Lower Mustang Trek: Explore Nepal's Deepest Gorge & Culture - 15 Days

Arriving at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is the first step of your adventure in the heart of Nepal.

Once you collect your luggage and clear customs, you will be greeted warmly by your Trekking Group Leader or our Office Representative with a "Mystical Nepal Treks" board who will assist you and transfer you to your hotel.

Although Kathmandu is the busiest city in Nepal with hectic traffic, it still holds a unique charm with its local beauty and lively atmosphere. You will enjoy the fun of driving through its unfamiliar roads. The drive to the hotel will take you through Kathmandu’s lively streets, where the old and new come together. You’ll pass by ancient temples, busy markets, and modern shops, all blending into the colorful culture of Nepal.

Highlights:

• Airport pickup.
• Transfer to the hotel with your Group Leader.
• Brief introduction about your trip.
• Early arrival gives you a chance to explore Kathmandu.

Altitude: 1,400m / 4,593 feet
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Distance: 6 km
Transport: Airport Pickup

Enjoy your time and relax as you prepare for your trek ahead!

City Tour & Briefing Day

Tour:  Our professional City Tour Guide will take you for a half-day city tour visiting two of Nepal’s most famous cultural and spiritual sites: Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.

Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits on the banks of the Bagmati River, and it’s a peaceful place where pilgrims come to perform rituals. The pagoda-style temple and beautiful wood carvings make it even more special.

Next, you’ll visit Boudhanath, a huge stupa and a major center for Tibetan Buddhism. Its giant dome and Buddha’s eyes looking over the busy streets create a calming atmosphere. You’ll find monasteries, prayer flags, and shops selling religious items around the stupa.

Briefing: After the tour, you’ll have a trek briefing in the afternoon. This will cover important details about the trek, including the itinerary, safety tips, and what to expect on the journey. You can also ask any questions you may have.

Welcome Dinner: To end the day, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with your team. It’s a great chance to bond and share your excitement for the trek ahead. The dinner will feature a best of Nepali traditional food..

Accommodation:Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Welcome Dinner

The 200 km drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city, is an engaging experience that gives you a unique insight into local life. The winding roads and packed local buses offer a true taste of how the locals travel.

Highlights:

• 6 to 7 hours drive.
• Early departure to avoid traffic delays.
• Enjoy stunning scenery as you travel along the picturesque roads.
• Multiple breaks along the way provide a chance to stretch and relax.
• Stop for lunch at one of the highway restaurants with delicious food options.
• Arriving in Pokhara, a more serene contrast to Kathmandu, will certainly elevate your excitement.

After a scenic 1.5-hour drive on a narrow paved road to Nayapul, we continue on an off-road path to reach Hille, where our thrilling trek begins. From there, a 3-hour walk takes us to Ulleri, a charming stone-built village perched high on the mountain ridge.

Highlights:

• Drive to Nayapul with stunning views of Annapurna and Fishtail mountains.
• Continue to the picturesque village of Hille for a lunch stop (time permitting).
• Enjoy the breathtaking scenery, with deep gorges and ancient farming terraces as your backdrop.
• Experience an adventurous 3-hour climb with stone steps leading through various villages to Ulleri.
• Overnight stay with a delicious dinner, followed by a trek briefing from your leader.

A 4-hour trek through a stunning woodland path lined with rhododendron, oak, and maple trees takes you to Ghorepani, a top-tier protected area in Nepal. Home to the world’s largest rhododendron forest, Ghorepani also holds historical significance as a key meeting point for traders during the salt trade between Nepal and Tibet.

Highlights:

• Enjoy an unforgettable hike through the dramatic, lush forest.
• In spring, the trail is a vibrant display of blooming flowers.
• Reaching Ghorepani, with its charming blue-roofed houses, is exhilarating.
• Learn about the fascinating history and legends of Ghorepani.
• Free afternoon to explore the area at your own pace.
• Overnight stay with a delicious dinner and time to relax.

The morning sunrise from Poon Hill is a truly memorable experience, offering a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks like Annapurna, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Dhampus Peak, and Fishtail. After breakfast, we begin our descent, covering around 1600 meters down to Tatopani. Our trek takes us through a beautiful forest to the village of Sikha, where we stop for lunch. From there, we continue our descent to the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge and finally reach Tatopani, famous for its natural hot springs. A relaxing dip in the hot spring is a favorite activity for both locals and tourists.

Highlights:

• Early wake-up call to witness a magical sunrise with snow-covered peaks that will leave you in awe.
• A serene walk through the peaceful woodlands.
• Reaching the world’s deepest gorge and arriving in Tatopani is a remarkable journey.
• After a long day of trekking, unwind with a dip in the soothing hot springs and a cold beer.

From Tatopani, we begin our trek with a gradual ascent to the village of Dana, predominantly inhabited by the Magar people. Depending on the trail conditions, we will aim to avoid the jeep road and stick to the original trekking path. Along the way, you’ll pass by several hydro power stations and eventually reach Rupse Chahara, one of Nepal’s most stunning waterfalls, where we’ll enjoy a lunch stop. Continuing our journey, we’ll make our way to Ghasa, marking the border between the Myagdi and Manang districts.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a pleasant walk with scenic views and pass through cultural villages.
• Trek through communities of Magars, Brahmins, and Thakalis, offering a rich cultural experience.
• Be captivated by the stunning Rupse Chahara waterfall, one of the most beautiful in Nepal.
• Reaching Ghasa and crossing into Manang district adds an exciting new chapter to the journey.
• The panoramic view of Annapurna is simply breathtaking.

