Royal Mustang Trek - Short Version - 12 days

Trip Overview

Duration: 12 days Country: Nepal
Max. Altitude: 3,760m/ 12,335 ft. Walking Per Day: 4-5 hrs
Accommodation: N/A grade Grade: Moderate
Best Season: Autumn and Spring Group Size: 1-15
Mode: Lodge/Home-Stay Culture: Mixed Culture, Tibetan Culture, Thakali Culture

Royal Mustang Trek is a special trekking package organized by Nepal Mountain Trekkers in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It is specially organized by NMT with an intention to promote a luxurious and royal experience trekking in Lower Mustang. An exceptional journey to the isolated and mystical land which is often compared with heaven, Royal Mustang Trek is a deluxe and aspiring entanglement.

En route

The numinous Mustang region lies in the rain shadow of two gigantic massifs, Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri Massif. Walking along the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge, we step at the dry and barren land of this Forbidden Kingdom bordered by the Tibetan plateau. En route, the trekkers will get accompanied by vivacious hamlets, the astounding panoramas of snowclad mountains and the bravura sunrise and sunset view over them, religious monuments, and diverse ethnic groups and their culture, and the natural blissfulness.

Situated at the northwestern portion of Nepal, our Royal Mustang Trek takes you into the luxuriant Annapurna region which is bounded by the Himalaya foothills that run along the Nepal-Tibet border to the north, the Pokhara valley to the south, Marshyangdi River to the east, and Kali Gandaki River to the west.

The Forbidden Kingdom

Lower Mustang has a secluded and divine sensation to it which provokes tourists to explore and experience the best of this region. Our lavish yet aspiring Royal Mustang Trek shall commence with a mesmerizing flight to Jomsom (2,682 m) from Pokhara until we reach the splendid setting of Jomsom. Pre-requisitely we can also provide you with horses to accommodate you entirely during this trek but if you prefer walking then with amazing and out-of-the-world sceneries, we shall trek onward to Kagbeni (2,800 m). You can take a walk around and discover the buildings that haven’t significantly changed for centuries such as the Red Monastery which sits at the very entrance to the “Forbidden Kingdom” of Mustang with a sight of eagles soaring in cloudless skies. The valleys here are waterless and dry with colorful rock formations containing many cave dwellings high up in the cliffs. Further on we hike up toward Jharkot, another medieval village on the trail to Muktinath. Jharkot is just a smidge with a typical Gompa (monastery) situated on a hill at 3,500 m where you can enjoy your lunch while looking at Nilgiri Peak (7,061 m) across the valley. You can explore the ancient Buddhist monastery with many fascinating Thangka paintings and artifacts.

Muktinath

Our trek from here onward goes all the way to Muktinath which is a very religious pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Normally the Buddhist nuns take care of cultural heritage inside Muktinath temple and most importantly photography/filming of deities inside the temples and monasteries is strictly prohibited. Also, a short tour of 301 caves in Dzong can be a perfect side trip on this day. Dzong is situated within a semi-restricted area where part of the Sakya Buddhist tradition, rituals, and practices have been kept alive so tourists can travel to the village for a day but are not permitted to spend the night there

Best season and fitness

The Royal Mustang Trek is possible to be organized throughout the year, however, we recommended this trek during the time frame of April to June and September to November. These months are the most excellent months for this luxurious trek. Regardless of previous experience and other criteria, anyone who possesses a good amount of physical fitness can accomplish Royal Mustang Trek successfully.


Royal Mustang Trek - Short Version Itinerary

  • Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
    • Meals :Lunch / Dinner
    • Transportation :Private Vehicle
    • Accommodation :Hotel
    • Location :

      » Kathmandu

      » Tribhuvan International Airport

      » Thamel

    • Highlights :

      » Tribhuvan International Airport

      » Welcoming with Marigold Flower Garland

      » Group Photo

      » Introduction with group members and trekking crew

      » Evening Walk at Thamel

     

  • Day 2 Kathmandu to Pokhara(823m/2,700ft)
    • Duration :5-6hrs Drive (200Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Transportation :Private Vehicle
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Location :

