Only a few years ago it was ‘nobody’s been there’, now it’s heading towards ‘last chance to see’. The completion of a road connecting Mustang to China in the north and the rest of Nepal to the south will make all the difference.
Lo Manthang, or Mustang as it’s usually called, has been dubbed ‘little Tibet’ or ‘the last forbidden kingdom’; though politically part of Nepal, in language, culture, climate and geography, it’s Tibet. The remote region is north of the Himalayan watershed and on the Tibetan plateau, and just south of the border with ‘big Tibet’, the Chinese one.
Until 1992 nobody from outside was allowed in; for a while after that it was opened up to a few hundred a year, and these days it anyone can enter, though the pricey trekking permit keeps the numbers down. There’s also a restricted season for visits: in winter it’s too cold and the snow too deep, so for months each year it again becomes a ‘forbidden kingdom’. Much of the population heads south to India and further afield during these winter months to exercise their legendary trading abilities.
Up here everything is sharp, severe and absolute: the colours are vivid, the terrain is rugged, the air is crisp, it’s either desert-dry or river-rapids, sere and barren or a flash of irrigated green.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/mustang#ixzz2G1puhcrS
Explore the long forbidden ‘Tibetan' Kingdom of Mustang
The Kingdom of Mustang preserves some of the last vestiges of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet, it is open to only a few select trekking groups each season. The trek follows established trails through substantial villages that once served a thriving trade route between Nepal and Tibet. These whitewashed settlements, set amid fields of barley and home to impressive chortens and simple monasteries, reflect the abiding Buddhist culture. The terrain is striking, a semi-arid desert with deep ravines and rock shelves, flanked by snowy peaks. A highlight is the visit to Lo Manthang where the King of Mustang reigns over his tiny kingdom and surveys a world still culturally closer to the heartland of Tibet than to the markets and temples of Kathmandu.
Highlights
Stunning views of the Annapurna range
Trek through remote villages
Fully supported camping based trek including 3 hearty meals per day prepared by our cooks
Visit the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, with it's palace and famous gompas
Himalayan Mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara & Jomson and return
Sightseeing in Kathmandu - Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all World Expeditions clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner.
Day 2 Half Day Sightseeing Tour, afternoon at leisure.
This morning a sightseeing tour takes in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. We will visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, returning to the hotel by 2pm. In the afternoon you may have time to explore Durbar Square, Patan, Swayambhunath or Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley on foot, by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.
Day 3 Fly to Pokhara
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town and our first night's camp.
Day 4 Fly to Jomsom (2713m), trek to Kagbeni (2810m), walk approx. 3hrs.
This morning we take a spectacular flight to Jomsom where we will meet our trekking crew. A half day walk brings us to Kagbeni, an impressive village that is our gateway to Mustang. To pass beyond this point you need a special Mustang permit. We will meet our liaison officer and the crew will prepare for tomorrow's crossing into Mustang.
Day 5 To Chele (3030m), walk approx. 6hrs.
We enter Mustang and follow the east bank of the river over a series of small ridges. Across the river we can see Kang Gompa, a centre of the Nyingmapa sect. Approaching Tangbe we encounter the distinctive black, red and white chortens that typify upper Mustang. The town of white washed houses contains an intriguing pattern of alleyways and is surrounded by fields of wheat, barley and buckwheat, interspersed with small apple orchards. We cross to the east bank of the river and ascend to the village of Chele. Immediately, the strong influence of Tibetan culture of Lo is evident with the decoration of the houses.
Day 6 To Geiling (3440m), walk approx. 6-7hrs.
The trail today is characterised by the crossing of a series of large spurs. At the top of each are chortens and an excellent view of this harsh but beautiful countryside. The valleys that dissect the trail have cool streams and juniper trees to enable us to relax for a while. These passes are at altitudes of up to 3800m. These altitudes should not present any acclimatisation issues, so we just take our time and enjoy the walk.
Day 7 To Charang (3490m), walk approx. 7hrs.
Avenues of poplar trees and fields of barley mark our trail as we head to Nyi La (pass). At 3850m this is the highest point of the trek thus far and the southern boundary of Lo. We descend to the Qumona Khola and pass a spectacular series of mani walls to the village of Charang with it's huge white dzong and red gompa.
Continue reading ...
Additional Information
Inclusions
15 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners
airport transfers
expert bilingual guide
mountain flights with Nepal valued at US$280 approx
special permit US$500
group medical kit
good quality accommodation in Kathmandu
trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fibre filled jacket and insulated mat
Souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
private transportation
all park entrance fees
porters to carry all personal and group equipment
porter's insurance
sightseeing in Kathmandu
site entry fees
Summary
16 day trip
10 day trek
4 nights hotels
11 nights camping
Trip Main Activities
Trekking
Exploratory Treks
Group Size Min
4
Group Size Max
16
Accommodation Summary
Equipment Required
Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).
What You Carry
In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc. Porters and mules carry all group gear and your trek pack.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/tours/trekking/kingdom-mustang?lpaffil=fbta1#ixzz2G1sqVi43
