The Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang is one of the most important and colorful in Mustang. Held annually to chase away demons, it is a time of prayer and dance as monks don colorful costumes and masks and perform ritual dances watched by spectators (dressed in their best clothes and jewelry) who have gathered from throughout the region.
The long forbidden Kingdom of Mustang has always exuded an air of romance.
Mustang is the arid region at the end of the Kali Gandaki, beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Lower Mustang is inhabited by people related to the Manangis whilst in northern Mustang (The ancient Kingdom of Lo), language and traditions are almost purely Tibetan. With a rich and complex history with written records dating back to the 8th century Lo, like Dolpo, was once a part of the western Tibetan region of Ngari and maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951.
It is a land of barley fields and pasture and vast expanses of gray and yellow rolling hills eroded by the wind that howl across the area most afternoons. Sun baked bricks of pale mud are used for almost all construction, including the walls and palace of Manthang .
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
You will be received by our company representative and transferred to the selected hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing.
City sightseeing tour to world heritage sites; Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath (known as a monkey temple among westerners).
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara/800m (2624ft)
Drive to Pokhara which takes about 7 hours from Kathmandu. We can enjoy beautiful scenic view of terraced rice field, eye catching landscape, Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers and spectacular panoramic view of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal and most of Annapurna Himalayan Range are seen.
Day 04: Pokhara – Jomsom(2720 m) – Kagbeni (2810 m)
Fly to Jomson by early morning flight. The trek starts along the bank of Kaligandaki River to the village of Kagbeni which is north of Jomsom.
Day 05: Kagbeni –Chaile (3050 m)
At the Police Check Post at the north end of Kagbeni Village, you have to clear the formalities to enter the Upper Mustang area. The trail continues the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north. You can see Gompa Kang and some caves on the west bank of the river. The village of Tangbe is situated alongside the east bank trail above the river at an elevation of 2930 m. Nilgiri Peak, which dominated the southern skyline at Kagbeni continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Chhuksang village is about hours a half beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the arshang Khola and the Kaligandaki. The trek leaves the Kaligandaki Valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to and Chele at 3030m.
Day 06: Chele – Giling ( 3570 m)
The climb from Chele is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130 m. Here, there is a view of the village of Gyagar across a huge canyon. You will see some Chortens on a ridge, then descend further on a pleasant trail to Samar (3290m). The Annapurna Himal, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Shyangmochen is the lunch place for today. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen to a pass at 3770 m and enters another huge east-west valley. There is a trail junction, take the right fork and descend to Geling.
Day 07: Giling – Charang (11677ft. 3560m).
From Geling, the trail climbs gently through fields up the center of the valley, passing below the settlement of Tama Gung and an Chorten. It rejoins the direct trail and then becomes an unrelenting climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass. The descent from the Nyi La is gentle to a steel bridge across the Tangmar Chu then climb past a spectacular stretch of mani wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass, the route makes long gentle descent to Charang at 3520m.
Day 08: Charang – Lo Manthang (12,238ft. 3,730m)
The trail descends about 100 m from Charang across Charang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to cairn on a ridge opposite the valley, then enters the Tholung valley. The trails turn north and climb gently as the valley climbs to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. Still climbing, the trail crosses a stream, and then becomes a grand wide through fare traveling across a desert like landscape. Cross a stream, then climb up onto the plateau of Lo Manthang.
Day 09-10: OBSERVE TIJI FESTIVAL AT LO-MANTHANG. Stay overnight in lodge.
Day 11: Hike and explore surroundings. Visit the villages, monasteries and palace.
Day 12: Lo-Manthang – Ghami (3,460m/11,352ft)
From Lo Mangthang, the trail to Charang heads south. To reach Lo Gekar,we turn east along a trail that passes the irrigated fields. The trail to Lo Gekar is not a main trading route. The trail steadily climbs to pass a market by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. After descending to the valley floor, the route heads to the center of the valley. Go across the bridge at 4070 m and traverse across the heads of two more valleys to an indistinct pass. Move pass some meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley where Lo Gekar. There is no village nearby but you can see Marang and below that Charang. Climb to a ridge, then across a valley to a cairn and a pass 200m above Lo Gekar. The trail descends now alongside the stone walls and fields of the extensive village, and then climbs to a ridge, It is a short descent to Ghami at 3440 m.
Day 13: Ghami – Samar (12004ft. 3660m)
From Ghami, follow the direct route to the Nyi La, climbing to a cairn on a ridge and then contouring upwards to meet the trail from Charang. Continue to the pass and descend steeply into the Geling valley. Follow the trail that bypasses Geling to an isolated tea house and descend gently Tama Gung. A steep set of switchbacks leads to a stream, then the trail climbs to a huge painted Chorten. The trail rejoins the Geling near the ride, just below a Chorten and the remainder of the day travelled back to Samar.
Day 14: Samar – Kagbeni (9216ft. 2810m) – Jomsom
Retrace the upward trail back to the Kaligandaki and downstream to Kagbeni. From Kagbeni take a ride to Jomsom for the night.
Day 15: Jomsom – Pokhara
Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom.
Day 16: Pokhara – Kathmandu
Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Transfer to hotel.
Day 17: Departure
You will be dropped off at the airport.
Twin accommodation in Kathmndu & Pokhara at 3* Hotel on BB plan, accommodation at Guest house during the trek on AP ( B/F + Lunch + Dinner ) basis, all trekking permit, Upper mustang permit, ACAP conservation fees, Guide, porter, KTM-PKR-KTM by privare vehicle, PKR/JOM/PKR flight fare.
Trekking Gears, beverages, meals apart from mentioned, exceed expenses due to natural calamities and items not mentioned above.
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