Mustang - Private Tour in Nepal - 17d/16n
Page updated – 11 January 2024
Introduction:
Mustang is a unique area in the central north of Nepal that falls in the ‘rain shadow’ and juts into the Tibetan plateau, offering similar topography and climatic conditions as Tibet. The best period to visit this region is March, April, May, October & November. If you travel to Mustang in May you have the option of witnessing the Tiji Festival; a 3-day annual event held at Lo-Manthang & promoting ‘World Peace’. (2024 dates 06-08 May).
Since the entire route is finally motorable by SUV, with a ‘fair weather’ graveled road, this itinerary is now available for intrepid travellers looking for adventurous travel featuring a rich cultural experience, in a region that was previously often inaccessible by road.
Hotels: We use 4-star hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara region and standard tourist class lodges/tea-houses in Mustang & remote regions.
Brief Tour Overview:
- 2 nts Kathmandu – with exploring & sightseeing.
- 1 nt Kolapani – sightseeing.
- 1 nt Marpha – exploring & sightseeing Thakali village.
- 2 nts Ghemi – exploring, Mustangi settlements & Monasteries.
- 5 nts Lo Manthang – exploring & sightseeing, Monasteries, Royal Palace & Village visits.
- 1 nt Samar – sightseeing & exploring.
- 1 nt Jomsom – exploring & sightseeing the former trading outpost for Mustang & Tibet.
- 2 nts Pokhara – sightseeing, hiking & exploring.
- 1 nt Kathmandu – day at leisure .
PRICE ON APPLICATION
CALL THE BHUTAN & NEPAL TRAVEL EXPERTS ON
AUS Toll free, James – 0412 416 111, Nicola – 0413 598 669
Why Book With Bhutan & Beyond
- 20 years experience, service & knowledge in the South Asia region.
- Competitive pricing and luxury hotel upgrade options.
- Exceptionally well constructed & flexible itineraries.
- Experts at combining India, Bhutan & Nepal.
- ATAS Accredited via our parent company MTA Travel.
- Access to our exclusive travel app COMPANION.
Private Land Tour Inclusions:
- 3 nights at Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu (guest room) with breakfast
- 2 nights at Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara (superior room ) with breakfast
- 1 night at See You Lodge (room w/private bathroom) or similar, Kalopani with breakfast & dinner
- 2 nights at Hotel Marpha Palace (room w/private bathroom) or similar, Marpha with breakfast & dinner
- 2 nights at Hotel Royal Mustang (room w/private bathroom) or similar, Ghemi with breakfast & dinner
- 5 nights at Hotel Mandala (room with private bathroom) or similar, Lo- Manthang with breakfast & dinner
- 1 night at Hotel Om’s Home (room w/private bathroom) or similar, Jomsom with breakfast & dinner
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Jomsom.
- Domestic airfares & taxes – Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu
- Domestic airfares & taxes – Jomsom/Pokhara.
- Sightseeing tours as per the itinerary guided by English speaking guide in Kathmandu and English speaking local guide in Pokhara
- Pokhara/Mustang/Pokhara round trip transfer using Mahendra Scorpio SUVs (or similar) – up to 4 persons per vehicle
- Farewell Nepali dinner with cultural show on Day 16 (including hotel/restaurant/hotel transfer)
- Entrance fees in Kathmandu
- English speaking Licensed Trek guide throughout the tour for Upper Mustang
- Trek guide trek/tour meals, comprehensive insurance charges, allowances fees, overnight charges etc
- Applicable entrance fees
- Bhutan & Beyond bank transfers for payments to Nepal suppliers.
- ACAP & TIMS trek permit fees
Private Land Tour Exclusions:
- Meals other than specified in the itinerary.
- Personal bank charges incurred making payments to Bhutan & Beyond.
- Expenses of personal nature such as beverages, tips, laundry etc.
- Upper Mustang restricted area permit US$500 per person (valid for 10 days)
- Nepal visa fee on arrival US$50.00 pp valid to 30 days.
- Travel insurance (with essential COVID-19 cover).
- International airfares to/from Nepal.
Payment & Cancellation Conditions:
- 20% deposit payment due, on confirmation of your Nepal travel booking.
- Deposit date until 45 days prior arrival in Nepal – Land tour deposit is refundable less B&B service fees.
- 45 days prior to arrival in Nepal – your final payment is due & immediately becomes non-refundable.
Please note: – These conditions cover land travel arrangements only not airfares which are subject to their own cancellation conditions.
Mustang Private Tour Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive Kathmandu. Tour of Kathmandu & Bodhnath.
Arrival in Kathmandu. Meet and greet at the airport with traditional Khada welcome. Transfer and check in at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
This afternoon, visit Kathmandu city and its stone-paved lanes, colourful bazaars, the House of the Living Goddess – Kumari, who is considered to be the incarnation of the “Virgin Goddess”. Also visit the Kal Bhairav temple, the Old Palace, the Durbar Square and its surroundings.
Proceed to Bodhnath, the largest stupa in Nepal and located north of Kathmandu. This stupa, set in a pattern of a “Mandala” is encircled by houses and monasteries where Rinpoches (enlightened Buddhist monks) reside. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa are a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency
Day 02:
Tour to Bhaktapur & Patan cities (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch , D = Dinner.
