The whitewashed settlements are set amid fields of barley in the summer time and the many impressive chortens and simple monasteries only go to reflect the stregnth of Buddhist culture here. The terrain is striking a semi-arid desert with deep ravines and rock shelves that are flanked by snowy peaks.Without doubt the highlight of the Trek in Upper Mustang is the visit to Lo Manthang where the once king of Mustang reigns over what was his tiny kingdom until recently.And whilst he has now(only in the last few years) surrendered his title he is still revered as a king by the regions  inhabitants.

Life in Lo-Manthang has continued much the same as it has for centuries people are steeped in religion with numerous Gompas, Mani walls (prayer walls) and chortens adorning the kings palace and surrounds. Prayer flags flutter above each household spreading good blessings to all corners of the world and the universe beyond.It is expensive to visit the region, a single permit cost $500 U.S. for ten days, extendable at a further $50 U.S. a day. All provisions must be carried in, accommodation is in a tented camp with full Nepali support staff.

This is a perfect destination where ample scope is offered for visiting Buddhists monasteries. This semi autonomous and heavily Tibetan influenced region was “described by Tilman as fascinatingly ugly country, the more fascinating for being so little known” indeed, the trek to Lo – Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill, panoramic view of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several others peaks make your trek memorable. A liaison officer is also needed for this trek.

Important Note and Optional Activities

All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.

Why Choose Off the Beaten Trek in Nepal?

For those wishing a trekking adventure which has a higher thrill component, then off the beaten track trekking is supremely ideal. These treks enable you to:

• Get away from the busy foot traffic: In contrast to the typical Everest or Annapurna circuit, these off beaten paths have thinner traffic. Hence it becomes a more intimate experience.
• Engage with the local way of life: Locals here live in arias where tourists do not visit frequently. This will enrich and extend the experience as one gets to see the Nepalese culture without the interference of modern tourism.
• Discover breathtaking landscapes that are still wild and free: This trek will take you to areas which are still relatively unexplored by tourism therefore the nature is still wild and unspoiled.

Expectations on the Off-Trek Routes: The Trouble with Non-Conventional Routes

I would advise against attempting such treks if one has weak or no athletic abilities at all, for they can be more difficult than the well-trodden ones because of the following considerations:

• Fewer amenities: These places rarely have any tea houses or lodges, which means you will, more often than not, find yourself camping or residing in very low-end guesthouses. Food is usually of a simple sort and there are no proper facilities.
• further from civilization: The routes may involve walking in regions that are treeless with no established pathways and the surfaces may be rocky and twisted difficult to walk on. Occasional climbing or walking on uneven surfaces should be anticipated.
• Higher altitudes: Many off beat trekking routes take you to high, and in most cases, above 4000m where you risk developing altitude sickness.
• Inherent weather challenges: In the absence of the normal setup for forecasting and control of the weather, the weather forecasts tend to be more ambiguous than in normal cases. You may experience weather changes comprising of rains, snows, or extreme cold in a very short period hence being unprepared for such.

Taking all these into account, it is necessary to start working out and mentally gearing up for the hurdles in the future. But for those who want to take the challenge, the benefits are truly great!

Famous Treks in Nepal That Are Not Very Common
Away from the famous hiking routes, let us discover some few treks which are not that well known but are remarkably beautiful and rich in culture. Each and every trek poses its own challenges and delights and in this case, we will see what these challenges and delights are.

1. Upper Mustang Trek. Core Zone Trekking
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Since Upper Mustang used to be an administrative no-go zone, it was normal to contemplate it as a destination most often than not travelers dread. It is often referred to as the last insulated dominion of Nepal due to its geography, barren terrain, those towering old monasteries and incomparably the Tibetan way of living.
What makes it challenging:
• Altitude: The trek takes place on very high altitudes, (even up to 4200 meters) and due to the dry desert nature of this region, acclimatization is really important.
• Off the beaten paths: There are very few infrastructure in place and provisions will have to be gotten from local guest houses.
• Rough surface: The places traversed by the trek include narrow gorges, rocky paths, and dry hills, and wind especially at high altitude is very much strong.
Why it’s worth it. One of the fascinating aspects however is that the trek through Upper Mustang has magnificent views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges and cultural life rarely seen outside Tibet. The walled city of Lo Manthang is another of the primary attractions where ancient palaces and monasteries that are more than one thousand years old can be seen and explored.

2. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: A Remote Paradise
Trek Difficulty: Challenging
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and a trek to its base camp however involves crossing some uncharted and difficult places. The trek takes you through thick forests, rural settlements, and high altitude meadows.

3. Tsum Valley Trek : Une Voyage Spirituel
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
The Tsum Valley Trek, which is in the northern region of Gorkha district, is an off the beaten trek which allows you to enter a cultural heaven. This is the Tsum Valley whose preservation is thanks to the Tibetan Buddhists who, from ancient times, have built many hills with their stupas and have lived in an untainted manner.
What makes it challenging:
• Remote Location : The first and the foremost thing which needs to be accomplished is to reach the base camp which involves long hours of bus ride provided there is proper status of the roads.
• Altitude : The trek goes over 3700 meters to the highest points therefore the trekkers have to be properly equipped to cope with high altitude.
• Rugged Trails: The trekking camps are usually located on high altitude which makes it impossible to take the straight trail as the winding paths go over steep hills and rocky surface.
Why it’s worth it: Tsum Valley is Old and beautiful. It is sprinkled with remote and stunning Buddhist monasteries, and prayer wheels contrasting the blue sky all that gives strong vibes of culture in spirituality. This valley offers something never offered before with the scenic beauty of the Himalayas residing in the lap of an equally beautiful region with rich spiritual life. Trekking here seems like travelling to the any bygone futuristic era where the villagers still practice some ancient ways somewhere deep in the woods.

The post Upper Mustang Lo Manthang Trek appeared first on Boundless Himalayas.

The whitewashed settlements are set amid fields of barley in the summer time and the many impressive chortens and simple monasteries only go to reflect the stregnth of Buddhist culture here. The terrain is striking a semi-arid desert with deep ravines and rock shelves that are flanked by snowy peaks.Without doubt the highlight of the Trek in Upper Mustang is the visit to Lo Manthang where the once king of Mustang reigns over what was his tiny kingdom until recently.And whilst he has now(only in the last few years) surrendered his title he is still revered as a king by the regions  inhabitants.

Life in Lo-Manthang has continued much the same as it has for centuries people are steeped in religion with numerous Gompas, Mani walls (prayer walls) and chortens adorning the kings palace and surrounds. Prayer flags flutter above each household spreading good blessings to all corners of the world and the universe beyond.It is expensive to visit the region, a single permit cost $500 U.S. for ten days, extendable at a further $50 U.S. a day. All provisions must be carried in, accommodation is in a tented camp with full Nepali support staff.

This is a perfect destination where ample scope is offered for visiting Buddhists monasteries. This semi autonomous and heavily Tibetan influenced region was “described by Tilman as fascinatingly ugly country, the more fascinating for being so little known” indeed, the trek to Lo – Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill, panoramic view of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several others peaks make your trek memorable. A liaison officer is also needed for this trek.

Itinerary in Detail (16 Days) [ Alternative ]

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu. Welcome and receive from airport and transfer to Hotel. Briefing about the trip.
Day 02 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley which includes the visits to many historical and architectural monuments.
Day 03 : Drive to Pokhara by luxury tourist bus, overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Fly to Jomsom & start trek to Kagbeni, overnight at tented camp.
Day 05 : Trek to Chele, overnight at tented camp.
Day 06 : Trek to Geling, overnight at tented camp.
Day 07 : Trek to Tsarang, overnight at tented camp.
Day 08 : Trek to Lo-Manthang, overnight at tented camp.
Day 09 : Lo-Manthanng, overnight at tented camp.
Day 10 : Trek to Ghami via Gekar, overnight at tented camp.
Day 11 : Trek to Samar, overnight at tented camp.
Day 12 : Trek to Kagbeni, overnight at tented camp.
Day 13 : Trek to Jomsom, overnight at tented camp.
Day 14 : Fly back to Pokhara, overnight at hotel.
Day 15 : Drive back to Kathmandu by luxury tourist bus, overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : Transfer to airport, departure to your next destination with beautiful memories of your trip.

Important Note and Optional Activities

All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.

The post Forbidden Land of Mustang appeared first on Boundless Himalayas.