Upper Mustang Circuit (Yara, Ghara) Trek

Trip Overview

Highlights

  • Explore the Tibetan Culture
  • Good views of Mountains
  • Unique culture with varied customs

Trip Map

Upper Mustang Circuit (Yara, Ghara) Trek Map

Short itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu to Pokhara (900m/2,943 feet) by tourist bus, 7 hours.

Day 03: Fly to Jomsom from Pokhara (2,800m/9,156 ft), drive to Kagbeni then trek to Chele 3,100/10,137 feet), 7 hours.

Day 04: Chele to Gheling trekking (3,570m/11,674 feet), 8 hours

Day 05: Gelling to Tsarang trekking (3,560m/11,641 feet), 7 hours

Day 06: Tsarang to Lo Manthang hiking (3,840m/12,557 feet), 5 hours

Day 07: Lo-Manthang, day hiking exploring around

Day 08: Trek to Yara village (3,838m/12,550 feet), 6 hours

Day 09: Visit Luri Gompa & back to Yara village, 7 hours

Day 10: Trek to Tangbe (3,240m/10,595 feet), 6 hours

Day 11: Trek to Tetang (3,067m/10,029 feet), 9 hours

Day 12: Tetang to Muktinath temple (3,800m/12,426 feet), 8 hours

Day 13: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2,720m / 8,894 feet), 4 hours

Day 14: Jomsom to Pokhara flyout (25 minutes). Pokhara city sightseeing.

Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu

Day 16: Final departure day

Detail Itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu.
Airport pick up then transfer to hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu to Pokhara (900m/2,943 feet) by tourist bus, 7 hours.
Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus. Through the green hills and Trishuli river which is most famous river for rafting in Nepal. Bus will stop for breakfast and lunch. Pick up at bus stop and transfer to hotel.

Day 03: Fly to Jomsom from Pokhara (2,800m/9,156 ft), drive to Kagbeni then trek to Chele 3,100/10,137 feet), 7 hours.
Early flight to Jomsom, located at an altitude in 8,894 feet above the sea. From here you can see the spectacular views of mount Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak and Dhampus. Drive to Kagbeni, Kagbeni is the most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the upper Mustang. After finished the entry process we trek to Chele.The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe Village. The town is labyrinth of narrow alleys among whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peaks, which dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni. Continue to loom massively at the foot of the valley. The trek now leaves the Kaligandaki valley and climb steeply up a rocky gully to chele at 3030 meters.

Day 04: Chele to Gheling trekking (3,570m/11,674 feet), 8 hours
The climb continues along step, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and then the trail descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 meters. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geiling.

Day 05: Gelling to Tsarang trekking (3,560m/11,641 feet), 7 hours
From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on our trek NYLA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar chu (river), we will arrive at a MANI (Prayer WALL) perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600 meters the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five stock white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha.

Day 06: Tsarang to Lo Manthang hiking (3,840m/12,557 feet), 5 hours
The trail descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Charang – Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally, from a ridge at 3850m. There is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo- Manthang.

Day 07: Lo-Manthang, day hiking exploring around
Another day in Lo – Manthang gives you the chance to explore its many sights; the Tall Champa Lakhang (God house,) the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Raja’s Palace; as well as to gaze at the surrounding panoramic views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalaya. From the Lo Manthang to Chosar village you will be riding horse go and return. Visit chosar cave and the valley is the main trading route to Lhasa.

Day 08: Trek to Yara village (3,838m/12,550 feet), 6 hours
For the first part, we ascend up to a glacial valley with views of reddish-brown historical wall city during the return back. From here we get an unforgettable image of the Lo. Along the mountain ridge after one hour the trail descends down to the village of ‘DHI’. On the way, you will see the meadows of farming fields of Dhi village near the riverside. After Yara village (3,838m) the trail follows the riverbed but in the monsoon, it winds up the hills to a final steep climb to the top. It looks a natural sandy castle in front of you when you are atop on the Yara hills. In some places, you will find a kind of salty dust like mineral on the hill.

Day 09: Visit Luri Gompa & back to Yara village, 7 hours
We head down to Luri Gompa which was founded in the 13th century, it is also called Kagyukpa cave monastery. There are golden written lama’s books found here. The route continues up to Duyung river which runs from Damodar Kund. This place is also famous for Hindu pilgrims. It is an area of land from where the water runs down into the KaliGandaki river. This place is famous for black ammonite fossils found hereabouts. The pilgrimages collect these fossils to worship in their belief that it is the embodiment of God Vishnu.

