Himalayan Holidays Nepal

Day-to-Day Itinerary

• Day 01:
  Upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport the guest will be received and transfered to the hotel.
  Evening: a short briefing about the trek.
  Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
• Day 02:
  After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
  Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
• Day 03:
  Morning transfer to airport and fly to Pokhara.
  PM: Sightseeing tour of Pokhara city.
  Overnight at the hotel in Pokhara.
• Day 04:
  Early morning transfer to the airport and fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Upon arrival in Jomsom (2713m. / 8817 ft.) the group will be met by a Sherpa team and start trek to Kagbeni – 2 hours. This day is enough time for acclimatization, hiring of porters and horses to make preparations for the trek ahead.
  Overnight at a Kagbeni.
• Day 05:
  Trek to Chailey Village. The trail is up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River that climbs over many ridges as it heads north. Depending upon the rains, we will use a combination of high trails and the riverbank routes. From here, one can see the Kang Gompa and some caves on the west bank of the river. Unlike most Gompas in upper Mustang, Kang Gompa is of the Nyingmapa sect. Along the East bank is the village of of Tangbe at an elevation of 2930 m.
  At Tangbe the presence of black, white and red Chorten typifies upper Mustang. The Nilgiri peak, which dominates the southern skyline at Kagbeni, continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley with its white washed houses, fields of barley, buckwheat, wheat, and apple orchards. The Chhuksang village (2920m) is reached after 1½ hour and lies beyond. Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshang and Kali Gandaki. Above the Narshing river lies the Gompa and the Tetang village.
  Duration - 6½ hours.
  Overnight camp at Chailey Village.
• Day 06:
  Trek to Tanagaon. The climb from the Chailey is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130 m. From here, one can view the Gyagar village across a huge canyon. The climb continues along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass at 3540m. The trail makes a long gradual descend to some Chortens on a ridge and then further descends on a pleasant trail to Samar (3290m) situated in a grove of poplar trees. From Samar, climb to a ridge then descend into a large gorge past a Chorten painted in red, black, yellow and white. The trails continues into another valley filled with juniper trees, crosses a stream and then climbs yet another pass and continues to Syangmochen village at 3710 m. Climb gently from Syangmoche to a pass at 3770m and enter another east west valley.
  Overnight camp at Tanagoan.
• Day 07:
  Trek to Tsarang.The path slips through dunes and creeps through Narrow passages and ghostly labyrinths, going down to Ghiling, which is scattered over vast fields of barley in the pitiless wind. From Ghiling to Tsarang, there are ruins scattered everywhere; castles, houses and temples, there are two passes to be crossed namely Nyi La Pass (3950m) and another at 3600m. Descend to Tsarang at 3520m. It is a maze with fields, willow trees and houses separated by stonewalls. The huge 5 storied White Dzong and Red Gompa are perched on the east end of the village. The Gompa houses a collection of statues and thankas as well as many large paintings of the seated Buddhas.
  Overnight camp at Tsarang.
• Day 08:
  Trek to Lomanthang. The trail descends about 100m, crosses The Tsarang Chu, climbs steeply up a rocky trail on a ridge opposite the village at 3580m, and enters the Tholung valley. Turn north and climb gently to an isolated Chorten, which marks the boundary between Tsarang and Lo. Still climbing, the trail crosses a stream and becomes a grand wide thoroughfare traveling across a desert like landscape, painted in gray and yellow. Finally, from a ridge at 3850m, we get the first view of the walled city of Lho. A short descent leads on to the plain of aspiration at 3780m. After crossing a stream, climb up onto the plateau of Lomanthang. The whitewashed walls around Lomanthang are shaped like a misshapen with a short vertical arm oriented north south and a very fat, almost square horizontal arm.
  Overnight camp at Lomanthang.
• Day 09:
  Trek around Lomanthang. The major Temples inside the walls are Champa & Lakhang (God house) which houses the massive 45 ft. statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, The red Thugchen Gompa with several large images of Sakyamuni, Avolokitesvara and Maitreya, and the “The Chyodi Gompa” of the Shakya sect which has several resident monks and is the site of the annual Mani Rimdu festival in may which is referred to as 'Tegi' in Lomanthang. They are all supposed to have been built in 1420 A.D. Despite the apparent squalor of Lo Manthang, the city is prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community. Though the people call themselves Lobas- people from Lo, they are very much Tibetan and practice a sophisticated culture and economy. The King's palace is an imposing 4 storey building in the center of the city. It is the home of the present king - Jigme Parbal Bista. The King of Nepal conferred the honorary title “Bist a high caste title in Nepali”. Though his duties are largely ceremonial, he is respected by the people and consulted on many issues by the villagers throughout Lho. Horses are available on hire to visit the neighboring village. However, everyone is required to mount and dismount outside the city gates as only the King may ride a horse within the city walls.
  Overnight camp at Lomanthang.
• Day 10:
  There are two valleys above Lo Manthang. A day hike to the North of Lo (Garphu and Nyphu) is worthwhile. There are some interesting cave, monasteries in Garphu and Nyphu and numerous caves with people dwelling inside them. On the way back, hike up-to the ruins of Ketcher Dzong for a wide panoramic view of the valleys to the North and South. Horses are available for hire in Lo Manthang and are possible to make a circuit to the villages in the East and West valleys (Chonup Chosar). Starting from Lo, begin towards the Northwest, visiting the village of Tingkhar the site of the summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Namgyal Gompa the monasteries of victory, are in the west. Also, visit Namdol before crossing the pass to Chosar (east valley, the site of the high school) and then head down to Garphu and Nyapu Gompas. This is the main trading route to Lhasa. It was used over the centuries by pilgrims, apostles, robbers and invaders and along the trail lays numerous for in ruins.
  Overnight at camp.
• Day 11:
  Trek to Ghami via Lo Gyakar Gomba. There is an opportunity to vary the return trek route visiting two other important villages. From Lo Manthang, the trail heads south to Tsarang. However to reach Lo-Gyakar turn east along an indistinct trail that passes the irrigated fields of the city. The trail to the Lo-Gyakar is not a main trading route and the area is crisscrossed with herders’ trails. The trail climbs steadily to a pass marked by cairn offerings a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail contours across the head of the valley and crosses another ridge then drops into another large desolate valley. After descending to the valley the trail heads to the right, up to the center of the valley to its head. Cross the ridge at 4070 m., and traverse across two more valleys to an indistinct pass. Cross the pass to reach some meadows and a stream. The trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley where Lo Gekar is situated in a grove of large trees alongside a stream. Lo Gekar which means pure virtue of Lo, is also known as Ghar Gompa House temple as the structure is built like a house with small separate rooms. The Gompa is decorated with paintings, statues, and several large prayer wheels. The real treasures of Lo Gekar are the hundreds of painted carved stones displayed on the walls in wooden frames.

