West and Far East

All the trips offered under this heading is centered around Jomsom, the administrative Center for the district of Mustang. The approach to Jomsom can either by a short flight from Pokhara of Kathmandu or by a rreak up the Kali Gandaki valley or the circuitous route around the Annapurna mountains. The trips them selves are classified into two:

Treks in and around the lower Mustang valley and
Treks into the long restrict upper Mustang valley and the former kingdom of Lo. Treks of the former category can be done with the ordinary Trekking Permits issued in Kathmandu to anyone who applies while the latter category require a special permit that charges US$ 700 for 10 days and US$ 70 for every additional day….. These trips also needs an advance notice of 3 months since the number of permits issued for that is limited to about 900 per year Details of al these trips can be made available to clients request.

(BY PONY):
The upper valley of Mustang and the former Kingdom of Lo was long part of salt trading route to Tibet. The trade, carried out primarily by Thakali traders of the lower Mustang village of Tukche, used ponies and mules to transport salt from Tibet and also to take commercial merchadise there. The Nomad Trip to Mustang retraces the steps of these traders of by -gone years.

Itinerary
1St Day:	Arrival at Kathmandu. Transfer to a hotel.
2nd Day :	Arrival at Jomsom in the morning from either Pokhara or Kathmandu. Spend the morning going through the formalities required for the trip. Proceed to Kagbeni after lunch. It in north of Kagbeni that your special permit come into effect. Stay the night at Kagbeni.
3rd Day:	Ride to Chaile, passing through the villages of Tangbe and Chuksang. Chaile is the first village on the trip this is outside the kali Gandaki valley. Then follow a steep trail to Samar, a major halt for horse and mule caravans.
4th Day:	This day involves a series of descents and ascents - the highest point being Nije La (pass, 3,950 meters), the southern boundary of Lo. Night halt at Ghami on the banks of the Ghami Khoa (river).
5th Day:	Ride to charang, which has an ancient monastery as well as the remains of an old dzong (fortress). After lunch at Charang, which is famous for its association with Japanese monk-explorer Ekai Kawaguchi, continue to Lomanthang for the night.
6th Day:	Sight seeing of Lomanthang.
7th Day:	Take pony trips to Chhoseer and Chhonup villages and monasteries and return to Lo in the evening.
8th Day:	Reach village of Marang via Lo Ghyakar, which has an ancient monastery. Ride on to Ghiling which is famous for its monasteries.
9th Day:	Come back to Tetang enroute to Mukhinath.
10th Day:	Reach Mukhtinath in the afternoon.
11th Day:	Ride down to Jomsom in the after noon.
12th Day:	Fly out to either Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning.
13th Day:	Sight-seeing at Kathmandu
14th Day:	Departure.

(Code #W-2)
Itinerary

1 st Day: Arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to hotel.
2 nd Day: Arrival to Josom in the morning from either Pokhara or Kathmandu. Spend the morning going through the formalities required for the trip. Proceed to Kagbeni after lunch. It is morth of Kagbeni that your special permit come into effect. Stay the night at Kagbeni.
3 rd Day: Trek to Chaile, passing through the village of Tangbe and Chuksang. Chaile is the first village on the trip that is outside the Kali Gandaki valley. Then follow a steep trail to Samar, a major halt for horse and mule caravans.
4 th Day: Walk a considerably long and difficult stretch to Ghiling, which is famous for its monasteries.
5 th Day: Walk up to small village of Marang crossing the Ghami Khola (river)
6 th Day: Pass Lo Ghyakar with its old monastery and reach Lomanthang.
7 th Day: Take execrsion by pony to the village of chhosar and monasteries around Lomanthang.
8 th Day: Walk to village of Charang, which has an ancient dzong (fortress) and an old monastery. Japanese monk explorer Ekai Kawaguchi spent time here studying Tibetan Buddhism. Proceed towards the village of Dhi where camp is made for the night.
9 th Day: Climb up to Luri Ghompav (monastery) and come back to Dhi for the night.
10 th Day: Walk full day to wards the village of Tangya.
11 th Day: Climb up and down to the village of Tetang.
12 th Day: Climb up Mhyepila, which grants a beautiful view of the mountain as well as Muktinath and the surrounding villages. Walk down a gentle slope to Muktinath.
13 th Day: Take an easy walk to Jomsom.
14 th Day: Fly out either to Kathmandu or Pokhara in the morning.
15 th Day: Sightseeing of Kathmandu/Pokhara.
16 th Day: Departure:

(Code # W-3)

1 st Day: Arrival at Kathmandu , transfer to hotel.
2 nd Day: Arrival at Jomsom in the morning either from Pokhara or Kathmandu. Morning spent breakfasting and completing official formalities for the trip. Walk to Kagbeni after lunch. Your special permit comes into effect only north of Kagbeni.
3 rd Day: Enter the upper Mustang valley following the Kali Gandaki river passing through the village of Tangbe and Chhusang. Cross the Kali Gandaki river before reaching the village of Chaile.
4 th Day: The route now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs up to Samar and continue toward Shyangboche and night halt at Tama Gaon.
5 th Day: This day you cross Nyili La (pass, 3,950 meters) before descending to the village of Ghami from there a couple of house or so will bring you to Charang with its ancient dzong (fortress) and monastery. It is here that a Japanese monk-explorer spent a considerable amount of time studying Tibtan Buddhims.
6 th Day: Take an easy walk to Lomanthang and spend the afternoon exploring in and around the town.
7 th Day: Take pony ride to the village of Chhosar and neighbouring monasteries.
8 th Day: Trip to Chhonup Village, sightseeing monastery.
9 th Day: Reach village of Marang via Lo Ghayakar, famous for old monastery.
10 th Day: Walk down to ghiling, a famous seat fo Buddist learning.
11 th Day: This day you walk along the same way you had walked before and stop at Samar for the night.
12 th Day: Descend to the village of Tetang situated outside the Kali Gandaki valley to the east.
13 th Day: Trip to Muktinath via Tetang/Mhyepila Make a stiff climb to Mhyepi La (pass) from where a magnificent view of Muktinath and its neighbouring villages against a backdrop of mountains can be seen. Descend along an extended pasture to Muktinath.
14 th Day: Rest day at Muktinath.
15 th Day: Take an easy walk down to Jomsom and the remaining part of the day can be spent roaming around Jomsom.
16 th Day: Fly out in the morning either to Pokhara or Kathmandu Sight-seeing/rest.
17 th Day: Departure.

(Code # W- 4)
The Thakali are a small ethnic group that lives in the lower Mustang valley. Traditionally businessmen by virtue of controlling a premier trade route between Tibet and India. Thakalis are also well known for their controlling a premier trade route between Tibet and India. Thakalis are also well known for their culinary skills. Although most Thakalis have nowadays moved south to urban centers, the old thakali villages still retain their old culture and way of life.

This trip gives visitors an -house experience of life among the Thakalis. The visitors are included in all aspects of family life as far as practicable or desirable. Each meal taken in front of the family hearth consists of the famed Thakali food which includes surprising variations of both Tibetan and Indian dishes as well as many that are local in origin. Night halts will be optional between bedding down communally with a host family or sleeping in tents set up close/by.

Itinerary

1 St Day: Arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to hotel.
2 nd Day: Fly to Jomsom in the morning either from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Proceed to Tukche after breakfast. Night halt at Tukche.
3 rd Day: Night halt at twin village of Larjung/Kobang, the cultural and religious center of the Thakali community.
4 th Day: Night hal at Marpha, comparatively new settlement of the Thakalis from old Marpha which is within walking distance.
5 th Day: Night halt at Jomsom, administrative center of Mustang District. Nearby is the old village Thini.
6 th Day: Fly out to either Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning. Sight seeing.
7 th Day: Departure.

(Code 3 W-5)
For those travelling with time constraints, this is a short trip on ponies. Since the distance between stops are not large, it allows visitors a journey through Kali Gandaki country at their own pace. This trip also offers visitors a view of the mountain panorama for which the area is famous.

