Lower Mustang Trek - 7 Days

Upon arriving at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by Adventure Connexion airport representatives who will warmly greet you and transfer to the hotel on a private tourist vehicle. We provide 3-star accommodation in the city and we arrange for a trip briefing with dinner in the evening.

After breakfast to Kathmandu hotel, you’ll be picked up and driven by private transfer to the Kathmandu domestic airport for your flight (30 minutes) to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city.

This is a stunning half-hour flight along the Himalayan range, where four of the world’s fourteen giant mountains over 8000m can be seen; Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Manaslu, and Shishapangma. Your specialist can help you get a seat on the right-hand side of the plane for views of the Himalayas en-route.

Upon landing, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore, select from one of the tours below, or just relax by the lake. Pokhara has plenty of great cafés, restaurants, funky shops, and yoga studios that cater to expats and adventure travelers.

This morning, you’ll trek north to Kagbeni, arriving in time for lunch. The wide trail along the western side of the sandy, saligram-filled riverbed provides views of the nearby peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri, and, to the south, the Annapurna Massif.

Kagbeni, spectacularly situated atop a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola rivers, is the last village in Lower Mustang and guards the entrance into Upper Mustang (visible across the Kali Gandaki riverbed). It is an oasis of green fields amidst rocky, arid mountains, with Niligiri looming beyond. This ancient, partially ruined citadel town is a glimpse into a unique way of life, with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of barley and its massive, 800-year-old brick-red Sayka Gompa. You can also wander past the ancient 100-room King’s Palace.

At the police check post at the north end of the village, there is a sign that reads “Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point”. This is the trail going up to the famous Lo Manthang, in ‘forbidden’ Upper Mustang.

Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus, and a great example of a sacred place shared in harmony by followers of two religions. Local Buddhist nuns (belonging to the lineage of Lama Wangyal) caretake the site. Every year, thousands of devotees from India, Tibet, and Nepal come here on pilgrimage for purification and salvation. It is said that throughout history many kings throughout Asia did the same.

It’s well worth spending a day here to not only visit this sacred shrine but also to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

After breakfast at your teahouse, pay a visit to Muktinath Temple, an important place of worship for Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus. You will have the opportunity to visit the main temple and its surrounding area before you hit the trail.

From here, begin your trek back to Jomsom along an easy route that heads straight downhill. While you retrace your steps, you’ll be able to enjoy good views of Mt. Dhaulagiri. Pass through Jarkot where you can visit one more monastery, and take in the views of snow-capped mountains and ancient caves. Admire the signs of rich Tibetan culture and keep an eye out for Mustang people who will come out and sell handicrafts to pilgrims.

Trekking time: 5 hours (9.3 miles / 15 km)

After an early breakfast in Jomsom, you’ll be transferred to the local airstrip to catch your return flight to Pokhara Airport. From here, you’ll catch a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Once you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the capital city. Spend the rest of the day on your own, perhaps exploring the streets on foot and seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

It’s time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A Adventure Connexion representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s good to be at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure.