang. The altitude does not make a difference, the only tough is the drive on rough bumpy road sometimes.
Minimum 14 to maximum of 70 years of age can join. But for younger people should be accompanied by parents or guardians. All should be in normal physical shape and good health, if someone has any medical history can take advice from your doctors before signing for Upper Mustang Overland Adventure.