      » Kathmandu

      » Muglin

      » Pokhara

    • Highlights :

      » Scenic Drive

      » Trishuli and Marshyangdi River

      » Small Settlements

      » Unique Lifestyle

      » Hills

      » Fishtail Mountain

     

  • Day 3 Morning Flight to Jomsom(2,720m/8,925ft) and Trek to Kagbeni(2,800m/9,186ft)
    • Duration :25mins flight and 3hrs Walk(7-8Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Transportation :Domestic Flight
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Ascend :80m/262ft
    • Location :

      » Pokhara

      » Jomsom

      » Ekle Bhatti

      » Kagbeni

    • Highlights :

      » Scenic Flight

      » Snow-Capped Mountain

      » Lofty Massif of above 8,000m

      » Kali Gandaki River

      » Clustered Village

      » Ancient Monasteries

      » Thakali Culture

      » Salt Trade Route

      » Red Monastery

      » Unique Landscape

      » Windy Valley

      » Terraced Fields

      » Agro-farms

      » Apple Garden

      » Simple but Interesting Trekking Experience

     

  • Day 4 Kagbeni – Muktinath(3,760m/ 12,335 ft)
    • Duration :5-6hrs Walk(10-11Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Ascend :960m/3,150ft
    • Location :

      » Kagbeni

      » Khingar

      » Jharkot

      » Ranipauwa

      » Muktinath

    • Highlights :

      » Moderate Walk

      » Desert-like Landscape

      » Cultivations

      » Apple Orchards

      » Nilgiri Mountains

      » Kali Gandaki River Bank

      » Buckwheat and Barley Fields

      » Shakya Gumba-Traditional Medicine Centre

      » Famous Thanka Painting

      » Greenery and Fresh Air

      » Holy and Spiritual Place

      » Nun-Leading Monastery

      » Forbidden Kingdom

      » Eagles Soaring in Cloudless Sky

      » Colourful Rock Formations

      » Cave Dwelling

      » Unity in Diversity- Buddhism and Hinduism Together

      » Mani Wall

      » Mani Stones

      » Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels

      » Highest Elevation of this trek

      » Religious Pilgrimage Site for both Buddhists and Hindus

     

  • Day 5 Muktinath – Lupra(2,790m/ 9,153 ft)
    • Duration :4hrs Walk(8-9Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Descend :970m/3,185ft
    • Location :

      » Muktinath

      » Dhangladanda

      » Lupra

    • Highlights :

      » Bonpo Monastery

      » Bonpo - An Old Pre-Buddhist Tibetan Religion

      » Bonpo Culture-Exotic Arts

      » Hidden Valley

      » Close-Up View of Nilgiri I and II

      » Off-the-Beaten Trail

      » Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels

      » Mani Walls and Mani Stones

      » Windy Trail(after 12 in the afternoon)

      » Suspension Bridges

     

  • Day 6 Lupra – Thinigaon(2,820m/ 9,251ft)
    • Duration :5-6hrs Walk(10-11Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Descend :70m/230ft
    • Ascend :100m/330ft
    • Location :

      » Lupra

      » Ekle Bhatti

      » Jomsom

      » Thinigaon

    • Highlights :

      » Unique Landscapes

      » Colourful Rock Formations

      » Stony Sandy Trail, Monasteries

      » Prayer Flags

      » Prayer Wheels

      » Mani Wall

      » Mani Stones

      » Marvellous View of Nilgiri North, Nilgiri Central, Nilgiri South, Tupuche and Dhaulagiri

      » Gateway to Tilicho Lake

      » Greeny Lakes

      » ACAP Office

      » Kali Gandaki River Bank

      » Kali Gandaki Valley View

      » Eagles

      » Yaks

     

  • Day 7 Thinigaon – Larjung(2,550m/8,366ft)
    • Duration :6hrs Walk(12-13Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Descend :270m/886ft
    • Location :

      » Thinigaon

      » Syang

      » Marpha

      » Tukuche

      » Larjung

    • Highlights :

      » Marvellous View of Mt. Dhaulagiri

      » Apple Kingdom

      » Apple Orchids

      » Ancient Salt Trade Route from Tibet

      » Charismatic Landscapes

      » Tibetan Refugee Camp

      » Apple Distillery Industry(Beverage)

