Are you all set for a stunning aerial view of the entire Mustang region from above the sky on a helicopter? If yes, then we offer you an Upper Mustang Heli Trek to fulfill your quest for a wild, adventurous flight and trekking at the same time. Upper Mustang, located in the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal, is one of the admired places that resembles that of the Tibetan plateau. Its wild, dry, and desert-like landscape have always enthralled the heart of fellow travelers. Also, the old villages, settlements that resemble to the Tibetan villages, mountains, ancient monasteries, and isolation of the place make you feel as if you have travelled back to time.
Upper Mustang Heli Tour takes you to the old forbidden Buddhist kingdom of Lo. You walk past the deepest gorge of the world (Kaligandaki gorge) and traverse into the wild, dry, and arid landscape that resembles some desert-like features – sandy, rocky, treeless and waterless. The yellow, gray, and rolling hills eroded by strong winds beyond the Annapurna massif brings you to the kingdom of Lo. Its distinctive features have always allured travelers. Lo is the only walled city in Nepal that lies very close to the Tibetan borders. It was once not allowed for foreigners but was opened for tourists only in 1992. Upper Mustang Heli Tour starts from the fertile lowlands. It takes you to the desert-like sandy terrain with stunning views of mountains like Macchapucchre, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Annapurna, etc. on the way.
The city of Lo Manthang is treasured with ancient monasteries. The city in itself is a lure. The traditional people, their lifestyle, and the isolation within the wilderness make the place a fabulous city. Upper Mustang Heli Tour, unlike other treks to Upper Mustang, concludes with an aerial view of the entire Lo Manthang and Upper mustang. After exploring the city, a helicopter will pick you up and let you enjoy an aerial view of Upper Mustang. The sparsely populated villages, monasteries, mountains, and diversified landscapes make Upper Mustang Heli Trek a unique journey to the region. If you are willing to be a part of this phenomenon, journey, do not forget to contact your reliable travel companion – World Alpine Treks.
The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance if any at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel at Kathmandu. The representative will shortly inform you about the plans ahead.
We will pick you up at the hotel in the morning and transfer you to the airport for a direct flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel in Pokhara. Check into the hotel and get ready for your journey ahead. In the evening, we can visit the lakeside area. We can enjoy boating around the lake or relax watching the fascinating views of mountains, hills, lake and colourful boats. Tonight, at a hotel in Pokhara (Inclusive of breakfast)
Early in the morning, you will be escorted to the Pokhara airport for an early flight to Jomsom. The flight to Jomsom is fill of wonderful mountain views. You will be rewarded with the astonishing views of Annapurna massif that rise above eight thousand meters. Jomsom is a wonderful town popular for the apple orchards, picturesque landscape and hostile people. We begin our trek today from Jomsom. We follow the trail that opens up to a Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a beautiful village and the main gate to upper mustang. In the 14th century, it used to be a checkpoint of traders. Now, there is a checkpoint that records the trekkers travelling to Muktinath and Mustang region. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Kagbeni. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, we follow a trail that goes through the eastern bank of the Kaligandaki River. We traverse through several ridges on the way to Tangbe village. It is a beautiful village with narrow alleys and traditional whitewashed houses. We walk through the fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, etc as we pass the village. The view of Nilgiri Himal from the village is stunning. Leaving Tangbe, we pass the village of Chhusang. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Chhusang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Leaving Chhusang, we climb up a huge rock. We ascend up to come out of the Kaligandaki valley and further climb up steep to Chele enjoying the closeup views of Nilgiri and Tukuche peak. From Chele, we climb up steep to Darori La pass and descend down until we reach the village of Samar. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Samar. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Following the trail to upper mustang, leave Samar village and march forward. As we move ahead, we can notice a change in the atmosphere. We traverse into a dry, arid and treeless area. We climb up steep to a rock cairn enjoying some wonderful views of the Mustang region. A long descend from the cairn leads us to Samar village. From the village, we climb up to a ridge enjoying the majestic views of Nilgiri Himal. Further, we descend down and continue towards a valley. We follow a route that goes up to another ridge and descends down to Shyangmochen. We continue our walk until we reach the village of Geling. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Geling. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Leaving Geling, we climb up to the pass of NYI. From the pass, we can enjoy some spectacular views of mountains in the Annapurna range. With stunning views of mountains on sight, we descend down to the cliffs. We cross a steel bridge over the Tangmar chu river and continue our walk until we reach the village of Ghami. At Ghami, we can see some charming whitewashed houses and farmlands. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Ghami. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
We leave Ghami and walk along a slippery path to Ghami Khola. We cross a bridge over the river and ascend up. On the way, we come across a long mani wall in the Mustang. We further ascend up to a pass at an elevation of 3600 meters and make a long descend down to the Charang village. In the village, we can visit an old five-story dzong and a red gompa. The collection of statues, thankas and paintings in these dzongs and gompas are fascinating. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Charang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
From Charang, the trail ascends up steep to Lo Gekar. In Lo Gekar, there is an old gompa who existence is older than the Samye Gompa in Tibet. We visit this old gompa and continue our journey up towards the upper Mustang. Today, we take a trail to Lo Manthang along a well-defined path with some minor climb on the way. Lo Manthang is marked by a long wall at the entrance. From the entrance, we take a short descent down and cross a small stream on the way. We further climb up to the plateau to Lo Manthang. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Today, we spend our day exploring around the village of Lo Manthang. After breakfast, we walk up to a hilltop to visit Namgyal Gompa. It is an important monastery in the village that serves as a local court. After visiting the gompa, we head towards Tingkhar. It is the last village that lies northwest to Lo Manthang. The village has nearby about 40 houses. The villages resemble that of the Tibetan villages. Even we can notice the dominancy of Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture in this place. Tonight, we return back to our guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Early in the morning, after breakfast, a helicopter will pick you up at the Lo city. as the helicopter flies and makes round over the region, you can enjoy some stunning views of the distinctive landscapes. The helicopter will drop you at the Pokhara airport. You can also enjoy some scenic views of Pokhara city and Phewa lake as you fly over. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel in Pokhara. For rest of the time, you can spend your time exploring some places around Pokhara. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Pokhara. (Inclusive of breakfast)
Concluding our trip, we take a flight back to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport. The flight will offer some wonderful views of mountains as well. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of breakfast)
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast)