Journey through mystical valleys and high passes.
Nepal is a country rich in various things that you can sight on, from mountains, hills, endangered animals, valuable herbs, stunning scenery, cultural heritages, monuments, and many more, which Nepal is quite popular for. But all journeys are not always about the landscapes or landmarks that one witnesses; some are far more than what eyes can see; they are experiences. Dolpo to Mustang Trek is one of those journeys. This trek is much more than what one can witness with their eyes on the stunning arid and semi-arid landscapes of both Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang. It is what one can experience walking in the most isolated region of Dolpo and the most popular region of Mustang, while both are restricted areas.
Our Upper Dolpo to Upper Mustang Trek combines the remote trekking routes of Mustang and Dolpo, two mystical neighboring districts of Nepal. Both Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang are mysterious to people because of their restricted status. This trek takes you on a trek through the remote region of Dolpo with pristine nature, preserved Bon culture, and scattered high settlements to the ‘Land behind the Himalaya', which was a separate kingdom till 1950, and the people were in little contact with the outside world till tourism opened for the non-Nepali in only 1994, after which Lo-Manthang has been on the bucket list of almost everyone who knows about Mustang. Both of these places are restricted areas with similar values and cultures, but there is a vast difference in the lifestyle of people living in these two places. Dolpo and Mustang also have a history together, as Dolpo was under the rule of the Kingdom of Lo during a certain time.
In this 30-day challenging trek, you will get to see desert landscapes and snow-capped mountains, two things you don’t expect to see together. You will get to see how these two places are similar in quite a lot of aspects but are totally different, as the people of Dolpo still live a nomadic lifestyle but the people living in Upper Mustang live quite a lavish lifestyle because Mustang was an important place in the famous Silk Route. This trek is quite challenging and it requires one to have a good level of physical and mental fitness and also good experience with trekking in moderate or strenuous levels of difficulty. This journey is more than just trekking; it is an experience where you will not just be observing the places; you will have become a part of it.
Before you start your trek, you will spend some time in the city area where you will stay before your trek initially starts. During this time, you will visit and explore the ancient UNESCO Heritage sites in Kathmandu, which portray the beautiful yet strong history of the country. While Dolpo used to be along the famous silk route, and Lo-Manthang was one of the major places on the western silk route, Kathmandu was the hub and the major trading center centuries ago, marking its importance and rich diversity. You will get to explore this city rich in ancient city landmarks along with modern facilities.
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, which justifies the hustle and bustle of the city. Kathmandu has been a city rich in culture, art, and history since ancient times. It is the hotspot of various cultures, people, and food because many people migrate to this capital city every year for better facilities, jobs, and opportunities. Kathmandu city is called ‘the city of temples’ because there are numerous temples scattered everywhere around the city. You will start your journey from the bustling city of Kathmandu by visiting the Durbars, temples, and stupas listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You will start your sightseeing with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is an old Durbar Square, which is called the ‘Museum of Temples’ because there are over 50 temples around the Durbar Square. It will captivate you with its extremely beautiful temples, intricate wood carvings, and rich history. After that, you will be visiting the Swayambhunath, also known as the 'Monkey Temple’, located on top of a small hill. You will have to climb hundreds of stairs to reach this temple that promotes religious harmony by having both stupas and temples in the same place. You will get to see the panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley. Following that, you will be visiting the Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River, which is one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva. It is a pilgrimage for Hindus, which explains the internal tourists and also the large number of Indian tourists you might see in the temple. Lastly, you will visit the Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the largest stupas in the world. This stupa is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. This stupa attracts numerous visitors daily but one can feel the sense of peace in the bustling crowd while circumambulating around the stupa. It is significant for those who are spiritual. You can also go around the bustling place full of tourists in Thamel. From bars, internet cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, clubs, historical sites, and museums, you name it, Kathmandu has it all.
During your trekking journey, you will surely enjoy the walk from the alpine forest to the arid high trekking pass. However, there is more to this walk, as you will pass through various villages and amazing landmarks where you will get to see the ancient monasteries, Gompas, natural attraction sites, and many more that are listed below.
You will start your trek from around 1,400 m in Kathmandu Valley, where you will be surrounded by lush green hills and numerous ancient landmarks that perfectly blend with today's modern world. As soon as you start your trekking journey, you will slowly see the difference in Nepalgunj with more flat land and low-elevation surroundings. After that, when you reach Juphal and initially start your trek journey, you will enter the alpine area with a few snow-capped mountains here and there. After that, you will walk through the arid landscape with a high altitude above 5,000 m, providing you with a panoramic view of the surroundings. Throughout the trek, you will see different landscapes that will not fail to surprise you. Besides the changing elevation and landscape in Dolpo, while you move towards Upper Mustang, you will be welcomed by mud walls standing tall and strong with mysterious history and tradition.