      » Agriculture

      » Kali Gandaki River Bank

      » Dhaulagiri Icefall

      » Wildlife

      » Herbs and Vegetations

      » Blissful Nature

      » Thakali People – a unique ethnic group

      » Very Close View of Tukuche Peak

      » Windy Trail

     

  • Day 8 Larjung – Tatopani(1,190m/3,905ft)
    • Duration :4-5hrs Drive(40Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Transportation :Private Vehicle
    • Accommodation :Lodge/Hotel
    • Descend :1,360m/4,461ft
    • Location :

      » Larjung

      » Kala Pani

      » Lete

      » Ghasa

      » Rukse Chahara

      » Dana

      » Tatopani

    • Highlights :

      » Scenic Drive

      » Pine Trees

      » View of Annapurna I

      » Lush Greenery

      » Bushes

      » Relaxation at Natural Hot Spring – Tatopani

      » Ayurvedic Healing

      » Blissful Nature

      » Prayer Flags and Wheels

      » Mani Stones and Mani Walls

      » One of the Largest Water Falls of Nepal

     

  • Day 9 Tatopani – Pokhara via Beni(830m/2,725ft)
    • Duration :5hrs (105Km)
    • Meals :Breakfast ,Lunch, Dinner
    • Transportation :Private Vehicle
    • Accommodation :Lodge/ Hotel
    • Location :

      » Tatopani

      » Galeshwar

      » Beni

      » Baglung

      » Kushma

      » Pokhara

    • Highlights :

      » Scenic Drive

      » Terraced Field

      » Lifestyle and Culture of Locals

      » Kaligandaki River View

      » Lake View

      » Boating in Phewa Lake

      » Monuments Visit

      » Pokhara Sightseeing in the Afternoon

     

  • Day 10 Pokhara to Kathmandu
    • Duration :6hrs (200 KM)
    • Meals :Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
    • Transportation :Private Vehicles
    • Accommodation :Hotel
    • Location :

      » Pokhara

      » Muglin

      » Kurintar

      » Malekhu

      » Dhading

      » Kathmandu

    • Highlights :

      » Scenic Drive

      » Riverside Spring Resort

     

  • Day 11 Day 17: Relax shopping and whatever you wish to do along with the farewell dinner in the evening (excluding alcoholic and soft drinks) Day 18: Final Departure

     

  • Day 12 Final Departure
    • Meals :Breakfast
    • Transportation :Private Vehicle
    • Location :

      » Thamel

      » Tribhuvan International Airport

    • Highlights :

      » Souvenir Shopping

      » Airport Drop with Khata/Khatag as a Symbol of Wishing Safe Journey

      » Group Photo

     

