Marron Treks offers you, the Upper Mustang Trek - (16 Days), an exclusive trek package to Mustang, one of the most mystique regions of Nepal. Mustang, located in Nepal’s northwestern Himalayas, is a land of diverse topography, multifarious ethnic groups and wide spectrum of floras and faunas. From the lush coniferous forests in the south, to the desert wildflowers scattered across the northernmost plains, this region is just one of its kind. Upper Mustang Trek commences from picturesque city of Pokhara. Caught in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri Himal (8167m) to the west and the Annapurna massif to the east, most of Mustang's 750 square-miles are trans-Himalayan deserts. This boot-like piece of land just lies north to the Tibetan plateau. At an elevation of 15000 ft, the Mustang landscape reveals spires of ochre Earth and dramatic rock formations, as well as sandy flats and grassy plains surrounded by rolling hills-the hallmark of the Central Asian plateau.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m)
Day 04: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2750m) and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2800m/3 - 4hours)
Day 05: Trek from Kagbeni to Chaile (3050m/5 - 6hours)
Day 06: Trek from Chaile to Geling (3510m/6hours)
Day 07: Trek from Geling to Charang (3620m) via Nyi La Pass (4020m/5 - 6 hours)
Day 08: Trek from Charang to Lo Manthang (3730m/5hours)
Day 09: Excursion day in Lo Manthang
Day 10: Trek from Lo Manthang to Ghemi (3490m) via Lo Gekar (3822m/5 - 6 hours)
Day 11: Trek from Ghemi to Samar (3150m/5 - 6hours)
Day 12: Trek from Samar to Kagbeni (2800m/6 - 7hours)
Day 13: Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2750m/3 - 4hours)
Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (820m/25min) and fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m/25 min)
Day 15: A free day in Kathmandu
Day 16: Final departure
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you need to accomplish your entry/visa formalities. You will then be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel and then we will have a quick pre-trip meeting. You can then spend the remaining time resting or as you please. In the evening you can stroll around the vicinity of your hotel just to get the feel of this wonderful city. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
After breakfast, hop in to our transport vehicle and head off for a guided tour to the renowned historical and cultural landmarks of Kathmandu. You will be visiting the sites like - Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. All these sites have been listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. After the entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the time as you wish or probably preparing for the next day’s flight to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/25min)
In the morning we’ll take a flight to Pokhara, a nice little tourist town with some wonderful restaurants and tantalizing mountains. It is known as a place of leisure and trading, as well as a starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna Region. We have allotted a half day for sightseeing in Pokhara on return, so today, you can spend the remaining time, exploring this fascinating lake city on your own. If time permits we'll visit the Tibetan Refugee Center. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara; breakfast included.
Day 04: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2750m/25min) and trek from Jomsom
to Kagbeni (2800m/3 - 4 hours)
We will take an early morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The breathtaking 35 minutes on board tosses us above the Kali Gandaki gorge, the world’s deepest. The towering snowcapped peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna stand formidably adjacent to us as we peek through the small glass windows of our aircraft. Not just that, looking underneath, the views of waterfalls, canyons, and terraced fields are simply magnificent. This is truly one of the world's most spectacular scenic flights! Upon arrival at Jomsom, we’ll meet the rest of our trekking staff for lunch. Today, we commence our trek on a fairly easy section of the trail, following the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni, which happens to be the gateway to the restricted zone of Mustang and one of the major trading routes between Tibet and India . The traders brought salt from Tibet and barley, spices and clothes from India . After the Chinese invasion of Tibet , trade came to a halt and many of the rich villages lost their revenue, subsequently causing the number of inhabitants to dwindle. Nowadays, though some trade has resumed, majority of the village income comes from tourism. According to a legend, while entering this dusty settlement, we should only think about the good things, quitting all bad thoughts outside the town gate. Overnight at teahouse in Kagbeni; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 05: Trek from Kagbeni to Chaile (3050m/5 - 6 hours)
From Kagbeni to Tangbe (3020m), the trail winds along the east riverbank and occasionally ventures out into the rocky river bed. Initially, the trail climbs steeply to the top of the hill but we'll be rewarded with a spectacular view of prayer flags, stupas, and villages. After crossing several windblown plains and passing through a canyon, we arrive at the Mustang village of Tanbe . This small village is filled with whitewashed adobe houses nestled against each other and is surrounded by beautifully terraced fields of wheat, barley, and buckwheat, as well as small apple orchards. On the lower side of Tangbe, we'll see three elegant chortens and the remnants of an old abandoned fort. As we continue our walk, be on the lookout for black ammonites, small fossils of coiled sea molluscs that inhabited the Tethys Sea and covered the Tibetan plateau millions of years before the Himalayas were formed. They are considered to be holy by many local people. Continue on to Chaile. Overnight at teahouse in Chaile; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 06: Trek from Chaile to Geling (3510m/6hours)
