03/07/2012
Shakyamuni Tre
Day 01: Kathmandu to Pokhara (960m / 6hrs or ½ hr)
Drive or fly to Pokhara. Pokhara is situated on the side of Lake Fewa, it is a beautiful area with Fishtail mountain (Machhapuchhare) rising not far behind within the Annapurna range. Only 200km from Kathmandu it can take 6/8 hours by road depending on the season.
Day 2: Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m) by flight and trek (2 hours) to Kagbeni (2810m)
The flight is only 25 minutes this morning, a spectacular route, on landing in Jomsom you will begin your trek, heading to Kagbeni following the Kali Ghandaki river, the trail is rough and barren but is mostly flat. You will enjoy lovely views of mountains such as Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna’s. A medieval looking town, Kagbeni sits in a little oasis and is home to a large red gompa.
Day 3: Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900m) – 4 hours
Beginning by following the Kagbeni today, keep an eye out for the caves on the west hand side you will also see the Gompa Kang. You have a good climb to 3060m at Tangebe, a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, here you will find the typical Mustang chortens painted in black white and red. An hour on from here is Chuksang. With its 3 separate parts and ruined castle walls on the nearby cliffs it is an atmospheric stop.
Day 4: Chuksang to Samar (3150m) -3 to 4 hours
Villages become more scattered as you enter deeper into the region, life becomes more basic and the landscape more arid. You leave the valley today and climb steeply up to Chele home to a number of ferocious Tibetan Mastiffs, thankfully chained to the village houses. You continue up on the side of a steep canyon to a pass after which you then descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of Poplar trees.
Day 5: Samar to Geling (3510m) -5 hours
Climbing above Samar you come to a ridge which leads you into a large gorge and another valley filled with juniper trees, after crossing the stream near the bottom you climb again to another pass and along the ridge to Shyangmochen, a tiny settlement with a few local facilities. Nearby is Rangbyung Cave containing stalagmites formed in the shape of chortens, an extremely sacred place in Mustang. You soon begin your descent into Geling a traditional settlement with mud built houses and roofs made of twigs and straw.
Day 8: Giling to Ghami (3490m) -5 hours
You have a good climb today, beginning steadily to the centre of the valley you then head round to the head of the valley, to the Nyi La pass (3840m), the descent from here is quite gentle until you reach Ghami a large white-washed village sheltered by the overhanging cliffs.
Day 6: Ghami to Charang (3620m) -5 hours
Today’s walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang, the trails are loose and tiring. However the magnificent views will keep you going. On reaching Charang, a large spread out village at the top of the canyon you will see at the eastern end a huge Dzong (fortress) and red gompa home to a great collection of statues and thankas. Both perched on the edge of the Kali Ghandaki Gorge.
Day 7: Charang to Lo Manthang (3840m) -3 hours
It is worth exploring Charang this morning if you haven’t already done so. When the time comes to leave the village you will head up the valley to the boundary between Charang and Lo, the trail here broadens and soon you will catch sight of Lo Manthang, with only one entrance you will walk round to the North East corner to get in.
Day 8: Explore Lo Manthang
Home to only 150 houses and a number of Lama Residences Lo Manthang is interesting to walk around. There is a blood drinking festival held, worth a look for the less squeamish.
Day 9: Lo Manthang to Ghami (3490m) -6 hours
You will return the way you came back down the valley, there are some slight alternatives on routes.
Day 10: Ghami to Chuksang (2900m) -6 hours
You have a few ups and downs today passing through the dessert like scenery until you cross the Kali Ghandaki river to Chuksang.
Day 11: Chuksang to Muktinath (3795m) -7 hours
An important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, around the Vishnu temple is 108 taps made of brass in the shape of cow’s heads pouring out sacred water. You will travel through some pretty scenery today, apple orchards, agricultural fields and pretty villages. The monastery at Muktinath dates back to the 15th Century.
Day 12: Muktinath to Jomsom (2713m) -4 hours
Today is relatively easy as you gradually descend to Jomsom.
Day 13: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
Your morning flight this morning will return you to Pokhara where you will be taken to your hotel.
Day 14: Pokhara to Kathmandu by road -7 hours
It is possible to fly this route, taking just 20 minutes.
Hurry Up Booking open for upper Mustang trek...
