Upper Mustang -Forbidden Valley -Lo Manthang Trek (Walled mud City, Forbidden Kingdom, Beyond Himalaya)

After breakfast, we'll visit
1) Pashupatinath temple – regarded as the most sacred temple of Hindu Lord Shiva in the world with its astonishing architectural beauty, stands as a symbol of faith, religion, culture and tradition.
2) Swayambhunath Stupa –The Most Enigmatic Holy Shrine situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu, is one of the most popular, holy and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard the temple.
3) Kathmandu Durbar Square Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, famous for Living Goddess Kumari, is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries.

The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the capital city. The palace complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese Monarchy.

We have leisurely breakfast and fly to Pokhara (820m). Settled just beside Fewa Lake, this Picturesque Lake City Pokhara tour includes visit of Davis Falls, International mountain Museum, Gupteswor Cave, boat ride on famous Fewa Lake. Overnight.

We take early morning flight to Jomsom (2720m) with Spectacular views en-route (area is famous for its apples). It will be spectacular short flight through the Kaligandaki river gorge which is the deepest natural river gorge in the world lies between two dominating 800m giant peaks, Mt. Annapurna (8091m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m).
We will meet our trek crew at this tiny airstrip and we start our trek to the picturesque village of Kagbeni.
At the border of Jomsom we cross a small wooden bridge and follow the river bank of wildest Kali Gandaki. The trail is flat and barren which makes easy going. En-route and from Kagbeni the reward of magnificent views of dominating peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri and in the south entire views of Annapurna massif rising above superbly.
Settled on the edge of Mustang Restricted area with flat roofed houses, fields of wheat and barley, irrigations, canals, tunnels. Kagbeni sit he place from where the trail splits for Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang) and Muktinath –holiest Temple.

One can wander around this lovely village with scenic mountain views and Buddhist Gompa of Shakyapa Sect in the middle of the village. Overnight.

After breakfast and we set off for Chele with short climbing through a narrow flagstone-paved path, then we enter to the restricted area of Mustang (Kingdom of Lo Manthang). We continue our trekking from the east bank along with Kaligandaki River. The trail widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand hills and different formations made from it, other side of Kaligandaki River a picturesque multi-color like brown, red, black, blue line sand rock hills with caves and Chortens but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains carrying goods from Upper Mustang and Tibet.

We cross through the apple farm near Tangbe (3060m), we cross small stream and stop for lunch at the beautiful village of Tangbe, where we confront with first black, white and red Chortens that signifies Upper Mustang.
We see Peak Nilgiri continues to dominate the southern skyline.
After couple of hours walk, we will be reaching riverside settlement of Chhusang Village(2980m) between the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki.
We will see the distinct change from here with topography as well as people, culture, lifestyle and settlement becomes smaller and highly scattered and extremely basic. The people of Upper mustang or Kingdom of Lo Manthang practice agriculture and because of limited cultivation land at this barren area many of them are involved in Tourism and Trade. During winter, many of them from upper mustang goes for trade to India and spends for 3/4monts.

We cross Narshing Khola and walk for hour to come across a steel bridge spans over the Kaligandaki river just in front of a mouth like natural rock tunnel from where the river comes out. We climbs up the steep way up to the village of Chele (3050).
Keep a wary eyes to the ferocious Tibetan mastiffs at the area, which are mostly chained to many of the houses.

From Chele, the trail climbs up a steep path and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass overlooking the other side village of Gyakar (3560M) across the gorge. Beyond the pass we descend to picturesque Samar village, situated in a grove of popular trees. We see small glimpse of Annapurna dominated by Nilgiri.
From Samar, we walk through the border gate and take steep down to Samarkyu stream, climb up crossing distinct Chortens of the region (Black, White and Red) specialty of Upper Mustang, again up climb to pass. From here one can observe the spectacular views of Mt. Thorung Peak, barren hilly terrain and more on the south and east and multicolor rugged hill standing tall in front of us and Syangbochen village on the north.
We descend down to the confluence of Bhena and Syangbochen stream narrow gorge. We visit extremely famous and holiest Chungsi cave (3870m), the place is regarded as the meditation place of Great Buddhist Guru Padmasambhav. We follow the path from canyon, we may come across the ice bulk blocking our path and hardening our crossing to reach Syangbochen village (3800m). We continue our climb to Syangbochen La pass (3850m) passing Syangbochen village and easy descend down to village Ghelling. The house in Ghelling are white and ochre pained made of mud and stones just like across the Upper Mustang Region.