From “Chaile” we make a fairly steep climb to a cairn at about 3150m, which offers a great view of “Gyagar village” across the canyon. The trail, which is literally carved into the side of this spectacular canyon, continually renders scenic retreats. We cross a mountain pass, and then make a long gradual descent along a pleasant trail to Samar. Finally, after passing through several small canyons that are home to cool streams and shady juniper trees, we arrive at Geling (3510m). This largest village before entering Upper Mustang is a rarely visited gem, set among numerous poplar groves and a central stream, housing one of the oldest Gompas of the region. Spend the evening relaxing in front of the central field, where you can observe the grain being threshed, animals grazing, and children playing. Overnight at teahouse in Geling; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 07: Trek from Geling to Charang (3620m) via Nyi La Pass (4020m/5 - 6 hrs)
From Geling, the trail climbs gently through fields of barley and groves of poplar trees up the center of the valley, passing below the settlement of Tama Gaun and an imposing chorten. After rejoining the direct trail, it becomes a steep slow climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass at 4020m, the highest point reached on the trek. Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls at the top of the large Charang Cho Canyon . The huge five story white dzong and red gompa are perched on the edge of the Kali Gandagi gorge on the east end of the valley. Overnight at teahouse in Charang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 08: Trek from Charang to Lo Manthang (3730m/5 hrs)
Today we'll move slowly but steadly up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village at 11,841 feet. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. After a rest break we'll travel across a desert-like landscape painted in every hue of grey and yellow.. Finally, we reach our destination- the whitewashed walls of the city of Lo , which sits among fields filled with horses and yaks. Overnight at teahouse in Lo Manthang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 09: Excursion day in Lo Manthang
This is a well earned rest cum an excursion day at one of the most mystique regions. We explore the surrounding areas visiting the Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa, situated on a hilltop, serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa, we proceed towards Tingkhar, the last major settlement to the northwest of Lo-Manthang. Fully content with these enticing explorations, we hike back to our teahouse.
The other viable options for excursions at Lo Manthang could be visiting some of the attractive landmarks like- the astoundingly tall Champa Lhakhang (God house), the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the four- storey building of the King’s palace. Overnight at teahouse in Lo Manthang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10: Trek from Lo Manthang to Ghemi (3490m) via Lo Gekar (3822m/5 - 
6 hours)
We have the opportunity to vary our return route and visit two villages that we did not see on the trek northwards. At Ghemi we'll visit Gar Gompa, the oldest archive gompa in Nepal . Ghemi is also known for its many hectares of beautiful fields and for its white- washed houses. The trail to Lo Gekar is not a main trading route and is crisscrossed with herder’s trails, so our local guide is particularly useful here. Today’s trek will cross several valleys, some lush and others barren. Near the end of the hike the trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley, where Lo Gekar is situated within a group of large trees by a stream. Lo Gekar, which means “Pure Virtue of Lo,” is also known as Ghar Gompa, or”House Temple". Overnight at teahouse in Ghemi; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11 : Trek from Ghemi to Samar (3150m/5 - 6hours)
The moment we kiss goodbye to Ghemi, we embark on a constricted path and continue thereon until we reach Geling. We then cross a small stream and finally arrive at Samar, a village that literally emanates the Tibetan way of life. Overnight at a teahouse in Samar enjoying the tint of Tibetan hospitality; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12: Trek from Samar to Kagbeni (2800m/6 - 7hours)
Trek from Samar to Kagbeni is frequented by descents. We trail along a downhill route and arrive at Chhuksang (2920m). Crossing the suspension bridge over the roaring Kali Gandaki River, we continue walking along the bank of the river relishing the view of apple orchards and natural vegetation alongside, until we finally get to Kagbeni, a typical, stone built Mustang village. Its history dates back to the 14th century when it was formed as a check post for traders of Nepal and Tibet. This checkpoint still exists and is in operation, controlling the groups departing towards Muktinath and Mustang. It is also the main entry/exit point to the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The village has a monastery, a Police check post and ACAP (Annapurna conservation area project) office. Overnight at teahouse in Kagbeni; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 13: Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2750m/3 - 4hours)
Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom is fairly flat and along the riverbed. We trail along the banks of Kali Gandaki and pass through the settlement of Eklebhatti before we finally arrive at Jomsom. The last trek and the shortest one of course! Overnight at teahouse in Jomsom; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (820m/25min) and fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m/25 min)
We take a scenic 35 minutes’ morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Since our final destination for the day is Kathmandu, depending upon our flight schedule, we wait for some time at the Pokhara airport and then board on a flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your designated hotel. You have just gotten back from a long trip, so you would probably want to groom yourself and relax. Try out the herbal spa and do away the trekking fatigue. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 15: A free day in Kathmandu
This is a free day in Kathmandu to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. You can indulge yourself in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.
