After breakfast, we embark on a full-day guided city tour of Kathmandu, covering four iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the magnificent Boudhanath Stupa, the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, and the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). This day is also crucial for finalizing any last-minute gear and permit preparations for your remote journey into Mustang.

An early morning departure takes you on a scenic drive to Pokhara, Nepal's adventure capital. The journey follows the Prithvi Highway, offering breathtaking views of rivers, lush green hills, and terraced fields. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you will check into your hotel. In the evening, you can take a leisurely walk around Phewa Lake and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the lakeside area.

After an early breakfast, we board a scenic 30-minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The flight offers breathtaking aerial views of massive Himalayan peaks. Leaving Jomsom, we head towards Ekle Bhatti, following the left trail along the Kali Gandaki River. After a 3-hour trek, we reach Kagbeni, a picturesque village that serves as the gateway to Upper Mustang, known for its medieval fortress-like houses and ancient monasteries.

After breakfast in Kagbeni, we begin our trek towards Chhuksang, following the right bank of the Kali Gandaki River. The trail passes through a stunning desert-like landscape, with views of eroded cliffs and red rock formations. After approximately 3.5 hours of walking, we reach Chhuksang village, where we will take a lunch break. The village features traditional whitewashed mud-brick houses built to withstand the harsh mountain winds.

Leaving Chhuksang, the trail crosses the Kali Gandaki River and enters a fascinating landscape of red cliffs. After about 45 minutes of ascent, we arrive at Tsele village. The trail continues to climb, passing through narrow cliffs and rugged terrain before reaching Samar Pass. As we approach Samar village, we begin to see colorful Himalayan plants. We will reach Samar around lunchtime, enjoying the greenery and breathtaking views.

Beyond Samar village, the trail splits into two routes. We will take the right trail to visit the Chhunsi Kangchung Cave Monastery, a sacred site where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated. The climb takes approximately one hour to Samar Hill Pass, followed by a steep descent. After visiting the monastery, the trail climbs again through a narrow valley to Syangmochen village, where we will take a lunch break before continuing to Ghiling.

After leaving Syangmochen, the trail gradually ascends towards the Nyi La Pass, one of the highest points of the trek. The climb is steep but offers stunning panoramic views of the Mustang region. Descending from the pass, we will witness a beautiful green valley in the distance—Ghami village, our destination for the night. Ghami is a tranquil village surrounded by red cliffs and traditional whitewashed houses.

After breakfast, we begin our journey towards Dhakmar, a village known for its vivid red cliffs. From Dhakmar, the trail ascends towards Mui La Pass, the highest point of today's trek. Descending from the pass, we will arrive at Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Nepal. From Ghar Gompa, the trail follows the Tsarang Khola river to the picturesque village of Tsarang, with its whitewashed houses, large monastery, and the ruins of an ancient fort.

Today's trek takes us to Lo Manthang, the ancient walled city and capital of Upper Mustang. After breakfast, we descend towards the Tsarang River before beginning a steady uphill climb. The trail offers stunning views of the Mustang landscape, with vast barren hills and deep gorges. After approximately 3 to 4 hours of walking, we will reach the gates of Lo Manthang, an ancient city surrounded by a thick mud-brick wall.

Today is a full day to explore Lo Manthang, a city rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture, history, and architecture. You can visit the Chode Gompa, Jampa Lhakhang (God House of Future Buddha), and Thubchen Gompa. You can also see the King's Palace, a four-story structure where the former King of Lo and his family resided. As you explore this enchanting city, you will get a rare glimpse into an ancient Tibetan-influenced way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Today, we embark on an adventurous horse ride to Chhoser, a mystical site known for its incredible ancient cave dwellings. Upon reaching Chhoser, we are greeted by a breathtaking cliffside structure, a man-made multi-story cave system carved into the cliff face centuries ago. The cave consists of 44 rooms interconnected by narrow tunnels and staircases. After exploring this enigmatic cave city, we will ride back to Lo Manthang.

As we bid farewell to Lo Manthang, the trek begins with a short ascent towards a glacial valley, offering a final panoramic view of the reddish-brown fortress-like settlement. After about an hour, the trail gradually descends towards Dhi village. After lunch at Dhi, we will cross a river and follow the left bank of the stream towards Yara. The final stretch involves a steep climb to the top of Yara hills, where a breathtaking sight of natural sand castles awaits.

Today's journey takes us to Luri Gompa, one of the most significant and ancient cave monasteries of Upper Mustang, dating back to the 13th century. This Kagyukpa sect monastery, built into the sandstone cliffs, holds priceless golden-written Lama books and sacred murals. After our spiritual and cultural exploration, we will return to Yara, reflecting on the deep mysticism and religious significance of Mustang's sacred lands.

Early in the morning, we will leave Yara and follow a high, winding path that descends towards the Dhechaeng Khola. After crossing the river, the trail climbs steeply for about one and a half hours to Dhi village. From Dhi, the trail continues along a narrow, dusty path to Tangbe village, a charming settlement known for its labyrinth of narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, and Buddhist chortens, surrounded by orchards of apples and buckwheat fields.

Today's trek is longer and more challenging, so we will start very early with a packed lunch. The path soon leads to the Yak Khola before a steep ascent to the highest point of the trip—a pass at 4,210m. From the top, we can see the majestic Damodar Himal and Saribung Himal. The second half of the trek is a challenging four to five-hour descent on a rough, uneven trail to our final destination for the day: Tetang.

Today's trek is relatively easy as we gradually ascend towards the Gyu La Pass. The trail takes us through Kharkas, where we can spot domestic animals like yaks and goats. Upon reaching the top of the pass, we are greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of Thorong Peak, Nilgiri, and the Muktinath Valley below. The trail then leads us downward to Muktinath, a significant pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

Today's trek from Muktinath to Jomsom is a scenic and culturally enriching journey, offering spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain ranges. The trail initially descends towards the Lupra River, leading us into the isolated and historic village of Lupra, one of the few remaining Bon settlements in Nepal. After spending some time in Lupra, we will continue following the Pangda River before rejoining the main Kaligandaki trekking route to Jomsom.

Early in the morning, we will take a scenic 30-minute flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we will explore some of Pokhara's most important cultural and natural attractions, including Bindhyabasini Temple, Seti River Gorge, Devi's Fall, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. In the evening, we will enjoy a relaxing walk around Lakeside and a boat ride on Phewa Lake to visit Tal Barahi Temple.

After an early morning breakfast in Pokhara, we will embark on a scenic 7-8 hour drive back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will check into our hotel. You can spend the evening shopping in Thamel. To celebrate the end of an incredible journey, we will gather for a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant with a cultural dance performance.

On your final day in Nepal, a representative from our team will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. As you head home, you will have plenty of time to reflect on your unforgettable journey through the Upper Mustang region. We hope to see you again for another amazing adventure in Nepal.