Itinerary

1 St Day: Arrival at Kathmandu transfer to hotel.
2 nd Day: Arrival at Jomsom in the morning either from Pokhara or Kathmandu. Sightseeing in and around Jomsom and the nearby village of Thini. Night halt at Jomsom.
3 rd Day: Take an easy pony ride to the pilgrimage center of Muktinath, holy to both Buddhists and Hindus. Night halt at Muktinath.
4 th Day: Sightseeing around Muktinath with a short excursion to Mhyepila for viewign mountains. Ride to Jharkot village for the night.
5 th Day: Reach Jomsom via the picturesque village of Kagbeni.
6 th Day: Fly out to either Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning. Sightseeing.
7 th Day: Departure.

(Code # W-6)
This is a trip hardly ever taken by trekkers. One reason for this is most doesn't know about it and the other is lack of infrastructure to tackle the trip unguided.

Dhaulagiri Ice Fall is regarded as one of the most awe inspiring sights in Nepal. The trip is also considered ideal for a wonderful viewing of the Annapurna mountains.

ITENARY:

1st day: Arrival at kathmandu, transfer to hotel.
2nd day: Arrival at Jomsom either from Kathmandu or from Pokhara. Proceed to the old Thakali village of Tukche after breakfast. Night halt at Tukche after tour of Buddhist monastery and Ekai Kawaguchi's place of residence in Tukche.
3rd day: Walk to Shyokung with its small lake. Wonderful view of Nilgiri peak from Shyokung. Night halt.
4th day: Climb early morning to Multi-Yak Kharka (pasture) with pre-packed lunch for viewing of ice fall. Descend in late afternoon back to Shyokung for night.
5th day: Walk to Titi Tal (lake) via the twin settlements of Kalopani and Lete and old village of Taglung. Have lunch of Chhoyo. Camp on the banks of Titi Tal in the shadow of Nilgiri Peak.
6th day: Walk on the less-used trail to Marpha village, famous for its apple orchards. Night halt at Marpha.
7th day: Take a short trip to old Marpha, the original village of the inhabitants of Marpha. Continue to Jomsom for the night.
8th day: Fly out to either Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning. Sight-seeing.
9th day: Departure.

(Code # W-7)
Tilicho Lake, situated at the foot of Tilicho Peak (7,132 meters) in the Annapurna mountains, is a mountain lake noted for its serenity of surroundings and its calm blue waters amid towering peaks. This a very less visited area, being quite away from the usual tourist trail. The round trip offers visitors a variety of experiences from camping on a yak kharka (pasture) to a trip to the beautiful Manang valley to the elevated crossing of Thorong La (pass, 5,416 meters).

ITENARY:

1st day: Arrival at Kathmandu.
2nd day: Arrival in Jomsom by flight either from Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning. Day spent sight seeing in Jomsom and the neighbouring village in Thini.
3rd day: Climb up to Namphu Kharka (pasture) for night halt. Wonderful view of Kali Gandaki valley can be seen.
4th day: Walk over Mesokonto La (pass) to arrive at mesokonto Base Camp for night halt.
5th day: Walk up and down to the shore of the tilicho Lake. Use the day to take short excursions around Tilicho Lake.
6th day: Camp site moves to Khangsar Kharka (pasture) on the southern shore of Tilicho Lake. Mountain Panorama changes.
7th day: Take a slightly long walk to Khangsar with the magnificent Annapurna range giving you company on the right. Night halt at Khangsar.
8th day: Short walk to Manang, the township at the upper Marshyangdi valley. Rest of the day can be spent either observing the local way of life or by taking a short excursion.
9th day: Begin ascent to Thorung Phedi at the foot of the stiff climb to Thorung La. The trail now follows the much traveled tourist route. A long walk brings you to Thorung Phedi, a rocky meadow, where camp is made.
10th day: Climb up the steep trail to Thorung La (pass). The views of the great Himalayan divide along the trail and at the pass itself are beautiful. Cross the pass and walk down to Muktinath, a temple holy both to the Buddhists and the Hindus. Night halt at Muktinath.
11th day: Rest day at Muktinath with plenty of opportunities for short day excursions or just to laze around.
12th day: Take a comfortable walk to Jomsom.
13th day: Fly out to either Pokhara or Kathmandu in the morning. Sightseeing.
14th day: Departure.