Experience the stark, barren landscapes of Lower Mustang dotted with Tibetan Buddhist cultural attractions on treks around Jomsom.
trip info
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3,762m/12,343ft. (At. Height)
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Kathmandu, Nepal
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Kathmandu, Nepal
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Moderate+Demanding
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3* Hotel in Kathmandu, Pokhara & Teahouse/Lodge during the trek
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7 Dinner, 9 Breakfast, and 5 Lunch
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Lower Mustang Trekking is an ideal trip for trekkers who don’t have much time, or who would rather not do a very strenuous.
Nepal’s Mustang region was a semi-autonomous kingdom until 2008, and still retains one of the best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist societies in the world. Flying to Jomsom and then trekking around Lower Mustang—through Kagbeni, Muktinath, Jharkot and Lupra—is an ideal way of getting a taste of fascinating Mustang without needing to pay $500 for the expensive Upper Mustang permit. Which, lower Mustang trek is in the rain shadow of the Upper Mustang Himalaya, so the landscape here is arid.
Moreover; flying from Pokhara takes you through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest in the world. On the other side, a completely different landscape opens up that is like few other places in Nepal. Which, you will treks around Jomsom reveal Tibetan Buddhist monasteries perched on ridges and cliffs, the holy Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath, and the old fortress town of Kagbeni, the frontier between Lower and Upper Mustang. Greenery is sparse and provided only by the irrigated fields around settlements. The unique landscape and culture combine to create a fascinating trekking experience.
If you are planning your family vacation in Nepal during the monsoon, this trek will be the perfect place for you. This Lower Mustang Trek is an ideal vacation for your family as it features the picturesque deserts of Mustang along with the holy temple of Muktinath, giving the best of both nature and culture.
Highlights of Lower Mustang Trek
✔ Explore the well-preserved Tibetan culture of Mustang
✔ Visit Muktinath temple, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, which provides a unique spiritual experience.
✔ Enjoy breathtaking Himalayan views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
✔ Flying, over the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki
✔ Visit the pre-Buddhist Bon village of Lupra
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft)- and transfer to hotel
Day 02 : In Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation (1,350m/4,429ft)
Day 03 : Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m/2,713ft)- 5-6 hrs
Day 04 : Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,710m/8,891ft), hike 2-3 hrs
Day 05 : Trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,810m/9,220ft)- 3-4 hrs
Day 06 : Trek to Jharkot (3519m/11,512ft) 3-4 hrs; and visit to the red Gompa
Day 07 : Trek to Muktinath (3,762m/12,343ft) then trek back to Jharkot 3-4 hrs
Day 08 : Trek to Jomsom via Lupra Valley (3,050m/10,006ft)- 4-5
Day 09 : Flight from Jomsom to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft) via Pokhara 50 min
Day 10 : Final departure from Kathmandu, Nepal
Customize Your Trek
- This is a general itinerary, which can always be “customized” individually. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped according to your interests, for more information please contact us.
DETAILED ITINERARY
On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from AlpineTrav Treks who will escort you till your hotel. After checking in, you will take rest or visit you may also stroll on the streets of Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by AlpineTrav Treks. For dinner, you will be served excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine, which will introduce you to the Nepalese food culture. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Maximum Elevation: 1,350m/4,429ft
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Vajra)
Meals: Dinner
Today after breakfast, you will start a guided tour to several historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where you can meet your trek guide and other team members. AlpineTrav Treks briefs you regarding your trek as well as provides you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding your upcoming adventure. Overnight at Kathmandu.
Maximum Elevation: 1,350m/4,429ft
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Vajra)
Meals: Breakfast
After an early breakfast in the morning, you will depart from Kathmandu and drive towards Pokhara, the Lake City of Nepal. It is a journey of around 6 to 7 hours including a stoppage for lunch Enroute, at a typical Nepali roadside café. On arrival in Pokhara, you will be transferred to your designated hotel where you will stretch your feet and relax for some time. In the early evening, you will meet your trek guide who will brief you about your upcoming trek in the Lower Mustang trek.
Distance: 215 km Driving: 6-7 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 827m/2,713ft
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Mount View)
Meals: Breakfast
After an early breakfast in Pokhara, you'll drive to the airport for a 25-minute flight to Jomsom, the headquarters of Nepal's Mustang district. The flight takes you over the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. From the plane, you'll have great views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Jomsom is among the very few places in Nepal from where the Himalayan peaks can be admired at such a close range and yet from a safe altitude of only 8,800 feet. Giant peaks like Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Dhaulagiri seem so close you could reach out to touch them. Moreover; In Jomsom, you'll feel how much cooler and drier the air is. Today is a day for taking it easy and exploring the charming town of Jomsom and beyond to get a feel for your surroundings. Depending on how you feel, there is a great two-hour walk down the Kali Gandaki Valley to Marpha, home of Thakali people and their famous Marpha apples and apple brandy. You can explore village learning about the traditional design principles, including the flat roofs to dry produce for use in the long winters and the underground drainage system.