We leave Ghelling and climbs gently through fields, crossing Zhaite (3830) to Nyi La (3840m). The trail then easy descending which leads to Ghami (3520m) -large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs.
We cross Ghami Khola suspension bridge and climb up where we can see longest Mani wall in Upper Mustang region along with Apple orchard. We come across the place where many multi-color rugged mountains standing tall in front of us, as we pass one another comes. We walk through the driest part of upper mustang with steep hard climb to Tsarang La (3870m) where prayer flag welcomes us, then we descend down to Tsarang (3560m), the old capital of Mustang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. On the eastern corner village has a huge Old Palace(Fortress) and very old red Gompa of Gelugpa Sect of 16th Century which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas and Old library with biggest collection of Buddhism Religious Books/108.

Today’s walk will be short and moderate walking to Lo-Manthang (3810m), the medieval walled city. Before leaving for Lo Manthang we spends some hours to explore Fortress and Old Monastery (Regarded as 1600 Century).
The trail descends from Charang, crosses the Charang Stream and steep climb up a rocky trail. We come across the large isolated Chortens, we cross small stream and climb up to Lola pass (3950M). From this top you can see the view of Capital of Lo Manthang, Walled City. We descend down and on the way we will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important Chortens. O/N at Lo Manthang.

This city of Approximately 200 houses, we will be going for the exploration of this fascinating city of Lo Manthang. City has four major monasteries, Royal palace, Chortens and Mani walls. 4 stored king palace made from mud is in the center of the city and city is bordered by wall, town’s major 15th century Gonpas Zampa Lhakhan Monastery(1347/48AD) known as “God House), a huge red Thubchen Gompa(1400AD), Chodey Gompa and Choprang Gompa.
Royal palace is still occupied by the ex-King and Queen of Upper Mustang (Kingdom of Lo-Manthang). Although he is no more king but still the King is respected by the people and throughout the kingdom, the villagers still seek his advice regarding many issues.

Day time we will hire horses to visit Shija dzong Cave, Choser Village, Garphu, Niphu, Nyamdo, Kimaling, Namgyal, Purano Kimbu Gompa, Thingar.

We make our return from the upper highland route from Lo Manthang to Drakmar (3820m). Trial climbs upward giving last glimpse of Lo-Manthang up to the ridge of Chogo La (4325m), the highest point on during the trek. The highland route offers dramatic views of Tsarang Valley and Snow clad peaks in the background.
We make steep descend down, cross Tsarang khola and climbs to the village Lo Gekar and Oldest Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism Ghaar Gompa. We will be making short entry of the monastery. Then after we climb the ridge, crosses some meadows and then steep short descend will bring us to Drakmar.

From Drakmar, trail climbs to a ridge and descends to the lower part of Ghemi and further descend will bring you Zhaite (3820m). We cross big meadow Zhaite/Ghelling and Further gentle descend to Chhung-kah. Further walk of the trail reaches to Tamagaon (3700m). We continue our descending to Shyangmochen (3800m).

We trek further for Chhusang (2980m) crossing Yamda La Pass (3860m), Bhena (3830m), Bhena La Pass (3860m), Samar, Dajori La Pass, Taklam La Pass (3624m), Chele, Chhusang.

The Trek to Muktinath Temple(3800m), Holiest and Oldest and trek down to Jomsom via Kagbeni, Ekle Bhatti(2740m), Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom.

Breakfast and early morning flight to Pokhara. Day time Pokhara city exploration. Visit International Mountain Museum, Davis falls, Gupteswor Cave, boating on Fewa Lake. Evening self-exploration, Night clubs, Pubs, bar etc. Overnight.

Morning Breakfast and fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel and rest. Day will be free to last minute exploration of Capital and Culture city Kathmandu. Overnight.

Timely Transfer to International Airport.