Our adventure begins with a journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You have the option of taking a bus to enjoy the Nepalese countryside or choosing a faster flight to Pokhara. The bus journey takes six to eight hours, while the flight takes 25 to 30 minutes.

After breakfast in Pokhara, you will take an early morning flight to Jomsom, located at an altitude of 2713m at the foot of Annapurna. Your trek begins by following the Kali Gandaki River and passes through the charming hilltop villages of Phalyak and Dangarjung. You then arrive at Kagbeni, a beautiful village at the entrance to Upper Mustang. Spend the night in Kagbeni. This part of the trek involves 4 hours of walking, with an ascent of 342m and a descent of 300m.

Today we can now use jeeps to reach Samar. We drive along the Kali Gandaki and pass through the village of Tsuksang. After crossing a bridge on foot, change vehicles to go up to Chele. On the way, you have to cross two passes at 3600 and 3765 meters, offering beautiful views of the Nilgiri and the snow-capped Annapurna in the distance. Then descend to Samar along a river lined with poplars. The total journey takes about 4 hours, with an ascent of 955 meters and a descent of 150 meters.

Today our day starts with a visit to Chungsi Cave where the revered Buddhist saint Padmasambhava meditated for three years, three months and three days. A stalagmite guards this natural cave and holds great spiritual significance. After exploring the cave, continue the trek and have lunch at Syangboche. Descend to Gheling village in the afternoon. The village is protected by the monastery and is known for its traditional houses and warm hospitality. The trek took about 6 hours with an ascent of 950m and a descent of 1000m.

Today’s hike involves a gentle climb, followed by a steep climb to the Nyila Pass at 3975m. From the pass we descend to the village of Ghami. Here we see white houses huddled together on the edge of a deep gorge. Take time to explore the ruins of ancient Ghami, abandoned due to lack of water, and we also enjoyed lunch in this beautiful village.

After lunch, leave the classic trail and take a route along the ridges that offer magnificent views of the grey, blue and ochre cliffs as you approach Dhakmar. The village of Dhakmar is known for its unique cave dwellings. It takes about 8 hours of walking with an ascent of 900m and a descent of 800m.

Today’s trail takes us across steep cliffs to reach Mui Pass at 4,170m. We then descend to Ghar Gompa Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Nepal dating back to the 11th century. After lunch at the monastery, continue the trek across another pass. Follow a balcony path that offers stunning views of the Mustang Plateau and the fortified town of Lo Manthang. Finally, we arrive at Lo Manthang, where we spend the night. This stage of the trail involves 7 hours of walking, with an ascent of 900m and a descent of 850m.

Today you have ample time to explore the medieval town of Lo Manthang. You can visit the beautifully restored monasteries, such as Thubchen, Jampa and Chode Gompas. Stroll through the narrow streets of this fortified town to admire the unique architecture and vibrant local culture. In the afternoon, you can take a short hike to the northwest and reach the Ame Pal Fort which offers stunning views of the surrounding colourful landscape. Return to Lo Manthang for the night.

Today you have a choice of two exciting excursion options:

Excursion 1: You can trek through the Choser Valley to Nyphu Gompa and Konchok Ling Cave. Experience a spectacular landscape of ochre and blue peaks and challenge yourself with a steep climb to reach the newly discovered Konchok Ling Cave. This cave has a unique atmosphere and offers a glimpse into the spiritual heritage of the region. It takes 8 hours to walk.

Excursion 2: Another option is to visit Kacho Dzong, an ancient fortress, and return via Namgyal, a monastery overlooking Lo Manthang. This shorter excursion allows for a more relaxed exploration of the area. It takes 5 hours of walking.

We start by climbing up to a pass at 3910 meters on the road to Tsarang. From there, take a path that slowly turns into a steeper and narrower track. After reaching another pass at 4300 meters, descend to the pretty village of Dhi. We will have lunch in this beautiful village famous for its peach and apricot orchards, as well as for its well-irrigated crops.

After lunch, cross the river using a bridge and climb steep scree slopes. The trail follows the river, offering numerous fossil sites before reaching Yara. Spend the night in the village of Yara. The journey takes 6 hours of walking, with an ascent of 580 meters and a descent of 800 meters.

Today’s itinerary includes a short 2-hour walk through a riverbed, followed by a climb to Luri Monastery, home to an old lama. You can climb the cliffs to Luri Hermitage, nestled in caves and reached by a large tree-trunk ladder. Inside, you’ll see the first caves housing statues of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) and a stupa with original painted ceilings. After exploring the hermitage, return to Yara via Gara village. This tour involves 5 hours of walking with an elevation gain of 400 meters and a descent of 400 meters.

Starting our day, we cross the Mustang Khola and follow the path to the city of Tsarang. This city is known for its five-story fortress and impressive monastery. During our visit, we have the opportunity to explore the strange fortress with its wide-open windows. In one of the rooms is an important book that documents the history of the kingdom in golden letters. The wooden cover of the book is finely engraved and exudes remarkable beauty.

On the top floor, there is a small room displaying very old weapons and armor. Also, visit the monastery and ask to see the old monastery, located at the back of the courtyard, which contains amazing abandoned paintings. The hike will last about 5 hours, including a 200 m climb and a 100 m descent.

We take a jeep on a difficult but beautiful track early in the morning to reach Kali Gandaki. After that, we return to the Mustang gate at Kagbeni and head towards Jomsom. The journey takes 4 hours, including a 4000m climb and a 980m descent.

Today is the last day of our 13-day Upper Mustang trek. We fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, enjoying one last aerial view of the Himalayas. Upon landing in Pokhara, take a bus back to Kathmandu, concluding this incredible adventure.