The Forbidden Kingdom

Day 02: In Kathmandu. Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Visit Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhnath. Overnight at Hotel. Accommodations at the Hotel Malla. (B)

Kathmandu City: Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap - the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and Durbar Square are with it's array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient residence of the Nepalese Royalty.

Swayambhunath: Located approximately 4 km/2.5 miles, this Buddhist Stupa this is said to be 2000 years old. The Stupa, which forms the main structure, is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagodas temples.

Pashupatinath: Situated 5 Kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of Rivers Bagmati, entrance in the temple being strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February / March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Boudhanath: This Stupa, eight kilometers east of Kathmandu City is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. King Man Dev built this Buddhist stupa at the advice of Goddess Mani Jjogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. Houses of Lamas ring the shrine or Buddhist priests.

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara. Half day sightseeing in Pokhara.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for Pokhara flight, this will take approximately 30 minutes. After checking in at the hotel you can do sightseeing of Davis Fall and Tibetan refugee camp. Accommodations at the Fishtail Lodge. (B)

Pokhara: The rare combinations of snow clad peaks and snow fed lakes and rivers has helped to make the valley of Pokhara (210km/131miles from Kathmandu) one of the most picturesque natural attractions in the Kingdom. Situated on the foothills of the magnificent Mt. Macchapuchre, Pokhara valley (827m) is an enchanting city soaked in tranquility. It is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The serenity of the Phewa Lake accompanied by the grandeur of Machhapuchhre creates an ambience of peace and magic. Pokhara is the home for dense forests, gushing rivers, lucid lakes and the world famous view of the Himalayas. It is situated 200km west of Kathmandu and is accessible by air or land.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni (2780m). 
We take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom (famous for its apples) where we will be met at the tiny airstrip by our trek crew. After some initial preparation of loads, we begin our trek to the pretty village of Kagbeni. Just out of Jomsom we cross a small suspension bridge and then walk along the riverbank of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is flat and quite barren, with craggy rocks and sand littering the trail. This makes it very easy going. We will get magnificent views of huge peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri, whilst to the south can be seen the entire Annapurna massif. Kagbeni with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, fields of wheat and barley and a large red Gompa, give us a preview of scenes that we would come across in Upper Mustang. At the north end of the village is the police check-post. Here we will complete our paperwork before entering this long forbidden region of Nepal. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 05: Trek Kagbeni - Chele(2800m-3050m), approx 7 hours trek.
Almost immediately the path climbs quite steeply up into a jumble quillies and small towers, zigzagging to a viewpoint over Kagbeni with Nilgiri providing a dazzling white fluted backdrop, from the Kagbeni checkpost. The trail keeps to the east bank of Kali Gandaki River, climbing and descending. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Chele is the Mongolian village where the all villagers are Gurung. From Tanbe the trail again climbs to a high point around 3100m. The trail then drops steeply and undulates along the east bank of Kali Gandaki for 1.5 hours to the village of Chhuksang, from Chhuksang we can see the Chele and in Chhuksang there is a small cave Gumba. If we want to see the Gumba we have to pay Rs. 100 per person.

After a short walk along the river bed, there is a solid bridge across the Kali Gandaki at the point where it tunnels. Its way under a vast block of red sandstone, from here it is a short sharp climb to Chele 3 hours walk after lunch.

Day 06: Trek to Shyangmochen.
Continuing from Chele, you cross the Kali Gandaki River near Ghayakar. Then climb up to the village of Samar. After lunch, still climbing, you pass through Soya La (La - pass), from where magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri range are available and carry on to the village of Shyangmochen. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 07: Trek to Geling.
Starting out early, you move steadily uphill to Giling. From Ghimi, climbing still further, you reach Tsarang, which is the second most popular settlement after Lomanthan. At Tsarang, there is an old palace where the "piece de resistance" is a set of human hands. It is said to belong to the master builder of the palace. The hands were cut off in order to stop him from building another palace in the same grandeur some eight hundred years ago. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 08: Trek to Tsarang(3520m), approx 6 hours trek.
From the Geling two traks level down into a qully east of the village, one steeply past a trio of red, black and white chortens that are a common sight in upper Mustang. At the bottom of the qully are two bridges across the river, there is a direct path to this point not visiting Ghami . The trail climbs onto a gently sloping plateau and passes beside a very long mani wall, about 1/2 hour, from Ghami , from the end of the wall, the trail heads east away from a very dramatic red eroded canyon wall towering above the village of Tramar in the distance, climbing steadily an altitude of 3770m is reached after about 2 hours from Ghami . The descent to Tsarang is mostly gentle and completed in a further 2 hours. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3700m), approx 5 hours trek.
The trail leaves Tsarang to the northwest and once clears of the village drops steeply into the Tsarang Chu canyon. After crossing the river, the route is initially very steep up a stony trach. As we round the corner and heads north , a fine view of the great white Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna I behind Brikuti peak is visible to the south east, the trail climbs gently along the west side of a side valley to an isolated chorten at 3620 m. 2 hours from Tsarang. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

A further hour takes us to 3700 m with some spectacular caves high up in the cliffs to the east. Having climbed to around 3850 m. a pass is reached and through a narrow ‘window ‘at the Summit the view ahead opens out to display the western valley of Lo-manthang. The bright red and grey monastery of Namgyal sits on top of a pro monastery, with the wide valley surrounding Tingkar (the site of the King's Summer palace) and Phewa villages behind Just down from the pass is the first dramatic view of the walled city of Lo-manthang and the ancient ruined forts on the chills behind. There is a tremendous view to the east of the red, blue, grey, white and yellow eroded Mustang Khola canyon, to the north lie the flattish red colored hills and the Tibetan border. The western view is dominated by the snow-capped peak of ‘Manaslu‘. The descent to Lo-manthang is short and after crossing the small river and climbing briefly the fabled city is finally reached.

