Experience desolate landscapes and lavishly adorned Monasteries, cross great rivers and fields created through the painstaking labor of humans over time, visit with the highland that extends endlessly northward and view the immaculate white peaks of Nilgiri and Annapurna peaks which marks the south. Tightly sealed off from the outside world until 1992, the tiny kingdom of Mustang has preserved within its boundaries, a culture and a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. Still presided over by its hereditary dynasty, this unique kingdom-with-in-a-kingdom has ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries (that predate any monasteries within Tibet) and a well preserved Tibetan Buddhism which has thrived with little influence from the outside world. In fact, it is said by many that there is more of Tibet in Mustang than in there is in today’s Tibet. On top of all this, the trekking in Mustang’s territory is fabulous, and only moderate in difficulty. This is truly a connoisseur’s trek.

The trip begins with a flight to Pokhara and connecting flight to Jomsom, the latter taking us through the spectacular Kali Gandaki River Gorge. Our first day’s trek is a easy walk to Kagbeni. When we reach there the following day, we will be entering an area that was virtually untrekked until 1992. After a full day beside the Kali Gandaki, we climb up onto a shoulder above the river and enter the Mustang proper. For those who have trekked in Nepal previously, language and especially the desert landscape, all bespeak the Tibet of old.

As we work our way up the river, each day seems to take us back several decades or more. The highlight of this trek is to see beautiful old monasteries, especially the Luri Gompa Lomathang, home of the King of Mustang. We are permitted to visit the King who serves his guests Tibetan tea when he is in residence. This is the culmination of our trek. From there we walk back to Jomsom to fly out via Pokhara to Katmandu.

Trip Highlights:

Beautiful old monasteries, especially the Luri Gompa Lomathang, home of the King of Mustang
Tibetan Tea with King of Mustang Kingdom
Visit Isolated Traditional Tibetan Kingdom
17 days trip, 14 days of moderate trekking at altitudes to 13,500ft, along the Kali Gandaki as far as the fortified city of lo Manthang.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Katmandu Nepal and transfer to hotel
Most international flights arrive in Katmandu by afternoon on day one. A Sherpa Mountain Travel guide will meet you outside the custom area at the airport. He/she will answer questions and brief you about the immediate arrangements. The trip leader will hold a short briefing in the hotel about regarding trek arrangement and general orientation.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Katmandu
Katmandu is one of three former medieval city-states in the valley, along with Bhakatapur and Patan, which has preserved its ancient character. It does a wonderful job of displaying Nepalese town life. A highlight is Durbar Square with its many temples, remains of an ancient palace, and intricate Sun Dhoka (Golden Gate), a gilded copper gate crafted in 1753.You can visit many interesting sights, shrines, museums, and markets.

Day 3: Pokhara
We transfer to the airport in the morning and fly to Pokhara. Phokhara is a very beautiful place you see wonderful views of Machhapuchhre (fish tail) and Annapurna mountain ranges. You can go boating in the huge lake or walk around the lake. This is a very fun place spend the day!

Day 4: Kagbeni
We will fly to Jomsom and trek to the medieval looking village of Kagbeni (formerly the northernmost area that foreigner could visit). The mud-walled houses, Tibetan dress, and language are indications of how closely this area is linked with Tibet.

Day 5-9: Trekking Kali Gandi Gorge
Trek trough the Kali Gandi gorge, climbing a series of canyons, ridges and passes before entering the ancient capital city of Lomathang (12400) nearly untouched since the century.

Day 10: Full Day of Rest in Lo Manthang.
Today is a day to explore Lo Manthang, the fabled “walled capital” of Mustang.

Day 11-13: Return Trek to Jomsom
Return trek to Jomsom by a slightly different route, taking the high loop southwest to Ghar Gompa, the oldest monastery in Nepal. Then rejoining our earlier route.

Day 14: Flight Day
Fly from Jomsom, to Pokhara, and then back to Kathmandu.

Day 15: Sight seeing in Kathmandu
Visit the Shaymbunath, means “self-existential”, is also known as the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple that’s fabled to come from the Lotus flower. Visit the Baudhanath, the largest and tallest Buddhist stupa. There are also many shops, restaurants, and religious activities to observe.

Day 16: Depart from Kathmandu
Sherpa Mountain Travel will escort you from your hotel to the airport for completion of your once in lifetime journey to Himalaya.