Flight: 25 min - Hiking: 2-3 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 2,710m/8,891ft
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse/Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, start your trek, 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. Where, 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. "But" 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. Overnight at Kagbeni.
Hiking: 3-4 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 2,810m/9,220ft
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse/Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Have a hearty breakfast this morning, as your climbing will begin today. It takes about 3-4 hours to walk from Kagbeni to Jarkhot, depending on the dry air and how you feel at the altitude. It's an uphill trek from Kagbeni to Jarkhot and you gain quite a bit of elevation, so it’s nice to stop here and take the afternoon to explore this old fortified village. The main feature of the village is the striking red Gompa (monastery) of the Sakya sect of Buddhism that sits prominently at the front of the village. This Gompa is more than 500 years old and has an active Tibetan Medicine school. There are stunning views down the valley and up towards the famous Thorong La (pass) which is the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit trek. Overnight at Jharkot.
Hiking: 3-4 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 3519m/11,512ft
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse/Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today after breakfast you will begins up to Muktinath temple and Muktinath temple 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 comes 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.
Hiking: 3-4 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 3,762m/12,343ft
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse/Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You'll descend to Jomsom via Lupra village, visiting a local Bonpo Monastery. While you have to ascend the mountain again for a short way to get back on the trail, it is a great route that trekkers on the Annapurna circuit miss out on, so you will be far away from the crowds and the jeep trail to Jharkot and Muktinath. Bonpo is an ancient pre-Buddhist religion not represented by many monasteries these days, so it is a rare and special chance to learn about this ancient animist religion while taking a stunning alternate route back to Jomsom. Overnight at Jomsom.
Hiking: 4-5 hrs
Maximum Elevation: 2,710m/8,891ft
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse/Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast in Jomsom, you'll be transferred to the local airstrip to catch your return flight to Pokhara. From here, you'll catch a connecting flight to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, you'll do check at your hotel room and relax. In the afternoon, you have time enough to explore Kathmandu or shop around for local souvenirs, last minute shopping or gift items. In the evening you will enjoy farewell dinner by the AlpineTrav Treks to celebrate a successful end of your trip in Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Flight: 50 min
Maximum Elevation: 1,350m/4,429ft
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Vajra)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Your Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for you today as you will be flying back to your native country. You can explore few places in Kathmandu if your departing flights are late in the evening or at night. A representative from AlpineTrav Treks will take you to the airport well ahead of your scheduled flight time.
Meals: Breakfast
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Accommodation in Standard Hotels on Twin Sharing Basis
- Domestic Flights
- All Private Ground Transportation Including Airport Transfers
- Local Guide & Support Staffs
- All Meals in the Mountain (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- All necessary: Trekking permits & TIMS card
- An Oximeter to Check Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels
- Agency Service charge and Applicable Taxes
- Emergency rescue help (covered by your travel insurance)
- Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
Cost Excludes
- Personal Expenses
- Bar and Beverage Bill
- Tips, Gifts for Related Trek Staff
Trip Info
For Your Information, International flights and Nepal “Entry Visa Fee” aren’t included. Rooms are usually shared by two people unless you request a private room. You can upgrade to better hotels in the mountain and even in the cities. For your customized services, please specify during the booking process or contact us.
Meals
During your trek, you can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the tea-houses or from a lodge menu where you spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking while only breakfast will be available while in Kathmandu and Pokhara. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners for guests.
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in Hotel Vajra or Similar in Kathmandu, Hotel Mount View in Pokhara and teahouses during the trek. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 180. Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation, it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.
Why Meals and Accommodation Are Crucial for Trekkers?
Many trekkers underestimate the significance of meals and accommodation during their journey, but these factors can make or break the trekking experience. Here’s why they are critical: Click for more…
Team Composition
This trek will have a guide and assistant guide (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters to carry the luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that if someone in the group becomes ill or is unable to continue, the trek can continue as planned for the rest of the group. We have been operating treks for any size group, but a maximum of twelve people is usually ideal.
