Mustang Valley: Journey to the Himalayan Kingdom
Example Itinerary
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Overview
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Kathmandu: Arrival
Arrive into Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon head out on a walking tour of Thamel, a vibrant and eclectic area of the city which has attracted tourists since the 60s resulting in a blend of cultures, bustling markets and lively streets. End your day with dinner at a local restaurant in an historic building with typical Nepalese cuisine and local music.
Day 2 Bhaktapur & Kathmandu: Palaces & Temples
Visit nearby Bhaktapur this morning, where Durbar Square is home to a high concentration of Nepal’s finest craftsmanship, the Royal Palace and various temples date from medieval times when Bhaktapur ruled the valley. Before returning to Kathmandu stop at the Changu Narayan hilltop, ancient Hindu Temple. In Kathmandu visit one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas at Boudhanath and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, nearby there are over 30 Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries. Later head to Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple complex on the banks of the holy Bagmati River with cremation ghats on the river bank.
Day 3 Kathmandu – Sarangkot: Drive to the Annapurna Range
Driving west of Kathmandu, the road to Pokhara takes you through lush mountain valleys, dominated by farming terraces and villages connected by suspension bridges. As you approach Pokhara you will start to see the snowy peaks of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. Continue on to Sarangkot, close to Pokhara, and check-in to the boutique Mountain Lodge, from here there are magnificent views across the mountains and over Pokhara and Phewa Lake.
Day 4 Sarangkot – Tatopani – Kalopani: Deepest Gorge
After breakfast with a gorgeous view of the lake and mountains, set off for the region of Mustang. The journey takes you by way of the Kali Gandaki Valley, the deepest gorge in the world, with the mighty peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna rising on either side. Lunch is in Tatopani where there is the option to bathe in the hot springs from which the town takes its name. Following the valley further stop at the Rupse Waterfall where the river tumbles 300m on your way to the village of Kalopani.
Day 5 Kalopani- Marpha – Muktinath – Chuksang: Traditional Villages and Apple Orchards
A short journey this morning brings you to the village of Marpha, here you will find traditional architecture with stone houses lining narrow streets, strings of prayer flags stretching between them fluttering in the breeze against the blue skies and mountain peaks behind. Numerous apple orchards are found in the area along with other fruits and Marpha Brandy is a regional speciality. Continue on to Muktinath, one of the most famous Himalayan shrines which draws Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims along with trekkers seeking to take in the beautiful views. The landscapes begin to change from lush and green to arid and windy as the road takes you higher into the Himalayas. The village of Chuksang is the final stop today, an ancient village on the river where the cliffs formed by the water have naturally made caves and take on a reddish hue.
Day 6 Chuksang – Tetang – Chussi – Ghiling – Ghemi: Ancient Mountain Towns & Caves
Nearby Tetang occupies a rocky platform at the end of a valley, the village is a crumbling citadel to explore with a monastery and surrounding apple orchards. Continue along the valley pausing for lunch and then visiting the ancient cave and hermitage at Chungsi, a natural cave in the cliff, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche meditated here in the 8th Century. The final stop before the overnight in Ghemi, is Ghiling where the ancient architecture has not changed in centuries, local material and traditional techniques are used for building. The village, mainly occupied by Buddhists with close links to Tibetan Buddhism offers a unique insight into the lives of people who live in this harsh environment.
Day 7 Ghemi – Dakmar – Tsarang – Ghar Gompa – Lo Manthang: Buddhist Frescoes & Mandalas
Ghemi village is known for its white washed houses with intricate carvings, mani walls (carved stones placed in piles to form walls), chortens and fluttering prayer flags. Walk through the village this morning before visiting Dakmar, a village dominated by towering red cliffs with caves home to carvings and paintings of Buddhist mythology. In Tsarang you will see one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Upper Mustang where the walls are decorated with frescoes and murals and there are mandalas and statues, the village is also home to a 16th Century palace. Drive a little further and then head out on a short hike through farming and pastoral land to the Ghar Gompa and the Lo Ghekar Monastery believed to be the first Tibetan Buddhist Monastery established by Guru Rinpoche. Later you will arrive in Lo Mantang for the night, this ancient walled city with square towers hides monasteries, palaces and traditional houses built in a Tibetan style.
Day 8 Lo Manthang: Hike to Mustang Khola
Head out on a hike today taking you along part of the ancient trade route to Lhasa, the way is dotted with numerous forts and monasteries as well as cave towns. The circular route of 5-6 hours will take you along the Mustang Khola, following the valley, heading into side gullies around farmland and through villages and climbing to small plateaux where ancient crumbling forts sit. Pass by the cave village of Chosar and the red monastery of Nyphu set into the rockface. Explore the village and monastery of Gharphu before returning to Lo Manthang through a steep gully.
