CAUTION: Though the trek to Mustang is below 4000 metres for most of the way, there are numerous ups and downs, mostly crossing canyons in the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Hence, the walking can be hard on some days especially when a long descent to a bridge is followed by an equally long ascent!
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for regular hill walkers, moderate level of fitness required.
1) Walking times: average 7 to 8 hours walking per day ( some half days as well)
2) Altitude: up to 4250 metres
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions. Some of the walking is also on a rough jeepable dirt track
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area but there are small villages on the route.
Day 06 Chele to Syangmochen (3800m) (6 to 7 hours) From Chele there is a long and relentless slog to the pass of Chele La (3630m). From the pass there is a long and mild descent to Samar (3600m). From Samar the trail climbs to the Bhena La ( 3830m). From the Bhena La there is yet another climb to the Yamdo La (4010m) from where the trail drops to the village of Syangmochen. This is a hard day’s walking.
Day 07 Syangmochen to Ghemi (3510m) (5 to 6 hours)
From Shyangmochen the path descends to the village of Gelling (3570m). From Gelling there is another climb to the pass of Nyi La (4020m) which marks the southern boundary of the kingdom of Lo. The trail then drops steeply to the village of Ghemi.
Day 08 Ghemi to Tsarang (3575m) (4 to 5 hours)
The trail drops from Ghemi crosses a bridge and then passes what is the most spectacular mani wall in Mustang. It then climbs to Choya La (3870m) and descends to the village of Tsarang.
Day 09 Tsarang to Lo Manthang 450 m ascent 200 m descent (3840m)
The path descends about 125m, crosses a stream and enters the Tholung valley. It then climbs gradually to a ridge and a large chorten. From here the trail leads to the Lho La (3950m) from where it drops to the walled city of Lo Manthang
Day 10, 11 and 12 Lo Manthang We spend three days in and around Lo Manthang exploring the walled city, the monasteries, the palace, frescoes and other sights.
Day 13 – one buffer day on the trek to be utilized as needed
Day 14 Jeep from Lo Manthang to Chuksang and then down to Kagbeni and Jomsom for the night
Day 15 Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
Day 16 Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight.
Dates : September 17th to October 2nd 2016
Costs: US$ 2200/- (exclusions apply see details below) please budget USD 400 for meals and other costs en route extra.
The cost is per person for Kathmandu to Kathmandu (16 days ) as per the itinerary given. Days 1 and 2 are in Kathmandu.
Costs given above are at current rates of 2016 and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the trek.
Costs include:
Mustang Special Restricted area permit @ USD 50 per day is covered.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS permit is covered
All road transfers Kathmandu to Pokhara,; Lo Manthang to Kagbeni mostly by private jeep.
Return flight ticket from Pokhara to Kathmandu and flights from Pokhara to Jomsom and back
Airport tax as applicable
All accommodation on the trek on twin sharing basis.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu one night on the way in and two nights accomodation in Pokhara is covered on twin sharing basis.
Cost of porters/guides for the trek. Please note that porters will carry one duffel bag or backpack not exceeding 10 kgs in weight for each trekker comprising of personal items, clothing, sleeping bag etc.
Costs not included
All meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Breakfast lunch and dinner on the trek is not included. Desserts, drinks, and exotic items listed in the lodge menus are not included. Alcohol, cold drinks (coca cola, sprite, beer), juices, ice cream etc on the trek and in Lukla.
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.
Video camera fees in National Parks (where applicable).
Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc
Hot showers (Rs 200-300 per shower);
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; duvet /down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Air fare from residence country to Nepal and back
Tips to porters at the end of trek
Estimate of Costs not included
Fooding at lodges en route will be around USD 25 per person per day On an estimate this would be around USD 400 for the entire 14 days. Cost increases as you go higher up the valley and will vary depending on what you eat/drink. Alchohol and soft drinks like Coke etc not covered in this estimate. If you wish to have beer, coles, apple pies, pizza, lasagnia, yak steaks please add another $5 to $10 to this estimate.
Tips to guides /porters can be estimated at USD 50 to USD 60 per person to contribute to the common pool.