Day 17: Final departure
Final departure: Today is your final day in Nepal. It is advisable to reach the airport three hours prior to your flight. A representative of Marron Treks will escort you to the airport for your final departure. If you wish to extend your trip, we have other adventurous tour packages like Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
Accommodation
During your stay in Kathmandu, we will accommodate you in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar.
While in Pokhara City, you will be accomodated in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Base Camp Resort (3 Star), Mt. Kailash (3 star) , Fishtail Lodge (5 star) , Shangrila Village (5 star) or similar.
Along the trekking route, there are many Tea House/ Lodges which provide good services. We will ensure you get the best of the services available so that you enjoy every bit of your trek.
Meals
We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as our staff members. Generally, we opt for locally available food in the Annapurna Region so that you could get a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than that, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.
Porter and Staff Care
We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going to high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipments. They are the backbones of a trek.
Best Months
The month of March-November are considered to be the best for Upper Mustang Trek.
Any Experience Required ?
For Upper Mustang Trek no former experience is required. Physical fitness is the only key to accomplish this trek.
Difficulties
A physically fit person will not have any major difficulty throughout this trek.
Our Guides
Guides play a very active role during the trek. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as productive. Our guides are literate, multilingual speakers, environment conscious and well acquainted to culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to the Annapurna Region . This would help our trekkers make the most of their trip.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.
For more queries, visit our FAQ section or contact us directly at marketing@marrontreks.com
Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request) on twin sharing accommodation basis.
For other special requirements or bigger group deals, kindly mail us directly at: marketing@marrontreks.com
Cost Includes
Cost Excludes
TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS
Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yoursef for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.
CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)
Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella
Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes
Fleece jacket or Pullover
Fleece windcheater jacket
Down jacket or a Down vest
T-shirts (2 – 3) and Long-sleeved shirts with collars ( 2- 3 pairs)
Nylon (cotton ought to be strictly avoided) hiking shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)
Hiking trousers- one that is detachable from the knees so that the it can be folded up as shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)
Thermal underwear as well as synthetic underwear (3 -4 each – avoid cotton)
Synthetic sport brassieres for women (2 pairs- avoid cotton)
Head/Eyes & Hand Gears
Sun hat/cap
Woolen hat or Balaclava
Sunglasses/Goggles (preferably the one with 100% UV protection)
Liner, Synthetic or Thin wool gloves (1 -2 pair)
Warm gloves (designed to the shield the sub-zero temperatures)- 1 pair
Footwear
Trekking boots (1 pair) and spare laces
Running shoes, Sandals or Thongs (flip-flops)- 1 pair each
Hiking gaiters (1 pair) to do away the rocks, dusts and moist feet
Liner socks- preferably synthetic (3 – 4 pairs)
Heavy or wool blend socks (3 – 4 pairs)
Equipments
Backpack/Rucksack
Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )
Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)
Day sack/Nylon stuff sack
Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but
should be returned after the trip)
Water bottle
Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs
Maps, compass and a guide book
Trekking poles
Miscellaneous Bits
The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just
find
yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!
Toiletries
Quick-drying camp towel
Detergent powder/bar
Toilet paper
Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm
Pocket knife
Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)
Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter
Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms
Stuff sacks
Earplugs
Candlesticks
Medicaments
It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. 
Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines
Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)
Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets
Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)
Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)
Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)
Assorted band-aids
Small gauge pad
Roll of adhesive tape
Iodine tablets
Optional Carry
Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek
Camera, memory card and battery charger
GPS unit Altimeters
Binoculars
Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women
Books and magazines
Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.
