Recommend Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu; meet our staff transfers to Hotel, overnight Hotel (B).
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport, Asian Hiking Team representative welcomes you and assists you to transfer to a hotel in Kathmandu, overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu final preparation for trekking, collect Manaslu special permit with guide city tour, Overnight Hotel (BB).
Kathmandu; a historical and cultural heart of Nepal, is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for a full day sightseeing tour to the world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley with an English speaking city tour guide by private vehicle. You will be transferred to the pilgrimage sites of the Hindus temple Pashupatinath, one of the most important shrines of Shiva. Thousands of devotees, Sadhus (holy men/Baba) are surrounded here, and you can see the cremating system of the Hindus most of the time in the holy riverbank of Bagmati. Hundreds of monkeys are giggling with you and take a time to explore surrounding areas. After visiting Pashupatinath you will be transferred to the Boudhanath stupa, a pilgrimage centre which is the most popular and important place for Buddhist. You can explore with a round prayer wheel and flattering colorful flag with melodious chanting noise. After your lunch at Boudhanath visit another important place for Buddhist, Swayambhunath stupa; also known as monkey temple covering a wide range of area with highest point of Kathmandu valley and enjoy the 360 degrees of valley view. After exploring this spot you will transfer to Kathmandu Durbar Square which is the old royal palace of Kathmandu and can be seen a lot of temples, Nepali traditional architectures and another attraction of this place is the Kumari (the living goddess), after finishing your sightseeing trip you will be transferred to your hotel, group meeting, collect your special permit, check equipment etc.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara 900m, 6 hours, 200km, overnight at Hotel in Pokhara (L/D).
At 7 am, driving from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist Bus takes 6–7 hours, transfer to a hotel or half an hour flight to Pokhara, meet our staff in the airport then transfer to hotel, overnight in Pokhara at the hotel.
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom and walk for 3 hours to Kagbani, Overnight in the Hotel/Lodge (B/L/D).
Early in the morning, fly to Jomsom for 25 minutes, the district head office of Mustang, take a breakfast then start walking and follow the Thak Khola all the way to Kagbeni. It is gradually flat, night Camp at Kagbeni 3100m, border between lower Mustang and upper Mustang, where is your permit check post. Its short day trek takes 3 hours to reach Kagbeni, an overnight hotel.
Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
Kagbeni is the beginning of the Mustang trekking. Check special Mustang trekking permit and start trek to follow Thakkhola valley. The trail goes through the Kagbeni river gorge. The Kali Gandaki river, considered sacred by Hindus, is full of black pebbles called 'Saligram', which is valued by Hindus and Buddhist in Nepal. The river supposedly flows through gold mines which is proven by the fact that often particles of the gold can be found in Kali Gandaki river sand. The trek passes through sacred Gompas (Monasteries) and a village called Tangbe situated at 2930 Meter altitude. Another village on the way is Chhuksang which still has remains of an old castle built during the silk trade period. At Chele the cultural scene changes and more Tibetan type socio-cultural influence prevails onward, overnight hotel/lodge.
Day 6: Chele to Geling, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
On the fourth day, the trek passes by Gayer village. The trek involves climbing up and down through small valleys and comes to Samara Village located at 3290 m. It is a major shopping place for the local area. Annapurna range in the south dominates the scene. Night will be spent in Gelling Lodge.
Day 7: Gelling to Charang, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
From Gelling the trail climbs gently through agricultural fields up to the center of the valley and below the settlement of Tamagung. The highest point of this day's Trek goes through Nyila pass at 3950 m. The descent to Tangmar river is gentle which leads to Charang village. Charang is a maize producing area with Gompa and Tankas available in quantity, overnight at hotels.
Day 8: Charang to Lomanthang, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
On the six-day trek goes to Lomanthang, Capital city of Mustang. Lomanthang is an old city situated on a plateau. The trek to Lomanthang is scenic and gentle, overnight at the hotel/Lodge.
Day 9: Full day in Lomanthang, Overnight Lodge (B/L/D).