Arrival & Departure Information

Arrive in Kathmandu before 2:00 pm on Day 1. Sherpa Mountain Travel will meet you outside the customs area and immigration area at the airport. Your guide will answer any questions you might have and brief you about the immediate arrangements. The trip leader will hold a short briefing at the hotel regarding the trek arrangement and general orientation.
Note—Some flights from the U.S. require one to three (1-3) days of travel (since you lose a day due to time difference) and overnight en route. More specific details will be sent to you in your pre-trip packet of information.

Air Travel

International Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we can book for you in order to get a group rate. When booking a flight using “frequent flyer” miles, you may need to book your own flight. Please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Levels

Sherpa Mountain Travel trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure, and a positive attitude. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. Trekking in Nepal is for active people who enjoy walking, even up or down steep hills (there is very little level walking in Nepal). We expect you to have some recent hiking experience and be in good health. All gear and camp supplies will be carried by porters or pack animals, leaving you free to carry only a light daypack.

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We will spend a considerable amount of time at altitudes above 11,000 feet, which can make the hiking strenuous. Exercise at high altitude compounds the physiologic stress. High altitude can sometimes create discomfort and symptoms of illness that you do not experience while exercising at low elevations, such as shortness of breath, restlessness or sleeplessness at night, and headaches. The guide will have the final decision on any adjustment in the itinerary for individual health interest of all trekkers.

We recommend that you start a moderate training program several months before departure, then slowly build up to a more strenuous level. Regular aerobic exercise for at least one hour 4-5 times a week is good. This may include; aerobic fitness classes, power walking, jogging, cycling on hills, swimming, and cross-country skiing; especially at high altitudes. Since training is highly sport-specific, include some hiking or running in your program. Additionally, you must be able to sustain exercise for prolonged periods.

Consult your physician if you have questions concerning your underlying health. We can help answer questions for you or your physician concerning required levels of fitness and health conditions at altitude. If you have concerns about your ability to do this trek, we can suggest appropriate alternatives.

Life on a Camping Trek

The days typically start at 6:30 a.m. with the appearance of smiling Sherpas at the door of your tent bearing a mug of steaming tea. This is soon followed by a large bowl of hot water for washing. Then it’s time to pack your bags and sit down to a hearty breakfast of porridge, eggs, and toast. By 7:30 or 8:00 you’re off on the trail.
For about three hours you’ll walk through villages, forests, and up and down green hills and valleys. There’s plenty of time to visit local teashops, stop for a view or a photo, and exchange a smile or greeting (Namaste!) with the friendly Nepali people who share the trail. A trailside lunch breaks up the day, giving you time to rest and refuel with a substantial hot meal prepared by the staff. After about an hour of eating, napping, and relaxing, it’s time for the afternoon hike.

You arrive in camp by 4:00 p.m. with time to wash up and get settled in your tent before enjoying tea and snacks in the dining tent. The next two hours before dinner are free to write in your journal, read a few pages in a novel, play cards, engage in conversation, or simply relax. The day closes with a hearty multi-course dinner, which often includes ethnic cuisine as well as American favorites (we like the yak cheese pizzas and momos—Tibetan dumplings). After dinner you can gaze at the stars and the moonlit peaks, recount the events of the day, or retire to your tent to read for a while or drift off to sleep.

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Your Guide

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you natural and manmade wonders only locals know of; they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights and culture with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. They also have knowledge in rescue and first aid. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way!

What’s Included with the Trip Reservation Fee?

A fluently English speaking, experienced, local guide
Nice hotel Accommodations in Kathmandu
Camping accommodations and all trek arrangements, including all meals on trek guides, porters and cook staff, gear and equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, full length comfortable foam sleeping pads, kitchen and dining tents)
Three healthy tasty meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Airport transfers
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (as noted in the itinerary)
Ground transportation
National parks entrance fees and permits

What’s Not Included with the Trip Reservation Fee?

International airfare
Hotel accommodations en route to Katmandu, Nepal
Meals not noted on itinerary (Meals while in Kathmandu and snacks during trek are trekkers responsibility, any alcohol purchases during trip is responsibility of trekker.)
We strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Sherpa Mountain Travel, which includes trip cancellation insurance. Or check with your insurance company for overseas travelers insurance.
Tips are not included in trip price.

