Mustang Photography Tour

A day for sightseeing and photography. Three major towns are located in the valley, KATHMANDU, PATAN and BHAKTAPUR, each having a great artistic and architectural tradition. Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city in the country. Patan, the second largest is separated from Kathmandu by a river. Bhaktapur, the third largest, is towards the eastern end of the valley and its relative isolation is reflected in its slower pace and more distinctly mediaeval atmosphere. In the valley the landscape is dramatically sculpted by the contours of the paddy fields. The towns and villages are alive with the colours of farm produce, ranging from pyramids of golden grain to the vivid reds of chilli peppers laid out on mats to dry in the sun. In the streets and towns there is a constant bustle of activity, especially in the bazaars and markets where the farmers sell their vegetables and fruit. During our time in Kathmandu we will visit and photograph the main Buddhist and Hindu sights of the Kathmandu Valley. This includes the Buddhist shrine of SWAYAMBHU, (set on a hill top overlooking the city) and the massive BUDDHIST STUPA (temple) at BODHNATH, the religious centre for Nepal’s large population of Tibetans. Here are a number of thriving monasteries and many small shops selling Tibetan artefacts. We will also visit the Durbar (palace) squares of Kathmandu and PATAN and the magnificent Hindu temples of BHAKTAPUR. Overnight hotel.

After breakfast we will fly to POKHARA, 198 kilometres west of KATHMANDU. This short and scenic flight offers spectacular mountain views. We will be flying high above great rivers flowing down towards the foothills and the TERAI lowlands from the Himalaya and Tibet, over terraced hillsides behind which rise the mighty Himalayan mountains of GANESH, LANGTANG, MANASLU and the Annapurna range. When we arrive at POKHARA we will be transferred to our hotel and have the afternoon to explore with our cameras before dinner. Overnight Hotel.

Trek to KAGBENI (2900m) (3 to 4 hours walking) we will be up early for our exciting mountain flight to JOMSOM, the district headquarters of Mustang. The scenic flight offers outstanding views of Mt. MACHHAPUCHHRE (the Fishtail), the Annapurna mountains, DHAULAGIRI, TUKUCHE Peak and NILGIRI. From the airport we have a fantastic panorama of Himalayan peaks including DHAULAGIRI, ANNAPURNA 1 and the NILGIRI mountains. After meeting our trekking crew we will start our trek by heading up the Kali GANDAKI River Valley to KAGBENI. We follow a wide trail along the riverbed surrounded by impressive mountain peaks. KAGBENI is a fortress-like Buddhist village, spectacularly situated on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the KALI GANDAKI and the JHONG KHOLA rivers. The village is the last i in Lower MUSTANG and guards the entrance into UPPER MUSTANG, visible across the KALI GANDAKI riverbed.

From KAGBENI you enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. The trail makes several ups and downs to arrive at TANGBE VILLAGE (3060m). Walking further and descending you will reach CHHUKSANG VILLAGE (2980m) where there are many beautiful white washed houses and agricultural fields. From CHHUKSANG making more ups and downs along the KALI GANDAKI RIVER, we reach CHELE VILLAGE. Overnight Camp at CHELE.

From Chele the trail climbs up to the CHELE LA (pass) (3630m). After crossing the ridge from CHELE LA the trail enters a large valley and descends to Samar (3620m) where you will have views of the distant ANNAPURNA HIMAL dominated by MT. NILGIRI. The trail climbs up to the BHENA LA (3830m) and to BHENA (3860m). Climbing to another pass, the YAMDO LA (4010m), you will descend steeply following a ridge to SHYANGMOCHE (3800m). Overnight camp. (BLD)

From SHYANGMOCHE we take the trail to MARANG before turning west on an old trail to DHAKMAR. The trail continues with climbs up and down passing through remote areas. You will have opportunities to take pictures of villagers and picturesque landscapes. Finally, you will reach DHAKMAR, which is inhabited by people of Tibetan heritage. Overnight camp.

