Forbidden Mustang and Lo Manthang

Duration : 19 Days (11 days trekking)
Start & Finish : Kathmandu
Support : ponies, guide
Group Size : min 3 / max 10
Best Time :

Mountain Ponies and Tea Houses (19 Days)

A timeless and breathtaking journey through the Kingdom of Lo, until recently a hidden Tibetan Buddhist enclave, forbidden to foreigners. Sculpted canyons with wild rock formations, deep gorges, medieval villages, ancient fortresses, palaces and ancient cave hermitages, Tibetan Buddhist gompas and soaring snow-peaks characterise this spectacular region, a ‘thumb’ sticking up from Nepal into the Tibetan platea.

Lo, also known as Upper Mustang is an ancient Kingdom tucked away along the deepest river gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki; a remote and starkly beautiful section of the ‘Tibetan’ high altitude desert bordered to the south by some of the Himalayas highest mountains. We have ten days in the tea houses and on the trails of this restricted area, enjoying the spectacular landscape of sculpted gorges, windswept cliffs and the wide expanse of arid plateaus, wondering at the ancient cave dwellings we see carved into the mountains.

Now is the time to visit Mustang while it retains its unique character, intriguing and with a sense of the forbidden. It will very soon change as the roads are coming fast and people of this ancient horse culture are even starting to sell their steeds. Now is the time…

This itinerary is challenging but we have built in plenty of free time to do things at your own pace and give you the freedom to make the most of your free time in your own way, whether it is more exploring, shopping, or even taking time out with a massage!

BRIEF ITINERARY

Single Supplement cost: US$200

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

• Experience the ‘Old Tibet’ - undisturbed by the occupation.
• Visit the medieval villages of Upper Mustang and stay in the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang.
• See the fortresses, the palaces, and the gompas with their ancient Buddhist murals.
• Trek in the classic scenery of the high Tibetan plateau, including the incredible sculpted valleys with their wild rock formations and incredible colours.
• Trek along the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest in the world.
• Stay in local tea houses (these are people’s homes which they have opened up for us to stay with them) and learn about their fascinating way of life!

THE ABOVE COST INCLUDES:

• All airport transfers, all domestic flights and domestic airport tax
• Private van transfer to Pokhara.
• Hotel nights on twin share, with breakfast.
• Guided Bazaar walk.
• Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu with Enfield motorcycle, chauffeur, guide and all entrance fees.
• Meals as per itinerary (all meals while trekking).
• Western trip leader, local guide and assistant with all equipment and insurance.
• Pony hire with horsemen.
• Please note that tea house accommodation on trek is basic rather than luxurious and the price does not.
• Include attached bathroom (should this be available), nor hot shower charges (should they be available).

THE ABOVE COST EXCLUDES:

• International flight/travel to and from Kathmandu.
• Nepal Visa fees.
• International Airport taxes.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Travel insurance (must include remote area rescue/evacuation costs, eg by helicopter).
• Any additional nights outside the detailed itinerary above.
• Any additional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itinerary above.
• Personal expenses (eg drinks and bar bills, laundry, postage, donations, extra snacks etc).

TIPS
Please note: tea house accommodation does not include attached bathroom (should this be available), nor does it cover hot shower charges (should they be available and a charge levied)

A full detailed information of this trek is available as PDF. Click here to download.

Please email us to book this trek.