Day 9 Lo Manthang: Hike to Thingkar & Namgyal
A second day of hiking in this beautiful and desolate region takes you west, to the villages and gompas of Thingkar and Namgyal. The hike takes you along the river, through farmland and up valleys as you pass through the isolated villages and stop to visit monasteries and palaces. The views from the village of Namgyal are spectacular, set atop a windswept ridge, in Thingkar you will encounter arts and crafts produced by the villagers including hand woven rugs.
Day 10 Lo Manthang – Luri Gompa – Kagbeni: Weather Hewn Cliff Cave
Starting the return journey this morning, the drive to Kagbeni takes you by way of Luri Gompa, perched on a ledge on a 100m high cliff, the inner chamber, in a hollowed out cave contains a chorten 6m high decorated with painted images. The setting of the gompa is dramatic, the cliffs and bluffs sculpted by the wind and weather to form pillars and pipes in this desert landscape. Continue on driving with a stop for lunch in Tsarang. The long afternoon drive brings you to Kagbeni, set at the foot of the Muktinath Valley and home to a 16th Century ruined fortress.
Day 11 Kagbeni – Pokhara: The Long Road Back
A long day of 8-10 hours driving will bring you back to Pokhara. Although the journey is long the scenery is still spectacular taking you through valleys with the mountains rising around you. Stop for lunch on one of the small towns along the way.
Day 12 Pokhara: Explore the City & Phewa Lake
Spend a day exploring Pokhara including the Devil’s Fall waterfall on the edge of the city, follow the Seti River in to the city and visit the colourful bazaar, with its ethnically diverse traders. The temples and monuments of the bazaar have ties to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley, while the bazaar is home to a wide range of shops selling food, cloth, gold and homewares. After exploring the bazaar head to Phewa lake, the second largest in Nepal, here you can take a small sail or rowboat across the lake to the island temple.
Day 13 Pokhara – Kathmandhu: Swayambunath Stupa & Durbar Square
After a morning flight to Kathmandhu explore the rest of the city’s sights including the hilltop Swayambunath Buddhist Stupa, one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal, the large stupa is adorned with prayer flags and looks out over the city with a number of shrines and temples surrounding it. Head to Durbar Square, home to the Old Palace as well as many temples with their steep steps and intricately carved façades. This evening enjoy a final dinner at the heritage hotel.
Day 14 Kathmandu: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Barahi Pokhara, Pokhara
Part of the well-respected Bahari Hospitality & Leisure group, Hotel Bahari Pokhara offers luxury and tranquility in the heart of Pokhara. Located in the heart of Lakeside, the hotel was named after the island temple of Barahi located in the nearby Phewa Lake. Guests can choose from four different rooms categories, with the higher category rooms offering more space and amenities but overall all room types are well-appointed with tasteful and elegant decor. The hotel's facilities are extensive, with delicious cuisine being served up in Pokhara Flavor, relaxing treatments available in their tranquil spa, and a wonderful outdoor swimming pool to enjoy during the day and evenings.
Sarangkot Mountain Lodge, Pokhara
Set at 1600m above the town of Pokhara and with commanding views out across the Himalayas, the Sarangkot Mountain Lodge offers a luxury stay in truly amazing surroundings. Each of the rooms and suites has a balcony from which guests can enjoy the sunrise over the mountains, wood and stone interiors and a bathroom with rain shower or bathtub. Guests can head out into the surrounding mountains on foot, mountain bike or horseback with one of the lodge guides. After a day of activity the spa or the infinity pool over looking the mountains makes the perfect place to relax perhaps with a drink from the bar, the restaurant serves delicious Nepalese food.
Kalopani Guesthouse, Kalopani
This village guesthouse with 24 rooms offers a comfortable yet simple stay in Lete village. Most of the rooms are en suite and have twin or double beds, simple wooden furniture and hot water, providing a cosy retreat in the mountains. There is a restaurant offering local Nepalese food as well as a coffee shop and bakery providing sweet treats and snacks for hiking or a reward at the end of a long day.
Hotel Royal Mustang, Ghemi
Bhrikuti Guesthouse, Chuksang
Royal Mustang Resort, Lo Manthang
Built in a traditional Tibetan style, this simple boutique hotel is filled with regional artwork and textiles in a majestic setting. Rooms are modest yet comfortable with heated mattresses to make the cooler nights extra cosy, each room has stunning views of the surrounding Himalayas. The restaurant serves delicious local food and there are plenty of beautifully decorated communal spaces for guests to relax and trade travel stories.
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Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
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Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Shalmali
Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Shalmali by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
OTHER ITINERARIES IN NEPAL
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