Day seven is spent in Lomanthang. It is a small town with a rich cultural heritage. This walled town has four major temples. The tallest Champa Lakhang temple was built in 1420 A.D. This temple is dedicated to Maitreya, the future Buddha. Another temple, Thugchen Gompa is a massive wooden structure also built around 1400 A.D. The entire day will be spent in Lomanthang serving the socio-cultural heritage of the locality.
Day 10: Lomanthang Nechung (Kora-la Boarder) and return to Lo-Manthang, Overnight Lodge (B/L/D).
On this day Nechung check post, located at Nepal-Tibet border, will be visited. It takes about three-four hours to reach this border village. A two hours return trek will lead back to Lo Manthang for the night.
Day 11: Lomanthang to Ghami, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
A slight variation of the return route heading south first from Lomanthang to Chorang, later turns east, to reach Lo Gekar (signifying 'Pure virtue of Lo' and also known as Ghar Gompa or house temple). The trail climbs steadily to a pass which is marked by a terrain, from where one can have a beautiful view of Lomanthang. From Lo Gekar the trek continues to reach a valley and then descends to village Ghami at 3440 m, overnight in lodge/hotel.
Day 12: Ghami to Samar, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
From Ghami a direct route is followed to Nyila. Climbing on a ridge, the trek continues upward to meet the trails from Chorang and then descends to Geelong valley. The trail retraces the track for the rest of the day with night sleeping at Samar.
Day 13: Samar to Kagbeni, 4/6 hours, Overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L/D).
Retraces the upward trail back to the Kali Gandaki and then to Kagbeni.
Day 14: Kagbeni to Kathmandu, 7-10 hours drive by bus/Jeep, overnight at Lodge/Hotel (B/L).
Return the same way to Jomsom by walking 3 hours or by Jeep half an hour. And take a bus /Jeep to Beni and continue to drive to Pokhara for 7/10 hours, or take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, then transfer to a hotel at Pokhara.
Day 15: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Tourist bus or flight (BB).
Return to Kathmandu by Tourist bus 6 hours’ drive or Flight to Kathmandu, overnight in Kathmandu in a Hotel.
Day 16: Departure from Nepal or next trip (BB).
Today is the last day in your itinerary, last minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts to your family, friends or relatives until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, Asian Hiking Team staff will be transferred to the international Airport for your departure flight schedule to your onward destination or next trip.
Cost Includes
- Airport /Hotel/Airport pick up and drop.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara as itinerary (3-4 star hotel) with breakfast.
- Kathmandu to Pokhara/ Kathmandu by tourist bus.
- Pokhara to Jomsom by flight (flight ticket).
- Kagbeni/Jomsom to Pokhara by tourist bus/ sharing Jeep.
- Accommodation during the trekking as best available Hotel/Lodge as per itinerary.
- Major Meals during the trekking; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (B/L/D) by Lodge/Hotel menu.
- Mustang special Trekking permit (US$ 500).
- Trekkers’ Information Management System “TIMS Card” (Trekking permit).
- Annapurna Conservation permit.
- Monasteries and Temple entrance fees during the trekking.
- A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder professional equipped English-speaking guide.
- One Porter between each 2 members while on trek (Maximum weight for a porter is 25 Kg).
- Accommodation, meals, salary, equipment, transportation & Insurance of Asian Hiking Team staff.
- First Aid Kit.
- Travel & Rescue arrangement.
- All government taxes/ service charges.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu (with culture show).
Cost Excludes
- International Airfare.
- Nepal Visa fee.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per itinerary.
- Soft/hard drinks, drinking water, Tea/ coffee during trekking.
- Hot shower, internet & electricity bills during trekking.
- Personal trekking gears & clothing (some equipment is possible to rent in Kathmandu).
- Medical evacuation in case of emergency, expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslides, strikes, political unrest etc. in such cases extra will be charged as per actual.
- Tips or Donation (as you want).
The Nepal trip had been an eye opener, experiencing different cultures
The Nepal trip had been an eye opener, experiencing different cultures, the highs and lows from the perfect scene up on the mountain to the hustle and bustling in the city core, and of course the wonderful support from you and your team.
I thoroughly enjoyed it although at the end I am a bit home sick. If I bring my wife next time then the 2 weeks won't feel as long.
By YK Chee, Marvin and all Team
Hong Kong Nepal VOC Trip, Hong Kong, China