Today’s trek begins with a gradual climb towards Kaiku. From there, the trail ascends gently through a pine forest, following a gorge, until we cross a bridge. The path then steepens as we climb up to the village of Lete. A short walk brings us to Kalopani, a prosperous Thakali village. Afterward, we continue with a pleasant 2-hour trek through pine, juniper, and cypress forests, leading us to the culturally rich and architecturally unique village of Larjung.

Highlights:

• A captivating walk through lush woodland.
• Though there are occasional steep sections, the day’s hike offers stunning views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche, and Annapurna.
• Arriving in the charming village of Larjung is a truly special experience.
• Enjoy a relaxing lunch and free time in the afternoon for personal exploration.

After breakfast, we begin with a gradual walk towards Kobang and gradually make our way to Tukuche, a village nestled at the base of Tukuche Peak. This village once served as a key junction during the salt trade era. As we continue, we enter the ‘Valley of Apples and Apricots,’ where you’ll pass by vast apple orchards and local apple brandy distilleries. Another two hours of easy trekking will bring us to Marpha, one of the largest Thakali villages, renowned for its whitewashed architecture and famous apples.

Highlights:

• A captivating walk along the historic salt trade route and the world’s deepest gorge.
• The views of the majestic Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks are awe-inspiring.
• If you’re trekking in the right season, the sight of blooming apple orchards is a visual delight.
• The valley’s magnificence unfolds before you in a stunning panorama.
• Enjoy lunch in Marpha and spend the afternoon exploring, with a chance to sample the local apple brandy.

Leaving the tree line behind, we depart from Marpha and begin a leisurely two-hour trek towards Jomsom, a medieval town known as the "New Fort" and the administrative center of Mustang. The striking Nilgiri range dominates the landscape here. From Jomsom, we continue on an easy 10 km trail towards Kagbeni, with occasional walks along the Kali Gandaki riverbed. Kagbeni, a picturesque and ancient settlement, is the gateway to the restricted region of Upper Mustang.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a scenic walk with a unique change in the landscape.
• Take in the spectacular views of towering Himalayan peaks reaching into the sky.
• Walk along the historic Kali Gandaki River, which is over 80 million years old and flows from the Tibetan Plateau.
• Trek to Kagbeni, the entrance to Upper Mustang, following the ancient salt trade route—an unforgettable experience.
• Explore the fascinating antique village of Kagbeni in the afternoon, which offers a glimpse into its rich history.
• Walking Hours: 6/7 hours.

Departing from the historic village of Kagbeni, we ascend gradually to a ridge offering breathtaking views of the Mustang and Kali Gandaki valleys. From here, we continue our climb to the ancient settlement of Jharkot, where the ruins of an old fort stand as a testament to its storied past. Finally, we reach Muktinath, a vibrant town nestled at the base of Muktinath Peak and the high Thorang Pass. This sacred site is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists as a place of pilgrimage.

Highlights:

• Trek along a broader, more scenic trail with stunning vistas.
• Reaching Muktinath offers a truly rewarding experience, accompanied by incredible views.
• Explore Muktinath, a spiritual sanctuary for both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Discover the bustling market where locals sell souvenirs and ammonites, adding charm to the town.
• Experience the harmonious coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism in the vibrant culture of Nepal.

Today, we take a relaxed walk back to Jomsom, following a different trail that offers a starkly contrasting landscape. Mustang, often referred to as the desert of Nepal, presents dry, arid terrain. Departing from Muktinath, we descend to Ekle Bhatti, then follow the ancient Kali Gandaki River, which has flowed through this region for millions of years. Our journey ends in Jomsom, the administrative hub of Mustang, known for its windy valley.

Highlights:

• A relaxing walk through ancient Tibetan villages, with the majestic Nilgiri range towering in the background.
• Retracing our steps along the Kali Gandaki River, which dates back to prehistoric times, is a truly mesmerizing experience.
• As we walk back to Jomsom, the strong winds and the stunning Nilgiri range will accompany us.
• The last evening will be filled with celebration, including dancing, eating, drinking, and some well-deserved tipping.

Today, we rise early for a scenic flight to Pokhara, as Jomsom flights typically depart early to avoid any potential wind or weather disruptions. Pokhara (820 m), Nepal's second-largest city, is often referred to as the "second home" of tourists, offering stunning natural beauty that will leave you in awe.

Highlights:

• The conclusion of your trekking adventure.
• A heartfelt farewell to your local staff.
• A short 20-minute flight to Pokhara, where you'll be greeted by the peaceful ambiance of Phewa Lake, with the Himalayas majestically rising in the background.
• Upon arrival, your leader can assist with a variety of activities, including exploring the lake and hiking to the Peace Pagoda, or for the adventurous, paragliding and zip-lining. Alternatively, you may choose to relax and enjoy shopping or exploring Pokhara at your own pace.

Exciting flight back to Kathmandu, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas and surrounding landscapes.

Highlights:

• Thrilling flight to Kathmandu, capturing stunning views.
• Enjoy exploring the vibrant capital city of Kathmandu based on your preferences.

Airport transfer will be arranged according to your flight schedule.