ITEMS | REMARKS | |
Duffle Bag | All the equipment listed below other than what you need for the day should be packed into a duffle bag, locked and handed over to the porters in the morning. In case you cannot get a duffle bag in your home country these are available very cheap in Kathmandu and I can help you with this. The duffle bag should not weight more than 10 kgs! | |
1 | Sleeping Bag | Warm sleeping bag is needed at least three season rated to 15F |
2 | Daypack or Hipbelt | To carry water, one jacket some nuts, chocolates, cap, camera to keep with you in the day, maybe gloves and cap as well, hiking poles etc. |
3 | Boots or Trekking Shoes | one pair |
4 | Slippers or Sandals for camp | lightweight to wear in the evenings |
5 | warm Socks | 2 pairs to carry and one pair to wear |
6 | Gloves | one pair |
7 | Underwear | 1 to wear and 2 to carry |
8 | Warm Cap | one- Wool or fleece is usually good |
9 | Heavy jacket | the warmest you can get as nights and early mornings are cold - down is usually preferred otherwise a warm synthetic filled jacket. |
10 | Thermal Underwear ( top and bottom) - long johns | inner layer to wear at night and early morning ; |
11 | Mid Layer | Usually a jacket of fleece or wool which can be worn over a thermal layer or by itself while walking |
12 | T shirts for walking | one to wear and 2 to carry - if the sun is hot you can walk in a T shirt |
13 | Trousers /tights etc | one to wear and one to carry light weight preferred |
14 | One Rain Jacket /Wind Jacket/Soft Shell jacket | useful in case of wind ... you may need it in light rain though we would usually take shelter and wait for the rain to stop. Our trek is not in the rainy season though some light rain/snow in the late afternoon evenings cannot be ruled out. |
15 | Torch or headlamp | one small needed carry one set spare batteries |
16 | Sun bloc | one small tube should be ok spf 30 or 50 |
17 | some essential medicines | vitamins, headache, fever, pain killers, diamox for altitude, your own specific medicines etc |
18 | Hiking poles | if you have bad knees then this is recommended especially on the down hills!! |
19 | Water bottle | one no 500 ml or 1 litre is ok you can use the 500 or 600 ml empty coke or pepis bottles |
20 | Sun glasses | the sun is strong in the day |
21 | Cap for the sun | ditto! |
22 | small towel | for baths and wash up in case you can use the hot shower |
23 | toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, vaseline, comb | and any other toilet items you may need! |
24 | wet tissues - wet ones for bathroom | called wet ones in India |
25 | some washing powder surf etc small | to wash clothes en route if needed |
26 | Nuts, raisins etc all mixed up | can be divided into small packets for daily use |
27 | Chocolates /Energy Bars/Amul cheese slices/tea bags | Carry some chocolates or energy bars to have on the way. Amul cheese slices are very useful and can be had as snacks when you are tired of sweets! |
28 | Sweets | for energy |
29 | Volini gel/ Bengay etc for aches and pains | or any other equivalent |
30 | Iodine or chlorine tablets for water purification | available in Kathmandu- this is important as mineral water bottles are expensive; for overseas visitors you can get iodine tablets in REI and other large outdoor outlets |
31 | Electral or any other rehydating salts | Carry a few small packets of electrolyte - useful to have mixed with water if dehydrated |
32 | some spare plastic bags to pack wet stuff, dirty clothes etc | |
33 | Book in case you want to read on the way and IPOd for music optional! | |
34 | Two small locks one for your duffle bag and one for your room in case the lodge does not have a lock | |
35 | Clothes line with hooks on either side in case you want to hang up your wet clothes to dry outside!! | |
36 | Super Glue | To patch up boots that may give way! |
37 | Face mask | For dust, cold winds etc available in kathmandu |
38 | Extra shoe laces | one pair |
39 | Binoculars |
CANCELLATION CHARGES
All trek payments are subject to the following cancellation charges:
0-7 days before the start of the trek =75%
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 50%
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 35%
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 25%
46 days and above = 20%