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning drive to the ancient city of Bhaktapur famed for its picturesque Durbar Square. Entering the Durbar Square (palace square) through the Royal Gate, the sparseness of the temples is immediately apparent. The main square contains temples and other architectural showpieces such as the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Bell of the Barking Dogs, the Batsala temple, the five-storied Nyatapola temple and a replica of Pashupatinath temple. Walk through the narrow lanecan witness potters at their craft.
This afternoon, visit Patan city also known as Lalitpur, the city of Fine Arts, and well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and delightful shops. Visit the stone-carved Krishna temple, Patan Durbar Square, Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (Golden Temple). Take a wander through the city’s old market place, specialising in brass and copperware. This area also displays workshops of stone carvers and statue makers. Patan is a great centre of both Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts & crafts with 136 bahals (courtyards) and 55 major temples.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency
Day 03:
Transfer to the domestic airport for flight Kathmandu/Pokhara. Drive to Kalopani (B, D) (6 hrs drive time; alt. 2480m)
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the domestic airport for a short morning flight to Pokhara. The westward flight takes us opposite the Langtang, Ganesh Himal and the Manaslu mountain ranges. On arrival, we drive further west in our SUV. There is a dramatic change in topography and temperature as we ascend. With the increase in altitude – sub tropical plants and trees such as hardwood trees and bamboo give way to Fir, Pine and Juniper trees, as we enter the Kaligandaki gorge with the river roaring below. We will be staying at Kalopani, a small Thakali settlement. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at See You Lodge or similar.
Day 04:
Drive Kalopani to Marpha (B, D) (1 hr drive; alt. 2720m)
Wake up to the glorious views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and its surrounding peaks such as Tukuche and Tashi Kang to the west. To the east you can see Annapurna I (8,091m) Annapurna South (7219m) and Nilgiri with its distinct pointed peak (6940m) among others. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Marpha, a typical Thakali settlement well known for its apple orchards and apple brandy. Here we explore this charming village, with clean and orderly houses, and visit the erstwhile home of Japanese explorer Kai Kawaguchi, who visited this remote area more than a century ago. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Marpha Palace or similar lodge
Day 05:
Drive to Ghemi via Kagbeni, Chosser & Chaile Villages (B, D) (4-5 hrs drive; alt. 3560m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we move ahead to Ghemi with a short lunch/snack stop in Kagbeni, the gateway to Mustang, at the popular Yak Donald’s restaurant. Drive up to Chaile Village (3,200m) from where you can witness old cave dwellings on the steep mountain sides. Drive past Samar and Giling villages as we continue to gain more altitude. Tonight we will stay in Ghemi (3,600m) after crossing the Nya La pass (3,950m). Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Royal Mustang or similar in Ghemi
Day 06:
Explore Ghemi and its surroundings (B, D)
Breakfast in the hotel. We spend the day exploring Ghemi, one of the largest villages in the area, including its monasteries, along with other nearby Mustangi settlements. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Royal Mustang or similar in Ghemi.
Day 07:
Drive Ghemi / Lo-Manthang (B, D) (4 hrs drive; alt. 3800m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive on to Lo Manthang, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lo. Though within Nepal’s boundary, Lo Manthang effectively still functions as an autonomous and independent kingdom, maintaining its own unique culture, language, royalty and following its own local administrative and taxation laws. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Mandala or similar.
Day 08 to Day 11:
Visit Namgyal and Luri monasteries & Thinkar, Chosser and Nhejyung villages, Zhong cave etc (B, D)
Explore the unique Kingdom of Lo Manthang over the next 4 days. Explore its walled city, the royal palace, old monasteries steeped in history, ancient culture, religion, language, food habits and dress codes. Visit Namgyal Gompa, Thinkar, Chosser, Nhejyung and Gharpu villages close to Tibet border as well as ancient Luri gompa, which is one of the significant heritage sites of upper Mustang. It is associated with the Nyingma Kargyupa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Breakfasts & dinners included at your hotel.
5 nights at Hotel Mandala or similar in Lo-Manthang to explore this unique and special kingdom.
Day 12:
Drive to Samar Village (B, D) (3 hrs drive; alt. 3400m)
Breakfast at the hotel and today we drive down to Samar village. A scenic charming village set amidst Yak pastures. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Local lodge/tea house
Day 13:
Drive to Jomsom (B, D) (3 hrs drive; alt. 2743m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive down to explore the large, busy trading town of Jomsom, the former trading outpost for Mustang and Tibet. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Om’s Home or similar in Jomsom
Day 14:
Fly back to Pokhara (B) (20 mins flight)
Breakfast at the hotel before the early morning flight to Pokhara (option to drive back Jomsom-Pokhara). On arrival we take a short drive to Begnas Bazaar crossing Begnas Lake by boat to the Begnas Lake Resort. The rest of the day is at leisure – relaxing by the pool, hiking the local trails or taking Ayurveda oil massages (optional).
Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort
Day 15:
Visit to Pokhara town (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, this morning visit Pokhara town, including the Tibetan refugee camp, Devi’s Fall and the Phewa lakeside with its rows of restaurants, pubs and shops. On your return to Begnas Resort visit the ethnic Gurung village of Simal Danda and the local coffee plantation.
Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort
Day 16:
Drive back to Kathmandu. (B, D) (7 hrs or 25 min flight)
After breakfast at the hotel, either drive or take the option to fly back to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Kathmandu. This evening, we go to a good local restaurant for a traditional Nepali Farewell dinner.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency
Day 17:
Departure transfer (B)
Breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to the international Airport to connect with your onwards flight.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch , D = Dinner.