Day 10: Trek to Tangbe (3,240m/10,595 feet), 6 hours
We leave Yara along a high winding path. This soon leads down to the Dhechaeng river which runs from the Damodar Kund. The trail just crosses the small river of melting ice water and then we climb up for around 2 hours to DHI village along the winding desert mountain path to the Lo-Pa village of Tangya. Buddhist inhabitants and are mostly busy in local businesses; the small foothills roll away to distance horizons sheltering the villagers from the gentle winds coming in from the valley. From the village, you turn your face to the north and we see some sandy cliffs over several hundred years old. Finally, we find the small Tangbe village here.

Day 11: Trek to Tetang (3,067m/10,029 feet), 9 hours
We leave packing our lunch and we climb some steps & then crossing over a suspension bridge following the trail to right side. Soon we reach at Yak river before climbing a terraced hill station 4,210m. It is the highest point of the Upper Mustang trip, takes about 2:30 hours. From here you can see Damodar Himal and Saribung Himal at (6,346m). No houses but only the ruins remain here but drinking water sources are available. Now the trail descends down the hill, right in time, you can see the village either Chhuksang or Tetang where we stay tonight.

Day 12: Tetang to Muktinath temple (3,800m/12,426 feet), 8 hours
Today, gradually we trek up till Gyu La pass 4,077m. It is one of those beautiful days and we take it easy on our walk. We will pass through Kharkas where we can see grazing domestic animals as well as wild mountain goats. It’s peaceful up the valley as we reach to the top of Gyu La. From the pass, you can see panoramic views of Thorong peak, Nilgiri, Tukche peak & the lovely Muktinath valley. We reach Muktinath via Chhenkar village.
Muktinath is a very demanding and beautiful place that connects with Annapurna round trek. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage people from all over the world are visiting here. The holy temple has 108 waterspouts that resemble water flowing from taps and enigmatic natural gas fires that marvel at the mind.

Day 13: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2,720m / 8,894 feet), 4 hours
We trek downhill all the way to Jomsom with Kaligandaki River valley which is also known as windy valley where every day big wind blowing and overnight in Jomsom. You can explore Jomsom bazzar in the late afternoon.

Day 14: Jomsom to Pokhara flyout (25 minutes). Pokhara city sightseeing.
Early morning we fly to Pokhara with thrilling spectacular Mountain View including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna south, Annapurna I and Machhapuchre during the flight. Transfer to the hotel to check-in for a hot shower and relax. In the afternoon, the guide will assist you for your sightseeing visiting Devis falls, Gupteswor cave and Boating in Fewa Lake to visit Tal Barahi Temple. Walk back to the hotel.

Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu
Morning we’ll drive back through the scenic countryside and during the route will stop for breakfast & luthe nch. It takes 7 hours back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the day relax or explore the surrounding areas and overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Final departure day
Drop you in Kathmandu International Airport onward your final destination and our trip ends. Wish you your wonderful journey.

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes:

  • Kathmandu international airport transfer by private vehicles.
  • 2 nights twin sharing on tourist standard accommodation in Kathmandu.
  • 2 night Tourist standard accommodation in Pokhara within Bed with Breakfast Plan
  • Meals on full board: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day during the trek.
  • Domestic flight: Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara as a round trip airfare with airport tax.
  • Tourist Bus transfer from Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu as a round trip.
  • Fully escorted trek with fluent English speaking license holder local guide and each 2 guest (12.5 kg + 12.5 kg) = 1 Porter basis.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area permits and their fees
  • Upper Mustang special permits cost USD 550 for each guest for each 11 days.
  • Pokhara city sightseeing (Devi’s fall and Gupteswor Mahadev cave) transfer by private vehicle.
  • All land transportation as per written on above itinerary.
  • Food and accommodation and salary of Nepali trekking staffs.
  • Insurance of guide and porters.
  • Nepal Government Tax, VAT and as well as Company service charge.

Cost Exclude:

  • Nepal entry visa fee.
  • Lunch and Dinner during the staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara city.
  • Any kinds of battery charges, laundry service, phone calls and hot shower during the trek.
  • Personal trekking equipment and Clothing.
  • Personal nature expenses, any drinks and bar bills.
  • Your travel insurance (it is mandatory in case of emergency).
  • Any donation and monuments entrance fees.
  • Tips for the crew (Note : TIPS is not compulsory but expected)
  • Any other things which are not mentioned above

Date & Price

Date and price

Useful Info

Useful Info

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Trip Facts

  • Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
  • Best season: February, March, April, May, October, November
  • Per day walking: 6 hours in average
  • Type of trek: Hotel and Lodge
  • General Duration: 16 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 3840m