From DHAKMAR our morning walk will take us to higher elevations on this windswept terrain, heading toward LO-MANTHANG. The walk is on a pleasant trail to reach GHARE GOMPA. After lunch we can explore the monastery, one of the oldest and most important in Mustang. The belief here is that the first hidden scriptures of PADMASAMBHAVA were discovered (he hid his teachings in many different places in the Himalayas, to ensure that they were safe when the times were dangerous for the survival of Buddhism). In the anteroom are tiles depicting Buddha Sakyamuni and Bodhisattwas. The Gonkhang is illuminated by dozens of butter-lamps, which enhance the statues, including images of Padmasambhava and the Yoginis Yeshe Tshogyal and Mandarava. In a small room to the left are more beautiful figures, including a Green Tara. Overnight camp.

You will reach LO MANTHANG a mud-walled ancient village. You will see arid pastures, meet local people and capture stunning images on your camera. This pleasant morning walk follows a gentle path to cross a steel bridge. From here the trail winds up to a ridge top, coming across Chortens and Mani stones in between TSARANG and LHO MANTHANG, offering amazing views of a windswept landscapes and true Tibetan plateau country. There are superb panoramic views of NILGIRI, TILICHO and BHRIKUTI mountains. We climb to the LO LA PASS (3,950 metres) with views of Lo Manthang’s walled city stretching out below. We slowly descend to a stream and follow the trail to the mystical, medieval walled city of LO MANTHANG. Overnight camp.

We have two days to explore LO MANTHANG and the surrounding area. LOMANTHANG is a mystical and highly fabled remote village. It enjoyed its autonomy for some time before being annexed into Greater Nepal. The village is noted for its tall white washed mud brick walls, gompas and the Raja’s or Royal or King’s Palace, a nine-cornered, five story structure built around 1400.There are four major temples: Jampa Lhakhang or Jampa Gompa, the oldest, built in the early 15th century and also known as the “God house”; Thubchen Gompa, a huge, red assembly hall and gompa built in the late 15th century and located just southwest of Jampa Gompa; Chodey Gompa, now the main city gompa; and the Choprang Gompa, which is popularly known as the “New Gompa”. We will also explore the surrounding villages and valleys. Overnight Camp.

After spending a couple of days in the walled city, today we descend towards Dhi. Initially we are retracing our route but then the trail heads east making a steep descent to the tiny VILLAGE OF DHI, situated on the banks of the PHUYUNG KHOLA. Unique villages, picturesque landscapes and spectacular mountain views are some of the major highlights of the day. Overnight Camp.

We leave behind the riverbed and climb over hills and small passes providing even more spectacular views of the Mustang Valley and the snowcapped Annapurna and NIGIRI MOUNTAINS. Today is one of the most scenic days of the trek with the landscape changing colours form yellow and browns to reds, greys and blues as the sun moves across the Himalayan sky. GHAMI VILLAGE is our overnight stop and here we can visit the local Gompa and its friendly monks. Overnight Camp. (BLD)

The last day in the restricted area of Upper Mustang is a gentle scenic walk passing through several typical villages before reaching TSRANG. Here we meet our transportation for the drive to JOMSOM. The drive takes us south on the east bank of the KALI GANDAKI, passing villages and all the time accompanied by magnificent views. We will stop several times along the way but soon we arrive in JOMSOM. We will check in at our trekkers lodge and the afternoon is free to wash and explore the town. In the evening we will celebrate our achievements of trekking through Forbidden Mustang with our trekking crew. Overnight Lodge.

We’ll fly from the airstrip at Jomsom to Pokhara and continue or journey to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for your last-minute shopping or cultural visits. We’ll gather in the evening for our festive farewell dinner celebrating our journey. Overnight at the Hotel Shangri-La.

Today we visit Tekanpur village and school in Kavre district. (4 h jeep drive return). Enjoy the local village life and hospitality of the Tamang inhabitants of my hometown! Transfer to Shangri-La hotel. Farewell dinner at Third Eye Restaurant, Thamel.

Day 17: Depart Kathmandu