Bon religion is one of the major attractions of this trek as it gives an insight into Dolpo’s mysterious history and unique culture. The majority of Dolpo Pa (Dolpo People) follow the Bon religion, which is a religion that is believed to date back to Buddhism that we know now. This religion is said to have been followed since the Zhang Zhung civilization and was the indigenous religion of Tibet before Buddhism became widespread in Tibet. The ancient Bon religion has been followed in Dolpo and Mustang for a long time, which many tourists find attractive as it is a bit different from Buddhism. The Bonpo culture holds nature in the highest regard, which is why the Bonpo people worship the lakes, landscapes, and mountains. The nature worshiping religion has its own set of culture, mythologies, and traditions that is a unique experience to get firsthand. There are various Bon monasteries in Dolpo and you will come across some during your trek. You will have the chance to visit some of the holy monasteries, like the Shey Monastery in Shey Gompa and Thasung Tso Ling Gompa near Phoksundo Lake, in this trek.
Although Dolpo and Upper Mustang are located near each other, their culture and traditions are different, which makes the journey even more interesting while providing you with a different cultural experience. Dolpo and Upper Mustang are two districts that are both closer to the Tibetan Plateau so both places have a great influence on Tibetan Buddhism. While Dolpo has a bit of a different approach to their religion, Upper Mustang mostly follows Tibetan Buddhism. Dolpo has people who follow the Bon religion as well as Tibetan Buddhism, while Mustang has the majority of people who follow Tibetan Buddhism. The reason for that is Mustang’s close history with Tibet, it was under the rule of the Ngari Kingdom and thus further controlled Dolpo in its stead. Thus, you will get to experience Tibetan Buddhism in its original essence when you visit these places, especially Mustang.
As both Dolpo and Upper Mustang share similar cultures and heritage, there are several Bon and Tibetan Buddhist religious landmarks that you will come across throughout your trip. Although the culture and traditions may be different, the structure of the religious sites is mostly the same. These ancient monasteries date back up to 100 years ago and are considered holy sites for the locals. These architectures are mostly made of locally sourced natural materials with either important figurines or vibrant murals depicting stories. In addition to being ancient treasures, some of these monasteries and gompas serve as sacred grounds for traditional events and festivals. One of which is the Shey Festival, which is celebrated by the inhabitants on the grounds of Shey Gompa once every twelve years. Besides that, there are numerous small yet important landmarks that you will come across and get a chance to visit during the trek.
Both Dolpo and Upper Mustang are isolated and far from modern civilization, which indicates that there are still plenty of small human settlements and villages that are separated from the modern world. This trek takes place in the northwestern part of Nepal, which is still in its developing phase and almost 90% of people from Dolpo and Mustang still live in their traditional houses. These traditional houses are made of natural materials such as mud, stones, wood, and other naturally sourced materials. These houses can be recognized as showcasing flat roofs with piles of dry wood and prayer flags, along with plenty of space in front of the house for their cattle. These houses are typically two to three stories, which give cozy and rustic vibes. As Dolpo and Mustang lie in the trans-Himalayan region, these villages are mostly located inside a valley at a high elevation surrounded by high arid hills. These small clusters of beautiful houses form these villages where one can truly experience simplicity and peace far from the city chaos. Some of the most popular villages of Dolpo that you will come across during the trek are Ringmo, Namgung, Saldang, Shimen Goan, Tinje, and Chharka Bot, and the major village that you will visit in Upper Mustang is Lo Manthang. The culture, surroundings, history, and the people of these villages that we know today so take your sweet time exploring and learning about these simple yet remarkable places during your trek.
Lo Manthang goes by several names, such as the walled city, the Kingdom behind the Mountains, and the most popular one, the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo. Lo Manthang is located inside the Mustang district in the Gandaki province of the northwestern part of Nepal, close to the Tibetan border. Mustang is one of the most popular tourist destinations that attracts millions of people annually despite being a restricted area. Upper Mustang is more developed than Dolpo, as getting there is easy with well-managed roads, accommodations ranging from comfortable to luxurious, and other facilities. Besides that, Upper Mustang is quite popular among adventure junkies for various adventures such as mountain biking, cycling, and trekking, given the unique landscape of Upper Mustang creates a perfect ambiance for these thrilling adventures. Additionally, Upper Mustang features some of the most intriguing history and mysterious wonders, such as sky caves or wall caves built several feet up from the ground that hold some remarkable stories.
Our Upper Dolpo to Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most unique and niche treks in Nepal, where you will explore two different trekking grounds in a single trek. Your trip starts from the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, filled with ancient landmarks and diverse cultures and people from all around the country. Here you will witness the rustic charm of the past and modern development, which is hard to find in city areas. As you will stay in Kathmandu for a short time before staging your trek, you will visit some of the remarkable landmarks listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites, mostly religious landmarks. After exploring the city area, you will start your trek with a flight towards Nepalgunj with a layover and then continue the trip with another short flight to the starting point of the trek, Juphal, located in the western part of Nepal. Here you will get to see the diverse landscape of the country as it portrays different geography with high mountain passes, high-altitude landscapes, and dry and arid areas resulting from being the trans-Himalayan zone. As this is a camping trek, you will meet your trekking team, including porters, the required number of mules, and cooks for all the help needed during the camping journey.