Day 10/11/12/13: In Lo-Manthang.
Set out from Lo Manthan on horse to explore the surrounding area and villages. There are four major temples within the city walls. Each of these buildings is locked. The villagers feel it necessary to control access to the temples; the caretaker and the key are available only at certain times, and usually only after a bit of negotiation. The monks prohibit taking photographs inside the gompas in an effort to limit interest in the statuses and paintings among collectors of stolen art. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

After visiting the temples of the city, visit some of the other villages in the area. In the western valley are Tingkhar, the site of the raja's summer palace, Kimlung, Phuwa and Namgyal gompa (the monastery of victory). Namgyal, situated in a spectacular setting atop a desolate ridge. This is one of the most important Gompas in Mustang and houses some very ancient thankas (Tibetan art with religious themes). Next, you visit Tenger, a typical village in these parts and then the gompa at Nymook. Continue to the villages of Shija and Guruk where you will find the only cave dwellers of Nepal. Then you return to Lo Manthan via the village of Dyuk.

Since there is a lot to see on this day, you will be carrying packed lunches, which will be distributed to you after breakfast, before you leave camp. In the valley east of Lo-Manthang is Choser, the site of the high School, and Garphu and Nyphu gompas. This is the main trading route to Lhasa, a route Tucci describes as 'used over the centuries by pilgrims and apostles, robbers and invaders'. The ruins of numerous forts along the trail lend credence to this observation. On the two hills to the north of town are the ruins of castles. The castle on the higher hill was the palace of Ame Pal, the founder king of Mustang. On the lower hill are the ruins of the round castle of the queen. This is now a sky burial site. The area in Upper Mustang still remained intact till the date due to its location which is virtually inaccessible to human beings.

Day 14: Trek to Lo Gyakar.
The trail to Lo Gekar is not a main trading route and the area is crisscrossed with herders' trails. The trail climbs steadily to a cairn on a pass at 4000m, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. The trail climbs to a ridge at 4070m where a large cairn marks a pass into a side valley. Climb to the head of this valley and cross the Chogo La, at 4325m, the highest point on the trek. The trail traverses above a big grassy valley, crosses a ridgge at 4270m, then makes a long rough descent in a gully beside a stream to a large chorten in a grassy valley at 4030m. The trail makes a short, steep sescent to a wooden bridge across the Charang Khola, then climbs past an unpainted stone chorten and across a swampy meadow to Lo Gekar (which means 'pure virtue of Lo'). Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 15: Trek to Tama Gaun.
Descend to the lower part of Ghemi, then gloow the upward route, climbing to a cairn on the Ghemi La and contouring upwards ot the Nyi La. Descend steeply into the Geling valley, but stay high and flllow the trail that bypasses Geling. Pass an isolated teahouse and camp site at Jaite (3820m) and descend gently to Chhung-Kah, a large chorten, house and camp site beside an apple orchard at 3750m. The trail then makes a long traverse past a mani wall to the three houses of Tama Gaon at 3710m. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Trek to Chele.
Retrace the upward trail through Yamdo and Bhena to Samar and descend through Chele to the Kali Gandaki. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 17: Trek to Kagbeni.
Trek back to Kagbeni from Chele. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 18: Trek to Jomsom.
It's a long day, passing back through Kagbeni to Jomsom where we end our trek. It's now time for us to take a nice hot shower. In the evening, we celebrate with the Sherpas and porters, whom we have come to know so well over the last 2 weeks. Overnight at Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 19: Fly to Pokhara.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Free day for the independent activities. Accommodations at the Fishtail Lodge. (B)

Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu.
Transfer to the hotel. Free for the independent activities. Accommodations at the Hotel Malla. (B)

Day 21: In Kathmandu. Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Visit Patan City, Bungamati and Khokana Village. Evening: Farewell dinner at one of the best Nepali restaurant with cultural dance show. Accommodations at the Hotel Malla. (B/D)

Patan: 5 km / 3 miles away from Kathmandu city. Patan also known as Lalitpur, is the city of fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. You will see the Durbar square, the Patan Durbar which houses a bronze collection, the Krishna Temple built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and Mahaboudha Temple.A trip to The Tibetan Refugee Camp and the Handicraft Centre will also be done while vising Patan, where you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and moulding of metal stautes.

Bungamati: A typical Newari village, lying 11km / 7 miles south of Kathmandu, founded in 7 the century AD, possesses one of the most important God of Kathmandu Valley known as Matsyendrantha - the God of Rain and compassion, worshipped equally by Hindus and Buddhists. He was accredited by the people for introducing rice plantation in the valley. A tour of this village combined with Khokana imprints a beautiful impression on the visitors mind through it's set up and primitive way of living.

Khokana: Is a small Newari village on the southern flank of Kathmandu valley and about 11 km / 7 miles from Kathmandu city established in 7th century AD by the mighty Licchhavi rulers of Nepal. It is a unique village in the whole of Kathmandu valley because of its aloofness from modern civilization.

Day 22: Departure.
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.  (B)