  There is no village nearby but there are a series of quarters for monks and pilgrims near the Gompa that provides protection from the wind. The route crosses some alpine meadows then drops down a steep eroded gully to upper Tamar village. A large stream meanders through this village. The trail then descends alongside stalls and fields of this extensive village then climbs to a ridge.

  Dinner and overnight camp at Jomsom.
• Day 12:
  Trek to Samar. From Ghami follow the direct route to Nyi La climbing to a ridge and then contouring upwards to meet the trail from Charang. Continue to a pass and descend steeply to the Geling valley.
  

  Follow the trail that bypasses Geiling to an isolated teahouse and descend gently to the houses of Tama Gung. A steep set of switchback leads to a stream, and then the trail climbs to a huge painted Chorten. The trail rejoins the Geiling trail near the ridge just below the Chorten and the remainder of the trek is on the already traveled trails back to Samar.

  Overnight camp at Samar.
• Day 13:
  Trek to Tangbe. The route is well traveled as we head towards the village of Tangbe. This village is culturally united with four other villages namely Chele, Gyakar, Chhuksang and Tetang. The inhabitants from these villages call themselves Gurungs but closely resemble the Manangis rather than the Thakalis or Lobas.
  Overnight camp at Tangbe.
• Day 14:
  Trek to Jomsom. From here, we bypass the south route heading towards Kagbeni and continue eastwards towards the village of Dzong. The trail is very rarely used and thus human excretion lies rampant. However, the villages make the visit interesting. Exit Mustang District and arrive at Muktinath (3627m) the holiest and most popular pilgrimage destination for the Buddhist as well as the Hindus. There is a miraculous flame coming out of the earth in the Muktinath temple. Continue trek to the Kali Gandaki River and down to Jomsom, where the trek ends. On arrival, check in at the camp.
  Overnight camp at Jomsom.
• Day 15:
  Early mornings board the Jomsom / Pokhara flight and connect the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Kathmandu.
  Evening: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
  Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
• Day 16:
  Transfer to airport for final departure.