Are you not so fond of walking but still want to explore different remote and unique places around the globe? If yes, then we have the Upper Mustang Overland Tour, where you can drive on a land cruiser and drive to different isolated places in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. It’s an adventurous and lively ride to some enchanting terrain of Nepal.
The drive starts from the capital city of Kathmandu and goes through a scenic route to Pokhara. On the way, you pass through some fabulous views of a countryside landscape, villages, hills, valleys, rivers, and forests. From Pokhara, the drive follows a route to the deepest gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki Gorge) and then to Kagbeni. As you move ahead from Kagbeni, you will notice the change in the atmosphere. The lushness slowly disappears into the dry, waterless, and treeless zone. The drive continues to Charang. At Charang, we stopped our ride and hiked up to Luri Cave. After exploring the cave, we continue our journey toward Lo Manthang, a forbidden Kingdom of Buddhism. At Lo, we can visit Chosar cave and explore Chosar village. We can even hike to Ghar Gompa. After exploring the Lo, we drive towards Chussang and then to Muktinath.
Muktinath is a popular spiritual hub of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. There are a Vishnu temple and a monastery in this place. The 108 waterspouts around the temple make the place looks alluring. The temple is not just famous from a religious view but from a scenic perspective as well. The place offers some panoramic views of mountains in the Annapurna massif. After visiting the temple, the Upper Mustang Overland Tour concludes with a drive back to Kathmandu city via the same route. This tour is an amazing way of escaping long day walks and visiting one of the isolated regions of Nepal. So, are you ready for this wonderful trip? If yes, then World Alpine Treks is here to serve you with all that it needs.
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 in Kathmandu. The representative will inform you shortly about the plans ahead.
The second day is a day tour just to warm up before your trekking journey. Kathmandu is a city enriched with artistic palaces, beautiful monuments, ancient temples, and other constructions of historical and cultural importance. No wonder the city has seven out of ten UNESCO-listed world heritage sites. Today, you will be guided to the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Kathmandu. These heritages are perfect examples of the rich history, fine culture, and architectural treasures of Nepal. At first, you will be taken to Kathmandu Durbar Square. The art, crafts, and carvings in the palaces, temples, and other monuments of the durbar square are excellent. After that, you will be escorted to the Swayambhunath stupa (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath stupa, respectively. (Inclusive of breakfast).
In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara. Today, we take a scenic drive along the Prithvi highway for around six to seven hours to Pokhara. We pass through some amazing landscapes throughout the journey. In the first half portion, we will be able to get some stunning views of the Trishuli River along with hills and villages. In the second half, the countryside landscape and the greenery will keep you engaged. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a hotel in Pokhara. Check in to the hotel and rest for a while. In the evening, we can walk down the lakeside and enjoy some fascinating views of lakes and mountains. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Pokhara (inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
In the morning, after breakfast, we hop on our ride for a drive to Kagbeni. The trail to Kagbeni passes through some astonishing landscapes. Kagbeni village is a beautiful place in the Kaligandaki Valley and is considered a gateway to Mustang. It used to be a checkpoint for traders in ancient times. Even now, there is a checkpoint for permits. As you drive deep into Kagbeni, you can notice the change in the surrounding. The lush hills and valleys slowly are slowly replaced by barren and dry land. We can notice the dominance of Tibetan culture and lifestyle in this place. The Tibetan-style whitewashed houses, prayer flags, monasteries, and people give us a Tibetan Buddhist vibe. In the evening, we stop at a guesthouse in Kagbeni for an overnight stay. (Inclusive of lunch, breakfast and dinner).
After breakfast in Kagbeni, we head towards Charang. Today, you will be driving through the grey and white rolling hills. You traverse into more dry and desert-like terrain. From Charang, you can see the walled town of Lo Manthang in the north. Charang is a charming village with many buildings and structures. There is a monastery in the village. We visit the monastery and head to our guesthouse in the village for an overnight stay. (Inclusive of lunch, breakfast, and dinner).
Today, we opt for a short hike and then drive. We hike to Luri cave that lies south-east of Lo Manthang. It is an ancient cave with some fantastic formations of different structures inside the cave. Also known as Sky Cave, the gompa in the cave dates back to the 13th/ 14th century. We explore the cave and places around the cave. In the evening, we return back to our guesthouse in Charang for an overnight stay. (Inclusive of lunch, breakfast, and dinner).
We leave Charang and drive towards the capital of the Upper Mustang region – Lo Mnathang, Lo, also popular as the last forbidden Buddhist Kingdom, is a picturesque place to be at. The entry of the capital city is marked by long walls; therefore, it is also popular as a walled city. The dry, arid, and desert-like landscape of this place is very appealing. The city treasures some ancient monasteries that date back to the century. At Lo, you can visit some monasteries, the palace of the king, and other places of significance. Lo Mnathang is a city of wonder and an opportunity to get a close look at the Tibetan Buddhist religion, culture, local people, and lifestyle. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today is a day of exploration around the Lo Manthang. We walk up to Choosing Village and then to Choosing Cave. Choosing is a beautiful village with stone-walled houses and white hills. We pass the ruined fortress and dry alleys of the Lo to Choosing. In Choosing, we visit an old monastery popular as Nyphu Gompa, and then we head towards Chosang cave, enjoying some stunning views of mountains in the backdrop. We explore the Chsoang village and interact with people if possible. Tonight, we drive back to Lo Manthang for an overnight stay. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we leave the old city of Lo and drive towards Charang. Upon arrival, we hike towards Ghar Gompa in Charang. The Gompa is almost three hours' walk from Charang. Ghar Gompa is considered to be the oldest monastery in Mustang. The history of this place dates back to the 8th century and was built by Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The features of the gompa are enhanced by old paintings that depict some old stories and legendary stories of God and demons. The excellent pieces of statues and stone carvings are preserved inside the gompa. It is an interesting place to be during our journey. After exploring the gompa, we drive back to Charang for an overnight stay. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we head towards Chhusang. We travel through a desert-like terrain with some eroded hills to Chhusang. It is an attractive village that lies between Tangbe and Chele. Lying in the conjunction of the Narsingha and Kkali Gandaki rivers, the village consists of hamlets. We can observe the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhist culture in this village. It is still isolated and untouched by any kind of modernization for the outer world. Enjoying the views of the alluring terrain and a touch of the Tibetan Buddhist religion, we drive until we reach Chhusang. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Chhusang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we drive ahead from Chhusang and move towards Muktinath. Muktinath is a popular site in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is a spiritual hub and a vantage point for some astounding views of mountains in the Annapurna region. There is a temple of Lord Vishnu here. Many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit this place annually for religious purposes. Mukti means liberation, and Muktinath is considered the site of liberation. People visit this place with the hope of getting rid of the birth-death cycle and obtaining Mokshya. The main temple is surrounded by 108 waterspouts, and there is an eternal flame burning in the temple. Nearby is a popular monastery that is visited by Buddhist pilgrims. The temple's periphery offers some stunning views of Annapurna Himal, Dhaulagiri Himal, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, and many other peaks in the Annapurna range. We spend our time exploring the places around stay at a guesthouse in Muktinath for the night. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Get ready for a long day drive as we will return to Pokhara city. The route from Muktinath to Pokhara is very scenic i.e., full of grey/white rolling hills, dusty but well-paved paths, and a village with stunning views of Annapurna massif in the backdrop. We pass beautiful villages, farmlands, hotels, lodges, and restaurants on the way to Pokhara. You will be dropped off at your hotel in Pokhara upon arrival. Tonight, stay at a hotel in Pokhara. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
Concluding our trip, we drive back via the same route along the Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Tonight, we are staying at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