Royal Mustang Trek - Short Version Photos / Videos

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick up and drop service
  • 3 nights Hotel in Kathmandu (Hotel Green Horizon or similar standard) with Breakfast
  • 2 nights Hotel in Pokhara with Breakfast
  • All accommodation during the trek in the best hotels/tea-houses in the area (differing according to the price you wish to spend)
    • Sanitation: The accommodation we provide will be neat and clean with warm-hospitality and quality services.
    • Single/Twin-sharing Accommodation (as per budget): Your group won’t have to share your accommodation with anyone else so your privacy is protected.
  • All foods during the trek: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; any items on the menu as much as you wish to consume.
    • We provide hygienic and safe meals to re-energize you.
    • We request you not to waste your meals for it is difficult to transport food in the rural area.
    • You are not allowed to share your meals with anyone else from another group.
  • Transportation costs: Drive from Kathmandu-Pokhara- Kathmandu 
  • Flight from Pokhara-Jomsom
  • All required land transportation during the trek as mentioned in the itinerary 
  • Professional and Highly experienced English-speaking Trekking Guide licensed by the Government. Including their lodging and food.
    • Local Staffs: Our guides are locals of the region which ensures that you will surely get to explore a bit more during the trek than with any other guides.
    • Experienced: With an experience of more than a decade of working in this field, our trekking guides possess excellent knowledge on briefing during the trek as well as they are experts in handling all kinds of critical situations that might occur during the trek.
    • Insurance: Nepal Mountain Trekkers have an insurance policy for all our trekking staff.
  • Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers with a max load of 25 KG). Including their lodging and food.
    • Local Staffs: The porters we hire belong to the same region where we trek in order to provide employment opportunities to the locals as well as to make you explore every prospect of the region.
  • Trekking permits: TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area(ACAP) fees
  • First aid medical box
  • Rescue Arrangement Service
  • All required trekking gears like a sleeping bag and down jacket made available on rent
  • 13% VAT and 10% service charge
  • Airport pick up and drop service
  • 3 nights Hotel in Kathmandu (Hotel Green Horizon or similar standard) with Breakfast
  • 2 nights Hotel in Pokhara with Breakfast
  • All accommodation during the trek in the best hotels/tea-houses in the area (differing according to the price you wish to spend)
    • Sanitation: The accommodation we provide will be neat and clean with warm-hospitality and quality services.
    • Single/Twin-sharing Accommodation (as per budget): Your group won’t have to share your accommodation with anyone else so your privacy is protected.
  • Breakfasts during the trek
  • Transportation costs: Drive from Kathmandu-Pokhara- Kathmandu 
  • Flight from Pokhara-Jomsom
  • All required land transportation during the trek as mentioned in the itinerary 
  • Professional and Highly experienced English-speaking Trekking Guide licensed by the Government. Including their lodging and food.
    • Local Staffs: Our guides are locals of the region which ensures that you will surely get to explore a bit more during the trek than with any other guides.
    • Experienced: With an experience of more than a decade of working in this field, our trekking guides possess excellent knowledge on briefing during the trek as well as they are experts in handling all kinds of critical situations that might occur during the trek.
    • Insurance: Nepal Mountain Trekkers have an insurance policy for all our trekking staff.
  • Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers with a max load of 25 KG). Including their lodging and food.
    • Local Staffs: The porters we hire belong to the same region where we trek in order to provide employment opportunities to the locals as well as to make you explore every prospect of the region.
  • Trekking permits: TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area(ACAP) fees
  • First aid medical box
  • Rescue Arrangement Service
  • All required trekking gears like a sleeping bag and down jacket made available on rent
  • 13% VAT and 10% service charge

Cost Excludes

  • Visa fee to enter Nepal (Visa Information)
  • International flight tickets and extra baggage charges
  • Extra night accommodation and meal costs in Kathmandu due to any change in the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel insurance/ Rescue operation costs
  • All personal expenses
  • Tip for guides and porters is expected but not mandatory
  • Visa fee to enter Nepal (Visa information)
  • International flight tickets and extra baggage charges
  • All meals during the trek except for breakfast
  • Extra night accommodation and meal costs in Kathmandu due to any change in the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel insurance/ Rescue operation costs
  • All personal expenses
  • Tip for guides and porters

Equipment Checklist

Equipment lists for 12 days Royal Mustang Trek - Short Version

HEAD

Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses
Head Torch
Suncreams(40+) and Lip Balms

UPPER BODY

Cotton t-shirts and thermals
Fleece jacket
Waterproof jacket
Down jacket

LOWER BODY

Lightweight cotton pants (long)
Waterproof pants
Inner thermals

FEET

Thin inner socks (3 pairs)
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Comfortable hiking boots
Shower sandals

HANDS

Gloves (Cotton and Waterproof)
Creams
Sanitizer

ACCESSORIES

Sleeping bag rated to -10°C +
Trekking bag (Rucksack)
Duffel bag
Large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag)
Trekking poles (optional, recommended)
Water bottle or camel bag
Toiletries and Tissue Papers

First Aid Kits 

Personal Regular Medicines
Knee Caps
Bandages
Ointments
Blister Tape

MISCELLANEOUS

Medicines: We recommend you bring your regular medicines; we will provide a first aid kit from our side.
Light-weighted Towel
Swiss Knife
Passport and extra passport photos
Water Purifying Iodine Tablets, Drop or Sterilizer

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Royal Mustang Trek - Short Version - 12 days

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