Plan Your Trip
With our all-inclusive packages, if your travel plans don’t match, we’ll be happy to create a package to suit your needs. Let us know what kind of trip you’re looking for and we’ll help plan your tailor-made trips to your dream destination.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The treks around Jomsom are moderately difficult. The highest elevation is Muktinath at 3,762m/12,343ft, but all nights are spent below 3000 metres. It is suitable for both first-time and repeat visitors to Nepal, though a reasonable level of fitness and good health is required.
As Jomsom and Mustang are in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and receive little rainfall, this is one of the few places in Nepal that is ideal for trekking in the monsoon months (June to August). However, flights from Pokhara to Jomsom are frequently delayed at this time of year due to bad weather, so best to have a buffer of a couple days on either end to avoid missing any important connections. Like elsewhere in Nepal, spring (March-May) and fall (September to November) are also good times to go to Jomsom. but, Visiting in winter is not advised, as temperatures here get very cold, and many resources (including running water) become scarce in Mustang. Many locals shut their businesses.
Instead of heading east to Muktinath from Kagbeni, you can continue on to Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. This adds another 8-10 days to this itinerary. Highlights include exploring the narrow streets of the old city of Lo Manthang and seeing the meditation caves cut into rock faces. Permits for trekking in Upper Mustang cost $500 for 10 days, and trekking must be done with a guide.
From Muktinath, you can join the Annapurna Circuit by crossing Thorong La (5416m). The Annapurna Circuit is one of the classic treks in Nepal, but crossing Thorong La is very difficult, and is best attempted only with proper preparation. The elevation gain will be rapid when crossing from Muktinath (3,762m), so it is important to descend to Thorong Phaedi (4540 m) on the same day. The pass often snows, and weather conditions can change rapidly. Generally, Thorong La is crossed from east to west.
Absolutely yes! Under normal circumstances, our booked trips are guaranteed to run. We are a tailor-made company. If you are in a last-minute stress, remember to find us to sort out your trip decisions. Please feel free to book your stress-free holidays with us. Unless there is a situation which is out of control such as a political riot, natural disaster, pandemic, epidemic or weather catastrophes, our trips are 100% guaranteed to run.
Rest assured that you will be in good hands with our experienced trek leaders, who have multiple years of experience trekking in Nepal. All of our guides, known as, are locals with a deep understanding of the mountain, its people, culture, health, hygiene, and most importantly, your safety. They are fluent in English and will be able to communicate effectively with you throughout the trek. Our guides are passionate about their work and will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
The guides have many years of guiding experience in trekking. Most have been exploring the Himalayas for years. Our guides are also trained in first aid and know how to handle any situation. All our guides speak fluent English and are happy to share their in-depth knowledge of the culture, geography, flora, festivals, lifestyle with you. It is enough to take visitors to special places or special cultures, who can engage people in what they are experiencing, explain it well and entertain them. They are well versed in how to make the journey comfortable and safe while appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas.
AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions offers a lifetime deposit policy that gives you the flexibility to transfer your deposit to anyone or any other trip. If you wish to cancel your booked trips, certain cancellation fees apply. Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions for detailed information. Terms and Conditions
After a long day of hiking, a good night’s restful sleep is very important for the next day’s hiking. With your comfort in mind, we make sure to book the best lodges with two beds in each room and western toilet facilities where available. Generally, the beds are clean and comfortable with electric blankets (where available) and an attached bathroom for most nights. The room temperature is usually maintained at 10-12°C / 50-54°F.
During the trek, electricity is available at all teahouses where you will spend the night. You can recharge your phone, laptop or iPad from micro-hydropower and solar panels for a nominal fee. Regarding Wi-Fi, there are no free hotspots along the trek route, so we do not encourage you to bring your laptop. Some teahouses offer paid Wi-Fi services by the hour, but do not expect high-speed connectivity on remote trails.
Yes, cell phone networks are available on all trekking routes in the Annapurna Region. Most small villages and trekking routes have cell phone coverage via Ncell or NTC networks. However, in some areas, network coverage may be very poor or may not be available at all.
All bookings are made through AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions Pvt. Ltd. based at Boudha 6, Kathmandu, Nepal. Travel Booking Terms To book your holiday you must send us a completed booking (enquiry) form or email us directly with details, for information. Learn more about our book. How to Book a Trip?
As well as the usual provisions for a multi-day trek (good boots, a waterproof layer, and many layers of clothing), it’s especially important to carry a face mask/scarf and sunglasses on this trek. Mustang often experiences fierce winds in the late morning and afternoon, which whip up a lot of dust and grit. For detailed information on what to carry with you during the trek, please visit our detailed packing lists. Packing equipment lists
Route Map
Nepal