Tips to lead trekking guide and Sherpa staff; visas; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; entrance fee at historical site in Kathamandu, cost of obtaining a passport or medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). We list suggestions of items to bring on website.
*Depending on your choice of air carrier, you may need to overnight in Bangkok or Delhi en route to Kathmandu. We will be happy to make hotel reservations for you.
Limitation of Liability

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These paragraphs (together with the Release of Liability section of the Application Form) define our responsibility with respect to all our trips. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

Payment of your deposit represents your acceptance of the following terms and conditions:

Sherpa Mountain Travel gives notice that services provided in connection with its itineraries, including transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurants, and other services, are purchased from various independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Sherpa Mountain Travel in any way. Although we endeavor to choose the best suppliers available, Sherpa Mountain Travel has no right to control their operations and therefore makes these travel arrangements upon the express condition that Sherpa Mountain Travel and its own agents and employees, shall not be liable for any delay, mishap, inconvenience, expense, irregularity, bodily injury or death to person, or damage to property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or individual engaged in providing these services. Each of these passenger conveyance companies, tour companies, hotels, etc., is subject to the laws of the state or country where the service is provided.

Sherpa Mountain Travel shall not be liable for (a) expenses such as additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the individual trip itineraries, but which may be required to get to or from a trip start or end; (b) expenses due to the delay of a trip for any reason (e.g. bad weather, trail conditions, land slides, flooding, sickness, or other contingency for which Sherpa Mountain Travel cannot make provision; (c) expenses incurred in recovering luggage lost by airlines, belongings left behind on a trip, or in shipping purchases or other goods home from abroad; (d) bodily injury or property damage for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, default, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, or failure of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, etc., over which Cain Travel has no control. The right is reserved to substitute both trip leaders and hotels from those listed in the catalog, as well as reverse the order of places to be visited and make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the passengers.

Trip Member's Responsibility

Trip members have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their abilities and interests. In order to assist you, we grade each trip with a rating. We are also happy to discuss the trip with you, as well as provide you with names of past participants who can discuss their experience with you. Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Trip members are responsible for preparing for the trip by studying the itinerary and pre-departure information packets sent by Sherpa Mountain Travel and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised therein

Trip Cancellation Insurance:

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency assistance.

Why Sherpa Mountain Travel is Your First Choice for Adventure

Sherpa Mountain Travel is a socially responsible Travel company with guides that have decades of experience who are native of the Himalayan region. We provide value and integrity to each client. We provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service possible.
Questions?

Feel free to call us at 303-507-2530, or email info@sherpamountaintravel.com.
We look forward to the adventure with you!

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Trip Rating

We want to be sure you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Rating System ranks each trip from 1 to 7 according to the degree of activity and general travel rigors (1 is the easiest and 7 the most expeditionary). With each trip description, there is also a Trip Summary that briefly describes trip conditions. Please refer to your “Trip Detail” box to see the trip grade. Use this rating system to determine which trips are the best fit for your Himalayan adventure.

Easiest Most Strenuous
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Questions? Call us at 303-507-2530, or email us at . We’re here to help.

Easiest: 0-2 hour daily hikes
Hotel-only night stays (no outdoor camping), optional scenic hikes with very little elevation gain or loss (city walking or country driving sightseeing).
Easy to Moderate: 2-4 hour daily hikes
Hotel night stays and/or deluxe, safari-style camping, scenic hikes of two to four hours (2-4 hours) on some days. Treks in this category may include transportation by jeep or mountain flight. Other physical activities sometimes offered, such as kayaking or camel riding (optional on some trips).
Moderate: 4-6 hours daily hikes
Full-day gradual trail hikes (4-6 hours) on most days through rolling countryside, occasionally on steep trails. Many of our hotel-based country walking tours are in this category. Treks in this category may include transportation by jeep or mountain flight. Other physical activities sometimes offered, such as kayaking or camel riding (optional on some trips).
Moderate to Strenuous: 5-7 hours daily hikes
Full-day hikes (5-7 hours) through mountainous terrain with significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down 1,000-2,000 feet) on most hikes. Hikes are at altitudes of 9,000-13,000 feet.
Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours) through mountainous terrain, steep ascents and descents (hiking up or down 1,500-2,500 feet). Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 13,000 to 18,500 feet are in this category, as well as certain sea kayaking expeditions with rugged conditions.
Very Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes at high altitudes
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours) through mountainous terrain, steep ascents and descents (hiking up or down 2,000-3,000 feet). Most hikes takes place at altitudes over 18,500 feet.
Most Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes and climbs at extremely high altitude
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours), including technical climbing through mountainous terrain, camping, walking through glaciers, and hiking at extremely high altitudes (over 19,500 feet).