A Travel Beyond the Himalayas: Mustang # 2!

Major Routes:

Mustang is one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal. Many people visit the area not only to experience local culture and enjoy scenic beauty but also to understand the religious mutualism – which is being exemplified by the Holy Muktinath Temple. Thousands of National as well as foreign (mainly Indians) Hindu people visits this temple as a pilgrim. There are many things to talk about the Mythology, beliefs and other important aspects of Mustang and Muktinath Temple as well. Which I think is better if it is dealt details of each site separately. So, for now let’s starts with Major Route to Mustang in an order of shortest to Longest:-

Map showing the Route 1: the green line

 Route 1: Pokhara – Jomsome – Muktinath (the shortest one!)

Area: Mustang, Nepal

Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Pilgrimage

Difficulty: Easy

Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard

Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 160 - 200

NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 4000/7000

Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level

Season: Almost every season

Duration: 4 days

Day 1: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (15 minutes flight) and trek to Kegbeni (2 hrs.)

Day 2: Kagbeni to Muktinath (4 hrs.)

Day 3: Muktinath to Jomsom (5 hrs.)

Day 4: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (15 minutes flight)

Route 2: Pokhara – Beni – Tatopani – Jomsome – Muktinath

Area: Mustang, Nepal

Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Geographical/Pilgrimage

Difficulty: Medium

Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard

Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100

NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500

Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level

Season: September – October

Duration: 8 days

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Beni

Day 2: Beni to Tatopani

Day 3: Tatopani to Kalopani

Day 4: Kalopani to Jomsom via. Marpha (the delightful apple kingdom of Nepal)

Day 5: Jomsom to Kagbeni

Day 6: Kagbeni to Muktinath

Day 7: Muktinath to Jomsom

Day 8: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara

Map Showing Route 2 (the green line) and Route 3 (the red + green then after): I apologies for poor quality oblique map!

Route 3: Pokhara – Ghorepani – Tatopani – Jomsome – Muktinath

Area: Mustang, Nepal

Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Pilgrimage

Difficulty: Strenuous

Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard

Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100

NRs.1500 – 3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500

Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level

Season: March – April and September – October

Duration: 10 days

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Birethanti

Day 2: Birethanti to Ulleri

Day 3: Ulleri to Ghorapani (to Pun Hill as well)

Day 4: Ghorapani to Tatopani

Day 5: Tatopani to Kalopani

Day 6: Kalopani to Jomsom

Day 7: Jomsom to Kagbeni

Day 8: Kagbeni to Muktinath

Day 9: Muktinath to Jomsom

Day 10: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara

Route 4: Pokhara – Dumre (Tanahu) – Besisahar (Lamjung) – Chame – Manang – Thorang Phedi – Thorang-La – Muktinath: The Annapurna Circuit trek - longest one! This takes 2 weeks to get back to Pokhara after a complete circle, but it is still worthy to enjoy the vastness of Himalayas.

Area: Manang and Mustang, Nepal

Type of tour: Ecological – Cultural – Geographical

Difficulty: Strenuous /Tough

Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard

Trip Costs: US$75 - 200 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100

NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500

Maximum Elevation: 5416 meter average sea level

Temperature: Goes below freezing during Thorang-La cross

Season: March – April and September – October

Duration: 10 days

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Beshisahar (5 hrs.)

Day 2: Beshisahar to Bahaundanda (5.75 hrs.)

Day 3: Bahaundanda to Jagat (4.5 hrs.)

Day 4: Jagat to Dharapani (5 hrs.)

Day 5: Dharapani to Chame (4.75 hrs.)

Day 6: Chame to Pisang (4. 5 hrs.)

Day 7: Pisang to Braga/Manang (3.5/4 hrs.)

Day 8: Manang Rest day (Hike to Icelake)

Day 9: Manang to Ledar (3.5 hrs.)

Day 10: Ledar to Thorangla Phedi/High Camp (3/4.5 hrs.)

Day 11: Thorangla Phedi/High Camp to Muktinath (8 to 10 hrs.)

Day 12: Muktinath to Kagbeni via Jhong (3 hrs.)

Day 13: Kagbeni to Jomsom (2 hrs.)

Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (15 minutes)