Once you start your trek from Juphal, you will slowly move upwards to amazing places unknown to most people. As Dolpo is an isolated region of Nepal, it is cut off from the outer world. Having said that, you will see small villages with ancient architecture, traditions, and costumes in their purest form and nature so untamed you will feel like city life doesn't even exist once you get there. As you continue your walk upwards, you will come across fascinating villages and a few breathtaking natural wonders such as waterfalls, lakes, and mountain views. Besides that, you will get to see the day-to-day lifestyle with simplicity. As mentioned, this region is at a high altitude, which makes the trip a bit challenging; however, the panoramic views are worth the walk. In the small villages you visit, you will get to experience Bon culture, which is just found in the Dolpo region of Nepal. As you walk further, you will slowly walk on arid land surrounded by cold, deserted areas along with a few exclusive wildfires. Dolpo is one of the few places where the endangered Snow Leopard is found so you might get to see them during your trek if you are lucky.
On the way you will walk past major villages where you will get to see and visit ancient Gompas and monasteries, which are the backbone of the culture that you see to this day. After walking across several villages, isolated trails, and high trekking passes over 5,000 m, you will stretch your journey towards the Upper Mustang, crossing Dolpo and entering the Annapurna Conservation area. Although both share similar landscape and trek difficulty, you will notice a slight difference in their culture and developmental side. While Dolpo has its rustic and ancient charm, the Mustang region portrays its royal and mysterious charm with glorious history. This trek will surely test your physical and mental capacity as you walk through a rugged and off-the-beaten path. You will walk through an isolated trail, meaning you will have all the views and trail to yourself. Once you reach Lo Manthang, you will see great, sad walls with caves inside, along with some of the most gorgeous mountain views. As said before, Mustang is way more developed than Dolpo, so you will be staying at comfortable local lodges and enjoying all the amenities. You will also explore Lo Manthang, visiting its sky caves and then slowly descend by a comfortable road trip towards Pokhara and then to Kathmandu, ending your journey to Dolpo and Upper Mustang.
This trek is not just about traveling to a new place but a pure experience of niche travel, different cultures, history, and somehow spirituality. In this trek, you will see things that you have never seen before, experience what has never been documented, and walk through trails that lead you from one ancient paradise to another. In this journey, you will not just find ancient beauties hidden inside the deep valleys of isolated places but find yourself as well. Traveling is all about experience, not just about the distance you cover so in this trek you will witness more than just beautiful places. Experience the spectacular beauty of the two regions along with their diverse culture, history, and spirituality. This is one of those trips that you will remember throughout your life. Join us on a journey from Upper Dolpo to Upper Mustang, where each step leads you to something amazing.
DAY 1: Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal. [1,400 m/4,593 ft]
DAY 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing, Trek Preparation.
DAY 3: Fly to Nepalgunj. [150 m/492 ft]
DAY 4: Fly to Juphal, Trek to Kagni. [2,270 m/7,447ft]
DAY 5: Trek to Rechi. [3,100 m/10,170 ft]
DAY 6: Trek to Ringmo. [3,640 m/11,940 ft]
DAY 7: Trek to Lekhe Dhunga. [3,670 m/12,040 ft]
DAY 8: Trek to High Camp. [3,740 m/12,270 ft]
DAY 9: Trek to Shey Gompa. [4,360 m/14,305 ft]
DAY 10: Trek to Namgung. [4,090 m/13,418 ft]
DAY 11: Trek to Saldang. [3,770 m/12,368 ft]
DAY 12: Trek to Komas/Khoma. [4,060 m/13,320 ft]
DAY 13: Trek to Shimen Gaon. [3,885 m/12,745 ft]
DAY 14: Trek to Tinje. [4,200 m/13,780 ft]
DAY 15: Rest day at Tinje.
DAY 16: Trek to Dovan Camp. [4,210 m/13,815 ft]
DAY 17: Trek to Mo La Base Camp. [4,500 m/14,765 ft]
DAY 18: Trek to Chharka Bot. [4,300 m/14,110 ft]
DAY 19: Trek to Chharka Tulsi Khola Camp. [4,230 m/13, 880 ft]
DAY 20: Trek to Khyoklun Sumna. [5,200 m/17,060 ft]
DAY 21: Trek to Ghemi La Phedi. [5,300 m/17,390 ft]
DAY 22: Trek to Ghami Khola Camp. [5,100 m/16,735 ft]
DAY 23: Trek to Campsite. [5,150 m/16,895 ft]
DAY 24: Trek to Ghami. [3,520 m/11,550 ft]
DAY 25: Trek to Lo Manthang. [3,730 m/12,237 ft]
DAY 26: Rest/Leisure day at Lo Manthang.
DAY 27: Drive to Marpha. [2,565 m/8,415 ft]
DAY 28: Drive to Pokhara. [822 m/2,696 ft]
DAY 29: Fly to Kathmandu, Leisure day.
DAY 30: Departure, Farewell!
