Discover fortress-style Tibetan villages lies in the incredible windy region that shapes the landscape and living-style

Lower Mustang Trek

On this multi-day Lower Mustang Trek from Annapurna to Mustang, you will discover the alpine desert of mustang dotted with fortress-style Tibetan villages. Feel the high winds whip across the barren mountains as you follow the salt merchants’ steps along the Kali Gandaki northwards, and watch Hindus pilgrims wash their sins in Muktinath’s 108 holy water tap in the temple of Muktinath.

This trek is part of the Annapurna Circuit but without the fear of getting altitude sickness.

Your 14-day itinerary starts as you arrive in Kathmandu. A briefing of the trek led by your checking into the hotel will mark the beginning of this adventure. Exploring Kathmandu Valley will be next on your list as you visit UNESCO World Heritage sites including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar square among others.

Difficulty

Medium

Duration

14

Elevation

3800

Start

Nayapul

Place You'll See!

Highlights

Itinerary

When you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives from Top1Trekking will receive you at the airport. You will be accompanied to the trip hotel by our representative where you will check-in and relax.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Post breakfast you will be given a short briefing of the trip. You will then start sightseeing of various attractions namely Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur Durbar Square within the Kathmandu valley. The hustle and bustle in these areas will be a welcome change to mundane life. These places also have a rich history and massive cultural significance.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

You will start your journey lower mustang trekking by getting on the bus to Pokhara. The drive to Pokhara will be a long one and takes you along the Prithvi highway with delightful views of the Trishuli River, rolling hills, and roadside settlements along the way. Make sure you have your cameras handy to capture the moment. Once you arrive in Pokhara, you’ll be assisted in checking into your hotel. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. 

You’ll drive to the starting point of your hike, Nayapul. Once you reach Nayapul you’ll start your hike which will be relatively easier to set the tone for the journey ahead. The terrain isn’t challenging and you’ll pass the Modi river iron bridge and Ram temple. You will cross the town of Birethanti, Sudame, and cross Hille before reaching your final stop for the day.

Overnight stay at a lodge at Tikhedhunga.

A challenging trek, you’ll be climbing some 3200 stairs after crossing a few bridges including those over the Tikhedhunga River and Bhurungdi Khola. Your ascent will land you in the village of Ulleri. You’ll then continue your climb walking along a river and crossing farmlands and rhododendron forests. You will reach Naya Thanti and continuing ahead you will arrive at your final stop for the day, Ghorepani.

Overnight stay at a lodge at Ghorepani.

You’ll wake up early to go on a hike to Poon hill and observe the Himalayas including Annapurna (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m). Other peaks include Machhapuchhre (6997m), Gangapurna (7454m), Lamjung Himal (6986m), and others in the Annapurna range. Shortly afterward, you’ll return back to Ghorepani and after crossing a lush rhododendron forest along with a few villages you’ll end up in Tatopani, famous for its hot springs where you can take a dip and relax after a long day of trekking. Overnight at a lodge at Tatopani.

While you can take a ride up to Ghasa, it’s recommended that you trek your way up along the riverside of Kali Gandaki. As usual, you’ll be crossing suspension bridges multiple times throughout the trek. You first reach Guithe after following the trail that leaves Tatopani. From Guithe, you head towards Dana followed by Kopchepani. The Buddhist influence begins to display its influence over the region as you pass Mani walls and monasteries on the way.

Overnight stay at Ghasa.

You start the day with a trek following the Kali Gandaki River. You will cross the Kali Gandaki River on multiple occasions. Tukuche, your final stop for the day will be a short walk from Larjung village. If you manage to get there on time, visit the Thakali Museum & Library, Tukuche Distillery, and the local monasteries.

Overnight stay at Tukuche.

Upper Mustang calls as you hike to Kagbeni, the entry point for the same. This day will be a mix of ascents and descents as you hike through varied terrains. You will pass through Marpha and Jomsom before reaching Kagbeni Once you are in Kagbeni, you’ll find a narrower Kali Gandaki that makes its way through the town. An unobstructed view of Nilgiri North (7061m) will leave you awestruck.

Overnight at a lodge at Kagbeni.

You will hike to the Muktinath Temple. It will mostly be a steep ascent as you climb from 2800m to 3800m. During the ascent, you’ll come across a vivid landscape, natural beauty, and awe-inspiring views of the mountains. Once at Muktinath, the spiritual ambiance takes over. This temple is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists alike. You can take a bath on the 108 taps and in doing so, it is believed that these waters keep you healthy and relieve aches and pains from your body. 

Overnight stay at a lodge at Muktinath.

This will be the last day of your trek. Once again you hit the road as you make your way to Jomsom. On your way down you’ll find Jharkot, along with the Thakkhola-named after ethnic group Thakali and then Ekle Bhatti. From here, you cross the Kali Gandaki River as you walk across a suspension bridge onto the western side of the river. 

Overnight stay at a lodge at Jomsom.

A 20 min flight, it will be an enchanting affair as you stream past the Annapurna and other mountain ranges. Depending on your flight time and barring any delays in your flight, you can still visit various attractions across Pokhara once you land. Boating at the Phewa Lake and visiting the Peace Gumba is another option. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara.

You can either catch a flight or a bus back. An advantage to catching an early flight back is you get ample time to plan your visit to some of the tourist attractions and try local delicacies. You can still visit the market and shop for souvenirs. You hang around to witness the nightlife of Thamel. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

At the end of the trip, our representative will drop you off at the airport where you can catch your flight back.

Payment conditions

Trip Information

The Lower Mustang Route

The tour begins to unfold as you catch your bus to Pokhara and drive along the riverside with lush green forests in the backdrop. Starting your trek at Nayapul, you’ll visit Tikhedhunga, Tatopani, and Ghasa among others before arriving at Muktinath and then Jomsom.

With the Kali Gandaki River as your guardian and the mountains in Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges as a beacon, you will encounter captivating terrain. Abundant vegetation, as well as desolate grounds, test your grit as the trails take you along the Kaligandaki gorge-the deepest gorge on this planet. Experience the warmth of Thakali culture while enjoying the hot springs of Tatopani with this tailor-made trek to Muktinath Temple, one of the holiest places for Hindus and Buddhists. On your way back from Jomsom, enjoy the mountain flight as the plane glides past the mountains, snow-capped and glamorous. Wondering what’s missing in your memoir? This trek for sure.

Top1Trekking is a travel and tour agency offering the best travel experience for many years. Along with the variety of tour and trekking packages, we offer services ranging from thrilling adventures to quaint cross-country tours for our client’s satisfaction and to make their stay memorable. We provide quality transportation and accommodation services along with an experienced guide with fluency in English.

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