Naar to Mustang
Nepal, Trek & Walk, 24 days - from $3,595 (land only)
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE group package services begin with the evening meal.
Day 2: We set off on a spectacular journey through the foothills, following the Trisuli River, before turning into the Marsyangdi Valley as far as the roadhead at Syange where we make our first camp.
Day 3: We begin our trek by walking on the classic Annapurna Circuit trail following the Marsyangdi river and climbing steeply to the villages of Jagat and Chamje. We then descend and cross the river, entering the Buddhist region of Manang at Tal. We cross the river again to reach Dharapani (1943m. / 6375ft.). Camp.
Day 4: Walking on the well-used Annapurna Circuit trail, we pass through the villages of Bagarchap, Lattemarang and Thanchok to reach our next camp at Koto (2600m. / 8530ft.). Camp. 5 hours. +970m. /-250m.
Day 5: Beyond Koto we leave the Annapurna Circuit trail and head up the narrower and steeper gorge of the Naar Phu Khola to a campsiite at Dharmasala (3230m. / 10,600ft). 7 hours. +1025m / -400m.
Day 6: Continuing up the valley we cross the river at Naar Phedi (3490m. / 11,450ft.) and begin a long climb to Naar Village. (4110m. / 13,484ft.). Camp. 8 hours. +1345m. / -380m.
Day 7: A day for rest and acclimatisation in Naar.
Day 8: Leaving Naar we descend to the valley of the Lapse Khola and crossing the river, we climb to camp in Yak pastures at around 4375m. / 14,354ft.). 7 - 8 hours. +995m. / -840m.
Day 9: The trail follows the Lapse Khola high above the river keeping approximately to the 4400m contour with ascents and descents to negotiate several side valleys. Towards the end of the days trek we meet the river and we make a camp at around 4400m. 5 hours. +515m. / -490m.
Day 10: Still following the main Lapse Khola we climb up to a high camp (4900m. / 16077ft.) below the pass. 4 - 5 hours. +620m. / -120m.
Day 11: We cross the Teri La (5595m. / 18357ft.) with tremendous views over the Himalaya and north to Tibet. We descend to a camp beside the Pasphu Khola (4745m. / 15568ft.). 10 hours. +905m. / -1080m.
Day 12: We have a long day of downhill but still with several climbs to negotiate tributary streams. Today we reach Yakpa (4315m. / 14,158ft.) in the Upper Kali Gandaki Valley. 6 - 7 hours. +575m. / - 965m.
Day 13: Another long descent today to reach the village of Tangga in Upper Mustang (3338m. / 10,950ft.). 6 hours. +670m. / -1500m.
Day 14: A well earned rest day. Tangga is a fascinating place and this is a great opportunity for an insight into local life in this trans-Himalayan village.
Day 15: Descending the valley of the Puyung Khola we reach the village of Yara Gaon (3605 m. / 11,828ft.) 6 hours. +670m. / -1500m. Camp.
Day 16: Descending to the Kali Gandaki river we cross to the western bank and make a gradual ascent to Lo-Manthang, the capital of Mustang (3809m. / 12497ft.). Camp. 7 - 8 hours. +930m. / -655m.
Day 17: A day for exploring in and around Lo Manthang, with its narrow alleyways and brightly painted houses and chortens. Camp.
Day 18: Beginning our trek out of Mustang down the Kali Gandaki Valley there are two route options. Depending on which is chosen, we will today cross the Chogo La (4320m. / 14,174ft.) or the Lo La (3950m. / 12,960ft.) and Choya La (3870m. / 12,697ft.) to Ghemi at 3510m. (11,516ft.)
Day 19: Crossing the Nyi La (4020m. / 13,190ft.) and Shyangmochen La (3850m. / 12,632ft.), we trek to Samar, where we camp at an old caravanserai . En route, we have good views southwards to the Annapurna Massif.
Day 20: We cross the Chele La (3630m. / 11,910ft.) to Chele, where we cross the upper Kali Gandaki on a metal bridge, then meander through Chukksang and Tangbe to finally reach Kagbeni (2810m. / 9219ft.) where we make our final camp.
Day 21: We will be in cruise mode for our final day of trekking which takes us to the south of the main Himalayan chain to the airstrip town of Jomsom (2720m. / 8925ft.). Arriving in this bustling town we check into a lodge near the airstrip.
Day 22: We take a morning flight to Pokhara and connect with a flight to Kathmandu where we check into the group hotel. This evening we will head out for a farewell dinner in one of Kathmandu's popular restaurants. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 23: A free day in Kathmandu. For those who wish, there will be a guided tour of some of the city's most important sights. This is also a contingency day in case of delays to the Jomsom flight. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 24: KE group package services end after breakfast. Kathmandu Airport transfers are provided.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
